Saturday 6th August 2004
Saturday 20th August 2004

Any views expressed in these reports are the views of the author, and may not necessarily reflect the views of Edmonton Cricket Club, its committee or its members. If you find anything offensive or inaccurate in the content of these reports, or if you have any queries reagrding the reports, please contact us via email, stating the report you're referring to and the date so that we can take any action deemed necessary.

Saturday 6th August

1st XI vs. Hanwell

Report by: Alan Barnard

After last weeks rain affected 10 pointer away at British Airways, we were pleased to host Hanwell this week, who were very much the hot and cold side of the league, having beaten Osterley convincingly in the last few weeks, despite still being placed second from bottom in the Division 1 table. As usual, we met to warm up early, and had a decent enough session on the bowling machine, but as time ticked on, it seemed that Hanwell would not make it in time for the 1.15 toss. As it transpired, they made it to the ground just in time, and when the toss was made, Tony called correctly, and had no hesitation in fielding first. In fairness to Hanwell, it only takes a little bit of traffic on the North Circular, or an accident, and you can be delayed by hours, and given our late arrival the week before at British Airways, I don't think anyone can have much cause for complaint.

The game started superbly for us, Matty bowling a leg stump ball first up, which was hit firmly towards Dodgy at mid-wicket, who made no mistake moving around to his left. Unfortunately, things didn't get any better for us for a while, as the Hanwell number 2 and 3 set about compiling a solid yet unspectacular partnership as they capitalised on some off-line bowling from the Edmonton openers to ease the score up to 80-1 at around 3.5 per over.

A double change brought on the two youngsters, 19 year old seamer Mark Varley, and 17 year old off spinner Randy Noel, as Edmonton looked to change things around, and despite Randy disappearing for a few lusty blows early on they both bowled very tidily. Mark managed to break up the partnership with an excellent Yorker, and a few overs later accounted for Hanwell's attacking middle order batsman with a replica delivery. During this time, Randy was ticking over nicely from the top end, bowling an excellent mix of flighted deliveries and quicker turners, which stemmed the already moderate run rate.

Wills replaced Varley from the bottom end, and started off well, despite seeming to go for a boundary off the first ball of each over, but by this stage, wickets were beginning to fall, as the Hanwell total was revised from around 250, to somewhere below 200. It was clear the Tony and Randy would bowl in tandem for the rest of the innings, and between them managed to pick up 7 wickets for not many runs, Randy completing 19 overs straight from the top end for his haul of three. Tea was taken at around 52 overs, most of which were raced through thanks to the Randyman's double quick turnaround time, and Hanwell's final total was 179.

Edmonton set about the chase in typical fashion, with Ses Jayasena crashing some trademark leg-side boundaries, whilst Adam Bilimoria was much more watchful from at the other end. Despite this, both openers found themselves back in the pavilion with the score on 40, as Barney joined Dave Hinnigan in the middle amid much pressure and voice from the Hanwell fielders. Both batsmen responded well, working the ball around, and putting away anything loose, as the score ticked along toward three figures.

It was at this point when disaster stuck, as Barney called a run that was never there, and Dodgy was left stranded at the strikers end. It was something that was not needed at all, with the required rate at around 3.5 an over, and singles and boundaries on offer to all areas. Fortunately Adam Herron joined the party, and took on the two slow bowlers with aplomb, hitting 12 and 14 off successive overs to rocket the scoring rate along. With things looking easy at 140-3, we had the usual ECC collapse, when Herron was adjudge LBW after attempting another massive hit to leg, and Barney caught behind, something that was always on the cards once Hanwell's first change bowler came back into the game. With Hare and Willett back in the pavilion too, without troubling the scorers, and Dodds and Matty at the crease, the author decided to have a shower as he couldn't watch any longer.

Despite his massive pessimism, dismissal of Doddsey's batting skills, and general depression, the author still managed to keep tabs on the game thanks to Gavin Mardell's updates, and when he emerged back onto the scene, things were looking considerably rosier for Edmonton. It transpired that Matty had done what Matty does best, and worked the ball around, whilst Doddsey decided to take the more direct approach, and back his eye against the seamer. The last 8 balls went for 8, as Ciaran ended the game in double quick time.

It will be nice to spend some time looking up in the table rather than down, as the 30 points gained here pushes us nearer 4th place, and away from the dreaded drop zone. On recent form, we're candidates for promotion, but with some tough fixtures ahead we need to be pragmatic in our approach and battle for every point available to finish as high as we can. This was a solid performance, especially in the field, where we stuck to our task, and supported the bowlers well with good fielding and catching. Hanwell have shown they are not pushovers in recent weeks, and it was a very well fought 30 points. On a final point, I sincerely hope that Hanwell do make it out of trouble and stay in the division, they're a top bunch of lads, and it's always enjoyable to play against them win or lose.

Willett, Jayasena, A Bilimoria, D Hinnigan, A Barnard, Herron, D Hare, Worton, C Dodds, Varley, Noel. Scorers: C & J Barnard. 12th Man: Ryan

2nd XI vs. North Middlesex

Report by: Chris Goddard

Get to North Middlesex ground and find that there are only a few faces I actually recognise. Told by Kev we had a few pullouts at the last minute.

I go and do the toss, and lose. There captain put us into Field, which was a result for us, cos we was gonna do that anyway. We do some fielding practice and I recognise a fast moving Yorkshire men throwing and catching everything. We decided to keep the drug test to after the game.

We take the field, and without our usual piercing bowling attack, Anil opens up. Which was a good decision, as Anil takes a wicket with the first ball of the innings, bowling an in-swinging yorker which clipped off stump. There Batsmen throws a fit and claimed he wasn't ready and kicks everything in sight. Sunnil opens from the other end and bowls well missing the edge a few times. Anil still bowling well from the other end taking wickets. Kev replaces, Sunil and struggles as he hasn't bowled for a while. After a couple of overs, he finds his line and length and starts frustrating there batsmen. Anil still niggling away at there other batsmen. Lloyd replaces Anil and bowls well immediately throwing in yorker after yorker, with batsmen really struggling. With Kev bowling to left handers on the short boundary, it was suggested that as there were 2 right handers to swap ends. This brings Anil back on and surprise surprise, Anil takes a wicket. With Lloyd bowling well from the other end, there is no need for Kev, to come back on. Anil and Lloyd clear up the tail. Special mention to Anil who took 7 -72 off 23 overs. Lloyd also took a quality diving catch at short cover. North Middlesex all out for 150.

We have tea, which was reasonably nice with a rather fit tea lady serving. Had me and Khazi drooling at the prospect.

Kev decides to open with Khazi and Beedo. Who both start well before Khazi again miss times one to Mid on. This brings Anil to the crease. Beedo and Anil tick the score along hitting some quality boundaries, Beedo No ball six was an extra touch of class. Beedo perishes and this brings Jilesh to the crease. Anil and Jilesh push the score along hitting boundaries and running singles. Anil then tries to play off the back foot and inside edges one onto his stumps. This brings Yak to the crease. Another of Kev's friends, unfortunately doesn't last long. Kev then decides to bat. Him and Jilesh take us to 140 when Kev gets an absolute stinking LBW decision, Which in true Kev fashion he disputes with there umpire. One of there players tries to tell Kev that he is a disgrace to colts, which Kev told prominently where to go. This brought me to the crease; Jilesh and I see off the runs and get the ten points.

Like we haven't done recently we finished off teams, which we weren't doing in weeks before. Everybody played there role this week, well done Lads. Special mention must go to Anil, who not only got 7 wickets but also got 50 odd runs, keep it up.

This was also made so much sweeter as we heard that Ickenham only got 4 points. This means they are only three points ahead of us. Lets get another win on sat and really put the pressure on.

Team: Kev, Khazi, Anil, Hazel, Goddard, Beedo, Yak, Lloyd, Jilesh, Faringdon and Sunil

5th XI vs. Harrow

Report by: Davis Sans

Well, sorry I have not done any match reports recently but for those that don't know I have been busy looking after the ground by myself while Brent has been away on holiday.

Anyway on to the report.

Harrow away seemed a daunting task on Saturday especially considering what the weather forecast was predicting RAIN,RAIN, AND YEAH RAIN.

Well it had looked like we were going to get away with it when we met in the car park at 11.30

so we got there and yet again in recent weeks I lost the coin toss and had to field first which is something I think we just aint capable of doing.

After fielding for about half an hour in the rain I brought the team off even though the oppo umpires were not happy, we had an early tea with them on 173-3 in about 32 overs then I reluctantly went back on with them saying to me that they just wanted to get another 7 runs.

With the team all in agreement I had a bowl. well yeah they got their 7 runs in one over but yet again my bowling figures were ruined going for 17 in one over, so who ever put me in their fantasy league team sorry....

So we went out to bat and ended up blocking out 35 overs 93-2, even though he didn't get many runs I would like to say how well young Chatura Gallage batted, especially considering that the South African lad opened the bowling for their twos, two years ago.

So anyway we ended up getting a draw and good luck this week lads.

Sunday 1st XI vs. Finchley

Report by: Adam Herron

This was a big game against a team who had comprehensively beaten us earlier on in the season in the IBEX Cup, but knowing that Finchley were playing in the very same cup competition that day we expected a below par team turning up to play at the Hydeside. Having won the toss I decided to field first and with Varley & 'The Duke' opening up we immediately put the pressure on them with both of them bowling a tight line and length, Archer in particular looking good. First wicket of the day was rather comical with the opener hitting the ball straight back at Varley who reached down and the ball bounced off his hand and onto the stumps leaving the other opener stranded and run out! Archer not to be out done almost produced the exact same wicket ball in his next over but the batsmen this time being more cautious managed to get his bat back into the crease. It wasn't too long though before 'The Duke' got his one and only victim of the day when he bowled a beautiful length ball that swung and hit the seam and went in between the pad and bat uprooting off stump. Varley also got a wicket soon after with another straight ball and this was also his only wicket of the day. Both bowlers were bowled out with Varley going at a mere 3 an over while Archer faired even better going for just 11 off his 10 overs and it really was a joy to watch. Having set out our stall early doors Doddsy replaced Varley and Adeel took over from Archer and they both bowled reasonably well, Doddsy going for 14 off 5 overs taking 1 wicket and was rightly aggrieved to have not got more overs but with the Randy Man still to bowl it was always on the cards. Adeel was slightly unlucky with his out swinging deliveries finding the edge of the bat on more than one occasion but stuck with it and also managed to take a wicket. 5 wickets down for around 90 runs and enter the proceedings Mr Noel and Mr Sharma. The Randy Man was eager to get on knowing that the maximum amount of overs he could bowl would be 8 due to the opening pair bowling their maximum 10 each. Right from the start he bowled a good line and length, mixing up flight with flatter faster ones and perplexed the Finchley batsmen who simply weren't good enough to play him. Their plight was made all the more difficult due to Anil also bowling a good line and length from the other end. The Randy Man ended the day with match figures of 4 for 22 off 7.2 overs with Anil bagging a brace of wickets.

So with the target a rather poor total of 158 to win Anil opened the batting with Ses and both batsmen looked to get into their stride early doors playing positively but Ses perhaps too positive as he looked to smash one over mid wicket for 6 and missing it leaving Barney with no choice but to give him out LBW. Dodgy came to the crease and also took it to the Finchley bowlers driving and pulling with great aplomb. Anil meanwhile was in the zone and burying anything slightly over pitched and crashing anything short. He moved on to 61 before skying one looking to end the game early. Dodgy, now with trouble from his back, was in no mood to hang around as the pain caught up with him also looked to finish the game early and he too was caught after skying one. This left the task of finishing off the game to Adeel and Herron who both punished anything short or down leg, Herron hitting his first delivery for 6 and soon enough the game was over.

So all in all a clinical performance from our strongest possible side and with top flight opposition coming to the Hydeside in the form of Southgate (who rumour has it are playing in the National Cup the same day) we must now look to carry on this impressive form and win our last 3 league games to stand any chance of gaining promotion for a second consecutive season.

Team: Herron, Barnard, Jayasena, Sharma, Hinnigan, Bilamoria, Noel, Dodds, Varley, Cornwall, Adeel.

Saturday 20th August

1st XI vs. Indian Gymkhana

Report by: Mark Varley

Saturday the 20th of august brought Indian Gymkhana to Hydeside. From the previous encounter at IG's ground our team had some pride which needed to be restored as we had performed well below par. Things got off to a bright start with the skipper winning the toss and the formidable weather looking like it was going to hold out.

As expected we were to take the field first. A short discussion before the game started, reminded everyone present that we were in a strong position in the league and a win today would put pressure on the top three and put us in a strong position for the all elusive promotion spot.

Things started well for us with Matty and Ciaran bowling very tight lines stemming the flow of runs to around 2.5 an over. This pressure soon became too much for the IG openers as Barnard chased a ball down to the scoreboard boundary and the batsmen called for a suicide third run as Barney threw the ball in to the bowlers end and yours truly took a smart catch over the stumps and promptly removed the bails. Things looked even better when Matty produced a devastating off cutter to dislodge the stumps of the other opener.

Myself and the skip were then brought into the attack and resumed the pressure, bowling consistently to stifle any chance of the batsmen gaining any advantage. The boys were fielding well and this ever important pressure was the key to despatching most of the IG's line up. The skipper bowling his top of off stump swingy stuff mixing up the pace and myself bowling a seemingly negative line wide outside the off stump to prevent the batsmen playing his preferred shots was good enough to break up any partnerships that were going to form. Tony was denied a few lbw's but soon got his just rewards when he bowled a rare full toss which the oppo's overseas player tried to smash into the A10 but failed to clear Matty stood at mid-on. This removed any danger of IG posting a large score there was a bit of a surge near the end when the batsmen tried to despatch the Randy man, but nothing deadly came of it.

With a below average score of 183 on the board thanks to a very tight fielding and bowling performance, we felt confident that our bats could knock off the runs, and get straight to the bar to celebrate Barney and Monsters b'day's. However as is usually the case with us we made hard work of it. The legend was back sat with the rest of us earlier than usual, and the rabbit joined Beeden in the number three spot due to Dodgy being in Dubai. Tim soon joined the rabble and Boycott joined Dan. Danny was looking very good despatching any loose balls, which were few and far between, to the boundary until he was adjudged lbw somewhat harshly he felt. This brought Herron to and from the crease with a mindless stroke that saw his stumps uprooted. Then as the run rate was creeping very rapidly towards 7 and 8 an over Billy and Barney took some chances and then more chances and then more chances to try and pick up the pace which brought some comedy drop catches, 5 in total just off Billy if my memory serves me right. Barney fell eventually holing out for a steady 35 off 20 overs. The skipper then tried to take it to the bowlers only to hole out to a very deep mid-on with a shot that everyone thought had been launched, Matty was caught and bowled by the overseas player who had bowled the whole innings from the top end with superb ability and authority as none of our batsmen could get him off the square. Then as the overs dwindled out and the run rate kept rising Doddsey was at the crease with Billy needing 10 an over for the last three or four overs, which became 13 off the last 7 were taken from the first 5 and a 6 off the last ball proved just too much for Doddsey as his advance down the track was nullified by the bowler producing a wide down the leg side which was not given.

And so with a losing draw the outcome and I believe 14 points. It didn't work out as planned, after a very strong effort in the field, a lazy yet amusing batting performance let us down. Hopefully we can finish the season on a high against Southall and league leaders Osterley.

Willett, Beeden, Jayasena, D Hare, Barnard, Herron, Bilimoria, Worton, C Dodds, Noel, Varley

2nd XI vs. Hornsey

Report by: Chris Goddard

Turning up to the normal, nice ground of Hornsey, to find that there club house has been torn down and a new one is being erected. Because of this, it means both teams have to change in a portacabin on the tennis courts. Anyway back to the game. Most of our team was there well before theirs and we had our usual net, which was more like throwing the ball up on a tennis court.

I go and do the toss and lose, there captain puts us into bat. I quickly try and run away from Kev. Anyway, Khazi and Asif open. Asif hasn't played in a couple of weeks and looks shaky. There bowler gets a bit of extra bounce and Asif gloves it to there keeper. Anil comes in and does the usual, smack the ball to all parts of the ground. Khazi then perishes and Jilesh comes in. These 2 play well and are looking at a biggish score. There captain comes on and bowls a spin attack, which Jilesh struggles with and loses his wicket. Hazel comes in and smacks the ball about, in the end. Anil holes out going for the long boundary and Lloyd comes in. Lloyd bats quality smacking boundaries and running James very hard. James then gets stumped and I come in. A quick four and I get caught behind; Dom comes in and sees off the overs. We get bout 250 odd for 7. We batted reasonably well.

We take tea, which was really nice on a table outside our portacabin.

Anyway we go out to bowl and open wit Lloyd and Dom. They both bowl really well and were unlucky not to get a wicket. Anil comes on and bowls well collecting wickets. Stav took a quality catch, ball edged Asif parries and Stav takes a diving catch. Sunil comes on and takes a few wickets and Stav comes on and takes a few wickets. It's coming to the end of their innings and Kev comes on. We're all still baffled by them going after their shots. Anyway Kev comes on and its the last wicket, he tries to hit Kev against the spin and gets caught on the boundary by Sunil. All out 140ish.

We batted well and bowled well, we were the finished article this week. Special mention to Lloyd who batted well and bowled well.

Team: Kev, Khazi, Asif, Dom, Anil, Stav, Goddard, Sunil, Jilesh, Lloyd and James

5th XI vs. Uxbridge

Report by: Davis Sans

Uxbridge were the visitors to Holtwhites and the weather was ok, looked a promising day how ever, things were set to change.

The batting line up on the Saturday morning looked like it could easily get to 180 but that was not what happened.

I won the toss again and went for the double batting points as I usually do.

We struggled to 155 all out with Bill Billimoria top scoring with 30, extras second with 26 and the DOC (Mr Rooban) third top scorer with 22.

Not much in the bowling section to talk about I'm afraid as they chased down the runs in only 15 overs but we did take 2 wickets thanks to sunny and Bill Billimoria.

So another defeat but that's the way it goes when you play stronger sides.

Saturday 27th August

1st XI vs. Southall

Report by: Alan Barnard

Well, this was a bit pointless really, wasn't it? We basically couldn't go up, and with it requiring a very unlikely series of events for us to go down, this was effectively a dead rubber for us. Sadly, Southall, who were in pretty much the same position as us saw things differently, and looked to get all 30 points from the offset.

To be fair, they batted well, especially their opener, who has now scored 2 centuries against us in two away games these last two seasons. Declaring on 287 after 55 was pointless - we were never going to get near it, but keeping us out on the field for those extra 5 overs when we could have been inside watching England beating Australia on the box was harsh. Credit to Varley who bowled very tightly, and credit to Barney, who stuck to his task at fine leg with incredible skill, despite some cracks in the outfield down there that you could lose Simon Roche down.

After a decent enough tea, we set about our task of batting, but a combination of trying to smash everything, a lack of application, and a general need to get back to Hydeside led to us capitulating to 113 all out, the only real highlight being Tony Willett's brisk 32 at number 4. On the plus side, the scorer was very good, the showers were excellent, and England won by 3 wickets in a nail biter to go two-one up in the series.

Team: Vaughan, Trescothick, Strauss, Bell, Pietersen, Flintoff, G Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Harmison, S Jones.

2nd XI vs. Ickenham

Report by: Chris Goddard

Get to Hydeside, to see the ground is in perfect order, except for the practice net on the pitch. We all have a net and are looking good, and ready to play second place Ickenham. So I go out to do the toss, and realise that they only have 5 players there. I win and based on this fact I decide to field.

If we could get onto the field, and bowl them out before the rest of there team gets there, they r all out. We have a problem though as James Hazel is late and we have no umpire as john is our umpire. We also struggle, to find keys for the score box. Thanks to some non clubmen, which will remain anonymous, we take the field. We start well and get there captain out in the 1st over, Lloyd bowling a full toss, which is scooped up to Dom at mid off. We continue to bowl and field well, taking wickets, Gaffor bowling particularly well. Taking five wickets. Stav pitched in with a couple, and so did Sunil. Nothing spectacular in the field, but we did do well, and enjoyed it. We bowled them all out for 170. Which on our wicket is a very low score.

We take tea, during which Kev decides to open wit Khazi and Anil.

This looked good in the first few overs, and then Khazi missed a straight one which clipped off stump. Sunil then went in and nudged the ball around, and then he missed a straight one. Jilesh came in and got a golden. Lloyd came in and showed the form of the week before running singles and hitting a couple of boundaries. Then Lloyd ran himself out and this brought Dom to the crease. Dominic played really well and jus supported Anil. With this in mind, we were closing on our winning draw total of 130. Dom got out about 15 short of this. This brought me to the crease. Four was hit, then I got a shocking LBW decision which was going down leg, anyway James comes to the crease and sees off the runs and overs to get the winning draw!!!

Considering we were only chasing 170, we didn't bat well at all, but that has been the story all year with us. We fielded and bowled really well, so keep that up lads. Well done on promotion.

5th XI vs. Ealing

Report by: Davis Sans

We batted first and were 50/5 and with us struggling, yet again young gun BILLY PEAT came to the party with another 50,mind you he did have to use my bat when he got to 23 'cos his bat cracked, most probably the most action my bat has ever seen.

Anyway a nice partnership with Billy peat and Chris Barnes who got 24 took us up to 135 all out and yep i got a fifth ball guess what...0..ha ha

We started to bowl and had them 40ish for 2 wickets with an excellent bowling display for Tom Simons who took both of them.

Cruising on 110/2 at drinks I decided to bring on my spin king and yeah up stepped.....GUPTA...And it worked second ball the young bat decided to hit Gupta to the most obvious place.. cow corner, then next over Bill Billimoria got in on the act and we got their decent bat out stumped by Johnny Squires, but he should have been back in the pavilion on his second ball as he was blatantly PLUMB LBW.

Still another defeat but with next week being the last game of the league and my birthday as well I am sure it will be a good game and once I have recovered it will be a decent match report.