Ist XI: Drawing Teeth

Dave Maynard's Report

The 1st XI could only draw their match against Hurley on Saturday despite the best efforts of Paul Hazell.

On a bright and windy day, Nicholas win the toss and put Hurley into bat and Denham were soon reaping the benefits, with the in-form Mahmood taking the first wicket with a good catch from Nicholas at slip and with the wicket beginning to become unpredictable due to heavy downpour of rain on Friday afternoon.

Grover and Mahmood were dominating the Hurley batsmen with some excellent deliveries which were unlucky not to take wickets.

Hurley were struggling 39-2 off 24 overs when Hurley decided to take the attack to Denham bowlers with Dawkins scoring a good 57 and he was well supported by Dobson (41).

Denham managed to pick up some wickets on the way with Treacy 1-36, Grover who produced an excellent spell of bowling of 15 overs 2 mdns 49 runs 1 wkts and is surely pushing for a regular place in the side, and the rejuvenated O’Hara who bowled excellently at the end with figures of 2-40 off 11 overs. The excellent Faisal Mahmood ended up with 2-31 off 15 overs, with Hurley restricted to 186-8 off 52 overs.

Denham began the run chase with Tobin and Nicholas before Nicholas played a flashing drive and was caught at gully for 7. Tobin soon followed afterwards for 9 and it was left to the in-form Paul Hazell to take the attack to Hurley with some excellent shots.

He was supported well by Bowry who was then given out Lbw and the out of form Maynard who was unable to stay with Hazell who eventually departed for 80. O’ Hara was then out with an excellent caught and bowled for 1 and Dave Tang was out stumped for 0 (strange choice of shot).

Finally Denham decided to defend what they had and at the finish Denham were 140 for 7 with Mahmood 15 not out and Treacy 8 not out.

Hurley 12 pts Denham 6 pts Losing Draw

HURLEY INNINGS

P.RIDGEWAY CT. NICHOLAS B. F.MAHMOOD 0
D.SIMOES B. A.TREACY 24
D.DAY CT. MAHMOOD B. J.GROVER 12
N.DAWKINS B. J.O’HARA 57
A.DOBSON RUN OUT(MAYNARD) 41
D.LEWIES CT. MAYNARD B. J.O’HARA 16
S.WALTON RUN OUT(MAYNARD) 1
M.COLE CT. J.O’HARA B. F.MAHMOOD 4
G.DOUBLE NOT OUT 13
R.WOODAGE NOT OUT 4
TOTAL 186-8 OFF 52 OVERS

BOWLING Overs Maidens Runs Wkts E/Rate Avge F.MAHMOOD 15 6 31 2 2.06 15.5, J.GROVER 15 2 49 1 3.26 49.0, A.TREACY 6 1 36 1 6.00 36.0, J.O’HARA 11 2 40 2 3.63 20.0, J.NICHOLAS 5 0 21 0 4.20

DENHAM INNINGS

C.TOBIN CT. DOBSON B. WOODAGE 9
J.NICHOLAS CT. DOBSON B. M.COLE 7
P.HAZELL ST. DAY B. P.RIDGEWAY 80
R.BOWRY LBW B. D.FORREST 3
D.MAYNARD ST.DAY B. P.RIDGEWAY 7
F.MAHMOOD NOT OUT 15
J.O’HARA CT AND BOWLED P.RIDGEWAY 1
D.TANG ST.DAY P.RIDGEWAY 0
A.TREACY NOT OUT 8
TOTAL 140-7 OFF 48 OVERS

BOWLING Overs Maidens Runs Wkts E/Rate Avge M.COLE 15 5 37 1 2.46 37.0, R.WOODAGE 11 3 21 1 1.90 21.0, D.FORREST 9 4 24 1 2.66 24.0, P.RIDGEWAY 13 0 48 4 3.69 12.

But at least Denham STAY TOP of the table, ahead of Great Kingshill and Hurley.

2nd XI: Now That The Hurley-Burley's Done

The Twos go marching on! Skipper Payne's Report

On a rain affected wicket, Denham 2nd XI won the toss and asked Hurley 2nd XI to bat.

An accurate opening spell of 15 overs for 22 runs and 2 wickets restricted them until Taylor took advantage of bowling changes to post the only 50 of the match.

The game seemed to be up when Richie Brathwaite bowled a corker to dismiss him. However, young D. Doyle batted with good application, watch out for him in years to come, and D. Wright launched some lusty blows to see Hurley through to 190 for 7 off a full 52 overs.

Denham's innings started with calamity, last weeks batting hero Mark Dalton being yorked for 6, followed next ball with Chris Ambler succumbing the same way. Yours truly (Skipper Payne) arrived, saw off the hat trick, but didn't last long. 22 for3 .

Was it all up? Not if J.K. Bhagodia had anything to do with it. Striking the ball well, and running like a manic frog, he and Lee Webber put on 68, until J.K. went for one big hit too many, and was caught for 46.

Wickets now started to tumble, Lee going for 35, and we seemed out of it at 128 for 7.

With Denham's two most defensive-minded batsmen, Richie Brathwaite and new boy Keith Walford, at the crease, the ball seemed to disappear to areas long forgotten. 53 runs later, Richie was out-thought by a grenade he succeeded in hitting vertically, but not horizontally.

Pete the Rock Schembri now joined our new hero to see it through. Keith proved himself a true Denham player by launching grenade thrower Walton back over his head to level the scores, and move himself on to 49. Next ball, one to win, a half volley grenade was slapped to the boundary, only to be caught.

Could Denham grasp a tie from the jaws of victory? Not if the Rock had anything to do with it. Looking to launch yet another grenade out of the ground, a massive swing only led to the the ball eluding him, and the wicket keeper taking cover, while Schembers and bowler Ron Lewis scampered the winning bye.

Won in true Denham style.

20 hard-earned points to Denham

Sunday XI 5th June: Triumph Over Tossers

Denham beat the Tossers!

Denham completed a convincing 7 wicket win over Full Tossers on Sunday.

Fielding first, the Denham opening attack of James Nicholas and Richie Brathwaite gave away few runs and Tossers progressed slowly.

However, from a solid start of 80 for 1, the introduction of skilled slow bowling instigated a collapse to 110 allout, with Phil Ashworth taking 3 for 20, Harish Bhatt 3 for 15 and Russell Bowry 2 for 9. Russell also took four catches.

The innings finished with a rare cameo over from Stuart Payne, culminating in a straight ball which hit middle stump.

In reply, Denham began slowly and with difficulty, losing early wickets to be 24 for 2.

However, Paul Hazell (52) and James Nicholas (19) produced an undefeated stand of 59 to complete the victory after 23 overs with a score of 113 for 3.

Champagne moment: The founding of the Phil Ashworth Fan Club by skipper Russell Bowry after a superb maiden.