Chesham CC W/E 15/05
Chesham 1st X1 continued their promising start to the season with a comprehensive home victory in TVL Div 1 over Marlow. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat but were immediately in trouble against a hostile Chesham seam attack. Ashley Turney took an early wicket followed up by Jason Rance and Jack Mciver who each had success. Then it was the turn of the spinners - no pun intended - Pip France with 4 for 20, including the prized wicket of Graham Paskins, and Umar Aslam with 2 for 4. The bowlers were backed up by good fielding and catching so that Marlow were eventually dismissed for a mere 113 in the 38th over. In spite of losing the early wicket of Max Mciver, the brothers Rance made light of the Marlow bowling and took only 17 overs to complete victory with Matt 50 not out and Jason 56 not out. This was Matt’s 3rd half century of the season now that he is able to concentrate on his batting whilst a back injury prohibits him from bowling for some months. A very impressive 9 wicket win for Chesham.
Sadly, neither the seconds nor the thirds could match this and both suffered defeat at the hands of Harefield and Windsor respectively. The 2nd X1, in Div 2a, were overwhelmed by 9 wickets after being bowled out for a paltry 89, of which David Hughes D’Aeth hit 30. The 3rds, in Div 4a, fought hard after an early collapse and Graham Rance (42) gave the score some respectability to total 116 in 50 overs. Chesham fought hard in the field but in spite of steady bowling by young Joseph Rance and veteran Martin Wheeler, who each took 2 wickets, Windsor gained victory in the 40th over by 4 wickets.
Another triumph for Chesham 4th X1 as they bowled out Harefield for a lowly total of 67 thanks mainly to Asad Khan who took 5 for 16. Chesham coasted home by 8 wickets and it was good to see the emergence from retirement of ex Kenya international all rounder turned Chesham shopkeeper Hitesh Modi. Good for the many young players to perform with a man of his ability and experience.
On Sunday Chesham Women were at the Meadow against Old Actonians and were worthy winners by 7 wickets. OAs were dismissed for 102 with best bowling figures of 3 for 6 by Jessica Holdship and 2 for 5 by Harriet Stone. Harriet then starred with the bat to end with 54 not out.