Mac and Shaq get the job done.A superb partnership of 106 by Mac Sayed and Phil West was the difference as Camberley defeated Old Wimbledonians on Saturday.
Sayed's second knock of 60-odd in successive games was typically obdurate, while West combined good attacking intent with better judgement as he made 57 to see the hosts to the brink of victory.
There was a brief scare as both batsmen fell just four runs short of the target, but Chris Pike and Sam Holmes successfully managed to scramble over the line and secure the win.
The chase came after Camberley bowled well as a unit again, as the five who bottled up Trinity's batting the week before were further strengthened by the addition of Lloyd Morris, and all six bowled well to restrict the visitors to 172-9 from their 50.
A new-look batting order then limped to 30-4 and 63-5 before the Sayed/West combination took the game away from the Old Wimbledonians.
Despite losing the toss, Camberley made the perfect start as Morris, fresh from a month's holiday in the USA, produced an absolute ripper to bowl Grant Deg with the first ball of the day.
The visitors immediately fought back with two substantial partnerships but, after West and Holmes removed the only three batsmen to put up any resistance, they crumbled from 112-3 to 123-8.
The hosts' varied attack proved too much for the London-based team's middle order as the off-spin combination of West and Holmes returned figures of 10-2-24-3 and 8-1-37-2 respectively, while the pacemen also fared well.
Dan Wakeling went wicketless but bowled typically economically as he impressed with the new ball, going for just 21 off his seven overs, while Jon Cooles and Pike produced almost exactly the same figures, the former taking 7-1-25-1 and the latter 8-1-29-1.
But it was Morris who was the pick of the quicks, as he impressed once again, taking 10-3-26-2.
Having restricted the away side to a very achievable total, Camberley got off to a shaky start as, after Jordan Gibbs fell with the score on 26, they lost four wickets for four runs to crumble to 30-4.
Cooles steadied the ship with Sayed momentarily, but he was dismissed for 16 with the hosts still 110 runs short of the target.
West came in at seven off the back of a varied season with the bat, but chose a good time to stand up and be counted as he quickly turned the game in the home side's favour.
Both he and Sayed looked assured, playing an array of strokes, as Camberley got within touching distance of the win.
But with just four runs to get, Sayed's vigil came to an end, leaving Holmes to see out the game with West.
Then, some might say predictably, with the win just one shot away, West tried to blast the winning runs in style, but only succeeded in ballooning a catch to point, ending a superb return to form for the captain.
After Holmes then played out a maiden, Pike smited the winning runs to give Camberley their second win in a row.
With a relatively easy run in, Camberley will be hoping to end the season on a high, starting with Esher at home next week.
Saturday 20 August 2011
Friday 19 August 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Trinity Mid-Whitgiftian 6/8/2011.
Strong bowling performance sees Camberley topple the table-toppers.
A superb showing from all five bowlers saw Camberley run out clear winners over a weakened Trinity side on Saturday.
Jon Cooles wrapped up the win with three late wickets as he returned 8.1-1-27-4, while Phil West provided strong support and was typically economical as he bowled 10-0-23-3.
They were ably supported by Dan Wakeling and Sam Holmes, who returned almost exactly the same figures, taking a wicket each and going at around three an over from their ten.
Chris Pike was the final component in the quintet and, even though he went wicketless, he bowled impressive away-swingers and conceded just 11 runs in eight overs.
Mac Sayed's gritty 64 was the base for which the visitors' total was built around, with Dom Peter adding a scratchy but effective 45 not out towards the end of the innings.
Both knocks were vital as Camberley struggled to score runs quickly on a tough track, posting 192-6 off their 50, before the suffocating nature of the bowling held the hosts to 140 all out from 46.1 overs.
After winning the toss, captain West decided to bat first, despite the weather being changeable.
Unfortunately his decision didn't immediately pay off the away side lost three wickets relatively quickly.
Firstly, George Crowdy missed a straight one, then James Reeves, who'd taken 14 off the previous over, missed a short ball that got stuck in the track, before Tim Hughes was bowled for three, leaving Camberley in trouble at 25-3.
There then followed a tortuous period of hard-fought play where Stuart Gilchriest and Mac Sayed battened down the hatches and ground out a partnership of 82 before the former fell for 32 off 90 deliveries.
Dom Peter, fresh from not batting in the first team every week, was the new man and his lack of form was apparent as he struggled to get into flow.
But the talented youngster eventually got going, making the most of some awful fielding and good running between the wickets to finish unbeaten on 45.
Sayed eventually fell for a well-made 64, trapped LBW by Charlie Filmer-Court after being dropped multiple times.
West came and went first ball as he attempted a hopeful heave but was left disappointed, before Cooles clubbed the last ball of the innings for four as the visitors posted a tough but achievable total.
Cooles took the new ball but struggled to find his rhythm early, while Wakeling took no time finding his range as he bowled Graham Cobbett with his fifth delivery.
This brought captain Robert Warne to the crease and he looked to stamp his authority early as he crunched Wakeling straight down the ground for four first ball. The shot offered a chance of a catch to Pike at mid off but his effort resembled more of a fall rather than a dive, and the chance was missed.
It quickly became apparent that the visitors hopes lay with Warne as he looked much the more assured of the batsmen, but he was superbly caught down the leg side by keeper Reeves off the bowling of West for 25.
Trinity's batsmen struggled from that point forth, with no player other than opener Nick Trend making it past seven. Trend did battle his way to 73, but the fact that it came from 137 balls meant the hosts were always struggling to keep up with the rate.
Wickets came at regular intervals for the away side as pressure was applied from all five bowlers, despite the fielding sometimes not reaching the same standards.
West picked the up the prize wicket of Trend but it was Cooles who profited from some dire batting as he mopped up the tail to close the game and earn Camberley the bonus point.
Camberley face an interesting task next week as they play Old Wimbledonians for the first time this season, as the reverse fixture was abandoned due to rain earlier in the year.
A superb showing from all five bowlers saw Camberley run out clear winners over a weakened Trinity side on Saturday.
Jon Cooles wrapped up the win with three late wickets as he returned 8.1-1-27-4, while Phil West provided strong support and was typically economical as he bowled 10-0-23-3.
They were ably supported by Dan Wakeling and Sam Holmes, who returned almost exactly the same figures, taking a wicket each and going at around three an over from their ten.
Chris Pike was the final component in the quintet and, even though he went wicketless, he bowled impressive away-swingers and conceded just 11 runs in eight overs.
Mac Sayed's gritty 64 was the base for which the visitors' total was built around, with Dom Peter adding a scratchy but effective 45 not out towards the end of the innings.
Both knocks were vital as Camberley struggled to score runs quickly on a tough track, posting 192-6 off their 50, before the suffocating nature of the bowling held the hosts to 140 all out from 46.1 overs.
After winning the toss, captain West decided to bat first, despite the weather being changeable.
Unfortunately his decision didn't immediately pay off the away side lost three wickets relatively quickly.
Firstly, George Crowdy missed a straight one, then James Reeves, who'd taken 14 off the previous over, missed a short ball that got stuck in the track, before Tim Hughes was bowled for three, leaving Camberley in trouble at 25-3.
There then followed a tortuous period of hard-fought play where Stuart Gilchriest and Mac Sayed battened down the hatches and ground out a partnership of 82 before the former fell for 32 off 90 deliveries.
Dom Peter, fresh from not batting in the first team every week, was the new man and his lack of form was apparent as he struggled to get into flow.
But the talented youngster eventually got going, making the most of some awful fielding and good running between the wickets to finish unbeaten on 45.
Sayed eventually fell for a well-made 64, trapped LBW by Charlie Filmer-Court after being dropped multiple times.
West came and went first ball as he attempted a hopeful heave but was left disappointed, before Cooles clubbed the last ball of the innings for four as the visitors posted a tough but achievable total.
Cooles took the new ball but struggled to find his rhythm early, while Wakeling took no time finding his range as he bowled Graham Cobbett with his fifth delivery.
This brought captain Robert Warne to the crease and he looked to stamp his authority early as he crunched Wakeling straight down the ground for four first ball. The shot offered a chance of a catch to Pike at mid off but his effort resembled more of a fall rather than a dive, and the chance was missed.
It quickly became apparent that the visitors hopes lay with Warne as he looked much the more assured of the batsmen, but he was superbly caught down the leg side by keeper Reeves off the bowling of West for 25.
Trinity's batsmen struggled from that point forth, with no player other than opener Nick Trend making it past seven. Trend did battle his way to 73, but the fact that it came from 137 balls meant the hosts were always struggling to keep up with the rate.
Wickets came at regular intervals for the away side as pressure was applied from all five bowlers, despite the fielding sometimes not reaching the same standards.
West picked the up the prize wicket of Trend but it was Cooles who profited from some dire batting as he mopped up the tail to close the game and earn Camberley the bonus point.
Camberley face an interesting task next week as they play Old Wimbledonians for the first time this season, as the reverse fixture was abandoned due to rain earlier in the year.
Saturday 6 August 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v East Molesey, 30/7/2011.
West gets five again, but again it isn't enough.
Phil West's fifth haul of five wickets or more this season was the highlight but Camberley couldn't bowl out the opposition for the second week in a row.
West took 5-73 from 20 overs against a tough East Molesey side who stayed second in the table.
George Crowdy was the stand-out performer with the bat, making 65 from 88 balls, as the home side amassed 220 all out from their 55 overs.
Stuart Gilchriest, James Parrott and Mac Sayed all got in but got out as no other batsman provided a substantial score.
Having lost the toss, Camberley were sent in to bat on a hot summer's day.
Jon Cooles departed for an early duck before a partnership of 98 between Crowdy and Gilchriest put the hosts back on track.
Both then fell in the space of 11 runs before Sayed and Parrott put on 47 for the fourth wicket.
But from 159-3, the hosts lost five wickets for 37 runs as the lower middle order failed to fire.
A late barrage from West helped the total past 200 as Camberley posted a competitive score.
In reply, both visitor openers got a start before the Phil West James Parrott combination removed both, the latter taking both catches at mid on.
A partnership of 99 then appeared to take the game away from Camberley, but Chris Pike then struck with possibly the worst ball of an otherwise strong bowling performance to remove Adam Potter for 58.
Chris Haynes was well caught by Gilchriest at long on to become West's third victim, before Pike bowled Neil Campbell as the home side threatened a comeback.
That cause was further helped by a Parrott run out, before West claimed two further wickets, completing his five-for and leaving Camberley just two short of victory.
Disappointingly from a hosts' perspective, the wickets came too late, and the East Molesey tail-enders comfortably played out the remaining over or so to finish the game in a draw.
Camberley battled hard for what was ultimately only one point, but they fought well to restrict the visitors from gaining the extra nine points for a win.
Another tough test follows next week as they travel to table-toppers Trinity Mid-Whitgiftian.
Phil West's fifth haul of five wickets or more this season was the highlight but Camberley couldn't bowl out the opposition for the second week in a row.
West took 5-73 from 20 overs against a tough East Molesey side who stayed second in the table.
George Crowdy was the stand-out performer with the bat, making 65 from 88 balls, as the home side amassed 220 all out from their 55 overs.
Stuart Gilchriest, James Parrott and Mac Sayed all got in but got out as no other batsman provided a substantial score.
Having lost the toss, Camberley were sent in to bat on a hot summer's day.
Jon Cooles departed for an early duck before a partnership of 98 between Crowdy and Gilchriest put the hosts back on track.
Both then fell in the space of 11 runs before Sayed and Parrott put on 47 for the fourth wicket.
But from 159-3, the hosts lost five wickets for 37 runs as the lower middle order failed to fire.
A late barrage from West helped the total past 200 as Camberley posted a competitive score.
In reply, both visitor openers got a start before the Phil West James Parrott combination removed both, the latter taking both catches at mid on.
A partnership of 99 then appeared to take the game away from Camberley, but Chris Pike then struck with possibly the worst ball of an otherwise strong bowling performance to remove Adam Potter for 58.
Chris Haynes was well caught by Gilchriest at long on to become West's third victim, before Pike bowled Neil Campbell as the home side threatened a comeback.
That cause was further helped by a Parrott run out, before West claimed two further wickets, completing his five-for and leaving Camberley just two short of victory.
Disappointingly from a hosts' perspective, the wickets came too late, and the East Molesey tail-enders comfortably played out the remaining over or so to finish the game in a draw.
Camberley battled hard for what was ultimately only one point, but they fought well to restrict the visitors from gaining the extra nine points for a win.
Another tough test follows next week as they travel to table-toppers Trinity Mid-Whitgiftian.
Saturday 30 July 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Bank of England, 23/7/2011.
West haul in vain as Camberley come up just short.
Another monumental spell from captain Phil West didn't quite prove enough on Saturday as Camberley came up just short at the Bank of England.
West's return of 7-52 from 24 overs included the first seven wickets to fall, but ultimately wasn't quite enough as the final pair survived the last five overs.
James Harrison was the stand out performer with the bat as his 95 led the visitors to a substantial first innings total.
After winning the toss, West decided to open the batting himself, and he and George Crowdy got the away side off to a good start before West was bowled for 15.
BoE had an aggressive opening bowler who made a point of staring down any batsmen who he felt struggled against his pace, but Crowdy took the initiative, hooking him for six in an over that went for 19.
Crowdy looked very impressive he made his way to 39, but a short delivery that kept low proved to be his downfall as he was trapped lbw.
His dismissal brought Jon Cooles to the crease, and he almost departed straight away as he lined up a heave through the leg side. The ill-advised shot caught the outside edge and looped to cover, but the young fielder underneath it proceeded drop the easiest of chances. Cooles went on to make 18 before he was bowled by Matt Cannon. Mac Sayed then came and went for eight and Scott Reeves for nought, as Harrison struggled but knuckled down at the other end. After a pretty dreadful first 40 runs, with most coming through third man, the Camberley number three relaxed into it as he and Alex Boorman put on 86 for the sixth wicket.
Harrison played with renewed confidence after passing fifty, and hit a six and 15 fours before he fell agonisingly short of his century.
Boorman played aggressively for his 30 before his departure sparked the beginning of the end for Camberley's innings as Jordan Gibbs, Chris Pike and Dan Wakeling all succumbed for single figures, leaving Blake Howell as the unbeaten man in Camberley's total of 240 all out.
In reply, BoE got off to a shaky start, with both openers edging between keeper and first slip in the first three overs.
Despite this, they managed to survive the initial tough period, as both West and Gibbs bowled impressive opening spells.
With Camberley needing a moment of inspiration to break the deadlock, it was provided by Sayed as he took a remarkable reaction catch at short leg.
West then doubled his wicket tally shortly after, removing the other opener as Camberley broke the game open.
A partnership of 37 threatened to take the wind out of the visitors sails, but West was having none of it; the one-man wicket machine trapped Tim Hoolahan lbw for 20.
Two balls later another wicket fell, but it will always be remembered for what happened in the aftermath rather than the wicket itself.
Having taken a fairly good catch above his head, Pike threw the ball up in the air and made his way back to his team mates to celebrate. But seemingly out of nowhere, the ball fell out the sky and made a resounding clunk on Pike's head. Cue lots of laughter at his expense.
After the jokes died down, West got right back on his mark, taking three more wickets relatively quickly.
Another superb close catch by Sayed was sandwiched between the Camberley captain hitting the stumps twice, as BoE teeterred on the brink.
Mouthy paceman Kasheef Hassan was then given a taste of his own medicine by Cooles as he was bounced out and caught at fine leg by Boorman, which was followed by a send-off from pretty much every visiting player.
As the game reached crunch time, Gibbs took the wicket his earlier spell deserved, bowling Joe O'Gorman for two, leaving Camberley just one wicket away from what would have been a very well-earned victory.
But despite a time limit extending the innings by five overs, the visitors couldn't prise the final wicket and had to make do with a winning draw.
It was a result that left the away side feeling a little deflated that they couldn't take the last wicket, but should take heart from the fact that they got so close as they face a tough test against East Molesey next week.
Another monumental spell from captain Phil West didn't quite prove enough on Saturday as Camberley came up just short at the Bank of England.
West's return of 7-52 from 24 overs included the first seven wickets to fall, but ultimately wasn't quite enough as the final pair survived the last five overs.
James Harrison was the stand out performer with the bat as his 95 led the visitors to a substantial first innings total.
After winning the toss, West decided to open the batting himself, and he and George Crowdy got the away side off to a good start before West was bowled for 15.
BoE had an aggressive opening bowler who made a point of staring down any batsmen who he felt struggled against his pace, but Crowdy took the initiative, hooking him for six in an over that went for 19.
Crowdy looked very impressive he made his way to 39, but a short delivery that kept low proved to be his downfall as he was trapped lbw.
His dismissal brought Jon Cooles to the crease, and he almost departed straight away as he lined up a heave through the leg side. The ill-advised shot caught the outside edge and looped to cover, but the young fielder underneath it proceeded drop the easiest of chances. Cooles went on to make 18 before he was bowled by Matt Cannon. Mac Sayed then came and went for eight and Scott Reeves for nought, as Harrison struggled but knuckled down at the other end. After a pretty dreadful first 40 runs, with most coming through third man, the Camberley number three relaxed into it as he and Alex Boorman put on 86 for the sixth wicket.
Harrison played with renewed confidence after passing fifty, and hit a six and 15 fours before he fell agonisingly short of his century.
Boorman played aggressively for his 30 before his departure sparked the beginning of the end for Camberley's innings as Jordan Gibbs, Chris Pike and Dan Wakeling all succumbed for single figures, leaving Blake Howell as the unbeaten man in Camberley's total of 240 all out.
In reply, BoE got off to a shaky start, with both openers edging between keeper and first slip in the first three overs.
Despite this, they managed to survive the initial tough period, as both West and Gibbs bowled impressive opening spells.
With Camberley needing a moment of inspiration to break the deadlock, it was provided by Sayed as he took a remarkable reaction catch at short leg.
West then doubled his wicket tally shortly after, removing the other opener as Camberley broke the game open.
A partnership of 37 threatened to take the wind out of the visitors sails, but West was having none of it; the one-man wicket machine trapped Tim Hoolahan lbw for 20.
Two balls later another wicket fell, but it will always be remembered for what happened in the aftermath rather than the wicket itself.
Having taken a fairly good catch above his head, Pike threw the ball up in the air and made his way back to his team mates to celebrate. But seemingly out of nowhere, the ball fell out the sky and made a resounding clunk on Pike's head. Cue lots of laughter at his expense.
After the jokes died down, West got right back on his mark, taking three more wickets relatively quickly.
Another superb close catch by Sayed was sandwiched between the Camberley captain hitting the stumps twice, as BoE teeterred on the brink.
Mouthy paceman Kasheef Hassan was then given a taste of his own medicine by Cooles as he was bounced out and caught at fine leg by Boorman, which was followed by a send-off from pretty much every visiting player.
As the game reached crunch time, Gibbs took the wicket his earlier spell deserved, bowling Joe O'Gorman for two, leaving Camberley just one wicket away from what would have been a very well-earned victory.
But despite a time limit extending the innings by five overs, the visitors couldn't prise the final wicket and had to make do with a winning draw.
It was a result that left the away side feeling a little deflated that they couldn't take the last wicket, but should take heart from the fact that they got so close as they face a tough test against East Molesey next week.
Friday 8 July 2011
Match report for Camberley Surrey Trust Development XI v Maori Oxshott, 3/7/2011.
Pike effort in vain as youngsters lose thriller.
Chris Pike's maiden Test match fifty was not enough to ensure victory for a very young Camberley development side at Oxshott on Sunday.
Pike's innings of 60 was the only score above 12, however a considerable amount of extras saw the away side to 174 all out.
In reply, Josh Halsey was the star with the ball, taking 4-31 from seven overs as the home batsmen struggled to deal with his areas and skiddy deliveries.
Despite a late rally, Camberley came up just short, as Oxshott captain Humayoon Nasir hit the winning runs in the penultimate over with his side nine wickets down.
Having won the toss, captain Sam Holmes elected to bat on a very dry track with short boundaries.
George Crowdy took his customary position at the top of the order, but his partner was slightly less experienced in the trade.
You could have got very good odds on Pike outlasting Crowdy and Dom Peter at the crease, but that's exactly what happened. Crowdy looked like he meant business in the first over, crunching three fours, but he added no further score before top edging an attempted clip through the leg side in the second over.
Peter was then the victim of what looked a harsh LBW decision, but he had to go for a duck.
While all the carnage was going on at the other end, Pike also could have fallen; dropped at slip while still on nought.
Captain Holmes came in to steady the ship at four, and, after a shaky start, Pike started to resemble more of a batsman.
Some good shotmaking and running, combined with some horrific fielding meant that Camberley continued to score at a good pace, until Holmes was trapped LBW for 12.
Dan Wakeling was next up the ramp, but after looking fairly solid at the crease, he was deceived by a good delivery from Nasir which spun back between his bat and pad.
With all the wickets falling at the other end, the innings became increasingly dependent on Pike getting a good score - something he wasn't particularly adept at.
But, after a mix of streaky edges, well-judged singles and the occasional good shot for four, the man who batted number eleven the day previously found himself on 49 for the first time.
A quick single to point was taken and once Harry Green made his ground at the striker's end, Pike had achieved the unthinkable.
Cheers from the boundary would have been in disbelief as much as appreciation that Pike had actually done a half-decent job.
Green played nicely during his short stay at the crease before he was well caught and bowled by Oliver Pike for six.
Pike fell shortly after, as he missed an agricultural swipe at leg-spinner Meesome Hussain and was bowled. Despite being annoyed at having thrown away a good position, he would definitely have settled for 60 before the game, and especially after being dropped on nought.
Shaan Joshi looked good at the crease, slashing one four through backward point, before he tried to repeat the trick and dragged on.
Toby Woodland looked untroubled against people many years older, and even managed to get off the mark with a reverse sweep before being stumped off Hussain.
Blake Howell added some valuable late runs as he struck two fours before he was run out by the superb fielding of Oliver Pike.
Halsey then defied his position at number eleven by crunching a backfoot drive through extra cover for four, before he was well caught by Oliver Pike off the bowling of his twin brother Alex, leaving Max Carter unbeaten at the crease.
In reply, Wakeling bowled his customary good areas, while Pike bowled his customary wayward areas, but neither could prise a wicket out of the Oxshott openers.
Both were replaced by spin, and Holmes' off-spin took the first wicket, well caught by Peter at mid-wicket.
Peter himself bowled a very good spell of 8-0-20-1, ragging his left arm variations all over the place. His deserved wicket came courtesy of a good catch by Joshi at mid-off, before Halsey took centre stage.
With the score at 103-2, the young medium-pacer took four of the next five wickets to haul his side back into the game. First, he bowled Alex Pike, shortly before having Phil Salt well caught behind by Crowdy, who performed admirably in his first game behind the sticks.
Halsey continued to bowl superbly, and he bowled two more Oxshott batsmen, with Holmes claiming also claiming a wicket between the two.
Halsey's efforts balanced the game nicely, with 39 runs or three wickets required for either side. But a partnership of 27 between Nasir and Oliver Pike seemed to have settled the game, before Pike was bowled by Pike (lol).
Peter's superb pick up and throw from mid-on then ran out Jo Lidbetter, meaning the game would be settled by a six or a wicket.
Halsey was brought back to bowl the penultimate over, but sadly for Camberley his fantastic effort didn't quite have the fairytale ending, as Nasir smeared him through the leg side twice in succession to finish the game in the hosts' favour.
It was a tense game that was ultimately decided by Camberley's poor batting display, but provided good experience for a side with an average age of just over 16, and only two people older than 17.
Next Sunday will likely provide a similarly inexperienced side as Camberley have to field sides for two games. So far this season finding eleven players on a Sunday has been tough enough, so it'll be interesting to see what availability is like this week.
Chris Pike's maiden Test match fifty was not enough to ensure victory for a very young Camberley development side at Oxshott on Sunday.
Pike's innings of 60 was the only score above 12, however a considerable amount of extras saw the away side to 174 all out.
In reply, Josh Halsey was the star with the ball, taking 4-31 from seven overs as the home batsmen struggled to deal with his areas and skiddy deliveries.
Despite a late rally, Camberley came up just short, as Oxshott captain Humayoon Nasir hit the winning runs in the penultimate over with his side nine wickets down.
Having won the toss, captain Sam Holmes elected to bat on a very dry track with short boundaries.
George Crowdy took his customary position at the top of the order, but his partner was slightly less experienced in the trade.
You could have got very good odds on Pike outlasting Crowdy and Dom Peter at the crease, but that's exactly what happened. Crowdy looked like he meant business in the first over, crunching three fours, but he added no further score before top edging an attempted clip through the leg side in the second over.
Peter was then the victim of what looked a harsh LBW decision, but he had to go for a duck.
While all the carnage was going on at the other end, Pike also could have fallen; dropped at slip while still on nought.
Captain Holmes came in to steady the ship at four, and, after a shaky start, Pike started to resemble more of a batsman.
Some good shotmaking and running, combined with some horrific fielding meant that Camberley continued to score at a good pace, until Holmes was trapped LBW for 12.
Dan Wakeling was next up the ramp, but after looking fairly solid at the crease, he was deceived by a good delivery from Nasir which spun back between his bat and pad.
With all the wickets falling at the other end, the innings became increasingly dependent on Pike getting a good score - something he wasn't particularly adept at.
But, after a mix of streaky edges, well-judged singles and the occasional good shot for four, the man who batted number eleven the day previously found himself on 49 for the first time.
A quick single to point was taken and once Harry Green made his ground at the striker's end, Pike had achieved the unthinkable.
Cheers from the boundary would have been in disbelief as much as appreciation that Pike had actually done a half-decent job.
Green played nicely during his short stay at the crease before he was well caught and bowled by Oliver Pike for six.
Pike fell shortly after, as he missed an agricultural swipe at leg-spinner Meesome Hussain and was bowled. Despite being annoyed at having thrown away a good position, he would definitely have settled for 60 before the game, and especially after being dropped on nought.
Shaan Joshi looked good at the crease, slashing one four through backward point, before he tried to repeat the trick and dragged on.
Toby Woodland looked untroubled against people many years older, and even managed to get off the mark with a reverse sweep before being stumped off Hussain.
Blake Howell added some valuable late runs as he struck two fours before he was run out by the superb fielding of Oliver Pike.
Halsey then defied his position at number eleven by crunching a backfoot drive through extra cover for four, before he was well caught by Oliver Pike off the bowling of his twin brother Alex, leaving Max Carter unbeaten at the crease.
In reply, Wakeling bowled his customary good areas, while Pike bowled his customary wayward areas, but neither could prise a wicket out of the Oxshott openers.
Both were replaced by spin, and Holmes' off-spin took the first wicket, well caught by Peter at mid-wicket.
Peter himself bowled a very good spell of 8-0-20-1, ragging his left arm variations all over the place. His deserved wicket came courtesy of a good catch by Joshi at mid-off, before Halsey took centre stage.
With the score at 103-2, the young medium-pacer took four of the next five wickets to haul his side back into the game. First, he bowled Alex Pike, shortly before having Phil Salt well caught behind by Crowdy, who performed admirably in his first game behind the sticks.
Halsey continued to bowl superbly, and he bowled two more Oxshott batsmen, with Holmes claiming also claiming a wicket between the two.
Halsey's efforts balanced the game nicely, with 39 runs or three wickets required for either side. But a partnership of 27 between Nasir and Oliver Pike seemed to have settled the game, before Pike was bowled by Pike (lol).
Peter's superb pick up and throw from mid-on then ran out Jo Lidbetter, meaning the game would be settled by a six or a wicket.
Halsey was brought back to bowl the penultimate over, but sadly for Camberley his fantastic effort didn't quite have the fairytale ending, as Nasir smeared him through the leg side twice in succession to finish the game in the hosts' favour.
It was a tense game that was ultimately decided by Camberley's poor batting display, but provided good experience for a side with an average age of just over 16, and only two people older than 17.
Next Sunday will likely provide a similarly inexperienced side as Camberley have to field sides for two games. So far this season finding eleven players on a Sunday has been tough enough, so it'll be interesting to see what availability is like this week.
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Worcester Park 2/7/2011.
Shaq shines as Camberley get back on track.
Captain Phil West bowled a typically mesmeric spell as Camberley got back in the promotion race on Saturday.
The off-spinner raced through the visitors' top order to return 18.5-7-29-6; remarkable figures for anyone other than West, whose last three games have seen him take 17 for 83 from 46.4 overs.
Jon Cooles and Sam Holmes also bowled impressively and took two wickets each as Camberley recovered from a tough position to eventually run out easy winners.
Having won the toss, West elected to bat first on a good looking track, and George Crowdy took it upon himself to see that the hosts got off to a strong start.
With Cooles and James Harrison falling cheaply at the other end, 17-year-old Crowdy looked in as good a touch as he has done all season, playing a series of masterful strokes as he made his way to fifty.
Unfortunately for him and his side, Crowdy was run out shortly after, before Mac Sayed also fell, halting the hosts' progress.
At 100-4, the innings could have gone either way, but a solid partnership from Nick Kempton and Scott Reeves laid the foundations for a strong late-innings push.
Jordan Gibbs also played a fine knock coming in at seven, but his dismissal sparked a mini-collapse, as West was adjudged LBW first ball, and Morris also fell quickly, meaning Camberley were still short of 200.
It was left to Holmes to see out the last few overs with Chris Pike, and while the former added some valuable late runs to the total, the latter fell cheaply, leaving Camberley on 201 all out.
In reply, Worcester Park got off to a strong start, Ian Burrows in particular pouncing on Lloyd Morris' pace by creaming him for a succession of boundaries in the sixth over.
At 65-0, Camberley needed some inspiration, and West was the man to provide it, striking twice in quick succession.
But while the hosts had made the breakthrough, the key to the innings lay with opener Dom Fell, who had battled to his fifty. It wasn't the smoothest knock, but if remained at the crease Camberley would have found victory hard to come by.
Thankfully for the hosts, the introduction of Holmes' spin brought about Fell's downfall, as he looked to attack but only succeeded in looping a catch to West at extra cover.
Seemingly annoyed that someone other than himself had taken a wicket, West took it upon himself to take the next three on his own, bowling John Drake and Mark Turner before having Jordan McLaren LBW as the away side collapsed.
Holmes then gratefully accepted a return catch from Josh Longhurst before Cooles ensured the pacemen had something to savour, taking two quick wickets to speed up the inevitable.
Fittingly, the last wicket belonged to West, when he bowled James Cameron for a drawn out duck from 18 balls.
Having been in an initial position of strength, the visitors lost all ten wickets for just 54 runs, meaning Camberley ran out clear winners and avenged their defeat on the opening day of the season.
The win moves Camberley up to fifth in the table, and a win against third-placed Old Rutlishians would put them level on points with next week's opponents.
Captain Phil West bowled a typically mesmeric spell as Camberley got back in the promotion race on Saturday.
The off-spinner raced through the visitors' top order to return 18.5-7-29-6; remarkable figures for anyone other than West, whose last three games have seen him take 17 for 83 from 46.4 overs.
Jon Cooles and Sam Holmes also bowled impressively and took two wickets each as Camberley recovered from a tough position to eventually run out easy winners.
Having won the toss, West elected to bat first on a good looking track, and George Crowdy took it upon himself to see that the hosts got off to a strong start.
With Cooles and James Harrison falling cheaply at the other end, 17-year-old Crowdy looked in as good a touch as he has done all season, playing a series of masterful strokes as he made his way to fifty.
Unfortunately for him and his side, Crowdy was run out shortly after, before Mac Sayed also fell, halting the hosts' progress.
At 100-4, the innings could have gone either way, but a solid partnership from Nick Kempton and Scott Reeves laid the foundations for a strong late-innings push.
Jordan Gibbs also played a fine knock coming in at seven, but his dismissal sparked a mini-collapse, as West was adjudged LBW first ball, and Morris also fell quickly, meaning Camberley were still short of 200.
It was left to Holmes to see out the last few overs with Chris Pike, and while the former added some valuable late runs to the total, the latter fell cheaply, leaving Camberley on 201 all out.
In reply, Worcester Park got off to a strong start, Ian Burrows in particular pouncing on Lloyd Morris' pace by creaming him for a succession of boundaries in the sixth over.
At 65-0, Camberley needed some inspiration, and West was the man to provide it, striking twice in quick succession.
But while the hosts had made the breakthrough, the key to the innings lay with opener Dom Fell, who had battled to his fifty. It wasn't the smoothest knock, but if remained at the crease Camberley would have found victory hard to come by.
Thankfully for the hosts, the introduction of Holmes' spin brought about Fell's downfall, as he looked to attack but only succeeded in looping a catch to West at extra cover.
Seemingly annoyed that someone other than himself had taken a wicket, West took it upon himself to take the next three on his own, bowling John Drake and Mark Turner before having Jordan McLaren LBW as the away side collapsed.
Holmes then gratefully accepted a return catch from Josh Longhurst before Cooles ensured the pacemen had something to savour, taking two quick wickets to speed up the inevitable.
Fittingly, the last wicket belonged to West, when he bowled James Cameron for a drawn out duck from 18 balls.
Having been in an initial position of strength, the visitors lost all ten wickets for just 54 runs, meaning Camberley ran out clear winners and avenged their defeat on the opening day of the season.
The win moves Camberley up to fifth in the table, and a win against third-placed Old Rutlishians would put them level on points with next week's opponents.
Monday 13 June 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Pyrford, 11/6/2011.
Camberley break the record.
Phil West and Lloyd Morris were the stars as Camberley completely annihilated Pyrford on Saturday.
The pair combined to take all ten wickets as the visitors were bowled out for an all-time league-low score of 25.
Morris' pace was too much for Pyrford's batsmen to handle as he returned figures of 7-1-16-4, while West had a field day. Despite being hit for four with the first ball of the innings, the Camberley captain recorded incredible figures of 7.5-3-9-6.
Prior to the carnage in the field, Jon Cooles was the stand-out performer with the bat as his 69 was the main contribution to Camberley's total of 215 all out.
George Crowdy and West both made 27, with Scott Reeves adding 20, but the hosts didn't make the most of a promising start, having been 85-0 and 125-1 before wickets tumbled.
Morris' quickfire 14 at the end of the innings was the only other score above eight, but it all proved academic as Pyrford's batting later resembled a house of cards.
Having lost the toss, Camberley's tried and trusted opening pair of Crowdy and Cooles were sent out to bat on a testing track, but capitalised on some wayward bowling to get the hosts off to a positive start.
Cooles in particular hit some lusty blows, a straight six being a particular highlight. In addition to the regular flow of boundaries, due to the track being right to one side of the square, there was a lot of good running as balls failed to reach the boundary on one side of the wicket.
Cooles' innings contained four threes and, remarkably, a five, as the visitors' attack continued to struggle.
After a slow start, Crowdy's innings gathered pace as he went on, and even he notched a six with a trademark pull stroke, before going after one shot too many; only succeeding in edging through to the keeper.
His dismissal brought Stuart Gilchriest to the crease, fresh off his half century on debut last week, but he struggled to find a rhythm early on.
But despite his struggles, Cooles continued to attack and reached his fifty with an angled glance to the third man fence for four, which he immediately followed up with a powerful drive down the ground for four more.
His attractive innings was brought to an end when he was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Ahmed for a well-made 69 off just 50 balls.
Cooles' dismissal was instantly followed by Gilchriest's as he fell in the same fashion, this time off the bowling of Oyitch for six, before James Reeves' ill-advised aggression saw him fall soon after, caught behind off the impressive left-arm spin of Oyitch.
From a position of dominance, Camberley had lost three wickets for three runs and needed to rebuild with two new batsmen at the crease.
Mac Sayed and Scott Reeves were given the task of doing it, and a partnership of 26 had Camberley back on track, Reeves in particular looking in good touch.
A long six from the powerful younger Reeves brother was the highlight, before both batsmen fell in the space of five runs, handing back the initiative to the away side.
Nick Kempton looked to play sensibly on his first appearance for the twos this season, but he also fell soon after, as Camberley were in danger of being bowled out well short of their allotted overs.
This brought Sam Holmes to the crease to partner his captain, and although Holmes' 30-ball innings of eight contained just two scoring shots, he did the job the situation required of him, as West looked to attack from the other end.
West typically took little time in clubbing a pull through the leg side, however, instead of watching it sail for four or six, he must have been distraught to have to run the second five of the innings.
Later he did pick the shorter boundary, however, and there was very little running required as the ball cannoned back off a tree having gone miles over the rope for six.
A partnership of 30 between the two ended in the 41st over as the captain was caught, then Holmes was given LBW just an over later, meaning the contrasting styles of Morris and Chris Pike were brought together for the end of the innings.
The latter stuck around while Morris wasted no time getting into it, striking three fours in a brief cameo of 14 off nine balls, before being bowled by a peach of a delivery by Oyitch.
Indeed, Oyitch proved to be the difference for the visiting side, as he returned figures of 14.2-4-37-6, helping recover the situation after some indifferent bowling from his team mates.
Having been bowled out after 44.2 overs, Camberley had 56 overs to bowl out the opposition, but got off to a poor start.
Mindful that clouds were closing in and that Oyitch had been successful, West decided to open with himself, but his first delivery was cut for four.
A signal of intent from Pyrford? No. That was as good as it got for the away side, as an incredible bowling display commenced.
Oyitch was the first to fall, trapped LBW by West, quickly followed by Sellick, who was deceived by the same bowler. Morris then took J Lipscombe's off stump out of the ground as 5-0 quickly became 5-3, and the hosts were rampant.
The following over saw Hashmi play a horrible slog off West, only to be comfortably caught by Pike running around from mid-on, before Morris bowled Woolley, meaning that in the sixth over the scoreboard read a remarkable 7-5.
It was clear that the Pyrford top order was weak, but they weren't allowed to settle as Camberley's two bowlers ran riot. West's control of area, spin and and pace tied the batsmen up while Morris bowled even better than he did last week against Esher, constantly beating the edge and narrowly missing off stump as the visitors appeared clueless.
Even more amazing than the scoreline was the fact that a smile actually appeared on Morris' face as he knew he was too much for the opposition to handle.
A partnership of 12 was as good as it got the visitors as a mini-recovery looked on the cards, before Camberley's deadly duo resoundingly slammed the door.
First West bowled Aughterson, before Morris had Jones caught behind by Scott Reeves. Jones' score of seven would normally be one of the lowest on a team's scorecard, if not the lowest, but on this occasion it was the highest on a scorecard which included an impressive six ducks.
One of those ducks belonged to I Lipscombe as he was plumb LBW for Morris' fourth wicket, before West picked up his fifth wicket of an unparalleled spell, Clewlow also falling LBW.
That sequence of events meant Pyrford had incredibly lost four wickets for a total of no runs, and were 19-9.
The tenth wicket partnership of six was amazingly only the fourth partnership to get beyond zero, but any thoughts of the visitors getting anywhere near a respectable total were dashed when West ended the match in fitting style, bowling Coleman for nought.
It was a match that defied belief, and also defied the weather conditions as the rain started to fall just after the tenth wicket fell.
While Camberley can be proud of such an achievement and can bask in the glory of bowling a team out for 25, it shouldn't be forgotten that the batting failed to achieve its potential after a strong start for the second time in three matches, and next week's match won't be as ridiculously easy as this.
Next week's opponents, Old Wimbledonians, are just one point behind Camberley in the table, and this week suffered at the hands of the weather, having been 86-2 after 27 overs chasing just 135 to win against Esher, before rain stopped play.
But if Camberley can replicate this week's bowling performance in all forms of the game next week, the result should be inevitable.
Phil West and Lloyd Morris were the stars as Camberley completely annihilated Pyrford on Saturday.
The pair combined to take all ten wickets as the visitors were bowled out for an all-time league-low score of 25.
Morris' pace was too much for Pyrford's batsmen to handle as he returned figures of 7-1-16-4, while West had a field day. Despite being hit for four with the first ball of the innings, the Camberley captain recorded incredible figures of 7.5-3-9-6.
Prior to the carnage in the field, Jon Cooles was the stand-out performer with the bat as his 69 was the main contribution to Camberley's total of 215 all out.
George Crowdy and West both made 27, with Scott Reeves adding 20, but the hosts didn't make the most of a promising start, having been 85-0 and 125-1 before wickets tumbled.
Morris' quickfire 14 at the end of the innings was the only other score above eight, but it all proved academic as Pyrford's batting later resembled a house of cards.
Having lost the toss, Camberley's tried and trusted opening pair of Crowdy and Cooles were sent out to bat on a testing track, but capitalised on some wayward bowling to get the hosts off to a positive start.
Cooles in particular hit some lusty blows, a straight six being a particular highlight. In addition to the regular flow of boundaries, due to the track being right to one side of the square, there was a lot of good running as balls failed to reach the boundary on one side of the wicket.
Cooles' innings contained four threes and, remarkably, a five, as the visitors' attack continued to struggle.
After a slow start, Crowdy's innings gathered pace as he went on, and even he notched a six with a trademark pull stroke, before going after one shot too many; only succeeding in edging through to the keeper.
His dismissal brought Stuart Gilchriest to the crease, fresh off his half century on debut last week, but he struggled to find a rhythm early on.
But despite his struggles, Cooles continued to attack and reached his fifty with an angled glance to the third man fence for four, which he immediately followed up with a powerful drive down the ground for four more.
His attractive innings was brought to an end when he was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Ahmed for a well-made 69 off just 50 balls.
Cooles' dismissal was instantly followed by Gilchriest's as he fell in the same fashion, this time off the bowling of Oyitch for six, before James Reeves' ill-advised aggression saw him fall soon after, caught behind off the impressive left-arm spin of Oyitch.
From a position of dominance, Camberley had lost three wickets for three runs and needed to rebuild with two new batsmen at the crease.
Mac Sayed and Scott Reeves were given the task of doing it, and a partnership of 26 had Camberley back on track, Reeves in particular looking in good touch.
A long six from the powerful younger Reeves brother was the highlight, before both batsmen fell in the space of five runs, handing back the initiative to the away side.
Nick Kempton looked to play sensibly on his first appearance for the twos this season, but he also fell soon after, as Camberley were in danger of being bowled out well short of their allotted overs.
This brought Sam Holmes to the crease to partner his captain, and although Holmes' 30-ball innings of eight contained just two scoring shots, he did the job the situation required of him, as West looked to attack from the other end.
West typically took little time in clubbing a pull through the leg side, however, instead of watching it sail for four or six, he must have been distraught to have to run the second five of the innings.
Later he did pick the shorter boundary, however, and there was very little running required as the ball cannoned back off a tree having gone miles over the rope for six.
A partnership of 30 between the two ended in the 41st over as the captain was caught, then Holmes was given LBW just an over later, meaning the contrasting styles of Morris and Chris Pike were brought together for the end of the innings.
The latter stuck around while Morris wasted no time getting into it, striking three fours in a brief cameo of 14 off nine balls, before being bowled by a peach of a delivery by Oyitch.
Indeed, Oyitch proved to be the difference for the visiting side, as he returned figures of 14.2-4-37-6, helping recover the situation after some indifferent bowling from his team mates.
Having been bowled out after 44.2 overs, Camberley had 56 overs to bowl out the opposition, but got off to a poor start.
Mindful that clouds were closing in and that Oyitch had been successful, West decided to open with himself, but his first delivery was cut for four.
A signal of intent from Pyrford? No. That was as good as it got for the away side, as an incredible bowling display commenced.
Oyitch was the first to fall, trapped LBW by West, quickly followed by Sellick, who was deceived by the same bowler. Morris then took J Lipscombe's off stump out of the ground as 5-0 quickly became 5-3, and the hosts were rampant.
The following over saw Hashmi play a horrible slog off West, only to be comfortably caught by Pike running around from mid-on, before Morris bowled Woolley, meaning that in the sixth over the scoreboard read a remarkable 7-5.
It was clear that the Pyrford top order was weak, but they weren't allowed to settle as Camberley's two bowlers ran riot. West's control of area, spin and and pace tied the batsmen up while Morris bowled even better than he did last week against Esher, constantly beating the edge and narrowly missing off stump as the visitors appeared clueless.
Even more amazing than the scoreline was the fact that a smile actually appeared on Morris' face as he knew he was too much for the opposition to handle.
A partnership of 12 was as good as it got the visitors as a mini-recovery looked on the cards, before Camberley's deadly duo resoundingly slammed the door.
First West bowled Aughterson, before Morris had Jones caught behind by Scott Reeves. Jones' score of seven would normally be one of the lowest on a team's scorecard, if not the lowest, but on this occasion it was the highest on a scorecard which included an impressive six ducks.
One of those ducks belonged to I Lipscombe as he was plumb LBW for Morris' fourth wicket, before West picked up his fifth wicket of an unparalleled spell, Clewlow also falling LBW.
That sequence of events meant Pyrford had incredibly lost four wickets for a total of no runs, and were 19-9.
The tenth wicket partnership of six was amazingly only the fourth partnership to get beyond zero, but any thoughts of the visitors getting anywhere near a respectable total were dashed when West ended the match in fitting style, bowling Coleman for nought.
It was a match that defied belief, and also defied the weather conditions as the rain started to fall just after the tenth wicket fell.
While Camberley can be proud of such an achievement and can bask in the glory of bowling a team out for 25, it shouldn't be forgotten that the batting failed to achieve its potential after a strong start for the second time in three matches, and next week's match won't be as ridiculously easy as this.
Next week's opponents, Old Wimbledonians, are just one point behind Camberley in the table, and this week suffered at the hands of the weather, having been 86-2 after 27 overs chasing just 135 to win against Esher, before rain stopped play.
But if Camberley can replicate this week's bowling performance in all forms of the game next week, the result should be inevitable.
Thursday 9 June 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Esher 6/5/2011.
Gilchrist makes instant impact.
Stuart Gilchrist scored 57 on his second XI debut as Camberley comfortably defeated Esher on Saturday.
George Crowdy also made 52, as the pair put on 96 to help the visitors overhaul Esher's measly total of 133.
The run-chase came after some superb bowling from Lloyd Morris, Jon Cooles and Phil West, who picked up three wickets each as the hosts capitulated.
Despite the sun beating down, captain West won the toss and decided to bowl, citing the change in format to declaration cricket as his reason.
Cooles and Morris took up the challenge of opening the bowling and instantly hit their straps, Morris in particular bowling very good areas.
But while Morris was perhaps the more impressive of the two, it was Cooles who made the breakthrough, thanks to a superb catch by Chris Pike, diving full length to his left at mid-off.
Cooles then tore through the hosts' top order, taking two further wickets as Esher fell from 22-0 to 29-3. And when Morris got the wicket he deserved, Camberley were well in the driving seat with the score at 38-4.
There then followed a brief period of respite for the hosts, as a partnership of 36 between Tim Clews and David Crook appeared to get them back on track.
But just as they were getting comfortable, West bowled Clews, then instantly removed his replacement Nasir Shabbir, thanks to a remarkable one-handed reaction catch by James Reeves at slip.
Crook was then part of another mini-partnership, putting on 38 with Ahmed Isshard, but he also fell to West, trying to sweep him but only succeeding in top-edging an easy catch to Mac Syed behind the stumps.
Isshard fell soon after, victim of an inspired run out by West. There appeared to be a single for Neil Fletcher into the cover region, but Isshard didn't make his ground quickly enough and was sent on his way by a superb direct hit from the Camberley captain.
With Esher eight down, Morris was brought back into the attack to round up the innings, and the young paceman didn't disappoint.
A slower delivery fooled one batsman into looping a simple return catch, before the next nicked off, drawing the innings to a close and giving Morris figures of 10.2-3-17-3.
In reply, Camberley stuck with the same opening partnership as in recent weeks, using the different styles of Crowdy and Cooles.
The latter fell early, bringing Gilchrist to the crease for his second team debut. Having scored runs in the third XI, expectations were high, and the tall right-hander didn't disappoint.
He looked composed at the crease, and, along with Crowdy, the two looked set to win the game by themselves.
A partnership of 96 was only broken when Crowdy flayed a cut shot straight to point, just moments after completing a well-constructed fifty.
Gilchrist brought up his fifty soon after, but sadly couldn't remain unbeaten at the end of the innings as he fell with eight runs still required.
But that didn't take away from a wonderful introduction to the side that will no doubt leave the selection committee with even more headaches about who to select in the coming weeks.
It was left to Reeves and Tim Hughes to see the visitors over the line, and they duly did so, completing an easy seven-wicket victory for Camberley who next face Pyrford at home on the 11th.
Stuart Gilchrist scored 57 on his second XI debut as Camberley comfortably defeated Esher on Saturday.
George Crowdy also made 52, as the pair put on 96 to help the visitors overhaul Esher's measly total of 133.
The run-chase came after some superb bowling from Lloyd Morris, Jon Cooles and Phil West, who picked up three wickets each as the hosts capitulated.
Despite the sun beating down, captain West won the toss and decided to bowl, citing the change in format to declaration cricket as his reason.
Cooles and Morris took up the challenge of opening the bowling and instantly hit their straps, Morris in particular bowling very good areas.
But while Morris was perhaps the more impressive of the two, it was Cooles who made the breakthrough, thanks to a superb catch by Chris Pike, diving full length to his left at mid-off.
Cooles then tore through the hosts' top order, taking two further wickets as Esher fell from 22-0 to 29-3. And when Morris got the wicket he deserved, Camberley were well in the driving seat with the score at 38-4.
There then followed a brief period of respite for the hosts, as a partnership of 36 between Tim Clews and David Crook appeared to get them back on track.
But just as they were getting comfortable, West bowled Clews, then instantly removed his replacement Nasir Shabbir, thanks to a remarkable one-handed reaction catch by James Reeves at slip.
Crook was then part of another mini-partnership, putting on 38 with Ahmed Isshard, but he also fell to West, trying to sweep him but only succeeding in top-edging an easy catch to Mac Syed behind the stumps.
Isshard fell soon after, victim of an inspired run out by West. There appeared to be a single for Neil Fletcher into the cover region, but Isshard didn't make his ground quickly enough and was sent on his way by a superb direct hit from the Camberley captain.
With Esher eight down, Morris was brought back into the attack to round up the innings, and the young paceman didn't disappoint.
A slower delivery fooled one batsman into looping a simple return catch, before the next nicked off, drawing the innings to a close and giving Morris figures of 10.2-3-17-3.
In reply, Camberley stuck with the same opening partnership as in recent weeks, using the different styles of Crowdy and Cooles.
The latter fell early, bringing Gilchrist to the crease for his second team debut. Having scored runs in the third XI, expectations were high, and the tall right-hander didn't disappoint.
He looked composed at the crease, and, along with Crowdy, the two looked set to win the game by themselves.
A partnership of 96 was only broken when Crowdy flayed a cut shot straight to point, just moments after completing a well-constructed fifty.
Gilchrist brought up his fifty soon after, but sadly couldn't remain unbeaten at the end of the innings as he fell with eight runs still required.
But that didn't take away from a wonderful introduction to the side that will no doubt leave the selection committee with even more headaches about who to select in the coming weeks.
It was left to Reeves and Tim Hughes to see the visitors over the line, and they duly did so, completing an easy seven-wicket victory for Camberley who next face Pyrford at home on the 11th.
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Match report for Camberley Sunday 2nd XI v Woking and Horsell, 22/5/2011.
Camberley thumped despite Pike's new top score.
A young Camberley second XI were comprehensively beaten on Sunday, despite Chris Pike proving he is a genuine all-rounder.
John Hargan's brutal knock of 130 not out completely overshadowed Pike's innings, though, as Woking and Horsell chased down Camberley's total of 219-8 for the loss of just one wicket.
The visitors won the toss and oddly elected to field first, despite only having nine players for the first five overs, before Hargan rocked up late and joined the action.
George Crowdy and Dom Peter opened up for the hosts, and moved comfortably to 48 before the latter was bowled by Tom Harbour for 19.
Steve Hulks, Graham Lovell and Brad Stanley were all removed by Iqbal Ahmed for low scores while Crowdy fell three short of his half century.
The 17-year-old run machine was controvertially triggered by his opening partner after Peter had swapped his kit for the umpiring jacket.
Jordan Sturgess played in his typically aggressive manner while Charlie Peter reminded everyone of what a talented player he is, confidently stroking the ball around.
After Sturgess went for one shot too many, Pike was given the privilege of batting above captain Sam Holmes, and quickly set about his trademark defensive shots.
Knowing that attacking intent brought with it a horrible loss of shape and technique, Pike initially preferred to let Peter do the scoring, and the 15-year-old duly did so, combining five fours with some good running as the hosts passed 150.
Having made just one from his first 15 balls, Pike saw his opportunity to up the rate against captain Dave Lane, who introduced himself and bowled three overs of genuine dross.
It was as if Pike had been transformed into his 17-year-old self, looking to attack most deliveries, and he did so with surprising success, quickly moving to 20.
Lane was then replaced by Hargan, and Peter sacrificed himself for the team, looking to go on the offensive from the word go, only to be caught at mid off for 43, ending a mature and important knock; the main contributor in a partnership of 56.
Holmes immediately got into his stride, easily knocking the visitors' bowling around, as Camberley threatened to post a respectable total.
As for Pike, well, in a 13-year cricketing career, a top score of 31 not out in an under 17s game that was later abandoned due to rain wasn't particularly impressive. Thankfully for him, he cruised past that score and moved to 45 with a selection of clubbed boundaries and clips into the leg-side for singles, before finally perishing in the final over, desperately looking for the big hit which would take him to the promised land of a Sunday second XI fifty.
In reply, Crowdy and Charlie Peter took the new ball, as Pike donned the keeper gloves, and Peter made an impressive start, taking a sharp return catch to remove Azhar Mohammad for six.
But that's as good as it got for the hosts, as Max Carter, Hulks, Holmes, Pike, Blake Howell and Lovell all tried in vain to break the partnership of 212 which eventually saw the visitors home.
While James Wolfe's innings of 60 not out may have been scratchy and dogged, Hargan's savagery and ability to pick up on anything short was as impressive as it was destructive, completely taking the wind out of the hosts' sails.
Camberley will hope the inclusion of messrs Dawes, Burns and Smith will inspire the first XI to victory next Sunday away to Reading.
A young Camberley second XI were comprehensively beaten on Sunday, despite Chris Pike proving he is a genuine all-rounder.
John Hargan's brutal knock of 130 not out completely overshadowed Pike's innings, though, as Woking and Horsell chased down Camberley's total of 219-8 for the loss of just one wicket.
The visitors won the toss and oddly elected to field first, despite only having nine players for the first five overs, before Hargan rocked up late and joined the action.
George Crowdy and Dom Peter opened up for the hosts, and moved comfortably to 48 before the latter was bowled by Tom Harbour for 19.
Steve Hulks, Graham Lovell and Brad Stanley were all removed by Iqbal Ahmed for low scores while Crowdy fell three short of his half century.
The 17-year-old run machine was controvertially triggered by his opening partner after Peter had swapped his kit for the umpiring jacket.
Jordan Sturgess played in his typically aggressive manner while Charlie Peter reminded everyone of what a talented player he is, confidently stroking the ball around.
After Sturgess went for one shot too many, Pike was given the privilege of batting above captain Sam Holmes, and quickly set about his trademark defensive shots.
Knowing that attacking intent brought with it a horrible loss of shape and technique, Pike initially preferred to let Peter do the scoring, and the 15-year-old duly did so, combining five fours with some good running as the hosts passed 150.
Having made just one from his first 15 balls, Pike saw his opportunity to up the rate against captain Dave Lane, who introduced himself and bowled three overs of genuine dross.
It was as if Pike had been transformed into his 17-year-old self, looking to attack most deliveries, and he did so with surprising success, quickly moving to 20.
Lane was then replaced by Hargan, and Peter sacrificed himself for the team, looking to go on the offensive from the word go, only to be caught at mid off for 43, ending a mature and important knock; the main contributor in a partnership of 56.
Holmes immediately got into his stride, easily knocking the visitors' bowling around, as Camberley threatened to post a respectable total.
As for Pike, well, in a 13-year cricketing career, a top score of 31 not out in an under 17s game that was later abandoned due to rain wasn't particularly impressive. Thankfully for him, he cruised past that score and moved to 45 with a selection of clubbed boundaries and clips into the leg-side for singles, before finally perishing in the final over, desperately looking for the big hit which would take him to the promised land of a Sunday second XI fifty.
In reply, Crowdy and Charlie Peter took the new ball, as Pike donned the keeper gloves, and Peter made an impressive start, taking a sharp return catch to remove Azhar Mohammad for six.
But that's as good as it got for the hosts, as Max Carter, Hulks, Holmes, Pike, Blake Howell and Lovell all tried in vain to break the partnership of 212 which eventually saw the visitors home.
While James Wolfe's innings of 60 not out may have been scratchy and dogged, Hargan's savagery and ability to pick up on anything short was as impressive as it was destructive, completely taking the wind out of the hosts' sails.
Camberley will hope the inclusion of messrs Dawes, Burns and Smith will inspire the first XI to victory next Sunday away to Reading.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v East Molesey 21/5/2011.
Narrow defeat in classic encounter.
Camberley lost by one wicket in the final over of a match that had everything on Saturday.
The match featured a superb century for Camberley's James Reeves, a brutal 95 in response by East Molesey's Gavin McMillian, dropped catches, umpiring disputes and tension as the match swung one way then the other before the hosts finally crawled over the line.
With the sun beating down, captain Phil West won the toss and elected to bat on a good-looking track, and Camberley's new-look opening partnership of George Crowdy and Jon Cooles got the visitors off to a strong start, putting on 53 for the opening wicket. Cooles was the aggressor, firing boundaries all round the ground before he mistimed an attempted clip through the leg side and was caught and bowled for 36.
James Harrison replaced him, but never really settled and was trapped LBW for six.
In another change to the order, Reeves was sent in at four, and the big-hitting keeper-batsman immediately set about his business, thumping boundaries everywhere as the visitors looked set to post an imposing total.
The nature of Reeves' batting allowed Crowdy to sit back and try to hold the innings together, but despite coming into the game just 18 hours after hitting his second century of the season, the 17-year-old wasn't at his fluent best and fell to sharp return catch by Jamie Glynn for 34.
Mac Sayed looked to be aggressive but only made nine before chopping on to his stumps off the bowling of Trevor Brown.
At 142-4, the innings could have gone either way, but Dom Peter played an assured innings on his return to the side, providing the perfect foil for Reeves, who continued to dominate the hosts attack. The pair batted intelligently, firstly taking advantage of short boundaries to push the field back, then knocking singles around as Camberley raced past the 200 mark.
Reeves batted with both authority and common sense, and brought up his deserved 93-ball hundred in the 45th over with a single down the ground. Looking to add to his six and eleven fours, he was bowled soon after, but it didn't take away from a magnificent innings which was imperative to Camberley's impressive total.
Peter, who had put on 99 with Reeves, soon followed for 40, as the innings was in danger of petering out, but Jordan Gibbs and West ensured the visitors went into tea with the momentum. A flurry of fours from the captain's bat and some good running saw Camberley to 274-6 from their 50 overs.
Upon taking the field, West made sure his side knew the job was only half done, with the need for tight bowling and clean fielding on a bobbly outfield. Sean Clamp shared the new ball with Cooles, and while neither bowled badly, the hosts opening pair comfortably reached 50 without loss.
The introduction of spin worked instantly, as West brought himself on and trapped Mark Waters LBW with his first delivery.
As Chris Pike's impressive first spell of 6-0-18-0 tied down the batsmen at one end, West continued to make inroads, using his control of areas and changes of pace to bring false shots from the batsmen. First he had Chris Wood well caught at mid on by Peter, then Mark Collins caught at square leg by Pike, reducing the hosts to 66-3.
Sam Holmes, having replaced Pike, then removed Adam Potter as East Molesey struggled to 90-4 at drinks.
But if Camberley thought the game was in the bag, Brown and McMillian had other ideas, and quickly set about the visitors attack.
Brown played solidly, while McMillian didn't mess around, hitting multiple sixes, one of which ended up in the Thames, as the hosts got well and truly back in the game.
And as Camberley's grip loosened, so their fielding worsened. Numerous occasions saw players dive over the ball which turned ones into fours and eased the pressure on the batsmen.
As the required runrate decreased, Crowdy was brought into the attack, and his metronomic style gave the visitors a lifeline.
Seemingly cruising to victory at 230-4, Crowdy finally drew a false stroke from Brown, who was caught by Pike for 66, ending a partnership of 142.
But while Brown was snared, McMillian was allowed numerous lifelines; dropped by Gibbs, Reeves and Pike before Crowdy eventually bowled him for 95.
With 21 runs still needed, Camberley sensed a chance, but that quickly seemed to evaporate as the hosts got to 268, just six runs behind, with four wickets still in hand.
But an incredible period saw Camberley take three wickets for just one run. Crowdy's third and fourth wickets of a magical spell sandwiched a contentious run out from Sayed as the visitors threatened to make the impossible possible.
It was left to Pike to bowl the 49th over, with the equation simple. Six runs needed from 12 balls for the hosts, while Camberley just needed one more wicket.
While he only conceded four runs in the over, he also failed to take the wicket, leaving Crowdy with the improbable task of bowling a maiden in the final over, unless of course he took the final wicket.
Unfortunately for Camberley, Glynn managed to clip the winning runs from the second ball, ending an enthralling game in the hosts favour.
But if that's where the action finished, the debating didn't, with all the questions being directed at George Burden's umpiring colleague.
There's a saying in football that says if the referee has gone unnoticed throughout the game, he's had a good game. The saying certainly didn't apply this umpire who incurred the wrath of multiple Camberley players on various occasions.
Not only did his apparent sudden decision to call anything down leg-side a wide come into question, but also the mystifying length of time he took to give them. On more than one occasion he took a good 20 seconds to decide, with the most ridiculous instance coming when almost everyone on the field had changed positions at the end of the over, only to be called back.
But, while this episode riled Camberley, it certainly couldn't be used as an excuse for losing the game. The standard of fielding was not where it should have been, and will have to be improved before the Bank of England arrive on Saturday.
Camberley lost by one wicket in the final over of a match that had everything on Saturday.
The match featured a superb century for Camberley's James Reeves, a brutal 95 in response by East Molesey's Gavin McMillian, dropped catches, umpiring disputes and tension as the match swung one way then the other before the hosts finally crawled over the line.
With the sun beating down, captain Phil West won the toss and elected to bat on a good-looking track, and Camberley's new-look opening partnership of George Crowdy and Jon Cooles got the visitors off to a strong start, putting on 53 for the opening wicket. Cooles was the aggressor, firing boundaries all round the ground before he mistimed an attempted clip through the leg side and was caught and bowled for 36.
James Harrison replaced him, but never really settled and was trapped LBW for six.
In another change to the order, Reeves was sent in at four, and the big-hitting keeper-batsman immediately set about his business, thumping boundaries everywhere as the visitors looked set to post an imposing total.
The nature of Reeves' batting allowed Crowdy to sit back and try to hold the innings together, but despite coming into the game just 18 hours after hitting his second century of the season, the 17-year-old wasn't at his fluent best and fell to sharp return catch by Jamie Glynn for 34.
Mac Sayed looked to be aggressive but only made nine before chopping on to his stumps off the bowling of Trevor Brown.
At 142-4, the innings could have gone either way, but Dom Peter played an assured innings on his return to the side, providing the perfect foil for Reeves, who continued to dominate the hosts attack. The pair batted intelligently, firstly taking advantage of short boundaries to push the field back, then knocking singles around as Camberley raced past the 200 mark.
Reeves batted with both authority and common sense, and brought up his deserved 93-ball hundred in the 45th over with a single down the ground. Looking to add to his six and eleven fours, he was bowled soon after, but it didn't take away from a magnificent innings which was imperative to Camberley's impressive total.
Peter, who had put on 99 with Reeves, soon followed for 40, as the innings was in danger of petering out, but Jordan Gibbs and West ensured the visitors went into tea with the momentum. A flurry of fours from the captain's bat and some good running saw Camberley to 274-6 from their 50 overs.
Upon taking the field, West made sure his side knew the job was only half done, with the need for tight bowling and clean fielding on a bobbly outfield. Sean Clamp shared the new ball with Cooles, and while neither bowled badly, the hosts opening pair comfortably reached 50 without loss.
The introduction of spin worked instantly, as West brought himself on and trapped Mark Waters LBW with his first delivery.
As Chris Pike's impressive first spell of 6-0-18-0 tied down the batsmen at one end, West continued to make inroads, using his control of areas and changes of pace to bring false shots from the batsmen. First he had Chris Wood well caught at mid on by Peter, then Mark Collins caught at square leg by Pike, reducing the hosts to 66-3.
Sam Holmes, having replaced Pike, then removed Adam Potter as East Molesey struggled to 90-4 at drinks.
But if Camberley thought the game was in the bag, Brown and McMillian had other ideas, and quickly set about the visitors attack.
Brown played solidly, while McMillian didn't mess around, hitting multiple sixes, one of which ended up in the Thames, as the hosts got well and truly back in the game.
And as Camberley's grip loosened, so their fielding worsened. Numerous occasions saw players dive over the ball which turned ones into fours and eased the pressure on the batsmen.
As the required runrate decreased, Crowdy was brought into the attack, and his metronomic style gave the visitors a lifeline.
Seemingly cruising to victory at 230-4, Crowdy finally drew a false stroke from Brown, who was caught by Pike for 66, ending a partnership of 142.
But while Brown was snared, McMillian was allowed numerous lifelines; dropped by Gibbs, Reeves and Pike before Crowdy eventually bowled him for 95.
With 21 runs still needed, Camberley sensed a chance, but that quickly seemed to evaporate as the hosts got to 268, just six runs behind, with four wickets still in hand.
But an incredible period saw Camberley take three wickets for just one run. Crowdy's third and fourth wickets of a magical spell sandwiched a contentious run out from Sayed as the visitors threatened to make the impossible possible.
It was left to Pike to bowl the 49th over, with the equation simple. Six runs needed from 12 balls for the hosts, while Camberley just needed one more wicket.
While he only conceded four runs in the over, he also failed to take the wicket, leaving Crowdy with the improbable task of bowling a maiden in the final over, unless of course he took the final wicket.
Unfortunately for Camberley, Glynn managed to clip the winning runs from the second ball, ending an enthralling game in the hosts favour.
But if that's where the action finished, the debating didn't, with all the questions being directed at George Burden's umpiring colleague.
There's a saying in football that says if the referee has gone unnoticed throughout the game, he's had a good game. The saying certainly didn't apply this umpire who incurred the wrath of multiple Camberley players on various occasions.
Not only did his apparent sudden decision to call anything down leg-side a wide come into question, but also the mystifying length of time he took to give them. On more than one occasion he took a good 20 seconds to decide, with the most ridiculous instance coming when almost everyone on the field had changed positions at the end of the over, only to be called back.
But, while this episode riled Camberley, it certainly couldn't be used as an excuse for losing the game. The standard of fielding was not where it should have been, and will have to be improved before the Bank of England arrive on Saturday.
Sunday 15 May 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Warlingham, 14/5/2011.
Twos off the mark.
A SUPERB all-round performance saw Camberley record their first points of the league season against a poor Warlingham side.
James Parrott, Mac Syed and Jordan Gibbs all scored fifties as two significant partnerships helped the hosts recover from 37-3 to post 243 from 48.2 overs.
In reply, Camberley's bowlers performed excellently as a unit as the visitors were bowled out for just 76. There were two wickets each for Jon Cooles, Sean Clamp, Phil West and Sam Holmes, and one for Chris Pike, as well as a fine opportunistic run out by Jordan Gibbs.
On a chilly day, Camberley lost the toss, but captain West was more than happy to open the batting with the recalled George Crowdy, and the two progressed nicely until a mix up saw Crowdy run out for 10 in the fifth over.
West was then the victim of a harsh-looking LBW decision as he advanced down the track, before James Harrison was deceived by a lack of bounce to leave the hosts in danger of collapse.
But Syed proved to be the perfect solution, playing a very selective innings of 64 which included just four fours in 109 balls. He was complimented well by the attacking Parrott, who took advantage of some strange field placings to pepper the boundary, particularly over mid off, as the pair put on 105 before Parrott was bowled for 70.
Just as had happened after Crowdy fell, Parrott's dismissal was followed by two quick wickets; firstly Jon Cooles chipping to mid-wicket for two, before Sam Holmes was bowled for the same score, as Warlingham threatened to get back in the game.
But their hopes of cleaning up the tail cheaply were dashed when Gibbs played a sparkling innings, flaying the ball to all parts as he made his way to 50. Undoubtedly the highlight of his innings was a perfectly executed Dilscoop, which, despite Crowdy's attempts to have it called a dead ball, went straight over the keeper's head for four.
Gibbs' innings, which came from just 44 deliveries, was the main contributor to the partnership of 73 with Syed, who continued to glue the innings together down the order, until he was finally caught in the deep shortly after James Reeves' dismissal. Pike was then bowled, leaving Clamp unbeaten, before Camberley took to the field.
On his first appearance for the twos this season, Cooles wasted no time making his mark, clipping off stump with the fourth ball of the innings.
Clamp also was quick to get into his stride, reminding everyone of why he's been so effective in recent years, bowling disciplined away-swingers and straighter deliveries on his way to producing comfortably his best spell of the season, returning 6-1-20-2.
With the batsmen under pressure at both ends, the need to keep the scoreboard ticking was paramount, something which Dil Amin was aware of. But as he sauntered through for a seemingly easy single, something he wasn't aware of was Gibbs' pick up and throw from point, which cannoned into the stumps prompting the Warlingham number three to walk.
Cooles then hit the stumps for the second time on his way to an impressive 8-1-19-2, before West noticed heavy clouds rolling in.
With only 12 overs having been bowled, and 20 needed to constitute a game, the captain decided to introduce spin to speed the game up, despite the pacemen reducing the visitors to 35-5.
But even though there was a change in bowling style, there was no change in the hosts' dominance, as West and Holmes both picked up quick wickets as the away side completely collapsed to 44-8.
West trapped both of his victims LBW on his way to 4-0-16-2, while Holmes picked up wickets with arguably the two worst balls of an otherwise outstanding spell of 4-2-3-2, one caught at mid-on by West and the other by Syed at deep mid-wicket; a catch which made it 58-9.
With the 20 overs having been bowled, pace was brought back to finish the game off, with Cooles restored at one end and Pike introduced at the other, and it was the latter who bagged the final wicket, completing a resounding victory for the hosts.
In stark contrast to last week against Worcester Park, Camberley's batsmen went on to big scores once they were in, bowled to their plans and backed it up with good catching and fielding; something which should breed confidence for the rest of the season.
West and his men will hope to make it two wins from three away at East Molesey next week, a team who also have one win from two matches so far.
A SUPERB all-round performance saw Camberley record their first points of the league season against a poor Warlingham side.
James Parrott, Mac Syed and Jordan Gibbs all scored fifties as two significant partnerships helped the hosts recover from 37-3 to post 243 from 48.2 overs.
In reply, Camberley's bowlers performed excellently as a unit as the visitors were bowled out for just 76. There were two wickets each for Jon Cooles, Sean Clamp, Phil West and Sam Holmes, and one for Chris Pike, as well as a fine opportunistic run out by Jordan Gibbs.
On a chilly day, Camberley lost the toss, but captain West was more than happy to open the batting with the recalled George Crowdy, and the two progressed nicely until a mix up saw Crowdy run out for 10 in the fifth over.
West was then the victim of a harsh-looking LBW decision as he advanced down the track, before James Harrison was deceived by a lack of bounce to leave the hosts in danger of collapse.
But Syed proved to be the perfect solution, playing a very selective innings of 64 which included just four fours in 109 balls. He was complimented well by the attacking Parrott, who took advantage of some strange field placings to pepper the boundary, particularly over mid off, as the pair put on 105 before Parrott was bowled for 70.
Just as had happened after Crowdy fell, Parrott's dismissal was followed by two quick wickets; firstly Jon Cooles chipping to mid-wicket for two, before Sam Holmes was bowled for the same score, as Warlingham threatened to get back in the game.
But their hopes of cleaning up the tail cheaply were dashed when Gibbs played a sparkling innings, flaying the ball to all parts as he made his way to 50. Undoubtedly the highlight of his innings was a perfectly executed Dilscoop, which, despite Crowdy's attempts to have it called a dead ball, went straight over the keeper's head for four.
Gibbs' innings, which came from just 44 deliveries, was the main contributor to the partnership of 73 with Syed, who continued to glue the innings together down the order, until he was finally caught in the deep shortly after James Reeves' dismissal. Pike was then bowled, leaving Clamp unbeaten, before Camberley took to the field.
On his first appearance for the twos this season, Cooles wasted no time making his mark, clipping off stump with the fourth ball of the innings.
Clamp also was quick to get into his stride, reminding everyone of why he's been so effective in recent years, bowling disciplined away-swingers and straighter deliveries on his way to producing comfortably his best spell of the season, returning 6-1-20-2.
With the batsmen under pressure at both ends, the need to keep the scoreboard ticking was paramount, something which Dil Amin was aware of. But as he sauntered through for a seemingly easy single, something he wasn't aware of was Gibbs' pick up and throw from point, which cannoned into the stumps prompting the Warlingham number three to walk.
Cooles then hit the stumps for the second time on his way to an impressive 8-1-19-2, before West noticed heavy clouds rolling in.
With only 12 overs having been bowled, and 20 needed to constitute a game, the captain decided to introduce spin to speed the game up, despite the pacemen reducing the visitors to 35-5.
But even though there was a change in bowling style, there was no change in the hosts' dominance, as West and Holmes both picked up quick wickets as the away side completely collapsed to 44-8.
West trapped both of his victims LBW on his way to 4-0-16-2, while Holmes picked up wickets with arguably the two worst balls of an otherwise outstanding spell of 4-2-3-2, one caught at mid-on by West and the other by Syed at deep mid-wicket; a catch which made it 58-9.
With the 20 overs having been bowled, pace was brought back to finish the game off, with Cooles restored at one end and Pike introduced at the other, and it was the latter who bagged the final wicket, completing a resounding victory for the hosts.
In stark contrast to last week against Worcester Park, Camberley's batsmen went on to big scores once they were in, bowled to their plans and backed it up with good catching and fielding; something which should breed confidence for the rest of the season.
West and his men will hope to make it two wins from three away at East Molesey next week, a team who also have one win from two matches so far.
Monday 9 May 2011
Match report for Camberley Surrey Trust Development XI v Staines and Laleham, 8/5/2011.
Dawes stars as three players make senior debuts.
Mark Dawes showed his class as he proved the difference against Staines and Laleham on Sunday.
On a very soft wicket, Camberley batted first and made a respectable 151 all out from their 40 overs, in an innings which featured 25 extras. Ten of Camberley's batsmen totalled just 30 runs, as the visitors' total was entirely dependent on Dawes, who made a superb 96.
Eleven-year-old debutant Toby Woodland also impressed with the bat, the talented youngster remaining unbeaten after 35 balls at the crease.
In reply, a good performance from everyone with the ball restricted the hosts to 88 all out, captain Sam Holmes starring with 8-2-13-4, as there were also wickets on debut for James Newlands and Max Carter, with George Crowdy and Blake Howell picking up two each.
After losing the toss, Camberley found themselves batting first on a horrible track and were in early trouble.
Having played at Staines and Laleham and been out for a third-ball duck last season, Dom Peter remarkably managed to repeat the feat this year, albeit due to a questionable LBW decision.
Crowdy replaced him and scored nine, amazingly the second highest score of the day, before being caught behind off Ciaran Dunne.
Brad Stanley and Sam Holmes came and went, sticking around for a while but only supporting Dawes who continued to be the sole runscorer. Jordan Sturgess looked to up the runrate straight away but was caught in the deep, before Chris Pike played a turgid innings, making one from 23 deliveries.
His dismissal brought Woodland to the crease, and despite being only marginally taller than a set of stumps, the young left-hander impressed with his technique, rarely looking in any trouble.
Dawes' high quality innings came to an end soon after, as he looked to hit his fourth six, only to be caught on the boundary.
Newlands played a brief innings before becoming Dunne's third victim, which he quickly made four as he had the aggressive Howell caught at mid-on.
Carter then made a case for promotion up the order from number 11; a very good cut shot that raced to the boundary was the highlight as made eight off 18 balls, before being run out on the final ball of the innings.
Defending a low total, the visitors made a good start with the ball, Crowdy bowling Harvey Parsons in the first over.
Pike was surprisingly economical and produced a few jaffas in his opening spell, but went unrewarded as he returned figures of 5-1-15-0, while Crowdy was metronomic in his impressive spell of 8-1-28-2.
Pike's withdrawal brought Holmes into the attack, and the off-spinner picked up where he left off in last season's Sunday games, picking up wickets for fun. Two of the hosts players were drawn into horrible shots only to miss the ball and get bowled, while Holmes showed good reactions and hands to take a sharp return catch to remove Felix Walker.
The Camberley skipper's fourth wicket came courtesy of a catch at backward point by Jordan Sturgess, Tom Oades the culprit as another poor shot continued the hosts' batting disintegration.
Carter showed good discipline, bowling good lines and lengths on his way to 4-0-14-1, including the wicket of top scorer Sam Barrett, caught behind by Dawes for 31.
After Holmes' superb spell, Newlands was brought into the attack, and the young spinner joined a select group, possibly only consisting of himself, who can say they took a wicket with their first ball in senior cricket. The wicket did owe a great deal to Pike, who took a stunning diving catch on the deep mid-wicket boundary, but Newlands finished off the over well, conceding just three runs.
It was left to Howell, who bowled nicely and had already picked up one wicket, to complete the game, taking a fine diving return catch as he followed through, finishing with 2.2-0-12-2.
The game was not helped by a dreadful track that wasn't conducive to either bowling or batting, but Holmes will have been pleased with his side's performance in the field, and grateful to Dawes for the sparkling innings which proved to beat Staines and Laleham's total by itself.
All three debutants plus Howell, making a rare appearance, performed admirably, and continued exposure to senior cricket will undoubtedly improve their game and bode well for the future of the club.
Mark Dawes showed his class as he proved the difference against Staines and Laleham on Sunday.
On a very soft wicket, Camberley batted first and made a respectable 151 all out from their 40 overs, in an innings which featured 25 extras. Ten of Camberley's batsmen totalled just 30 runs, as the visitors' total was entirely dependent on Dawes, who made a superb 96.
Eleven-year-old debutant Toby Woodland also impressed with the bat, the talented youngster remaining unbeaten after 35 balls at the crease.
In reply, a good performance from everyone with the ball restricted the hosts to 88 all out, captain Sam Holmes starring with 8-2-13-4, as there were also wickets on debut for James Newlands and Max Carter, with George Crowdy and Blake Howell picking up two each.
After losing the toss, Camberley found themselves batting first on a horrible track and were in early trouble.
Having played at Staines and Laleham and been out for a third-ball duck last season, Dom Peter remarkably managed to repeat the feat this year, albeit due to a questionable LBW decision.
Crowdy replaced him and scored nine, amazingly the second highest score of the day, before being caught behind off Ciaran Dunne.
Brad Stanley and Sam Holmes came and went, sticking around for a while but only supporting Dawes who continued to be the sole runscorer. Jordan Sturgess looked to up the runrate straight away but was caught in the deep, before Chris Pike played a turgid innings, making one from 23 deliveries.
His dismissal brought Woodland to the crease, and despite being only marginally taller than a set of stumps, the young left-hander impressed with his technique, rarely looking in any trouble.
Dawes' high quality innings came to an end soon after, as he looked to hit his fourth six, only to be caught on the boundary.
Newlands played a brief innings before becoming Dunne's third victim, which he quickly made four as he had the aggressive Howell caught at mid-on.
Carter then made a case for promotion up the order from number 11; a very good cut shot that raced to the boundary was the highlight as made eight off 18 balls, before being run out on the final ball of the innings.
Defending a low total, the visitors made a good start with the ball, Crowdy bowling Harvey Parsons in the first over.
Pike was surprisingly economical and produced a few jaffas in his opening spell, but went unrewarded as he returned figures of 5-1-15-0, while Crowdy was metronomic in his impressive spell of 8-1-28-2.
Pike's withdrawal brought Holmes into the attack, and the off-spinner picked up where he left off in last season's Sunday games, picking up wickets for fun. Two of the hosts players were drawn into horrible shots only to miss the ball and get bowled, while Holmes showed good reactions and hands to take a sharp return catch to remove Felix Walker.
The Camberley skipper's fourth wicket came courtesy of a catch at backward point by Jordan Sturgess, Tom Oades the culprit as another poor shot continued the hosts' batting disintegration.
Carter showed good discipline, bowling good lines and lengths on his way to 4-0-14-1, including the wicket of top scorer Sam Barrett, caught behind by Dawes for 31.
After Holmes' superb spell, Newlands was brought into the attack, and the young spinner joined a select group, possibly only consisting of himself, who can say they took a wicket with their first ball in senior cricket. The wicket did owe a great deal to Pike, who took a stunning diving catch on the deep mid-wicket boundary, but Newlands finished off the over well, conceding just three runs.
It was left to Howell, who bowled nicely and had already picked up one wicket, to complete the game, taking a fine diving return catch as he followed through, finishing with 2.2-0-12-2.
The game was not helped by a dreadful track that wasn't conducive to either bowling or batting, but Holmes will have been pleased with his side's performance in the field, and grateful to Dawes for the sparkling innings which proved to beat Staines and Laleham's total by itself.
All three debutants plus Howell, making a rare appearance, performed admirably, and continued exposure to senior cricket will undoubtedly improve their game and bode well for the future of the club.
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Worcester Park, 7/5/2011.
Opening game woes as Camberley crumble.
Camberley made a dreadful start to their league campaign as they were comfortably beaten by Worcester Park on Saturday.
Coming into the game off a very good performance against Leatherhead last week, confidence was high, but that quickly evaporated after a dismal all-round display.
With the bat, people getting themselves out was the theme as no-one played a meaningful innings as the visitors crumbled to 100-8. Sam Holmes was the only batsman to really apply himself, making 43 not out as he and Chris Pike put on 48 for the ninth wicket, as Camberley finished on 154-9 from their 50 overs.
With the ball, Phil West took an early wicket and Lloyd Morris bowled a very impressive attacking opening spell, but that was as good as it got for a side who dropped at least four catches and were ultimately well beaten.
The day had started with Camberley winning the toss, and captain West decided to bat first. But as he tried to get the visitors off to a flying start, his ill-advised attempt to club Dom Fell out of the ground only succeeded in gifting an easy catch to keeper Ben Davies after just four balls.
Tom Green went in at three, and some good running with Dom Peter saw Camberley on the recovery path. Green played a superb straight drive for four but was bowled soon after, becoming Fell's second victim. Not long passed before Peter also departed, falling to a very good catch off his own bowling by James Cameron.
Mac Syed and James Parrott then led a mini recovery, Parrott in particular playing some lovely cover drives as Camberley looked to fight back. But the attacking nature of Syed's play proved to be his downfall as he drove straight to mid-on, Cameron taking the catch to reduce the visitors to 51-4.
Jordan Gibbs stuck around for a while before also being caught when looking to attack, before James Reeves played a short but sweet knock of 16 from 13 balls; an innings which featured just three scoring shots as he clubbed two long sixes and a four before being bowled.
Parrott was caught at mid-off for 23 off 57 balls soon after, and when Morris was run out without facing a ball, Camberley were in disarray.
Holmes and Pike then tried to get the away side up to a semi-respectable total, Pike just trying to stick around as Holmes picked off the runs. Pike was finally out in the 48th over as he looked to up the scoring, leaving Sean Clamp the last couple of overs to survive with Holmes.
In reply, Camberley got off to a promising start, with Morris looking lively and West accurate. While Morris was unfortunate not to pick up at least one wicket, West did snare an early one, as John Drake looked to create room outside leg stump only to miss a straight one.
The visitors remained positive in the field for a good number of overs before a series of dropped catches killed their enthusiasm and enabled Worcester Park to capitalise.
Davies made the most of his luck to get to 59 before being bowled by Holmes, but the powerful Johnny Evans finished not out on 66 as the hosts easily reached their target for the loss of just two wickets.
Despite this abject performance, the signs from the pre-season games were mainly positive, so Camberley will hope to get back on track at home to Warlingham on the 14th.
Camberley made a dreadful start to their league campaign as they were comfortably beaten by Worcester Park on Saturday.
Coming into the game off a very good performance against Leatherhead last week, confidence was high, but that quickly evaporated after a dismal all-round display.
With the bat, people getting themselves out was the theme as no-one played a meaningful innings as the visitors crumbled to 100-8. Sam Holmes was the only batsman to really apply himself, making 43 not out as he and Chris Pike put on 48 for the ninth wicket, as Camberley finished on 154-9 from their 50 overs.
With the ball, Phil West took an early wicket and Lloyd Morris bowled a very impressive attacking opening spell, but that was as good as it got for a side who dropped at least four catches and were ultimately well beaten.
The day had started with Camberley winning the toss, and captain West decided to bat first. But as he tried to get the visitors off to a flying start, his ill-advised attempt to club Dom Fell out of the ground only succeeded in gifting an easy catch to keeper Ben Davies after just four balls.
Tom Green went in at three, and some good running with Dom Peter saw Camberley on the recovery path. Green played a superb straight drive for four but was bowled soon after, becoming Fell's second victim. Not long passed before Peter also departed, falling to a very good catch off his own bowling by James Cameron.
Mac Syed and James Parrott then led a mini recovery, Parrott in particular playing some lovely cover drives as Camberley looked to fight back. But the attacking nature of Syed's play proved to be his downfall as he drove straight to mid-on, Cameron taking the catch to reduce the visitors to 51-4.
Jordan Gibbs stuck around for a while before also being caught when looking to attack, before James Reeves played a short but sweet knock of 16 from 13 balls; an innings which featured just three scoring shots as he clubbed two long sixes and a four before being bowled.
Parrott was caught at mid-off for 23 off 57 balls soon after, and when Morris was run out without facing a ball, Camberley were in disarray.
Holmes and Pike then tried to get the away side up to a semi-respectable total, Pike just trying to stick around as Holmes picked off the runs. Pike was finally out in the 48th over as he looked to up the scoring, leaving Sean Clamp the last couple of overs to survive with Holmes.
In reply, Camberley got off to a promising start, with Morris looking lively and West accurate. While Morris was unfortunate not to pick up at least one wicket, West did snare an early one, as John Drake looked to create room outside leg stump only to miss a straight one.
The visitors remained positive in the field for a good number of overs before a series of dropped catches killed their enthusiasm and enabled Worcester Park to capitalise.
Davies made the most of his luck to get to 59 before being bowled by Holmes, but the powerful Johnny Evans finished not out on 66 as the hosts easily reached their target for the loss of just two wickets.
Despite this abject performance, the signs from the pre-season games were mainly positive, so Camberley will hope to get back on track at home to Warlingham on the 14th.
Thursday 5 May 2011
Match report for Camberley Sunday 1st XI v Wilkinson's Way, 1/5/2011.
Dom dominates.
Dom Peter became the third teenager in as many weeks to score a century as he put Wilkinson's Way to the sword on Sunday.
The 16-year-old, who hit 102 not out off 99 balls, followed George Crowdy and Lloyd Morris into three figures for the club this season.
Not to be outdone, Sunday veteran Mark Dawes also hit 120 as Camberley thrashed the visitors from Greenford, West London.
Dawes and Peter put on a mammoth 201 for the first wicket, as Camberley totalled 288-3 from their 40 overs, before bowling the Way out for 157.
In a match that never threatened to be close, captain Sam Holmes managed to use nine bowlers in an attempt to keep everyone on their toes, with Peter the only fielder not to bowl.
Wickets were spread all over the team, with Jordan Gibbs, Jon Cooles and Holmes picking up two each, while there were one apiece for Chris Pike, Dan Wakeling, Dan Burns and even Dawes, who returned figures of 3-1-4-1.
With the visitors having turned up late, Holmes enforced the toss, meaning that Camberley batted first, and Dawes and Peter quickly got into their stride as the weak Way bowling attack suffered.
Dawes was typically aggressive, hitting 12 fours and two sixes in his innings, while Peter was more watchful, preferring to take singles and twos that were readily available.
After Dawes' sparkling innings came to an end in the 29th over, Burns played a quickfire knock of 23 off 13, James Reeves added four and Holmes finished unbeaten on 16, but the highlight of the innings came in the 39th over when Peter punched an Everton delivery through extra cover to bring up his hundred.
In reply, Camberley got off the best possible start when youngster Wakeling had Khan caught behind in the first over. Pike also got an early wicket, uprooting Jones' off stump, before Cooles and Burns combined to tie down the Way's middle order. Cooles showed an extra yard of pace in his spell of 5-1-16-2, while Burns was typically unplayable, returning figures of 5-2-7-1.
With the game effectively over, the fun could begin, as a new spin partnership of Reeves and Reeves took centre stage. Sadly, James' slow left arm and Scott's off-spin couldn't produce the wicket that both would have toasted for years. But where they failed, Dawes succeeded, adding the wicket of Williams to his impressively economical figures.
Leg-spinner Gibbs added a couple of late wickets to his tally this season, but it was Holmes who rounded off the match, taking the last two wickets just four balls into his spell.
The game didn't offer much as a contest, but Camberley won't complain about getting two further players into triple figures, whilst continuing the winning mentality as the important games arrive.
Dom Peter became the third teenager in as many weeks to score a century as he put Wilkinson's Way to the sword on Sunday.
The 16-year-old, who hit 102 not out off 99 balls, followed George Crowdy and Lloyd Morris into three figures for the club this season.
Not to be outdone, Sunday veteran Mark Dawes also hit 120 as Camberley thrashed the visitors from Greenford, West London.
Dawes and Peter put on a mammoth 201 for the first wicket, as Camberley totalled 288-3 from their 40 overs, before bowling the Way out for 157.
In a match that never threatened to be close, captain Sam Holmes managed to use nine bowlers in an attempt to keep everyone on their toes, with Peter the only fielder not to bowl.
Wickets were spread all over the team, with Jordan Gibbs, Jon Cooles and Holmes picking up two each, while there were one apiece for Chris Pike, Dan Wakeling, Dan Burns and even Dawes, who returned figures of 3-1-4-1.
With the visitors having turned up late, Holmes enforced the toss, meaning that Camberley batted first, and Dawes and Peter quickly got into their stride as the weak Way bowling attack suffered.
Dawes was typically aggressive, hitting 12 fours and two sixes in his innings, while Peter was more watchful, preferring to take singles and twos that were readily available.
After Dawes' sparkling innings came to an end in the 29th over, Burns played a quickfire knock of 23 off 13, James Reeves added four and Holmes finished unbeaten on 16, but the highlight of the innings came in the 39th over when Peter punched an Everton delivery through extra cover to bring up his hundred.
In reply, Camberley got off the best possible start when youngster Wakeling had Khan caught behind in the first over. Pike also got an early wicket, uprooting Jones' off stump, before Cooles and Burns combined to tie down the Way's middle order. Cooles showed an extra yard of pace in his spell of 5-1-16-2, while Burns was typically unplayable, returning figures of 5-2-7-1.
With the game effectively over, the fun could begin, as a new spin partnership of Reeves and Reeves took centre stage. Sadly, James' slow left arm and Scott's off-spin couldn't produce the wicket that both would have toasted for years. But where they failed, Dawes succeeded, adding the wicket of Williams to his impressively economical figures.
Leg-spinner Gibbs added a couple of late wickets to his tally this season, but it was Holmes who rounded off the match, taking the last two wickets just four balls into his spell.
The game didn't offer much as a contest, but Camberley won't complain about getting two further players into triple figures, whilst continuing the winning mentality as the important games arrive.
Tuesday 3 May 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Leatherhead, 30/4/2011.
Mac makes his mark.
MAC SYED was the difference as an impressive Camberley defeated Leatherhead on Saturday.
The diminutive batsman's unbeaten innings of 77 included 12 fours and a six as he steered his side past the hosts' total of 213-8.
The attacking Syed was complimented at the crease by the watchful James Harrison, who made 54 on his first appearance of the season, as the two put on 125 for the third wicket.
It had looked as if the two would see the visitors over the line, but Harrison's departure prompted a slight collapse before Syed hit the winning runs in typically aggressive fashion.
With the ball, Sam Holmes starred as some bizarre dismissals led to Camberley restricting the home side well short of what they might otherwise have achieved.
On a sunny but breezy afternoon, Leatherhead won the toss and quickly set about the Camberley pace attack. Morris started accurately, but Clamp and Pike were too wayward as the hosts passed 50 without loss.
The introduction of spin had an immediate effect, as captain Phil West had James Musgrave well caught down the leg side by wicket keeper James Reeves.
But still the runs flowed, and it wasn't until Holmes was brought into the attack that the visitors started to restrict the runrate. The off-spinner controlled his areas well for the mostpart, but, ironically, his first wicket came from a rank full toss. With the score at 115-1, David Gillott rightfully tried to open his body and free his arms, but he lost his footing and was trapped LBW as he fell over.
There then followed an extraordinary passage of play where David Baker seemed determined to give his wicket away. In three consecutive Holmes deliveries, he contrived to be dropped at deep-backward square by Morris, then by Reeves behind the stumps, before he finally perished, West taking the catch at mid-wicket following an ugly swipe across the line.
Anthony Joblin came in at five, but instead of looking to rebuild, he followed the pattern of giving his wicket away, missing a straight one as he looked to thump it over mid-wicket, reducing his side to 128-4.
After Holmes completed his superb spell of 9-3-16-3, and with Syed bowling economically at the other end, Dom Peter continued the spin theme, and didn't waste time making his mark, having Stephen Burgess caught by Syed at cover with his first delivery.
Morris and Pike were then reinstated to the attack in an attempt to wrap up the hosts' innings, and while Morris was unlucky, Pike managed to pick up three late wickets, as Leatherhead were restricted to 213-8 off their 45.
In reply, Camberley got off to a positive start as West played his customary attacking shots; a couple of straight sixes and a glorious cover drive were the highlights as he raced to 48 before being adjudged LBW.
Dom Peter was also given LBW, allowing Harrison and Syed to combine to take the game away from the hosts. Syed played an array of attacking shots while Harrison was content to wait for the bad ball, hitting eight fours in his innings.
It had seemed as if both would be at the crease for the end of the game, but Harrison's knock came to a slightly premature end as he was bowled by Joblin, but it only served as a delay on the inevitable.
Ollie Pollard and Tom Green were both dismissed cheaply, but those wickets only took a hint of gloss off an otherwise very impressive display which was completed when Syed thumped Rich Roy over mid-off for four.
The former Bangladesh under-15 had looked in good touch but failed to compile a meaningful innings in the two previous friendlies, so his return to form bodes well for the opening league encounter away at Worcester Park on the 7th.
MAC SYED was the difference as an impressive Camberley defeated Leatherhead on Saturday.
The diminutive batsman's unbeaten innings of 77 included 12 fours and a six as he steered his side past the hosts' total of 213-8.
The attacking Syed was complimented at the crease by the watchful James Harrison, who made 54 on his first appearance of the season, as the two put on 125 for the third wicket.
It had looked as if the two would see the visitors over the line, but Harrison's departure prompted a slight collapse before Syed hit the winning runs in typically aggressive fashion.
With the ball, Sam Holmes starred as some bizarre dismissals led to Camberley restricting the home side well short of what they might otherwise have achieved.
On a sunny but breezy afternoon, Leatherhead won the toss and quickly set about the Camberley pace attack. Morris started accurately, but Clamp and Pike were too wayward as the hosts passed 50 without loss.
The introduction of spin had an immediate effect, as captain Phil West had James Musgrave well caught down the leg side by wicket keeper James Reeves.
But still the runs flowed, and it wasn't until Holmes was brought into the attack that the visitors started to restrict the runrate. The off-spinner controlled his areas well for the mostpart, but, ironically, his first wicket came from a rank full toss. With the score at 115-1, David Gillott rightfully tried to open his body and free his arms, but he lost his footing and was trapped LBW as he fell over.
There then followed an extraordinary passage of play where David Baker seemed determined to give his wicket away. In three consecutive Holmes deliveries, he contrived to be dropped at deep-backward square by Morris, then by Reeves behind the stumps, before he finally perished, West taking the catch at mid-wicket following an ugly swipe across the line.
Anthony Joblin came in at five, but instead of looking to rebuild, he followed the pattern of giving his wicket away, missing a straight one as he looked to thump it over mid-wicket, reducing his side to 128-4.
After Holmes completed his superb spell of 9-3-16-3, and with Syed bowling economically at the other end, Dom Peter continued the spin theme, and didn't waste time making his mark, having Stephen Burgess caught by Syed at cover with his first delivery.
Morris and Pike were then reinstated to the attack in an attempt to wrap up the hosts' innings, and while Morris was unlucky, Pike managed to pick up three late wickets, as Leatherhead were restricted to 213-8 off their 45.
In reply, Camberley got off to a positive start as West played his customary attacking shots; a couple of straight sixes and a glorious cover drive were the highlights as he raced to 48 before being adjudged LBW.
Dom Peter was also given LBW, allowing Harrison and Syed to combine to take the game away from the hosts. Syed played an array of attacking shots while Harrison was content to wait for the bad ball, hitting eight fours in his innings.
It had seemed as if both would be at the crease for the end of the game, but Harrison's knock came to a slightly premature end as he was bowled by Joblin, but it only served as a delay on the inevitable.
Ollie Pollard and Tom Green were both dismissed cheaply, but those wickets only took a hint of gloss off an otherwise very impressive display which was completed when Syed thumped Rich Roy over mid-off for four.
The former Bangladesh under-15 had looked in good touch but failed to compile a meaningful innings in the two previous friendlies, so his return to form bodes well for the opening league encounter away at Worcester Park on the 7th.
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Match report for Camberley Sunday 1st XI v Riverside, 24/4/2011.
Burns burns Riverside.
Daniel Burns produced a superb all-round display as Camberley outclassed Riverside on Sunday.
The overseas pro returned figures of 8-5-7-3, then followed up his bowling with a quickfire 43 not out off 21 balls as Camberley comfortably chased down the visitors' total of 108 all out.
In a match that had a very relaxed feel from start to finish, the visitors won the toss and batted first. This enabled under-14 Dan Wakeling to get straight into the action on his senior debut, and the left-arm seamer didn't disappoint, returning figures of 5-2-19-1.
Fellow opener Chris Pike also took one-for-19 off five, before leg-spinner Jordan Gibbs combined with slow left-armer Burns to tie down the Riverside middle-order. Gibbs bowled some typically magical deliveries on his way to 8-0-28-0, but it was Burns who starred, bowling consistently good areas to restrict the visitors' shaky batting.
Dom Peter and Steve Hulks also took advantage of the situation, Hulks taking a wicket with his first ball on his way to 4-2-6-2, while Peter spun his way to 3.1-0-14-3, including the final wicket caught behind by Ollie Pollard - his third dismissal of the innings.
In reply, George Crowdy partnered Mark Dawes at the top of the innings, and both looked in good touch until Crowdy was bowled by N Sarwar for 24, with the score on 61. Needing just a further 48 runs for victory, Australian Burns didn't waste time in setting about the Riverside attack, hitting four fours and a six as he dominated the partnership with Dawes.
With the winning line in sight, Dawes tried to end the game in style, but was well caught by T Majid on the deep mid-wicket boundary for 29, allowing captain Sam Holmes to enter the fray for the last few balls.
Fittingly, it was Burns who struck the winning runs, capping a flawless display which also featured a sharp catch at slip for Hulks' second wicket.
It was a game that was only ever going to produce one outcome, but the convincing nature of Camberley's win bodes well for the rest of the season.
Daniel Burns produced a superb all-round display as Camberley outclassed Riverside on Sunday.
The overseas pro returned figures of 8-5-7-3, then followed up his bowling with a quickfire 43 not out off 21 balls as Camberley comfortably chased down the visitors' total of 108 all out.
In a match that had a very relaxed feel from start to finish, the visitors won the toss and batted first. This enabled under-14 Dan Wakeling to get straight into the action on his senior debut, and the left-arm seamer didn't disappoint, returning figures of 5-2-19-1.
Fellow opener Chris Pike also took one-for-19 off five, before leg-spinner Jordan Gibbs combined with slow left-armer Burns to tie down the Riverside middle-order. Gibbs bowled some typically magical deliveries on his way to 8-0-28-0, but it was Burns who starred, bowling consistently good areas to restrict the visitors' shaky batting.
Dom Peter and Steve Hulks also took advantage of the situation, Hulks taking a wicket with his first ball on his way to 4-2-6-2, while Peter spun his way to 3.1-0-14-3, including the final wicket caught behind by Ollie Pollard - his third dismissal of the innings.
In reply, George Crowdy partnered Mark Dawes at the top of the innings, and both looked in good touch until Crowdy was bowled by N Sarwar for 24, with the score on 61. Needing just a further 48 runs for victory, Australian Burns didn't waste time in setting about the Riverside attack, hitting four fours and a six as he dominated the partnership with Dawes.
With the winning line in sight, Dawes tried to end the game in style, but was well caught by T Majid on the deep mid-wicket boundary for 29, allowing captain Sam Holmes to enter the fray for the last few balls.
Fittingly, it was Burns who struck the winning runs, capping a flawless display which also featured a sharp catch at slip for Hulks' second wicket.
It was a game that was only ever going to produce one outcome, but the convincing nature of Camberley's win bodes well for the rest of the season.
Monday 25 April 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI at Normandy, 23/4/2011.
Camberley struggle to pre-season defeat.
INCONSISTENCY in every aspect of the game was the catalyst for Camberley's 63-run loss to Normandy on Saturday.
Chris Pike took three wickets but bowled too many loose deliveries, while Phil West took two as the hosts totalled 253-5 off their 45 overs, including a century for Peter Wellings.
In reply, West got Camberley off to a flyer, but the innings quickly became bogged down, with no-one other than the Camberley captain making a meaningful contribution until James Reeves played a sparkling innings towards the end.
With the sun beating down and the track looking flat, it was Normandy who won an important toss and batted first in favourable conditions. Both Pike and fellow opener Sean Clamp struggled to find consistently good areas, generally offering up at least one four ball per over.
With the score rolling along at a healthy rate, Pike did manage to snare two quick wickets, both of which clipped off stump, but Normandy continued to attack. Left-handed opening batsman Simon Carter breezed past 50 and looked set for a big score before West had him caught behind for 56.
Andrew McPherson added 44 before being Pike's third victim, but it was Wellings who held the innings together, and he completed his hundred in the final over.
Mac Syed's bowling was possibly the most impressive, as he showed good control of areas on a pitch conducive to turn. He bowled better than his figures of 5-0-32-0 suggested, as they were scewed by the batsmen looking to score off every ball in the last few overs. One particular instance saw Mark Prosser get off the mark with an enormous six straight down the ground just after West trapped Rick Mansell LBW.
In reply, last week's stand-out performer George Crowdy was joined at the top of the order by West, and the two went about the run chase in rather differing styles. The technical crowdy was happy to remain watchful while the powerful West hammered the ball to all parts. Ironically, West's best shot was one that he didn't try to hit too hard; a glorious cover drive that raced away for four.
Sadly, Crowdy couldn't repeat his innings of last week, as he misjudged one of his trademark pull shots and dragged on to his stumps with the score on 48. Dom Peter, making his first appearance of the season, came in at three, but found it difficult to get into a scoring rhythm, facing 40 balls before being well caught and bowled by youngster Chris Jones for nine.
The second wicket fell with the score on 81, and the fact that Peter and Crowdy had contributed just 13 between them clearly showed how much Camberley were relying on West to remain in the contest. So when he holed out four runs later for 58, the visitors' innings was in danger of grinding to a halt.
Syed had only just got going when he was trapped LBW by a suspicious-looking quicker delivery by off-spinner Jones for four, then both Ollie Pollard and Scott Reeves were dismissed in the same over as Camberley disintegrated to 99-6.
Steve Hulks continued his impressive start to the season with the bat as he and Sam Holmes made a brief recovery, Hulks hitting five fours before being caught at mid on for 22. Then when Holmes was superbly caught at slip off Sam Wade's bowling, the end seemed nigh.
Still 121 runs short of the victory target when Pike joined James Reeves at the end of the 31st over, most would have predicted an end within ten minutes, but there followed an extraordinary partnership which reached 57 with six overs to go. Sixty-four runs were still needed for the win, but the nature of Reeves' innings meant there was an outside chance.
Amazingly, Pike contributed just one run, as Reeves bludgeoned the ball repeatedly towards long-on and deep mid-wicket on his way to 55 not out off 44 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes.
Sadly, there followed a calamitous run out which spelt the end for Pike, who had defended admirably up to that point, and when Clamp was caught at slip two balls later, the game was over.
With just one more friendly left until the start of the league season, the game highlighted key areas which Camberley need to improve on if they're to build a serious title challange.
The bowling was worryingly inconsistent, with next to no pressure built up at any point. This was backed up by a lacklustre display in the field, with fielders repeatedly diving over or under the ball resulting in many boundaries.
With the bat, the reliance on just one or two players was made clear for all to see. Against Cove last week, the high total of 289-9 and ease of victory glossed over the fact that, aside from Crowdy and Hulks, James Reeves' 24 was the only score above 14.
Against Normandy, with the exception of West, the entire top order spectacularly failed as a unit, and, had it not been for Reeves' late barrage, the defeat would have been considerably heavier.
Obviously as players play more games they'll find their form, but a side cannot rely on just one or two big scores per week and expect to mount a successful campaign.
Leatherhead next week offers the final chance for Camberley to iron-out their performance before the league starts on the 7th of May.
INCONSISTENCY in every aspect of the game was the catalyst for Camberley's 63-run loss to Normandy on Saturday.
Chris Pike took three wickets but bowled too many loose deliveries, while Phil West took two as the hosts totalled 253-5 off their 45 overs, including a century for Peter Wellings.
In reply, West got Camberley off to a flyer, but the innings quickly became bogged down, with no-one other than the Camberley captain making a meaningful contribution until James Reeves played a sparkling innings towards the end.
With the sun beating down and the track looking flat, it was Normandy who won an important toss and batted first in favourable conditions. Both Pike and fellow opener Sean Clamp struggled to find consistently good areas, generally offering up at least one four ball per over.
With the score rolling along at a healthy rate, Pike did manage to snare two quick wickets, both of which clipped off stump, but Normandy continued to attack. Left-handed opening batsman Simon Carter breezed past 50 and looked set for a big score before West had him caught behind for 56.
Andrew McPherson added 44 before being Pike's third victim, but it was Wellings who held the innings together, and he completed his hundred in the final over.
Mac Syed's bowling was possibly the most impressive, as he showed good control of areas on a pitch conducive to turn. He bowled better than his figures of 5-0-32-0 suggested, as they were scewed by the batsmen looking to score off every ball in the last few overs. One particular instance saw Mark Prosser get off the mark with an enormous six straight down the ground just after West trapped Rick Mansell LBW.
In reply, last week's stand-out performer George Crowdy was joined at the top of the order by West, and the two went about the run chase in rather differing styles. The technical crowdy was happy to remain watchful while the powerful West hammered the ball to all parts. Ironically, West's best shot was one that he didn't try to hit too hard; a glorious cover drive that raced away for four.
Sadly, Crowdy couldn't repeat his innings of last week, as he misjudged one of his trademark pull shots and dragged on to his stumps with the score on 48. Dom Peter, making his first appearance of the season, came in at three, but found it difficult to get into a scoring rhythm, facing 40 balls before being well caught and bowled by youngster Chris Jones for nine.
The second wicket fell with the score on 81, and the fact that Peter and Crowdy had contributed just 13 between them clearly showed how much Camberley were relying on West to remain in the contest. So when he holed out four runs later for 58, the visitors' innings was in danger of grinding to a halt.
Syed had only just got going when he was trapped LBW by a suspicious-looking quicker delivery by off-spinner Jones for four, then both Ollie Pollard and Scott Reeves were dismissed in the same over as Camberley disintegrated to 99-6.
Steve Hulks continued his impressive start to the season with the bat as he and Sam Holmes made a brief recovery, Hulks hitting five fours before being caught at mid on for 22. Then when Holmes was superbly caught at slip off Sam Wade's bowling, the end seemed nigh.
Still 121 runs short of the victory target when Pike joined James Reeves at the end of the 31st over, most would have predicted an end within ten minutes, but there followed an extraordinary partnership which reached 57 with six overs to go. Sixty-four runs were still needed for the win, but the nature of Reeves' innings meant there was an outside chance.
Amazingly, Pike contributed just one run, as Reeves bludgeoned the ball repeatedly towards long-on and deep mid-wicket on his way to 55 not out off 44 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes.
Sadly, there followed a calamitous run out which spelt the end for Pike, who had defended admirably up to that point, and when Clamp was caught at slip two balls later, the game was over.
With just one more friendly left until the start of the league season, the game highlighted key areas which Camberley need to improve on if they're to build a serious title challange.
The bowling was worryingly inconsistent, with next to no pressure built up at any point. This was backed up by a lacklustre display in the field, with fielders repeatedly diving over or under the ball resulting in many boundaries.
With the bat, the reliance on just one or two players was made clear for all to see. Against Cove last week, the high total of 289-9 and ease of victory glossed over the fact that, aside from Crowdy and Hulks, James Reeves' 24 was the only score above 14.
Against Normandy, with the exception of West, the entire top order spectacularly failed as a unit, and, had it not been for Reeves' late barrage, the defeat would have been considerably heavier.
Obviously as players play more games they'll find their form, but a side cannot rely on just one or two big scores per week and expect to mount a successful campaign.
Leatherhead next week offers the final chance for Camberley to iron-out their performance before the league starts on the 7th of May.
Tuesday 19 April 2011
Match report for Camberley 2nd XI v Cove, 16/4/2011.
The crowds go wild for George.
GEORGE CROWDY started the season in magnificent style as his maiden century inspired Camberley to a 147-run victory against Cove on Saturday.Crowdy, who hit 104 off 110 balls, looked imperious throughout, pouncing on anything short or angling in on his pads with devastating effect. An innings full of superb strokeplay and timing only ended in the 40th over as he looked to up the run-rate with five overs to go.
Steve Hulks also made an attractive 69, putting on 130 for the fourth wicket with Crowdy. Hulks showed an increased level of maturity in his innings as both batsmen took advantage of some poor fielding, with easy singles and twos available almost every delivery.
In reply, Lloyd Morris struck with the fourth ball of the innings, and that set the tone as wickets fell at regular intervals as Cove limped to a heavy defeat. There were four wickets for Chris Pike, three for Phil West, and one for Morris and Jordan Gibbs, as well as a run out.
The day had started with a rather rusty warm-up, however that was long forgotten as Crowdy and James Reeves set about the Cove attack. They began in watchful manner, taking singles here and there, until Reeves crunched one opener back over his head into the trees, shortly before creaming the other opener twice through the covers for four. The partnership had reached 48 when Reeves was bowled by a good delivery from Spellman for 24.
James Harrison came in at three and looked in good touch before being adjudged lbw for 12, then Mac Syed played a short but sweet knock of the same score before smashing a drive straight to cover. Syed's departure brought Hulks to the crease at 98-3, and, given that his warm up was dire, one could have been forgiven for thinking his stay at the crease would have been short-lived. But he proved all his critics, most notably himself, wrong, as he combined brute force with a lot of skill and patience. He complimented a long six and plenty of fours with some good timing and placement, taking singles off the majority of balls he faced, before being bowled in the 36th over.
But while Hulks fell short of three figures, Crowdy was not to be denied. He cruised past his previous best score of 77, and while his dad nervously watched on from the boundary, the 17-year-old showed no signs of nerves, dispatching two fours through the leg side to move from 90 to 98.
With the magic mark within touching distance, Crowdy punched one into the leg side and took the single. But, not for the first time, there was a misfield to which Tom Green was alert, and he turned for the second run, allowing Crowdy to come back for a very well-deserved hundred.
The achievement was met by cheers from everyone associated with Camberley, and Crowdy followed up the milestone with possibly his best shot of the innings, piling into a cover drive that left captain West saying, "God, he hit that harder than me."
Looking to score off every delivery led to Crowdy being bowled shortly after, but it didn't detract from a wonderfully constructed innings that proved to be the cornerstone of Camberley's eventual total of 289-9.
With half the job done, West emphasised the need to complete the job in the necessary way, and Morris clearly took heed of his captain's teamtalk by having Loubes caught behind with his fourth delivery. Pike also took an early wicket, when Gudge mistimed a drive to Hulks at point, but struggled to find his rhythm and was replaced in the eighth over by West. The off-spinner changed his pace well and bowled a typically economical spell of 9-3-16-3, taking wickets at regular intervals.
Morris' dangerous opening spell was ended when Gibbs was brought into the attack, and the leg-spinner showed what an enigmatic bowler he is, following a waist-high full toss with a ripper that spun from leg stump to well outside off. Gibbs' deserved wicket came about due to a superb catch from Syed at cover, who leapt and took the catch one-handed above his head.
Those wickets plus a run out from Pike meant Cove were 75-7, and a quick finish looked likely. A quickfire 49 from number nine Steve Lynch put a slight halt on proceedings as he bludgeoned the ball to all parts until he was dismissed by Pike, thanks to a very good catch from Reeves behind the stumps.
Pike then completed the job with the final two wickets, both of which cleaned up off-stump, to finish with figures of 4.2-0-28-4. It completed a very satisfactory day for Camberley, who will hope to build on the performance against Normandy on Saturday 23rd.
With many people due to be inline for selection, competition for places will be intense, but one man will be assured of his spot at the top of the order. The day belonged to Crowdy, and if he can replicate this performance throughout the season, Camberley will be tough to beat.
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Charlie Hipkin
Asked me to write this, so here I go. It's now been about two months since the big Aussie (who's actually English apparently) departed the motherland and headed back to Alcatraz's big brother. So, in this blog I'm gona try to recount some of the better times with him.
It makes sense to start at the start, so we'll begin with the first time we crossed paths. The big time cricket sensation that I am, in May last year I rocked up to play for Camberley third XI at a recreational ground behind a leisure centre in Woking. The team was a shambles - we were under the joint captaincy of Richard Faulkner and Nigel Crowdy, we had Ben Hill behind the stumps and had two people I'd never met before in the team. One of those people I didn't really speak to and never saw again, but the other was some big bloke who I'd been told I was sharing the new ball with.
So I went up to him and introduced myself and he said his name was Charlie. We spoke for a few minutes and then I asked, 'so how old are you? 25?'
'Nah mate, I'm 18,' came the response. I couldn't believe it, but there you go. Charlie got his first wicket fairly quickly, although as he's six foot three and hit the guy on the thigh pad, I'm not sure the decision of LBW was strictly correct. He also made 23 with the bat, but unfortunately for him, I was the hero of the day, taking four wickets and making 14 not out to save the game along with Iron Man Nige.
Later on in the season, during which time we'd struck up a good friendship, I was given the task of picking Charlie up on a Saturday morning before the day's games. So I turned up at whatever time in the morning to find him rather flustered. He trogged out of the building he was living in, dragging his bag with one hand and carrying his whites with the other. I can't remember the exact details, but essentially he'd only just taken his whites out of the washing machine, and hadn't had enough time to put them in the tumble drier. Absolutely sopping wet.
I had an idea. This idea meant the entire 30-minute journey back to the club from Windsor saw white garments flapping out of the windows of my car, in a desperate attempt to dry them on the wind. Sadly it had no effect. Charlie laid them out on the patio in the sun, but I don't think that worked either. Nothing worse than putting on wet clothes.Another point in the season saw the game which Charlie is still recounting, and provides the rest of us with a specific line to remember him by. I wasn't at the game, however the goings on have been drummed into everyone so much that I sometimes think I can actually remember being there. I've no idea who Camberley were playing, or who won, or even how many runs Charlie scored, but I do know one thing.
"Mate...did you know that I hit four sixes and lost two balls?" Yes Charlie, I did know that, you told me earlier. And yesterday. And last week.
From that point on, no matter what was achieved by anyone, "Yeah but did you hit four sixes and lose two balls?" was the response. Superb banter.
Another thing that needs a quick mention happened in a game that was otherwise very disappointing and poor from a CCC perpective. Playing Staines and Laleham in the Development League, following a largely dismal batting performance, lit up only by Sam Holmes and Alex Boorman as far as I remember, we took to the field.
The point of interest came when I was fielding at fine leg and the ball came my way. I stopped it adequately enough, but my throw in to Charlie, who was keeping, was slightly undercooked. Charlie, in prime position behind the stumps ready to take the bails off if necessary, realised my throw wasn't going to reach him so took a step forward. Perfectly acceptable, you might think. Well, yes, apart from the fact that Charlie either forgot, or didn't realise, that he was behind the stumps. So, in attempting to move towards the ball, all the lumbering Aussie managed to do was boot the stumps, trip up and fall flat on his face. Cue howls of laughter from me and everyone else. A rare high point on an otherwise frustrating day.
Other highlights for me were going to watch Man Utd - Newcastle, and especially Aston Villa - Arsenal. The latter game was particularly good, although the day had an almost catastrophic subplot which just added to the banter. As we were cruising up the M40 at about 9am in preparation for a 1245 kick off in Birmingham, my car suddenly lost power. At first I thought it was cos I was driving on a snowy part of the road and the tyres had lost grip, but as I moved into the middle lane and still got no response, the realisation dawned on me. I'd run out of petrol.
As we pulled over onto the hard shoulder, I sat there in disbelief whilst Charlie pissed himself laughing. Luckily, for once in my life, we were considerably early, so even after the hour and a half delay, we still arrived in Birmingham an hour before kick off. Not so luckily, the ordeal cost £138. But even so, walking down the hard shoulder of the M40 in the snow with one of your best mates is a memorable experience. Then for the game to be as good as it was meant the day was a success.
Less of a success was going to Wembley to watch England play Montenegro. The less said about that the better I think, although Wembley is still awesome. Another good match was QPR - Watford, where the Hornets produced arguably their best display of the season against a previously unbeaten Rangers side.
Another special memory for me is when Sam and I went up to Watford to get the specially made shirt as Charlie's leaving present. Having already tried twice to get to Watford by myself, but failed due to weather and traffic conditions on the M25, finally getting the shirt just before Charlie caught the plane home was a relief. But the best was yet to come.
Sam and I had agreed to meet Charlie near where he lived for a quick drink and one last chat before he left, but little did he know that we had a surprise for him. Upon arrival, I hid round a corner with the shirt, while Sam bantered about how I'd had to go home. Just as Charlie approached, I stepped out, carefully holding the shirt so he'd only see the front of it when he took it off me.
The look on his face was one of pure joy, but it was nothing compared to when he turned it around. On the back read his famous line about hitting four sixes and losing two balls, carefully positioned so to look half-decent. It was clear Charlie was very happy with the present, which made sitting on the M25 for hours on end instantly worthwhile. The three of us proceeded to a nearby pub where we had a couple of drinks before a photo or two, and manhug and the goodbyes.
All that remains to be said is that we all cannot wait for your return mate, whenever that may be.
If anyone reads this and has any particular memories they want to relive, feel free to comment. No doubt I've forgotten something obvious.
Here are a few brief ones.
Binter.
Maaate.The day we bowled a team out for 59 and lost.
Getting in the car after the Man Utd - Newcastle game at 2215 and still sitting in traffic at 0100.
Being 73-6 chasing 177 to win, me due in at 9 and not getting a bat cos you and Dibs put on 104 to win the game.
Specialist third man.
I am massive.
I never drop outfield catches.
"Harry Stephens can't really have the best regard for me cos the first time he saw me play I let through shitloads of byes and was out first ball."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)