Sunday, 18'h. Sept. 10.00 hrs: turn on TV. and look at the weather forecast
in Ceefax... "Mostly dry with occasional sunny periods" Change channel and note
the shadows being cast in Gateshead by the Great North Runners; step outside
front door and observe the continuous moderate drizzle in Hyde Heath - not very
promising for the last match of the season. However, the wicket covers laid by
Mike Thompson II ensure that play shall go ahead, indeed would start almost on
time. Today's visitors to the Common are Ivinghoe & Pitstone C.C., who win the
toss and invite Hyde Heath to bat first.
The match began at seven minutes past one (good effort), and after losing an
early wicket the home side set a fair pace, at almost five runs per over. A
second wicket stand of 65 between Matt Sims (25 - three fours) and Henry Capper
(51 - ten fours) provided the impetus for a big total and this was helped by a
fifth wicket stand of 49, struck by Simon Napier-Munn (24 - four fours) and
James Aird (32 not out - one four and two sixes). The visitors were finding the
ball slippery; it was wet after each trip into the undergrowth, and despite
having the drying agents of bar towels and sawdust, many errors in ground
fielding occurred. Charlie eventually called a halt eight minutes before tea,
and Hyde Heath declared on 181 for 5 wickets from 36.2 overs. The visiting
bowlers shared the wickets, and an unusual statistic arose, due to the damp
outfield, that seven threes were run.
Tea with today's speciality - mystery carrot cake (mystery: where's the
carrot ?) and dark treacle brownies. In addition to these delights I was treated
to a smoked salmon roll ... the quality of the Hyde Heath teas just gets better
and better.
Back to the cricket ... opening batsman, Wright, provided the major part of
the visitors' reply; he cracked 52 off 47 deliveries, including two sixes and
seven fours, and when he was fifth out at the innings total of 70, there didn't
seem to be much left in the visitors' tank. However, Frankum made himself of
nuisance value, with a stubborn late contribution of 18, but Ivinghoe & Pitstone
were finally dismissed for 98 with 10.4 overs to spare. James Aird was Hyde
Heath's most successful bowler with 4 wickets for 15 rims and there was help
from Atif Mirza with 2 for 11. Thanks to Mike T.for preparing a pitch on which
we made our second-highest total of the season and thanks to Charlie Samuels,
the skipper, for always getting the best out of his men.
Result: HYDE HEATH 181 for 5 dec.
IVINGHOE & PITSTONE 98
Hyde Heath won by 83 runs.
P1aying record, 2005:
P. 22 W. 12 D. 4 L. 5 A. 1
And when shall we all meet again ? At the Club Dinner on Saturday, 29th
October... ( contact the hon.secretary on 01494 774582 for details )
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September 11th - Monks Risborough
- Home
It's the second Sunday in September, and the weather, unlike on recent
Sundays, is dull and overcast with more than a hint of rain. Your scribe, in
preparation for a long stay at the scoretable, has donned thermal underwear as
insulation against the drop in today's temperature. This stint in the fresh air
is promised to be lengthened by the late arrival of the opposition, who appear
to be completely unaware of the starting time agreed between the two
hon.fixtures secretaries, namely 1.00 p.m. Charlie wins the toss, invites Monks
Risborough to bat first, and the match eventually starts at eight minutes to
two.
They started off at a fair rate, finding the boundary reasonably frequently,
thereby causing the ball to be carefully dried after each trip into the wooded
areas. There were some neat little cameo innings, notably by young Waqar Khan, a
former colleague of Ollie Haddock in the county under-14 eleven. At 59 for 5
wickets the visitors' prospects did not look too promising, but their skipper
would seem to have reversed the batting order, because the last six batsmen all
made double figures, enabling them to reach the teatime total of 161 for 9
wickets declared. For Hyde Heath the most successful bowler was James Aird with
4 wickets for 60 runs from 12 overs; he was given good support by the normal
high standard of ground fielding and by Atif Mirza with 2 for 15 from 4 overs.
Tea was the usual quality affair with chocolate cake again in evidence. After
the tea ceremony there was the moving of the scoretable into the pavilion
doorway, to minimise the scorer's exposure to pneumonia. The home side's reply
began steadily and Henry Capper gingered it up with a splendid knock of 44 (
seven fours ), but the fall of his wicket at 88 for 4 began a middle order
collapse, engineered by lqrar (3 for 18) and Waqar Khan (3 for 7). The last pair
of James Aird and Charlie Samuels came together in the twilight zone (they would
have been off the field with this quality of light at the Oval) and with nine
overs to be bowled, but they survived and saw Hyde Heath to safety at 119 for 9
wickets.
To the Plough for a glass, or two, of whiskey mac.
Result: MONKS RISBOROUGH 161 for 9 dec.
HYDE HEATH 119 for 9. Match drawn.
Next Sunday 18th.Sept. - last match of the season - v. Ivinghoe and
Pitstone at the Common (1.00 p.m. start )
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September 4th - Cublington - Home
September - never mind mists and mellow fruitfulness - matches are scheduled
to start an hour earlier, at one o'clock, and this can play havoc with the
domestic lunch timetable. On the Common Charlie is getting ever so slightly
tetchy as each team member reveals his own interpretation of the start time. But
it's another warm Sunday afternoon and today's opposition, Cublington, are all
here; they win the toss and decide to bat first. We eventually get under way at
1.24 p.m.
It was fairly slow going at the start of their innings ( 20 for 1 wicket
after 10 overs, ), but then no.3 batsman, Taylor, began to open his shoulders
and was particularly punishing on our first-change bowler, leg-spinner Tom
JefibM hitting him for 17 in one over. Tom was replaced in the
firing line by Atif Mirza and Sohail Rauf, who slowed the scoring rate and then
met with conspicuous success, Atif taking 4 wickets for 18 runs from 6.1 overs
and Sohail, the more economic, with 4 for 14 from 9. Cublington had lost their
last 7 wickets for only 25 runs; Taylor had made a belligerent 51, but only two
other visiting batsmen made double figures. As a consequence Cublington were all
out for 122 in 36.1 overs
Tea, as ever, was splendid, particularly as a handmaiden promised to bring a
cuppa and further supplies of fruit loaf to the scoretable within the hour ...
joyous delight. The Hyde Heath reply began at a gallop, six an over from the
start, lead by Andy Williamson, who looked set for a long innings, but then he
tried one lofted drive too many and was caught at extra cover for 29 ( six fours
). This brought Henry Capper to the wicket; he and Tim Barnsley then proceeded
to hit the ball to all parts as they shared an unbroken stand of 77 for the
second wicket. Cublington tried six bowlers, but to no avail, as Tim ( 40 not
out - seven fours ) and Henry ( 44 not out - nine fours ) dominated and brought
the team total to 125 for one wicket in just 20.4 overs.
Result: CUBLINGTON 122
HYDE HEATH 125-1
Hyde Heath won by 9 wickets.
With the end of the season fast approaching, and your scribe having got the
averages up to date, the clear leader in the race for the batting cup appears to
be Henry Capper with 457 runs from 10 completed innings, whilst the bowling cup
would seem to be headed for Sohail Rauf with 40 wickets at an average of 12.15.
Watch this space...
Next Sunday, Sept. 11th at the Common ( 1.00 p.m.start ) v. Monks Risborough
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August 28th - Bank of England
Touring - Home
On yet another sunny Sunday afternoon we welcomed our visitors to the Common,
Bank of England Touring, who lost the toss, but were nevertheless not unhappy
that Charlie had asked them to bat first. Sadly, we are coming towards the end
of another season; for the next three Sundays we shall be starting an hour
earlier, at one o'clock.
After heavy rains earlier in the week the pitch was on the slow side with the
delivered ball occasionally staying lower than usual, and this feature
contributed in many instances to the visitors' dismissals. They lost both
openers with just 13 runs on the board, but then their third wicket pair
(notably Wildman - 30) produced a partnership of 46 runs, which appeared to have
steadied the ship. However, with two spinners now bowling in tandem, disaster
was at hand. Operating from The Plough end Atif Mirza
took 3 for 34 with his off-breaks whilst from the Pavilion end Tom
Jefferies' leg-breaks realised 4 wickets for 31 runs. This combination reduced
the visitors to 110 all out off 38.1 overs, and it would have been worse, had
there not been some late strokeplay from White (24 not out). Jererny Stevens
gave good support with 2 for 28 from 11 overs, and the ground fielding had
generally been very good, but there were a couple of dropped catches...
Tea was of the usual high quality; your scribe took his al fresco he might
have a chat with a visiting former player, Brian Hartley. The Hyde Heath reply
didn't start too well, losing the first wicket with just one bye on the board,
but this brought to the crease Henry Capper, who, once he had settled in, showed
how the pitch, as well as the visiting attack could be conquered, powering his
way to 76 not out (sixteen fours). He shared in stands
of 49 with Matt Sims and 24 with Simon Napier-Munn as he guided the home side to
the target with 18.1 overs to spare. This timeslot allowed those interested to
crowd round the flickering screen of the pavilion television set and cheer
England to victory in the fourth Ashes test match.
Result: BANK of ENGLAND Touring XI 110 HYDE HEATH
111-5. Hyde Heath won by 5 wickets
Playing record, 2005:- P.19 W.10 D.3 L.5 Aban.1 With three matches left to
play can the team go one better than. last season and make it 13 wins ??
Next Sunday (4th.Sept.) at the Common v. Cublington ( 1.00 p.m. start)
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August 21st - B & A Sports - Home
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After the rains of the previous Friday the wicket was thought to be damp, but
not dangerous, for the visit to the Common of B.A.Sports (formerly Bellingdon &
Ashridge). Tanned and refreshed from his holiday Charlie lost the toss and Hyde
Heath was asked to bat first. The visiting side contained many players known to
the cousins, Atif Mirza and Sohail Ratif, including the latter's younger
brother, Haroon.
The home side set off at a fair clip, reaching the tenth over at a tad under
5 per over, but then the rate slowed, due to a sudden inability of the opening
batsmen to penetrate the field. However, their partnership was worth 66 runs,
and had been quite entertaining, except for an unwillingness to go for a second,
or third, run where the slightest element of risk was involved. Nevertheless,
Andy Williamson (26) and Matt.Sims (28) provided an ideal platform on which a
sizeable innings could be built. This good work was continued by Henry Capper
(21) and the senior "pro", Tim Barnsley (42). Tim hit 5 fours in one over, and
looked certain to make his first half-century of the season, but he was undone
by Haroon Rauf bowling from the pavilion end in his older brother's boots. After
two and-a-half hour's batting, and only 37 overs bowled, teatime was reached, at
which point Hyde Heath declared on 194 for 6 wickets. Such riches were due in no
small part to the visitors' generosity, conceding extras which totalled 51 and
included 21 wides and 10 no balls. Haroon was B.A.'s most successful bowler,
taking 3 wickets for 58 runs, of which 13 were wides and 7 no-balls!!!
Tea included some piquant ham sandwiches and another appearance of the
delicious strawberry and cream sponge cake. We were pleased to welcome to the
pavilion our old friend, Mr.Webbe-Master, and an itinerant photographer, Simon,
who could be seen on the boundary during the course of the match with tripod and
telephoto, snapping all the action. It was therefore no surprise that after tea
there was an outbreak of team photographs, spoiled only by the late inclusion of
the scorer.
It took 18 overs for the home side to break the B.A.opening stand of 75,
which had seemed to be moving serenely along and was only disturbed when Sohail
Rauf changed ends, to bowl with the sun behind him. The visiting opening batsmen
scored 38 and 43 respectively, but after their dismissal there appeared to be
little further attempt to threaten the target. But there was resistance,
and, despite various fielding and bowling changes, Hyde Heath could not get as
deep into the tail as they would have wished, and the visitors finished after 36
overs on 135 for 6 wickets, 60 runs short of the target. Sohail was the home
side's best bowler with 4 wickets for 30 runs from 9 overs; he was supported by
cousin Atif with 2 for 34, also from 9.
It is interesting to note that all twelve wickets which fell in the match did
so without the aid of the field. ( 11 bowled, 1 lbw. )
Result: HYDE HEATH 194-6 dec.
B.A.SPORTS 135-6 .
Match drawn.
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August
14th - Gamecocks - Home
After several hours of rain on the previous afternoon and night the prospects
for the day's game did not look bright, but Mike Thompson II had prepared a
wicket, which, with the help of sawdust, would withstand the vagaries of our
summer weather. Henry Capper was believed to be still en route from Cornwall, so
Jeremy Stevens officiated at the toss of the coin. He won and invited today's
visitors to the Common, Gamecocks C.C., to bat first.
Henry arrived in time to be invested with the gloves and pads of office and
lead his team onto the field. They were rewarded with an early wicket, but this
brought to the crease Nayeem, who began to attack from the start of his innings.
He regularly employed a full swing of the bat, and this brought him 6 fours and
2 sixes in an entertaining innings of 70. He shared a partnership of 102 for the
third wicket with Barrett who made an enterprising 46 not out ( 5 fours ), and
this enabled the visitors to declare after two-and-a-half hours and 41 overs on
167 for 4 wickets. The Hyde Heath ground fielding had been good, but not quite
up to their usual standard. James Aird returned the best bowling figures with 3
for 49 from his 14 overs, all delivered from the Plough end.
Tea boasted strawberry sponge cake and oriental delicacies firom the House of
Mirza -nirvana ... back to the action. The Hyde Heath reply stuttered along -
Dominic Haddock, Andy Williamson and Richard Austin all got into double figures,
but then they got out -and eventually we reached 96 for 7 wickets, with 12 overs
remaining. Atif Mirza then joined his cousin, Sohail Ratif, and together they
bludgeoned a 50-run partnership in 28 minutes, a repeat performance of
their success on tour in Wiltshire. Atif was the first to be dismissed, having
hit 3 fours and 1 six in his 28, and when Sohail followed, two runs short of his
maiden half-century for the Club ( 5 fours and 3 sixes ), eleven runs were still
needed and the last pair was at the wicket. But what a last pair, James Aird and
Jeremy Stevens ! The chief destroyer for the visitors was Doone, who had taken
six wickets for 40 runs in twelve overs and retired to a quiet spot in the
outfield for a little rest and recuperation, but now he was summoned back to the
pavilion end for one last effort. The poor chap's direction-finding equipment
seemed to have malfunctioned in his thirteenth, and unluckiest, over as he
delivered six runs-worth of no-balls, and these were accompanied by two
well-struck fours from James as the home side reached 171 for 9 wickets off 31
overs ( 4 clear overs to spare ), to the vocal delight of the spectators.
Result: GAMECOCKS 167-4 dec.
HYDE HEATH 171-9.
Hyde Heath won by one wicket
So, Henry Capper's captaincy has yielded four wins out of four - what will
happen next week ? ( at home to B.& A.Sports 2.00 start )
Playing record to date: P. 17 W.9 D.2 L.5 Aban. 1 Canc. 1
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August 7th - Longwick Sports - Home
On a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon ( 7th August ) Henry Capper was in
charge for his third successive match; he won the toss and invited this week's
visitors to the Common, Longwick Sports, to bat first.
They began falteringly, and by the eighth over they had lost both openers
with just eleven runs on the board. At the fall of the third wicket Fuller (20)
was joined by Warren (39) and they both punished the change bowlers, who
nevertheless stuck to their task manfully. As last week at Bourne End the ground
fielding was exemplary. With the dismissal of Warren at 114 for 6 there was
still time for some quick runs from the tail, but it was not to be ... Sohail
Rauf whose first eight overs had cost 37 runs, then delivered four consecutive
maiden overs, the final one of which was a triple wicket maiden. This caused the
visitors to be dismissed for just 115 runs, with Sohail finishing on 5 for 37
from 12 overs. He received good support from leg-spinner, Tom Jeffries, with 2
for 39 off his 10 overs , Jeremy Stevens with 2 for 20 from 9 and Tim Nutman
with 1 for 7 in 8. Longwick's total of 115 was made from 39 overs, indicating a
fairly slow wicket on which the ball regularly kept low.
Tea was of the usual high standard, with excellent sandwiches and strawberry
sponge and chocolate sponge cakes, and, just in case the diet was taking a bit
of a hammering, healthy mouthwatering slices of melon.
Back to the action... Hyde Heath too found the going slow and in the early
part of the innings struggled to maintain the run rate above 2 per over.
Mercifully, Henry Capper's knock of 40 (5 fours) shone like a beacon in an
otherwise mediocre team performance, but when he was dismissed at 73 for 6
wickets there was the fear that the remaining batsmen did not possess the "stickability"
to get the 43 runs needed for victory, and there were still seventeen-and-a-half
overs left. No worries ... the bowlers came good; Jeremy hit 23 and was aided by
timely contributions from Tom and Sohail. When the scores were actually level
umpire John Capper, thinking that Hyde Heath had already won, removed bails and
stumps, and had to be persuaded to re-instate them for three further deliveries
to take place before the real winning run was hit. ( Could it be time for the
installation of an electronic scoreboard, operated by the man who really knows,
the match scorer ? ) The Hyde Heath total came from 39.2 overs.
Result: LONGWICK SPORTS 115 HYDE HEATH 119-8 Hyde Heath won by 2 wickets
Playing record to date: P. 16 W.8 D.2 L.5 Aban. 1 ( Cancelled. 1)
Sunday, 14th August at the Common v. Gamecocks 2.00 start
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July 31st - Bourne End (Herts) - Away
Skipper Charlie Samuels has gone on holiday, so vice-captain, Henry Capper,
is in charge for the next two Sundays or so. On a cloudy and cool afternoon at
Bourne End (Herts.) he won the toss, and, flushed with the memory of the
previous Friday's successful run chase in Wiltshire, he invited the home side to
bat first.
Bourne End were trotting along quite nicely at four runs per over; they had
seen off the opening bowlers and were looking forward to what was coming next.
James Aird, with an extra yard of pace, causing the ball to occasionally lift in
an uncomfortable fashion, removed both opening batsmen - Goodinson, caught
behind for 22, and the dangerous John Proctor, caught at extra cover for 44.
Skipper Akhtar weighed in with an entertaining 39 and there was later support
from Redwan (24). After 36 overs the score stood at 134 for 4 wickets, but in
the next five-and-a-half overs Bourne End lost their last six wickets for just
seventeen runs, thanks to a run-out and a cleaning-up spell of bowling by
Atif Mirza ( 3 for 14 ). James finished his thirteen overs with 4 for 56 and
Jeremy Stevens weighed in with 2 for 31, as the home side were all out for 151
from 41.3 overs.
The highlight of tea was coffee and walnut cake and an honourable mention was
due to the fruit loaf.
In Hyde Heath's reply an early wicket was lost, but then Andy Williamson (47)
- 8 fours and Henry Capper (34) added 77 for the second wicket. Thereafter
wickets fell rather cheaply and the visitors found themselves with three wickets
in hand and needing 29 runs from the remaining 5 overs. James Aird ( 21 not out
) and Jeremy Stevens ( 16 not out saw us home with a stand of 32 and did it with
eight balls to spare.
Result: BOURNE END 151 (41.3overs) HYDE HEATH 155-7
(34.4overs) Hyde
Heath won by 3 wickets.
Sunday, 7th.August v. Longwick Sports at the Common ( 2.00 start )
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July
29th - Bishops Cannings - Away
Bad news on Sunday, 24th.July; the present and forecast rain meant that the
match at Turville Park, one of the nicest grounds that we play on, had to be
cancelled.
And so to Wiltshire ... at Box, where that clever Mr.Brunel built his rail
tunnel under the Wiltshire Box Hill, a 40-overs match was agreed upon (max.8
overs per bowler). Charlie won the toss and invited the home side to bat first.
James Aird bowled his eight overs from the school end to great effect, taking
two wickets for just 14 runs. After 18 overs, with Box C.C. on 58 for 3, the
heavens opened and play was abandoned for the day.
At Bishops Cannings, also in a 40-overs match, the home side won the toss and
batted first. By the fifteenth over they had tottered to 44 for 5 wickets, the
chief inflictor of damage being Jeremy Stevens. However opening bat, Cottis,
(40) held firm and there was a good stand of 58 for the eighth wicket between
Alsop (42 not out) and Cornwell (27), enabling the home side to complete their
40 overs on 171 for 8 wickets. Jeremy returned the best bowling figures with 3
for 30 from his eight overs.
The Hyde Heath reply was steady, and there were useful contributions all the
way down the order, most notably by Andy Williamson (23) and David Brennan (28),
but they were falling behind the clock. In the thirty-first over, with the score
standing at 113 for 6 wickets the required striking rate was 6.3 per over
(compared with progress to date of just 3.7). Enter the cousins, Atif Mirza and
Sohail Rauf - They shared in an unbroken partnership of 60, with much eccentric
calling and running between the wickets, in just seven overs and two balls as
Hyde Heath finally romped home with two full overs to spare. Atif made 37 not
out (3 fours) from 43 balls while Sohail was the more forceful with 36 not out
(3 fours and 2 sixes) from 23 balls. For the home side Ireson had the best
bowling figures with three wickets for 29 runs from six overs.
Result: BISHOPS CANNINGS 171-8
HYDE HEATH 173- 6
Hyde Heath won by 4 wickets
Next Sunday ( 31st July ) at Bourne End ... 2.00 start
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July
17th - Chesham Bois - home
On yet another warm and sunny Sunday (17th.July) we welcomed to the Common
our near neighbours from Chesham Bois, who won the toss and surprisingly opted
to field first.
The home side batted in a manner which was steady but bordered on the
cautious as they cantered along during the first half or so of the innings at a
rate of less than three an over. They found it difficult to pierce the well-set
field, although occasional lapses by the visitors did help. Richard Cousins (45)
added 57 for the second wicket with Henry Capper, who then began to assert
himself and was the major influence in a partnership of 72 for the fourth wicket
with Simon Napier-Munn (23), who was stumped off the last ball before tea. Henry
made an excellent 68 not out (8 fours) and the declaration came at 161 for 4
wickets from 40 overs.
Teatime displayed a variety of mouth-watering cakes; they were so good that
the chairman was moved to take the pieces remaining for distribution on the
morrow among the needy of his operating theatre staff .. (retractor ... scalpel
... chocolate and banana ... ). Back to the match ... Chesham Bois lost their
first wicket at 19 and this brought to the crease Ashwell, who made his
intentions clear, striking the ball to all parts; search parties were in
constant use, retrieving the ball from the boundary undergrowth. When he had
reached 66 (12 fours and 2 sixes) he exchanged his cap for a helmet. This action
must have disturbed his vision or concentration, for he straightway tried
another late cut and was caught. At this point Sohail Rauf and Jeremy Stevens
began to bowl with some rare miserliness, making the target appear to the
visitors a little more distant. However, skipper Kemp (25 not out) steadied his
ship and Chesham Bois reached 162 for 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare. Sohail
finished with 4 wickets for 32 runs from 11.2 overs. He was supported by Jeremy
with 2 for 35 from 11. This is our third consecutive defeat and the playing
record presently stands at P. 12 W.5 D.2 L.5 One matter on which the Club may be
happy is the presentation of the wicket by Mike Thompson 11 ... today there were
323 runs scored on it for the loss of 10 wickets.
HYDE HEATH 161-4 dec. CHESHAM BOIS 162-6 Chesham Bois won by 4 wickets
For those waiting for news of Rosie the Rottweiler ... on Sunday, I0th July
she got a bed for the night with Jilly Bowman and the following day she was
picked up by the Dog Warden, who handed her over to the police. Having helped
them with their enquiries she was happily re-united almost immediately with her
owner.
Sunday, 24th.July at Turville Park 2.00 p.m. start
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July 10th - Ballinger Waggoners - home
On a warm and sunny afternoon Ballinger Waggoners were the visitors to the
Common. They won the toss and decided to bat first The afternoon provided some
canine interest, for, in addition to the regular gang of dogs on view at a home
match, a seemingly stray Rottweiler wandered around for much of the game, even
going so far as to inspect certain parts of the playing area. Since this type of
dog generally does not enjoy a good press there was an understandable reluctance
to approach it and ascertain, if possible, its identity and place of residence.
Forget the Kennel Club ... we're here for the cricket. Ballinger lost an
early wicket, but their second wicket pair of Webster ( 74 - twelve fours ) and
Branigan ( 32 ) added 116 runs in thirty overs. The former was finally out a
couple of overs before tea when skipper Charlie gratefully hung onto a catch at
mid-off All in all it had been a good batting performance by the visitors who
reached 156 for 4 wickets from 43 overs.
For Hyde Heath the most successful bowler was Jeremy Stevens with 2 wickets
for 24 runs from 11 overs. Mike Thompson is to be complimented on preparing his
wickets, where the ball still occasionally comes through low, but plenty of runs
appear to be on offer.
Teatime ... and a minor disaster to report, in that the ambient temperature
had affected the attractive chocolate cake so that it now appeared to be welded
to its serving dish. It could only be handled with necessary items of cutlery;
fingers were of no use at all.
Hyde Heath began their reply fairly briskly, with Richard Cousins (17) and
Dominic Haddock (23) adding 44 for the first wicket in 9 overs. Henry Capper (
also 23 ) helped the rate along, but then visiting skipper, Davies, made inroads
with his spin, and from 95 for 3, with a win a distinct possibility, the home
side's innings subsided to 137 all out, with only Andy Williamson (39 ) showing
any resistance at the end. For the visitors Davies finished with 5 for 24 and
Rushforth 3 for 17.
BALLINGER WAGGONERS 156 - 4 dec.
HYDE HEATH 137
Ballinger won by 19 runs.
Sunday, 17th.July 2005 at the Common v. Chesham Bois 2.00 p.m.
Playing record to date: P 11 W 5 D 2 L 4
The dog warden, having been called, failed to appear, so Sue Brigden kindly
took the Rottweiler home with her for the night. Watch this space...
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July 3rd - Southwell Ramblers - home
After the exciting events of the previous weekend we reverted to our regular
Sunday fixtures list with a match at the Common against Southwell Ramblers. They
had entered a six in our tournament, but did not get past the "Group" stage.
Would they be more successful today ? To his undisguised annoyance Charlie lost
the toss, and the home side was invited to bat first. For this fixture only the
temporary defection to the opposition is permitted for all males bearing the
surname, Haddock.
Hyde Heath lost its first wicket with no runs on the board; this inauspicious
start was remedied by Matt.Sims (23) and Henry Capper (24). Then came the
further loss of 5 wickets cheaply, and suddenly Richard Austin found himself
with just the "tail" for company. He made the most of his time at the wicket,
smacking seven fours in a defiant 43 not out, but he ran out of partners, and
the new scoreboard clock (well done, Charlie) registered teatime as Hyde Heath
reached the disappointing total of 130 all out. It was a wicket which had more
runs in it than that, and for the visitors Robert Spencer enjoyed a long bowling
stint, taking five for forty-seven with his "dobbers".
The Ramblers' reply was begun by Haddock and Haddock, who were dismissed by
Aird and Aird as the home attack set about its task in determined fashion. At 70
for 6 wickets the visitors' position looked precarious, in fact the balance was
probably now in favour of the home side. However, an obdurate unbroken stand of
61 by messrs. Turner (29 not out) and Warner (24 not out) for the seventh wicket
proved a match-winner. For Hyde Heath James Aird finished with 2 wickets for 52
runs from 12 overs and Jeremy Stevens 3 for 18 from 7.
RESULT: HYDE HEATH 130
SOUTHWELL RAMBLERS 131-6
Southwell Ramblers won by 4 wickets.
Forthcoming attraction ... Sunday 10th July
v. Ballinger Waggoners 2.00 p.m. at the Common
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June 26th - Six - a - side
tournament
Early start today for our third annual six-a-side tournament; arrive at the
Common just after nine to find our public address team busy setting up their
equipment, chairman John Capper making final preparations to the wicket and
skipper Charlie Samuels doing all the odd jobs that he can find. Ten o'clock
approaches; Hyde Heath "B" does not appear to be ready to start their match with
Chartridge ... come along, lads. Your correspondent's nerves are soothed with a
Dave Sanders bacon roll and a cup of coffee. At last we make a start;
enthusiastic effort is to be seen on the field, announcer Chris.intones
information passed to him by the harassed scorer and chivvies the teams for the
following match.
We start to get seriously behind schedule mostly because the penalty of two
runs for a wide is insufficient deterrent, and in one case an over took
twenty-one deliveries to complete! Nevertheless a general good spirit is
maintained and the group matches and play-offs are completed, and we are now at
the semi-finals stage, where Yeading Cavaliers and Hyde Heath "A' are triumphant
over Rutland Exiles and Hyde Heath "B".
So to the final, where the home side makes a steady 69-2 and then restricts
the visitors to 41-3, thereby winning by 28 runs. Scenes of jubilation, followed
by the presentations made by president, Colin Heck ... a £20 gift voucher to
Mike Green of the Cavaliers for scoring the most runs during the tournament, and
a case of lager for the runners-up. For the winners it's the R.R. silver cup, a
bottle of champagne and an individual engraved trophy.
I need to say a few thank-yous to those who helped to make the event run as
well as it did:- to the groundstaff, to the umpires, the catering ladies, the
bar personnel and the public address team. I thank you all most warmly. Can we
do it again next year ?
Attached is a summary of the results on the day :
Group A
|
Hyde Heath "B" (64-4) |
beat Chartridge (57-1) |
by 7 runs |
|
Yeading Cavaliers (60-2) |
beat Chartridge (43-3) |
by 17 runs |
|
Yeading Cavaliers (50-1) |
beat Hyde Heath 'B' (49-2) |
by 4 wkts |
Group B
|
Hyde Heath'A' (98-1) |
beat Rutland Exiles (38-5) |
by 60 runs |
|
Hyde Heath'A' (111-1) |
beat Southwell Ramb.(48-3) |
by 63 runs |
|
Rutland Exiles (76-4) |
beat Southwell Ramb.(72-2) |
by 4 runs |
Play-offs
|
Rutland Exiles (53-1) |
beat Chartridge (52-3) |
by 4 wkts |
|
Hyde Heath'B' (73-5) |
beat Southwell Ramb.(66-1) |
by 7 runs |
Semi-finals
|
Yeading Cavaliers (83-4) |
beat Rutland Exiles (42-5) |
by 41 runs |
|
Hyde Heath 'A' (69-4) |
beat Hyde Heath 'B' (51-5) |
by 18 runs |
Final
|
Hyde Heath 'A' (69-2) |
beat Yeading Cavaliers
(41-3) |
by 28 runs |
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June
25th - Presidents XI
President's Day ( 25th June ... only six months to Christmas ). How pleasant
to be re-aquainted with old friends ... the soft clink of the claret cup and
Pimms glass - for those who could cope after the excesses of yesterday evening's
Beer Festival, with music by the Amersham Band and the Dennis Ruff Wall of
Sound. And so to lunch ... top-notch steak and salad, followed by a little
cheese, and the desire for a bijou napette, but there is action on the field.
Charlie has won the toss, not that it matters, because the President's XI, by
tradition, always bats first.
And a fair fist they made of it at the start, with Matt Chicken striking a
belligerent 44 ( seven fours and one six ) and the Kiwi, Richard Howard, 22. At
80 for 3 wickets after 17 overs the visitors looked well set, but then the sky
fell in as Sohail Rauf ( 4 for 12 and James Aird ( 2 for 9 ) destroyed their
middle order, and it was left to Atif Mirza ( 19 ) and Alistair Richards,
hitting the biggest six of the game, to restore a little pride. In the final
over Alistair was dropped twice at long-on by his old buddy, Jeremy Stevens, so
he tried hitting to long-off, where Charlie Samuels gratefully accepted the
chance. Richard Cousins, bowling his looping spinners, finished with 2 for 19,
and the President's XI were all out for 119 on the stroke of teatime.
By this time your correspondent was gagging for a cup of tea, if for no other
reason than to warm up. 1 have promised not to mention individuals, but the
quality of sandwiches and cakes was, as ever, five star. Now, let's get back to
the cricket.
The Club moved along steadily to 18 for no wicket, but then Alistair struck.
With the fifth ball of his fourth over he bowled Richard Cousins and with the
sixth he caught and bowled Henry Capper. He had to wait until the first ball of
his fifth over, but then he induced Matt Sims to give a catch to Charlie
Vermeylen, having placed the latter in the exact desired location at shortish
leg. Cuddles all round ... Alistair has now taken a hat-trick for and against
the Club. At 21 for 3 Hyde Heath's position looked a bit shaky, but the
ever-reliable Tim Barnsley steadied the ship, sharing in stands of 47 with Danny
Samuels and 52 unbroken with Richard Austin ( 26 not out). Tim finished on 45
not out ( 4 fours ) and Alistair with 3 wickets for 15 runs from 10 overs ( 6
maidens ) as the Club reached their target of 120 with 6 wickets and 6.1 overs
in hand. Three threes were run during the match, which is unusual at the Common.
Thank you, Mr President; see you next year.
RESULT: PRESIDENT'S XI 119 HYDE HEATH 120-4 Hyde Heath won by 6 wickets
Sunday, 3rd. July v. Southwell Ramblers at the Common 2.30 start
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June 19th - Lt Missenden Misfits - home
Father's Day ( 19th.June ) ... how very agreeable that no. 1 son has arrived
from Edinburgh to be with the old aged parent, and he bears gifts, all of the
flat circular variety. Thank goodness they are of the compact disc type, which
we can easily handle, not the digital video disc, whose player presents problems
of technical sophistication to the elderly operator. He has of course also come
down for the cricket ... here we are on the hottest Sunday of the year so far at
the Common, entertaining our near neighbours, from the other end of the parish,
Little Missenden "Misfits". Charlie won the toss and invited the visitors to bat
first.
They started fairly well and were soon rattling along at four-and-a-half runs
per over until opener Partridge was caught behind by Danny Samuels for 25. The
next man up was the left-handed Fry who hit two sixes and three fours in his
brief but violent 29. Meanwhile Connor was going about his task of run
accumulation in a most efficient manner, farming the bowling and finding gaps in
the field with great regularity. One pavilion sage opined that the way to
dismiss him was not to bowl round the wicket to him, he being another
left-hander, but to continue over the wicket and drift the ball across him,
tempting him to "have a nibble". Sure enough, he gave a chance in exactly this
manner, but a regulation catch was put down at slip. He survived another chance
to backward square leg, but by this time he must have had a century on his mind.
Sadly he was bowled shortly before tea for the splendid score of 95 ( fourteen
fours ) and the visitors' declaration of 202 for 4 wickets followed shortly
after. For Hyde Heath James Aird had the best bowling return with one wicket for
37 runs from 10 overs.
Tea was the usual top-notch catering treat. I shall have to stop praising any
individual culinary highlights, as 1 have been admonished for failing to mention
the baked product of a particular young lady from Australia, which only goes to
prove that you can't please all of the people all of the time. Where were we ?
... oh, yes, the Hyde Heath reply stuttered to 30 for 2, but then our own
import, the kiwi, Richard Howard (26 ) and Simon Napier-Munn ( 21 ) briskly
moved the total on to 74 when they were both dismissed on that same score. By
now the home side's total was well behind the clock, yes, that temperamental
thing again, but Richard Austin ( 25 not out ) and the whirling bat of
Sohail Rauf helped them to the reasonably respectable final score of 138 for 5
wickets. In an effort to winkle out any stubborn batsman the visiting captain
used nine bowlers, including their frontline man, Matt Line, whom your
correspondent had faced some twenty-five years previously...
RESULT: LITTLE MISSENDEN MISFITS 202 - 4 dec. HYDE HEATH 138 – 5 Match
drawn
Friday, June 20th Beer Festival (tickets from Mrs.C.P.Capper)
Saturday, June 25th v. President's XI ( 2.00 start )
Sunday, June 26th
Six-a-Side Tournament ( 10.00 start)
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June
12th - Full Tossers - Home
Sunday,12th June on the Common ... cloudy with sunny intervals. It's 2
o'clock and the opposition, Full Tossers C.C., are not ready to start the match.
Eventually we get going n-n-nineteen minutes late with a prospect of continuous
calculation of the difference between match time ( as shown by the temperamental
pavilion clock ) and Central Hyde Heath Time ( per the scorer's thirty-five year
old analogue wristwatch ). The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first.
They scored at the gentle rate of three per over for the first twenty overs
or so, but then the extra pace of James Aird ( 2 for 14 ) started the collapse,
and his good work was followed up by more pace ( Sohail Rauf 3 for 19 ) and some
gentle spin ( Atif Mirza 3 for 21 ). Only the left-handed Doyle, who had opened
the innings for the visitors, provided any real resistance with an obdurate 36,
but his was not the highest score, Mr. Extras being top dog with 41 ( 15 byes, 9
leg byes and 17 wides ). Bowlers from the pavilion end seemed to have the more
gremlins in their direction-finding equipment. The Full Tossers all out total
was 119 from 36.5 overs. And so to tea ... with the promise of lashings of
Mrs.Cousins' five star chocolate cake, and lemon drizzle cake as well ... bliss.
Hyde Heath set off at a gentle rate in pursuit of the target, with Dominic
Haddock showing occasional aggression with a drive or pull. In the twenty-second
over the first wicket fell with the total on 69, Richard Cousins being bowled
for 25. Now Dominic was joined by his younger brother, Oliver. ( if kippers may
be found in pairs, what is the term for a multiple of haddocks ? ) As Dominic
neared his half-century an expectant father type figure could be seen pacing
along the boundary. It was of course none other than Paul Haddock and his
patience was rewarded when Dominic struck a six and a four to reach that
milestone. He was out shortly afterwards for 55, his highest score for the Club.
He was a victim to the only catch the visitors held (they had previously dropped
five ! ) Dominic's innings included eight fours and one six. Meanwhile Ollie
went quietly about his business, reaching 23 not out in a total of 120 for 2
wickets in 27 overs.
RESULT: FULL TOSSERS 119
HYDE HEATH 120 for 2 wickets.
Hyde Heath won by 8 wickets
Sunday, 19th. June v. Little Missenden Misfits
2.00 at The Common
Saturday, 25th.June v. President's Xl
2.00 at The Common
Sunday, 26th June Six-A-Side Tournament
10.00 at The Common
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June 5th -
Ley Hill - Away
Auld acquaintance was renewed after a gap of many years last Sunday (5th
June) when Hyde Heath played at Ley Hill, which was
looking picturesque in the afternoon sunshine and was punctuated by the
occasional thwack as misguided golf ball met immovable tree.
Charlie lost the toss in what had been agreed as a forty-overs match (no
bowler to have more than eight overs) and so the visitors took the field. Each
of the opening bowlers met with an early success, and in the eleventh over, at
42 for 2, the first bowling change was made. James Aird's opening over cost 16
runs, but some adjustments, to delivery and field, soon put matters to rights as
his next six overs cost just eleven runs and gained him four wickets. The ground
fielding, as ever, was excellent, but three catches were put down. Sohail Ratif
took three wickets for four runs to polish off the tail as the home side was put
out for just ninety-four
Tea was a healthy event, with fresh fruit available, and afterwards the
visitors set off for the target of ninety-five. They lost Dominic Haddock (10)
at 24 for one, but Tim Barnsley continued at an unhurried pace, firstly with
Atif Mirza (17), then with Henry Capper. The target was reached for the loss of
just two wickets with Tim (five fours) and Henry (six fours) each on 29 not out.
RESULT: LEY HILL 94 HYDE HEATH 95 for 2. Hyde Heath won by 8 wickets.
Sunday, 5th.June v. Full Tossers - 2.00pm start at Hyde Heath Common
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May 29th
- Chipperfield - Away
A new fixture ... at Chipperfield, where a pleasant ground appears to have a
crossfield slope on the playing square and falls away slightly towards the road
end. An overcast day did not prevent a fair number of spectators from taking up
station at many points round the generous boundary. The home skipper won the
toss and decided to bat first. Hyde Heath were pleased to welcome back to their
ranks the prodigal Kiwi, Richard Howard, here on holiday with Annette.
Chipperfield were soon cruising along at four-plus runs per over, thanks
mainly to their Australian guest player, Hutchinson, who knew where the gaps
were in the field, and how to maintain the strike; he is the registered overseas
player this season with Finchampstead C.C.
At 75 the home side lost their first wicket (the other opener, bowled by Atif
Mirza), but Hutchinson went serenely on his way, adding 110 for the second
wicket, before being caught by Simon Napier-Munn off the bowling of, guess who,
Richard Howard. His 132 contained sixteen fours and had been very
entertaining.(for the spectators, if not the fielders) You dismiss one
Australian, then another steps up to take his place. Losing McNichol (34) at 208
for 3 did not faze Chipperfield's Howard and he was particularly brutal on Tim
Barnsley, hitting him for 18 in the last over before tea, and finishing on 46
not out (five fours and three sixes ). The home side declared at 249 for three
wickets from 42 overs, and the visitors were glad to get off the field, with
only R.H. (him, again ) having bowling figures to brag about, one wicket for
eight runs. James Aird also bowled well.
Tea was a very pleasant affair... separate table for umpires and scorers ...
then back to the monumental task in hand. Wickets fell at annoyingly regular
intervals, with only Henry Capper (47 - six fours and one six) making any
serious impression until he was adjudged 1.b.w. When the ninth wicket fell at
104 there were eleven-plus overs to go; would we be able to bat out ? Our
innings was in the very safe hands of the pugnacious Jeremy Stevens (19 not out)
and skipper Charlie "they shall not pass " Samuels (0 not out) who saw the
visitors safely to 126 for 9 wickets after 43 overs. Ellse was the best of the
home bowlers with 3 wickets for 23 runs.
RESULT: CHIPPERFIELD 249-3 dec. HYDE HEATH 126-9 Match Drawn
Sunday, 5th June, 2005 at Ley Hill 2.00 p.m. start
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May 22nd - Gt Missenden Pelicans - Away
After plenty of rain during the week culminating with a deluge the day before
the game it was mildly surprising that the Great Missenden Pelicans pitch was
playable ... all credit to them for making it so. All Charlie needed was to win
the toss, but he didn't, so Hyde Heath got first use of an apparently
untrustworthy track.
Suspicions were confirmed under an overcast sky as the visitors lost wickets
at regular intervals. Only Henry Capper ( 31 ) and Simon Napier-Munn ( 30 not
out) offered any real resistance, although they were given token support by
Richard Austin ( 16 ) and Jeremy Stevens ( 17 ). There was seemingly no answer
to the bowling of Hull ( 4-18), Tickler(2-26) and Bailey (2-34 )as Hyde Heath
were bowled out for 119 in 37.4 overs.
This proved not to be a formidable target as Bailey ( 63 not out), showing
his all-round ability, and Gallash ( 25 not out) formed the backbone of the
innings as the Pelicans cruised to 120 for 3 wickets off 28.2overs. Jeremy
Stevens had the best return for Hyde Heath with 1 wicket for 13 runs.
RESULT: HYDEHEATH 119
GREAT MISSENDEN PELICANS 120-3.
Pelicans won by 7 wickets
So, that's won 2 and lost 2 so far this season. Maybe we'll have better luck
next Sunday with the new fixture at Chipperfield ( 2.00 start).
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May 15th
- Gt Gaddesden - Away
It was a warm bright afternoon at Great
Gaddesden, except in the scorebox, where the sun never shines, and anybody in
occupation for five hours or so is advised to wear suitable clothing. Skipper
Charlie lost the toss and was invited to bat first on a wicket that always
looked as if it might “do a bit ”.
True enough, Hyde Heath lost an early
wicket, but then Atif Mirza (19) and young Luke Brennan (22), batting with a
maturity way beyond his years, steadied the ship, albeit temporarily until Simon
Napier‑Munn (40) was joined by Bradley Holt (34). Up to this point Simon had
found it difficult to make clean contact with the ball, let alone place it where
a fielder was not stationed, but perseverance was ultimately rewarded as this
pair added 62 runs for the seventh wicket. Bradley scored heavily in the
untenanted area of deep backward square leg while Simon exercised the cover
fielders. After their departure there was a jolly stand by the last wicket pair,
but the innings was wrapped up at a couple of minutes to tea o'clock with Hyde
Heath on 163. Three of the home bowlers each took three wickets.
After tea, which boasted a most unusual
sandwich, egg and onion, the Hyde Heath attack of Sohail Rauf (3 wickets for 7
runs) and James Aird (3 for 14) reduced the home side to 26 for 6, so some
judicious bowling changes were the order of the day. While all this was going on
home skipper, Towler, and wicket‑ keeper, Rowland, added 52 for their seventh
wicket, but it was not to last as the home side lost their remaining four
wickets on the total score of 78. Atif Mirza (2 for 8) and Bradley Walsh (2 for
5), showing his all‑round ability, did the final damage. Danny Samuels again
kept wicket and again athletically. All the wickets in this innings were bowled,
a fairly unusual feature.
RESULT: HYDE HEATH 163 GREAT
GADDESDEN 78. Hyde Heath won by 85 runs.
Next Sunday (22nd.May) GREAT MISSENDEN
v. HYDE HEATH (2.00 start) – at Gt Missenden
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May 8th - The
Lee - Away
As a postscript to last week's little debacle when our village side was
dismissed for the paltry total of just fifty-five runs 1 thought it worth
mentioning that two days later a side representing a whole nation was bowled out
for fifty-six, just one run more. All right, so the national side was Denmark,
but the real mystery was not their achievement of such a low score, but why were
they in our domestic Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy competition in the first
place ?
And so to The Lee, where on a bright afternoon skipper Charlie won the toss
and invited the home side to bat first. In the beginning they made a reasonable
fist of it, reaching 81 for 3 wickets, the substance of the innings being a
stand of 42 between P.Neal ( 45 ) and A.Knott ( 36 ). Thereafter, however, the
Hyde Heath change bowlers took command and in the next ten overs there was a
clattering of the seven remaining wickets as James Aird ( 3 for28 )and Sohail
Rauf (4 for 17 ) finished off The Lee for 123 (off 26.5overs). Eight batsmen had
been clean bowled, five of them for ducks, and the other two dismissals were
catches by Danny Samuels, who had been press-ganged into keeping wicket, because
of late withdrawals due to injury of other more likely candidates.
The Hyde Heath reply was but a few minutes old when play was suspended thanks
to a heavy-ish rain shower, and so to tea, where the presence of chocolate cake
was noted. On the resumption the visitors scored their runs at less than two an
over, and, although Richard Cousins performed the role of sheet anchor to
perfection, wickets were being lost at the other end. At 63 for 5 Sohail Rauf
entered the fray and the tempo of the game was changed immediately; he struck 43
runs from 27 deliveries ( 6 fours and 2 sixes ) until he was caught on the cover
boundary with seven runs needed for victory. Richard then got the message and
was soon clipping a smart four for the winning run in his total of 37 not out.
Sohail's compatriot, Atif Mirza, was heard to mutter that a jug-dodging charge
should be brought. (one wicket short of five, and seven runs short of fifty ...
hmmm..he might have a case ... still, an excellent debut for an all-rounder ! )
Result : The Lee 123 Hyde Heath 125 for 6
wkts
Hyde Heath won by 4 wkts
Three cheers for the Hyde Heath "A' squad ... James Aird, Henry Capper,
Richard Howard, Sohail Rauf, Alistair Richards and Jeremy Stevens.
