Captain - Alex Duncan Vice Captain - Sam Hyman

2nd September 2006: vs Sinjun Grammarians (A) - Won by 58 Runs [20 pts]

A fine win for the 1sts to end the season on a high by beating the champions Sinjuns Gramarians. Batting first we batted well and positively to make 264 for 7 off 49 overs. Another 65 from Donuts sees him 2nd in the league stats on total runs scored, a fantastic achievement! Michael Curtis hit a great 100* which is much reward for his efforts this season, and a quick fire 43 from Sizzle batting at number 8 saw us reach our total with a healthy run rate.

Gramarians started very positively looking like they could well chase down the total on their small pitch. However another 5 wicket haul from our Monkey saw their efforts reduced to 206 all out. He ended on interesting figures of 11-6-83. This takes his league tally to 38 (43 if you include the cup (but we don’t)!) This sees him in the top four wicket takers in the league, another great achievement. [AD]

26th August 2006: vs Long Ditton (H) - Won by 9 Wkts [20 pts]

A convincing win against another of the promoted sides from last year. Long Ditton were missing a few players and it showed. Bowling first, Monkey removed their captain with the fourth ball of the day. He was late on a quick one into the ribs and Geoff took a skier down at fine leg. Having cut off the head the body stumbled and fell. None of their top order wanted to get behind the line to Monkey who was bowling with good pace. None of them could lay a bat on Geoff who bowled 6 overs for 12 - 8 of which were wides. Our spinners bowled tight, Richie and Chuck picking up one wicket each, and Dave M bowling 8 overs for 26. Only their no 3 offered any long term resistance, before he was eventually caught off Monkey in his second spell for 73. Monkey removed all the top 4 and finished with 17 - 4 - 48 - 6. Fielding was good - we took almost all our catches and Geoff / Roly combined for a run out.

162 in 44 should never be a problem at TD and so it proved. Their openers could swing it but they didnt have a lot else. Sam made 37 including some trademark flays through the off side, Donuts and Podge saw us home with 12 overs to spare. Donuts finished 71* and Tom 29*.

We are now 8th. We cant go up any further but our last game is against an already promoted SinjunGrammarians, which should be a good test!

19th August 2006: vs Caterham (A) - Winning Draw [xx pts]

Caterham's pitch was soggy, and so it was a blow to lose the toss and bat first. Caterham didn't bother bowling their proper seamers, opening up with a dobbler and an ex-Surrey off spinner. Donuts and Sam put on 70 before Sam went for 25. The wickets then continued to fall regularly as no-one managed to get in on a tricky wicket. That is until Chuck arrived and, employing what the Cat's Saffa wicket keeper correctly diagnosed as the 'Block Block Swing' technique, bludgeoned it all around the field. His 55 came in 33 balls with 4 sixes including a massive straight one off the ex-county player. Donuts saw that he wasn't needed anymore, so went for a nice 69. We finished on 202 all out, which was 20 more than par given the conditions.
 
Opening with the spinners we quickly had them 3 down, Ashley using the vagueries of the pitch to get 2 LBWs. Chuck was also bowling well, and soon had 4 wickets, including the ex-county player (whose day Chuck totally ruined), caught spectacularly by Donuts at short leg. It was a shame that the skipper couldn't hold another chance there given by the opener, who ended up on 81 and was their only real hope of getting the runs. Geoff and Monkey came on, bowled well, both had tricky catches dropped and we couldn't advance past 6 wickets down. Winning draw and 8 point secured, though, another good result against a side well above us in the table.
 
We are the fulcrum of the league, smack in the middle at 9th. Donuts is top runscorer in the division (although when Godalming report he will probably be deposed), and Chuck is 24th with 301 runs at 75 and a run rate of 97! Despite a couple of barren weeks Monkey is still 8th in the wicket taking. [AD]

12th August 2006: vs Godalming (A) - Lost by 36 Runs [xx pts]

A creditable losing draw against Valley End who are second in the league. Donuts, sensing a reluctance to field first on the part of much of the team, took the unprecedented step of batting first. The plan was to make lots quickly and force VE out of their comfort zone in a chase they would have to go for to keep in contention for promotion. We were put on the back foot when we lost Sam and Ashley early. In a replay of last week, Donuts and Mike C rebuilt the innings before Mike fell for 22. Another good partnership followed with Podge who made 35, by which time we had avoided a potential disaster and were starting to accelerate. Donuts brought up his hundred with a single off the opening bowler who, unfortunately for himself and his family, had a mental age of 8, and found not getting his own way hard to take. Monkey chipped in with 22 off 12 balls at the end and we finished on 234-7 off 52.

Not an easy target, but a tricky one off 43 overs. Consequently the VE umpire, (a somewhat unpleasant individual who had more to say to Donuts about making 100s than his function should have allowed), invoked an antiquated league rule and muttered something about a lost ball in order to up their allocation to 46 overs. They set off brightly, and it was a relief when a South of England U16 was caught down the leg side off Geoff. All the top order looked dangerous, but Chuck bowled to a plan and had most of them caught by Monkey at cow. Geoff accounted for 3 more with 2 excellent, containing spells. They finished on 212-8, Chuck taking 5-57.

So we did Caterham and Sinjuns a favour - let's not do them any more when we play them. [AD]

5th August 2006: vs Kempton (A) - Won by 7 Wkts [20 pts]

A comprehensive win in the end for the 1s, although we had to battle hard against a Kempton side playing for their future. Similarly to last week, the oppo chose to bat on a flat one. Their openers were limited in range of shot but determined not to throw it away. Both made 50+, the no 2 riding his luck to reach 82 - another contender for the coveted 'worst player ever to get a half century against us' award. Their Sri Lankan overseas pro threatened, but was run out by a great team effort from Chuck, Donuts and Mike C. Monkey intimidated the lower middle order and forced a declaration at 210 - 5, leaving us 46 to get them. We knew it was gettable, but a good start was important. A setback, then, to lose Sam in the 1st over and Ashley run out shortly after. Donuts and Mike C sweated in the heat to rebuild the innings, putting on 102 before Mike was bowled for 53. Another good partnership saw us all the way home, Tom P hitting 41* and Donuts finishing tantalisingly close to a century on 98*. Well done to everybody for an important win which allows us to concentrate on finishing the season as high as we can rather than looking over our shoulder. We can now claim to be developing a pedigree of scoring heavily and at a good rate, even after suffering setbacks early in our innings. Equally as important was the bowling and fielding display - on a fast scoring ground we kept plugging away and got our reward. [AD]

29th July 2006: vs Godalming (A) - Lost by 36 Runs [xx pts]

In what may be a first for the Fuller's league, Godalming won the toss and chose to bat. The pitch was flat, the outfield glassy and one boundary minute. Godalming took advantage of these factors, batting positively from the off, and though we chipped away - Monkey with 2 wickets, 1 for sizzle, stu geoff and ash - they posted 256 in 47 overs. This was largely due to the no 3 who made 117 off about 85, most of it through square leg to the short boundary.

Although it was a daunting target, given the conditions it was a gettable one. We started brightely, resisting the temptation to hole out to the obligatory wily old off-spinner, instead picking the right ball to attack. Sam got 38 and donuts 61, but when he fell the rate started to creep up. With overs ticking by we continued to go for the win rather than play for a pointless draw. Tom chipped in with 25 off 26, Geoff, Big D and Monkey went for it and perished in the process. In the end we lost by 36 runs.

The defeat could have been avoided had we been more worried about giving our opponents points than getting them ourselves. The main plus point was another score of well over 200 achieved in under 50 overs - 4th time in 5 weeks. It has to be said that Godalming fielded much better than we did, and this could have been the difference. [AD]

22nd July 2006: vs Battersea Ironsides (H) - Losing Draw [xx pts]

Another good game of cricket in which we just couldn't force a result. Put in to bat, we started carefully against a decent Battersea attack, but still put on 90 for the first wicket before Nuts went for 45. Sam couldn't face it alone and followed, also for 45. There followed a middle order slump and we found ourselves 140-6. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, however, and newly christened 'Big D' Skelton turned the tables on the jubilant Battersea with a bellicose 48 in 44 balls. 237-9 in 50 was a decent effort and left Battersea a chance in their 41 overs if they could bat well. Unluckily for them, they struggled against the long hop (the one that doesnt go 5 ft over the batsman's head), and Monkey took two early wickets thanks to great catches by Chuck and Geoff, who sailed through the air and snared one just before it brained Tickles at square leg. Battersea didn't give up, and were up with the rate until Donuts took a couple of steepling catches at long on, the second of which was high pressure as it followed 4 drops in 8 balls that could have derailed us. Geoff came back for a second spell to nip two out, and Monkey got his third in the last over, leaving 4 balls at no 11, who stood firm. A good team performance from both sides, and more proof that we can more than hold our own against the better sides in the league. [AD]

15th July 2006: vs Sheperton (H) - Won by 8 Wkts [20 pts]

The ones gained an important victory against Shepperton, which although comfortable in the end, was hard fought, particularly in the field.

Shepperton started brightely, taking advantage of the flat deck and glassy outfield. However the entry into the attack of spin twins Slaughter and Carroll soon slowed the rate. Both bowled with control, extracting bounce and turn from the wicket, and were backed up with one of our best fielding performances of the season. Pressure started to tell, and Richie chipped away at the Shepperton top order, before striking a double blow in one over which took the heart out of their batting. Despite a few lusty blows from no 6 we stuck at it. Richie completed his five-fer and moved on to wrap up the innings and record lifetime best figures of 8-49. A fantastic effort, which means Richie joins Monkey in the top 10 league wicket takers. Well done to Mark Pullen for taking 2 catches and 2 stumpings.

In the VC’s absence and on the back of his performance last week Chuck opened up with Donuts. We were quickly on top of the rate, punishing anything at all wayward. When Donuts fell for 38 Chuck just powered on, crushing any ambitions Shepperton may have had of saving the game. He brought up his century off just 85 balls, and finished on 120. Michael Curtis smashed the winning runs into the new scoreboard. A first ton since the glorious summer of ’92 for the Chucker and very well deserved.

The win puts us mid-table, but the end of the season will be tough, with all of the top four still to play.

8th July 2006: vs Cobham (A) - Losing Draw [xx pts]

Put in to bat, Chobham started brightly, taking advantage of some overly short stuff and a dome shaped arena to get off to a bit of a flyer. We chipped away with a couple of wickets coming from rank pies, and Geoff Macnamara bowled with good shape and imaginative use of both sides of the wicket, finishing with 3 wickets. Chobham declared on 224, leaving plenty of time for a result.

9 runs from the first over flattered to deceive. Last week's centurians were both bowled by the Chobham overseas, the same fate befalling 4 of our top 5. At 70-7 any chance of victory had gone, but it was too early for our hosts to celebrate. Monkey and Chuck equalled the highest ever eighth wicket partnership in our league to drive us on to 178-7 at the end. Chuck showed grit and fight, choosig the right times to flick, guide and strike over the infield. Monkey finished with 63, a pb for the club, almost exclusively brutalised through the V, never giving fielders a chance.

A good result from where we were and testament to our strength in depth, but we need to score more heavily at the top of the order if we are to convert draws into wins.

1st July 2006: vs Effingham (H) - Winning Draw [xx pts]

A good performance from the ones but ultimately a frustrating game. Sizzle and Donuts burst back into form with a double century opening stand, before eventually falling for 101 and 105 respectively. Cameos from Mike and Jules got us to 258 - 3 dec in 46.5 overs. Despite our declaration leaving 49 overs for Effingham to chase us down, their openers displayed a total lack of ambition, patting back four maidens at the start which set the tone for their innings. Some fire from Monkey then removed their timid no 2, but the other opener continued to duck under anything short of a length and pat back anything full, before eventually being bowled by Chuck for a pedestrian 20-odd. By this stage there was no chance of a result on a road at TD, and as our minds turned to the impending football, Effingham finally decided to have a go, finishing on 228 for 4. A shame for them as much as us, since a little more aggression early on could have set up an exciting chase. Still, 7 points is a respectable haul, and it was satisfying to post a big total and take control of the game. The early start meant there was plenty of time to rescue the day, and despite a disappointing result in Germany several of us put a brave face on it and refused to be dissuaded from watching the sun go down over TD from the comfort of the bar. Godders took us on a ramble through a graveyard and introduced us to his local boozer - very pleasant, less densely populated than the Rutland - and Chuck texted 'Take me to the hottest Phaal in Thames Ditton' to a mystery number which did indeed produce the goods. So, a day which started well but threatened to go off the rails was salvaged, which goes to prove the TD nightlife isn't bad at all, and should be further explored in the weeks to come

1st XI vs Blackheath - Blackheath have withdrawn from the League

1st XI vs Horley (A) - Winning Draw [xx pts]

A strangely disappointing winning draw against Horley in a game that we should have put away, ended up with nailbiting last few overs and the scores level. A full 11 players should have easily put Horley away but in the end we were 1 run short.

Bowling first Horely got off to a good start putting on over 100 for the first wicket. With only 10 men we could have been chasing a very big total if it not for Richie Carroll and Ashley. Richie who should have been brought on earlier ended up with figures of 12 overs 5 for 27. Ashley bowled another marathon spell of 17 overs 3 for 69. The home side were kept to 190 off their 52 overs, a very gettable total!

We started well with Baldy back in his dismissive best making 74 of 80 balls. He was well assisted by Ashley and Roland (trying his hardest to hold out to all the infielders) both making 20s. Richard Read looked like he would finish it off for us had it not been for another shocking decision from the home umpire being given out LBW down the track above the knee roll for 37! From a winning position we stuttered to needing 5 off the last over to win, with Richie and Stu (who had already showered and changed) at the crease. Unfortunately we only managed 4, and we took the winning draw on level scores. [SH]

1st XI vs Croydon MO (H) - Lost by 5 Wkts [xx pts]

A disappointing first defeat for the ones against the strongest side we have faced so far. Croydon MO were accommodating in our request for an early start and break for the football, but they took no prisoners when it came to chasing down our total. On the face of it, 208 looked not a bad score, especially since 160 was not chased last week. It could have been much more, however. Those of you keen enough to have checked Play Cricket may have noticed a spate of LBWs against our top order - always fishy - and you may treat at least one of the 'Caughts' as equally dubious. Skipper donuts is still fuming at his appalling decision, while Ashley, Alastair and possibly Sam had equal reason to look askance at the Croydon Umpire, who seemed to be practising for an imminent appearance on 'Who Wants to be a Millionnaire' - on this form he should romp home in the fastest finger competition. Michael Curtis enhanced his burgeoning reputation with another half century, and fellow Aussie Geoff Mcnamara made very useful runs post footy, finding an able partner in Richie Carroll, who revelled in the chance to nurdle some nice medium pace away to third man while the field inexplicably decamped to cow corner.

We bowled decently on the deadest of the TD strips, Richie taking 3 wickets on his return, but never really got in amongst them. Some very powerful hitting and good running took the game away from us at the end.

Frustrating, but plenty of positives to take. We even caught a couple of catches! [AD]

1st XI vs Olinda Vandals (H) - Winning Draw [7 pts]

A frustrating winning draw for the ones. To restrict Olinda Vandals to 160 on a bright summer's day at TD was an excellent effort. Monkey led the way with 5-37, two fiery spells proving too much for all the OV batsmen. Ashley bowled a controlled spell of 19 overs 2-51, and Dave M strangled the tail with 1-16 at the death. Once again catching let us down, 160 should really only have ben 120 - 130. Nevertheless, 160 should be bread and butter at home, but apart from a very well controlled 63 from Ashley, no-one got to 30. We ended up 11 short, 9 down. 7 points isnt a bad tally, but we must show more ruthlessness in pursuit of gettable totals. [AD]

1st XI vs Haslemere (A) - Losing draw [xx pts]

A game best forgotten. Playing in a cloud on top of a hill on the outskirts of Portsmouth, on a shocking pitch and turd-covered outfield, we adapted our skill levels to match the surroundings. 10 dropped catches and too much short bowling allowed Haslemere to reach 199-3 dec. Their opener scored 60 and was dropped 6 times - nuff said.

Adrian Lee and Chuck batted well despite witnessing at close quarters the formation of a cumulo-nimbus on the square. Nevertheless we never threatened the total - 3 bad ones from their umpire didnt help either. We look forward to a return home next week. [AD].

1st XI vs Byfleet (H) - Won by 6 Wkts [20 pts]

A fine win for the 1sts against a week Byfleet side that sees us up to an early season 3rd place.

Monkey and Stu led the way with awesome opening spells, Monkey finishing with 13 overs 6 for 22, and Stu 11 overs 2 for 15. Monkey is now top of the league wicket takers. Please may this continue. Im sure some of you will be happy to hear that he also managed to dislocate Tim Bazaglos finger in the process! There was also some excellent fielding restricting Byfleet to 73 all out. This target was never in doubt with another top knock from Michael Curtis 39* seeing us home.

All this without our skipper who fell ill to a steak tartar and a raw egg the Friday night before. The question is, will he get back in the side?![SH]

13th May 2006: vs Sanderstead (A) - Winning Draw

A really good performance to start the season. Despite a hurriedly assembled team, a late arrival at a well hidden ground, being obligated to bat first on a typical green, wet one, and subsequently finding ourselves reduced to 6-4, the ones rallied to gain a winning draw and 9 points.

Credit for our batting revival goes largely to Michael Curtis and Richard Read who, in their first league game, steadied the ship admirably with a century stand. Michael finished with a very well made 64. Everyone below contributed, Chuck Slaughter with 29 and Chris Scott 23, before Monkey secured maximum batting points with a brace of lusty blows.

All the bowlers bowled tightly, (well, Monkey dropped a couple short and was deposited over the hedge, but he responded by causing serious damage to the metatarsal of the offending batsman), and despite an obvious desire to go for the runs, Sanderstead never managed to mount a serious challenge. Some excellent fielding (2 run outs) contributed to a late flurry of wickets.

Had Sanderstead thrown caution to the wind a little earlier, we may have forced the win.

The game should prove a valuable confidence booster should adversity rear its ugly head again!

6th May 2006: vs Merrow (A) - League Cup Round 1 - Won by 6 Wickets

The 1's got the season off to a flyer with an emphatic victory over Merrow. Bowling first on a damp pitch, Rei/ads Stu and Monkey never allowed the home side to settle. Monkey in particular produced a devastating spell of 5-17, including 3 wickets in 4 balls. Chuck Slaughter nipped a lower order revival in the bud, taking the last 4 wickets and wrapping up the innings for 83. Fielding was good in slimy conditions. New boy Michael Curtis excelled, taking two catches in the slips including a one handed blinder off Chuck. Mention should also go to our erstwhile former chairman Ray, who donned the whites and gamely charged into the breach.

Only a dreadful collapse could deny us, but openers Sam H and Alex D averted that possibility before both falling in the 20s. Roland A and Michael C saw us home, the latter finishing the game in style with a six and a four.

Many of you will join me in congratulating Battersea Ironsides on their victory over Southbank CC, we look forward to facing them in the next round. [SH]

2005 Season Review

Walking off at Ottershaw and Hamm Moor at the end of the season, having dismissed the hosts for 60, there was optimism in the OP team that Horley or Long Ditton may slip up, allowing us to take outright second place in the league. An anxious few hours followed as we received regular reports from Long Ditton, where Southbank were inching towards a win which would see us up. Ultimately it was not to be, and 2005 would have been remembered as a frustrating “nearly” year. Apparently missing promotion, though equal on points in second place, was down to a lack of winning draws, and therefore “match points”. It could be blamed on any number of factors: a catch here or run out there could have gleaned the extra point we needed. The most obvious culprits, however, were the weather at Englefield Green, and a poor batting display at Merstham, where a tantalising 60 year old bowler ensured we failed to chase 157.
Then, joy! We were informed by the league (in late October) that we had secured a place in division one so that the number of teams in each division would be equal. We extend our grateful thanks (and commiserations!) to those clubs who have combined or left the league to make this change possible.
The season was not without noteworthy performances. Skipper Alex Duncan made two hundreds, vice-captain Sam Hyman made over 500 runs in the season, including an astonishingly brutal 169 against Old Suttonians. The opening stand of 285 between these two players in this match is a new club (and possibly league?) record. It was a boon to be able to call on the services of erstwhile captain Tom Peters all season, but by his own admission the second half of his season was disappointing. Perhaps it will take time for him to adapt to a new role as ex- aggressive fast bowler now with a bad back and bowling “darts”, perhaps it was his relocation to Australia on his mind. The club currently has a bumper crop of quality keepers. Roland Archdall finished the season in possession of the gloves and chipped in with a couple of 70`s late in the season. We expect big things from him in the future.
Our batting and bowling attacks were led by our 18 year old pro, Kieran Noema - Barnett, who languidly thrashed his way to 673 runs, and, without really bothering to run in, collected 48 wickets. We might see him on the telly one day. Other good bowling performances came from Richie Carroll, who despite not bowling his best, and leaving towards the end of the season to go gardening in South America, finished with 21 wickets at 21.5. Stu Read bowled his way into the ones mid season and took 11 wickets in a handful of games. It was a shame that Chuck Slaughter sliced his hand on a pot plant and missed most of the season, we are often at out most effective when he bowls in tandem with his spin twin Carroll. Chris Read took the bowling prize by inspiring us to victory on the last day of the season with 6-27 and finishing with 22 wickets at 21, It was a realisation of the potential he has always had to blast people out when he gets his rhythm.
Thanks as ever to our long-suffering umpire Ian McNicol, groundsman Graham Godfrey, and Alan Hague, keeper of the most accurate and intricately coloured scorebook in the land, who revelled in his new role as league statistician. Thanks too to our chairman Ray Burton who has signalled his desire to stand down after years of service to the club. Ray has always led with a calm assurance and kept the club growing in stature. [AD]