Chesham CC w/e 7th August.
Chesham’s rollercoaster of a season in pursuit of the TVL Div 1 title continued with the side hitting a high spot with an overwhelming defeat of Kew at the Meadow. Invited to bat on a very flat pitch Chesham began well with an opening partnership of 68 between Matt Rance and Mark Eteen . Following the dismissal of Eteen for 25, Rance was joined by the in form Luke Webb in an exciting partnership of 150 full of thrilling strokes. When Webb was at last dismissed for 79 both Jason Rance and Gift Kwatsha sacrificed their wickets in the pursuit of quick runs before Pip France blasted a rapid 25* to enable a declaration at 276 for 4 after 50 overs with Matt Rance undefeated with 127, a fine innings and easily his best of the season. Skipper Jason Rance then opted to open with spinners using the old ball and his decision was swiftly justified when Pip France took a wicket in the first over quickly followed by Asad Rehman with two more, to leave the visitors reeling at 17 for 3. There was then a useful partnership of 86 before Gift Kwatsha , in a fine spell, broke through the middle order with 4 for 68, reducing the Kew innings to ruins. Asad (3 for 36) returned to take another wicket as did Pete Clifford before Umar Aslam (1 for 11) wrapped things up by breaking an obdurate last wicket stand with Kew on 185 to give Chesham victory by 91 runs. With leaders Stoke Green winning yet again their visit to the Meadow next week is vital for both clubs.
Not a good day in Div2a for the 2ndX1 at Kidmore End. Again suffering from a lack of experienced bowlers, Chesham were unable to limit the home side from compiling 244 for 8. Anuraj Nair being the most successful bowler by taking 4 for 68. What looked on paper to be a decent batting side, following an opening partnership of 47 between Tom Free (34) and Brendon O’Donovan (18), subsided without a whimper to be all out for a very disappointing total of 105. Kidmore’s star was Abid Ul Wahid, who bowled unchanged to end with figures of 8 for 52.
The 3rdX1, also lacking a full strength bowling attack, were obliged to settle for a draw against 4th Div bottom club Teddington Town. In 52 overs the visitors to Chartridge totalled an imposing target of 254 for 7. Veteran Martin Wheeler toiling long and hard for 26 overs for the meagre return of 2 for 109. Oh, those aching limbs! What a cruel captain. In reply Chesham batted well enough, particularly Graham Rance (79), Matt Thompson (33) and Luke Dawson (35), but were never really up with the required rate and ended on 210 for 8 off 48 overs.
The 4th X1 were without a game following the withdrawal of British Airways from league Div 7b. Another cancelled flight by our national airline!!
In Sunday’s Chess Valley League Div 1 game at Radlett Chesham compiled a healthy total of 262 for 7 off 45 overs. Jason Rance, Tom Free and Graham Rance each scoring jug avoiding 47s. However, Radlett made light of this seemingly winning score and knocked off the runs in only 36 overs for the loss of only 4 wickets. Next Sunday, in the same league, Chesham will be at home to Amersham.
Chesham Women suffered defeat by 81 runs against Wanstead. Scores: Wanstead 126 for 5 off 30 overs with an excellent bowing performance by Karen Mintern taking 2 for 9. Chesham 45 all out off 24 overs.
Once again, well done the Under 15s, who having won the Bucks County Cup and then representing Bucks, followed up by beating teams from Oxon, Berkshire and then, on Regional Finals Day, Mildenhall from Suffolk, before succumbing in the final to a strong Esher side representing Surrey. They thus ended the ECB National Tournament as equal fifth, with three others, in the whole of England.. An excellent performance.