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Match Reports 2003 |
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September 14th - Monks Risborough - Home Last match of the season ( September 14th - yet another beautiful day ), and we welcomed to the Common Monks Risborough C.C., who were invited to take first use of the wicket, Charlie having won the toss for the third consecutive Sunday. As ever Messrs. Nutman and Stevens struck early, and from then on the visitors always seemed to be on the back foot. However, at number seven, Dunn, batting defiantly for 26, rallied the tail, and Monks Risborough were able to reach the comparatively comfortable total of 121 all out from 36.2 overs. Tim Nutman finished with 3 wickets for 15 runs from ten overs, Richard Austin 3 for 16 from eight and Dominic Haddock 2 for 12 from 2.2. There had been some excellent ground fielding and three smart catches. After tea the home batsmen set about their task in unhurried fashion. Charlie Vermeylen and Henry Capper shared a stand of 70, which proved to be the backbone of the innings, but, with 31 runs needed, Henry backed up a little too far as Charlie drove the ball smartly in the direction of mid-on, who promptly hurled down the wicket at the bowler's end, leaving Henry ever-so-slightly stranded. Shortly afterwards Charlie departed to a reflex caught-and-bowled ( that man Dunn again ). Two more wickets fell quickly... time for a small panic ... but solid Tim Barnsley and Evan Hamilton-Pike saw us home to 123 for 5 wickets from 38.3 overs. Charlie and Henry had each scored 34 and for the visitors Brocklebank finished with 2 wickets for 16 runs from 9 overs. Result: Monks Risborough 121 Hyde Heath 123-5 Hyde Heath won by 5 wickets. This has been a very good season for the Club with 11 wins from 19 games. The main strength has been the attack which has bowled out the opposition on 14 occasions. What would have happened if that international man of mystery spin had been fully available ? Friday, 19th, Saturday, 20th. and Sunday 21st. September at the Common for necessary work on the playing square. 10.00 a.m. start each day. September 7th - Cublington CC - Home The season draws to a close ... a 1.30 start means a hurried lunch, or no lunch at all, perhaps ... all the more reason for making full use of the excellent tea interval. So, last Sunday, 7th Sept., Charlie won the toss, for the second week in succession, and invited this week's visitors, Cublington C.C. to bat first. The sky was overcast but there was no real threat of rain. The Cublington openers wasted no time and had 40 on the board inside six overs, at which point the home attack was just getting into its stride. Tim Nutman ( four wickets for 58 runs) and Jeremy Stevens ( 5 for 32 ) had reduced the visitors to 77 for 7 wickets, but then their skipper, Steve George, batting low in the order, held their tail together with some fine driving in his innings of 61 not out ( twelve fours ), and this enabled them to reach the respectable total of 145 all out. The Hyde Heath fielding had been of the highest order, and there had been two catches for Andy Witten. In reply the Hyde Heath openers had to negotiate half a dozen tricky overs until teatime, but, that done, it was steady going all the way. Richard Cousins ( 26 ) and Matt. Sims ( 33 ) added 60 for the first wicket and then Henry Capper ( 55 not out-ten fours) and Tim Barnsley ( 20 not out ) wrapped up the tenth win of the season with an unbroken stand for the third wicket of 56, as they cruised to the target at 150 for 2 wickets. Result: Cublington 145 Hyde Heath 150 for 2. Hyde Heath won by 8 wickets. With a recent string of creditable scores Henry Capper is making a strong bid to retain the batting cup, whilst in the bowling department Jeremy Stevens is trying to do likewise; he has taken the same number of wickets as Richard Austin, but whose is the better average, economy rate or strike rate ? Watch this space... Sunday 14th September at home to Monks Risborough C.C. ( 1.30 start) August 31st - Yeading Cavaliers - Home Another bright afternoon at the Common ( Sunday, 31st August ) and the visitors were the Yeading Cavaliers, winners earlier in the season of of the inaugural Hyde Heath C. C. Six-a-Side tournament. Having won the toss the home side took the field, and opening bowlers Tim Nutman and Jeremy Stevens each struck twice. At the end of the tenth over the visitors had lost four wickets and their total had not yet reached 30 ... Enter Mr. Tanner, who laid about him to good purpose; he had taken a liking to the legspin of young Tom Jeffreys, taking 23 off his first two overs, but craft and guile would not be denied, and Tom ran through the visitors' tail to finish with 5 wickets for 35 runs from 4.4 overs. He had good support from Tim ( 2 for 7 from7 ) and Jeremy ( 2 for 35 from 9 ). 96 all out from 27.4 overs was a disappointing total for the Cavaliers ... it was a better wicket than that. So, before tea could be taken, there was the matter of negotiating half a dozen overs. This was achieved for the loss of Charlie Vermeylen's wicket. 26 for 1. After tea Matt.Sims ( 27 not out ) and Henry Capper ( 43 ) enjoyed a match-winning partnership of 67. Although Henry lost his wicket in an attempt to win the game with a final mighty six, the end came soon after as Hyde Heath eased to 99 for 2 wickets. (just as well... the temperature had dropped and the spectators could sense the attraction of the warmth of the Plough ). That brings the total of wins for the season to nine ... with two games to go, could we make it ten, or even eleven ?? RESULT: Yeading Cavaliers 96 Hyde Heath 99-2 Hyde Heath won by 8 wickets Sunday, Sept. 7th. v, Cublington (home 1.30 ) Sunday, Sept. 14th . v. Monks Risborough (home 1.30) Aug 24th - B A Sports - Home On Sunday 20. August an old fixture was renewed, against B. A. Sports, or Bellingdon and Asheridge, as we used to know them. They batted first, having won the toss, and made an all-out total of 158 from 37 overs. The substance of their innings was a second wicket stand of 95 between Kashif ( 70 ) and Zaheer ( 51 ). Nobody else, apart from extras, made double figures; this was doubtless due to the economy of the Hyde Heath opening bowlers. Tim Nutman took 3 wickets for 30 runs from 9 overs, and Jeremy Stevens 6 for 37 from 9, including a hat-trick. After tea there were some good individual performances with the bat, notably Henry Capper ( 31 ), Atif Mirza ( 38 ) and Joel Kelly ( 44 not out ), his best score to date for the Club, and Hyde Heath ran out winners by 4 wickets with seven overs to spare. B.A. SPORTS 158. HYDE HEATH 159-6. Hyde Heath won by 4 wickets Aug 17th - Gamecocks - Home Whilst your correspondent has been undergoing surgery, and subsequent recuperation, two matches have taken place at The Common and brief reports follow... On Sunday, 17th.August the visitors were Gamecocks C.C., who won the toss and chose to bat first. They lost a wicket in the first over, but then progressed at a steady four runs per over before losing their second wicket at 95. The rate was then increased by about 25 per cent, enabling them to declare at tea with a total of 176 for 7 wickets fom 39 overs. Their star batsmen had been Bhadri with 89 not out and Cameron with 42. For Hyde Heath Andy Williamson had the best bowling figures with 3 wickets for 35 runs from 9 overs. The Hyde Heath reply stuttered, and although there was a good stand of 67 for the fourth wicket between Charlie Vermeylen ( 28 ) and Henry Capper ( 41 ), the home side were always behind the clock. Then wickets began to fall, mostly to Adams ( 5 for 39 and the last pair had to bat for three overs to achieve the draw GAMECOCKS 176-7 dec. HYDE HEATH 137-9 Match Drawn August 10th - Longwick Sports - Home Thursday evening ... a 'phone call from Chesham. Bois C. C ... they can't raise a side for Sunday ... that's three cancellations in the last four Sundays ... what is going on? ... does no-one want to play us? Friday 9.30 a.m ... thank you, the emergency fixtures bureau at the Club Cricket Conference ... we now have a match at home to Longwick Sports. Pitch preparation and tea supplies plan B are put into action. So, Sunday 10th. August proves to be the hottest day ever recorded in the United Kingdom. The visiting captain wins the toss and condemns his men to an afternoon under a blazing sun by asking Hyde Heath to bat first. Perhaps he knows more than we think, because by the twenty-first over, and the first of several drinks breaks, there is a disturbingly familiar look about the scorecard at 38 for 5 wickets. But opening bat, Charlie Vermeylen, is still at the crease, and he and Dominic Haddock ( 15 not out ) then anchor the innings with a stand of 90 for the sixth wicket. Charlie is eventually dismissed seven minutes short of the tea interval by a reflex-action caught-and-bowled. He made 81 ( nine fours ) and lost several pounds in weight. The home side declared at tea with the total on 143 for 7 wickets from 41 overs. For the visitors Strange, the spin bowler, had the best return with 3 wickets for 18 runs from 11 overs. After tea, and what a splendid tea it was, thanks to a great team effort from the ladies, Longwick soon got into their stride, but it was again that old adage,"catches win matches~' which was to play the major part. Whilst their no. 3 look fairly good for his 41 runs he offered so many unaccepted chances that the Hyde Heath bowlers were eventually resigned to the fact that they were not going to have the opportunity of getting at the visitors' tail. And so it proved; Longwick's batting on the day was too strong, and they reached their target with seven wickets in hand and 4.2 overs to spare. For Hyde Heath it will be a match that their attack will want to forget, but Jeremy Stevens did take two wickets for 46 runs from nine overs. RESULT: Hyde Heath 143-7 dec. Longwick Sports 145-3. Longwick won by 7 wkts. Your correspondent is about to go into hospital for orthopaedic surgery; match reports are therefore, for the time being, suspended. Why not take a trip to Hyde Heath Common and see, at first hand, the following . ? Sun. Aug. 17th v. Gamecocks (2.00) Sun. Aug.24th v. B.A.Sports (2.00) Sun. Aug. 31st v. Yeading Cavaliers (2.00) Sun. Sep. 7th v. Cublington (1.30) Sun. Sep. 10 v. Monks Risborough (1.30) August 3rd - Bourne End (Herts) - away So, after a wet week in Wiltshire, we arrive at Bourne End ( the Hertfordshire one ) and the temperature is in the mid- to upper eighties ( in old money ). There is no shade at all in the area of play, so the sensible thing to do would be to win the toss and bat first, and this the home side did. They didn't start too well, losing wickets at regular intervals to Jeremy Stevens ( 3 wickets for 18 runs ) and Richard Austin ( 4 for 35 ); in the sixteenth over the score stood at 54 for 6 wickets. The tail responded by adding 59 for the last four wickets, striker-inchief being Richard Scillitoe with a quickfire 26 ( six fours ), enabling the home side to reach the modest respectability of 113 all out from 25.4 overs. The visitors then needed to negotiate a tricky 10 overs before tea, which they reached at 15 for the loss of just one wicket. After tea ( where the highlights were coffee sponge and fruit loaf ) it was that man Scillitoe again, who, by employing the simple tactics of bowling fast and straight, wreaked total havoc on the Hyde Heath innings. He took seven wickets for nine runs in 15 overs, reducing the visitors to 59 all out. Henry Capper batted an hour for 18 runs and Charlie Vermeylen, with 10 runs, was the only other person to reach double figures. With plenty of time to do the job this had been a very disappointing batting performance by Hyde Heath, mostly through poor shot selection. Result: Bourne End 113. Hyde Heath 59. Hyde Heath lost by 54 runs. Sunday, I0th August Hyde Heath C.C. at Chesham Bois (2.00) July 30th/Aug 1st -
Box & Bishops Cannings - tour And so to Box ... first day of the annual pilgrimage to Wiltshire. Charlie won the toss and opted to field first. The ground was fairly wet and so the all-weather strip was used. The home side batsmen kept the score ticking along at around four runs an over until James Aird and Alistair Richards put on the brakes by bowling a series of maiden overs. Unfortunately, it was not to last because the threatening rain eventually arrived. After the break, with the ball having all the properties of a bar of soap, the Box batsmen decided that it was time to accelerate, before the next downpour, which did cause the game to be abandoned. Box had reached 141 for 4 wickets with former Wiltshire batsman, Richard Foley on 61 not out. For Hyde Heath Aird bowled 13 good overs to finish with one wicket for 29 runs. More bad news on Friday ... heavy overnight and early morning rain had made the Bishops Cannings wicket unplayable, but an impromptu pairs competition was played, Box C.C. very kindly having lent us their all-weather strip. This piece of fun was won by Henry Capper and Tom Jeffreys, but there were some other highlights, such as David Brennan being bowled by his son, Luke, and Alistair Richards managing to uproot, in a single delivery, the leg and off stumps, but not the middle.There was also the curious case of the off bail lodging vertically in the groove of the middle stump, with the wicket otherwise undisturbed... The afternoon's exercise had kept the lads out of the Queen's Head and away from the television, which was showing a horror film on Channel 4. Box C.C. 141-4 Match Abandoned. Sunday 3rd August Bourne End C. C. v. Hyde Heath C. C. ( 2.30pm) July 23rd - Newton Tracy - Home There was no match last Sunday ( 20th July ), because Knotty Green C. C. could not raise a side and notified us of this fact at 9.50 a.m. on the morning of the match. The Club Cricket Conference emergency fixtures bureau closes at 5.00 p.m. on Fridays, so the hon. sec. was unable to rustle up replacement opposition. There was clearly great disappointment for a keen squad which looks forward to its Sunday afternoon game, and the distinct probability that the Knotty Green fixture shall not continue. But, here we are, unusually, on a Wednesday afternoon, and the visitors being welcomed to the Common are a touring side from North Devon, Newton Tracey, who win the toss and opt to bat first. In the eighteenth over they have reached 51 for 5 wickets and appear to be pinned down by Hyde Heath's tight bowling and enthusiastic fielding. Then the sixth-wicket pair started to turn the tide with a dogged stand of 60, and the score was further improved by a quickfire 40 not out off 26 balls from their no. 8 batsman, enabling the visitors to declare at tea with a total of 163 for 8 wickets. For Hyde Heath James Aird was the most successful bowler with 4 wickets for 41 runs from 12 overs. The home side had used three wicket-keepers:- David Brennan, until Henry Capper arrived Iate from the office, then Matt Sims after Henry injured a thumb. After tea Hyde Heath lost wickets at regular intervals and by the twentieth over the score had tottered along to 68 for 5 wickets, Matt Sims being the major contributor with 26. During the next nine overs Andy and Andy ( messrs Williamson and Witten ) were restricted to a mere 3 runs ... zzzzz ... but then Jeremy Stevens ( 38 not out ) re-awakened us with some snappy strokeplay ( 8 fours ). He and David Brennan added an unbroken 48 for the eighth wicket as the home side reached the close on 119 for 7 wickets ... first drawn game of the season! For Newton Tracey opening slow bowler, Bill Soby, took three wickets for 37 runs from 16 overs. Result: Newton Tracey 163-8 dec. Hyde Heath 119-7. Match drawn. Sunday, 27 July 2003 at West Wycombe C. C. ( 2.30 ) - Wednesday, 30 July 2003 at Box C.C. (Wiltshire, 2.30 Friday, 1 August 2003 at Bishops Cannings C.C. (Wiltshire, 2.30 July 13th - Ballinger Waggoners - Home Another very hot Sunday ( 13th.July ) and this time Ballinger Waggoners were the visitors to the Common. Their skipper, lan Davies, won the toss and invited Hyde Heath to bat first. They started well, albeit steadily ( Richard Cousins 18, Matt. Sims 33 and Henry Capper 17 ), but the backbone to the innings was a stand of 72 between Adam Pusey ( 46 ) and James Aird ( 25 ). This stand occupied forty-two minutes, with the ball disappearing to all parts ... this was more like it ! Adam hit 9 imperious fours, and a big score for him looked a certainty, until he was dismissed by a splendid two-handed overhead catch. At this point the side had reached 158 for 5 wickets in the 20. over, and a further 35 runs were added, admittedly at a lesser pace, to bring the teatime total to 193 for seven wickets declared from 37.0 overs. For Ballinger Lloyd was the most successful bowler with three wickets for 60 runs from 14 overs. After tea the Waggoners lost an early wicket, but then their innings was underpinned by a splendid knock from young Webster, who shared a stand of 82 for the third wicket with the similarly young Wells ( 24 ). Webster was at last undone by the persevering Jeremy Stevens- his 83 contained 16 fours and he was fourth out at 132. 62 runs were still needed with almost twelve overs remaining ... game still on. James Aird had other ideas, as he and the recalled spin-doctor, Simon Napier-Munn, polished off the remaining batsmen, dismissing the visitors for 148. Jeremy finished with 3 wickets for 32 runs from 11 overs, James with 3 for 3 8 from 11. 5 and Simon 2 for 3 2 from 7. Result., Hyde Heath 193-7 dec. Ballinger Waggoners 148. Hyde Heath won by 45 runs So far this season Hyde Heath have played 10 matches, won 7 and lost 3. Sunday, 20th. July v. Knotty Green ( home ) 2.00 pm. Wednesday, 23d. July v. Newton Tracey ( home) 2.30 pm. July 6th - Southwell Ramblers - Home Another warm Sunday ( 6/7/2003 ) and this time the visitors were scheduled to be the Southwell Ramblers -not the Southwell in Notts. that boasts a minster and an allweather horseracing track, but Southwell Gardens ( off the Gloucester Road, London, S.W.7 - sounds like Rumpole territory ). Some thirty years ago three flatmates decided to form a wandering cricket team ... one of them was Paul Haddock, and he and Jemima had today kindly invited both teams to lunch ( and a jolly nice affair it was, too ). But, was this an opportunity for P.H.to nobble the Hyde Heath squad ? Surely not, but those of a suspicious mind might point out that he had "turned" his no.1 son, Dominic, to appear for the visiting opposition... Later, down at the Common, Hyde Heath skipper, Charlie Samuels, lost the toss, the home side were put in to bat, and, to he frank, they didn't nt make much of a job of it. Three top-order batsmen, Richard Cousins ( 19 ), Henry Capper ( 25 ) and Nathan Wilkinson ( 37 ) all made a good start, but failed to build a big, match winning innings. To be fair, the Ramblers bowled tightly and held their catches but the innings dawdled on, and it was blessed relief when the last wicket fell at tea O'clock with the home side all out for 129 from 41.4 overs!! For the visitors Richard Mann took 3 wickets for 8 runs and Dominic Haddock 2 for 9. Refreshed by the usual top-quality tea the home side set about regaining some initiative and Richard Austin took two early wickets. But then Paul Chappell made his intentions clear by hitting three sixes; an attempted fourth sent the ball into orbit and Richard Cousins caught it after re-entry. Still, at 64 for three wickets the Ramblers were looking fairly comfortable. Enter Simon Napier-Munn, and a few overs later it was 96 for seven; aided by some splendid catches ( Matt.Sims, Tim Nutman and Richard Cousins ) he wove his spinning magic and Hyde Heath began to look invincible in the field -just as they had against the President's XI last weekend ! However, the visitors were not to he denied and late defiance helped the score to creep ever nearer the target. In the penultimate over Richard Austin took a final excellent catch at point and that was it; Hyde Heath had won by six runs with ten balls remaining. Richard finished with 3 wickets for 37 runs and Simon with 3 for 36. They were well supported by Andy Williamson with 2 for 15. For the Ramblers Dominic Haddock top-scored with 25 ... has he done enough as a double agent to get back into the Hyde Heath side against Ballinger next weekend ? Result: Hyde Heath 129 Southwell Ramblers 123 Hyde Heath won by 6 runs. Sunday, 13th.July 2.00 p.m. Hyde Heath v. Ballinger Waggoners June 29th - Six-a-side competition For the second successive morning The Common looked a picture; the greensward appeared perfect, and in the background the white marquee with its three roof line finials put the viewer in mind of the sort of tournament held hundreds of years ago. Back to the future ... today, 29th June was to see the running of the Club's inaugural Six-A-Side Competition. Neil Taylor of the Real Sports Shop was erecting his gazebo and wondering what sort of trade the day might bring; Chris.Sargeant was tinkering with his public address system and wondering why it wouldn't work, and Hyde Heath 1 was ready to start proceedings, but wondering where its captain for the day had got to ... all was soon sorted out and the Tournament was on its way ... just twenty minutes late. There is neither the space nor the will to report on each game, so there follows a summary of results, together with highlights or champagne moments. Pool Matches : Hyde Heath 1 ( 62-1 ) beat Hyde Heath III ( 52-2 ) by 10 runs Hyde Heath II ( 67-4 ) beat The Plough (58-5) by 9 runs Yeading Cavaliers ( 65-1 ) beat Chartridge (54-2) by 11 runs Southwell Ramblers walked over The Lee Hyde Heath 1 ( 48-3 ) beat Yeading Cavaliers ( 31-4) by 17 runs Hyde Heath II walked over The Lee Hyde Heath III (53-2) beat Chartridge (51-1) by 3 wickets Southwell Ramblers beat The Plough (57-5) by 2 wickets Chartridge (40-1) beat Hyde Heath 1 (37-5) by 4 wickets Hyde Heath II ( 55-3) beat Southwell Ramblers ( 54-4) by 1 run Yeading Cavaliers ( 55-0) beat Hyde Heath III (54-4) by 5 wickets The Plough walked over The Lee Semi- finals Hyde Heath 1 ( 70-0 ) beat Southwell Ramblers ( 55-1) by 15 runs Yeading Cavaliers ( 63-1 ) beat Hyde Heath II ( 57-1 ) by 6 runs Final Hyde Heath 1 - Tim Barnsley, Ed Collins, Chris Heck, Alistair Richards, Jeremy Stevens and Neil Williams - ( 47-4 ) -- lost to Yeading Cavaliers - Graham Clark, Keith Clark, Mike Coleshill, Mike Green, Steve Green and Ged Ridout - ( 49-0 ) by 5 wickets ..............Winners - Yeading Cavaliers ...........Highlights ..The Plough team taking the field, all wearing Bob Marley-style wigs. ..Peter Grant of Chartridge taking four wickets in one over, including a hat-trick, against Hyde Heath 1, but being beaten to the howling prize. ..Dominic Haddock taking catches at deep square leg off two successive deliveries. ..The all-round strength of father and son, Steve and Mike Green, for Yeading Cavaliers. ( Steve came second in the batting prize, just 5 runs behind Chris Heck) ..Simon Napier-Munn going to the wicket against Chartridge with four runs needed and one delivery remaining...and getting them !! Wild Jurgen Klinsmann-type celebrations. ..Big hitting from Warren Gordon ( Hyde Heath 111 ) in the two innings he played. ..The umpires ( many thanks to them for officiating during a long and tiring day ) having trouble counting eight-ball overs ... we may have to review this for next year. ..The sometime organiser/ scorer/ information officer dicing with tortology: "There will he two semi-finals " ..The consistent performances of Chris Heck, nominated player of the Tournament and awarded an England replica shirt, donated by Club chairman, John Capper.What a day ... thanks to Terry Egan, our groundsman, for preparing a strip which stood up to the rigours of the day, to Chris Stanier-Davis for making the outfield look so good, and so fast.Thanks to Chris Sargeant for his sterling work on the public address system and to Neil Taylor of The Real Sports Shop. Thanks to the Ladies for all their splendid catering and to Roger Baldwin for his long stint as bartender. The winners' celebratory champagne was donated by Club captain, Charlie Samuels, and The Real Sports Shop gave £20 vouchers for the following:- Most runs: 96 ( undefeated ) Chris Heck ( Hyde Heath 1 ) Shall we do it again in 2004 ? It will he the Club's 40th birthday. June 28th - Presidents XI President David Bevan had assembled an awesome line-up, which appeared to have no answer to man-of-the-moment, Tim Nutman, who ripped out the top order and had the visitors reeling at 24 for 5 wickets. There then followed a bit of a recovery between Tim Barnsley ( 20 ) and Alex Hancock ( 26 ) but thereafter there wasn't much left in the tank as Richard Austin ( 2 wickets for 7 runs ) and Simon Napier-Munn ( 3 for 25 ) mopped up. The real star, however, was Tim Nutman with 5 for 21 from nine overs as the President's XI was put out for just 84. The bonus for Charlie was that the fielding, and the appealing, had been keen, almost fanatical. There was just enough time for seven overs before tea when the Hyde Heath openers reached 16 for no wicket. Tea ... coffee sponge, chocolate cake, brownies ... back to the scorer's table. After tea run-scoring was a bit slow. Charlie Vermeylen, Dominic Haddock and Henry Capper all got into the teens, but failed to consolidate on their start. Still, there was plenty of time, and the target was reached with six wickets in hand and 8.3 overs to spare. For the President's XI Alistair Richards was chief meanie with one wicket for 12 runs from 11.3 overs ( 7 maidens ) while former president, Mike Blayney took one for 7 from 8 overs ( 4 maidens ). Next year, Mr. President ?? RESULT: President's XI 84 ( 29.2 overs) Hyde Heath 87-4 ( 34.3) overs Hyde Heath won by six wickets. Sunday, 6th July v Southwell Ramblers - home 2.30 p.m.
June 22nd - Lt Missenden Misfits - Home Within four minutes one of the opening batsmen had been clean bowled; this was the signal for the out of form Matt Sims to join Richard Cousins, and together they embarked on what was to prove the best stand of the season so far - 131. While Richard batted patiently for the most part ( the temptation to cut, in the air, proved irresistible ) Matt was struggling with his timing, although, amazingly, it improved the longer he remained at the wicket. Their stand occupied two hours and five minutes and was ended when Matt had his off stump uprooted. His 52 contained 8 fours and came off 104 deliveries. Another 21 runs were added and Charlie declared at 157 for four wickets when Richard was run out going for a second in the fortieth over. His 76 had occupied two hours and twenty-nine minutes and came off 127 balls. For their part the Misfits had done a fair job to keep the run rate down; Buller and Johnson were their most successful bowlers. After tea Misfits opener Paul Partridge laid about him to good effect and at 79 for two wickets in the sixteenth over it was "game on " but then the home side's most successful wicket-taker to date, Richard Austin, was the architect of a collapse and the score soon became 88 for 7. Partridge made 56 off 44 balls ( 12 fours ) and the only other resistance came from the tail. Misfits were eventually dismissed for 124 with Austin taking 5 wickets for 25 runs and receiving good fielding support. Are we ready for all the President's Men ? HYDE HEATH 157-4 dec. LITTLE MISSENDEN MISFITS 124 - Hyde Heath won by 33 runs. Saturday,28th.June v. PRESIDENT's XI ( 2.00 ) Sunday, 29th.June SIX-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT ( 10.00 ) June
15th - Full Tossers - Home This plan worked well in the first instance as Charlie Vermeylen ( 24 ) and Richard Cousins (23 ) added 44 for the first wicket. Thereafter, seven of the remaining batsmen managed to contribute 15 runs between them - only David Brennan ( 18 not out ) and Jeremy Stevens ( 18 ) managed a score in double figures. All right, so it wasn't the world's greatest batting track, but 109 for 9 wickets from 42 overs ( a measly 2.6 runs per over) is very disappointing , to say the least. The five Full Tossers bowlers shared the wickets and must have been pleased with their afternoon's work. After tea run-saving was the order of the day; Charlie's face was a picture when the first delivery was fired down the legside for four byes ! Tim, Nutman then struck twice, and the visitors were 18 for two wickets in the sixth over. This was the prelude to a match-winning partnership of 56 between nos. 1 and 4 batsmen, who were generally circumspect but were not afraid to punish any loose delivery. True, the ball was in the air quite often, but it never went to hand. Andy Williamson broke this partnership and a short while later snatched two more wickets to have the Full Tossers reeling at 84 for six wickets. Game on ! Another wicket fell at 94, but thereafter the eighth-wicket pair defended stoutly surviving a dropped slip catch, and eventually reaching 112 for seven wickets with just 7 balls to spare. For Hyde, Heath Andy Williamson bowled well to finish with 3 wickets for 30 runs and he was ably supported by Tim Nutman ( 2 for 13 ) and Jeremy Stevens ( 2 for 45 ). HYDE HEATH 109-9 dec. FULL TOSSERS 112-7 Hyde Heath lost by 3 wickets Sunday, 22nd June v. Little Missenden Misfits ( home 2.00 p.m.) June
1st - Chiltern Gypsies - Home An old friend, Andy Williamson, in new streamlined mode, joined Jeremy Stevens in the attack and together they had the visitors on the ropes at 44 for 5 in the 19th over. Then on came the third-change bowler, that man of mystery, Simon Napier-Munn ... first ball - batsman caught and bowled ( that magic left hand again - the one where on the previous Sunday he had re-set the thumb after dislocation ),fifth ball - batsman so plumb 1.b.w. that he walked. In two overs of mayhem Simon plundered three wickets for just six runs, which, coupled with Andy's three for 18 from ten overs, broke the back of the Chiltern Gypsies' innings and they were put out for a total of just 76 from 29.2 overs. Hyde Heath's ground fielding was good, and there was much better news this week on the catching front. ( six held and only two very tough ones dropped ). After tea the home side lost both openers with only 17 runs on the board, but then James Aird ( 28 ) and Henry Capper ( 27 not out ) added 36 for the third wicket. An unbroken stand of 27 between Henry and Matt Sims saw Hyde Heath home to 80 for three wickets from just 20.2 overs CHILTERN GYPSIES 76 HYDE HEATH 80 – 3 Hyde Heath won by 7 wickets Sunday, 8*. June at Turville Park ( 2.00 p.m. start) May 25th - Great Missenden Pelicans - Away One of the most frequently-quoted truisms in cricket is "catches win matches". This was never more appropriate than at Nags Head Meadow last Sunday, 25th May, where the visitors contrived to spill more than half a dozen chances and, as a consequence, lost for the second time this season Having won the toss Great Missenden Pelicans opted to bat first and after six overs were in trouble at 19 for 3 wickets, but then an excellent stand of 97 for their fourth wicket steadied the ship. Third-change bowler Dominic Haddock broke that stand and persevered to finish with the creditable figures of 4 wickets for 18 runs while the leading wicket-taker, Richard Austin, weighed in with 5 for 36 as the home side were all out for 144 from exactly 37 overs. As ever, the ground fielding had been good, but Hyde Heath might yet regret those dropped catches. After tea Hyde Heath slipped to 20 for 3 wickets, until the Cappers, father and son, John and Henry, stopped the rot, albeit temporarily, with a stand of 44. John was the more aggressive, contributing 26 to the partnership, but after he had departed only Tim Nutman with an unusually solid 21 showed any real right. While he and Henry, who finished with 45, were together there might be a chance of victory, but Hyde Heath fell eventually 21 runs short at 123 all out from 36.1 overs. For the Pelicans their bowlers shared the wickets and their fielders held the catches. GREAT MISSENDEN PELICANS 144 HYDE HEATH 123. Hyde Heath lost by 21 runs. Sunday, 1st. June 2003 2.00 p.m. start Hyde Heath v. Chiltern Gypsies. May 18th - Gt Gaddesden - Away With the skies looking threatening,and the forecast all gloom and doom, Hyde Heath Cricket Club was extremely fortunate to complete the match last Sunday (May 18th) -and without a single interruption. Winning the toss, and bearing in mind the previous Sunday's embarrassment, Charlie opted for some team batting practice. Progress, like the wicket and outfield, was initially slow, as could only be expected after quite a lot of rain, but full marks to Great Gaddesden for getting the game on. Opening bat Charles Vermeylen took the best part of an hour for his 25, but the team total was built on a stand of 90 for the fourth wicket between Nathan Wilkinson ( 78 ) and Henry Capper ( 40 ). This was Nathan's first knock for the Club for some time and it included eight fours; he and Henry ( three fours ) ran well between the wickets and the partnership was achieved at well over a run a minute. The home bowlers stuck to their task, notably A.Roland with 2 for 29 from 12.4 overs, and the declaration came just before tea at 166 for 5 wickets from 46.4 overs. In reply the Great Gaddesden second wicket pair appeared reasonably untroubled as they added 41, but then on came the second change howler, Simon Napier-Munn, and the game was suddenly different ... one batsman bowled by a delivery which bounced three times~ but at least had the virtue of being straight, another taken in a flying catch by the otherwise unaerodynamic Mr.Wilkinson, and the whole spell being a lesson in the spin bowler's art of bamboozling the batsman. Simon finished with the excellent figures of 5 for 16 from 13.4 overs. He was ably supported by Richard Austin with 3 for 24 from 10 overs as Great Gaddesden were put out for 75. HYDE HEATH 166-5 dec. GREAT GADDESDEN 75. Hyde Heath won by 91 runs. Sunday 25th. May 2.30p.m. Great Missenden Pelicans v. Hyde Heath. Second match of the season and the unbeaten record is already gone ... at The Lee on Sunday ( 11th.May ) Charlie won the toss and opted to field first. This appeared to he a good decision as the opening bowlers (Jeremy Stevens and Tim Nutman) snatched two quick wickets apiece, aided by some sharp fielding, including a brilliant left-handed diving catch at deep backward square by Simon Napier-Munn. Twenty-four for four wickets-looking good !! At this point Jon Humphreys opened his shoulders to good effect - the bowlers were now delivering the stuff he likes - and his 60 included three sixes and eight fours. Richard Austin replaced Tim with immediate success and Mike Rafferty took over the hitting role with two sixes and four fours in his 32. There was little other resistance and The Lee were all out for 121 from 31.3 overs. Richard Austin returned the best howling figures for the visitors with 5 wickets for 14 runs from 7.4 overs. The least said about the Hyde Heath innings the better ... there were five ducks, including three first-ball jobs, as those men of the match, Humphreys and Rafferty, displayed the cardinal virtue of bowling consistently straight. At 35 for 9 (inc 18 in byes), and with an hour to go before opening time, skipper Charlie "they shall not pass" Samuels joined Jeremy Stevens. Together they gradually edged the score along and their defiance was rewarded when the opening bowlers were taken off. Charlie eventually succumbed for 16, but they had added 42 runs for the last wicket to give Hyde Heath a more respectable total of 77 all out from 26.4 overs. For the home side Humphreys finished with 5 wickets for 18 runs from 13 overs and Rafferty 4 for 12 from 9. THE LEE 121. HYDE HEATH 77. Hyde Heath lost by 44 runs. Sunday, 18th.May at Great Gaddesden 2.00 start Hyde Heath C.C. started their 2003 season in the best possible way - with a six wicket win. At the Common on Sunday last ( 4.May ) skipper Charlie Samuels won the toss on a bright and breezy afternoon and invited the visitors, Chartridge, to bat first. He was embarrassed to have only ten men in the field - the missing person must dwell in some parallel universe, for he didn't just get the day wrong; he got the week wrong ... However, younger son, Danny, got a late call (wonderful things, these mobile 'phones ) and parity was restored. The Chartridge batsmen went serenely about their business; several of them got into the twenties, but nobody went on to build an innings of substance. Despite an unusually dry Spring the wicket was slow-ish and the ball generally stayed low. This factor, combined with some tight howling, notably from new boy, Richard Austin, ( three wickets for 7 runs ) and Simon Napier-Munn ( three for 18 ) kept the run rate at slightly in excess of three runs per over and the visitors reached the tea interval at 131 all out, from 42.5 overs. In the scramble for runs at the end several chances of a catch had been offered, none more painful than that to David Brennan, who, tumbling backwards at mid-on in a valiant attempt to complete the catch, unfortunately landed on the ball and cracked two ribs ! Henry Capper had a good day with the gloves - three stumpings and two catches... The Hyde Heath reply was anchored by Richard Cousins, who batted throughout to make 58 not out. Initial progress had been very slow, at less than two runs per over, and 102 were required from the last 20. Henry Capper now began to accelerate and the pair ran many singles, some of which were in the high risk category, as they added 66 in 50 minutes for the second wicket. Henry eventually holed out to mid-on for 42 ( seven fours ), but Richard ( one six and four fours ) kept going and the target was reached with thirteen balls to spare. CHARTRIDGE 131. HYDE HEATH 133-4. Hyde Heath won by six wickets Sunday, 11th May at The Lee 2.30 start
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