Chesham CC w/e 3rd September
Although the weather had the final say on the last day of the league season and almost all games were abandoned due to heavy rain this did not dampen Chesham’s celebrations at winning the TVL 1st Division for the first time in the club’s history. In their game at Boyne Hill they dismissed the home side for 210 before the heavens opened, with Umar Aslam taking 3 for 40 and Asad Rehman 3 for 47. With the game then called off the team awaited with bated breath for the result of Stoke Green’s game at Falkland. When it was learned that this game had also been abandoned, Chesham’s unbridled celebrations could begin. I understand that a certain amount of alcohol was consumed. Victory had been by the narrowest of margins as both Chesham and Stoke were level at the top on 308 points. However, as Chesham had won more matches and lost fewer they became Champions and next season will play in Div 2 of the Home Counties League alongside local rivals Amersham. Overall, captained by Jason Rance, it had been a triumph for good team work throughout the season with the side particularly effective in the 50/50 win/lose version of the game when a minimum of five bowers were needed. Stoke Green on the other hand excelled in the standard TVL game in which their two star spin bowlers were permitted to bowl unchanged and often did.
The 2nd X1 ended in 5th place in Div 2a although they came close to defeat in their home game against Eversley. The visitors batted first and in an effort to get ahead of the threatening rain made a challenging declaration at 202 for 4 off only 33 overs. They then reduced Chesham to 75 for 7 when the umpires, who had not brought wet suits and flippers with them, called a halt to proceedings.
Similarly the 3rd X1 were foiled by the weather in their bid to avoid relegation from Div 4a. . Slough 3rds had closed at 193 for 9, with Martin Wheeler having taken 3 for 38 and Anuraj Nair 3 for 46. Chesham had reached 41 for 2 when the game was abandoned and they now await their fate.
Due to an apparent misunderstanding, the Div 7b between Chesham 4ths and Marlow Park 2s did not take place, which at least saved everyone from being drowned.