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Denham 1st XI v Binfield 1st XI
June 14th 2008
The Batting Fails Again
Dave Maynard's Report
Denham entertained Binfield in the 1st XI Chiltern League match. The skipper (Jeff Simpson) lost the toss, so Denham were put into bat.
The déjà vu scenario, with early wicket falling in the first few overs, began with A.Sabherwal deciding to shoulder arms to a inswinging ball: he was given out LBW for 2. in came D.Maynard who built a partnership of 30 with Nicholas 27 who was beginning to enjoy the fast half volleys outside off stump before being un done by the pitch when an attempted bouncer kept low and hit the bottom off stump (WICKET IN DESPERATE NEED OF CONSTANT ROLLING FOR GAMES TO LAST 100 OVERS).
In came U.Khan who was quickly into his stride with some elegant shots before getting a top edge from a sweep and was out for 22 Next in was F.Mahmood who was out for 0 caught at mid-on and then big hitting Joe O’Hara came in to see Maynard bowled playing down the Piccadilly line instead of Central line and then O’Hara was out for 8 after hitting a big six and then was bowled by I believe an UNLUCKY INSIDE EDGE.
Denham were now 69-6 with I. Singh and Dave Tang who created the next high scoring partnership of 25 with both playing some nice shots before D.Tang was out for 16 LBW, then the captain Simpson was out bowled for 1 due to uncertainty of the pitch with the delivery pitching half way down the wicket which kept low, then S.Payne was given out to dubious LBW for not playing a shot outside the line off stump with his bat next to his pad and Dickson was then out ct and bowled for 0, with Denham all out for 117 of 34.2 over’s with the impressive I. Singh left high and dry on 23 not out.
Denham replied in good fashion after a motivational team talk from the skipper Simpson (WHICH CANNOT BE REPEATED DUE TO THIS BEING A FAMILY VIEWING WEBSITE) which left the opposition reeling at 7-3 with O’ Hara taking 2 wickets and Khan 1, but unfortunately Denham were unable to finish them off, with chances not going to hand so Binfield reached their target of 118 off 31.2 over’s with D.Yates Not Out 56.
Denham 3 pts Binfield 20 pts
Denham Innings
A.Sabherwal
LBW B.Sykes 3
J.Nicholas Bowled A.Carson 27
D.Maynard Bowled I.Goddard 13
U.Khan CT.A.Carson T.Boad 22
F.Mahmood CT.B.Sykes T.Boad 0
J.O’Hara Bowled J.O’Hara 8
I.Singh Not Out 23
D.Tang LBW T.Boad 16
J.Simpson Bowled A.Carson 1
S.Payne LBW B.Sykes 0
P.Dickson CT and Bowled B.Sykes 0
Total 117 all out off 34.4 overs
Binfield
Bowling Analysis B.Sykes 6.4 1 23 3 A.Carson 9 1 31 2 T.Boad 11 3 42 3 I.Goddard
8 2 18 2
Binfield Innings I.Goddard CT.F.Mahmood J O’Hara 2
T.Boad CT.S.Payne U Khan 1
M.Carson LBW J O’Hara 2
D.Yates Not Out 56
P.Edginton CT. U Khan F.Mahmood 21
S.Ennis Not Out 25
Total 118-4 off 31.2 Overs
Denham Bowling
Analysis U.Khan 7 1 15 1 J.O’Hara 7 0 21 2 J.Nicholas 6 2 25 0 F.Mahmood
6 0 28 1 J.Simpson 1.2 0 12 0 I.Singh 1 0 9 0
Next game: away to reigning champions Taplow
June 14th 2008
The Linesman's Report
Saturday’s away clash with Hurley was bound to be an exciting affair, with both teams having an excellent season so far. Here to bring us all the news from the match is Denham Twos’ cricket correspondent, The Linesman.
Upon arrival at Hurley Cricket Club, the visitors were suspicious of a magical aura. Whether it be the ostentatious tree plonked at mid off, or the herd of cows moving at the other end of the ground, Captain Jack and his band of heroic cricketers knew they would be facing something other-worldly on the green Hurley pitch.
Captain Jack valiantly lost the toss and, after a mid-pitch council involving the main members of the Hurley team, Denham found themselves bowling. While any normal team would be concerned about spending 50+ overs in the field, Denham set about their task with vigour. Captain Jack and Ambrose made early inroads into the Hurley top order, with only Kayani standing firm against the onslaught.
Denham proceeded to take regular wickets, with youngster Harry relieving Captain Jack and bowling a cracking spell of pace. In addition, Phil “The Philth” Ashworth chipped in with some dirty spin to take a couple of wickets and add to his ever increasing tally.
But come the twenty over mark, when all looked to be going well for the team from Cheapside, shock horror – Gandalf appeared! The Denham fielders were alerted to his presence when wafts of smoke from his bubbling cauldron swept across the pitch. Dazed and confused, the Denham fielders faltered, with the usually reliable Rulach dropping a regulation catch at leg gully and a number of streaky bacon shots from the Hurley batsmen falling inches from fielders. However, the mighty Ambrose seemed impervious to Gandalf’s wily charms, taking the wicket of danger man Kayani (for an excellent 59) with a wonderful piece of deceit. Already with two wickets to his name and ten overs of near-perfect bowling, Ambrose decided to confuse Kayani by sending down one of the dirtiest long hops ever seen in the Chiltern League. Kayani stood up from his crouched approach and prepared to deliver a telling drive. But oh noooooo, the ball missed and struck the pad straight in line with middle stump. Mighty Ambrose! With no strength in the lower order and even with the appearance of Gandalf at No.11, Denham took the remaining wickets, extinguishing the Hurley innings for 104. Ambrose was the pick of the bowlers, taking a wonderful 5 wicket haul.
Dalts and Rulach started the Denham reply with some sumptuous shots and, combined with violently-wide pace bowling, the score rattled along to 26. But calamity struck when Dalts inside-edged the first straight ball of the innings onto his stumps. Further calamity followed, with Rulach and J”ohno”K falling cheaply. WK Collins came in and provided some stern resistance, but fell just before tea with the score 36-3 and Denham threatening a shock capitulation.
But the Denham middle order was made of strong stuff and, even with a hearty tea inside them, they would not be dissuaded from their task. First Schembers played some delicious strokes to take Denham past 50. Then Captain Jack came to the crease, playing some beautiful drives to guide the team closer and closer. Only with the end in sight did he give in to his cow corner instincts, attempting a quasi-drive/hook that had the Hurley fielders retching in disgust. But the day belonged to Ambrose – partnering both Schembers and Captain Jack, he played an innings of focused aggression and clean hitting. The Hurley bowlers could find no way through and, in a desperate attempt to get wickets, took the new ball in the hope of finding the same swing that Denham had utilised so well. But this option proved to be their undoing, with Ambrose dispatching anything wide of the stumps to the boundary. Even the temptations of Gandalf could not pervert Denham from their victory target, with Captain Jack spanking the winning runs with plenty of overs to spare. Man of the match Ambrose led the team off the field and Denham relaxed in the Hurley club house, an IPA in hand and 30 points in pocket. COME ON DENHAM!!!
Denham 30 pts Hurley 3 pts
Little Marlow won again and lead the League as Wargrave didn't play this week. Denham are up to third, only 32 points behind.
Next game: home to Little Marlow - time to take the league leaders down a peg
And Woodley Makes Three...
Woodley won the toss and batted first, achieving a good start with an opening stand of 105, before Hashim Zaheer got a "caught behind" one ball before drinks at 20 overs. He gained two more victims but Woodley seemed set for a high total with a strong scoring rate.
The spinners however slowed the rate and began taking wickets, bowling out Woodley for 217, with Harish Bhatt taking 4 for 20, James Nicholas 2 for 32, and Jamie Firminger 1 for 35.
The decline caused so much distress to one Woodley player that he refused to have any tea (a sumptuous spread with many cakes)!
Denham prepared to bat, suitably refreshed, with the Woodley player still muttering in disbelief. However, there was a disappointing start with Denham losing Hemen Mehta and Tom Bishop cheaply. This brought Dave Maynard and James Nicholas together and they began crafting a match-winning stand, which was well-paced and punishing to most of the Woodley bowlers.
By the time Dave was out for an excellent 86, the match was almost won and it was left to Joe O'Hara to finish with a characteristic 6 over Long Off. James remained unbeaten with 90, so another long-lasting Saturday night proved to be a worthwhile training exercise for him.
Rather improbably, Denham took 6 catches this week - does this mean an improvement in fielding is happening?