Harpsden v Stonor – 27th September 2009
Stonor
J Mayo ct Thornton b I Whittaker 58
B Denton c & b Hancock 29
M Bowden ct Norton b Hancock 1
J Powell* b T Nugent 71
N Reid Not Out 9
M Lovatt ct I Whittaker b T Nugent 12
R Hunt Not Out 2
TOTAL 202-5
Extras 20
Best Bowling: B Hancock 2-19, T Nugent 2-42
Harpsden
A Grimmer ct Sub b Agar 30
C Whittaker ct Hunt b Agar 16
O Boycott Run Out 12
A Norton* ct Lovatt b Powell 80
I Nugent + Not Out 41
I Whittaker Not Out 8
TOTAL 208-4
Extras 21
Best Bowling: A Agar 2-52, Powell 1-38
Harpsden entertained Stonor on a very warm September day in the annual closing fixture for both teams.
Stonor got off to a great start with the bat, with Mayo and Denton putting on 46 for the first wicket, before first change bowler Hancock struck in his first over, taking a sharp caught and bowled to remove Denton for 29. Hancock struck again in his next over, forcing an edge from Bowden’s bat, straight into the hands of Norton at gully. Stonor then rebuilt their innings well, with Mayo and Powell punishing any poor bowling. The pair had put on 107, before Harpsden made the breakthrough, with Mayo playing a rare rash shot into the hands of Thornton at mid wicket. Powell was next to fall, getting clean bowled by Nugent for 71. Lovatt provided some late order hitting for Stonor to take them up to a competitive total of 202-5 from their allocated two and a half hours.
Harpsden got off to a flyer, with the first over the innings going for 12 runs. Whittaker and Grimmer continued to play positively, reaching 40 before Whittaker smashed a full toss straight into Hunts hands at mid on. Grimmer was the next man to fall, hitting the ball straight up in the air into mid offs hands. Heath and Norton then rebuilt the innings, with Norton taking to the attack to the bowling, whilst Heath ably supported him at the other end, with a brick wall defence. Heath eventually was heading back to the pavilion after being run out by his captain. However, Norton more than redeemed himself, batting superbly, mixing attacking and defending perfectly to anchor the Harpsden innings, when he eventually fell for 80, Harpsden needed 23 runs from 5 overs, with Ian Nugent and Ian Whittaker at the crease, both batsmen used their experience to great effect, with Nugent hitting boundaries, and Whittaker giving him as much strike as possible in the now fading light. With one over left, Harpsden still needed 3 runs to win, and when the first 2 balls didn’t wield any runs, Harpsden fans and players were starting to worry, but 2 singles in 2 balls brought the scores level, and as the fifth ball of the final over sailed over the boundary for six from Nugent’s bat the victory was secured. For what was a brilliant end to a brilliant Harpsdens season, in which just 6 matches out of 54 were lost.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Harpsden v Holyport
Harpsden v Holyport
Sat 26th September 2009
Holyport, one of the very few teams to have beaten Harpsden this year travelled to the village ground on a beautiful Indian summer day for Harpsden;s penultimate game of the season. Holyport, opting to bat in a timed game got off to a flying start scoring 40 off the first 5 overs before the pace of George Hepburn and the wily spin of Matt Hayward reduced the guests to 50 for 4. Holyport got a good partnership going with Fowler and Pyle getting into the forties and found the rest of the Harpsden attack easier to score off with only Will Foster managing to pick up a wicket. The return of Hayward with a wicket off his first ball and Hepburn getting two wickets in two balls stalled Holyport and they declared at tea on 163 for 8. The target should have been an easy one for Harpsden to chase an excellent 60 partnership between Ian Reissman and Dan Hayden gave the impression that Harpsden were going to cruise home. However two run outs changed the game, first Reissman struggling to make his ground and then a suicidal call by Hodgkiss resulting in the excellent Hayden heading back to the pavilion. The remaining batsmen came and went until Harpsden were 9 down, 25 short of the target with 9 overs to see out. With man of the match Haywood and veteran wicket keeper Richard Moyle at the crease a very tense half an hour ensued. Holyport tried desperately to remove one of the pair to win the game but some stalwart defence aided by a couple of lucky 4’s kept Harpsden in it and with 2 overs to go Moyle pulled a short ball for 4 winning the game for the home team. How the crowd rejoiced!
Holyport
Pajnani c lbw b.Hepburn 8
Taylor c Moyle b Haywood 29
Osinski c Haydenb Foster 7
Davies b Hawyood 11
Fowler c Moyle b Hepburn 40
Pyle b Haywoodi 46
Price st Moyleb Haywood 9
Cox b Hepburn 0
Bush Not out 1
Hayes Not out 4
extras 8
TOTAL (dec) 163
Best bowling M Haywood 4 for 44. Hepburn 3 for 29
Harpsden
I Reissman Run Out 27
A Birkett c Fowler b Hayes 1
D Hayden Run Out 46
R Birkett c Price b Pajnani 0
M Hodgkiss c Price b Fowler 26
G Hepburn b Fowler 1
M Greenwod c & b Hayes 4
E Birkett b Fowler 14
W Foster cPajnaniB Fowler 4
M Haywood `Not Out 13
R Moyle Not Out 8
`extras 20
``TOTAL 164
Best bowling Fowler 4 for 38
Sat 26th September 2009
Holyport, one of the very few teams to have beaten Harpsden this year travelled to the village ground on a beautiful Indian summer day for Harpsden;s penultimate game of the season. Holyport, opting to bat in a timed game got off to a flying start scoring 40 off the first 5 overs before the pace of George Hepburn and the wily spin of Matt Hayward reduced the guests to 50 for 4. Holyport got a good partnership going with Fowler and Pyle getting into the forties and found the rest of the Harpsden attack easier to score off with only Will Foster managing to pick up a wicket. The return of Hayward with a wicket off his first ball and Hepburn getting two wickets in two balls stalled Holyport and they declared at tea on 163 for 8. The target should have been an easy one for Harpsden to chase an excellent 60 partnership between Ian Reissman and Dan Hayden gave the impression that Harpsden were going to cruise home. However two run outs changed the game, first Reissman struggling to make his ground and then a suicidal call by Hodgkiss resulting in the excellent Hayden heading back to the pavilion. The remaining batsmen came and went until Harpsden were 9 down, 25 short of the target with 9 overs to see out. With man of the match Haywood and veteran wicket keeper Richard Moyle at the crease a very tense half an hour ensued. Holyport tried desperately to remove one of the pair to win the game but some stalwart defence aided by a couple of lucky 4’s kept Harpsden in it and with 2 overs to go Moyle pulled a short ball for 4 winning the game for the home team. How the crowd rejoiced!
Holyport
Pajnani c lbw b.Hepburn 8
Taylor c Moyle b Haywood 29
Osinski c Haydenb Foster 7
Davies b Hawyood 11
Fowler c Moyle b Hepburn 40
Pyle b Haywoodi 46
Price st Moyleb Haywood 9
Cox b Hepburn 0
Bush Not out 1
Hayes Not out 4
extras 8
TOTAL (dec) 163
Best bowling M Haywood 4 for 44. Hepburn 3 for 29
Harpsden
I Reissman Run Out 27
A Birkett c Fowler b Hayes 1
D Hayden Run Out 46
R Birkett c Price b Pajnani 0
M Hodgkiss c Price b Fowler 26
G Hepburn b Fowler 1
M Greenwod c & b Hayes 4
E Birkett b Fowler 14
W Foster cPajnaniB Fowler 4
M Haywood `Not Out 13
R Moyle Not Out 8
`extras 20
``TOTAL 164
Best bowling Fowler 4 for 38
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Harpsden Hammer Hambleden
Hambleden
J Wright ct Imlay b Hayden 14
G Bridges ct Harris b B Hancock 2
C Waller b B Hancock 11
S Bradford ct Moyle b Wright 6
P Rosier ct W Stevens W b Wright 64
I Wright b W Stevens 48
N Arnold ct Hayden b W Stevens 7
D Cannon Not Out 3
S Mattingley b W Stevens 1
TOTAL 183-8
Extras 27
Best Bowling : W Stevens 3-17, B Hancock 2-8
Harpsden
S Imlay ct Rosier b Cannon 62
I Reissman b S Mattingley 17
R Harris b S Mattingley 2
A Bryan b Hodgkiss 34
W Stevens Not Out 16
D Hayden Not Out 47
TOTAL 189-4
Extras 11
Best Bowling: S Mattingley 2-35, D Cannon 1-30
Harpsden welcomed Hambleden on a humid September day, with many Harpsden players looking to make a final impression before the end of season awards that evening.
Harpsden started off very strongly with the ball, with leg spinner Hancock, and Hepburn placing the ball is very good areas. Hancock made the breakthrough, with Bridges trying to turn the ball onto the leg side, only to edge it low down into the safe hands of Harris at first slip. Hancock struck again a couple of overs later, bowling Waller through the gate. Hepburn was replaced by Wright at the other end, and after a few warm up deliveries, settled into a nice rhythm, often tempting the batsmen into the drive. Hancock was continuing to bowl tightly, and after his 8 over spell he returned with very impressive figures of 8-3-8-2. Hayden was the next man to make a breakthrough, having Wright caught at mid off for 14. This brought another Wright to the crease, and he quickly settled in, smashing the ball to all parts for his quick fire 48. When Wright was bowled by Stevens by a brilliant slower ball, he and Rosier, who despite turning up late, batted brilliantly for his 64, had put on a 92 for the fifth wicket, which had put Hambleden back into a competitive position. However, Stevens quickly ruined any chance of a big total, taking a further 2 wickets, to leave Hambleden on 183-8 after their 40 overs.
Harpsden started their run chase knowing that 184 was well within their grasp on a good batting wicket. Harpsden made an ideal start, with Imlay and Reissman looking very comfortable at the crease. When Reissman fell for 17, the pair had put on 53 in just 9 overs. Harris came and went for just 2, which brought Bryan to the crease to join Imlay, both batsmen played very well for their partnership of 47, with Bryan being bowled by Harpsden’s very own Hodgkiss, who had arrived to watch only to find that Hambleden were one short. Soon after, Imlay also fell for a quite brilliant 62, with 54 runs still needed for victory. Stevens and Hayden wasted no time in finishing the job off, with Hayden in particular punishing anything that that was over pitched to finish on 47 not out, which included six sixes, five of them from the bowling of Hodgkiss. Stevens played a good supporting role to finish on 16 not out, to give Harpsden a very easy victory with 10 overs to spare.
J Wright ct Imlay b Hayden 14
G Bridges ct Harris b B Hancock 2
C Waller b B Hancock 11
S Bradford ct Moyle b Wright 6
P Rosier ct W Stevens W b Wright 64
I Wright b W Stevens 48
N Arnold ct Hayden b W Stevens 7
D Cannon Not Out 3
S Mattingley b W Stevens 1
TOTAL 183-8
Extras 27
Best Bowling : W Stevens 3-17, B Hancock 2-8
Harpsden
S Imlay ct Rosier b Cannon 62
I Reissman b S Mattingley 17
R Harris b S Mattingley 2
A Bryan b Hodgkiss 34
W Stevens Not Out 16
D Hayden Not Out 47
TOTAL 189-4
Extras 11
Best Bowling: S Mattingley 2-35, D Cannon 1-30
Harpsden welcomed Hambleden on a humid September day, with many Harpsden players looking to make a final impression before the end of season awards that evening.
Harpsden started off very strongly with the ball, with leg spinner Hancock, and Hepburn placing the ball is very good areas. Hancock made the breakthrough, with Bridges trying to turn the ball onto the leg side, only to edge it low down into the safe hands of Harris at first slip. Hancock struck again a couple of overs later, bowling Waller through the gate. Hepburn was replaced by Wright at the other end, and after a few warm up deliveries, settled into a nice rhythm, often tempting the batsmen into the drive. Hancock was continuing to bowl tightly, and after his 8 over spell he returned with very impressive figures of 8-3-8-2. Hayden was the next man to make a breakthrough, having Wright caught at mid off for 14. This brought another Wright to the crease, and he quickly settled in, smashing the ball to all parts for his quick fire 48. When Wright was bowled by Stevens by a brilliant slower ball, he and Rosier, who despite turning up late, batted brilliantly for his 64, had put on a 92 for the fifth wicket, which had put Hambleden back into a competitive position. However, Stevens quickly ruined any chance of a big total, taking a further 2 wickets, to leave Hambleden on 183-8 after their 40 overs.
Harpsden started their run chase knowing that 184 was well within their grasp on a good batting wicket. Harpsden made an ideal start, with Imlay and Reissman looking very comfortable at the crease. When Reissman fell for 17, the pair had put on 53 in just 9 overs. Harris came and went for just 2, which brought Bryan to the crease to join Imlay, both batsmen played very well for their partnership of 47, with Bryan being bowled by Harpsden’s very own Hodgkiss, who had arrived to watch only to find that Hambleden were one short. Soon after, Imlay also fell for a quite brilliant 62, with 54 runs still needed for victory. Stevens and Hayden wasted no time in finishing the job off, with Hayden in particular punishing anything that that was over pitched to finish on 47 not out, which included six sixes, five of them from the bowling of Hodgkiss. Stevens played a good supporting role to finish on 16 not out, to give Harpsden a very easy victory with 10 overs to spare.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dinner Speech 2009
Harpsden Cricket Club Dinner Speech 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What a summer this has been for Harpsden Cricket Club – I seem to say this every year and it keeps getting better and better. In 2007 we had 15% losses, 30% draws and 55% wins whilst last year we thought that 20% losses, 20% draws and 60% wins was awesome. This year we have surpassed all of that: out of a possible 49 fixtures we have managed to play 45. Despite the wettest July for over a hundred years we have only had one match cancelled because of the weather, and that was in June! Three matches were cancelled by terrified opponents (and not replaced by Conference fixtures due to late notice) including Hambleden in May and BBC Caversham in August.
That left 45 completed fixtures, which included only 2 draws; the first against BBC Caversham when we couldn’t get the last 2 wickets and the second where Eversley in 53 overs couldn’t get close to our score off 28 overs, but we couldn’t get their last 3 wickets. We also had one tie where Richard Moyle’s alledged first four in front of square for 10 years (in fact a classic cover drive) provided the backdrop for an amazing escape to keep our unbeaten run of at the time, 19 matches, intact. Of the 42 remaining matches, we have lost just five: 4 in May when our youngsters were studying (or so we are told!) rather than cricketing and 1 in June. That leaves a win percentage on completed matches of a quite astounding 82%. I’m glad we don’t have a website publishing these results, just the Joanna Cary inspired blog which we use for internal purposes, otherwise nobody would come to play us!
Talking about getting people to come to play us – the first thank you of the night goes to our fixture secretary, Suzie Bradley, who does such an incredible job against the background of almost certain defeat for anybody who signs up to meet the Harpsden rollercoaster. I suspect that Suzie will have an even tougher job than normal this winter convincing the opponents to come back. Here is a little something to help keep you going through the long winter months of excuses from our opponents. SUZIE BRADLEY [Chocolates].
In 2007, Harpsden’s bowlers were in the ascendancy, 2008, in contrast, was a year for the batsmen. In 2009, however, the principal reason for our success is that both specialties have excelled. As with previous years we have our annual trophies, generously donated by Tabbits, your first stop in Henley for car repair. The trophies this year have been more difficult to decide upon than in any of the previous years given the number of very high quality performers, and partly because of that we have tended to favour the individuals who have influenced the largest number of games. Andrew Norton, Will Stevens (except where he was conflicted!) and Julian Burtt have helped me decide who these awards would go to. The first of these trophies tonight is for young bowler of the year.
The young have bowled brilliantly this season, almost more reliably than the old codgers! Dan Hayden bowled really well when it mattered against Sheen Park, Adam Birkett, to many people’s surprise, has taken a number of wickets with a particularly good spell against Falkland, James Thomson has taken 12 wickets with his impressive leg spin, bowling a couple of very long spells, including 13 overs straight at Twyford, George Hepburn has bowled tremendously in his first season for us, with both great pace and accuracy. Johnny Wright has bowled a number of very economical spells when they were most needed. Tom Mitchell was the outstanding bowler in the match against Sonning, and if it wasn’t for his bad back restricting his spell, we may well have won that game too. The Oratory boys, Christian Whittaker and Sean Thornton have both bowled tightly in the few games they have played, with Christian’s final over (to Shaun) in the Sixes being the epitomy of control. And Chris Welford has taken 8 wickets with his off spin, including 3 in an over against Sonning Common Village.
The contenders for this award however, have been Toby Stevens, who has taken 16 wickets, including 3 for 7 in one match, and has bowled very economically, and in any other year may well have won this award. Alfred Cary has bowled beautifully, and economically, but has spent a bit more time batting this year and hasn’t taken as many wickets as he might have done. Tom Nugent has again bowled magnificently, particularly later in the season, including his 5 for 17 against Turville last week. But young bowler of the year goes to somebody who is in his last season in the junior category – he took 3 four wicket hauls in the first half of the sesason, against London Erratics, Rivets and Catchiteers and his tight bowling against Sheen Park was one of the principal reasons for us successfully containing probably the strongest batting line up we have faced all season. With 24 wickets this season, young bowler of 2009 – BEN HANCOCK [Trophy].
Before moving onto the bowler of the year award I would like to thank the person who is the oil that enables the Harpsden engine to purr. Harpsden Cricket Club without Jane Burtt would be a considerably poorer place. Jane does so much behind the scenes such as organising the bar, the barbeques, the toilet paper, the rubbish as well as the monstrously difficult task of convincing people to play when she hasn’t got enough, and even worse, encouraging them not to play when she has too many. Jane always gets out a shapely batting order, a balanced bowling attack, a mix of youth, to field on the long side, and old codgers to field on the short side, and always, always, exactly 11. Jane is just outstanding and here is the merest token of all our gratitude. JANE BURTT [Chocolates].
Now, back to the awards. Bowler of the year. There have been a large number of stellar performances with the ball with a considerable number of 5 wicket hauls. James Butler against Medmenham, Ian Whittaker, yes Ian not Christian, pitching it on a sixpence against Britwell Salome, Horatio Cary, yes Horatio not Alfred, taking a match winning 5 wicket haul against the Effigies to take us to an extremely unlikely victory, Tom Nugent as already mentioned against Turville, Will Stevens 5 for 11 against Nettlebed when we successfully defended just 76. Tom Hancock took 5 for 23 for the Presidents’ XI (including both Andy Bryan and Will Stevens) as he destroyed the Chairmans’ XI in 4 overs before rushing off to work. Mick Greenwood who won this award 3 years ago, has not bowled as well as he will next year, but has always been economical, Ed Birkett has played very few games, but when he has, he has bowled with great pace and control, notably against Henley and Britwell. Mike Deville has been great when he’s played, and now his exams are out of the way, the oppo are going to be seeing a lot more of his booming in-swingers next year. Tom Ham has bowled very economically, most notably going for just 6 runs in his 5 overs against Twyford. James Paice has been brilliant this year, tying things down when the oppo threatened to break free – notably against Henley. James has also batted well this season, helping to bring about extremely unlikely victories against both the Effigies and Whitchurch. Before we get to the bowler of the year award, I would like to announce the newcomer of the year award which goes to JAMES PAICE [Wine].
Now back to the bowling award. This came down to four outstanding bowlers: Tom Nugent who has been our fourth highest wicket taker this year (and had the pleasure of getting Miles out when Harpsden played against the Golf Club). Ollie Heath who bowled better and better as the season went on, highlighted by his destruction of what Turville thought was a very strong top order where numbers 3, 4 and 5 went quack, quack, quack. Tom Hancock has bowled brilliantly again this year despite being hampered by a back problem in the first part of the season and also not playing as much as he might have done due to work commitments. Tom has been tremendous but he has been pipped at the post this year by somebody who just produces it year in, year out. He took a critical four wicket haul against Reading Lawyers, bowled brilliantly against Henley, bowled 8 overs and took 1 for 3 against Falkland, in a reasonably high scoring game. The bowler of the year for 2009, and is our highest wicket-taker by far, MILES HODGKISS [Trophy].
Bowlers are not so hot unless accompanied by good fielders and catchers: at this point I would like to hand over to Will who will talk about some of the fielding and catching exploits of the summer, and present the Catch of the Season trophy. Will.
This year we will do the all-rounders awards before the batting awards. For the juniors, James Thomson having been very impressive with the ball all season, got a match-winning 25 not out against Cranbourne, quickly followed by an attacking 40 against Morgan Cricket Club, Adam Birkett’s bowling and wicket keeping has combined with some strong batting displays, Toby Stevens highly effective bowling and then batting well when needed, helping big brother Will in a match-winning partnership to beat Whitchurch. Johnny Wright has also shown what he can do with the bat having impressed with ball, when he put on 40 for the last wicket with Mick Greenwood in the Presidents’ match as they strived for an unlikely victory. Christian and Shaun have been great but have not played enough this year to compete for the all-rounder award and hence it came down to 4 guys.
Ben Hancock is both the Club’s third highest wicket taker and also doesn’t hang around when he’s batting. Having said how good Alfred Cary has been with the ball he then proceeded to have stellar knocks against Stonor and the Golf Club and then a quite breath-taking 71 not out against Shiplake where in one over against Bobby Bolton’s son, he started 6, 6, 6, 6, 1! Big George Hepburn, great with the ball and left nobody in any doubt about the quality of his eye when he took the game away from Woodcote in 6 flashes of the Kookaburra. But young all-rounder of 2009 goes to someone who has been brilliant with the ball, but also extremely impressive with the bat. He scored 66 against the Effigies batting with James Paice, and gave us the chance to win, which we did, another very good 66, this time against Shiplake, before a little running confusion with Miles and then a maiden century against Eversley. This chap is going to be pushing for a senior award before he’s 16! Like 2008, young all-rounder of 2009: TOM NUGENT [Trophy].
The all-rounder of the year award. This again has been tremendously difficult to judge with some amazing all round performances. Ollie Heath coming storming through at the end of the season with both bat and ball, James Paice performing strongly all year, Miles Hodgkiss being the highest wicket taker and third highest run scorer, Horatio Cary with a storming finish to the season with bat and very useful contributions with the ball, but this one came down to a decision between two people. Firstly Will Stevens who been the highest run scorer and the second highest wicket taker. Will’s bowling has not been as devastating as it was in 2008 but he has taken 25 wickets at just over 15 and going for less than 4 an over. His 5 for 11 against Nettlebed was undoubtedly a match-winning display. His batting has been unbelievable, but more on that later. Having said all that, Will has been pipped at the post for this award this year. Our all-rounder of 2009 is somebody who has averaged 45 with the bat and 15 with the ball – whenever the Captain needs a string of wickets to polish the game off, he throws him the ball. His stats don’t tell the whole story as he started the season with a very serious injury and only bowled off a couple of paces, but as the back improved he got his venom back and was both a potent wicket-taker and highly economical bowler. He batted beautifully this year without getting the 100 he richly deserves – his 65 not out against the Young Lions was a classic display of how to dispatch good bowling and finish the game early. All rounder of 2009: TOM HANCOCK [Trophy].
Before moving on to the batting awards I would like to thank a number of people who do so much for the Club. Firstly, all the Ladies, and men, who produce such marvellous teas and also the cooking and setting up to make this evening the evening it is. We are tremendously grateful to both David Heath and Neil Craig who have done a brilliant job umpiring this season. The on-field, and off field guidance and leadership that we get from Club Captain Andrew Norton, and the two Vice Captains Will Stevens and Andy Bryan. Horatio Cary for helping me out on various things down at the ground – and who is in the process of preparing some honours boards to go up in the Pavilion. The Vice Presidents and the Patrons for their amazing support - notably Tony Wright, Lucius Cary, Joanna Cary and Neil Craig who are all here this evening. Miles Hodgkiss for everything he does, including clearing up after games and the work he does on the pitches at weekends. We also need to thank the spectators, the ever presents such as the Burtts, Wrights, Stevens and David Heath, but also Sarah, Josh, Flo, Hannah Nugent and all the others I have not mentioned individually. Del-boy, aka Ian Whittaker continues to do a brilliant job on sourcing mowers, cricket equipment, clothing etc. – please note he is taking orders for caps, shirts and jumpers this evening. Joanna Cary continues to a great job on the photographs. But I would, at this stage, like to say a special thank you to my wife who puts up with so much more, not just during the season, but also suffering everything that has to be organised over the close season. The thanks for putting up with it all award: SALLY BIRKETT [Flowers].
I would also like to thank last year’s Clubman, Ben Hancock, who has shown tremendous support when anything needs to be done – he has done a great job again on the pitches this year. Ed Birkett for helping me on the ground whenever he has time. Julian Burtt has again shown tremendous Presidential poise and has frequently helped to keep me on the straight and narrow. Adam Birkett has been a most amazing helper for me again this year, always keen to help both before the game and afterwards, as well as during the week when things have needed doing on the square. But the Clubman award for 2009 goes to somebody who has done an incredible amount for the Club for well over a decade: we have said that it is highly unlikely that this award will go to a member of the committee, but this year is one of those rare years. The award this year is partly in recognition of his 2009 efforts but also in recognition of everything he has done in years gone by. This man used to spend every weekend preparing the cricket pitches as well as all the handy work around the pavilion. Over the last year he has helped me organise the replacement of the hot water system (and I know how appreciated this has been by all those who shower!), put the new shelving in the kitchen, redid the kitchen lighting, has done various other time consuming jobs while the batsmen are batting, including putting up the can crusher, and done endless amounts of pruning and weeding. Also we wouldn’t have had any hot food this evening if he hadn’t spent so long chasing the Gas Company to finish their job late yesterday evening. Not only does he do all this, but he also keeps wicket, and when necessary, helps us to save the game with the bat as he did at Falklands. Our Clubman award for 2009 goes to: RICHARD MOYLE [Shield].
Now we move on to the batting awards. Both of these two awards have been dreadfully difficult to judge. Firstly the young batsman of the year. Our winner last year, Dan Hayden has shown his class, most notably against Sheen Park, James Thomson’s match winning knock against Cranbourne gives us a flavour of what we are likely to see more of next year, Christian Whittaker scored an awesome maiden century with 139 against Morgan Cricket Club. We have talked about Tom Nugent’s superb batting earlier, as we have with Ben Hancock – Ben’s maiden 50 is just round the corner. But the award this year came down to a choice between 3 people: firstly, George Hepburn – Big George doesn’t hold back. He has produced match-winning displays in the sixes, winning the man of the sixes award, he had very good knocks against Woodcote, Catchiteers, Bradfield Staff and Falkland. We have decided that George was pipped to this award but we would like to award him Junior newcomer of 2009: GEORGE HEPBURN [Book].
The other two candidates were tremendously difficult to split but the number of runs scored and also the number of matches influenced proved to be the deciding factor. Alfred Cary has had a great season at Malborough and has been unbelievably impressive for Harpsden, not just with the ball, but has had some very cultured knocks. But his destruction of Shiplake with 71 not out was quite something to behold. There’s a hundred for Alfred just round the corner. And although he has been pipped for the batting trophy, the award for destructive knock of the season goes to: ALFRED CARY [Book]. But the winner of young batsman of 2009 goes to somebody who has been involved in 5 partnerships of more than 50, all in match-winning causes, two unbeaten fifties of his own, a match-winning 45 in a very low-scoring and tense game against Reading Lawyers when all his partners were falling by the wayside and other strong knocks against the opening bowlers of sides like Crazies Hill and Medmenham. Young batsman of 2009: ADAM BIRKETT [Trophy].
The senior batting trophy has probably been the hardest of the lot to judge. With so many incredible batting feats it is tough to separate them. We have scored nearly 300 runs on several occasions – 295 against Greys Green (oh how sweet that was), 296 against Sheen Park, as well as stellar displays against Old Josephians, Shiplake, Crazies Hill etc. We have seen 9 century partnerships, 48 partnerships of 50 or more, 5 hundreds, 3 of which were by Adam Hurst and an amazing number of backs to wall batting displays to bring the bacon home, just when it looked like there was no way we could keep the unbeaten run going. Notable mentions go to Matt Hayward who’s rapid 48 not out against Shiplake was his only knock of the season for us after shoulder surgery, Ian Whittaker’s century partnership with Christian, helping Christian get to his maiden century which brings back memories of Ian’s century against Reading Lawyers 2 years ago when they were also batting together. Paddy Burtt averaging 90 and hitting some of the biggest sixes of the summer, James Paice’s match winning 51 against Whitchurch, Rob Harris, Andrew Norton and Justin Bradley not quite getting 50’s this season, Ian Reissmann’s brilliant 47 for the President’s XI despite everything people like Will Stevens could throw at him, Ian Nugent averaging over 50, Jack Broome averaging 78 and batting beautifully against both the Old Josephians and Henley. Horatio Cary’s season took off last weekend, scoring 93 and 87 against Sheen Park and Turville respectively – both match-winning displays against good attacks.
Last season’s winner, Andy Bryan, was somewhat quieter than last year but his punched sixes off the back foot against both the Mortgagees and especially Matt Skilleter of Greys Green in the Sixes were things of great beauty. Andrew Grimmer has not scored as many runs as last year but his 66 not out against the Shiplake Staff proved to be a critical match-winning knock. Sam Imlay who has twice won the junior award is batting most beautifully and gives us a tremendous start at the top of the order. Miles has just scored one 50 this season but has scored almost 500 runs at an average of nearly 30 and continues to be as destructive as anybody once he gets a start. Tom Hancock has already won the all-rounder award and hence the batting trophy came down to a choice between 3 awesome batsmen.
In third place is Neil Sweet who in his first season back for Harpsden has passed fifty every fourth time he goes to the crease. Neil has scored almost 500 runs for us this season at an average of just under 50 – I think there is a very high chance that Neil will win this award very soon. We do have an award for Neil, however, for the highest partnership of the season – 174 against Pinkney’s Green. NEIL SWEET [Wine]. Batting with Neil was Adam Hurst who sadly can’t be with us this evening and hence we will give him his prize when we next see him.
That leaves two who were unbelievably difficult to split. Will Stevens and Adam Hurst. Firstly Will, Will has scored almost 850 runs this season at an average of over 60. He has been involved in an amazing one third of all the partnerships of 50 or more - 16 of them. He has scored eight fifties, once in every three innings! Adam Hurst on the other hand has scored over 450 runs in his 10 innings with 3 hundreds and has averaged 90. Two of Adam’s most impressive knocks were against Henley and Shiplake, where although he didn’t score 50’s in either, he took the attack to the oppo and left them demoralised. We have decided this year to award the trophy to the person who was won us an incredible number of matches when we have had our backs against the wall – Cranbourne we were 42 for 6 chasing 135, and made it, Whitchurch, we were 70 for 7 chasing 173, and we made it, Falkland where we were 30 for 3 chasing 190 and tied, a match winning 50 partnership against the Oxford Uni team and a nearly victorious 80 odd at Holyport. Batsman of the year 2009: WILL STEVENS [Trophy].
So what does 2010 hold for Harpsden Cricket Club after such a tremendous season this year. Firstly, the cricket is going to be awesome and we are not going to be afraid of losing – unbeaten streaks like we have had this year are brilliant but it is the close matches, even if we lose, that really gets the juices flowing. Secondly, I’m sure we will see even more help from everybody – 50 of our own fixtures, plus renting out the ground 15 times, is an amazing amount of work. The more people who help, the lighter the load for each one.
But more than anything, one hopes 2010 is going to be about spirit. The atmosphere at Harpsden this year has been superb, both on the pitch and off and I’m sure that will just get better. But spirit also covers the spirit of cricket. The iconic image for me of the 2005 ashes series was Flintoff consoling Brett Lee at the end of the game before celebrating with his teammates. With my competitive Aussie instincts I am one of the greatest culprits, but if we can adhere to the spirit of cricket by not challenging umpiring decisions, Harpsden will not just be the most respected cricket team on the local village circuit, but also the most respected Club.
To celebrate the massive success of Harpsden Cricket Club in its 123rd season, and the prospect of another cracker for its 124th, please raise your glasses to: HARPSDEN CRICKET CLUB.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What a summer this has been for Harpsden Cricket Club – I seem to say this every year and it keeps getting better and better. In 2007 we had 15% losses, 30% draws and 55% wins whilst last year we thought that 20% losses, 20% draws and 60% wins was awesome. This year we have surpassed all of that: out of a possible 49 fixtures we have managed to play 45. Despite the wettest July for over a hundred years we have only had one match cancelled because of the weather, and that was in June! Three matches were cancelled by terrified opponents (and not replaced by Conference fixtures due to late notice) including Hambleden in May and BBC Caversham in August.
That left 45 completed fixtures, which included only 2 draws; the first against BBC Caversham when we couldn’t get the last 2 wickets and the second where Eversley in 53 overs couldn’t get close to our score off 28 overs, but we couldn’t get their last 3 wickets. We also had one tie where Richard Moyle’s alledged first four in front of square for 10 years (in fact a classic cover drive) provided the backdrop for an amazing escape to keep our unbeaten run of at the time, 19 matches, intact. Of the 42 remaining matches, we have lost just five: 4 in May when our youngsters were studying (or so we are told!) rather than cricketing and 1 in June. That leaves a win percentage on completed matches of a quite astounding 82%. I’m glad we don’t have a website publishing these results, just the Joanna Cary inspired blog which we use for internal purposes, otherwise nobody would come to play us!
Talking about getting people to come to play us – the first thank you of the night goes to our fixture secretary, Suzie Bradley, who does such an incredible job against the background of almost certain defeat for anybody who signs up to meet the Harpsden rollercoaster. I suspect that Suzie will have an even tougher job than normal this winter convincing the opponents to come back. Here is a little something to help keep you going through the long winter months of excuses from our opponents. SUZIE BRADLEY [Chocolates].
In 2007, Harpsden’s bowlers were in the ascendancy, 2008, in contrast, was a year for the batsmen. In 2009, however, the principal reason for our success is that both specialties have excelled. As with previous years we have our annual trophies, generously donated by Tabbits, your first stop in Henley for car repair. The trophies this year have been more difficult to decide upon than in any of the previous years given the number of very high quality performers, and partly because of that we have tended to favour the individuals who have influenced the largest number of games. Andrew Norton, Will Stevens (except where he was conflicted!) and Julian Burtt have helped me decide who these awards would go to. The first of these trophies tonight is for young bowler of the year.
The young have bowled brilliantly this season, almost more reliably than the old codgers! Dan Hayden bowled really well when it mattered against Sheen Park, Adam Birkett, to many people’s surprise, has taken a number of wickets with a particularly good spell against Falkland, James Thomson has taken 12 wickets with his impressive leg spin, bowling a couple of very long spells, including 13 overs straight at Twyford, George Hepburn has bowled tremendously in his first season for us, with both great pace and accuracy. Johnny Wright has bowled a number of very economical spells when they were most needed. Tom Mitchell was the outstanding bowler in the match against Sonning, and if it wasn’t for his bad back restricting his spell, we may well have won that game too. The Oratory boys, Christian Whittaker and Sean Thornton have both bowled tightly in the few games they have played, with Christian’s final over (to Shaun) in the Sixes being the epitomy of control. And Chris Welford has taken 8 wickets with his off spin, including 3 in an over against Sonning Common Village.
The contenders for this award however, have been Toby Stevens, who has taken 16 wickets, including 3 for 7 in one match, and has bowled very economically, and in any other year may well have won this award. Alfred Cary has bowled beautifully, and economically, but has spent a bit more time batting this year and hasn’t taken as many wickets as he might have done. Tom Nugent has again bowled magnificently, particularly later in the season, including his 5 for 17 against Turville last week. But young bowler of the year goes to somebody who is in his last season in the junior category – he took 3 four wicket hauls in the first half of the sesason, against London Erratics, Rivets and Catchiteers and his tight bowling against Sheen Park was one of the principal reasons for us successfully containing probably the strongest batting line up we have faced all season. With 24 wickets this season, young bowler of 2009 – BEN HANCOCK [Trophy].
Before moving onto the bowler of the year award I would like to thank the person who is the oil that enables the Harpsden engine to purr. Harpsden Cricket Club without Jane Burtt would be a considerably poorer place. Jane does so much behind the scenes such as organising the bar, the barbeques, the toilet paper, the rubbish as well as the monstrously difficult task of convincing people to play when she hasn’t got enough, and even worse, encouraging them not to play when she has too many. Jane always gets out a shapely batting order, a balanced bowling attack, a mix of youth, to field on the long side, and old codgers to field on the short side, and always, always, exactly 11. Jane is just outstanding and here is the merest token of all our gratitude. JANE BURTT [Chocolates].
Now, back to the awards. Bowler of the year. There have been a large number of stellar performances with the ball with a considerable number of 5 wicket hauls. James Butler against Medmenham, Ian Whittaker, yes Ian not Christian, pitching it on a sixpence against Britwell Salome, Horatio Cary, yes Horatio not Alfred, taking a match winning 5 wicket haul against the Effigies to take us to an extremely unlikely victory, Tom Nugent as already mentioned against Turville, Will Stevens 5 for 11 against Nettlebed when we successfully defended just 76. Tom Hancock took 5 for 23 for the Presidents’ XI (including both Andy Bryan and Will Stevens) as he destroyed the Chairmans’ XI in 4 overs before rushing off to work. Mick Greenwood who won this award 3 years ago, has not bowled as well as he will next year, but has always been economical, Ed Birkett has played very few games, but when he has, he has bowled with great pace and control, notably against Henley and Britwell. Mike Deville has been great when he’s played, and now his exams are out of the way, the oppo are going to be seeing a lot more of his booming in-swingers next year. Tom Ham has bowled very economically, most notably going for just 6 runs in his 5 overs against Twyford. James Paice has been brilliant this year, tying things down when the oppo threatened to break free – notably against Henley. James has also batted well this season, helping to bring about extremely unlikely victories against both the Effigies and Whitchurch. Before we get to the bowler of the year award, I would like to announce the newcomer of the year award which goes to JAMES PAICE [Wine].
Now back to the bowling award. This came down to four outstanding bowlers: Tom Nugent who has been our fourth highest wicket taker this year (and had the pleasure of getting Miles out when Harpsden played against the Golf Club). Ollie Heath who bowled better and better as the season went on, highlighted by his destruction of what Turville thought was a very strong top order where numbers 3, 4 and 5 went quack, quack, quack. Tom Hancock has bowled brilliantly again this year despite being hampered by a back problem in the first part of the season and also not playing as much as he might have done due to work commitments. Tom has been tremendous but he has been pipped at the post this year by somebody who just produces it year in, year out. He took a critical four wicket haul against Reading Lawyers, bowled brilliantly against Henley, bowled 8 overs and took 1 for 3 against Falkland, in a reasonably high scoring game. The bowler of the year for 2009, and is our highest wicket-taker by far, MILES HODGKISS [Trophy].
Bowlers are not so hot unless accompanied by good fielders and catchers: at this point I would like to hand over to Will who will talk about some of the fielding and catching exploits of the summer, and present the Catch of the Season trophy. Will.
This year we will do the all-rounders awards before the batting awards. For the juniors, James Thomson having been very impressive with the ball all season, got a match-winning 25 not out against Cranbourne, quickly followed by an attacking 40 against Morgan Cricket Club, Adam Birkett’s bowling and wicket keeping has combined with some strong batting displays, Toby Stevens highly effective bowling and then batting well when needed, helping big brother Will in a match-winning partnership to beat Whitchurch. Johnny Wright has also shown what he can do with the bat having impressed with ball, when he put on 40 for the last wicket with Mick Greenwood in the Presidents’ match as they strived for an unlikely victory. Christian and Shaun have been great but have not played enough this year to compete for the all-rounder award and hence it came down to 4 guys.
Ben Hancock is both the Club’s third highest wicket taker and also doesn’t hang around when he’s batting. Having said how good Alfred Cary has been with the ball he then proceeded to have stellar knocks against Stonor and the Golf Club and then a quite breath-taking 71 not out against Shiplake where in one over against Bobby Bolton’s son, he started 6, 6, 6, 6, 1! Big George Hepburn, great with the ball and left nobody in any doubt about the quality of his eye when he took the game away from Woodcote in 6 flashes of the Kookaburra. But young all-rounder of 2009 goes to someone who has been brilliant with the ball, but also extremely impressive with the bat. He scored 66 against the Effigies batting with James Paice, and gave us the chance to win, which we did, another very good 66, this time against Shiplake, before a little running confusion with Miles and then a maiden century against Eversley. This chap is going to be pushing for a senior award before he’s 16! Like 2008, young all-rounder of 2009: TOM NUGENT [Trophy].
The all-rounder of the year award. This again has been tremendously difficult to judge with some amazing all round performances. Ollie Heath coming storming through at the end of the season with both bat and ball, James Paice performing strongly all year, Miles Hodgkiss being the highest wicket taker and third highest run scorer, Horatio Cary with a storming finish to the season with bat and very useful contributions with the ball, but this one came down to a decision between two people. Firstly Will Stevens who been the highest run scorer and the second highest wicket taker. Will’s bowling has not been as devastating as it was in 2008 but he has taken 25 wickets at just over 15 and going for less than 4 an over. His 5 for 11 against Nettlebed was undoubtedly a match-winning display. His batting has been unbelievable, but more on that later. Having said all that, Will has been pipped at the post for this award this year. Our all-rounder of 2009 is somebody who has averaged 45 with the bat and 15 with the ball – whenever the Captain needs a string of wickets to polish the game off, he throws him the ball. His stats don’t tell the whole story as he started the season with a very serious injury and only bowled off a couple of paces, but as the back improved he got his venom back and was both a potent wicket-taker and highly economical bowler. He batted beautifully this year without getting the 100 he richly deserves – his 65 not out against the Young Lions was a classic display of how to dispatch good bowling and finish the game early. All rounder of 2009: TOM HANCOCK [Trophy].
Before moving on to the batting awards I would like to thank a number of people who do so much for the Club. Firstly, all the Ladies, and men, who produce such marvellous teas and also the cooking and setting up to make this evening the evening it is. We are tremendously grateful to both David Heath and Neil Craig who have done a brilliant job umpiring this season. The on-field, and off field guidance and leadership that we get from Club Captain Andrew Norton, and the two Vice Captains Will Stevens and Andy Bryan. Horatio Cary for helping me out on various things down at the ground – and who is in the process of preparing some honours boards to go up in the Pavilion. The Vice Presidents and the Patrons for their amazing support - notably Tony Wright, Lucius Cary, Joanna Cary and Neil Craig who are all here this evening. Miles Hodgkiss for everything he does, including clearing up after games and the work he does on the pitches at weekends. We also need to thank the spectators, the ever presents such as the Burtts, Wrights, Stevens and David Heath, but also Sarah, Josh, Flo, Hannah Nugent and all the others I have not mentioned individually. Del-boy, aka Ian Whittaker continues to do a brilliant job on sourcing mowers, cricket equipment, clothing etc. – please note he is taking orders for caps, shirts and jumpers this evening. Joanna Cary continues to a great job on the photographs. But I would, at this stage, like to say a special thank you to my wife who puts up with so much more, not just during the season, but also suffering everything that has to be organised over the close season. The thanks for putting up with it all award: SALLY BIRKETT [Flowers].
I would also like to thank last year’s Clubman, Ben Hancock, who has shown tremendous support when anything needs to be done – he has done a great job again on the pitches this year. Ed Birkett for helping me on the ground whenever he has time. Julian Burtt has again shown tremendous Presidential poise and has frequently helped to keep me on the straight and narrow. Adam Birkett has been a most amazing helper for me again this year, always keen to help both before the game and afterwards, as well as during the week when things have needed doing on the square. But the Clubman award for 2009 goes to somebody who has done an incredible amount for the Club for well over a decade: we have said that it is highly unlikely that this award will go to a member of the committee, but this year is one of those rare years. The award this year is partly in recognition of his 2009 efforts but also in recognition of everything he has done in years gone by. This man used to spend every weekend preparing the cricket pitches as well as all the handy work around the pavilion. Over the last year he has helped me organise the replacement of the hot water system (and I know how appreciated this has been by all those who shower!), put the new shelving in the kitchen, redid the kitchen lighting, has done various other time consuming jobs while the batsmen are batting, including putting up the can crusher, and done endless amounts of pruning and weeding. Also we wouldn’t have had any hot food this evening if he hadn’t spent so long chasing the Gas Company to finish their job late yesterday evening. Not only does he do all this, but he also keeps wicket, and when necessary, helps us to save the game with the bat as he did at Falklands. Our Clubman award for 2009 goes to: RICHARD MOYLE [Shield].
Now we move on to the batting awards. Both of these two awards have been dreadfully difficult to judge. Firstly the young batsman of the year. Our winner last year, Dan Hayden has shown his class, most notably against Sheen Park, James Thomson’s match winning knock against Cranbourne gives us a flavour of what we are likely to see more of next year, Christian Whittaker scored an awesome maiden century with 139 against Morgan Cricket Club. We have talked about Tom Nugent’s superb batting earlier, as we have with Ben Hancock – Ben’s maiden 50 is just round the corner. But the award this year came down to a choice between 3 people: firstly, George Hepburn – Big George doesn’t hold back. He has produced match-winning displays in the sixes, winning the man of the sixes award, he had very good knocks against Woodcote, Catchiteers, Bradfield Staff and Falkland. We have decided that George was pipped to this award but we would like to award him Junior newcomer of 2009: GEORGE HEPBURN [Book].
The other two candidates were tremendously difficult to split but the number of runs scored and also the number of matches influenced proved to be the deciding factor. Alfred Cary has had a great season at Malborough and has been unbelievably impressive for Harpsden, not just with the ball, but has had some very cultured knocks. But his destruction of Shiplake with 71 not out was quite something to behold. There’s a hundred for Alfred just round the corner. And although he has been pipped for the batting trophy, the award for destructive knock of the season goes to: ALFRED CARY [Book]. But the winner of young batsman of 2009 goes to somebody who has been involved in 5 partnerships of more than 50, all in match-winning causes, two unbeaten fifties of his own, a match-winning 45 in a very low-scoring and tense game against Reading Lawyers when all his partners were falling by the wayside and other strong knocks against the opening bowlers of sides like Crazies Hill and Medmenham. Young batsman of 2009: ADAM BIRKETT [Trophy].
The senior batting trophy has probably been the hardest of the lot to judge. With so many incredible batting feats it is tough to separate them. We have scored nearly 300 runs on several occasions – 295 against Greys Green (oh how sweet that was), 296 against Sheen Park, as well as stellar displays against Old Josephians, Shiplake, Crazies Hill etc. We have seen 9 century partnerships, 48 partnerships of 50 or more, 5 hundreds, 3 of which were by Adam Hurst and an amazing number of backs to wall batting displays to bring the bacon home, just when it looked like there was no way we could keep the unbeaten run going. Notable mentions go to Matt Hayward who’s rapid 48 not out against Shiplake was his only knock of the season for us after shoulder surgery, Ian Whittaker’s century partnership with Christian, helping Christian get to his maiden century which brings back memories of Ian’s century against Reading Lawyers 2 years ago when they were also batting together. Paddy Burtt averaging 90 and hitting some of the biggest sixes of the summer, James Paice’s match winning 51 against Whitchurch, Rob Harris, Andrew Norton and Justin Bradley not quite getting 50’s this season, Ian Reissmann’s brilliant 47 for the President’s XI despite everything people like Will Stevens could throw at him, Ian Nugent averaging over 50, Jack Broome averaging 78 and batting beautifully against both the Old Josephians and Henley. Horatio Cary’s season took off last weekend, scoring 93 and 87 against Sheen Park and Turville respectively – both match-winning displays against good attacks.
Last season’s winner, Andy Bryan, was somewhat quieter than last year but his punched sixes off the back foot against both the Mortgagees and especially Matt Skilleter of Greys Green in the Sixes were things of great beauty. Andrew Grimmer has not scored as many runs as last year but his 66 not out against the Shiplake Staff proved to be a critical match-winning knock. Sam Imlay who has twice won the junior award is batting most beautifully and gives us a tremendous start at the top of the order. Miles has just scored one 50 this season but has scored almost 500 runs at an average of nearly 30 and continues to be as destructive as anybody once he gets a start. Tom Hancock has already won the all-rounder award and hence the batting trophy came down to a choice between 3 awesome batsmen.
In third place is Neil Sweet who in his first season back for Harpsden has passed fifty every fourth time he goes to the crease. Neil has scored almost 500 runs for us this season at an average of just under 50 – I think there is a very high chance that Neil will win this award very soon. We do have an award for Neil, however, for the highest partnership of the season – 174 against Pinkney’s Green. NEIL SWEET [Wine]. Batting with Neil was Adam Hurst who sadly can’t be with us this evening and hence we will give him his prize when we next see him.
That leaves two who were unbelievably difficult to split. Will Stevens and Adam Hurst. Firstly Will, Will has scored almost 850 runs this season at an average of over 60. He has been involved in an amazing one third of all the partnerships of 50 or more - 16 of them. He has scored eight fifties, once in every three innings! Adam Hurst on the other hand has scored over 450 runs in his 10 innings with 3 hundreds and has averaged 90. Two of Adam’s most impressive knocks were against Henley and Shiplake, where although he didn’t score 50’s in either, he took the attack to the oppo and left them demoralised. We have decided this year to award the trophy to the person who was won us an incredible number of matches when we have had our backs against the wall – Cranbourne we were 42 for 6 chasing 135, and made it, Whitchurch, we were 70 for 7 chasing 173, and we made it, Falkland where we were 30 for 3 chasing 190 and tied, a match winning 50 partnership against the Oxford Uni team and a nearly victorious 80 odd at Holyport. Batsman of the year 2009: WILL STEVENS [Trophy].
So what does 2010 hold for Harpsden Cricket Club after such a tremendous season this year. Firstly, the cricket is going to be awesome and we are not going to be afraid of losing – unbeaten streaks like we have had this year are brilliant but it is the close matches, even if we lose, that really gets the juices flowing. Secondly, I’m sure we will see even more help from everybody – 50 of our own fixtures, plus renting out the ground 15 times, is an amazing amount of work. The more people who help, the lighter the load for each one.
But more than anything, one hopes 2010 is going to be about spirit. The atmosphere at Harpsden this year has been superb, both on the pitch and off and I’m sure that will just get better. But spirit also covers the spirit of cricket. The iconic image for me of the 2005 ashes series was Flintoff consoling Brett Lee at the end of the game before celebrating with his teammates. With my competitive Aussie instincts I am one of the greatest culprits, but if we can adhere to the spirit of cricket by not challenging umpiring decisions, Harpsden will not just be the most respected cricket team on the local village circuit, but also the most respected Club.
To celebrate the massive success of Harpsden Cricket Club in its 123rd season, and the prospect of another cracker for its 124th, please raise your glasses to: HARPSDEN CRICKET CLUB.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hurst and Whittaker steal the show at Britwell Salome
Sunday 23rd August
Harpsden travelled to Britwell Salome on a particularly warm day and after winning the toss Harpsden decided to have a bat on a pitch that looked to have a lot of runs in it.
Kaufman and Bird bowled tidily for the first few overs and beat the bat on several occasions. A. Birkett fell for 6 to Kaufman and this bought the in-form Adam Hurst to the wicket. Opener Sweet and Hurst proceeded to score at a rapid rate finding the boundary on a number of occasions including several big sixes. Both batsmen reached their half centuries before Sweet fell to Granger. Captain Andrew Norton scored a quick fire 40, 32 of which came from boundaries, before the patient Luxford finally took his wicket. Whittaker was next to go and was unlucky in his dismissal as the ball seemed to keep very low thus leading to him being given out LBW to Luxford. Nugent came to the crease and alongside Hurst took the Harpsden total to 246. Hurst bought up his fine century with a straight 6 and finished unbeaten on 100 as Harpsden declared before tea.
Harpsden opened up with seam at one end and spin at the other. Heath charged in trying to get something out of the wicket and beat the bat on a few occasions but had little luck finding the breakthrough. Welford bowled several tidy overs and tested the batsmen with his off-spinners from the other end.
The Britwell Salome opening partnership of Luxford and Herrington got their side’s innings off to a patient but solid start and seemed confident in chasing down the target score. Luxford went on to make 41 before the left arm seam of Ed Birkett got the better of him. Unfortunately for the home side a batting collapse helped by some good bowling from Harpsden, particularly Whittaker’s leg-spin, saw the game move into Harpsden’s favour. Herrington provided stiff resistance and continued to score runs before he fell to the guile of Whittaker for a well crafted 57. No one else in the Britwell batting order could muster double figures and with Hurst taking his batting form into the field with a superb run-out and two spectacular catches, Britwell’s fate was all but sealed. Whittaker and Nugent cleaned up the Britwell tail for 142, Whittaker finishing with deserved figures of 5-45.
Harpsden
N. Sweet b Granger 51
A. Birkett b Kaufman 6
A. Hurst Not Out 100
A. Norton c Clarke b Luxford 40
I. Whittaker lbw Luxford 1
T. Nugent Not Out 26
Extras 21 (19b, 1lb, 1w)
Total 246 – 4
Britwell Salome
Luxford b E. Birkett 41
Herrington ct & b Whittaker 57
Griffiths ct E. Birkett b Whittaker 2
Jarman b Welford 7
Clark Run Out 3
Smith c Hurst b Whittaker 8
Clarke b Nugent 0
Penny b Whittaker 6
Granger b Nugent 2
Bird c Hurst b Whittaker 4
Kaufman Not Out 0
Extras 12 (6b, 1lb, 5w)
Total 142 All Out
Harpsden travelled to Britwell Salome on a particularly warm day and after winning the toss Harpsden decided to have a bat on a pitch that looked to have a lot of runs in it.
Kaufman and Bird bowled tidily for the first few overs and beat the bat on several occasions. A. Birkett fell for 6 to Kaufman and this bought the in-form Adam Hurst to the wicket. Opener Sweet and Hurst proceeded to score at a rapid rate finding the boundary on a number of occasions including several big sixes. Both batsmen reached their half centuries before Sweet fell to Granger. Captain Andrew Norton scored a quick fire 40, 32 of which came from boundaries, before the patient Luxford finally took his wicket. Whittaker was next to go and was unlucky in his dismissal as the ball seemed to keep very low thus leading to him being given out LBW to Luxford. Nugent came to the crease and alongside Hurst took the Harpsden total to 246. Hurst bought up his fine century with a straight 6 and finished unbeaten on 100 as Harpsden declared before tea.
Harpsden opened up with seam at one end and spin at the other. Heath charged in trying to get something out of the wicket and beat the bat on a few occasions but had little luck finding the breakthrough. Welford bowled several tidy overs and tested the batsmen with his off-spinners from the other end.
The Britwell Salome opening partnership of Luxford and Herrington got their side’s innings off to a patient but solid start and seemed confident in chasing down the target score. Luxford went on to make 41 before the left arm seam of Ed Birkett got the better of him. Unfortunately for the home side a batting collapse helped by some good bowling from Harpsden, particularly Whittaker’s leg-spin, saw the game move into Harpsden’s favour. Herrington provided stiff resistance and continued to score runs before he fell to the guile of Whittaker for a well crafted 57. No one else in the Britwell batting order could muster double figures and with Hurst taking his batting form into the field with a superb run-out and two spectacular catches, Britwell’s fate was all but sealed. Whittaker and Nugent cleaned up the Britwell tail for 142, Whittaker finishing with deserved figures of 5-45.
Harpsden
N. Sweet b Granger 51
A. Birkett b Kaufman 6
A. Hurst Not Out 100
A. Norton c Clarke b Luxford 40
I. Whittaker lbw Luxford 1
T. Nugent Not Out 26
Extras 21 (19b, 1lb, 1w)
Total 246 – 4
Britwell Salome
Luxford b E. Birkett 41
Herrington ct & b Whittaker 57
Griffiths ct E. Birkett b Whittaker 2
Jarman b Welford 7
Clark Run Out 3
Smith c Hurst b Whittaker 8
Clarke b Nugent 0
Penny b Whittaker 6
Granger b Nugent 2
Bird c Hurst b Whittaker 4
Kaufman Not Out 0
Extras 12 (6b, 1lb, 5w)
Total 142 All Out
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hurst and Whittaker steal the show at Britwell Salome
Harpsden travelled to Britwell Salome on a particularly warm day and after winning the toss Harpsden decided to have a bat on a pitch that looked to have a lot of runs in it.
Kaufman and Bird bowled tidily for the first few overs and beat the bat on several occasions. A. Birkett fell for 6 to Kaufman and this bought the in-form Adam Hurst to the wicket. Opener Sweet and Hurst proceeded to score at a rapid rate finding the boundary on a number of occasions including several big sixes. Both batsmen reached their half centuries before Sweet fell to Granger. Captain Andrew Norton scored a quick fire 40, 32 of which came from boundaries, before the patient Luxford finally took his wicket. Whittaker was next to go and was unlucky in his dismissal as the ball seemed to keep very low thus leading to him being given out LBW to Luxford. Nugent came to the crease and alongside Hurst took the Harpsden total to 246. Hurst bought up his fine century with a straight 6 and finished unbeaten on 100 as Harpsden declared before tea.
Harpsden opened up with seam at one end and spin at the other. Heath charged in trying to get something out of the wicket and beat the bat on a few occasions but had little luck finding the breakthrough. Welford bowled several tidy overs and tested the batsmen with his off-spinners from the other end.
The Britwell Salome opening partnership of Luxford and Herrington got their side’s innings off to a patient but solid start and seemed confident in chasing down the target score. Luxford went on to make 41 before the left arm seam of Ed Birkett got the better of him. Unfortunately for the home side a batting collapse helped by some good bowling from Harpsden, particularly Whittaker’s leg-spin, saw the game move into Harpsden’s favour. Herrington provided stiff resistance and continued to score runs before he fell to the guile of Whittaker for a well crafted 57. No one else in the Britwell batting order could muster double figures and with Hurst taking his batting form into the field with a superb run-out and two spectacular catches, Britwell’s fate was all but sealed. Whittaker and Nugent cleaned up the Britwell tail for 142, Whittaker finishing with deserved figures of 5-45.
Harpsden
N. Sweet b Granger 51
A. Birkett b Kaufman 6
A. Hurst Not Out 100
A. Norton c Clarke b Luxford 40
I. Whittaker lbw Luxford 1
T. Nugent Not Out 26
Extras 21 (19b, 1lb, 1w)
Total 246 – 4
Britwell Salome
Luxford b E. Birkett 41
Herrington ct & b Whittaker 57
Griffiths ct E. Birkett b Whittaker 2
Jarman b Welford 7
Clark Run Out 3
Smith c Hurst b Whittaker 8
Clarke b Nugent 0
Penny b Whittaker 6
Grange r b Nugent 2
Bird c Hurst b Whittaker 4
Kaufman Not Out 0
Extras 12 (6b, 1lb, 5w)
Total 142 All Out
Kaufman and Bird bowled tidily for the first few overs and beat the bat on several occasions. A. Birkett fell for 6 to Kaufman and this bought the in-form Adam Hurst to the wicket. Opener Sweet and Hurst proceeded to score at a rapid rate finding the boundary on a number of occasions including several big sixes. Both batsmen reached their half centuries before Sweet fell to Granger. Captain Andrew Norton scored a quick fire 40, 32 of which came from boundaries, before the patient Luxford finally took his wicket. Whittaker was next to go and was unlucky in his dismissal as the ball seemed to keep very low thus leading to him being given out LBW to Luxford. Nugent came to the crease and alongside Hurst took the Harpsden total to 246. Hurst bought up his fine century with a straight 6 and finished unbeaten on 100 as Harpsden declared before tea.
Harpsden opened up with seam at one end and spin at the other. Heath charged in trying to get something out of the wicket and beat the bat on a few occasions but had little luck finding the breakthrough. Welford bowled several tidy overs and tested the batsmen with his off-spinners from the other end.
The Britwell Salome opening partnership of Luxford and Herrington got their side’s innings off to a patient but solid start and seemed confident in chasing down the target score. Luxford went on to make 41 before the left arm seam of Ed Birkett got the better of him. Unfortunately for the home side a batting collapse helped by some good bowling from Harpsden, particularly Whittaker’s leg-spin, saw the game move into Harpsden’s favour. Herrington provided stiff resistance and continued to score runs before he fell to the guile of Whittaker for a well crafted 57. No one else in the Britwell batting order could muster double figures and with Hurst taking his batting form into the field with a superb run-out and two spectacular catches, Britwell’s fate was all but sealed. Whittaker and Nugent cleaned up the Britwell tail for 142, Whittaker finishing with deserved figures of 5-45.
Harpsden
N. Sweet b Granger 51
A. Birkett b Kaufman 6
A. Hurst Not Out 100
A. Norton c Clarke b Luxford 40
I. Whittaker lbw Luxford 1
T. Nugent Not Out 26
Extras 21 (19b, 1lb, 1w)
Total 246 – 4
Britwell Salome
Luxford b E. Birkett 41
Herrington ct & b Whittaker 57
Griffiths ct E. Birkett b Whittaker 2
Jarman b Welford 7
Clark Run Out 3
Smith c Hurst b Whittaker 8
Clarke b Nugent 0
Penny b Whittaker 6
Grange r b Nugent 2
Bird c Hurst b Whittaker 4
Kaufman Not Out 0
Extras 12 (6b, 1lb, 5w)
Total 142 All Out
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Harpsden Thrash Sorry Turville
On Sunday Turville entertained Harpsden at their excellent ground and Harpsden took full advantage of this fact, winning the toss and electing to bat first. Will Stevens and Adam Birkett were first into the middle, but both returned to the pavilion promptly after getting caught trying play aggressively. Andy Norton was bowled around his legs by a remarkable bit of pace bowling from Tom White. Sam Imlay and Christian Whittaker put together an aggressive partnership before Imlay went after a flighted delivery from Henry-Thomas and was stumped. Harpsden were now in trouble at 60-4. Horatio Cary and Whittaker steadied the ship, Cary playing the anchor role as Whittaker continued to tee off at the other end before an excellent bit of spin bowling caught his glove and he was out for 35. Sean Thornton joined Cary at the crease for what proved to be the vital partnership of 124. Both fell in quick succession playing expansive shots as they tried to get Harpsden up to the 250 mark, a figure Harpsden managed to achieve.
After tea Turville went into bat but their minds, like most of the Harpsden fielders, seemed to still be on the delicious chicken sandwiches. Fortunately for Harpsden few fielders were required as Ollie Heath produced a ferocious spell of bowling bamboozling the Turville batsmen with few of them able to get bat on ball, their first 4 wickets fell for just 34 runs including 3 ducks. However during his sixth over word reached captain Andy Norton that his grunting was disturbing Sunday nap time in Ibstone, and so he was rested in favour of Nugent. This proved to be an astute piece of captaincy as Nugent went one better taking 5 wickets including the crucial wicket of James Hunt who played brilliantly for his 56 despite watching wickets fall at the other end as regularly as Kerry Katona after a big night out. Turville were eventually all out for 122, meaning Harpsden won by 129 runs.
Harpsden C.C.
A. Birkett………….ct C. Simon b N. Henry 3
W. Stevens………..ct J. Hunt b N. Henry 9
S. Imlay……………st T. Wade b A Harvey-Thompson 31
A. Norton………….b T. White 1
C. Whittaker………ct. T. Wade b J. Hancock 35
H. Cary……………ct. J. Hunt b T. White 87
S. Thornton……….ct. J. Hancock b T. White 53
I. Whittaker……….b T. White 1
O. Heath…………..NOT OUT 1
T. Nugent…………c & b J. Hancock 4
Balaji……………..NOT OUT 10
Extras………………………………..........................15
Total………………………………............................251
Best bowling . White 4-62
Turville
J. Hunt…………………..ct A. Norton b T. Nugent 56
C. Simon………………..b O. Heath 4
S. Beardall………………LBW O. Heath 0
T. Wade………………..b O. Heath 0
H. Beardall…………….b O. Heath 0
J. Hancock……………..b T. Nugent 25
J. Moser………………..b T. Nugent 1
N. Henry……………….b T. Nugent 0
T. White……………….b S. Thornton 0
N. Runkel………………NOT OUT 2
A. Harvey-Thompson….b T. Nugent 0
Extras………………………..34
Total…………………………122
Best Bowling: Nugent 5-16 Heath 4-22
Monday, September 07, 2009
Falkland 4th's Vs Harpsden Sat
Falkland 4th's 1st Innings 190/8 Closed (Overs 40)
S Trumper* b A Birkett 72
G Parker-Hodds+ b M Hodgkiss 1
J Ashworth b Hepburn 8
B Gilmour lbw b A Birkett 9
P Fox b R Birkett 28
B Thomas b W Stevens 30
T Ridley b Hepburn 10
R Stephenson b W Stevens 0
S Strachan Not Out 2
M Richardson Not Out 3
Extras (b5 lb7 w15 nb0) 27
TOTAL 8 wickets for 190
Harpsden Sat 1st Innings 190/9 Closed (Overs 40)
M Greenwood c&b M Richardson 12
R Harris Run Out 0
D Hayden c G Parker-Hodd b M Richardson 0
W Stevens* b S Strachan 56
G Hepburn b T Ridley 24
A Imlay c S Grimmond b B Thomas 6
M Hodgkiss b R Stephenson 33
A Birkett c&b S Strachan 8
R Birkett b T Ridley 22
R Moyle+ Not Out 6
W Carlise Not Out 4
Extras (b9 lb3 w5 nb2) 19
TOTAL 9 wickets for 190
A ten man Harpsden team traveled to Falkland on Saturday and chose to field first on what looked to be a hard true track. Falkland made a very cautious start to this 40 over game. This was due in no small part to the extraordinary bowling performance of Miles Hodgkiss who returned figures 8-5-3-1. The other Harpsden bowlers bowled tightly but the Falkland skipper Trumper battled on and finally started to cut loose with the introduction of the spinners. By contrast the introduction of the Harpsden skipper Stevens to the attack further increased the scoring rate. Falkland looked as though they were going to score 200 plus but Adam Birkett did well to steam the flow of runs and hold the score to 190.
In response Harpsden made a disastrous start with Harris being run out in the first over whilst not looking where the ball was. Their suffered a further set back when Hayden was caught attempting to hook and Greenwood was dismissed whilst looking good in the unfamiliar role of opening batsman. At 32-3 Harpsden were in desperate need of a partnership, and found it with Hepburn and Stevens consolidating at first and later striking the ball more confidently. Hepburn fell for a big hitting 24 and was later followed by Stevens of 56. With still 65 to win and only 4 wickets left Harpsden looked to be heading for defeat but first Hodgkiss and later Rod Birkett were able to keep up with the rate and keep Harpsden in with a chance. With the demise of Hodgkiss, Moyle strode to the crease in confident mood with his recent promotion form his regular number 11 spot. Entering the last over Harpsden needed 7 to win and after two quick singles Birkett aimed one more blow to the boundary unfortunately the ball failed to bounce and crept under his bat and onto the stumps. With a borrowed number 11 strolling to the crease Harpsden did not feel particularly confident about their chances and this seemed well placed as the next two balls missed the bat by a good distance. But the doubters were proved wrong as the final ball sailed to the boundary to secure the tie.
S Trumper* b A Birkett 72
G Parker-Hodds+ b M Hodgkiss 1
J Ashworth b Hepburn 8
B Gilmour lbw b A Birkett 9
P Fox b R Birkett 28
B Thomas b W Stevens 30
T Ridley b Hepburn 10
R Stephenson b W Stevens 0
S Strachan Not Out 2
M Richardson Not Out 3
Extras (b5 lb7 w15 nb0) 27
TOTAL 8 wickets for 190
Harpsden Sat 1st Innings 190/9 Closed (Overs 40)
M Greenwood c&b M Richardson 12
R Harris Run Out 0
D Hayden c G Parker-Hodd b M Richardson 0
W Stevens* b S Strachan 56
G Hepburn b T Ridley 24
A Imlay c S Grimmond b B Thomas 6
M Hodgkiss b R Stephenson 33
A Birkett c&b S Strachan 8
R Birkett b T Ridley 22
R Moyle+ Not Out 6
W Carlise Not Out 4
Extras (b9 lb3 w5 nb2) 19
TOTAL 9 wickets for 190
A ten man Harpsden team traveled to Falkland on Saturday and chose to field first on what looked to be a hard true track. Falkland made a very cautious start to this 40 over game. This was due in no small part to the extraordinary bowling performance of Miles Hodgkiss who returned figures 8-5-3-1. The other Harpsden bowlers bowled tightly but the Falkland skipper Trumper battled on and finally started to cut loose with the introduction of the spinners. By contrast the introduction of the Harpsden skipper Stevens to the attack further increased the scoring rate. Falkland looked as though they were going to score 200 plus but Adam Birkett did well to steam the flow of runs and hold the score to 190.
In response Harpsden made a disastrous start with Harris being run out in the first over whilst not looking where the ball was. Their suffered a further set back when Hayden was caught attempting to hook and Greenwood was dismissed whilst looking good in the unfamiliar role of opening batsman. At 32-3 Harpsden were in desperate need of a partnership, and found it with Hepburn and Stevens consolidating at first and later striking the ball more confidently. Hepburn fell for a big hitting 24 and was later followed by Stevens of 56. With still 65 to win and only 4 wickets left Harpsden looked to be heading for defeat but first Hodgkiss and later Rod Birkett were able to keep up with the rate and keep Harpsden in with a chance. With the demise of Hodgkiss, Moyle strode to the crease in confident mood with his recent promotion form his regular number 11 spot. Entering the last over Harpsden needed 7 to win and after two quick singles Birkett aimed one more blow to the boundary unfortunately the ball failed to bounce and crept under his bat and onto the stumps. With a borrowed number 11 strolling to the crease Harpsden did not feel particularly confident about their chances and this seemed well placed as the next two balls missed the bat by a good distance. But the doubters were proved wrong as the final ball sailed to the boundary to secure the tie.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Harpsden v Stonor – 8th August 2009
Grimmer Stars as Harpsden Ease to Victory
Stonor
G Kruger ct Grimmer b Paice 0
S Collings b Devile 1
O Nicholson ct Grimmer b Paice 9
M Bowden lbw Hancock 29
J Powell* b Devile 2
S Harris ct Grimmer b Hayward 9
A Agar b Hancock 13
D Connolly Not Out 11
R Denton lbw Birkett 12
N Allsop + b Devile 5
TOTAL 108 All Out
Extras 17 (8b, 4lb, 2w, 3nb)
Harpsden
A Grimmer Not Out 52
A Birkett b Nicholson 13
A Cary b Bowden 26
R Harris Not Out 4
TOTAL 109-2
Extras 14 (5b, 3lb, 4w, 2nb)
Harpsden travelled to Stonor on Saturday, looking to continue their winning streak, on a lovely day, with orchestra noise from Stonor Park making the afternoon even more enthralling.
Stonor got off to the worst possible start, with Kruger hitting the ball straight to Grimmer at point off of Paice’s second ball of the innings. Stonor then lost 3 more quick wickets, to leave them in deep trouble at 16-4. This was due some very accurate swing bowling from Paice and Devile, with both bowlers picking up 2 wickets. Harris and Bowden then stuck around to set a platform for the rest of the batsmen. The introduction of Hayward’s and Hancock’s spin slowed the run rate down even further, Hayward removed Harris, with Grimmer taking his third catch of the innings. And Hancock then took the wickets of Bowden for a very dogged 29, and Agar, who played for the spin, only for the ball to be a top spinner, which bowled him through the gate. Stonor then struggled to get back into the game, with Birkett taking the wicket of Denton, and Devile finishing off the innings, clean bowling Allsop for 5, to leave the Stonor with a grand total of just 108.
Harpsden then had a tricky 10 overs to bat before tea, with Birkett and Grimmer timing the ball nicely around the ground. The score moved steadily to 33, before Birkett was bowled round his legs off of Nicholson’s bowling. Cary then survived the last over before tea; to make sure that Harpsden went for the break just one wicket down. After tea, Grimmer and Cary played brilliantly, with shots all around the ground, they took Harpsden to the brink of victory, needing only four runs to win when Cary was bowled by Bowden. Harris then came to the crease, and wasted no time, smashing his first ball for four, to give Harpsden victory by 8 wickets. Grimmer, who had passed his fifty shortly before the end, finished of a very calm and composed 52 not out.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Harpsden Triumph in Local Derby
After a big win in the local derby against Greys Green on Saturday HARPSDEN were feeling confident before their 40 overs encounter with HENLEY. Henley had elected to bat at the Breakspear Ground on a typically fast and bouncy wicket, if not a touch damp. Harpsden opening bowler Ollie Heath sent down the first over at a ferocious pace finding the edge on a couple of occasions and testing the batsmen with the shorter ball, but the first wicket fell in the 2nd over to 15 year old quick Tom Nugent. This started a mini collapse for Henley with Harpsden bowling 4 successive wicket maidens leaving Henley 8 for 4. The two Johnson youngsters started a Henley recovery taking the score up to 35 before the fall of the next wicket, another for Tom Nugent as N.Johnson was excellently caught in the gully by Tom Ham. Harpsden veteran Miles Hodgkiss was then brought into the attack and bowled an 8 over spell for just 15 runs to dampen the chances of Henley reaching 150. James Paice was keen to impress against his former club and took 3 wickets, which along with 2 run outs left Henley all out for 118 in the 39th over. Paice was ably assisted by his fielders with Horatio Cary’s diving catch in the covers and Miles Hodgkiss’ diving fumble and recovery in the slips both contenders for catch of the season.
Harpsden came out after tea knowing batting out the 40 overs would surely see them to victory but got off to the worst possible start as Neil Sweet was dismissed for a duck. Adam Hurst was the next man to go after a hard hitting 29, including 7 boundaries. The Harpsden batsmen were clearly enjoying the quicker covered wicket and made swift work of the remaining runs especially Horatio Cary who finished 57 not out, having hit 50 in boundaries. Credit must also go to Jack Broome, who ably assisted Cary and hit the shot of the day; a truly massive six down the ground hitting the top of the trees surrounding the boundary. Harpsden reached Henley’s total for the loss of two wickets and in just 17.5 of their 40 overs.
Henley C.C.
H.Briszland ct. A.Hurst b. O.Heath 8
M.Ayres b. T.Nugent 0
S.Burringham ct. J.Broome b. O.Heath 0
D.White ct. H.Cary b. T.Nugent 0
N.Johnson ct. T.Ham b. T.Nugent 13
A.Johnson Run Out 14
L.Dennison ct. H.Cary b. J.Paice 48
R.Kenworthy ct. A.Hurst b. J.Paice 17
J.Gunasekara Not Out 2
M.Thomas Run Out 0
C.Johnson ct. M.Hodgkiss b. J.Paice 0
Sub Total 102
Extras 16
Total (all out) 118
Best Bowling: J.Paice 3-16, T.Nugent 3-18, O.Heath 2-22
Harspden C.C.
N.Sweet ct. C.Johnson b. L.Dennison 0
A.Hurst ct. R.Kenworthy b. D.White 29
H.Cary Not Out 57
J.Broome Not Out 30
Sub Total 116
Extras 5
Total (2wkts) 121
Best Bowling: L.Dennison 1-35
Harpsden v Greys Green – 25th July 2009
Imlay and Stevens Propel Harpsden to Massive Total
Harpsden
S.Imlay st ? b W Fairhead 59
W.Stevens lbw b Crook 81
M.Hodgkiss Retired Hurt 36
P.Burtt st ? b Knight 23
I.Reissman b Rooke 30
A.Cary Not Out 29
R.Harris Not Out 4
TOTAL 295-4
Extras 33 (b14, lb3, w8, nb3, p5)
Greys Green
Butler ct Burtt b Heath 2
Cross ct Harris b B Hancock 16
Cusden ct Reissman b Greenwood 22
Knight Not Out 54
Rooke b Cary 27
Hoggart Run Out 0
Hunt Not Out 12
TOTAL 147-5
Extras 14 (b1, lb2, w8, nb3)
Harpsden entertained Greys Green on a pitch that was still recovering from the weekday rain. However, this didn’t seem to peg back Harpsden’s openers, as Stevens and Imlay got Harpsden off to the best possible start to leave Harpsden on 65 without loss after 10 overs. Imlay in particular was timing the ball beautifully all around the ground, and when he eventually fell for a brilliant 59, the openers had fallen one run short of the 100 partnership. This brought Hodgkiss to the crease to join Stevens, who had also now started to hit the ball all around the ground. Both batsmen were playing brilliantly when, out of the blue Hodgkiss pulled up with a back injury and decided to take a rest. Soon after this, Stevens fell for 81, on a day where he deserved to go on and get the 3 figures. Harpsden then started to really attack the Greys Green bowling, with the last ten overs going for ninety nine runs. Valuable contributions came from Cary (29 not out) and Reissman (30).
Greys Green knew that it was going to take something special to chase this massive score. And there task was made a lot harder when Butler prodded the ball to Burtt at gully off Heaths bowling for just 2. The introduction of Hancock into the attack, to work in tandem with Deville at the other end dried up the runs even further for Greys Green, with Cross in particular finding it difficult to play the spinning ball. And this proved to be his downfall as he edged one behind, with Harris taking a very good catch. All of the Harpsden bowlers continued to bowl very well, making sure that Greys Green couldn’t get close to the target. Only Knight managed to spend time at the crease, to finish on a well crafted 54 not out, but his lack of support meant that Greys Green could only manage 147-5, giving Harpsden victory by 148 runs.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hancock makes the President Proud
The weather could hardly have been better for Harpsden’s annual President’s XI vs. Chairman’s XI 40 over fixture. The President’s XI batted first on a firm track and got off to a great start with Andy Grimmer (44) and former mayor Ian Reissman (47) putting on 82 for the first wicket. Foster’s 3 wickets brought the Chairman’s XI back into a good position, although wicketkeeper and Chairman Rod Birkett was always kept busy by his bowlers, who gave away 35 wides and a total of fifty extras. Jack Broome held the innings together in the latter stages, taking the attack to the bowlers, scoring 4 fours and 2 majestic sixes in a hard hitting 46, only to be dismissed by a great catch from Nelson De Souza in the gully.
After tea the Chairman’s XI batsmen knew they had a lot to do chasing 228, and when they were reduced to 22 for 3, the task looked almost impossible; Andy Bryan and Sam Imlay steadied the ship, taking the score past 100 before Imlay was dismissed for 33 by a great piece of deception from Horatio Cary. Andy Bryan had spectators ducking as he smashed his way to 55, but it was the introduction of President’s XI skipper Tom Hancock that changed the game. He ripped through the middle and lower order, taking 5 wickets including Bryan, Birkett, and that of his younger brother Ben. Mick Greenwood and Johnny Wright showed some great resilience for the final wicket, putting on 40 runs, although the Chairman’s XI finished on 182, 47 runs short of victory leaving Julian Burtt, the Harpsden President, as proud as punch.
President’s XI
A.Grimmer ct. J.Bradley b. B.Hancock 44
I.Reissman b. A.Bryan 47
R.Harris b. W.Foster 1
H.Cary ct. M.Greenwood b. W.Foster 2
J.Broome ct. De Souza b. W.Foster 46
T.Hancock Not Out 26
M.Hodgkiss Not Out 12
Sub Total 178
Extras 50
Grand Total (5wkts) 228
Best Bowling: W.Foster 3 for 35
Chairman's XI
J.Bradley ct. J.Broome b. T.Ham 15
N.De Souza ct. T.Hancock b. M.Hodgkiss 0
N.Sweet ct. J.Broome b. M.Hodgkiss 6
S.Imlay ct. M.Farmar b. H.Cary 33
A.Bryan b. T.Hancock 55
R.Birkett b. T.Hancock 0
B.Hancock b. T.Hancock 19
W.Foster b. T.Hancock 0
W.Stevens ct. T.Ham b. T.Hancock 5
M.Greenwood b. J.Thomson 25
J.Wright Not Out 20
Sub Total 178
Extras 4
Grand Total (all out) 182
Best bowling: T. Hancock 5 for 23
The weather could hardly have been better for Harpsden’s annual President’s XI vs. Chairman’s XI 40 over fixture. The President’s XI batted first on a firm track and got off to a great start with Andy Grimmer (44) and former mayor Ian Reissman (47) putting on 82 for the first wicket. Foster’s 3 wickets brought the Chairman’s XI back into a good position, although wicketkeeper and Chairman Rod Birkett was always kept busy by his bowlers, who gave away 35 wides and a total of fifty extras. Jack Broome held the innings together in the latter stages, taking the attack to the bowlers, scoring 4 fours and 2 majestic sixes in a hard hitting 46, only to be dismissed by a great catch from Nelson De Souza in the gully.
After tea the Chairman’s XI batsmen knew they had a lot to do chasing 228, and when they were reduced to 22 for 3, the task looked almost impossible; Andy Bryan and Sam Imlay steadied the ship, taking the score past 100 before Imlay was dismissed for 33 by a great piece of deception from Horatio Cary. Andy Bryan had spectators ducking as he smashed his way to 55, but it was the introduction of President’s XI skipper Tom Hancock that changed the game. He ripped through the middle and lower order, taking 5 wickets including Bryan, Birkett, and that of his younger brother Ben. Mick Greenwood and Johnny Wright showed some great resilience for the final wicket, putting on 40 runs, although the Chairman’s XI finished on 182, 47 runs short of victory leaving Julian Burtt, the Harpsden President, as proud as punch.
President’s XI
A.Grimmer ct. J.Bradley b. B.Hancock 44
I.Reissman b. A.Bryan 47
R.Harris b. W.Foster 1
H.Cary ct. M.Greenwood b. W.Foster 2
J.Broome ct. De Souza b. W.Foster 46
T.Hancock Not Out 26
M.Hodgkiss Not Out 12
Sub Total 178
Extras 50
Grand Total (5wkts) 228
Best Bowling: W.Foster 3 for 35
Chairman's XI
J.Bradley ct. J.Broome b. T.Ham 15
N.De Souza ct. T.Hancock b. M.Hodgkiss 0
N.Sweet ct. J.Broome b. M.Hodgkiss 6
S.Imlay ct. M.Farmar b. H.Cary 33
A.Bryan b. T.Hancock 55
R.Birkett b. T.Hancock 0
B.Hancock b. T.Hancock 19
W.Foster b. T.Hancock 0
W.Stevens ct. T.Ham b. T.Hancock 5
M.Greenwood b. J.Thomson 25
J.Wright Not Out 20
Sub Total 178
Extras 4
Grand Total (all out) 182
Best bowling: T. Hancock 5 for 23
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Students hand back certain victory
Harpsden Sun Vs Friends of Oxford University
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings
A Bryan+ b S Halliday 20
N Sweet b S Halliday 5
A Warner Run Out 7
A Norton* c Hill b A Cary 17
A Grimmer c ? b Gilmore 16
W Stevens c Gilmore b Case 34
M Hodgkiss c Gilmore b J Schneider 13
T Hancock c Cary b S Halliday 42
O Heath c ? b S Halliday 0
T Sampson Not Out 4
C Welford b H Richards 4
Extras (b2 lb1 w6 nb1) 10
TOTAL 10 wickets for 172
Friends of Oxford University
Mclellan lbw b C Welford 45
Gilmore Run Out 43
A Cary c A Bryan b W Stevens 4
Stefanowiz+ b W Stevens 8
H Cary c Norton b C Welford 21
H Richards b T Hancock 8
C Hill lbw b M Hodgkiss 4
J Schneider b T Hancock 2
Case c&b M Hodgkiss 2
S Halliday b T Hancock 1
W Lough Not Out 0
Extras (b9 lb8 w3 nb5) 25
TOTAL 10 wickets for 163
On an overcast Sunday afternoon Friends of Oxford University won the toss and asked Harpsden to Bat first. This proved to be a good decision as Harpsden lost regular wickets Halliday doing the majority of the damage including taking the key wicket of Bryan. With just over a hundred on the scoreboard Harpsden had already lost 6 wickets and an early tea look inevitable. But number eight, Tom Hancock arrived at the crease to join Stevens and the pair set about repairing some of the damage. The pair managed to add 50 runs before Stevens departed, unfortunately Harpsden were unable to add many more runs to the total as the returning Halliday wrapped up the tail.
Oxford University needing just 173 to win started as heavy favorites and in spite of quick opening spells from Hancock and Heath they made a solid start being 45 without loss after 10 overs. Oxford then set about applying further pressure as the scoring rate soared and as the opening pair were still at the crease with the score on 105, Harpsden could have been forgiven for thinking there was no way back. But after a calamitous run out, Harpsden managed to wrestle themselves back into the game with Stevens and Welford removing the top order. This included both Cary boys much to the delight of their Harpsden team mates.
As Oxford University crept towards the total Harpsden brought back Hancock which proved to be the match winning decision. Hancock ripped through the tail taking 3 wickets and carrying Harpsden to an unlikely victory by just 9 runs.
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings
A Bryan+ b S Halliday 20
N Sweet b S Halliday 5
A Warner Run Out 7
A Norton* c Hill b A Cary 17
A Grimmer c ? b Gilmore 16
W Stevens c Gilmore b Case 34
M Hodgkiss c Gilmore b J Schneider 13
T Hancock c Cary b S Halliday 42
O Heath c ? b S Halliday 0
T Sampson Not Out 4
C Welford b H Richards 4
Extras (b2 lb1 w6 nb1) 10
TOTAL 10 wickets for 172
Friends of Oxford University
Mclellan lbw b C Welford 45
Gilmore Run Out 43
A Cary c A Bryan b W Stevens 4
Stefanowiz+ b W Stevens 8
H Cary c Norton b C Welford 21
H Richards b T Hancock 8
C Hill lbw b M Hodgkiss 4
J Schneider b T Hancock 2
Case c&b M Hodgkiss 2
S Halliday b T Hancock 1
W Lough Not Out 0
Extras (b9 lb8 w3 nb5) 25
TOTAL 10 wickets for 163
On an overcast Sunday afternoon Friends of Oxford University won the toss and asked Harpsden to Bat first. This proved to be a good decision as Harpsden lost regular wickets Halliday doing the majority of the damage including taking the key wicket of Bryan. With just over a hundred on the scoreboard Harpsden had already lost 6 wickets and an early tea look inevitable. But number eight, Tom Hancock arrived at the crease to join Stevens and the pair set about repairing some of the damage. The pair managed to add 50 runs before Stevens departed, unfortunately Harpsden were unable to add many more runs to the total as the returning Halliday wrapped up the tail.
Oxford University needing just 173 to win started as heavy favorites and in spite of quick opening spells from Hancock and Heath they made a solid start being 45 without loss after 10 overs. Oxford then set about applying further pressure as the scoring rate soared and as the opening pair were still at the crease with the score on 105, Harpsden could have been forgiven for thinking there was no way back. But after a calamitous run out, Harpsden managed to wrestle themselves back into the game with Stevens and Welford removing the top order. This included both Cary boys much to the delight of their Harpsden team mates.
As Oxford University crept towards the total Harpsden brought back Hancock which proved to be the match winning decision. Hancock ripped through the tail taking 3 wickets and carrying Harpsden to an unlikely victory by just 9 runs.
Monday, June 22, 2009
BBC Caversham Block, Block and Block again
Harpsden v BBC Caversham - 20th June 2009
Harpsden
I Reissman ct Townend b Quinn 0
R Harris b Moore 45
J Bradley ct Treder b Lavers 31
W Stevens ct Lavers b Quinn 56
Gireesh b Moore 0
J Paice ct Burton b Moore 6
B Hancock ct Lavers b Quinn 33
M Hodgkiss ct Townend b Watkins 0
G Hepburn ct Lavers b Quinn 4
J Butler ct Townend b Watkins 1
R Moyle Not Out 0
TOTAL 197 All out
Extras 21
BBC Caversham
Williams ct Bradley b Harris 19
Burton b Paice 5
Castle ct Moyle b Hodgkiss 10
Deeks b Harris 18
Treder ct Moyle b Gireesh 9
Lavers b Hodgkiss 21
Moore ct Stevens b Hodgkiss 9
Watkins b Hodgkiss 1
Townend Not Out 0
Quinn Not Out 0
TOTAL 107-8
Extras 15
Harpsden batted first in this timed match on a warm Saturday afternoon. Harpsden made the worst possible start, losing Reissman for a duck in the first over. Harpsden then recovered very well, with Harris and Bradley managing to knock around the singles, whilst dispatching the bad balls to the boundary. When Harris was bowled by Moore, Harpsden had climbed to 78-1 from 18 overs. Harpsden then lost 3 quick wickets, to leave them in trouble at 117-5. This brought Hancock to the crease to join Stevens, both batsmen decided to push the run rate on, this resulted in a rapid partnership of 72 coming from just 6 overs. When Hancock departed for a hard hitting 33, Harpsden had started to take the game away from BBC Caversham. However, Harpsden lost their last 4 wickets for just 8 runs, which meant that they posted 197 all out from 35 overs, leaving BBC Caversham an extra 5 overs to get the runs.
However, they never decided to make an effort to go for the total, simply blocking and nurdling throughout their innings. This was reflected with no batsmen scoring over 25 runs. Watkins in particular showed no signs of even trying to hit the ball, blocking most balls with his kidney, and then complaining when it hurt. On the other hand, this innings helped the bowlers averages, with Hodgkiss taking 4-13 from his 10 overs and Paice taking 1-7 from his 8 overs.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Funtime had by all!
Harpsden Sun Win by 117 runs
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings 262/7 Closed (Overs 40)
A Grimmer lbw b R Noyes 22
A Birkett c Searle b Rechner 29
T Hancock c Simpson b Montgomery 17
A Norton* c Boden b Montgomery 28
W Stevens Not Out 65
R Birkett c Hopkins b Montgomery 17
M Hodgkiss Run Out 27
J Broome+ c ? b Searle 0
W Foster Not Out 26
extras (b0 lb6 w21 nb4) 31
TOTAL 7 wickets for 262
Crazies Hill 1st Innings 145/10 All Out (Overs 35.5)
C Funtime + c J Broome b H Williams 45
Montgomery b W Foster 0
Simpson Run Out 3
Hopkins* c B Hancock b M Hodgkiss 2
Boden c B Hancock b A Birkett 52
Rechner c J Broome b R Birkett 1
R Noyes c&b A Grimmer 0
R Cash c J Broome b A Grimmer 0
S Hanton Not Out 14
R Lea c H Williams b W Foster 1
Searle b W Foster 0
extras (b11 lb3 w12 nb1) 27
TOTAL 10 wickets for 145
On a beautiful afternoon Harpsden won the toss and elected to bat in this 40 over game. Harpsden made a positive start through Grimmer and Birkett although both were helped by some poor fielding by Crazies Hill as 5 catches went down in the opening overs. Adam departed first and set the trend for our batsmen as most made starts but then got themselves out (usually just slapping it skywards). After 28 overs the Harpsden total was just 124-4, but with Crazies having bowled out both Boden and Rechner the scoring rate started to climb, much to umpire Heath’s relief, who was a constant reminder that 220 was the minimum required! But to everyone’s delight 138 runs came off the closing 12 overs thanks mainly the ever aggressive Hodgkiss and a fantastic cameo from Willy Foster who scored 18 from the last over.
Having set a daunting 262 Harpsden took the field with great confidence and opened with the spin of B.Hancock and swing of Foster. Both having bowled well the previous day it was no surprise to see them both tightly and limited the scoring well to further increase the asking rate for Carzies Hill. This trend continued throughout the innings and as a result wickets started to fall. Harpsden were also helped by Chuckles Funtime who was the anchor of the Crazies innings, literally putting a stop to any movement in their score. As a result Jack Broome became ever more popular behind the stumps with his constant encouragement and vociferous appeals.
The flood gates really opened when Williams, with help from Broome, removed the stubborn Funtime for 45. Harpsden rotated their bowlers regularly giving some of their less experienced bowlers a chance to stake a claim for more regular action. Andy Grimmer was able to claim 2 wickets as well as Adam Birkett taking one scalp, the inquiries continue into how this was allowed to happen.
The innings was finished off by the returning Foster who capped a fantastic individual display returning figures of 5.5-2-5-3.
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings 262/7 Closed (Overs 40)
A Grimmer lbw b R Noyes 22
A Birkett c Searle b Rechner 29
T Hancock c Simpson b Montgomery 17
A Norton* c Boden b Montgomery 28
W Stevens Not Out 65
R Birkett c Hopkins b Montgomery 17
M Hodgkiss Run Out 27
J Broome+ c ? b Searle 0
W Foster Not Out 26
extras (b0 lb6 w21 nb4) 31
TOTAL 7 wickets for 262
Crazies Hill 1st Innings 145/10 All Out (Overs 35.5)
C Funtime + c J Broome b H Williams 45
Montgomery b W Foster 0
Simpson Run Out 3
Hopkins* c B Hancock b M Hodgkiss 2
Boden c B Hancock b A Birkett 52
Rechner c J Broome b R Birkett 1
R Noyes c&b A Grimmer 0
R Cash c J Broome b A Grimmer 0
S Hanton Not Out 14
R Lea c H Williams b W Foster 1
Searle b W Foster 0
extras (b11 lb3 w12 nb1) 27
TOTAL 10 wickets for 145
On a beautiful afternoon Harpsden won the toss and elected to bat in this 40 over game. Harpsden made a positive start through Grimmer and Birkett although both were helped by some poor fielding by Crazies Hill as 5 catches went down in the opening overs. Adam departed first and set the trend for our batsmen as most made starts but then got themselves out (usually just slapping it skywards). After 28 overs the Harpsden total was just 124-4, but with Crazies having bowled out both Boden and Rechner the scoring rate started to climb, much to umpire Heath’s relief, who was a constant reminder that 220 was the minimum required! But to everyone’s delight 138 runs came off the closing 12 overs thanks mainly the ever aggressive Hodgkiss and a fantastic cameo from Willy Foster who scored 18 from the last over.
Having set a daunting 262 Harpsden took the field with great confidence and opened with the spin of B.Hancock and swing of Foster. Both having bowled well the previous day it was no surprise to see them both tightly and limited the scoring well to further increase the asking rate for Carzies Hill. This trend continued throughout the innings and as a result wickets started to fall. Harpsden were also helped by Chuckles Funtime who was the anchor of the Crazies innings, literally putting a stop to any movement in their score. As a result Jack Broome became ever more popular behind the stumps with his constant encouragement and vociferous appeals.
The flood gates really opened when Williams, with help from Broome, removed the stubborn Funtime for 45. Harpsden rotated their bowlers regularly giving some of their less experienced bowlers a chance to stake a claim for more regular action. Andy Grimmer was able to claim 2 wickets as well as Adam Birkett taking one scalp, the inquiries continue into how this was allowed to happen.
The innings was finished off by the returning Foster who capped a fantastic individual display returning figures of 5.5-2-5-3.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Hepburn and Hancock Shine For Harpsden
Harpsden v Catchiteers – 13th June 2009
Catchiteers
Murray ct Bradley b Ashmore 7
Janus b Greenwood 10
Cardew ct Hodgkiss b Foster 42
Read ct Farmer b Hodgkiss 9
Beard c & b Foster 16
Perry b Hancock 3
Meek ct Hepburn b Hancock 9
Davison b Hancock 21
Malpas Run Out 2
Johnson Not Out 1
Meek b Hancock 0
Extras (w3, b1,lb2) 6
TOTAL 126 All Out
Best Bowling : Hancock 4-27, Foster 2-7
Harpsden
M.Hodgkiss Not Out 46
J.Bradley b Murray 0
G.Hepburn ct Read b Murray 68
J.Paice Not Out 5
Extras (w4, b4, lb1)
TOTAL 128-2
Harpsden lost the toss and were put in to field on a hot Saturday afternoon. Harpsden made a strong start with the ball, with openers Ashmore and Greenwood bowling with a good line and length to leave Catchiteers on 40-2 after 9 overs. Catchiteers then rebuilt and looked to be on course for a competitive score. However when Foster and Hancock were brought into the attack, they managed to plug the runs and take regular wickets. Hancock in particular bowled some very good leg spin to take figures of 4-27 from 7.2 overs. This meant that Catchiteers were eventually bowled out for 126.
Harpsden made the worst possible start to their innings, losing Bradley in the second over. This brought Hepburn to the crease to join Hodgkiss. Hepburn wasted no time in taking the attack to the Catchiteers bowlers, dispatching the first two balls of his innings for four. He continued in this vain, smashing 11 fours and 3 sixes, one of which cleared the longest boundary with considerable ease. When he was eventually caught for 68, Harpsden were just 19 runs short of their target. Hodgkiss and Paice then finished off the game, to take Harpsden to their target in just 14.1 overs.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Harpsden v Young Lions
Sun 7th June 2009
Harpsden’s Sunday side managed to find a sufficiently long break in the weekend rain to fit a 40 over game in against the Young Lions team from West London. On the previous two meetings the Lions had proved too strong for the hosts so Club Capain Andy Norton was keen to prevent three defeats in a row. Lions batted first and were quickly in trouble on the sticky wicket. Captain, Rajiv, top edged an easy catch off Greenwood and when Nismal went lbw off Balaji for the top score of 22 it was obvious that Lions were not going to post a high score. Alfred Cary bowled some excellent off spin taking three wickets and Toby Stevens mopped up the tail with 3 wickets in 2.2 overs. Although the target of 107 looked easy enough the Harpsden batsmen were taking nothing for granted on this very difficult wicket and this was proved true when Neil Sweet uncharacteristically ‘ducked’ and Harpsden struggled to 10 off the first six overs. However Tom Hancock soon got to grips with the track and stroked the ball around with ease, his confidence growing every over. Andy Norton joined in with some solid hitting and with the weather worsening the two accelerated the scoring. Harpsden reached the total having used only half the allotted overs to win by 8 wickets.
Young Lions
Nayman c Run out 14
Rajiv c Balaji b Greenwood 4
Nismal c LBW b Balaji 22
Yashwin c St Birkettj b Cary 4
Justin b Cary 8
Shaan b Balaji 11
Mihire b Cary 0
Manoj c Norton b Stevens 2
Viram c Hodgkiss b Stevens 13
Anand c Sweet b Stevens 1
Kavit Not out 3
extras 25
TOTAL 107
Best bowling T. Stevens 3 for 7
Harpsden
N Sweet c Mayan b Rajiv 0
A Birkettc&b b Manoj 11
T Hancock Not out 65
A Norton Not out 28
extras 6
TOTAL 110
Best bowling Rajiv 1 for 23
Sun 7th June 2009
Harpsden’s Sunday side managed to find a sufficiently long break in the weekend rain to fit a 40 over game in against the Young Lions team from West London. On the previous two meetings the Lions had proved too strong for the hosts so Club Capain Andy Norton was keen to prevent three defeats in a row. Lions batted first and were quickly in trouble on the sticky wicket. Captain, Rajiv, top edged an easy catch off Greenwood and when Nismal went lbw off Balaji for the top score of 22 it was obvious that Lions were not going to post a high score. Alfred Cary bowled some excellent off spin taking three wickets and Toby Stevens mopped up the tail with 3 wickets in 2.2 overs. Although the target of 107 looked easy enough the Harpsden batsmen were taking nothing for granted on this very difficult wicket and this was proved true when Neil Sweet uncharacteristically ‘ducked’ and Harpsden struggled to 10 off the first six overs. However Tom Hancock soon got to grips with the track and stroked the ball around with ease, his confidence growing every over. Andy Norton joined in with some solid hitting and with the weather worsening the two accelerated the scoring. Harpsden reached the total having used only half the allotted overs to win by 8 wickets.
Young Lions
Nayman c Run out 14
Rajiv c Balaji b Greenwood 4
Nismal c LBW b Balaji 22
Yashwin c St Birkettj b Cary 4
Justin b Cary 8
Shaan b Balaji 11
Mihire b Cary 0
Manoj c Norton b Stevens 2
Viram c Hodgkiss b Stevens 13
Anand c Sweet b Stevens 1
Kavit Not out 3
extras 25
TOTAL 107
Best bowling T. Stevens 3 for 7
Harpsden
N Sweet c Mayan b Rajiv 0
A Birkettc&b b Manoj 11
T Hancock Not out 65
A Norton Not out 28
extras 6
TOTAL 110
Best bowling Rajiv 1 for 23
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
A time to cash in?
Harpsden Sun Vs Pinkney's Green
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings 271/1 Closed (Overs 29.5)
N Sweet c&b C Heyes 79
A Hurst Retired 101
P Burtt Not Out 67
A Norton* Not Out 3
Extras (b12 lb1 w1 nb7) 21
TOTAL 1 wickets for 271
Pinkney's Green 1st Innings 40/9 All Out (Overs 15)
C Heyes c T Sampson b T Stevens 16
W Heyes b W Stevens 0
A Gandhe b W Stevens 4
S Withana b W Stevens 0
C Adams b T Sampson 4
I Hann b T Stevens 0
Sharad c T Hancock b M Hodgkiss 2
Shiv b M Hodgkiss 8
M James b A Balaji 2
S Jinman Not Out 1
Extras (b1 lb0 w1 nb1) 3
TOTAL 9 wickets for 40
Harpsden were pleased to win the toss on a very hot Sunday afternoon and did not hesitate when choosing to bat first. Sweet and Hurst opened up for Harpsden and set about savaging a weak Pinkney’s Green attack. After 12 overs both batsmen had reached 50 and the Harpsden total was already well beyond a hundred. Sweet was the only wicket to fall after a mammoth opening stand of 174. His departure, if anything, increased the run rate as it brought the hard hitting Burtt to the crease who smashed 67 runs from just 38 deliveries. At the other end Hurst went on to complete a century, and Harpsden declared on 271 after just 30 overs.
The Pinkney’s response never really got off the ground as both opening bowlers Toby and Will Stevens had opportunities to take a hat trick. The pair went on to remove 5 of the Pinkney’s top 6 leaving no chance of a recovery. Hodgkiss and Balaji claimed the wickets to win the match in quick time.
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings 271/1 Closed (Overs 29.5)
N Sweet c&b C Heyes 79
A Hurst Retired 101
P Burtt Not Out 67
A Norton* Not Out 3
Extras (b12 lb1 w1 nb7) 21
TOTAL 1 wickets for 271
Pinkney's Green 1st Innings 40/9 All Out (Overs 15)
C Heyes c T Sampson b T Stevens 16
W Heyes b W Stevens 0
A Gandhe b W Stevens 4
S Withana b W Stevens 0
C Adams b T Sampson 4
I Hann b T Stevens 0
Sharad c T Hancock b M Hodgkiss 2
Shiv b M Hodgkiss 8
M James b A Balaji 2
S Jinman Not Out 1
Extras (b1 lb0 w1 nb1) 3
TOTAL 9 wickets for 40
Harpsden were pleased to win the toss on a very hot Sunday afternoon and did not hesitate when choosing to bat first. Sweet and Hurst opened up for Harpsden and set about savaging a weak Pinkney’s Green attack. After 12 overs both batsmen had reached 50 and the Harpsden total was already well beyond a hundred. Sweet was the only wicket to fall after a mammoth opening stand of 174. His departure, if anything, increased the run rate as it brought the hard hitting Burtt to the crease who smashed 67 runs from just 38 deliveries. At the other end Hurst went on to complete a century, and Harpsden declared on 271 after just 30 overs.
The Pinkney’s response never really got off the ground as both opening bowlers Toby and Will Stevens had opportunities to take a hat trick. The pair went on to remove 5 of the Pinkney’s top 6 leaving no chance of a recovery. Hodgkiss and Balaji claimed the wickets to win the match in quick time.
Harpsden vs Reading Lawyers
Reading Lawyers 1st Innings 129/8 All Out (Overs 27.1)
M Symms c J Paice b M Hodgkiss 11
M Burrows lbw b T Nugent 1
B Harrison b M Hodgkiss 45
C Lynch c W Stevens b M Hodgkiss 12
W Lake b J Paice 14
D Loosemore* Not Out 13
N Burrows c W Stevens b M Hodgkiss 4
S James b T Nugent 0
M Seymour c J Bradley b A Cary 11
extras (b8 lb8 w1 nb1) 18
TOTAL 8 wickets for 129
Harpsden Sat 1st Innings 130/6 Closed (Overs 27.2)
Matt Thomas b W Lake 23
A Birkett b M Burrows 45
Gireesh b W Lake 8
J Bradley lbw b M Seymour 15
A Cary b W Lake 2
W Stevens* st ? b D Loosemore 9
I Nugent Not Out 6
R Birkett+ Not Out 15
extras (b0 lb1 w2 nb0) 6
TOTAL 6 wickets for 130
Reading Lawyers batted first in this 40 over game and made a solid start through Harrison and Symons. But the game was swung in Harpsden favour by spells from Hodgkiss and Paice, wickets fell at regular intervals until and Harpsden were well on top at drinks. With T.Nugent returning to complete his overs Reading Lawyers were put in further trouble and were eventually finished off by A.Cary (thanks to a good catch by Justin on the boundry).
In response Harpsden started aggressively with Matt Thomas striking some huge blows, but fell to one that nipped back off the pitch. Adam Birkett was the only Harpsden batsman that could be pleased with his efforts as he came away with a solid 45. Others came and went but the Lawyer’s total was never going to be enough and Harpsden took the honours.
M Symms c J Paice b M Hodgkiss 11
M Burrows lbw b T Nugent 1
B Harrison b M Hodgkiss 45
C Lynch c W Stevens b M Hodgkiss 12
W Lake b J Paice 14
D Loosemore* Not Out 13
N Burrows c W Stevens b M Hodgkiss 4
S James b T Nugent 0
M Seymour c J Bradley b A Cary 11
extras (b8 lb8 w1 nb1) 18
TOTAL 8 wickets for 129
Harpsden Sat 1st Innings 130/6 Closed (Overs 27.2)
Matt Thomas b W Lake 23
A Birkett b M Burrows 45
Gireesh b W Lake 8
J Bradley lbw b M Seymour 15
A Cary b W Lake 2
W Stevens* st ? b D Loosemore 9
I Nugent Not Out 6
R Birkett+ Not Out 15
extras (b0 lb1 w2 nb0) 6
TOTAL 6 wickets for 130
Reading Lawyers batted first in this 40 over game and made a solid start through Harrison and Symons. But the game was swung in Harpsden favour by spells from Hodgkiss and Paice, wickets fell at regular intervals until and Harpsden were well on top at drinks. With T.Nugent returning to complete his overs Reading Lawyers were put in further trouble and were eventually finished off by A.Cary (thanks to a good catch by Justin on the boundry).
In response Harpsden started aggressively with Matt Thomas striking some huge blows, but fell to one that nipped back off the pitch. Adam Birkett was the only Harpsden batsman that could be pleased with his efforts as he came away with a solid 45. Others came and went but the Lawyer’s total was never going to be enough and Harpsden took the honours.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Guess who?
Overheard in the pavilion after tea this afternoon when Matt hit a four: Justin, could you go out onto the verandah and applaud for me?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Harpsden vs Old Josephians
Harpsden entertained Old Josephians to a 35 over match and although they lost Tom Hancock in the third over, Jack Broome and Will Stevens managed to push the run rate along at nearly 6 an over before the latter fell to on-loan Harspden junior, Johnny Wright. After Rod Birkett succumbed to a leading edge, his 14 year old son came to the wicket to join the increasingly rampant Broome. Broome and Adam Birkett put on 107 before Jack unselfishly decided to retire in the 27th over following a chanceless knock of 120 which included 3 sixes and 17 fours. The departure of Broome brought no respite for the London-based team as Ben Hancock wasted no time in making a quickfire and hard-hitting 46. All that was left was for Harpsden to set the visitors a massive 277 to win in 35 overs and Dan Hayden to coax Adam Birkett to his second Harpsden 50.
Harpsden, opening with the leg-spin of 15 year old James Thomson and the speed of 14 year old Tom Nugent, caused significant problems for the Old Josephian openers putting them well behind the required rate in the early overs as they both bowled with great control. The loss of both De Cruz and Mitcher brought about a significant change in the game as Bennett and Kitchener batted with real confidence and started to go about chasing down Harpsden's massive total. Tight bowling from Miles Hodgkiss, Will Stevens and his younger brother Toby, meant the touring side were always well behind the required rate, and despite some big hitting late on by Bennett, they were never in the hunt.
Harpsden
T.Hancock Caught Peacock b. O’Donnahoe 6
J.Broome Retired 120
W.Stevens Caught Kitchener b. Wright 19
R.Birkett Caught Mitcher b. Kitchener 17
A.Birkett Not Out 51
B.Hancock Caught De Cruz b. Grinrod 46
T.Nugent Caught Bennett b. Kitchener 0
D.Hayden Not Out 7
Extras 10
Total: for 5 wkts 276
Best Bowling: Kitchener 2 for 41
Old Josephians
De Cruz lbw Thomson 7
Mithcer Caught T. Stevens b. T.Nugent 15
Bennett Not Out 151
Kitchener Not Out 50
Extras 12
Total: for 2wkts 235
Best Bowling: Nugent 1 for 25
Harpsden, opening with the leg-spin of 15 year old James Thomson and the speed of 14 year old Tom Nugent, caused significant problems for the Old Josephian openers putting them well behind the required rate in the early overs as they both bowled with great control. The loss of both De Cruz and Mitcher brought about a significant change in the game as Bennett and Kitchener batted with real confidence and started to go about chasing down Harpsden's massive total. Tight bowling from Miles Hodgkiss, Will Stevens and his younger brother Toby, meant the touring side were always well behind the required rate, and despite some big hitting late on by Bennett, they were never in the hunt.
Harpsden
T.Hancock Caught Peacock b. O’Donnahoe 6
J.Broome Retired 120
W.Stevens Caught Kitchener b. Wright 19
R.Birkett Caught Mitcher b. Kitchener 17
A.Birkett Not Out 51
B.Hancock Caught De Cruz b. Grinrod 46
T.Nugent Caught Bennett b. Kitchener 0
D.Hayden Not Out 7
Extras 10
Total: for 5 wkts 276
Best Bowling: Kitchener 2 for 41
Old Josephians
De Cruz lbw Thomson 7
Mithcer Caught T. Stevens b. T.Nugent 15
Bennett Not Out 151
Kitchener Not Out 50
Extras 12
Total: for 2wkts 235
Best Bowling: Nugent 1 for 25
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Harpsden v United Warriors - 23rd May 2009
Ian Nugent Shines in Harpsden Loss
United Warriors
Keyar ct Farmar b Butler 93
Ammars ct Birkett b Hodgkiss 17
Mohammed lbw b Farmar 11
Bilal ct Harris b Wright 60
Wajih ct Hepburn b Hancock 1
Ali Run Out (Nugent) 16
Ammar Not Out 3
Extras: 36
TOTAL 237-6
Harpsden
R Harris b Dilo 5
A Grimmer ct Bilal b Dilo 23
A Birkett ct Ammars b Dilo 0
T Nugent lbw b Dilo 0
I Nugent ct Thiru b Harsham 56
M Hodgkiss ct Mohammed b Amal 2
G Hepburn ct Ali b Amal 0
B Hancock b Harsham 38
J Wright ct Amal b Harsh 2
M Farmar b Harsh 7
J Butler Not Out 1
Extras : 46
TOTAL 180 All Out
Harpsden kindly allowed United Warriors to bat on a lovely spring day, due to a lack of players from the opposition. This proved to be a mistake as United Warriors piled on the runs throughout their innings, with Keyar and Bilal, who at times provided an exhibition of clean hitting to the Harpsden youngsters. This allowed United Warriors to post a formidable total of 237-6 from their 35 overs.
Harpsden’s task became even tougher when they lost 3 wickets in the first ten overs. This brought Ian Nugent to the crease to join Grimmer, both batsmen played fluently before Grimmer was caught for 23. Nugent then saw Hepburn and Hodgkiss lose their wickets to leave Harpsden in real trouble at 75-6. Ben Hancock then came to the crease, and decided to take the attack to the bowlers, smashing the ball all around the park for a quick fire 38 which included six fours and one six. After Hancock had departed, hopes of a Harpsden win had faded. However, Nugent kept looking forward, and completed a superb 50, which resulted in a barrage of applause from the Harpsden supporters. But it wasn’t to be, as Nugent was caught for 56. Leaving Harpsden 57 runs short of the target.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Harpsden 'catch' Cranbourne Cold
Harpsden Sun Vs Cranbourne
Cranbourne 1st Innings 74/10 All Out (Overs 31.3)
V Patel c W Stevens b J Paice 6
Kirtron c&b Hodgkiss 21
L Johnson c N Sweet b J Paice 5
R Sillis b T Stevens 0
R Alleston* c J Paice b T Stevens 1
D Crick c A Norton b T Stevens 5
Parog c R Birkett b M Hodgkiss 1
Watson c J Bradley b C Welford 7
D Daints+ c J Paice b W Stevens 1
Kirton Jnr lbw b W Stevens 5
D Spencer Not Out 9
extras (b0 lb1 w12 nb0) 13
TOTAL 10 wickets for 74
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings 75/0 Closed (Overs 15.4)
N Sweet Not Out 44
T Hancock Not Out 22
extras (b4 lb1 w4 nb0) 9
TOTAL 0 wickets for 75
Best bowling - T.Stevens 3-14, Hodgkiss 2-9
On a very damp track Cranbourne started their innings with caution but were soon under pressure from some very tight opening spells from James Paice and Will Stevens. Paice claimed two scalps in his six overs, and with Hodgkiss coming into the attack the runs dried up still further. The magic moment of the day was provided by Hodgkiss who, following a vicious drive from Kirton managed to keep the ball in the air with approximately six parts of his body before securing a stunning caught and bowled. With Kirton back in the pavilion it was time for 13 year old Toby Stevens to show his cricketing talents, starting with removing the Cranbourne number 4 with a beautiful away swinger. Toby went on to claim two more wickets to leave him the pick of the Harpsden bowling with 3-14 from his 5 overs. Cranbourne eventually folded having made just 74 runs, however if they bowled with the same discipline as the Harpsden bowlers they could expect to cause plenty of problems for the batsmen.
Unfortunately for Cranbourne the bowling was to full to make use of the helpful Harpsden pitch. Their bowlers also ran into two Harpsden batsmen determined to showcase their talents. Sweet and Hancock picked off any poor bowling and with Sweet {44*} the major aggressor the pair saw Harpsden to an early finish and a 10 wicket win.
Cranbourne 1st Innings 74/10 All Out (Overs 31.3)
V Patel c W Stevens b J Paice 6
Kirtron c&b Hodgkiss 21
L Johnson c N Sweet b J Paice 5
R Sillis b T Stevens 0
R Alleston* c J Paice b T Stevens 1
D Crick c A Norton b T Stevens 5
Parog c R Birkett b M Hodgkiss 1
Watson c J Bradley b C Welford 7
D Daints+ c J Paice b W Stevens 1
Kirton Jnr lbw b W Stevens 5
D Spencer Not Out 9
extras (b0 lb1 w12 nb0) 13
TOTAL 10 wickets for 74
Harpsden Sun 1st Innings 75/0 Closed (Overs 15.4)
N Sweet Not Out 44
T Hancock Not Out 22
extras (b4 lb1 w4 nb0) 9
TOTAL 0 wickets for 75
Best bowling - T.Stevens 3-14, Hodgkiss 2-9
On a very damp track Cranbourne started their innings with caution but were soon under pressure from some very tight opening spells from James Paice and Will Stevens. Paice claimed two scalps in his six overs, and with Hodgkiss coming into the attack the runs dried up still further. The magic moment of the day was provided by Hodgkiss who, following a vicious drive from Kirton managed to keep the ball in the air with approximately six parts of his body before securing a stunning caught and bowled. With Kirton back in the pavilion it was time for 13 year old Toby Stevens to show his cricketing talents, starting with removing the Cranbourne number 4 with a beautiful away swinger. Toby went on to claim two more wickets to leave him the pick of the Harpsden bowling with 3-14 from his 5 overs. Cranbourne eventually folded having made just 74 runs, however if they bowled with the same discipline as the Harpsden bowlers they could expect to cause plenty of problems for the batsmen.
Unfortunately for Cranbourne the bowling was to full to make use of the helpful Harpsden pitch. Their bowlers also ran into two Harpsden batsmen determined to showcase their talents. Sweet and Hancock picked off any poor bowling and with Sweet {44*} the major aggressor the pair saw Harpsden to an early finish and a 10 wicket win.
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