2010 Fixtures - The calendar below has now been populated with all nets and fixtures agreed for WestX1. Any changes will be added as the season progresses. All fixtures have a provisional 1-30 start time, unless otherwise stated. Confirmation will come out prior to each game. Other WestX1 events, and other events of interest to Westies can be added to this calendar. Where possible a link to the venue can be got off the calendar entry. Where blank these will be added over the course of the season.
A full list of fixtures is also shown below the calendar.
| DATE | Opposition | H/A | Location | Result |
| Sun 25 Apr 10 | Cincinnati | H | Walthamstow | Lost |
| Sun 2 May 10 | Dinder | H | Winchmore Hill | Canc |
| Sun 9 May 10 | Plums | A | Winchester | Lost |
| Sun 16 May 10 | Gents | N | Boston Manor | Lost |
| Sat 22 May 10 | Entrecasteux | A | Provence Tour - cancelled |
Canc |
| Sun 23 May 10 | Entrecasteux | A | Canc |
|
| Sun 23 May 10 |
Ruislip Victoria CC |
A |
Greenford | Won |
| Sun 6 Jun 10 | Saints | A | OHCC, Borehamwood |
Won |
| Sat 12 Jun 10 | Fulmer CC | H | Winchmore Hill | Lost |
| Sat 19 Jun 10 | North Star | A | Chigwell | Won |
| Sun 20 Jun 10 | Whalers | H | Civil Service Ground Chiswick | Lost |
| Sun 27 Jun 10 | Cptn's Select | H | Winchmore Hill | Canc |
| Sat 3 Jul 10 | North Curry | A | Somerset Tour | Won |
| Sun 4 Jul 10 | Dinder | A | Aban |
|
| Sun 11 Jul 10 | Gents | H | Greenford | Lost |
| Sat 17 Jul 10 | Northfields 2nd XI | A | Ealing | Won |
| Sun 25 Jul 10 | Sunderland | H | Winchmore Hill | Won |
| Sun 1 Aug 10 | Barnet Sunday 2nd XI | A | Barnet | Won |
| Sun 8 Aug 10 | Acme | H | Greenford | Lost |
| Sun 15 Aug 10 | Octopus | H | Winchmore Hill | Lost |
| Sun 22 Aug 10 | Gents | A | Old Tenisonians | Canc |
| Sun 5 Sep 10 | Plums | H | Winchmore Hill | Won |
| Sun 12 Sep 10 | Belmont and Edgware | A | Watford |
|
| Sun 19 Sep 10 |
CAMRA | H |
Morden |
|
|
Sat 25 Sep 10 |
Bures | A |
Bures |
Match Reports - From our beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve ('alf empty) Bignell
Acme
Barnet 2nd X1
Click here for latest rolling averages.
Winchmore Hill CC Sunday 5 September 2010
WEST X1 184-5 beat The Plums 175-8 by 9 runs
In an intriguing and fluctuating contest ten-man West X1 just overcame a spirited Plums recovery, still shaking from an onslaught by Rowan Allerton, who smashed a record 30 runs from the Beggars' 35th over. The barrage included three sixes and three fours, one straight six clearing the sightscreen and almost taking out an upper floor dressing-room window! Earlier in the week have-a-go hero Rowan had helped to prevent a robbery, chasing the bandit down the street and making a citizen's arrest. If this was not enough intrepidness for one person, he then took three late wickets as the Plums threatened to chase down their target of 185. Match scorecard
On an overcast day and with a green, seaming wicket, the ball was in control early on as West X1 struggled to 27 for 2 in their first 12 overs against some steady bowling and fielding. Taylor and Boden both played over full length deliveries, Dave Rawlings and St.John Costelloe fell early and only a typically stylish 47 from Chris Dane held the innings together. When he was dismissed at 90-5 in the 25th over a challenging total looked unlikely. But Rowan, joined by an out of touch Steve Rennie, scored 67 not out, the pair putting together an unbeaten 94 for the sixth wicket. After a shaky start, Steve chiselled out a typically unorthodox 19 runs for a much needed confidence boost. Even so, the innings looked to have stalled, with just six runs coming from the 33rd and 34th overs, before Rowan let rip at the unfortunate Lowden, beating the 20 year-old record of Jim Irvine's 26 runs in one over against Sunderland (scored in the first 5 balls as he was dismissed off the sixth).
Although always slightly behind the run rate, the Plums recovered from early strikes by Taylor and Matt Cattee, Wood (32) and McStay (38) adding 53 for the third wicket in a brisk eight overs. The only down side of a solid team effort from West X1 was the number of catches spilled yet again, including three in one over from the luckless Cattee. The team has taken only 42 all season, but bagged two that mattered – Rennie reeling in a skier to dismiss the dangerous Mcstay and Dave Laing taking an excellent catch down by his ankles to get rid of Day, who was starting to hit out in the last few overs. Rowan also despatched captain Chris Folley for just 2 as the Plums were always tantalisingly short of what was required. Lowden achieved some recompense for his earlier pounding with an measured 54 not out and was unlucky to finish on the losing side. Sixteen runs were needed from the final over but Stewie's experience kept it down to just six for a hard won victory.
'I fear we may have given birth to a monster!' commented Director of Cricket Steve Bignell after the game on Rowan's tremendous batting. 'I am actually starting to feel sorry for some of these bowlers! This wasn't in any way slogging, simply clean hitting with orthodox cricket shots. There is no limit to what he can achieve.'
EMPTIES READY FOR COLLECTION
Winchmore Hill CC Sunday 15 Aug 2010
WEST X1 179 lost to Octopus CC 180-3 by 7 wickets
West X1 were comprehensively and deservedly beaten by a lively Octopus side, whose cephalopodan tentacles encompassed all aspects of the game with more competence and enthusiasm. This contest proved almost a re-run of The Whalers match a few weeks back, where the Beggars posted what looked a reasonable total in 40 overs on a flat pitch in perfect batting conditions, then palpably failed to defend it. Match Scorecard
Having successfully negotiated the main pitch, birthday boy Chris Dane had no hesitation in batting first. On the same track the previous day Winchmore Hill had bowled out Kenton for 89 in a Middlesex League match, but it was flat and true and runs came quickly, despite Chris Boden needlessly running himself out in the second over. Mike Delanian hit a lively 22, but when Chris's Dane and Wright came together (West X1's Edrich and Compton) another 200-plus score looked possible. Everything was going well at the half-way stage (100-2 from 20 overs), but Daney was an immediate victim of the drinks break, caught behind for 42. Wrighty was looking imperious until brilliantly caught for the same score at mid-off by Donelly. Andy Cox made a competent 20 and Rowan Allerton a typically brisk 18, but 173-5 predictably fizzled away to 179 all out. With Mike deservedly promoted up the order, there is no Ling-like hitter in the venerable tail. The final total was probably 40/50 runs below par.
With no help from the pitch and a huge, slightly bumpy, outfield to defend, the Beggar bowlers never looked capable of exerting any control, with the exception of Wrighty's excellent opening spell. There were too many short balls and full-bungers, which were dutifully punished by Hayward and Lampough, who compiled 77 for the first wicket in 16 overs until the latter miscued a Laing full toss to Dane in the covers for 45. Dave was in seventh heaven, being able to tread the same field that his great hero Johnny Haynes had done many years before. Hayward and Joshi then took the game away with 85 in 13 overs, assisted by some Pakistani-like schoolboy fielding, later heavily criticised by the non-playing chairman who spent the match picnicking on the boundary. Rowan and Steve Bignell combined well to dismiss Joshi for 35 and Hayward's excellent 74 came to an end when he fell lbw to a Dave bender delivery that took so long to get to the batsman that it had whiskers on it!
But it was too little, too late, the visitors coasting home with ten overs to spare. With next week's fixture at The Gentlemen of West London cancelled due to the lack of fit and available players and no game scheduled for August Bank Holiday weekend, West X1 will not take the field again until September, which is just as well given the mental and physical condition of some of the overworked elder players.
Sadly, I have to report that Gilbert, the club mascot of indeterminate species, was the victim of an unprovoked and brutal attack in the bushes in front of the pavilion after the match. The local police (Cuddly Toy Abuse Unit) are looking for a scruffy, unshaven, possibly homeless middle-aged man with potential mental health issues and a raucous laugh, to assist in their enquiries. Poor Gilbert was so traumatised by this attack that he has now resigned his position as official club mascot and will be replaced by Vince, the streetwise and foul-mouthed fox from the hit BBC3 series Mongrels (see below), who will also double as the club's new motivation coach.
EXCERPTS FROM VINCE'S PRESS CONFERENCE
Morning ****s
May I say what a privilege it is to be offered this position at one of the most famous and prestigious cricket clubs. I am deeply honoured, not to mention very hungry.. er.. for success that is.
Now listen up. I 'ear you 'ave a few pussies in this team. Well, that's ****ing 'ard luck for some o' you bastards, 'cause I ****ing EAT PUSSIES!!
So,
**** holidays!
**** football!
**** pussy injuries!
You ****s will all be available and up for the next game, that is unless you actually LIKE 'ospital food!!!
Did someone just call me a ****!
GLASS LEAKING DESPITE WRIGHT HEROICS
LPFF Greenford Sun 8 Aug 2010
WEST X1 137-8 lost to Acme 185-6 by 48 runs
Despite a valiant effort in warm conditions West X1 rarely looked like matching their more accomplished opponents, having to take the field without both skipper Chris Dane and deputy Chris Boden. With the Chris factor down to one, retro skipper Wrighty put in a Trojan effort both in the field and with the bat, but there was minimal contribution from his supporting cast. With holidays, football commitments and a general tightening of the pink handcuffs, the Beggar eleven was an odd mixture of effervescent young tyros, hard-bitten veterans and less mobile and occasionally fainthearted old masters. Match scorecard
Acme are long-established, friendly and sporting opponents, but there is always a touch of needle in these contests, manifesting itself in the opening overs with a verbal exchange between Rowan Allerton and the umpire, provoking something of a 'wide' war for the rest of the day. Wrighty shuffled his depleted bowling resources well, restricting Acme's talented batting line-up to 81-3 from the first 20 overs. Standing in for his twin brother, John McGirr's accurate spell frustrated Johnson (17) into spooning a catch to Jim Herdman at cover. A smart piece of work from Dave Bender ran out Williamson (25), then Thomas Hurley (who, with his big hair was a deadringer for the 13-year-old Rowan) accounted for Jacot and Batra with a fine spell of spin bowling (2-39). Martin Bowden has been a thorn in the Westies' side for the best part of twenty years, and here weighed in again with a brisk 57 not out to raise the total to 185-6.
The West X1 response began slowly and never really got off the ground. Mike Delanian started brightly until smartly stumped, followed by unfortunate blobs from tyros Allerton and Hurley ('My first duck for 3 years'). Wright and Herdman repaired the innings with some circumspection against accurate bowling, adding 38 for the fourth wicket in 11 overs. Steve Bignell helped Wrighty put together another 45 for the sixth wicket in a further 11 overs, and competitive arbiter McGirr kept the scoreboard ticking by wideing everything that went past the bat. But it was never going to be enough. Chris pulled out some big blows in the last few overs to accumulate yet another fifty, helped by some rare runs from the venerable tail. In addition to Wrighty's 56 only Bignell (18) and Herdman (14) made it into double figures, which was somewhat disappointing, as was another three ducks from the top six.
YOUTH POLICY PAYS OFF AS BEGGARS WIN THREE IN THREE
Barnet Sunday 1 August 2010
WEST X1 161-5 beat Barnet CC 160-9 by wickets
Despite an abysmal fielding performance and a late collapse, West X1 recorded their third successive win against Barnet Sunday 2nd XI on a humid afternoon in North London. Young tyro Rowan Allerton posted his highest score of the summer - a mature knock of 68 - in a first wicket stand of 132 with acting skipper Chris Boden. Match scorecard
Conditions were surprisingly poor for a Middlesex League ground, the pitch being bare in patches interspersed with clumps of verdant grass,
so Chris B clearly made the right decision by inserting the opposition, particularly when Chris Wright bowled two batsmen in no time - in fact 11 of the 15 wickets to fall in the day were bowled, a clear indication of the track's unpredictability. This was just as well, since West X1 were incapable of catching anything! At least six chances went begging, plus a few half-chances, with varying degrees of difficulty. The Barnet middle order took full advantage of such generosity to put up a decent total of 160, three wickets apiece for Wright and Boden, plus two from Phil Hill and one from Dave Bender.
With a tail longer than a Chernobyl rat, the Beggars needed their top three to fire, they being the youngest trio in the side. The opening pair of Boden and Rowan Allerton were in fact the only two batsmen under forty. Chris attacked the bowling from the off, ignoring the vagaries of the pitch. Rowan began slowly but soon overtook his more senior partner with some quality off drives and leg pulls. Their partnership was worth 132 in 22 overs before both succumbed to grubbers. Chris's 55 leapfrogged him into the lead as the club's top run scorer for 2010, overtaking Wrighty and the injured Chris Dane.
The introduction of Nilanka (4-13) provoked a predictable collapse, five wickets falling for just 15 more runs. Wrighty (17*) was in a playful mood and might have been out a couple of times, but held it together long enough to see the visitors over the line by five wickets. This was an odd match, the team having no preconceived ideas about the opposition, played out with much comedy bowling and fielding, though in the end it proved an intriguing contest.
This performance only emphasises West X1's continuing dependence on a small clique of players (basically the three Chris's and Rowan) for all the runs and wickets, whilst the capability, unpredictability and reliability of most of the team's senior members continues to head in a southerly direction along with their waistlines. Their glasses are emptying slowly and younger replacements will shortly be required.
DANEGELD TOO TAXING FOR NORTH-EASTERNERS
Winchmore Hill CC Sunday 25 July 2010-07-26
WEST X1 235-7 beat Sunderland Supporters 210-9 by 25 runs
Taking on the club captaincy seems to have inspired Chris Dane. In this keenly fought contest he hit a season's best 81, then followed it up with an excellent bowling spell of 4-22 to swing the game back in West X1's favour as Sunderland's Woolston looked to be taking away from them. With 28 wickets so far this season, he is now two-thirds of the way to breaking Phil Hill's 20-year-old record of 42 victims, with eight games left to play. Much of this has eclipsed the feats of former skipper Chris Wright, who has scored the same number of runs in 2010 (403) and bagged 15 wickets, currently averaging nearly 60 with the bat. Not far behind is Chris Boden, who made 75 in a 136-run partnership with Daney in 23 overs of elegant strokeplay. Between them the three Chris's have scored 1175 runs and taken 53 wickets. Match scorecard
It was the fourth time in seven innings that the Beggars have posted a 220-plus total, unsurprising given the flatter, dry wickets and bone hard parched outfields of the last few weeks. It was also Daney's fourth consecutive fifty (256 runs in his last four knocks) - a feat never before achieved in 25 years of club history - though Steve Bignell scored three in four innings back in 1990. The batsmen had to work hard for their runs on this occasion, Sunderland fielding tightly and only occasionally letting the odd ball through on the boundary. Damian Zachlod (17), Mike Delanian (16) and Wrighty (23*) make aggressive contributions to the scorel, though the innings inevitably fell away at the end as the batsmen went for bigger shots. John McGirr, who remained virtually static for the whole 35 overs at mid-off/backward leg, took two catches - one a blinder to dismiss Delanian.
It's a batsman's game at the moment and young Woolston (having taken 3-1 in his last two overs of bowling) hit a majestic century (112), almost winning the match for his side. Matt Cattee (1-26) bowled a great opening spell, dismissing the elder Jones and being only one of two bowlers on the day (Dane inevitably the other) to go for less than four an over. Hill bowled the hyper Hopkin, but the partnership of Woolston and Stewart became ever more threatening, though Sunderland were always behind the required run rate. The situation looked ominous when Woolston took the long handle to Bignell and Boden, hitting the latter over the trees and into the street at one point!
It was skipper and ex-skipper who pulled it back. Dane trapped Stewart leg before and Wright had Woolston well held by Dave Rawlings on the cover boundary. The innings then disintegrated with Daney picking off the tail to great effect. Throughout the game the fielding had been excellent on a difficult surface, with Rowan Allerton impenetrable and his old man working as hard as ever in the outfield.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable game at a superb venue with a top bar and catering. Sunderland also brought along a bevy of boundary babes to brighten up the somewhat gloomy conditions! Special thanks to Dave Bender for working the scorebook and enlivening the atmosphere with his raucous banter.
GLASS FULLER BUT NOT QUITE BRIMMING
Saturday July 17 2010 Swyncombe Playing Fields, Boston Manor
WEST X1 270-6 beat Northfields CC 216-8 by 54 runs
Life is rarely dull with West X1. After last week's bumsqueaker at Greenford, a game dominated by the bowlers, came this extraordinary contest, where 486 runs flowed in 80 overs from a hard, green wicket bounded by a lightning fast, parched outfield. Four of the Westies' first five batsmen scored half-centuries; when he had scored 43 Rowan Allerton became the youngest West X1 player to reach 1000 runs and Chris Wright took his 200th wicket. If this was not enough excitement, Mike Delanian hit his maiden fifty, veteran umpire Kevin Allerton threatened to eject an opposition bowler from the field and spectators were treated to some comedy bowling in the latter stages of the match. Match scorecard
With Dave Bender and Andy Cox making their season debuts, a somewhat rickety-looking side was boosted by the late inclusion of young tyro Allerton. The Beggars batted first, not quite knowing what to expect from the opposition attack. Chris Dane set the tone early on with some neat deflections through the slips to a surprisingly vacant third man area, going on to dominate an opening stand of 86 in 17 overs with emergency opener Delanian. Mike was missed off a skier before he had scored, but settled down to bat for almost 27 overs, making 50 out of 158. Both Daney and Mike were bowled by the fierce-looking Hugill, steaming down the slope with all guns blazing, but Wrighty announced himself with a gentle six over extra cover first ball and accumulated 24 before bothering about any singles, though unusually lost his cool at a barrage of (unintentional) beamers from Hugill, who was threatened with immediate expulsion by the standing umpire. A powder keg situation was diplomatically defused by the respective captains immediately relieving both umpire and bowler of their duties. Rowan Allerton bullied his way to another fifty and the final total of 270 included Dane 58, Delanian 50, Wright 60 and Allerton Jnr. 54 not out - the first time four West X1 batsmen had achieved 50 in the same innings.
The Northfields reply never really kick-started in the early stages, reaching 73-2 after 20 overs, both wickets to Dane, though Matt Cattee and Wrighty beat the bat on many occasions with little luck. The introduction of Steve Rennie and Dave Bender into the attack enlivened a match that appeared to be drifting towards an inevitable denouement. Rennie's assortment of wides, no balls, skyrockets and pea rollers so bemused the Northfields batsmen that they began to throw away their wickets to him. Top scorer Jones (65) was induced to play on, Griswood was so astonished by a well-flighted straight ball that he totally missed it and Lilley dollied a catch to Jim Herdman at cover. Meanwhile, Dave Bender's frugal first over was followed by one that leaked 26, 5 fours and a six to the belligerent Hugill (only Steve Bignell had conceded more runs in a six-ball over (28)). Hugill also deposited Wrighty over mid wicket for another six but the ex-skipper had the last word, bowling him for 35 - his 200th victim for the club. In the end, Northfields made a decent fist of it. Had their innings got off to a quicker start the outcome might have been a good deal closer.
'This was a considered all-round performance, and it was good to get a win after last week's disappointment,' said a surprisingly upbeat Director of Cricket Bignell. Rennie is definitely our secret weapon. The batsmen were so bewildered as to what might be coming next they were totally psyched out! Steve's achievement of reducing his bowling average by 105 points in a single session was an amazing effort in the circumstances. Also, it was good to witness Dave and Andy back in harness, their respective wits having been sadly missed. And it was great to see Rowan bounce back. He was a bit down following last week's defeat, but batted superbly and kept well on an unpredictable track. Even more encouraging was Mike coming of age as a batsman. He had a bit of luck, but got his head down to play an uncharacteristically supporting role.'
GLASS HALF EMPTY AGAIN
Sunday July 11 2010 LPFF Ground, Greenford
Gentlemen of West London 132 all out beat West X1 120 all out by 12 runs
Following the rapidly disappearing Dinder refuseniks the previous Sunday, West X1 suffered another setback to their season as the Gents retained The Bob Ashton Memorial Cup in a dramatic climax to one of the best ever games between the two clubs. On a bowler's day, 22 wickets fell for just 252 runs despite the good conditions. The best partnership of the day (67 between Chris Dane and Stewart Taylor) looked to have given West X1 the ascendancy as they chased a modest 133 for victory, only for a total collapse in the last few overs to scupper their chances. Match scorecard
The Beggars dominated the early exchanges with a continuation of their bowling renaissance. Chris Boden bagged three early wickets, then Chris Wright's hostile spell earned him 4-22 as he ripped out the Gent middle order. Rudru hit a bright 26 before falling to a great catch from Taylor and Sanjay Patel rode his luck to top score with a brave 35. Phil Hill (2-24 despite a few pies), Stewart Taylor (1-19) and Matt Cattee (1-5) provided excellent support, bowling out a strong Gent batting line-up for only 132. Only Chris Dane had a rare off day, bowling like a man who had imbibed too much ginger beer on Saturday, though he was to make up for it later with one of his finest innings for the team.
The Westies' reply began serenely enough until Boden offered a return catch to the lively Iqbal and Prabhu Bapu was bowled dancing down the pitch and heaving at Rudru. For once the Aylotts failed to fire and 17-0 became 26-4. Dane and Taylor then repaired the innings with some measured and sensible batting. Their stand was worth 67 in 18 overs at which point 40 runs were needed for victory in nine overs. However, just as in the earlier match at Boston Manor the innings began to lose impetus at the wrong time. Taylor was well caught by Newcombe at mid-off and Daney's fine 54 was ended with a smart stumping from Desai. At this point the Beggars old nemesis Sanjay Patel came into play. He reeled in a Rowan Allerton skier at long off and then crucially bowled Chris Wright with the last ball of his spell - probably the defining moment of the match.
At that point West X1 needed 14 runs to win in 4 overs with 4 wickets left but as the Gents turned the screw the Beggar tail surrendered with embarrassing alacrity, the last four batters squeezing out only one more run between them. Hemin Patel, for once not trying to bowl too fast and getting some assistance from the pitch, picked up the scraps to finish with 5-15.
It is hard to see where West X1 go from here. This was their fifth consecutive defeat to The GWLCC, though the margin of defeat is getting smaller with each game. Neepam Bhatt apart, this was about the strongest team West X1 could have put into the field, yet they still came up short. A couple of batsmen sold their wickets cheaply, but most dismissals were down to excellent bowling and top class catching. When teams are so well matched little things make all the difference. The Gents leaked just 6 extras to West X1's 17 and their last four batters scored 23 between them, the last four wickets adding a critical 29 in a low-scoring game.
And they called it Puppy Love - West XI CC Tour to Somerset 2010
By cub reporter Soonil Haverscar
Tour photos available on the Gallery
The tour had a somewhat inauspicious beginning with Wrighty leaving his entire cricket kit at home in the lounge having dutifully packed the tent, sleeping bag and other camping paraphernalia and only discovering his mistake when stopping to collect Master Biggers in Palmers Green. The benefit of an early start in order to beat the traffic was then obliterated by having to drive all the way back to east London and starting all over again. En route to collect the skipper, Steve had a senior moment, couldn't remember whether he'd locked the front door and so after much consternation we drove back to Palmers Green, checked the front door, it was locked, Steve had a comfort break, in all the excitement he'd completely forgotten to go to the toilet, and we commenced our journey via the skippers house and onto Somerset.
The drive down was unusual in that the windscreen wipers weren't called into use and we were propelled along by Rensters high octane rock selection, chilled by a combination of ice cold air conditioning and manic tailgating, complete blackouts at mini roundabouts and disastrous lane selection. An attempt to pre-order pub food during an occasional foray into the outside lane was narrowly avoided and everyone arrived in relatively good shape in time for a ploughman's, a continental deli board and pork medallions, before meeting up with the rest of the team and zipping off to Taunton school for the first match against North Curry CC. Match scorecard
The setting was quietly bucolic surrounded as we were by rolling scenery on 3 sides, a number of shipping containers and what looked like a brick built nuclear bunker were behind us to make up the square. Being the gracious and gentlemanly hosts that they are, our skipper accepted the North Curry invitation to bat and Damien and Chris 'the Bhagwan' Boden opened the innings in some style, both capitalising on some wayward bowling. The partnership reached 32 before Damien decided to hoik a straight one and found his bails in the air and himself trudging back to the container ship pavilion ruminating on what could have been. The buffet had been opened and he'd accidentally spilt the jelly all down his shirt!
Enter Chris Dane at number 3, looking in fine fettle. He began to instantly plunder the attack, pulling and hooking at will and motoring along at a rapid rate of knots whilst the Bhagwan continued to drive the ball imperiously hitting the ball with ferocious power and control. Daney then fell to an excellent catch at deep mid wicket on 63 and Wrighty entered the fray narrowly avoiding a golden duck by being dropped on the line by substitute fielder Dalanian. Wrighty and Boden then put on a partnership of 103 before Boden scored his maiden century for the club and generously retired on 101 allowing the young Tyro Allerton into the action. Having had his legs warmed by the pads for the best part of 14 overs sitting on the boundary it appeared that golden ducks weren't to be avoided altogether this tour, and as can sometimes happen after a lengthy wait, young Tyro's eyes lit upon a ripe juicy peach heading tantalisingly his way. He didn't quite time it the way he would perhaps have liked , the ball skidding off the inside edge, onto the stumps and he was heading back to the container ship, wishing perhaps like Damien that it was sailing off to distant shores!
Wrighty continued to ruthlessly plunder the bowling attack, opening up to capitalise on a number of full tosses and dispatching a number of 6's, one of which landed on the tiles of a house some distance away - new balls please! Rennie came to the wicket, determined to get his stop, start, stop, stop season going at last and played sensibly allowing Wrighty most of the strike, and with Steve on 7 and Wrighty not out on 90 the 35 overs arrived with 292 on the scoreboard.
A very pleasing tea was presented with most West XI players regretting their earlier binge eating attack at the 'Bird in Hand' PH however they managed with some reluctance to put away sandwiches, sponges and scones and cream with surprising success.
It was a decent score to defend and a degree of complacency characterised the early fielding display with misfields a plenty as a bloated, stuffed and fully gormandized West XI laboured about looking as sprightly and as mobile as the ocean going vessel which had so kindly left its cargo to double as changing rooms on an earlier voyage. Hill captured an early wicket with a curate's egg of a spell, accurate and occasionally beguiling but punctuated with dross which was dutifully dispatched by North Curry supremo Brendan 'anyone for another jug of otter' Simpson. Hillbilly repaired the damage by taking a second wicket, well caught by Damien behind the stumps but Brendan was finding the middle of the bat against most of the West XI attack and with Rennie a tad expensive runs were accumulating and wickets falling not. The skipper's first over was battered and the bowlers continued to toil away. Wrighty eventually make a breakthrough, having Brendan magnificently caught in the deep by young Tyro Allerton, thankfully deciding to stay for the remainder of the game. When Dane had Havens LBW the last resistance of North Curry was broken and Bignell and Delanian mopped up the remaining batsmen. Bignell caught the eye in particular with some attractive and bewitching leg spin, the batsman unable to lay bat on ball for the best part of 2 overs.
A very enjoyable afternoons cricket left the team in good spirits as it retired to the North Curry farm to pitch tents, freshen up and return to the 'Bird in Hand' for post match analysis and review. It was during the journey back from the ground that the first of the unusual high pitched noises first emanated from our beleaguered Treasurer, somewhere between a squeak, a hiccup, a sneeze and a dog's yap, it intermittently continued throughout the tour and has yet to be adequately explained.
Tents were pitched and ably assisted by 6 eight week old Springer spaniels who were a joy to behold, one almost returning with Wrighty in the back of the Renster-mobile before common sense prevailed, he is still considering the implications of possession and is yet to make a final decision on adoption. The evening flew past with North Curry in fine hospitable form laying down quiz question challenges which West XI did well to answer and reciprocate. The barmy weather continued and the jugs of otter kept coming and we caroused well into the night, eventually being beckoned towards the rear garden as the noise levels increased and the jugs of Otter kept coming. As with last year, the evening was an absolute belter and we thank Brendan for his generosity and hospitality and look forward to playing next year on the new North Curry pitch which we will hopefully have the honour of being the first touring team to play on.
The night passed uneventfully. Morning was met by a magnificent breakfast al fresco and more spaniel frolickings, most of the team raring to go. The notable exceptions of Rip Van Boden the narcoleptic Bhagwan and the Allertons whose relationship had deteriorated during the night as evidenced by Allerton senior asleep outside the tent and Allerton the younger enjoyed the luxury of a canvas womb. Eventually however all 3 emerged into the sunlight, tents were packed away, possessions collected and the annual pilgrimage to Glastonbury Tor and Burrow Mump begun. Everybody except the Allertons and Hillbilly Hill, unusually sporting a fine Bobby Moore T-shirt tacitly acknowledging the huge debt owed to the nation by London's favourite football team West Ham United, summited, the Allertons returning to slumber in the car and Hill sitting motionless under a sapling listening to 5-live and re-runs of Alan Green's finest football commentaries.
Lunch was taken at the Bull Terrier at Croscombe, as is the tradition. The whitebait this year not hitting the high standards of previous years and reflected the global problem of overfishing and deteriorating global fish stocks.
Arrival at the ground meant the usual dense clouds overhead, and with the conditions in mind skipper Dane opted to field first anticipating swing and bounce which was exactly what he got. As opposed to the previous days fielding, the Sunday team on display, boosted by the Vu Vu Zeela wielding Commander Laing, aka Shreddy Kruger, they were sharp and alert and immediately made headway. Dane removed openers Gould and Baker, with Damien again catching well behind the stumps. Boden had the dangerous left handed veteran groundsman Bobbitt out caught by Dane, the first of a record breaking 4 outfield catches in the game equalling the record held by Andy Robinson since 1998. Hillbilly was once again in on the action collecting a brace and bowling a superb spell of 7 overs for 13 runs. Boden's 6 for 10 and Wrights 5 for 7 tell a tale of miserly, accurate and sometimes unplayable deliveries, Dinder were dismissed for 122 all out after 34.1 overs. Match scorecard
The tea is always a highlight at Dinder with many players looking forward to the sandwiches, bananas and doughnuts and once again Dinder delivered, the absence of Battenberg hardly being noticed or commented on as players returned to the pavilion, replete and looking forward to batting. Once again Boden and Zachers laid a solid platform, the first wicket falling at 37 with Boden continuing where he'd left off the day before blasting away. He was ably supported by sniffing hay fevered young Tyro, this time batting with circumspection and restraint before falling for 20. Mike Delanian had hardly faced a ball before the rain started falling and before you could say boo to a goose the metaphoric covers were on and we were sitting back in the 'Bull Terrier' lamenting the micro climate of Dinder and wondering when the next occasion to blow on a Vu Vu Zeela would present itself!
Taking advantage of the early finish, the reverend Damien shepherded his flock and whisked them back to London leaving Messrs Dane, Wright, Biggers, Kruger and Renstino to the late night delights of Wells' ale and curry houses. In the morning over breakfast we chatted amiably to a couple on holiday from Sussex who were heading off to Avebury for an energy transfusion but before leaving the gentlemen said to Dave and I quote, "Are you on TV, you look awfully familiar?" - He was immediately met with howls of laughter and the George and Mildred legend grew that little bit stronger, the web site address was passed on for further and better particulars.
Following a trip around Wells cathedral, a discussion with the Bishop, and a trip to the moated Palace, we returned to the guest house to collect Renster's towel and shorts that he'd left in the room and headed for Hambledon, the very cradle of cricket. Set deep in the rolling Hampshire hills, we availed ourselves of lunch in the famous 'Bat and Ball' pub where the rules of cricket were originally put down on paper and as is appropriate on such occasions held a prayer meeting on the boundary. We watched a match bathed in glorious sunshine between the Brigends and Oundle before collecting our thoughts and driving back to normality and shrivelled strawberry plants; only 11 months and 30 days until next year!!!!!!!!
ROB, WRIGHTY & THE WHALERS - EXODUS, MOVEMENT OF OUR PEOPLE
West X1 (226-7) beat North Star (169-5) by 57 runs
Sunday June 20 2010 Civil Service Ground, Chiswick
West X1 (182-8) lost to The Whalers (183-2) by 8 wickets
Contrary to the spirit of their last AGM, West X1 were forced to endure a 'double header' weekend, emerging with hands, feet, bodies and egos battered and bruised but pride in tact. A total of 408 runs was the positive aspect of the exercise, only 7 wickets taken the negative. Old sweats Stewart Taylor and Phil Hill emerged from their hibernation, two of the 18 players employed. Stewie, looking somewhat Jaggeresque (when did he ever not!), nevertheless showed some old class with elegant strokes in his 18 and three wickets against North Star, whilst His Bunterness was involved in such a comical run out scenario in the same match that so disconcerted young tyro Allerton he was unable to continue the match! Match scorecard
On a miserable afternoon in soulless Chigwell, refuge of West Ham's 1966 World Cup stars and those protochav slappers from BBC's 1990s sitcom 'Birds of a Feather', Rob Aylott (76) and Chris Wright (77) butchered some friendly bowling to the tune of 128 in just 11 overs, assisted by a bumpy outfield and minimalist boundaries, Rob narrowly outdoing his partner five to four in the mini-sixes department. Intermittent light showers churned up what was already a poor pitch and North Star never looked like achieving their target of 227, the innings petering out to 169 for 5.
The general consensus was that this was a game hardly anyone wanted at a time and place inconvenient to almost everybody. Moreover, the hybrid 30-over format (the cricket equivalent of a 300 metre sprint race) is neither t/20 nor proper limited overs, though Chris Boden, on his captaincy debut, scored a bright 24 and ensured everyone present had either a bat or a bowl.
By contrast Sunday's match was played in far more pleasant conditions. Inserted by the oppo, the Beggars did well to eke out a score of 182-8 on a flat wicket, for once batting sensibly through 40 overs. Zachlod and Dane were early victims of the new ball, the skipper falling to a brilliant low catch at slip by Osborne, whose day was to get even better. Although missing their champion batsman (away tarting), it was fortunate for West X1 that Neepam Bhatt chose this match for his only appearance of the summer. The Nouveau Pere put together a very measured and mature innings of 79, helped by a fine 33 from Chris Boden, who looked in great form until unluckily playing on, the ball bouncing high off the bat and landing right on top of the stumps! Neep got solid support from the middle order, particularly Matt Cattee's 20, and the final total looked reasonable enough in the conditions. Match scorecard
The opposition provided another new ball for their innings but it was of little use, scuffing up from almost the first over. This ground has proved something of a graveyard for West X1 bowlers in recent times (indeed the whole ground had a ghost town appearance - shortly to be parcelled off to the private sector - and no bar open!). Daney got a bit of swing, trapping Milanovic lbw at 28, but the lumbering, creaking old beast that is the West X1 bowling attack proved totally ineffective on this shirtfront, with the fielders having to defend a huge expanse of bone hard turf. Neep bowled Dickenson (48) at 131 after a stand of 103, but following the second drinks break the bowling and fielding totally disintegrated to the extent that the target would have been reached in 30 overs had it not ended in almost total farce, with batsmen refusing runs to allow Osborne to reach a well deserved 100 in advance of the winning hit
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Technique on Display on Sunday
Whilst the batting is improving by the week, the Beggar bowling attack (Daney apart) has been a sorry thing this season, with only 61 wickets bagged in 10 innings (including only 10 in the last 3) and having bowled out the opposition just twice in 2010. A glance at the bowling averages tells its own story.
Sat June 12 2010 Winchmore Hill CC
West X1 (155) Lost to Fulmer CC (157-3) by 7 wickets
A depleted West X1 side were comprehensively defeated by newcomers Fulmer from Buckinghamshire, but they put up a brave show against a much stronger side, batting up a total of 155 in the face of some hostile bowling, Mike Delanian making a career-best 38 at number nine. However, an under-strength attack proved no match for the opposition batsmen, who knocked off the runs in little more than 20 overs. Match scorecard
With captain Dane and deputy Boden both unavailable retro skipper Chris Wright opted to bat first on what looked a perfect wicket. Fulmer are typical of many sides around at the moment - a lot of fit, young and talented Asian boys mixed in with some old sweats - and their battery of quick bowlers looked likely to overwhelm the Beggars early doors. Thankfully, Rob Aylott and Chris Wright resisted manfully for ten overs to add 40 for the third wicket, Rob applying the big bat with some success whilst a more circumspect Wrighty set out to hold the innings together. Rob was caught for an excellent 27 to be replaced by son Tom, who batted out the rest of the innings with a good mixture of defence and aggression to be last man out for 26. The loss of Wright, bowled for 26, and Rowan Allerton for 11, playing over a full toss, left West X1 struggling at 103-7 and it looked like an early tea.
Mike Delanian is now looking a highly competent and powerful lower middle-order batsman, once he has safely negotiated his first ball! and played superbly to hit 38, adding 52 for the eighth wicket with Tom Aylott in eight overs, including three big sixes. His fine effort was brought to an end by a stunning catch at long off, whereafter the innings disintegrated with no further runs added.
With such a weakened bowling attack Wrighty had to mix and match with some occasional trundlers, which saw Fulmer off to a flying start with 35 from the first 5 overs before Rowan tickled Field's off stump with a full ball. There was even a glimmer of victory when debutant young tyro Sean Coleman opened his account with a double-wicket maiden to leave the visitors 55-3. However, Uzair (56*) and Arslan (54*) polished off the game in just ten more overs, helped by a number of juicy full tosses which rapidly disappeared into the adjacent undergrowth. The game was finished by 6 pm. allowing everyone time to retire home to watch the England game.
'This was a good performance in difficult circumstances,' commented Director of Cricket Steve Bignell. 'We did well to get a full side out in the end and batted and fielded solidly, particularly the younger players. There is hope for the future.'
OLD HABERDASHERS GROUND, BOREHAMWOOD SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2010
WEST X1 (114 & 162-6) beat London Saints (103-6 & 128-8) BY 45 RUNS
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West X1 overcame early difficulties to retain the Nelson Cup by 45 runs on a sultry day, another team performance of some character, so much so that Chris Wright and Phil Hill, tarting for The Plums in Amsterdam, were barely missed. Chris Boden happily regained his batting form with two innings of 40, whilst Rowan Allerton's blistering second knock 49 effectively took the game away from the opposition with the match evenly poised. Match scorecard
The Beggars were at their usual sixes and sevens at the start of the game, with one player dropping out at the very last minute and three others on a BR Magical Mystery Tour. With only seven players in situ at kick off time, West X1 batted first. Unsurprisingly, they suffered accordingly, scratching their way to 27-5 in 9 overs on another low, slow pitch. Chris's Dane (48) and Boden (40) then put together a partnership of 76 in just 7 overs - two-thirds of the total - before the innings crumbled again to 114 all out.
London Saints' first dig was dominated by Jones (33) and Chalmers (31), who put up 57 for the 2nd wicket. At 71-1 in the 12th over they looked set for a first innings lead, but a canny spell from Steve Bignell (2-12), plus frugal efforts from Dane and Boden restricted the total to 103-6, a West X1 lead of 11.
Much then depended on the Beggars' second knock, as it did last year when they had a considerable deficit to overcome and rose Lazarus-like from the grave to turn the match around. Mike Delanian offered a stylish 17, but Rowan's entry at second wicket down transformed the day. In seven overs of mayhem, the young tyro hit seven fours and two sixes, including four successive boundaries off Van Marle in over eight. Eventually bowled by a Pearce grubber at 80, it still needed a positive finale to set a big target and this was provided by Boden (40*) and Phil Walton (23*) with 70 from the last 8 overs.
Needing a huge 174 to win, Saints never recovered from Dave Laing's opening 3-24, though Griffiths batted well for 39 and Berkeley for 26, before a lame Nanton biffed a late 33 not out. Taking the pace off the ball appeared the order of the day, with Bignell and Laing taking six of the eleven Saints' wickets to fall to the bowlers and the ultra-slow Pearce bagging six for the home side. An entertaining days' cricket finally ended at ten past eight in the evening.
See Miscellaneous Whimsy for alternative match report
YOUNG TYROS SAVAGED BY MAD DOG
LPFF Ground, Greenford Sunday 23 May 2010
WEST X1 (216-5) beat Ruislip Victoria (90 all out) by 126 runs
West X1 gained their long-awaited first victory of the season on a blisteringly hot afternoon thanks to a club record unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 114 between Dave Rawlings (60*) and Rowan Allerton (55*). In the home side's reply, Chris Dane added to his impressive tally of wickets so far this season with 5-8. Match Scorecard
The emergent Ruislip side are likeable, well-mannered and enthusiastic and, after Daney won the toss for the first time in 2010 and opted to bat, more than held their own for 25 overs with some efficient bowling and fielding. Evan Bates - one of two debutants along with Jim Herdman - had opened his West X1 career with a cracking four through the cover field, but both he and fellow opener Justin Norcott were dismissed at 20. Chris's Dane and Wright opted for a measured coalition on a flat but dead wicket with little bounce, adding 69 in 13 overs, until both were dismissed in quick succession, followed by an out-of-touch Chris Boden.
At 102-5 after 24 overs the match was in the balance but, as the fielding side began to wilt in the heat, they were met with a savage attack from Dave 'Mad Dog' Rawlings and Rowan 'Tyro' Allerton. Rowan opened his account with a flat six over deep square leg, but it was mainly Dave who led the way, despite a nasty blow to the chin. Notwithstanding an array of boundary riders the batsmen kept finding the gaps with some brutal hitting, piling up 114 in just 11 overs of mayhem, overtaking the match-winning 14-year-old sixth wicket record of Steve Bignell and Stewart Taylor against Southgate Blades. It was Dave's highest score for the club and Rowan's third fifty. The total of 216 did include a generous 30 extras, including a rare 5 penalty runs for the ball hitting a helmet lying on the ground, umpire McGirr impressing everyone with the correct signal.
Ruislip put up a brave effort in reply, with the experience JayJay scoring an unbeaten 37 from No.3, but no one could keep him company for very long. Chris Dane took a wicket with his first ball, then added two more in the same over, whilst Chris Wright bowled Rajiv and Ranjit with successive deliveries. With his tail-ender alert button flashing Daney brought himself back on to polish things off with almost ten overs to spare. He now has 15 wickets already in 2010, only five short of his total for the whole of last season.
This was a much better effort all round for the Beggars in difficult conditions, with Boden, John McGirr (2-20) and Rai Salhan putting in good shifts with the ball: no catches were dropped and the batting is beginning to look a tad tidier.
BEGGARS FLOUNDER IN THE MUD
NPFF Ground, Boston Manor Sunday 16 May 2010
Gentlemen of West London (151-6) beat West X1 (132-9) by 19 runs
In a contest that ended in appalling conditions, West X1 just failed to reverse recent fortunes against their traditional rivals, losing the first match of 2010 Bob Ashton Memorial Cup series by 19 runs, the match being played in the attractively situated ground in the Boston Manor triangle between the Piccadilly Line, the M4 Motorway and the Heathrow flight path. Match Scorecard
The Gents had the best of the batting conditions, the West X1 reply being interrupted by showers, but the Beggars' batting was turgid, particularly in the middle part of the innings when impetus was disastrously lacking. West X1 had begun well, with in-form skipper Chris Dane picking up three early wickets to bring his season's tally to ten already, taken at a meagre cost of 6.5 each, whilst later in the match he passed 3000 runs for the club. Chris Wright got scant reward for a hostile spell and the rest of the bowlers put in good shifts. The Gents had been reduced to 60-5 but once again the failure to capitalise on a strong start cost West X1 dear, as Kumar and Hemin Patel added 64 for the sixth wicket in 13 overs. The fielding was generally sound, although the throwing-in to the 'keeper left something to be desired, but the final total of 151-6 was probably 20 runs too many.
This was not the Gents' strongest bowling attack and West X1 had a real chance, but sadly the batting failed to launch yet again, despite a decent start form Prabhu Bapu and Dane that had the total at 48-1 in the 15th over. But once again it was Sanjay Patel who was their undoing, bowling Dane for 18 and taking a stunning return catch to get rid of Bapu (30). His seven overs cost just 12 and in tandem with namesake Hemin (2-17), coupled with some intense fielding, ground the innings almost down to a halt, pressure forcing the batsmen into errors. With the weather deteriorating the chances of victory lessened, personified by Steve Rennie's comical dismissal - lbw and hit wicket before being tactically run out by Chris Wright!
At 91-7 with just 5 overs left a heavy and prolonged shower drove the players off the field for what looked like the final time, but the soaked and muddied Gents were keen to finish the job. Abandonment would have been as good as a win for them - West X1 needing two victories to win back the trophy - and it was a credit to both teams that the game was played to a conclusion. Their eagerness almost proved the Gents' undoing as Wrighty, his beloved Bob Dylan bat having gone the way of all wood, borrowed another blade and set about the bowling. With thirty needed from the last two overs a glimmer of a chance remained, but Chris was bowled by Sciberras with nine balls left, the job proving too much for the venerable tail.
Despite a ninth defeat in ten matches this was a much better performance from West X1, all aspects of their game showing more promise, including a good debut from Rai Salhan. Clearly Neepam Bhatt is missed in the middle order, but the first victory cannot be far off.
Sunday 9 May 2010 King George V Fields, Winchester
WEST X1 (111-7 and 108-8) lost to The Plums (139-5 and 81-6) by 4 wickets
From our political correspondent E.Savinalaar-Finney
In a momentous week the country made its decision - to be decisively indecisive - and in Association Football Arsenal retained the Ladies Premier League title with the mighty Leeds United taking a major step forward towards regaining their rightful status in the higher echelons of the game. Sadly, in cold gloomy Winchester, former seat of the British monarchy, West X1 lost their huge majority over The Plums (sometimes known as The Purple Party). In a two-innings 20/twenty contest they were defeated by six wickets - a 10% swing to the right. Match Scorecard
The recent election of a new, charismatic and eloquent leader does not yet seem, on the face of it, to have improved the providence of the West X1 party, who went down to their ninth defeat in ten contests (including the end of last season). It was never a landslide, and it's still early days, but the decline in fortune appears difficult to reverse at the present time, despite wholehearted efforts from the party faithful. Not even the presence of club legend Milton Jolin and the return from self-imposed exile of firebrand party chairman Kevin Allerton could inspire their comrades to a much-needed victory on this occasion.
Batting first, early returns were not good for the visitors, who struggled to impose themselves until the entry of Falstaffian figure John McGirr, who contributed a brisk 17, but the only successful coalition of the innings came between Chris Dane (17) and the belligerent Chris Wright (leader of the Hedonist wing) with 42 not out. Some decent fielding restricted the first innings deficit to a manageable 28, despite too much short-pitched bowling, as The Plums posted 139-5, mainly thanks to Sam's 53 and 34 from Griffin (no relation).
West X1's second dig needed a big contribution from the Chris's, but sadly they both spoilt their ballot papers, holing out tamely for just a run apiece. It was left to the less vaunted candidates to rescue the innings and increase the Plums' share of the target. Michael Gove lookalike Phil Walton contributed a measured 27 and Allerton Senior a second double-figured effort of the day, whilst Allerton Junior crisply threatened to launch an upsurge in support with a barnstorming 20, but lost his deposit at a crucial stage.
Left with 81 to win The Plums were pegged back in the polls early on as Daney blitzed the initial overs with his big guns, taking 3 wickets in 4 balls himself to put the outcome briefly in doubt, but the reintroduction of the big-hitting Griffin with another 36 turned the tide again, victory coming with 5 overs to spare.
Whilst attempting to put a positive spin on things, the beleaguered Director of Communications was overheard committing another PR gaff by stating, 'I'm getting too f***ing old for all this!', despite later apologising profusely to a media scrum, sensing blood.
The fashion police were later called out in force as some unusual cricket apparel came on view due to the inclement weather, most notably Dave Laing's Noddy-like head-warmer. His case comes up next week.
WEST X1 (97 all out) lost to Cincinatti CC (170 all out) by 73 runs
West X1 got away to their usual sluggish start to the season, comprehensively beaten by Cincinatti on a cool, cloudy afternoon in east London. It was the Beggars' fourth contest with this opposition, and their fourth defeat, only new skipper Chris Dane and debutant Matthew Cattee coming out of a disappointing game with any credit. Match scorecard
Attempts to penetrate the psyche of Cincinatti have so far proved fruitless. They appear to be a team of similar ability to the Beggars, so their continued dominance remains a mystery. A fine burst by Dane (3-13), exploiting the conditions perfectly, had them in trouble at 36-4 and then 59-5, but somehow the last five wickets were allowed to add 111 more runs. The little and large combination of Bosberry and Carlin revived the innings with a partnership of 50 for the sixth wicket, then bowlers Ladbury and Sinclair successfully twatted 48 for the ninth wicket. Damien Zachlod, Steve Rennie and Rowan Allerton held good catches and Prabhu Bapu was lively behind the wicket. Chris Boden, John McGirr and Rowan Allerton put in good shifts with the ball, but sloppiness in the field, too many loose deliveries and the leakage of far too many extras (including an unacceptable 17 wides) allowed Cincinatti at least 30 more runs than they deserved, Cattee picking up the last two wickets to finish with a mixed bag of 3-42 on his first appearance.
Nevertheless, the target was attainable on a deadish pitch, three shortish boundaries and a fast outfield, but sadly the West X1 innings failed to launch. Only Chris Dane looked comfortable in the conditions against steady bowling, but there seemed little excuse for such an abject batting display. Ross ripped the heart out of the innings in just three overs, bowling Dane and Allerton, then dismissing Boden and Delanian in successive deliveries to leave the total at a miserable 49-8, the Beggars having lost 6 wickets for 17 runs in just four overs. Matt Cattee and Steve Bignell restored some respectability with a stand of 40 in 7 overs until Bullock mopped up the last two wickets.
'Naturally, the team is very disappointed with this performance,' said Director of Cricket Steve Bignell, 'but there were some positives which we need to build on. Lack of consistency during the match is our biggest problem, and the players need to work on this, together with better application at the crease.' Skipper Dane was keen to deflect any blame from the beleaguered director of cricket. 'Whatever went wrong wasn't down to Steve. Our pre-season has been excellent, our morale was up, but we just failed to deliver. Sometimes the players need to take a long hard look at themselves and take responsibility for their actions. Rather like Labour, we didn't even manage second best today!' Looking for positives the fledgling skipper added 'The kit was in good condition, top notch!'
