|
SANDHURST
1st XI
Sandhurst 1st XI 147-9 Swindon
NALGO 148-6
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST lost a third straight match on Saturday (August
30th), at home to Swindon NALGO, but there were smiles all round as top flight status was assured thanks to favourable results
elsewhere.
No sooner had Sandhurst slipped to a four-wicket loss, then
skipper Chris Pharo was phoning the result through and at the same time learning of a heavy defeat for Woodcote at Mortimer
West End. That result meant Sandhurst's loss was academic, and Woodcote go down along with Shinfield.
Mortimer
West End are crowned champions of the premier division, with Swindon forced to settle for runners-up spot.
In
the final league match against Swindon, erratic Sandhurst batted first and managed just 147-9 from their 45 overs. They put
on 33 for the first wicket, but then lost men at regular intervals.
Extras contributed 27 runs, and could not be
bettered by any of the Sandhurst players. Next best was Des Sussex (26), with a notable contribution from Anthony Clapham
(21 not out). Amritendu Das was the pick of the Swindon bowlers, claiming 3-36.
Sandhurst had Swindon in a spot of bother
at 33-2 and then 58-3, but a score of 42 from Shoayb Rahman took the match away from the home side. Russell Stone took 2-14.
The other wickets were shared between Aron Shallom, Des Sussex, Martin Pharo and Simon Coxwell.
A number of chances
were spurned by Sandhurst's fielders, allowing Swindon to win in the 43rd over, but never has a loss been greeted
with such relief, as players learned that the club had clung on to its premier division status - albeit by the skin of its
teeth.
Crown Wood 1st XI 229-6
Sandhurst
1st XI 66
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST were crushed at
Crown Wood on Saturday (August 23rd), losing by a massive 163 runs and - with title hopefuls Swindon NALGO last up - the club's
proud place in the premier division remains in the balance.
The Sandhurst skipper, Chris Pharo, was already without Des Sussex for the fixture.
Leading batsman Graham Saunders fell by the wayside on the morning of the match with food poisoning. This left Sandhurst under-strength
for such a crucial match. Pharo won the toss and elected to field - a decision that looked the
correct one when Crown Wood were wobbling at 49-2. Aron Shallom took both wickets, as he marked his return with 5-61. But,
as with the previous week against Mortimer, the Sandhurst bowlers then let the opposition off the hook. A third wicket stand of 130 pushed Crown Wood to 179-3. With wickets in hand, they allowed themselves a dip toward
the end to finish on 229-6. Andy Tutty took the only other wicket to fall, that of opener Kamran Nassir (99). The 1st XI's reply was disastrous. Only three players made double figures, with Chris Pharo (11) top scoring.
Sandhurst's middle order crumbled, against a Crown Wood side which sat second from bottom at the start of play. From
a precarious 51-4, the visitors tumbled to 52-8! The tail stubbornly stuck around, but by then the writing was well and truly
etched into the wall, and Sandhurst were dismissed for a season-low 66, inside 34 overs. Ravi Godbole took 3-8; Kamran Nassir
3-19. Sandhurst 1st XI 112
Mortimer West End 1st XI 189-8
Berkshire
League premier division
A SIXTH wicket partnership of 130 put paid to any hopes
that Sandhurst had of upsetting title contenders Mortimer West End, with the visitors comfortably leaving victorious
by 77 runs.
Batting first, the table-toppers found it hard going against
sharp bowling and a slow outfield. Runs were tricky to come by. After 15 overs, West End had just 30 on the board, for the
loss of one wicket - taken by Des Sussex. Sussex went on to take 3 for 22 in a beguiling spell, allowing Sandhurst to scent
blood.
At 38-4 and then 43-5, Mortimer were staring down the barrel. Andy Johnson (88) and Bob Hodson (44) came
together for the sixth wicket and - while at times riding their luck - wrestled back the initiative. Both Johnson and Hodson
fell late on, by which stage Sandhurst's grip on the game - even at that stage - appeared flimsy.
Sandhurst's
reply got off to the worst possible start, when Nayeem Ahmed fell cheaply in the second over. Graham Sanders and Sussex put
on a 50-plus partnership for the second wicket, before the wheel came off. Paul Magee trapped three Sandhurst players LBW,
stepping across the line to deliveries which kept low. Too much was then expected of the lower order, which was unable to
respond in the same way as the opposition.
At the drinks interval, Mortimer West End were 54-5 (from 22 overs)
and went on to make 189-8. Sandhurst were on a more healthy 77-4, and crumbled to 112 all out.
Shinfield 1st XI 111
Sandhurst 1st XI 193-4
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST eased their relegation fears with
a comfortable 82-run win at struggling Shinfield on Saturday (August 2nd).
In a weather-affected match
reduced to 40 overs per side, Sandhurst batted first and totalled 193-4. Graham (Colonel) Sanders - after a low score against
Stoke Row the previous week - returned to form with another sparkling innings. His 66 took him beyond 500 runs for the season.
Andy Tutty stepped up to the plate with an unbeaten knock of 42, as the visitors posted a decent total. Adam Birch
contributed a useful 39.
Aiming for only their second league win of the season, Sandhurst had Shinfield reeling in the first over. Skipper
Chris Pharo kept the old ball and took the unusual step of opening with the off-spin of older brother Martin. It certainly
paid dividends, as one of their opening batsmen went for the big shot in the first over, only to find the safe hands of Jordan
Clement.
Clement's super take was considered a one-off by the outgoing batsman - not so. The youngster took
another skier in the same over ... this time on the run. Martin Pharo started with a double-wicket maiden and Sandhurst never
looked back!
A cracking result for Sandhurst, made all the more impressive as they managed it without a number
of key players. It's only their second win of the season, but their second win over sorry Shinfield.
Sandhurst 1st XI 137-7 Stoke
Row 1st XI 220-7
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST'S future in the Berkshire League top flight remains in the
balance after managing just a losing draw at home to Stoke Row on Saturday (July 26th).
The result against
Stoke Row was worth a meagre five points for Sandhurst, who now have just five matches in which to try and stave off a relegation
dog-fight.
Though lying sixth in the table, Sandhurst's average points haul of 14.364 is marginally better
than Shinfield - the side in the second relegation spot. Shinfield have 13.083 points per game, and host Sandhurst next
weekend.
Sandhurst will travel to Shinfield without a number of key players, notably Aron Shallom and Dave Hambrook.
Shallom is on holiday and misses the next three games. Hambrook featured for the last time against Stoke Row before heading
home to Australia.
Stoke Row appeared fond of the Sandhurst bowling, which was devoid of Des Sussex or Andy Tutty,
and chalked up 220-7. Opener Will MacDonald was the mainstay, finishing unbeaten on 123. That said, Shallom made an early
breakthrough, having opener Patrick Hennessy caught by Graham Sanders from the fourth ball of the innings.
A
middle-order collapse, aided by two run-outs from Hambrook, left Stoke Row on 181-7, before MacDonald kicked on to register
his maiden century.
Simon Coxwell was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-31. Shallom and Hambrook were tight,
but Andrew Bradshaw was punished for short-pitched deliveries and Jordan Clement expensive, though Stoke Row suggest on their website:
"(Jordan) showed promise for future seasons."
Sandhurst never looked like getting anywhere near the Stoke
Row total, and fell a considerable way short on 137-7. Run-machine Sanders succumbed cheaply, as Sandhurst limped to
24-2 and then 67-5. Kevin Speakman and Bradshaw then batted sensibly and stubbornly to help their side avoid defeat.
Stoke Row were
impressed with Sandhurst's fielding and resolve, but boast that this was the best performance of their debut season in
the premier division, especially as it came against one of the more established teams.
Pinkneys Green 1st XI 194-6 Sandhurst 1st XI 192-7 Berkshire League premier division
ARON Shallom hit an unbeaten 66 but it was not enough to prevent Sandhurst
1st XI from tumbling to a four-wicket defeat at Pinkneys Green on Saturday (July 19th). Batting first, Chris Pharo's side managed 192-7. In reply, Jags Dhillon led the charge
for Pinkneys. His 92 not out was the driving force for the home team, as they further dented Sandhurst's fading title
hopes. Shallom finished with figures of 4-44 on what was a good day personally, but a bad day for the team. With a third of the season remaining, Sandhurst (15.300) lie sixth in the table. Worryingly, they are closer to the
bottom two in terms of points than they are to the top four.
Sandhurst
1st XI 152-4 Peppard 1st XI 118-8
Berkshire League premier division
DAVE Hambrook and Graham Sanders played patiently on a slow track,
but four dropped catches may have cost Sandhurst dear against high-flying Peppard, as the visitors clung on for a draw.
A damp square meant a 30-minute delay to the start. This resulted in the match being reduced to 41 overs
per side.
Sandhurst were put in to bat and made an agonisingly slow start. The loss of Des Sussex with the score
on four was a blow, but Sanders (50) and Hambrook (60) dug deep and put on a solid 91 for the second wicket.
Sanders
was out rather controversially for yet another half century, while Hambrook was run out with a top score of 60. Chris Pharo
chipped in with a decent 21 and an Adam Birch six in the final over took Sandhurst past the 150 mark.
Peppard -
who began the day in third place - were pegged back by some mean bowling. Sussex took 3-36, while Aron Shallom returned figures
of 2-28 from 14 overs. Jordan Clement, Andrew Bradshaw and Martin Pharo all took a wicket apiece, but it was the downed chances
which proved pricey as Peppard blocked out the final few overs to salvage a losing draw.
What this does show,
is that there's little to choose between most sides in this division. Sandhurst started the match in seventh place, four
below Peppard, and yet were by far the better side throughout. The home side picked up 21 points and move up to sixth in the
table, with an average of 16.000 points.
Woodcote
1st XI 201-7 Sandhurst 1st XI 193-9
Berkshire League premier division
THIS losing draw at Woodcote represents another opportunity
lost. It also means another place lower in the table, with a slide to seventh, and another blow to Sandhurst's fading
title hopes.
Woodcote batted first and Jez Mayo led the way with 52 - he would later return to haunt Sandhurst with
the ball. Mayo, one of nine new faces at Woodcote this season, has certainly proved a decent acquisition, with a number of
steady knocks. The home side went on to total 201 for the loss of seven wickets.
Sandhurst's innings was again
given solid foundations by the reliable Graham Sanders. He top scored with a wonderful 73. Sadly, the wickets began to tumble,
and Sandhurst fell just short of their victory target by nine runs. Mayo took 3-52.
The visitors had to settle
for a losing draw, and 12 points, though Woodcote may argue that having taken nine of Sandhurst's wickets, it is they
who should feel hard done to.
Swindon NALGO 263-6
Sandhurst 1st XI 158
Berkshire League premier division
AT the midway point of the season, Sandhurst's title bid is in need of a massive boost, as
they slipped to sixth in the table with a heavy defeat at new leaders Swindon NALGO.
Swindon Nalgo posted a score of 263 for six from their
45 overs after some good batting and very poor bowling. All the Sandhurst bowlers struggled with line and length - and were
punished badly by Swindon number 3 Shaz Khan in particular, who scored 88 not out. Fahim Zafar also proved a tricky customer
with his score of 80.
Of the Sandhurst bowlers, both Aron Shallom and Dave Hambrook took matching figures of 3-53.
Sandhurst's batsmen were never really at the races and, despite Graham Sanders continuing his sparkling form with
an unbeaten 46, the visitors stumbled to defeat with just four balls remaining and only 158 on the board.
Sandhurst 1st XI 166-5
Crown Wood 1st XI 127-9
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST were denied a much-needed
victory at home to Crown Wood on Saturday (June 21st), as the visitors held on for a losing draw. The result lifted the 1st XI up to fourth in the premier division.
Graham Sanders was again the star batsman, with yet another 50 to his name. On a slow
track, Sandhurst did well to reach 166-6 from their allotted overs.
The visitors were rarely in the chase for victory,
especially as bowlers Andrew Bradshaw and Aron Shallom were on fire.
Bradshaw bagged four wickets with some great
swing bowling. He also generated an amount of bounce from the track. Not to be outdone, Shallom took four wickets as well
with aggressive and accurate bowling.
At 127-9, Crown Wood shut up shop and did enough to prevent Sandhurst from
registering only their second win of the season.
Mortimer West End 197-7
Sandhurst 1st XI 196
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST suffered their first defeat
of the season on Saturday (June 14th), losing by three wickets at leaders Mortimer West End. The loss means Sandhurst drop
from third to fifth in the table.
Batting first, the visitors posted 196. Mortimer's Bob Hodson snapped
up 6-51. In reply, West End struggled to cope with Des Sussex (4-52), but had enough in the tank to hold on and maintain their
impressive surge this season.
Sandhurst have managed just one win all season, and have to bounce back instantly
if they're to keep the leading pack in their sights. Chris Pharo's team are now below Mortimer WE, Swindon NALGO,
Pinkneys Green and Stoke Row.
SANDHURST lost out on the chance to close the
gap with leaders Mortimer West End after only managing a losing draw at home to Emmbrook & Bearwood on Saturday (June
7th).
Chasing 191 to win, the 1st XI got off to an electrifying start. In the absence of regular openers
Graham Sanders and Des Sussex, it was left to skipper Chris Pharo and Dave Hambrook to shoulder the responsibility - and they
did so with aplomb.
The pair put on 101 for the first wicket, before Pharo fell for 56. Hambrook went on to hit
50, but the Sandhurst batsmen who followed failed to make use of the momentum gained and ran out of overs in their chase for
victory. Earlier, Emmbrook & Bearwood posted 190-8 (exact details of Sandhurst's total not available).
As
a result of the losing draw, Sandhurst slip back to third in the table, behind Swindon NALGO. Sandhurst have an average of
19 points, with Mortimer on 27 and Swindon on 22.5.
SANDHURST 1st XI 176-9 SHINFIELD 1st XI 109
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST sunk sorry Shinfield on Saturday (May 31st) and moved up to second in the Premier Division. Graham Sanders lay
the foundations with a quality innings, before spin ace Simon Coxwell wreaked havoc with the ball. Sanders ground out 67 to set Sandhurst on their
way. This was his third league half century of the season, and achieved despite a slow, heavily-sanded outfield. He put on
55 for the opening stand with Des Sussex (28), before a second wicket partnership of 57 with Dave Hambrook (29).
Chris Pharo, the Sandhurst skipper, said: "Graham
reached 50 without hitting a boundary thanks to the state of the outfield - and it was one of his best ever knocks for the
club."
Sandhurst's innings was built around the top three, but from 148-3, Sandhurst
went for the big shots and posted 176-9 - impressive considering the outfield.
This total was always going to be
a struggle for Shinfield, who stumbled to 13-3 early on - this after Andrew Bradshaw sent back two batsmen with corking in-swingers. Pick
of the bowlers, though, was Coxwell. He missed all of 2007 after shoulder surgery, but showed all his experience and
guile with 3-7. He was superbly backed up by a fiery Bradshaw (2-11), Andy Tutty (2-26) and Hambrook (2-27),
while Aron Shallom also found some form.
A great win for Sandhurst, albeit against a poor Shinfield side, but as
skipper Chris Pharo pointed out: "You've still got to put them away."
Stoke Row 266-6
Sandhurst 1st XI 232-7
Berkshire League premier division
SANDHURST
1st XI's match on Saturday proved a difficult day for the team, as some poor bowling and fielding combined to let an impressive
Stoke Row batting order rack up a boundary-packed 266 for six from their 45 overs.
Sands again failed to make any early inroads -
and both Stoke openers made their fifties aided by some dropped catches, doses of good luck and aggressive shot-making. It
only got worse when the Sandhurst side started taking wickets - for that ushered 16-year-old Terry McGeer to the wicket.
He arrived looking
like a slightly confused and dishevelled youngster - and left 25 balls later with 55 to his name after a dazzling innings
of power hitting.
McGeer,
a pupil at the Oratory School - whose cricket coaching must be of a very high standard - also opened the bowling. He used
his lanky six foot four inch frame to bowl a spell of fiery pace.
Sandhurst, however, showed as much application with the bat as they lacked
with the ball - openers Des Sussex and Graham Sanders put on 49 for the first wicket. Sanders went on to complete an impressive
63, while also enjoying a good partnership with Aussie number 3 Dave Hambrook. But after they fell, Sands slipped behind the
rate and despite some brilliant shot making by Andy Tutty (48) ended 35 runs short of victory.
Of the Sandhurst
bowlers, only Des Sussex emerged with his reputation intact, taking 4-48.
* Result: losing
draw. Stoke Row, 20pts; Sandhurst 11pts.
Sandhurst 1st XI v
Pinkneys Green 1st XI
Berkshire League premier division
IT proved another frustrating afternoon for the
1st XI, as their home match with Pinkneys Green was reduced to something of a lottery due to the rain, which eventually got
the better of both sides and the contest was abandoned (May 17th).
In the time it took for the
elements to triumph, Pinkneys rattled off 259-4 from 40 overs, with bowling and fielding severely hampered by the conditions.
A further downpour brought proceedings to a permanent halt.
Peppard 1st XI 186-9
Sandhurst 1st XI 197-8
Berkshire League premier division
CHANGES
to Berkshire League rules failed to de-rail Sandhurst's opening premier division fixture on Saturday (May 10th), which
resulted in a winning draw at Peppard.
Sandhurst 1st XI skipper, Chris Pharo, admitted:
"Somewhat foolishly, I was unaware of the new
early 1pm start - and in particular the rule that said for every minute we were late starting we'd give Peppard a penalty
run."
The match began at 1.15pm, with Sandhurst batting first. Peppard made the most of the chaos to turn
the screw early on, with bowler Tim Vines particularly meagre.
Sandhurst started to accelerate once Graham Sanders
(58) and Adam Birch (47) took to the middle. Sanders' innings was peppered with its usual array of off and cover drives,
while Birch continued his sparkling run of form.
The visitors closed on 197-8 from their 45 overs.
With 15 on the
board before a ball was bowled, Peppard had every reason to expect a victory - and they got off to a flyer, rattling along
at nearly six an over for the first 10 overs.
Pharo said: "Things looked bleak, but at the start of this season I said we
need three heroes to step up every game. Andy Tutty was one of those heroes, producing a great spell of seam bowling
to rip out three of the Pepps dangermen."
In the end Peppard were left clinging on, at 186-9. A winning draw for Sandhurst (23
points), and a great away performance to kick off the league campaign.
MIDWEEK XI
Sandhurst Midweek XI 142-5
Binfield 160-4
Bracknell & District Evening League
SANDHURST Midweek XI's league season ended
on Tuesday night (July 22nd) with an 18-run defeat at home to top dogs Binfield.
In a high-scoring
contest, Sandhurst took three overs to focus. The last league match of the season had an end of term feel about it. By the
time Sandhurst's players had switched on and taken the match seriously, Binfield's openers had got their eye in and
were scoring freely.
Martin Bridges was the pick of the Sandhurst bowlers with 2-30, while Andrew Bradshaw
enjoyed a fiery burst, but a thumping 40 not out from Binfield skipper Paul Edgington late on set the hosts a victory target
of 161 from their 16 eight-ball overs.
Binfield's
batsmen had to contend with a swarm of flying ants during their innings. The ants had bite and did their best to
to get under the opposition's skin - something which was lacking from Sandhurst in the field early on!
Aron
Shallom and Andrew Bradshaw got Sandhurst's reply off to a steady, if not spectacular, start. Both players fell to
catches in the deep as they attempted to keep up with the growing run rate.
Anthony Clapham (45 not out) top scored
for Sandhurst with a swashbuckling innings. He was suitably supported by Clive Watson (30), but the target was too great and,
in the fading light, Sandhurst fell 18 runs short.
Bracknell 106 Sandhurst Midweek XI 109-3 Bracknell & District
Evening Cricket League Cup final
SANDHURST captured the Bracknell & District Evening Cricket League Cup
for a fourth time on Friday (July 18th) with victory at a canter. Batting
first, Bracknell were bamboozled by brilliant bowling. Pick of the bunch was Mark Clapham. He took the last three Bracknell
wickets in his fourth over, to finish with figures of 5-17. Clapham Senior was superbly backed up by Martin Bridges (3-25)
and Des Sussex (2-25), who restricted the opposition to just 106. The total never
looked like being enough, and so it proved. Opener Aron Shallom smashed 40, to blunt the Bracknell blade. The winning runs
were struck by Dave Hambrook (34 not out), with Sandhurst easing to a wonderful seven-wicket win in only the 12th over.
Sandhurst Midweek XI 106-4
Binfield 102-9
SANDHURST avenged the previous week's defeat
by Binfield to march into the Midweek Cup finals, to be played at Bracknell on July 18th.
Binfield batted
first and were reduced to 50-3 off eight overs, due to aggressive bowling from Aron Shallom (2-14) and Andrew Bradshaw (1-33).
This great spell included a wonderful catch in the deep from Bradshaw, off the bowling of Shallom, to dismiss Binfield's
danger man Sean Ennis (64 the previous week).
The Sandhurst second string bowlers of Mark Clapham (3-19) and Dave
Hambrook (2-32) tightened the screw and forced Binfield's batsmen into taking risks. This resulted in Clapham taking vital
wickets, at a time when Binfield were looking to accelerate. Skipper Adam Birch got in on the act, with a stumping and a caught
behind. Dave Hambrook was not be outdone. His two wickets came from catches in the deep, including one which was noted in
the scorebook as bowled D Hambrook, caught J Hambrook.
Dave Hambrook was smashed for 19 in the final over, as Binfield
limped past three figures, to record 102-9 from their 16 eight-ball overs.
Chasing a modest 103 to win, a
steady start was required. Dave Hambrook fell with the score on four. It was at this point that wily Aron Shallom took centre
stage with a blistering 41 off just 19 balls! Shallom's slog took Sandhurst to an almighty 60-1 off just four overs.
Shallom and Anthony Clapham fell in quick succession, leaving Sandhurst on 65-3 - and still in control. J Hambrook
went with the score on 80, leaving Birch and Richard Jenkins to see Sandhurst home in the 11th over. Birch belted young Binfield
bowler S Carson for 14 in one over, including two sixes, as the home side cruised to victory.
Binfield 134-4
Sandhurst Midweek XI 131-5
THE Midweek
XI suffered a six wicket defeat at the hands of Binfield, but will be keen to reverse that this Tuesday (July 1st)
when they meet in the League Cup.
In the absence of
Adam Birch, the captaincy was shouldered by Andrew Bradshaw.
Sandhurst
batted first and managed 131-5 from their 16 8-ball overs. Dave Hambrook top scored with an unbeaten 38. Kevin Speakman managed
a decent 30.
Binfield, in reply, knocked off the required
runs with more than two overs to spare. Aron Shallom captured 2-38. The other wickets were taken by Calvin Hall and Mark Clapham.
The home side made 134-4, to win by six wickets.
Sandhurst Midweek XI 140-3
Old Beans 134-6
AN unbeaten fourth wicket partnership of 82 helped Sandhurst to a comfortable
victory over Old Beans on Tuesday (June 10th), to avenge the defeat from earlier in the season.
Old Beans batted first, and were left wobbling by Andrew Bradshaw
(2-14). From 30-2, they rallied with an unbroken stand of 60, before Mark Clapham (3-40) struck at the end of a spell of tight,
unplayable bowling.
Sandhurst trio of Mark Clapham, Jordan Clement and Calvin Hall frustrated Old Beans at the
death, as they posted 134-6. The bowling efforts were backed up by solid fielding. Clement claimed two catches, Dave Hambrook
and Bradshaw one apiece, while skipper Adam Birch snapped up another stumping.
Sandhurst started their run chase
well with Aron Shallom hitting 23 in the first two overs, only to fall to a juggling catch in the deep. Hambrook departed
soon after, before Anthony Clapham and Ross Darrah got the home side to 58-2 off 8 overs. Clapham was dismissed trying to
up the tempo, which brought Birch and Darrah together.
The pair gobbled up the remaining runs, smashing 82 in five
overs, including four sixes. Birch finished on 56, with Darrah on 28. Sandhurst won by seven wickets, with three overs to
spare!
Birch commented: “It was a must-win game for us as we didn't play to the best of our abilities
last time we faced Old Beans, and it showed with a heavy loss. It was a great all round performance with tight bowling and
great fielding to back up the bowlers.”
He added: “For me, Ross really stood out. He showed with his
batting that he’s not just a slogger. Of course, he was good for a few boundaries, but he also hung around and batted
for ten overs, rotating the strike and hitting the big shots when needed.”
Sandhurst Midweek XI 120-3
Bracknell 119-8
SANDHURST barely put a foot wrong in beating Bracknell
convincingly on Tuesday (May 20th), with Aussie newcomer Dave Hambrook hammering his maiden half century for the club.
Batting first, having won the toss, Bracknell raced to 78-2 by the midway point in their innings. But a spirited
fightback from Sandhurst, which involved tight bowling and disciplined fielding, restricted the visitors to 119-8 from their
16 eight-ball overs.
Jordan Clement's one over proved fruitful, taking 2-4, while Mark Clapham and the consistent
Martin Bridges both took two wickets apiece. The bowlers were aided by Hambrook and Adam Birch. Hambrook snapped up three
catches, while skipper Birch removed two batsmen with stumpings.
An under-the-weather Aron Shallom (10) departed
cheaply, as Sandhurst set about chasing down their target of 120. Stylish Hambrook (51) and the dogged Kevin Speakman (41)
combined well to draw the team level with Bracknell, before both departed in swift succession. It was left to Andrew Bradshaw
to hit the winning run, and complete a well-deserved victory with 13 balls to spare.
Old Beans 151-3
Sandhurst Midweek XI 150-8 Sandhurst lost by 7 wickets
THE wily Old Beans out-foxed Sandhurst (May 14th)
as they made the most of a short boundary, to win by seven wickets with nine balls remaining.
Batting
first, Sandhurst got off to a solid start through Kevin Speakman and Aron Shallom, reaching 45 for the opening stand. Shallom
(46) continued his recent form with another belligerent innings, which included a number of massive sixes.
David
Hambrook and Anthony Clapham chipped in with 27 apiece, but the total of 150 from their 16 overs always appeared a little
too modest.
And so it was, as Old Beans made the most of the short boundary to pick off the runs, scampering home
with a little more than an over to spare. Shallom did his utmost to stem the flow of runs with a tidy spell (4-23), but the
visitors had given themselves too much to do.
Skipper Adam Birch said: ""With a few
more runs, and had we held our catches, then we would of put more pressure on the Old Beans, but it was a fun game as
always!"
Bracknell
Forest Borough Council 121
Sandhurst Midweek XI 175-2
Sandhurst won by 54 runs
ARON Shallom broke his bat as he bludgeoned an
unbeaten 91, to catapult Sandhurst to a comfortable League Cup victory over Bracknell Forest Borough Council (May 6th).
Shallom was ably supported by Kevin Speakman (16) and David Hambrook (32no), as Sandhurst smashed their way to an
impressive 175-2 from 16 overs.
In reply, BFBC found Sandhurst's bowlers in disciplined mood. Openers Jordan
Clements and Mark Clapham did a containing job, snaring a wicket apiece, while Martin Bridges shone with two head-high
catches. The steady bowling from Calvin Hall was rewarded with a wicket, before Mark Clapham swooped to polish off the home
side's challenge with a clinical run out in the final over.
Midweek captain, Adam Birch, remarked
afterwards: "It was a great game for the first run out of the season.
"Aron looked in devastating form, and let's hope he can continue it throughout the season - he was in control
the whole innings."
Adam continued: "Dave Hambrook had a decent debut, while Jordan Clement opened
the bowling, knowing the oppo' would come out strong. He held his nerve and bowled a good line and length.
"All
in all, it was a solid performance, and it's always good to get off to a winning start - roll on the next game."
Wokingham 123-4
Sandhurst Hawks 117-9
Friendly
SANDHURST Hawks provided great excitement on Tuesday as they fell
just seven runs short of what would have been their first win of the season.
Hawks skipper Ben Cousins
won his eighth toss of the year, and Wokingham were able to post 123-4 from their 20 overs. Despite bowling too many wides,
Sandhurst more than made up for this with another excellent display in the field. There were some fabulous boundary stops,
as well as great throwing. Alfie Gibbons was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3-0-12-2.
Again the
Hawks started slowly in reply, and lost early wickets, until Prashant Singh (4) and Alfie Gibbons (25) kick-started the run
chase with powerful hitting and some pleasing quick singles.
Poor bowling and a healthy contribution from
the middle order got Sandhurst back in the contest. There were notable scores from Alex Leonard (6) and debutant Edward Batchelor
(5).
With 15 required off the last over, played out in fading light, Robert Andrews, Ben Cousins and Billy Rooney
tried in vain to knock off the runs needed. In a dramatic final over, Hawks' batsmen did all they could, but sadly fell
just short.
A proud manager, Ian Cousins, said afterwards: "The match was played
brilliantly by two well matched and friendly sides, who were a credit to both clubs.
"Apart from too many wides (the sloping pitch didn't help), our whole game was great
and provided the parents with huge excitement. The boys gave 100% all round and were a credit to Sandhurst."
Ian added: "To hear parents and boys of both clubs screaming, jumping up and down and cheering with excitement four
overs from the end was fantastic.
"The boys were gracious in defeat but disappointed as we got so near, but
once again their pride is intact and to see the huge smiles on all of their faces at the end was a fitting tribute to the
effort and support we had. Well done."
* The player-of-the-match award went to the entire team because of
their effort, fielding, aggressive batting and the excitement they generated.
Sandhurst Hawks 68-7
Kidmore End Kites 118-4
BYCL Division B
HAWKS could and should have made this a more
competitive match, yet ended up losing it by 50 runs on a damp day at The Memorial Park (July 5th).
A number of plus points emerged, though, including the performances of Sandhurst under-9s playing at a higher age group
level.
Skipper Ben Cousins won the toss, and duly invited Kidmore End to bat first. Hawks captured a wicket from
the third ball, thanks to a great throw from Billy Rooney.
The visitors steadied the ship before Ollie Dunlop -
an under-9 making his debut at this level - snapped up two wickets in an impressive spell of 3-0-12-2.
Wides were creeping in again. Below par fielding also allowed Kidmore to
score fairly freely. Robert Andrews bagged his first wicket of the season to halt the slide near the end, but Kidmore had
scored 30 more than they really should have done.
Undaunted, the Hawks' openers Alex Hunt and Jarrod McTeggart
started slow but well, as did the batsmen to follow. They all got on the board, but slogs near the end from Mark
Paget and Prashant Singh were too late to save the day.
Manager Ian Cousins said: "It was
a little disappointing, as this is one which could have been a lot closer had we played like we did at Finch and Crown Wood.
That said, they all put in 100% effort as usual.
"Plus
points were the backing up and batting technique, which is now looking better, and also the emergence of some of the under-9
players like Harry Staples, Ollie Dunlop and Callum Lindsey. Well done boys, keep up the effort."
Player of
the match: Ollie Dunlop.
Crown Wood Cobras 145-3
Sandhurst Hawks 55
BYCL
Division B
SANDHURST Hawks suffered a heavy defeat at league leaders
Crown Wood Cobras, but the signs remain promising and the performances continue to show wonderful progress.
Hawks skipper Ben Cousins won the toss and opted to field first. Billy Rooney, Alex Hunt and Callum Sanders opened the bowling and kept things tight, helped once again by some extremely
impressive fielding.
Crown Wood openers made steady progress until Alex Leonard claimed his first-ever wicket after
Harry Staples took a skier - brilliant fielding, Hawks players went potty and then Ben Cousins followed up by bowling the
other opener.
The home team then stepped up the pace. Hawks’ heads, though, never dropped and it was with
some relief when Harry Staples bowled the best batsman seen in the league this season. He’s smashed 24 off just 12 deliveries!
Again, chasing a huge total, the Hawks started steadily while playing some aggressive shots. Callum Lindsey, Michael
Barton and Harry Staples played well, against a tight bowling attack. There was no middle-order wobble - in fact, Mark Paget
came in and hit three boundaries on his way to 16, with some great stroke, ably assisted by Robert Andrews.
Crown
Wood eventually wore down the visitors’ resistance and a couple of silly run outs near the end saw off the Hawks.
Manager Ian Cousins said: “ This was our best performance of the season. Despite the scores, my team were hugely
impressive all round.
“Once again the fielding was top drawer, and again the opposition manager commented
on how well we did in the field with our backing up and encouraging. And now we have no fear of that hard ball as all players
are attacking it and trying for catches!”
Ian added:
“Bowling was better, with far less wides and a lot more
pitched up balls from all of the bowlers - it’s just that these boys hit better balls for 4!
“Batting
was the best of the season, as most of our runs came from the bat, and the boys looked more aggressive and comfortable than
at anytime this season.
“The parents are also now seeing a huge difference from
the first game and hugely proud of them all. It’s gonna come soon boys … keep at it.”from the first game and hugely proud of them all. It’s gonna come soon boys … keep at it.”
Finch Falcons 146-1
Sandhurst Hawks 66-6
BYCL Division B
SANDHURST Hawks could not keep
pace with Finch Falcons in full flight on Tuesday (June 24th), but the improvements were again evident, even against a side
featuring many county-standard players.
Finch
batted first, and soared to 90 without loss from nine overs. Their openers impressed with a number of fine shots, but tight
bowling from Jarrod McTeggart, Mark Paget, Callum Lindsey, Alex Leonard and Ben Cousins helped put the brakes on somewhat.
Ben collected the solitary wicket with a stunning caught and bowled.
Despite the gulf
in class (and age), the Hawks’ fielding was an absolute credit once again, with wicketkeeper Robert Andrew marshalling
the field. Hawks also lost pace bowler Harry Staples to injury while fielding.
In
reply, Prashant Singh and Billy Rooney got the Hawks off to a steady start, sharing a 36
run opening stand, though this took them 10 overs. Batting was a lot more solid than in previous weeks, and stubborn Hawks
could not be dismissed, in the face of the best bowling they will encounter this season. They ended on 66-6 from their 20
overs, to lose by 80 runs.
Manager, Ian Cousins, said afterwards:
“Once again we continue to improve, though the wides crept back, and we must be more
aggressive in our batting.
“We‘re not getting out as easy now, but on the other hand we are not scoring
many off the bat. Saying that, I‘m still pleased to see that they are enjoying themselves, even up against top teams
like Finch. Well done again keep it up.”
Player-of-the-match: Prashant
Singh.
Maidenhead & Bray U11s 75-1
Sandhurst Hawks U11s 74-5
BYCL Division B
A SPIRITED batting display by Sandhurst Hawks
could not prevent the more experienced Maidenhead & Bray from recording a nine-wicket win, but it's only a matter
of time before the youngsters' hard work is rewarded with a much deserved victory.
Sandhurst were
put in to bat first and, though a slow start, it was also a steady start thanks to Connail Meade (4) and Jarrod McTeggart
(4). Unfortunately, the fall of three quick wickets set the Hawks back on their heels, against a team which included a sprinkling
of older talent.
It was left to Harry Staples (8 not out) Ollie Penn (6 not out) to see out the overs, as the visitors
posted a score of 74-5. This was a tremendous effort, against an accurate bowling attack. It was also the highest total of
the season - and batting first!
Maidenhead & Bray raced out of the blocks, taking a liking to the Hawks bowling,
before Jarrod ran out their best batsman with a wonder throw from the deep.
Victory was assured for the home side
for the loss of just that one wicket, from 15 overs, but manager Ian Cousins saw many positives
in the game: "The bowlers did very very well and kept down the wides, which
was pleasing.
"Callum Sanders is now follwing though on his run up, and was rewarded with figures of
2-0-8-0. Prashant Singh and Harry Staples also bowled nice and tight, and with pace."
Ian added: "We're
still all developing, but there continues to be some very encouraging signs. Once again our team spirit and work in the field
was awesome. Keep going lads, it'll come ..."
Sandhurst Hawks U11s 67-5
Emmbrook 141-5
BYCL Division B
IT WAS a well drilled and aggressive Emmbrook team which
inflicted defeat upon Sandhurst Hawks (June 4th), though manager Ian Cousins insists his young side is growing in
stature and ability.
"At the end of the day we
are improving all of the time," he said.
"And the main factor is that the boys never lose heart and are
still coming off with a smile on their faces, despite facing mostly 'A' sides in our age group so far."
Choosing to field first, the Sandhurst opening bowlers of Jarrod McTeggert and Connail Meade were superbly supported by
their team-mates, as the visitors struggled to find their stride.
Line and length was not the problem, but wides.
Too many loose deliveries helped the Emmbrook cause, as they posted an imposing total of 141-5 from their 20 overs. Pick of
the bowlers were Harry Staples (1-18) and Ben Cousins (2-16), while wicketkeeper Robert Andrews shone with the gloves in taking
two stumpings!
The loss of regular wickets thwarted the Sandhurst run chase, as they fell behind the pace and were well
short of the required total in the end. Prashant Singh and Callum Sanders (right)
scored runs for the first time. Indeed, Prashant was joint top scorer with Robert Andrews - both hit six runs.
Incredibly,
Sandhurst's youngsters even had to contend with a little bit of sledging from the opposition, which has got to be a disappointing
sign at this stage of their cricketing lives!
Cousins said afterwards: "We move on from game to game . It
was a good all round effort for this one - well done boys - though we can still
try for less wides and better calling on those singles."
Robert Andrews was player-of-the-match for his work
with bat and gloves.
IT'S played two, lost two for Sandhurst Hawks, but for many of
the side, the opener at Royal Ascot Bears (May 21st) was their cricketing debut!
Eight of the Sandhurst
side were playing the hard-ball form of the game for the first time. For six of the side, it was their first game of cricket
ever, which makes their overall performance all the more impressive.
The Ascot team, which boasted a number
of county players, amassed 140-3. Harry Staples took 2-8, Billy Rooney 1-10, while wicketkeeper Robert Andrews took his first
caught behind of the season.
It was a sizeable Ascot total, which may have been even more were it not for some
cracking fielding. This was surely due to an obvious and enhanced team spirit.
In reply, the Hawks faced a tricky
bowling attack and were restricted to 50-7. Mark Paget (10) was player-of-the-match, while Harry's swing bowling, Robert's
catch, some middle-order defiance and the team's ability to put practise into play made for an enjoyable match.
Wokingham Red Oaks were victorious by 26 runs in a visit to the Memorial Park (May 23rd), but it
was an improved performance by the Hawks against another strong side.
Batting first, Wokingham were pegged back
by some tight bowling and enthusiastic fielding, as they managed 92-8. The pick of the bowlers were Mark Paget (4-5) and skipper
Ben Cousins (2-8). Robert Andrews took another catch from behind the wicket, while Billy Rooney showed his precision in the
field with a run-out from deep.
Sandhurst's reply got off to a slow start, from which they never fully recovered.
The Hawks finished on 66-5, with Mark Paget (8) again top scoring. Opener Ollie Penn, meanwhile, was three balls short of
carrying his bat.
Manager Ian Cousins said: "The highlights were Mark's all-round play,
Billy's run out and our backing up. I think Ben's field placings and encouragement of the team are also worth a mention."
 |
|
SANDHURST 2nd XI
Peppard 2nd XI 76-1
Sandhurst
2nd XI 75
Berkshire League division three
THE
end of the 2nd XI's 2008 season could not have come soon enough, concluding at Peppard on Saturday with a nine-wicket
hammering.
Now, the reason for taking some pleasure in seeing the back of the league season is not because
it's been as painful as going through root canal surgery without anaesthetic while at the same time nursing inflamed haemorrhoid's.
No, the reason for such relief, is that this reporter was running out of ways to describe the agony of defeat after defeat
in what has been a truly terrible season.
Skipper Clive Watson - so often this term the Captain Mainwaring to a
creaking Dad's Army of players - won the toss and carried out his threat to bat first on "a belter of a batting track."
With hindsight, it's akin to the look-out aboard the Titanic asking: "Iceberg? What iceberg?" He simply didn't
see the carnage coming!
From four without loss, to 4-3, it was left to Jamie McDermott (20) to try and rectify
matters. He was assisted by Martin Bridges (22) and Mark Clapham (12), but when Richard Fleming threw away his wicket, the
2nd XI capitulated from 74-5 to 75 all out. In the words of Watson: "Pathetic."
Four players - Rob Lloyd,
Watson, Richard Jenkins and Craig Moyle - all failed to score. Unfortunately, for Jenkins, it was a second successive first-baller!
Peppard cruised to victory for the loss of just one wicket - taken by Mark Budden - in the 20th over. The one wicket
to fall was that of Gary Legg. He succumbed for 19, falling two short of 400 runs for the season. Bernie Harris (56 not out)
rode his luck a little early on, but was really rarely troubled by the Sandhurst attack, and led his side to a crushing win.
The final humiliation for Sandhurst was that tea was delayed by ten minutes, to allow Peppard to wrap up the
win. The match was done and dusted before a sandwich had been bitten in anger ... roll on 2009.
Sandhurst 2nd XI 180-6
Sonning
3rd XI 157-5
Berkshire League division three
FINALLY it all clicked in the batting department,
as Sandhurst 2nd XI enjoyed a winning draw at home to Sonning 3rd on Saturday (August 23rd).
Batting first,
skipper Clive Watson looked on with delight as his players showed the kind of patience and concentration which has been so
severely absent for much of the season.
Nayeem Ahmed, opening alongside Rob Lloyd, top scored with 53. Other useful
contributions came from Watson (39 not out), Ross Darrah and Drew Birch, as Sandhurst posted their highest score of the season
- 180-6.
Sonning's reply was checked with the capture of wickets at regular intervals. Darrah took two, with
one apiece for Calvin Hall and Craig Moyle, plus a run out. The 2nd XI have struggled to bowl sides out this season, and so
it proved against Sonning. The massive plus, though, was that Sonning fell short of the required total, handing Sandhurst
a morale-boosting winning draw.
Skipper Clive Watson said afterwards: "It was a good batting performance all
round and has helped salvage a bit of pride."
Sandhurst 2nd XI 106
Welford
Park 107-2
Berkshire League division three
THERE'S no
need to phone a friend, ask the audience, or opt for the 50-50. The answer to why Sandhurst 2nd XI have struggled this
season is simple ... their batting has more holes than a pair of Homer Simpson's underpants.
The bowling and fielding can rarely be criticised. All too often this term, they have had meagre totals to defend. And so
it was at home to Welford Park on Saturday.
Openers Dave Oliver (25) and Rob Lloyd (20) made a patient start
and put on 56 for the first wicket. The disappointment, once again, is that players who got settled then failed to go and
make a big score.
Oliver and Lloyd's hard work was undermined by yet another middle order collapse of embarrassing
proportions. From 64-1, the Sandhurst side pressed the self-destruct button and crumbled to 106 all out. Mohamed Izmee
took 4-26 and Ian Herrington 3-34. Welford Park's bowling was accurate rather than testing. Shot selection and concentration
cost Sandhurst - the story of the season.
With such a pitiful total to defend, Sandhurst needed early wickets.
Decent LBW shouts were turned down before Richard Fleming held one from a great height off the bowling of Calvin Hall (2-14).
From 59-1 and then 60-2, Welford Park did what Sandhurst have struggled to do all year - knuckle down, re-build and play patient,
sensible cricket.
There were a few positives to emerge from the contest. Oliver and Lloyd gave Sandhurst the ideal
start and cannot be blamed for what followed. Craig Moyle, batting at seven, shamed those falling around him with a determined
19.
Sandhurst were all out for 106 from 43 of their allotted 45 overs. As has been the case in recent weeks, another
30 runs could have made all the difference. Not batting out your allocation of overs, with such regularity, is unforgivable.
Welford Park cruised to victory in the 34th over, leaving Sandhurst with just four matches in which to try and restore some
battered pride.
Sandhurst 2nd XI 107
Sulhamstead & Ufton 108-9 Berkshire League division three
SANDHURST 2nd XI committed the cardinal sin on Saturday (July 19th), as they failed to
bat out their 45 overs, and this arguably cost them victory at home to Sulhamstead & Ufton. In a change to the norm, skipper Clive Watson won the toss and elected to bat first. Nigel
Birt (24) and Rob Lloyd put on 39 for the first wicket, but some sloppy shots brought about another collapse, with only Watson
(14) and Richard Fleming (13) able to join Birt in double figures. Twenty-four extras boosted the Sandhurst innings, taking
them to 107 all out. Sandhurst were without regular opening bowler Russell Stone, but a rare appearance
from Andy Fleming (4-23) had the visitors sweating. Craig Moyle (3-28) provided excellent support, though Sulhamstead's
top scorers were both crucially dropped. The square-leg umpire also missed a clear run-out, with the batsman at least a foot
out of his ground. Sadly, the batsman refused to walk, but credit to Sandhurst, who knuckled down and very nearly pulled it
out of the bag. As the Sandhurst innings ended in the 41st over, Sulhamstead were left with 49
overs to reach the target. They did so in the 47th over, with nine wickets down. Watson will have
taken great heart from the aggressive fielding from is 'experienced' side. Another 25 runs would have surely put them
in a great position for their second win of the season.
Crown Wood 2nd XI 175-8 Sandhurst 2nd XI 112
Berkshire League division three
WILLIAM Shakespeare's character Iago may be
called upon to give future team talks, as Sandhurst 2nd XI lobbed, swished and ballooned their way to a seventh successive
defeat.
The ruthless villain is overheard saying to Roderigo in "Othello": "How
poor are they that have not patience."
Where was Iago when the wickets were tumbling at Crown Wood???
You see, it's patience - as well as confidence - which is clearly lacking when Sandhurst's sorry seconds
grip the willow in their gloves.
Chasing a testing 176 for victory - against the only side they'd beaten this
season - Clive Watson's battle-weary folk barely stuck around long enough to get on first name terms with the man at the
other end, never mind strike up a batting partnership!
From the top order, only Nigel Birt (44) emerged having
felt he'd given a good account of himself. Richard Fleming (0) returned after six weeks away - and it showed. His was
one of three ducks and highlighted a need for time in the middle, in order to improve shot selection, timing and the ability
to build an innings.
From 84-6, Sandhurst's lower order fared little better and disintegrated to 84-9. Only
a stirring last-wicket stand of 28, between Mark Clapham (11) and Martin Bridges (11), allowed Sandhurst to creep into three
figures. Anthony Clapham (10) was the only other player to reach double figures on another frustrating afternoon for skipper
Clive Watson.
He himself admitted the players possess the talent, but are drained of confidence and often play
with their hearts and not their heads when in tricky situations.
Earlier, Crown Wood rode their luck a little,
but also had the sense to keep wickets in hand for a big ya-hoo at the end. Fielding was reasonably tight. Mark Clapham was
the pick of the bowlers with 3-12. Calvin Hall took 2-44.
Sandhurst 2nd XI 106 v Warfield 178
Berkshire League division three
SANDHURST are bottom of the table after defeat
by 72 runs at home to Warfield - the team who had previously been rooted to the floor of division three for much of the season!
Skipper Clive Watson won the toss and elected to field. This appeared a decent call, as Russell Stone captured
one of Warfield's openers for just six. The visitors limped to 106-6, by which stage the Sandhurst bowlers had run out
of steam, eventually allowing Warfield to post their biggest total of the season, 178.
Notable
bowling performances were by the Clapham father and son duo. Anthony took 3-58 off 9 overs, and Clapham Sr returned figures
of 3-15 off 4.5 overs.
Sandhurst's reply was snail pace, until Watson (25) and Stone (39) re-ignited the charge.
Unfortunately, as has been the case for much of the campaign, too few players contributed with the bat. Once Stone
departed, Sandhurst's flimsy order folded like a pack of cards.
For Watson it was the same old sorry story:
"This week we travel to Crown Wood. We beat them in our second match of the season. A repeat result would be tremendous."
Sandhurst 2nd XI 164
Peppard 2nd XI 171-8
Berkshire League division three
CLIVE WATSON WRITES: We were in danger of letting our season get away from us unless we began to improve things on the field.
Last week saw our bowling and fielding much improved from past matches but the batting was still cause for concern.
We were playing Peppard (July 28th), who were only two places above us in the table and were in similar form to ourselves
so it was going to be a tight match. I won the toss and again chose to bowl first but Russell and T.K. failed to break through
their opening pair. It was the first change bowlers of Andrew Fleming and Calvin Hall that began to make inroads and once
their top three were out, the wickets fell regularly with Mark Clapham taking two wickets and Ross Darrah taking three, to
finish the innings on 171-8.
After tea we started very well with opener David Oliver going on to score 55, supported
by Nigel Birt (18) and Andrew Birch (14). I had promoted myself up the order to bat in the no. 4 slot to try and bolster the
middle order and it nearly paid off. I went in with the score on 94-2 and was there at the end with 27 n.o. but sadly ran
out of batting partners just 7 ballS and 8 runs short of victory. It was nearly the classic captain’s innings!!
Although we lost, it was a real nail biter and our batting is showing signs of overdue improvement!
Sandhurst
2nd XI 97
Ruislip Victoria 100-5
Berkshire League division three
IT was yet another sorry story with the bat
for Sandhurst 2nd XI as they stumbled to a fourth successive defeat - this time at the hands of Ruislip Victoria.
Without a number of senior players, the home side's middle-order again collapsed. They went from 12-0 to 13-5, in what
captain Clive Watson described as "ideal batting conditions".
A battling 32 from Russell
Stone prevented a total capitulation, as Ruislip dismissed Sandhurst for a paltry 97. That is the third time in five matches
that the 2nd XI has been skittled out for less than 100!
In reply, Ruislip were wobbling at 47-5, but with such
a small total to defend, too much was asked of the Sandhurst bowlers and the visitors cantered to victory by five wickets.
Dejected Watson admitted: "Had it not been for Russell hitting a determined 32, it would have been
even more embarrassing!"
He added: "Although we lost, we showed real fight defending a small total and
the bowling and fielding performances deserve a special mention."
Sadly, the tale is all too familiar. The
2nd XI have a bowling department which can match any in the division. Fielding is also much sharper and aggressive this season.
Unfortunately, batting remains a real worry.
South-East Reading 108
Sandhurst 2nd XI 64
Berkshire League division three
IT proved another bitterly disappointing afternoon
for Sandhurst 2nd XI, as their brilliance in the field was undone by yet more brittle batting, allowing leaders South-East
Reading off the hook.
Stand-in skipper, Drew Birch, said: "We should have known
what type of day it was going to be when two of our players went to the wrong ground.
"Although the sun was
shining, it looked more like a scene from a ’70s Cold War drama – with one side of the pitch having a 12ft electrified
fence. Unfortunately, the wicket was more akin to another European incident some 55 years earlier - the Somme."
Batting first, SE Reading - who have scored runs for fun this season - were found wanting against the wizardry of Calvin
Hall (4-21) and Martin Bridges (4-40). At one stage, they were floundering in unchartered territory at 45-6. Both
bowlers used the conditions well, and were superbly supported by some excellent fielding and vocals – none more
so than Anthony Clapham, who took four catches.
The home side rallied to 108 all out, but this was a target Sandhurst
would have gratefully accepted before the match.
Sadly, six ducks tells its own tale. The dismissal of Dave Oliver
with the first ball of the innings set the tone. Only Nigel Birt (25*) offered resistance, while Clapham (12) chipped in with
a few. Craig Moyle did his best to stick around toward the end, but the story was oh, so familiar, and Sandhurst stumbled
to a third straight defeat.
Birch added: "In previous weeks we have been a little guilty of not having enough
steel in the batting line up but this time I think we should maybe acknowledge the opposition.
"That said,
we still did roll over too easily - myself included. So maybe a bit more time spent in the nets, with batsmen putting
the work in."
Welford Park 1st XI 207-3dec
Sandhurst 2nd XI 128
Berkshire League division three
ANOTHER disappointing display with the bat
signalled a second successive defeat for Sandhurst 2nd XI, with tougher tests to come in the next few weeks.
Chasing a daunting 208 to win, on a bone-idle pitch, Sandhurst's top order again misfired. Skipper Clive Watson took
heart from his side's resolve - somewhat lacking at Sulhamstead a fortnight ago - but he can't have been happy with
just three batsmen reaching double figures.
Russell Stone (right) top scored with 46 - batting at six. Second top
score was extras (28), followed by opener Rob Lloyd, who played a much-needed, patient innings for his 22.
A number
of Sandhurst wickets fell to wonderful catches, but a few batsmen - notably yours truly at five (Richard Fleming) - folded
far too easily, and did his team-mates few favours.
Earlier, John Westbrook hit 72, as the home side took full
advantage of a docile track to amass 207-3 declared. Sandhurst were forced to face an extra over, and were nine balls from
salvaging a losing draw when Martin Bridges was last man out.
An improvement on the previous performance, but still
some work to do.
Skipper Clive Watson
said: "I was keen to put our lacklustre performance from the last game behind us and show the fighting spirit needed
to win games in this division.
"On a pitch and outfield that was clearly an advantage to the home side, we
struggled to penetrate their batting line up.
"In reply,
we started well and I was pleased to see opener Rob Lloyd in a positive mood as he and Nigel Birt put on 31 for the first
wicket. We then saw an all too familiar top order collapse. Russell Stone went some way to put us back on track, before
he fell, and the game was lost from then on.
"Although we lost, we showed more fight than we did two weeks
ago, which pleased me. And although Welford Park were the better team, I felt we deserved to hang on for a draw."
Sulhamstead & Ufton 121
Sandhurst 2nd XI 77
Berkshire League division three
A FRUSTRATED Sandhurst 2nd XI skipper, Clive Watson (right),
has urged greater passion and commitment from his players after a brittle batting display gifted Sulhamstead & Ufton an
unlikely victory on Saturday (May 17th).
The 2nd XI are without a league match for two weeks, and so miss
the chance to try and get this bitterly disappointing result out of their system.
Watson won the toss and
put the home side in. Fantastic bowling from Martin Bridges (5-39, left), Craig Moyle (2-29) and Andy Fleming (2-12),
restricted Sulhamstead to just 121 - at one stage, they were 48-7!
Even with an understrength side, the target
of 122 should have been well within the team's grasp. As it was, just two of the 2nd XI batsmen reached double figures,
and the hosts eased to victory by 44 runs.
Watson said: "We showed a lack of determination and fight, in a game which - had we won - would have lifted us into
the top two. We have a bye week next Saturday, so in two weeks time, I need to see more passion and commitment."
Sandhurst 2nd XI 162-8
Crown
Wood 2nd XI 158
Berkshire League division three
SANDHURST 2nd XI got off to the perfect start with a two-wicket
win over Crown Wood on Saturday (May 10th), though they did their best to try and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Chasing just 159 to win, the home side slipped from 137-4 to 147-8, before Craig Moyle and Jordan Clement held their
nerve to get Sandhurst over the line.
Earlier, having won the toss, skipper Clive Watson opted
to field. He later explained his decision: "On a beautifully sunny afternoon, I hoped that the ball would move for the
bowlers on a green track, with obvious moisture underneath."
Unfortunately the ball didn’t move as he'd hoped, with Crown Wood reaching 72 before their first wicket
fell. Wickets then tumbled at regular intervals, as Crown Wood were dismissed for just 158 from 42 overs. Martin Bridges,
Calvin Hall and Craig Moyle all took three wickets each.
In
reply, Sandhurst's opening pair of Kevin Speakman and Dave Oliver started well. Nigel Birt - batting at three
- scored 39, which lay the foundation for what should have been a convincing victory. A middle order collapse almost cost
Sandhurst dear, before Moyle and Clement came together to wrap up the win.
SUNDAY XI
Sandhurst Sunday XI 161-9
Merrow 160-5 A BLAZING 72 from youngster Jordan Clement ensured
Sandhurst completed a trying season with a win, though victory over Merrow (September 14th) was hardly straight-forward coming
- as it did - with just two balls to spare and one wicket remaining.
The visitors batted first, and made
160-5. Des Sussex was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.
Sandhurst's reply was shaky. Adam Birch,
Anthony Clapham (1) and James Moss (0) all fell playing poor shots. It was left to the wily veteran Sussex (52) and man-of-the-match
Clement (72) to take Sandhurst to the brink of victory.
Clement highlighted his confidence when, on 49, he brought up his maiden club 50 with a six!
Richard Dobson then succumbed third ball, before Martin Pharo and Calvin Hall eased the nerves. Hall it was who struck
the winning runs, to complete a thrilling end to the 2008 campaign.
Skipper Clapham later said:
"For me, that was one of the best games of the season.
"Well done to Jordan. A fine innings, and one
which we'll be reminded of for some time to come!"
Hurst 79 all out
Sandhurst Sunday 83-3
MARK Budden bowled Sandhurst to victory in a re-arranged
match at Hurst on Sunday (August 17th) with his best performance for the club.
Hurst, put in to bat,
were looking unruffled at 42-1 from the opening ten overs. The first bowling change, though, brought about a swift change
in fortunes, as Simon Coxwell and Budden combined well.
Coxwell's eight overs included five maidens. Budden
benefitted, with Hurst's batsmen trying to accelerate - and they paid the price. Budden worked wonders with his medium
pace, returning magical figures of 6-9 from eight overs!
Hurst went from 42-1 to 79 all out. Other highlights included
a first wicket for James Moss, plus a run out from Richard Dobson.
Sandhurst's reply stuttered early on. Nigel
Birt (7), Coxwell (2) and Alan Feltz (8) fell cheaply, before skipper Anthony Clapham (23 not out) and Nayeem Ahmed
put on 47 for the fourth wicket. Clapham drew the scores level with a six. He made sure of victory two balls later with a
four. Job done ...
Bagshot 93-0
Sandhurst Sunday 92
A WEEK is a long time in Sandhurst Sunday
cricket. From racking up 232-4 declared at home to Royal Ascot seven days earlier, Anthony Clapham's side failed to reach
three figures as they lost by ten wickets at Bagshot (August 3rd).
That said, it was something of a makeshift
side fielded by Clapham, who could only call upon ten players. Drew Birch top scored with 23 - after a spot of Sunday shopping!
Craig Moyle (18) ground out another gritty knock, but the less said about the rest the better.
Defending such a
miserly total, the one thing Sandhurst could ill-afford to do was put down chances. This they did four times, allowing Bagshot
to stroll home by ten wickets.
* The match was held up for half an hour, as Bagshot's opener beat the Sandhurst
field, only to connect with an old lady meandering around the boundary rope! Proceedings were halted to allow the injured
pensioner to be tended to.
Sandhurst Sunday 232-4dec
Royal Ascot
233-4
ADAM Birch hit top form at home to Royal Ascot
(July 27th) with an unbeaten 100, though his sparkling performance was overshadowed by a sensational knock by one of the visiting
batsmen.
Batting first, Sandhurst totalled an impressive 232-4 declared. Birch scored exactly 100, while
Dave Hambrook - playing his last match before returning home to Australia - struck 50 not out.
The total, incredibly,
was still not enough. The Oxfordshire minor counties player bristled with quality and class, as he swept his way to 183 not
out, and set his side on course for what - at the outset - appeared an improbable victory.
Sandhurst Sunday XI 76
Burnham Sunday XI 262-8
THE bottom line is that Burnham were far too good
for Sandhurst Sunday, as they handed out a crushing defeat by a whopping 186 runs.
An early wicket gave
Sandhurst false hope, as Burnham's number three bludgeoned the ball to all corners of The Memorial Park on his way to
a tremendous 132. Burnham totalled 262-8. Dave Hambrook took three wickets. Richard Dobson picked up a brace.
Skipper
Anthony Clapham commented: "The problem was that we failed to field well in the middle part of the innings,
and this may be something we have to work on."
Sandhurst's opening pair of Dave Hambrook (13) and Kevin
Speakman (5) fell cheaply. The rest of the team offered scant resistance, aside from Richard Jenkins, who grafted for his
22. Burnham's bowlers were on top throughout, though, as the hosts were skittled out for a miserly 76.
ALAN Feltz dazzled with the willow on his way to a wonderful unbeaten
56, though visitors Wokingham never appeared keen on the chase as the contest fizzled out as a tame draw (June 22nd).
Batting first, Sandhurst were given a glorious
start by openers Chris Pharo and Nayeem Ahmed (23). The pair got Sandhurst to 72 without loss from 11 overs. Pharo smashed
a half century from just 34 deliveries, only to be given out adjudged lbw soon after.
Adam Birch chipped in with
a decent 29, but highlight of the day was Feltz’s knock of 56 not out.
A middle-order hiccup was salvaged
somewhat by 25 from Richard Jenkins, as Sandhurst set Wokingham 211 to win.
It was clear from the outset that Wokingham
were content with playing for a draw. Despite fine bowling from skipper Anthony Clapham (3-36) and Jenkins (2-12), Wokingham’s
batsmen stubbornly blocked out for a draw, finishing on 110-7.
Yateley Sunday 253-4
Sandhurst Sunday 161
YATELEY’S youngsters gave Sandhurst a harsh lesson in batting on
Sunday (June 8th), with 14-year-old opener Jon Dow hitting 110 before retiring, to spare the visitors further punishment.
His innings lay the foundations for a convincing 92-run victory.
The youthful hosts made Sandhurst skipper Anthony Clapham pay for putting them into bat, on what appeared a hard,
flat track. His decision would return to haunt him ...
Dow and 15-year-old captain, James Muir, put on 127 for
the second wicket in scorching temperatures. Muir retired on 53 with a back injury, before Dow went on to register his maiden
century.
Yateley posted a mammoth 253-4 from just 38 overs.
Ross Darrah and Richard Dobson both collected wickets, but it was hats off to Dow.
Sandhurst’s openers, Nayeem and Simon Coxwell (39), started strongly before John Muir struck. Wickets
were lost on a regular basis and, despite knocks of 29 from Roshan and 23 from Clapham, it was always a struggle. Jordan Clements
stroked three sweet cover drives in a rapid 13, before the curtain came down on Sandhurst’s performance once and for
all.
Clapham tried to remain positive. He said later:
“We finished off being all out for 161 which is not bad for a bowling line-up. Nayeem and Dobbo bowled well, while Jordan
showed us he can bat.“
Sandhurst Sunday XI 145-1
Hawley Sunday XI 144-9
Sandhurst won by 9 wickets
ANTHONY Clapham registered his first victory as
Sandhurst Sunday skipper in emphatic fashion, with Hawley on the end of a hiding at The Memorial Park (June 1st).
The nine-wicket win, though, revolved around a polished performance from Australian ace Dave Hambrook. His bowling
figures of 6-20 included a hat-trick at the end of the Hawley innings. He then carried his bat for an unbeaten 51, which left
Clapham beaming with delight.
The Sandhurst outfield - recently covered in sand - was again sluggish, making
scoring tricky. Hawley's run rate reflected that, with the visitors creeping to 144-9 from 44 overs. Hambrook helped himself
to six wickets - one a stunning caught and bowled. Clapham deserved more than a solitary scalp from his 12 overs, while
Richard Fleming (2-23) reinforced the belief that if the bowler doesn't know what he's bowling, then neither will
the batsman!
Ross Darrah fielded well, while Mark Budden's bowling thwarted any hope Hawley had of a late onslaught.
The run chase was comfortable in the end. Nayeem Ahmed's (20) was the only wicket to fall. Hambrook and Adam Birch
(62 not out) made it look like a Sunday stroll in the park, reaching the victory target in only the 28th over.
Pyestock 67-6
Sandhurst Sunday XI 66
THE old addage, 'catches win matches',
came back to haunt the Sandhurst Sunday XI as they slipped to a four-wicket defeat at Pyestock (May 18th).
On
a difficult batting track, Sandhurst stumbled to 36-5, before Alan Feltz (pictured below) offered some resistance. His innings was the main reason Sandhurst inched past the half century
mark - albeit only just.
With a total of just 66, tight, disciplined bowling was required. Andrew Bradshaw (4-38)
and captain Anthony Clapham (1-21 off 12 overs) delivered, but much of their hard work was undone by the side's inability
to hold the chances. In all, six catches went down.
Clapham said afterwards: "With so many dropped catches,
we didn't deserve to win."
Pyestock reached the miserly target in the 26th over, for the loss of six wickets.
A second successive defeat for the Sunday skipper to swallow, but Clapham tried to remain upbeat: "We can take positives
out of the game. I thought we bowled superbly and although we didn't take many catches, we fielded well in other
areas and made them work for the win." Eversley 2nd XI 234-5
Sandhurst Sunday 188
A STRONG Eversley side swept to victory by 46
runs on Sunday (May 11th), as Sandhurst left themselves with too much to do.
Despite decent bowling from
Craig Moyle (2-35), Jordan Clement and David Hambrook, the home side were able to post a daunting total of 234-5.
In reply, Sandhurst lost early wickets and were never able to fully recover. That said, there was a brief middle-order rally,
with Hambrook (28), Alan Feltz (21) and the magnificent Adam Birch (63) offering some resistance.
A few other
players appeared set for a good knock, but were undone in the teens, as the visitors slipped to 188 all out.
Sunday
skipper Anthony Clapham commented: "Although we lost this match, I think we certainly gave Eversley
a great game. We fielded very well and backed-up the bowlers, plus most of us chipped in with the bat to get a very decent
188."
Man-of-the-match: Adam Birch for his 63 and figures of 7-0-43-1.
SHARKS U11s
Sandhurst Sharks 110-7
Crown Wood 74
BYCL Division A
SENSATIONAL Sharks were too strong for Crown Wood
as they completed their league season with an emphatic victory, to finish third in the table.
Alfie
Gibbons got Sandhurst off to a flyer with a rapid-fire 25, which included five 4s. Runs also followed courtesy of player-of-the-match James Edmondson (17), Daniel Bird (19)
and Ryan Honey (24). Crown Wood's bowling was tight, as they only conceded
ten extras, but Sharks were not to be outdone as they amassed 89 runs off the bat - their highest of the season.
Crown Wood's run chase was hampered by some great fielding. George Holden and Daniel Bird both snapped up two wickets
apiece. Other wickets fell to Ashaan Silva, James Edmondson and Jack O'Neil.
Alfie Gibbons followed up his
wonderful batting with three catches. Ashaan also performed superbly in the field, while a couple of direct hit run-outs kept
the crowd entertained.
Extras were kept down to just 14, which was a great bonus and ensured Sharks wrapped up
their fifth win of the season. Well done!
Sandhurst Sharks 98-8
Finch Falcons 79-8
BYCL Division A
IT was back to winning ways for Sandhurst Sharks
on Monday (June 23rd), as they defeated Finch Falcons at home by 19 runs.
After suffering a comprehensive
defeat at Hurst in their previous match, the Sharks showed character in recording a fourth win of the season.
Batting
first, Sandhurst scored 98-8, with 54 of those runs coming off the bat.
Finch, in reply, were restricted to 79-8
from their 20 overs. The margin of victory would have been even greater, but for the number of extras gifted the visitors.
Of the 79 runs scored, 46 came in the form of extras.
Hurst U11s 107-5
Sandhurst Sharks 44-9
BYCL Division A
THE Sharks were denied a third successive victory
on Monday (June 16th) when they were comprehensively beaten at Hurst.
Following wins over Littlewick Green
and Reading Tigers, hopes were high for the contest with Hurst. The hosts, though, boast a number of players who also represent
the County and are an accomplished side.
With 38 runs gifted to Hurst in wides, the home team were able to post
a score of 107. Pick of the bowlers was Jack O`Neil who delivered a great line and length, and finished with a brace.
Jack was later named player-of-the-match.
Sharks responded with a well ground-out 44.
Ryan Honey batted with patience, surviving for around 14 overs for his 6. George Holden top scored with 13 and - given the
strength of the opposition - it was a pretty good night's work.
Reading Tigers 84-6
Sandhurst Sharks 103-2
BYCL Division A
LEWIS Graham
and Conor Pharo dazzled with the bat, as Sandhurst Sharks under-11s tamed Reading Tigers with victory by 19 runs on Wednesday
(June 11th).
Batting first, Lewis raced to 26 not out inside eight overs, whereupon he retired (players reaching 25 must retire).
Conor followed him back to the pavilion soon after, having reached the magic mark of 25 not out. The
Sharks achieved their best-ever innings from runs scored off the bat, with 70, in an overall total of 103-2 from their 20
overs.
Sandhurst’s bowling was equally impressive, especially from captain, George Holden. The Reading openers
had no answer to George’s deliveries - he finished with remarkable figures of 2-0 from three overs!
Playing
their second game since receiving new club caps, the Sharks completed a second successive victory, as Reading closed
on 84-6. Among the fielding highlights was a wonder catch from David Rosser at backward gully.
Sandhurst Sharks U11s 72-8
Littlewick Green 65-6
BYCL Division A
A SUPER display by the Sharks saw them
edge victory by just seven runs over Littlewick Green to chalk up their second win of the season.
Batting
first, Sandhurst managed 72-8 from their 20 overs. Ryan Honey opened and top scored with 11. George Holden managed eight.
In reply, though tough to remove, Littlewick Green's progress was slow. In the end, the outcome was going to come
down to extras, but Sandhurst showed great discipline in the bowling department.
With two overs remaining, the
visitors required nine runs. Matthew Raymen worked wonders with the ball, capturing crucial wickets with both the first
and last deliveries of a two-over spell.
Daniel Bird and player-of-the-match George Holden took two wickets apiece,
while Sam Smith captured his first-ever wicket for the club - well done! The tidy bowling at the death allowed Sandhurst
Sharks to edge victory by the narrowest of margins - just seven runs. That's now two wins from three league matches played.
Sandhurst Sharks U11s 69
Binfield U11s 88-5
BYCL Division A
SANDHURST Sharks fell short of their required
target at home to Binfield (May 30th), but a tremendous team effort will have given the youngsters great heart.
Batting first, visiting Binfield raced out of the blocks. Opener J Collett roared to 25 before being retired. His
innings helped Binfield reach 88 for the loss of five wickets from their 20 overs.
Player-of-the-match Ashaan Silva
took 2-7 from his three overs, and was supported by Alfie Gibbons. Gibbons also took two wickets, while James Edmondson held
a wonderful catch for a caught and bowled. Special mention also for wicketkeeper Lewis Graham, who delighted the crowd with
an acrobatic catch behind the stumps!
In replying to the Binfield total, Sandhurst were pegged back by quick, tidy
bowling. Matthew Raymen stuck around for eight overs for a top score of seven runs, but the Sharks were always behind the
run rate and ended 20 short of their victory target.
Royal Ascot Foxes 61-7
Sandhurst Sharks 62-2
BYCL Division A
GEORGE Holden led his team to a wonderful win at Royal Ascot Foxes on Monday (May 19th),
as Sandhurst Sharks got their season off to a roaring start.
Batting first, Ascot struggled against
the impressive accuracy of the Sandhurst bowlers. Ryan Honey and Daniel Bird both snared two wickets, with one apiece for
Connor Pharo and Jack O'Neil. George Holden showed the way with the team's first catch of the campaign.
Alfie
Gibbons received the player-of-the-match award. He carried his bat for an unbeaten 26, which included a four to win the game.
COLTS U9s
Sandhurst U9s v Finch Falcons
IT WAS an ever-improving Sandhurst under-9s which posted their
highest total of the season so far, but still lost out to Finch Falcons at home on Wednesday (June 18th).
The under-9s were able to field a full team for the first time, thanks to a number of new faces. In another first, they
totalled 228 - the only time they have stayed above the magic 200 points this campaign.
Coach, Adair Staples, was
delighted with the way her youngsters bowled as well. They made in-roads into the Finch line-up, snapping up five wickets.
Pick of the bowlers was Oliver Dunlop, who took two wickets. There were also wickets for Jake Staples, Thomas
Ham and Joseph Pyle.
Player-of-the-match went to Thomas Ham. He not only captured a wicket, but he also took a
great catch. Another fielding highlight was Matthew Hood's outstanding catch on the run.
SANDHURST Colts U9s have played two matches so far this season, without success,
but all those taking part have tried their best and enjoyed every minute - and that's what counts.
The
games, at Royal Ascot Bears and home to Wokingham Acorns, involved Joshua Wilder,
Thomas Ham, Harry Staples, Jake Staples, Oliver Dunlop, Mason Penn, Callum Lindsey and Daniel Gorrie. The effort from the
boys, in both encounters, was all the more impressive as they were a few players short of a full side.
Jake
Staples had the honour of bagging the U9's first wicket of the 2008 season, in the contest with Wokingham, and was named
player-of-the-match as a result.
|
