Saturday 4th August 2007
Saturday 11th August 2007
Saturday 18th August 2007
Saturday 25th August 2007

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Saturday 4th August 2007

1st XI vs. Indian Gymkhana

Report by: David Hinnigan

Typically stinking fucking hot day at the Edmonton meet, 11am sharp ready for Indian gym away. The day started with the funniest turn of events ever. Dodgy and Northern got a lift with Alan Barnard (AKA the Murderer). On the way to the ground Alan and Mark fancied some bites to eat from a near by tescos, whilst dodgy was buying these items Alan Barnard decided to park up in a bus lane. When reversing he recklessly run over an innocent member of the public. This poor man was left flat on his arse with extreme injuries to the wrist and leg- although he seemed to be limping on the wrong foot when walking from the incident and writing Bernard's details down with no pain what so ever. 2 minutes in to driving off from the scene of the crime Barnard had a brain wave!!!! He turned the car round and told Dodgy and Varley to mobile video drive by this poor injured man to attempt to prove that he no injuries. At this point we were overtaken by an ambulance and I've heard from reports that the injured man is critical but stable.

On eventually arriving at the ground we had 1st class facilities on show for example portakabin changing rooms and no wicket to be seen- that is until 20 minutes before the game started the groundsman found his lawn mower and cut one for us. Skipper won the toss and we were in the field. We started with 9 men- Alan Barnard was at the police station being interrogated about the previous incident and Adam (aint got no eyes) Herron struggling to find the ground. It was a solid performance in the field by the Edmonton boys, a few howling throws from mini smith and some quick deliveries from Wali keeping everyone entertained. Indian gyms 3 and 4 bats played a slow but steady innings getting the team to 231-4 and declaring. The bowling and general fielding was encouraging as although we weren't picking up wickets all players stayed focused and heads didn't drop.

A total of 232 was the target. Dodgy and Wali opened up, true to his name Dodgy pissed around for a few overs and eventually pulled a ball on to his off stump-(a pretty piss poor effort that), Wali shortly followed trying to smash the opener over mid wicket. Anil the Run machine followed and played some classy shots that took him passed the 50 mark. Indian gym brought on their 2 spinners one of which was there main man-the over seas who bats, bowls, sets the field and has tantrums on and off the field-and I am assured that he is not the captain. Anil was batting solidly until he made one rash shot straight to slip and the captain of Indian gym who after 6 attempts finally caught the ball. This proves that the Indian gym captain does have two roles in the side he tosses the coin and does kids parties. Adam Herron came and went as did Barnard leaving Gavin and Willet to see off the overs. A drawn match with a lot of positives to take from it as well as what needs to be worked on.

Lawrence, Khan, Hinnigan, Sharma, Rai, Barnard, Herron, Beeden, Mardell, Willett, Varley

2nd XI vs.

Report by:

5th XI vs.

Report by: David Sans

Saturday 11th August 2007

1st XI vs. Old Actonians

Report by: Mark Varley

It's the 11th august and the E-Unit was out, looking to do the double over Old Actonians, at our home Hydeside. The day started in a bit of a shambles as only half the team had arrived for the meet and were changed ready for a warm-up/net. This was briefly highlighted by the skipper in the changing room before the game, and so the team set out to the field knowing what the job was to be done.

The game started in good fashion as our resident loony Wali Khan bowled the opening batsmen with the first delivery of the day which saw the batsmen leave a perfect delivery which clipped the top of off stump, (a beauty)!! Varley opened up from the bottom end due to the absence of Willett and did a sterling job keeping his lines tight and not releasing any pressure. The two bowlers were working well in tandem and with Wali in destructive form at the top end Old A's were finding it difficult to lay any kind of platform. None of the top order batsmen applied themselves and at drinks it was looking very bright for the boys, the scoreboard reading 70-7. The run rate never exceeded 3rpo but with the number 9 batsmen looking to stay around and show the top order how to bat, the bowlers began to find it hard to pick up the last few wickets. Picking up the singles and putting away the rare bad balls was the way forward on a track that you could only get yourself out on. It was a case of too little too late though for Actonians as Wali finished with impressive figures of 6-42, and they were all out for a below par 153.

Tea was had but I cannot comment as I did not participate.

The order of the day from the skipper was to win without losing too many wickets and to build partnerships. The two Dave's started well putting away the bad balls but we lost a couple of wickets. Not to worry though as Anil steadied the ship with a superb 88 not out supported well by a quick-fire 25 from Wali and a very steady 5 not out from Barnard, his innings would have been uneventful, however until, with the game in the bag he decided to smash a ball destined for four straight back at Anil which hit him in the shoulder. After a sharp intake of breath from the rest of the team we realised he was ok, and the game was secured shortly after.

This was a very efficient and classy performance from the E-Unit despite some attempts from the oppo to get us involved in a slanging match, but we refrained and kept our discipline and the 30 points feel a lot better than any sledging would ever do!

2nd XI vs.

Report by:

5th XI vs.

Report by: David Sans

Saturday 18th August 2007

1st XI vs. Calthorpe

Report by: Alan Barnard

This really has been a season of two halves for the 1st XI, as we started badly, with a few stutters on the way, but have been progressively picking up the pace since, culminating in our rise to third in the league, just a couple of points behind second placed Indian Gymkhana. This Saturday, we faced Calthorpe, who made the short trip up to Hydeside from Hornsey on a day that started brightly, but was forecast for rain later on.

It was positive to see the whole team at the ground on time, and netting at 12 or beforehand, and I think the skipper seemed a little happier than he was the weekend before with our preparation. It was also noted that Barney and Mini-Smith were looking pretty dashing in their new ECC training tops (not that either of them look anything short of perfection anyway). Losing the toss was not part of the plan however, but I think both captains were happy as Calthorpe decided to bat first, in order to hopefully pick up the 10 batting points, whilst we were confident we could restrict them to something chaseable before the weather closed in on us.

It was a good start from the opening bowlers, with Wali Khan coming in from the top end with even more pace the usual, thanks to a tail wind, which was blowing strongly at the start of play. Tony Willett looked in the mood from the bottom end, running in and giving us the control we needed to make runs hard to come by. The first wicket was a fantastic diving catch at first slip by the skipper, who hung on low down to give Wali his first victim. His first ball to the incoming Calthorpe number 3 was probably the quickest thing I've seen him bowl, and the batsman did well not to end up wearing it, swaying out the way at the last minute as it whistled past his chin. Spurred on by this, Wali starting bowling very quickly, but strayed in line a few times, and at that pace, with a short off side boundary, anything with width would most likely go for 4.

Wali picked up his and our second wicket with the score on about 40, and this led to Calthorpe's best partnership of the match, with a combination of some disciplined defence, and positive stroke play from the Calthorpe opener Omar Khan, and more of the same from their number 4 and overseas player Goswami. With the total on 105-2, from about 30 things were going well, but the game could have gone both ways at this stage. Khan (who had moved onto 50 by this stage) offered a chance to gulley off Willett, but it was put down by his namesake. We were left wondering how many runs that would cost us, when a quick single was taken to Danny Hare in the covers, and the youngster picked up and threw in, and Dave Rai did the rest, and Calthorpe's anchor man was out. I must admit, it was a very tight call, and one that I probably wouldn't have given as I couldn't be 100% sure, but the umpire was well placed, and gave it with no hesitation.

Things started to look up for the E-Unit at this point, as Calthorpe lost wicket after wicket for very few runs. Tony Willett got in on the act, picking up 3, with a caught behind, a generous (according to Dave Rai) LBW, and a routine catch from Hare in the covers. Wali had been replaced by Anil at this stage, and the Indian took no time at all in settling into his groove, bowling a number of teasing away swingers which had the visitors middle order playing and missing with regularity. In fact, Anil was the most successful of the 3 bowlers used, picking up 4 wickets from 9 overs, thanks to 2 caught behinds, and 2 catches in the covers. Some might say that Hare's one handed, full stretch catch was the pick, but it was observed that if he moved forwards initially, it probably wouldn't have been a one handed diving catch at all. Still, it's a catch in the book, and a good catch at that.

The last wicket came courtesy of a routine catch from Barney at backward point, but this was not before Tony Willett had done his best to ruin his figures by going for 14 off his 22nd over (yes, you are reading this correctly - 22nd over!), including the now legendary "slower-ball-which-always-goes-for-four-or-six". We love you really Wills, and as you weren't shy in telling us, 22 overs up the hill and into the wind taking 3-70 is impressive in anyone's books. So, at half time, it was Calthorpe 142 all out, and Edmonton facing a race against time to chase down the runs before the weather put an end to proceedings for the day.

Tea was taken, and it was noted that the French bread and cheese was a nice option, and we still like that pasta, so if you're reading this ladies, keep up the good work and keep being adventurous with the teas. The first rain of the day came at tea, but it was not enough to threaten play, and was only a brief shower. It was a good move to cover the wicket at tea though, as this kept the wicket 100% dry for the openers to enjoy.

It was decided to open things up with Danny Hare and Wali Khan in order to speed things along, given the fact that we may well have ended up not getting a full quota of overs back due to the weather. Unfortunately, Wali perished early on, gloving one behind hooking, so Anil came to the crease, and started to build a partnership with Hare. It really was the Danny Hare show, and he was looking to be positive with the bowling as much as possible, whilst still not giving chances. It was in indication of how dominant he was when he reached his 50 out of 59 on the board, which given that he'd been batting with Anil and Wali, 2 of the most free scoring batsmen in the league.

Anil was adjudged LBW, somewhat harshly on 20, but with the score on 80-2, things were looking good, and it seemed that the only threat was likely to come from the increasingly dark sky. Dave Rai, coming in at 4 was unlucky to be run out without facing, and when Danny Hare played an ill-advised reverse sweep on 80, and was given out LBW, despite having hit the ball we were stuttering a little at 110-4. Gavin Mardell came in to join Barney at the crease, and played a sensible innings, nudging the singles, and rotating the strike. Despite the visitors half hearted protestations about the weather (which was starting to spit, but not nearly enough to threaten play for the day), we eased home after an un-Barnard like 28 from 20 minutes.

It was a good job too, because as we put the covers on for the evening, the rain worsened enough to have stopped play, and indeed the 3rd XI game on the small square was washed out, so it really was a case of finishing in the nick of time. For me, Danny Hare gets MoTM thanks to his massively positive 80 runs, which set the tone of the innings. What we need now is more of the same from a player whose runs are too often not on a par with his undoubted talent. What was also pleasing was the news that the only other result in the league that wasn't a draw was an unlikely Old Lyonians win against league leaders Osterley. This means that we're 18 points clear of 3rd place, and with a couple more wins should be finishing in our highest position in the league structure since the early 80's.

Lawrence, Hare, Khan, Sharma, Rai, Barnard, Mardell, Beeden, Goddard, Willett, Varley

2nd XI vs.

Report by:

5th XI vs. GWR

Report by: David Sans

With a very patched up 5th XI, we made the trip to North Acton Playing Fields to play GWR.

On arrival we got changed and I went out and to my amazment, I yet again won the toss.

Well i chose to bat, what with the double batting points up for grabs.

However we only reached 82 all out in 25 overs, But a very good batting performance from Mazz Khan from the u15's who got 32, which on a decent wicket would have easily have been a 50.

Well we didnt take any wickets, but I was very impressed with our opening bowler Sami Jora, who also plays for the u15's, he bowled a great spell of 6 overs 1 maiden 19 run for 0 wickets.

I'm sure you will all hear of these lads again as am gonna try and get them playing more often if possible.

Well a heavy defeat but we did at least come back with 2 batting points.

DAVID SANS, ROGER SANS, TONY BROWN, TONY BARKER, MAIDHON ILAINSEI, VENTHAM ILAINSEI , MAZZ KHAN, SAMI JORA, SAM AYLOTT, NIGEL PEAT, CHARLIE PEAT.

Saturday 25th August 2007

1st XI vs. Harrow St. Mary's

Report by: Mark Varley

After a shitty start to the week weather wise things were looking up towards the weekend as Thursday and Friday were mainly rain free and Saturday was due to be a scorcher! Well none of that was to matter as it seemed like it had rained a few hours before we arrived at Harrow judging by the state of the outfield and more importantly the track! So the toss was a massive factor in having the upper hand early and of course just to make things hard we lost it!

So we were of course put in to bat on an absolute belter of a water slide. Dan Hare opened up with Tim Beeden in the absence of Dave Hinnigan and Dan was soon on his way back to the pavilion after waving his bat at a half volley that he wasn't quite ready for, as it was the first ball he faced. Beeden hung around for a while with Anil but the run rate was slow due to the long grass in the outfield the very two paced wicket and the tight lines being bowled from the two opening bowlers of HSM

We weren't too fazed by the run rate as the name of the game today was to see out the 55 overs and deal with whatever total we could manage hopefully picking up some crucial batting points on the way. However things didn't start to plan and with the loss of Tim and Anil's wickets it was down to Dev Rai and the returning Adeel Saeed to steady the ship. Boundaries were rare and the two batsmen made do with what was available from the bowlers and nudged the singles and twos around the park for a good 20-30 over's. All the while Wali the bazkashi bomber Khan was itching to get to the crease to lift the run rate. His time was soon to come though as Adeel finally succumbed to the tight bowling. We then saw the most entertaining 5 overs of running between the wickets as Wali was desperate for the strike and Dev was adamant in not giving away his wicket. The inevitable then came as Wali set off for a run that was never there and was rightly run out.

Dev then moved past his fifty but was unable to carry his bat through the innings and with eight or nine overs remaining it was down to the ever busy tail end to pick up as many batting points as poss. It has to be noted though that Dev's knock was top drawer and exactly what the team needed as he got us through a very tough period and took the total past 125.

A few lusty blows from Varley and some good running between the wickets from Barney saw us past the 150 mark in 50 overs and Kev saw the remaining five overs out with Alan taking us to a reasonable total of 177. Taking into consideration the conditions the total was an equivalent to 220 on a good track, a total more than defendable if the bowlers bowled the right lines and we were strong in the field.

A very nice tea was had and it was now down to the bowlers to shine with the absence of Willett who would have no doubt dominated any batsmen on this track. Wali opened up with good pace and accuracy and Varley too. The breakthrough almost came immediately however an unusual drop at second slip from Tim saw the young opening batsmen breathe again. It was noted thet HSM had a few younger players in the side aswell as the usual faces and it was thought that if we could get into the wickets column early we were in with every chance of 30 points. After another drop from Beeden from the same batsmen it didn't seem the luck was going to be there for us.

It wasn't long though before Wali got into the wickets with a peach that cleaned up the other young opener.

The wickets soon started to flow and the runs dried up as Wali found a rhythm and the unfortunate Varley was replaced by Anil who soon chipped in with a nick to none other than Beeden at second slip.

Things became interesting though when we got through the top order and the rock of a captain and looked like wrapping up the game until the wicket keeper and the overseas lad started their partnership. Neither batsmen looked in much trouble although it was clear that the keeper was the lesser of the batsmen. And so began a tedious spell of around 10-15 overs with no wickets and handing singles to the overseas lad to try and get the keeper out and get properly into the tail.

Just when it looked as though the o/s batsmen was going to take the game out of our hands Dan Hare was brought on and picked up his wicket with a straight one that he played across and even with the setting sun in the umpires eyes he still saw enough of it to give it out.

This brought about the most entertaining last five overs of cricket that I've ever been involved in. With around thirty runs needed off the last five or six HSM had four wickets in hand and went about smashing the ball to all parts until the big wicket was taken of the wicket keeper who did a good job keeping his wicket under extreme pressure from the units bowlers. This brought in some young heads but still wickets that needed to be taken.

Then came the last over of the game and it was simple HSM needed just 4 runs to seal victory and Edmonton required another three wickets. There was no doubt who we would turn to for a piece of magic. It was of course Wali. And with a single taken from the first and second balls it wasn't looking promising for the e-unit until the number 9 bat missed a straight one that lifted the boys' spirits and began a frenzy of field placing. Another single came and with the scores level the E-Unit could only pray for a miracle and two wickets from the last two balls. Then things went crazy as another stump went crashing to earth as Wali beat the batsmen again.

This began the craziest of times as field placing had to be set at some very unorthodox positions Barnard was the orchestrater placing himself wisely at short leg to receive anything from a fielder should the batsmen hit it and Gavin Mardell stood just a few feet from the stumps at the bowlers end for the same purpose. All of this was of no use though as the batsmen totally missed the ball. But in another twist of fate Dev managed to under arm the ball directly onto the stumps to take the final wicket, and to bring pandemonium to the fields of Harrow.

The game was a tie, and both teams picked up an extra 5 points. Strange calculations would ensue long into the night ahead and this game will no doubt stay in our minds for a long while to come!

2nd XI vs.

Report by:

5th XI vs. South Loughton

Report by: David Sans

We started the week at selection and with loads of people still on holiday, I had to name a team that was still inexperinced at senior level.

So I had the team all sorted, and then on Thursday night at about ten past nine, Twickenham called and said unfortunatley they cant field a side.

I quickly procceded to put an advert on the internet for a oppo, and on the friday morning dad took the cricket club confrence number with him to work, to see if there was anyone looking for a game.

Low and behold, at about half nine friday morning I had a call from South Loughton, saying they need a game and are we still looking for a fixture, I replyed yes...... and from there we had ourselfs a game.

On to the game, I yet again this season won the toss this season, which makes it 10 out of 13 coin tosses which i have to say is one of the resons were doing so well, considering batting first gets you double batting points.

So anyway I won the toss and with youngsters playing who i needed to see how they bowl, i decided to bowl first.

I opened the bowling attack with Experience and youth in, Bill Billimoria from the school end ans Sami Jora from the allotment end.

We got off to a flyer with Bill and Sami both getting wickets quickly, at one point we had them 28-5, after Bill and Sami had bowled their allotted 8 overs each I then brought on new member Thilak, who I should point out is Chat's Uncle, Thilak came on to replace Bill and I brought on Mazz Khan to replace sami and these guys didn't dissapoint either, both got in on the act and took wickets.

I decided to just bowl these guys straight through aswell and after 32 overs we had them roughly, 100-8.

Which is something the 5th XI arn't normally used to doing, which is bowling sides out.

I finshed off the tail by bringing Oliver Massett and Maidhon Ilainsei, who both took a wicket each.

We had tea and went out to bat and thankfully chased the target down without to much trouble, although at 57-0 Peter Pate had to retire hurt with a bad back, Thilak ended up on 61 not out, Adam Shirley was out for 5, and Mazz Khan was out for 15 and that brought Tony Brown to the wicket who hit the winning runs!!!

So the 5th XI's first offical win of the season, and on the last game of Grocers for the summer, so it couldn't have come at a better time, and with two league games left we have 141 points and it's almost certain that we will have our highest ever finish.

Bowling figures:

Bill Billimoria 8-0-23-3

Sami Jora 8-2-15-2

Thilak 8-1-24-1

Mazz Khan 8-1-32-2

Oliver Massett 2-0-5-1

Maidhon Ilainsei 1.1-0-3-1

Team....David Sans (capt), Tony Brown, Peter Pate, Bill Billimoria, Sami Jora, Mazz Khan, Adam Shirley, Thilak, Oliver Massett, Maidhon Ilansei, Johnathan Squires.