Stoke D'Ab 1s vs HWRCC 1xi - Match Report by Matty D

HWRCC 1xi beat Stoke D’Abernon 1xi by 1 wicket (50/50)
Stoke 127 ao, 45 overs.
HWRCC 128-9, 49.3 overs. Stephens 38*

Stoke chose to bat on a track that played dead and low. I probably would have bowled first too, but it was a good toss to lose. Tongy was late so his brother showed him up, working well with Noman to build some pressure that resulted in a drag on to the dangerous opener. The other dangerous opener was then snaffled by Davies at Mid off, again Tong being the bowler, to ensure that the Wick were on top early on. Runs were slow and wickets fell regularly. With the exception of Vish who failed to settle, all bowlers kept things tight. Anything short was easy pickings, but as it was so slow, often anything that was short was such a surprise that the batsmen often popped their shoulder out playing cross batted. Daisy again bowled beautifully without luck and Tongy (G) on arrival saw early success only to fade like a Duracell Bunny only half charged (the effect of too much sun and surf in France the previous week). The final pair put on over 25 to turn a bad 98 into a poor 127ao off about 45 overs. The pitch wasn’t a minefield, you just had to be clever about scoring shots.

Tea was excellent, even Alison gave it a 9. Rice salad, chicken nibbles, sandwiches aplenty, fruit salad. Very good.

The response started serenely enough, until against the run of play (not that things were rollocking along) Tong (I) feathered one behind to start a procession of wickets. Neither Ali nor Raza troubled the scorers much (or at all). Davies joined Day who immediately holed out to the day's most dangerous bowler (22), leaving the score perilous at about 25-3. Davies then saw Rudolph and Byrne pass before he even got off the mark. Naturally he then went as well and we were seriously stuttering against decent medium pace and controlled spin bowling. Runs on the board can make you do funny things.

Vish made a few, as did Tongy, but when they were in the hutch at 80-9 in all honesty it should have been over. Step forward Ben Stephens and Finbar Murray. With some application and patience they nurdled their way along, waiting for the bad balls and running hard. Despite the ground being small, the grass was long and the slow pitch meant it was difficult to reach the boundary. A hill on one side also slowed many a ball that would have gone for a boundary. Fin hit one big six over square, but for the most part it was little nudges to 3rd man and quick singles to vacant cover that kept us in the game. I wasn’t really nervous because we were so far behind it wasn’t worth getting worried. Perhaps I was in the minority.

Daisy told us about a game when his side had chased 260 having been 35-5. Outrageous. Somehow we found ourselves needing to increase the run rate in order to get home, with 4 an over being unprecedented in the conditions. With 5 needed off the last over, Fin got a single (3rd man) and Ben decided he had to hit a boundary. So the story goes ‘I decided I was going to hit him over his head and I swung but it was shorter that I initially thought. I just kept going with it and it arced round to square but it came off the middle.’ It sure did. One bounce four and we had won with 3 balls to spare. Stoke were understandably down, us the opposite.

Experience - you can’t buy it. Youth - you can’t buy it.

MOM – Ben Stephens. Hero.

Match Report - 1xi vs Roehampton by Matteee Deeee

HWRCC 268 - 4 (Davies 84, Nomaan 58)
Roehampton 172 (Farrell 100) Tong 4-27
HWRCC won by 96 runs.

Scorecard

When people ask me what I do for a living the conversation normally goes something like this:
'I work in regeneration'
'Regenewhat? Is that to do with flowers?'
'No. Imagine a area is sh*t....no jobs, it's messy, no-one can count etc etc. Well we try and make things better'
'Ah......another Beer?'

The above isn't technically true. The whole regeneration thing is, but I'm actually a professional (unpaid) cricketer who has a side job in regeneration that happens to be 9-5 monday to Friday. And this is the reason why.....

Roes won the toss on what looked to be a bit of a green top. It was however hard as nails and was clearly a batting deck, again. Upon insertion (ahem) the Wick again started brightly with Ali and Davies being aggressive when given the opportunity. The duo again put on another great opening stand of about 80 odd before Ali snicked one behind. Day, living a life more charmed than Aladdin, then scored 44 (for 3) in another decent partnership with Davies who continued his good form looking untroubled. Raza's late (late for a number 4 at least) introduction immediately saw the injection of some violence into proceedings, with a some large hits and some lovley poses to boot. Bonay and the Rash mopped up at the death to ensure we posted an excellent 268 off 41.5 overs. In fairness Roes actually bowled pretty well, especially the Mr Fuchs who kept a tidy line and lengh throughout. I suppose when your confidence is high and you're playing well runs just come - which is what happened on Saturday.

Teas - as standard. There was a wedding the previous day and some of the potatoes had mischievously found their way into the spread. And there may have ben some cold onion bhajis (dunno where they came from). 7.5

I said earlier that Im a professional cricketer because I will not be remembered for my ability to 'regenerate', rather it will be my playing of the great game - successfully or otherwise. We knew our response in the second innings had to be patient and measured, yet aggressive. These days you have to work for your wickets, and Saturday was no different. Tuggles and Tongbola started off and despite an old ball, found errors with the bats. Unfortunately we also found errors, principally with our catching - one at cow and one inexplicably behind the wicket. Amends would be made later however.

A decent opening stand was finally broken by the star of the day with the ball - Tong. There followed a tightening of the screws as the run rate grew and wickets started to tumble. An early declaration had given us time to take 10 wickets and as the pressure built so did the wickets column with Ali and Tong making inroads. No-one bowled poorly all day, but it was the turn of Raza who sparked the run for the finish line, with some wiley stuff. At the other end the Roes opener was soon running out of partners. With 8 overs to go and only 2 in the hutch, Tughral returned and saw a few large hits out the ground, with Farrell reaching a well earned 100. Next ball however he holed out to deep square where JMJ took a fine running match-winning catch in front of the baiting crowd and the sun set over the Millennium Wood. The vocal chords of AJ and Unsworth keeping the game as animated off the field as on it. The very next ball Tughral twirled his magic and it was over in a flash, Wick win by 96 runs.

That was a real slog of a victory against a decent Roehampton team on a fine surface. Its not coming easlity but its 4 from 4 and to a man we're feeling strong. MOM - G. Tong with 14 - 27 - 4. Class

1xi vs Haslemere - Match Report by Matty D

"Nomaan made hay while the Sun shone - lots of it" - Ed

Spirited Haslemere Run Wick Close

HWRCC 185 Nomaan 78, Davies 57
Haslemere 145 Raza 3-10, Nomaan 3-28, Day 3-36

Scorecard

Haslemere arrived just in time for the toss, duly won it, and inserted the Wick on what looked a decent deck. Pretty flat, some grass but firm.

Ali and Davies opened up and immediately set about the task. Ali in particular making hay in the sunshine with a ball that wasn't swinging. A straight six in the first over set the tone. Davies wasn't far behind, throwing his hands through the ball when given the opportunity to do so. 40 became 90, became 129 in 20 overs, with no slogging, just genuine shots. Ali fell getting ahead of himself, trying to be a bit too clever, which in hindsight was an error. A sluggish Davies upon 50 then fell to the same bowler, a lazy shot being caught at midwicket.

And then things changed. The Haslemere left arm Ford-a-like found his areas and his swing which, while early at the start of his spell, was getting later and later. He ended up with 5 excellent wickets, clearing a path of destruction at one end whilst at the other the proberbial tease bowler took out the pin but controlled the ball well in a stiff crosswind. 129-0 soon became 150-7, a quite frankly ridiculous series of events, but if it can happen to Sri Lanka then it can happen to us too. Only Tong and Tughral Snr put together a partnership towards the end - thus giving the Wick a respectable if below par score of 185. We knew 129-0 flattered the pitch. It wasn't that good, but Ali in particular should be given credit for another stunning display of clean hitting.

Tea - DBW should write a book. 7/10, but the oppo would score it at least 9.

The weather offered to play its part - the wind had been strong all day, but a few drops [of rain or Jackson-like spills? - Ed] came along and threatened to disrupt the Wick in their pursuit of 10 more wickets. A strong opening burst on an unresponsive track from Day and in particular Shinde was rewarded by only one wicket. Shuffling things around saw Ali join in the fun, finding some shape. Tughral Snr also snared the important wicket of the imposing Haslemere skip. With wickets falling at regular intervals, and the Wick bowlers showing excellent control, the game was in our favour but Halsmere were still showing fight. Raza's introduction saw the final few wickets fall at the Wick pick up their 3rd straight victory against a decent Haslemere side who will win a good amount of games following their promotion last year.

Match Report - Frimley vs 1xi - by Matteeee Deeeee

"Matty D hears that Dazzle fancies opening up" - Ed

HWRCC 168 Normy 67
Frimley 128 Day, Shri, Normy all 3 for
HWRCC 1xi beat Frimley 1xi by 40 runs
Davies, Razzle, Dazzle, Izzle, Zazzle, Zozzle, Nozzle, O'Mazzle, Navezzle, Tozzle, Shizzle

Scorecard

Ah yes. Frimley. That ol’ Chestnut. Placed alongside the idyllic Siemens UK HQ and Frimley Park Hospital roundabout, Frimley CC is a surprisingly friendly place (don’t know why I say surprisingly) with a lovely little clubhouse and a regular band of followers and incredibly biased but passionate nevertheless cheerleaders. Not all of them wear short skirts – which is a good thing – but they do provide a sense of occasion for what is as always the highlight of my week – Wick cricket.

This week a number of us decided to almost miss said occasion through a variety of laziness, confusion and lack of planning. Its not unusual and to be honest if everyone turned up on time (or even near to on time) It would be a first. And everyone does inform you when they are going to be late, which I suppose is a minor blessing. Gatesy once told me at 2pm that he was going to be late. He then arrived at about 2.45 having been driven back from a function he was working at in Devon. He was still in his work gear and reeked of alcohol. He nevertheless still managed to score 50 and from memory won us the game. It takes all sorts in cricket.

A young and youthful XI (From being the 2nd youngest 3 years ago Im now the 2nd oldest!) were confident of beating a Frimley side that have the players to cause upsets. Last year we got 260 and had them about 230-8 on one of the flattest tracks you will find. The ground is also small, fast and bumpy which means that it can rain boundaries. Think Taunton only with better telephone signal.

Tails always fails apparently so we batted. Adam feathered one early on before Rashid joined Ali for an innings building partnership. Taking the score calmly onto around 60 at 3s, Rashid was then caught at mid off for the 3rd week running having done all the hard work. Two opening bowlers with no place but just enough guile had managed to keep things steady, but with the score ticking on we were confident at this stage with plenty of batting in the hutch. But where were these change bowlers? Surely they must have at least a 3rd bowler somewhere....It took 30 overs to see someone else, which is a shame in many ways. However the plan was working – Ali thought he was playing baseball for one shot, Day skewed one to point, Raza was strangled down the leg side and Davies was clearly tired after getting up so early and missed one from the 1st change bowler who had a striking resemblance to Adam Selves in both appearance and cricketing style. The Asian ethnicity being the only obvious difference between the two.

Naveendra was joined by Zohaak making is competitive batting debut and moved things on from what was a hideous collapse. A bit of luck and few bludgeons ticked the score along, but the nagging straight stuff seemed too much for us and the wick was eventually bowled out for a patry 168. This was an improvement on last week, but at least 50, if not 100 sort of where we should have been. Everyone gets ducks, it’s when you get in and then get out that should keep you awake at night.

Teas are always a good at Frimley – theres something about mass produced baguettes that are almost white in colour and chewy.....with creamy tuna mayo.....oh yess! 8/10.

To be fair, 168 is probably a normal score for us, in fact it was arguably better than our average. We’ve done this before – in fact we do it most weeks.

‘Matty – can I open up today. I fancy a go.’
‘Yes Alex – you may’

Tong and Day were on the money straight up, but we were clearly still asleep. In all 4 catches were shelled (of varying difficulty) and one run out missed. In between all that, and a few meaty off drives by Mr Lion who after having bowled 17 overs opened up, the Wick bowlers were doing us proud. Joey was pretty sharp. Rupert could certainly crank it up. But Day is something else. 3 wickets accounted for 3 of the top 4 – invariably just done for pace – simple as that. Shri then came on and bowled a superb spell of controlled fast bowling – regularly hitting an awkward length and on a great line. 3 wickets also, all bowled (twice uprooting stumps). Ali again continued his improved bowling from 2010 with 3 more wickets and Tong returned to take the final one.

It wasn’t all plain sailing however. From 74-9, Frimley ended up on 128 thanks to some courageous if unorthodox hitting from #11 who should have batted top 6. True the ball was starting to get a bit wet and the pressure was completely off, but nevertheless his T20 knock made the game a lot closer than it was. Well played Sir.

MOM – it's got be Ali for his runs and wickets, but the key to victory was perhaps Day ripping out the heart of the Frimley batting line up and the support offered by Shri at the other end. Again, the team woefully underperformed, but it is 3 wins in 3and like Man U you don’t need to be any good to win things. Im an Arsenal fan btw.

Im all over this Saturday...

Match Report - Thames Ditton vs 1xi (Cup) - By M Dizzle

Tea at Thames Ditton "Better than last year" - Ed











HWRCC 165 - Nomaan 51
Thames Ditton Nelson HWRCC 1xi wins by 54 runs

Fire In Babylon is a new film on general release in the coming weeks that charts the rise of the feared 1980s West Indian team. Led by the best batsman in the world (with a great name) and a bowling attack second only to The Wick 1XI from 2006 (Foddy Met, Webbo, Kam, Zam, Cole, Ewen and Barrell), they destroyed all before them with aggression, class and spirit. Therefore seeing a 6-4 West Indian overseas warming up his bowling arm isn’t my idea of fun – perhaps that’s why Shri and Vish swanned off to get some food when they should have been warming up before the match.

‘Hes our new overseas – that lad there’
‘Which one?’
‘The tall fella’
‘Ah yes.’
‘He landed yesterday, we’ve not seen him before. We’ll see how he goes’
‘Indeed......Tails!’
‘Heads it is, we’ll bat!’
‘Welcome to the Fullers mate’

Ali and Bonay against his old team started up with a flurry of boundaries and wides. Almost about 20 wides in fact, all in the first 4 overs! On this evidence, the Thames Ditton overseas will need to have a net to get some legs in him. No doubt he will come good, but not on Saturday. A rollicking (no, I didn’t say B*llocking) start left the Wick at about 70-1 from 10 overs, with Bonay ‘arming’ onto the stumps once the scoreboard had progressed nicely. Ali meanwhile had decided on attack - Sir Viv style. 51 runs later (He can’t have faced more than 35 balls) he was gone but not without a grin to challenge Greg Rusedski. ‘On that track, we’ve already got enough runs’. A bit generous I think, but if the track was playing up, then the loss of Rashid, Raza and Day in quick succession was in part to be expected (Raza missed a full toss – had to get that in there).

Davies emerged and immediately hit it off with the pitch. Sunday red ink ton in 2010 had left good memories, and 21 off 10 balls (all genuine shots) was a good return. Naveendra and Vish used up some time but the scoring stagnated and the run rate fell to a paultry run-a-ball (how times have changed). Enter the Tong. Ably supported by Shri’s deadbat and Zamm's swinging blade (they didn’t all bat together – it was two partnerships), the score moved on the 165 which we felt was a below par but winnable total on a difficult surface.

Tea was fine with a variety of sandwiches (better than last year according to Bonay) and sweet things to keep Imran’s tongue wagging. 7/10.

Shri and Tong opened up, with Shri a little wasteful whilst Tong hit his straps. Wickets started to fall after a few early boundaries and we were soon into a fragile middle order. Li’s introduction saw a sustained spell of top drawer swing bowling and at the other end Tong found some rhythm of old and was hooping it around like Woo Powell (check the stats), claiming 3 superb wickets in the process. Daisy (Laisy) fancied a trundle....and I wish I could trundle like that. His short spell got a wicket and when Vish removed the gritty opener with a classic nibbler, we were well in control – 165 looking way off. Zamm's introduction coincided with a shower which livened up proceedings and the run rate became in issue, both teams frantically trying to remember their numbers. The Wick was ahead, but there wasn’t much in it, and with a few hitters in the locker TD were threatening.

It wasn’t to be however as the decision to stick with Tughral paid off and a catch on the boundary saw the last hope of TD fall, with pace returning in gloomy light and a wicket you wouldn’t write home about, 110 was a fair reflection on both teams 2nd innings performance.

MOM – Tong. 3 excellent early wickets (bowled) and a match winning innings that gave the impetus to the Wick. Special mention to Nomaan also for runs and a quality spell with the ball. In conclusion, much to improve on but a good performance against a team relegated from the division above last year.