Hello my little curios,
Apologies for the delay in this week’s round up which is due to the fact that WE ONLY WENT AND WON THE WOLD CUP and it seemed right and proper to celebrate. Thanks to all those who came down to HQ for the full big screen experience and who helped create such a fantastic atmosphere – hopefully we can do something similar in future.
We start as usual with my heroes of the week which this time are Tim Page for sorting out the equipment which allowed us to transmit the final in such glorious detail, and George Allom and Joseph Sampson who made such a positive impression on their senior cricket debuts for the 3rd team on Saturday. Our youth system continues to churn out some excellent cricketers and these guys are the latest on a growing list of those who have taken the step into senior cricket this year.
After a couple of disappointing weeks, the 1st team came back to winning ways with a great fight back against Valley End. The return to action of Olly Batchelor was the key to us posting an impressive 294 for 5. Batch’s typically entertaining 138 leading the way, with support from Prowse the Elder (50) and some lusty blows from Charlie Young (39*) getting us up towards 300.
The Enders motored off in reply and despite losing both openers by the time the score was 52 kept up the chase thanks to a terrific innings from Ed Young. His splendid hundred kept them in the game but our wily spin duo of CJ (3-55) and Little Viggy (4-52) kept chipping away with wickets at vital times and as Young was gradually starved of strike and the last man arrived at the crease the Valley End hero finally had to take one chance too many and was LBW to give the points to the Normans.
The 1s remain top with Camberley and Cranleigh still in hot pursuit.
The 2s were on their travels this week, arriving at the picturesque Dorking ground looking to avenge defeat earlier in the season. Hemers laid the foundation with his first half century of the season and then Burts continued his excellent summer with the bat scampering an undefeated 76 which allowed Robin Leonson to declare at 219 for 9, the skipper himself contributing 24 and Scrappy Wellfare a cameo 29 off 16 balls.
In their turn Dorking started brightly enough before NCC alumnus Pesti was caught behind with the score at 32 and thereafter a steady trickle of wickets meant the home side were never in the hunt but had enough about them to secure a draw 8 down. There were 2 wickets each for the skipper, Matt Cook and debutant Michael Walter.
Back at HQ Michael Collins’s basement side took on the high flying Ironborn and made the league leaders scrap every inch of the way. It was a maiden fifty from the gutsy Paul Fitzpatrick that propelled the 3s to the dizzy heights of 197 for 9. Brad chipped in with a cameo 25 before succumbing to fatigue while Joseph Sampson on debut hit a cavalier 14 from down the order and Jonny “Stonewall” Hodgson carved out another limpet-like performance making 10 not out from 48 balls and has now batted for over 100 deliveries in 2 weeks following the call for more determination in the lower order.
After tea Michael Collins and another rookie George Allom each grabbed 3 wickets with the latter hugely impressing on his first start and though the baddies sneaked home by 3 wickets our boys gave them a hell of a game. Worthy of more than a footnote was the welcome return to action of arch funster Mark Muffett, back in Normandy’s ranks after too long an absence – square cutting like a young Robin Smith. Although the 3s were beaten again they are still only 2 points behind Hampton Wick and still have time to rescue their season.
The most remarkable game of the day was the 4th team’s trip to Ashtead which saw a one run win for Medders and the boys (not quite Super Over, or most boundaries but still as good a finish as you could ask for). Normandy’s 171 all out owed much to a 61-run partnership between the skipper and Ian Diggins who rescued the side from 87 for 6 to post a challenging score.
Ashtead looked favourites at 144 for 5 before a three wicket burst in one over from Paris Leber (Normandy’s first Afghan player) tipped the match back in our favour with the home side eventually finishing just one run short and 9 down in a real nail biter. Paris finished with 4 for 46, Medders 2 for 33 and wily Simon Howarth acting as handbrake with 1 for 16 off his 8 overs. The 4s are 5th and eyeing up the comfort of mid-table obscurity.
Sunday saw the Academy complete the double over Worcester Park although this time in a much lower scoring affair. Normandy’s 171 all out owed much to fifty from Callum, 23 from Teeny Jnr and 21 from Bowen’s protégé Sam Holland. The home side were dismissed for 142 with AK grabbing 3 for 24 and 2 wickets each for Cookie and Disco Stu.
Lastly the under 19s went down to Cranleigh in the T20 on Monday night. Chasing 144 we were cruising at 92 for 1 only for the wheels to fly off as 9 wickets fell for 22 runs which rarely leads to victory – and so it came to pass. Another fine all-round performance form AK though with 3 for 21 and 36 runs. It would be great to see a few more supporters on hand for the T20 games though, the atmosphere is great, the new kit very fetching and some of the cricket of a very high standard indeed.
Fantasy League
The top 2 managers this week were The Ginger Geek and genial Jonny whose teams scored 802 and 799 respectively and these two still hold the top 2 spots on the overall leader board just ahead of The Dog.
At the other end Sairaj’s team scored least this week not helped by 8 of the payers amassing 0 between them.
Latest news on Brad’s captaincy choice is that he has now selected someone who is fit enough to play, but unfortunately Dan Miles accumulated a total of 0 points this week of which Brad was able to bank double.
President’s Day
I call again to please let me know if you can play in the President’s Big Bash on Sunday 18 August. I have gleaned 10 positive responses and 2 negative and if I can get 2 more in the yes column will have the kind of selection dilemma Matt Medlock can only dream of.
Availability
MyClubhouse continues to baffle many of you. Its use of colour and basic symbols continues to dazzle, excite and confuse in equal measure but I would ask that you all at least try to use the system as quite frankly for some of the less politically sound members of the group the inability to get your own availability correct is astonishing. Last weekend we had 3 drop outs and 2 no-shows with the latter stat is the most frustrating and disappointing of all. We select sides on a Tuesday evening (often for hours on end) so you need to have indicated a yes or no by then, doing anything after that time is basically pointless.
Slate
The two great things about using Slate for the payment of match fees are firstly, it is incredibly easy for you to use and secondly, I have total visibility as to who has not paid. As I type this 27 of you currently owe a combined total of over £500 in match fees which is clearly unacceptable so before I have to send individual chasers and/or stop selecting those with outstanding debts please can I urge you to check your account and pay all outstanding amounts ASAP.
Golf Day
Funny Old Naitch has asked me to send a final reminder about the Golf Day on 1 September. We have just 4 places left now so if you are keen to join the fun at Hurtmore please get your name up on the sign-up sheet on the notice board in the club house.
100 Club
We also have half a dozen spaces in the monthly hundred club draw. Cost is £5 a month and there are 4 cash prizes each month with prize of £100. So if you are keen to help raise funds for your club and have the chance to win some cash please let me know and I can pass on your details to the relevant authority.
Right, I’m off to crow to Mikey after beating him on career boundaries by 3 to 2.
In case I don’t see ya, good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night.
Scottie Dog