Chesham CC 22nd August
A poor weekend for the club saw Chesham 1st X1 knocked off their perch as leaders of TVL Div1 when they were obliged to settle for a draw against bottom club Beaconsfield. In an amazing turn round, Beaconsfield recovered from 36 for 6 to eventually total 263 for 9 off 52 overs. This was almost entirely due to a remarkable innings of 162 not out by David Heavyside in which he hit no less than 10 sixes and 14 fours. He was given valuable support by Chris Thomas (40). By the end of the innings the previously effective bowlers were in almost total disarray, although Ashley Turney escaped with the best figures of 2 for 20. Chesham’s reply began well with a rapid half century opening partnership between Matt Rance and Barney Atkins, but both departed soon after and although several batsmen reached the twenties wickets fell regularly to that man Heavyside (4 for 43). After Jack McIver fell for 44 with only 5 overs remaining, the later batsmen just managed to hang on for the draw at 213 for 9 off 48 overs with James Rendell, a spinner with an interesting action, taking 4 for 81.
In Div 2a Chesham 2nd X1 continued their slide down the league after losing at Finchampstead. Chesham were put in to bat but never really got on top of the bowling and were dismissed for 196, Tom Free top scoring with 49. This total caused no problems to Finch as former Bucks player Russell Lane smashed an unbeaten 115 off only 27 overs to give his side victory by 9 wickets.
The day stared unpromisingly for the 3rd X1 when skipper Steve Ayres’ car suffered a break down en route to Kew. Three players were sent on by taxi while Steve waited for assistance. In another strange game Kew collapsed to 45 fo7 against the youthful opening attack of Mikey Burden (4 for48) and Joseph Rance (3 for 47). Then the number 9, A.Thorburn smashed 104 to enable his team to total 201. With the bat Chesham’s mainly inexperienced batsmen fought hard, particularly Ed Turner (105) and Burden (45) but finally fell short by 12 runs. Nevertheless, the team remain in second place in Div 5a.
The 4th team again got 20 points due to the opposition crying off and are just 1 pont off the promotion slots.
Rain on Sunday caused the abandonment of Chesham Women’s league game against Harrow. After the visitors had scored 181 for 2, Chesham were 6 without loss when the heavens opened.