Chesham CC w/e 31st July 2016
Chesham suffered a further set back in their quest for the TVL Div 1 title and promotion when they were beaten by fellow contenders Wokingham by 65 runs. With several ex county players in their side Wokingham were invited to bat first but did not lose their first wicket until Gift Kwatsha struck with the score on 65. The home side seemed well in control until the dismissal of ex Middlesex Dan Housego for 67 with the score on 142 precipitated a collapse brought about by the tight bowling of spinners Asad Rehman (4 for 64) and Pip France (4 for 53) limiting them to a total of 210. Chesham’s reply never really got off the ground as wickets fell regularly throughout the innings without a major partnership. Amidst the mayhem, stylish Luke Web held firm until even he was dismissed with his score on 58. Of the remaining batsmen only Gift Kwatsha (37) fought it out for any length of time. However, he unfortunately blotted his copybook when with the draw almost attained with the score on 145 for 9 , off the last ball of the penultimate over for some inexplicable reason he attempted a big shot and ‘Gifted’ his wicket with a simple catch. With the extra 11 points thus donated Wokingham must have thought that Christmas had come early.
A run fest game at the Meadow resulted in a heavy defeat for the 2nd X1 in Div2a as lowly placed Maidenhead and Bray 1stX1 chased down Chesham’s total of 290 for 6 dec to win by 7 wickets. For Chesham, first Tom Free with a well compiled 82 set the tone before an incredible burst of hitting by Henry White (104) enabled a declaration after 50 overs. In spite of an early 2 wicket burst by Alex Watson , Bray’s batsmen made light of a disappointing Chesham attack and both Rodgers and Tattersall hit impressive centuries, the belated third wicket, again to Watson, not falling until the pair had added 220 runs. Not Chesham’s finest hour in the field but nevertheless 11 points gained.
Meanwhile the 3rd X1 were held to a draw by Wycombe Dragons, ending just seven runs short of the home side’s total of 217 for 8 with their own score on 210 for 8. Brothers Sam and Joseph Rance each took three wickets and Anuraj (39), Rohith (34) and Mo Asuaf (32) all made useful contributions with the bat. It was thus left for the 4th X1 to provide the only league victory of the day. Excellent bowling by Tom McKinley (5 for 20) and Asad Khan (5 for 31) was responsible for the dismissal of league leaders Cookham Dean 3rds for 126 before Sarfraz Nawaz (59) again batted well to ensure victory by 8 wickets and lift the team to third place in the 7b table.
On Sunday Chesham beat Eastcote by 23 runs in Chess Valley League Div 1. In the Chesham total of 197, Ed Turner (57) and Chris Hedges (51) were the main contributors and Pip France(3 for28), Sam Rance (2 for 36) and Umar Aslam (2 for 46) the most successful bowlers in the dismissal of Eastcote for 174. The2nd X1 beat Brentham by just two runs with Tom McKinley (73), Tim Wetherall (61) and Chris Royals (56) the main scorers in Chesham’s 270 for 9. Brentham then fell just short at 268 for 6.
Although another loss, a much more encouraging performance by Chesham Women in their game against Harrow’s all Asian team. Harrow totalled 193 for 3 to which Chesham replied with 173 for 3, both off 30 overs. Good batting from Harriet Stone (68), Emily Gould (24) and Hannah Francis (24).
Congratulations to Chesham Under 15s, representing Bucks, on reaching the Regional Finals of the ECB National Cup. They defeated Maidenhead and Bray, representing Berkshire, by 14 runs and now play Mildenhall (Suffolk) on Thursday 4th August at Old Albanians ground off Harpenden Road, St Albans, starting 10.30am. Depending on the result they will then play either Esher (Surrey) or Preston (Sussex) in the afternoon. The Under 17s have already won their Bucks Board league.
A first umpiring experience on Sunday for Trevor Taylor when he was obliged to briefly interrupt a County Junior Girls match due to a herd of Alpacas moving behind the bowlers arm! Who says there is nothing new in the world.