|
Date |
Fixture |
h/a |
Location |
Result |
| Sun 19th April |
Sutton 3rd X1 |
a | Holmwood Close | canc |
|
Sun 26th April |
Cincinnati |
h |
lost | |
|
Sun 3rd May |
Dinder |
h |
won | |
|
Sun 10th May |
a |
Harrow |
won | |
|
Sat 16th May |
a |
won | ||
|
Sun 17th May |
a |
lost | ||
| Sun 24th May | Hillingdon 3rd X1 | a | Hillingdon | lost |
|
Sun 31st May |
h |
lost | ||
|
Sun 7th June |
Plums |
a |
won | |
|
Sun 14th June |
Acme |
a |
lost | |
|
Sun 21st June |
Lord Nelson Cup - Saints |
a |
won | |
|
Sun 28th June |
a |
won | ||
|
Sat 4th July |
a |
won | ||
|
Sun 5th July |
Dinder |
a |
lost | |
|
Sun 12th July |
Sunderland Supporters Club |
h |
won | |
| Sat 18th July |
North Star |
h | Leyton County Ground |
lost |
|
Sun 19th July |
a |
lost | ||
|
Sunday 26th July |
London Saints |
h |
Walthamstow (Peter May) | won |
| Sun 2nd August | Cuddington Casuals | h | Greenford | won |
|
Sun 9th August |
Acme |
h |
lost | |
|
Sun 16h August |
a |
lost | ||
|
Sun 23rd August |
Captains Select |
h |
lost | |
|
Sun 30th August |
All India (tbc) |
h |
lost | |
|
Sun 6th Sept |
a |
lost | ||
| Sat 12th Sept | West Farleigh | a | West Farleigh | lost |
|
Sun 13th Sept |
a |
lost | ||
|
Sun 20th Sept |
Bures |
a |
won | |
| 3 - 4th Oct |
Menorca (tbc) |
a | CANCELLED |
Select relevant match report from the results column in the table above
Click here for seasons averages
Bures, Suffolk Sunday 20 September 2009
WEST X1 195-5 beat Bures & District 186-4 by 9 runs
West X1 just avoided a record eighth consecutive defeat with a gritty performance on the Suffolk/Essex border thanks to a Herculean effort from Chris Dane, who hit a season's best 85 not out and then bowled 11 straight overs in the home side's innings. Not far behind was Chris Boden, who opened with 35 and then bowled ten overs for just 32 runs. Match scorecard
On a good, lively track with another quick outfield, West X1's total of 195-5 looked about par for the course. In reply, Bures raced away in the early stages, but the home team had decided that no restriction should be made on the number of overs each bowler sent down, which probably favoured the visitors, Chris's Boden, Dane and Wright being responsible for 27 of the 35 overs bowled in the second innings.
Boden and Bender had kicked off the day with an opening platform for the first wicket of 49 in ten overs. Chris B looked to be just hitting his straps when brilliantly caught by Wigan at mid-off. Wrighty's poor run with the bat continued but Andy Cox helped Chris Dane to add 55 for the 4th wicket. The Danester was in imperious form, hitting 15 fours and two mighty sixes into the adjoining churchyard. In the process of his innings he overtook Charles Arthur to become the club's third highest ever run-scorer. Rowan Allerton's late cameo of 21, assisting Daney to add 34 in the last four overs, was ultimately to prove the difference between the sides.
Bures opened confidently in reply, the powerful left-hander Amos quickly hitting Cox and Bignell out of the attack, but the bowling combination of Boden and Dane applied the brake with a maiden each. Amos and Wigan had put up 98 for the first wicket before Dane trapped Wigan (31) leg before for a desperately needed breakthrough. Lee and Amos carried the score to 161-1 but a combination of steady bowling and tight fielding pushed up the required run rate. Boden was rewarded at last when he bowled Amos for an excellent 97 and then went into overdrive, running out Lee (27) and then catching Griffith at third man off Wrighty, who held the field together well and turned in a fine late spell as the home side became more frustrated, eventually finishing nine runs short despite losing only four wickets.
381 runs had been scored in the day for the fall of just 9 wickets and the Beggars at least prevented the ignominy of ending the summer with eight losses, but it has been a difficult season with too many injuries and lack of commitment from some members. There may be some administrative and executive changes in the offing for the new decade, but for now everyone can take a much needed and deserved rest.
Sat 12 September 2009 West Farleigh
West Farleigh CC 174-9 beat WEST X1 84 all out by 90 runs
Sun 13 September 2009 Winchmore Hill CC
WEST X1 182-7 lost to Walthamstow Horizontals 185-7 by 3 wickets
Despite fine support from the membership to field two teams over the weekend, West X1 suffered another barren brace of results, stretching their losing streak to a record-equalling seven matches. In highly contrasting conditions, the club were soundly beaten at West Farleigh but fought all the way to lose narrowly to Walthamstow Horizontals with just one over left, the team's inability to finish off sides all too apparent. Match Scorecard
On their picturesque Kent ground on a lovely late summer's day, West Farleigh batted first. It was clear from the start that the pitch was dangerous, with the ball stopping, lifting and occasionally grubbing, particularly when the bowling came from the pavilion end, which yielded 16 of the 18 wickets to fall. Chris Boden (4-18) made the first impact with a fine opening spell that had three home batters back in the shed with only 34 on the board, but Barnardo (63) mastered the conditions better, adding 47 with C.McKellow for the 4th wicket and a further 39 with T.McKellow (38*) for the fifth. Boden had Barnardo caught behind with the first ball of his second spell but a late flurry from Waldock upped the 40-over total to 174 despite tight spells from Chrises Wright and Dane and Steve Rennie's assortment of pies to mop up the tail (3-21).
The Westies never remotely looked like getting anywhere near the target of 175. Bignell and Boden rode out the early storm for 14 overs but could only manage 29 runs and once Brooke entered the attack at the pavilion end carnage ensued. He bowled Boden, Dane, Bignell and Laing, pinned Wright lbw and had Prabhu Bapu brilliantly caught at mid-wicket from a powerful pull shot to finish with figures of 6-20 in 8 overs. As the pitch worsened, never have so many helmets been seen since the cheap hard-core porn movies of the 1970s. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured and Extras top-scored with 18 as the innings ended 10 overs and 90 runs short.
Conditions could not have been more different the following day on Winchmore Hill's main square. Match scorecard. The pitch was perfect but the weather cool and overcast. In a remarkable opening to the match, Prab hit 50 from the first 54, dominating the first-wicket partnership to such an extent that Chris Wright could manage only two singles before being bowled by Murray at 55. The ground clearly suited the little Australian, his cuts and pulls getting full value on the lightning-quick outfield. He creates confusion wherever he goes and some of the running between the wickets was of the 'Bring on the dancing bears' variety, sadly accounting for the ball-watching Justin Norcott. Prab looked set for a deserved ton until Shanker clung on to a fierce return catch with the maestro 8 runs short. The innings could then have subsided but some excellent late play from Phil Walton (40) and Mike Delanian (24*) helping to post a decent score of 182.
Phil Hill and Rowan Allerton opened steadily but neither bowler has looked like taking many wickets this summer. Wrighty did well to shuffle his meagre bowling resources but after he had run out Burgess for 13, Herlihy (53) and Shanker (28) were fairly untroubled adding 70 for the second wicket despite a couple of close lbw shouts. It was the part-time bowlers who were to swing the game. Dave Bender had Shanker smartly stumped by Dave Rawlings and Bordin caught by Wrighty at mid-off, then Rawlings took a sharp catch off Bapu to out Herlihy, whilst Warren and Fairbairn fell to Delanian - his first wickets for the club - the latter to a sensational catch by Rowan running backwards from mid-on. Mike then safely held a skier to dismiss the dangerous Winteringham for 27, but once again the Beggars ran out of steam, allowing Scally and Webster to pick off the winning runs with one over to spare.
After the game there was much speculation concerning the imminent resignation of both the captain and the much beleaguered Director of Cricket, later denied in an official statement by the club, who did though state that a formal announcement regarding the future of both Bignell and Wright, together with other leading club officials, would be made subsequent to the end of the season.
Sod's Law of Disproportionately Diminishing Returns…
…or if anything can possibly go wrong, it will!
Sunday 6 September 2009 Fairfield Road, Kingston
WEST X1 144-8 lost to Gentlemen of West London 148-8 by 2 wickets
The Gentlemen of West London clinched only the second ever 'Gentwash' - and the first since 1999 - with a hard-fought two-wicket victory in Kingston, thereby taking the Bob Ashton Cup series 3-nil. Nevertheless, this was a sterling effort from the Beggars, showing true spirit to recover from a sequence of accumulated mishaps and come within a whisker of beating an almost invincible Gent team who had not lost a 35-over contest all season. Match Scorecard
Bucking the recent trend, West X1 had 13 players available on Friday. By 2pm on Sunday only 6 had made it on parade. Neepam Bhatt and Vimal Dave went down with swine fever on Saturday, two others reported unfit for service, Rowan Allerton was lost somewhere on the TfL system and Chris Boden's car sustained a puncture en route to the ground after Chris Wright had recovered his kit from east London earlier in the morning. The Gents generously offered two of their spare players and eventually the Westies' strength was up to ten.
Batting first on a dustbowl of a pitch with dangerously uneven bounce, Wright and Dane survived an opening onslaught from a hostile attack to post a steady 32 as reinforcements arrived before Wrighty nicked behind, the first of three catches for 'keeper Desai. Daney's brave and cultured 50 was by far the innings of the day, but once he too nicked behind at 81 an inevitable collapse followed, though some bold hitting from Poola and latterly Rowan Allerton (28) allied to Boden's steady 18 lifted the total to a reasonable 144-8, a good effort in the circumstances, Sanjay Patel being the pick of the bowlers with 4-25.
The much-vaunted Gent batting line-up never really got going. Wrighty turned in his best spell of the summer, 2-16 in 7 overs, getting Desai to miscue to Delanian at cover point and having Inkollu caught behind. Gilkes was run out following a mix-up before Chris Boden accounted for Buck and Rudru to leave the innings at 63-5. The Patels appeared to be turning the game around, adding 33 for the sixth wicket, before both fell to Dave Laing. Sanjay was brilliantly caught by Wrighty down by his ankles running in from mid-on and then Rowan produced the cricketing moment of the day with a superb running catch on the boundary to dismiss Hemin. When Kalidindi clipped Newcombe straight to Dane at mid-wicket the Beggars were on the cusp of an unlikely victory, but the experience of Snelling and Scibberas deep in the order saw the Gents accrue the 19 needed without further mishap and four overs still in hand.
Whether the Beggars would have won the game with another batsman/bowler is a matter of conjecture. However, the difference in the two sides was obvious; West X1 relying on individual brilliance against the Gents' all-round team work. They have been in stickier situations than this in 2009 and still emerged winners. No one scored more than 23 yet almost all the batsmen contributed. The confidence of continued success has welded them into a tough, rounded side almost impossible to down. Conversely, West X1 look like a team in a terminal tailspin, with several players on the edge of mental and physical burnout, brought on by an over-ambitious fixture list and lack of commitment by fellow members. Dark rumours are rife of a major cabinet reshuffle in the autumn. Meanwhile, they must soldier on as best they can to see out the summer, which almost certainly looks like being the first losing season since 2002.
Sunday 30 August 2009 King George's Fields, Ham
WEST X1 211 all out lost to the All India XI 239-9 by 28 runs
On a fun day, and despite the dreary conditions, the Beggars and Neepam Bhatt's Invitation side provided a feast of cricket and South Asian vegetarian cuisine, 450 festival runs being scored in 70 overs on the bouncy wicket and lightning fast outfield , including no less than 61 boundaries. Sadly, Chris Boden's classical innings of 76 was not enough to prevent West X1 suffering their fourth defeat in a row. Match Scorecard
Batting first, the Indians positive batting approach obtained good value from the prevailing conditions to amass a huge total of 239, mainly thanks to Sanjay Dave's opening burst of 38 and M.Dave's undefeated 57. There was much coming and going in the later stages as retirements abounded to allow everyone to get a bat, with all and sundry contributing some runs. Chris Boden produced the best spell of the day but the other bowlers suffered, though guest Mohit Jhanji was the most successful with 3-20. Justin Norcott was the man who found himself under four huge skiers, with a 50% success rate, though many other chances also went down.
West X1 flirted with victory whilst Boden was at the crease, Chris announcing himself with a sublime cover drive before hitting five more boundaries in his first six scoring shots and fourteen in all as he accumulated a career-best 76 for the Westies. Assisted by Chris Dane (17) and Chris Wright (35), the Beggars were well placed at 132-2 in the 21st over. Unfortunately, it couldn't last, well stuffed by the sublime tea, the remaining batsmen failed to fan the bellows enough for an unlikely win. Sanjay Dave's spell of 4-5 blew away the middle order to 138-6, and when Wrighty was caught behind at 157 the match looked over. For once the tail provided some runs, 46 coming for the last three wickets, including a surprising vibrant ninth-wicket stand of 39 between Steve Bignell (23) and Dave Laing in almost total darkness, but the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow proved too elusive amidst the Stygian gloom.
This is a rather desolate venue, West X1's only previous visit being in 1992 for the third game with the Gentlemen of West London, which ended in a historic tie after Charles Arthur had repeatedly no-balled Gent Daniel Todd for being a Tory. Happy days from the golden age of social cricket, the like of which we shall never see again.
Inglorious Beggars Fail to catch the Mood
London Marathon Playing Fields, Greenford Sunday 23 August 2009
WEST X1 108 all out lost to Captain's Select X1 146-7 by 38 runs
On the day England won back The Ashes, West Eleven Cricket Club celebrated its 500th competitive match. Sadly their performance did not match the occasion: like that very first game back in May 1986, the Beggars went down to defeat. Amazingly, Steve Bignell and Kevin Allerton survive from that day in Regent's Park over 23 years ago. Match scorecard
Chasing an undemanding 147 against a modest attack, the Westies' top-order self-destructed, the tail not so much failed to wag as failed to emerge from the coccyx, the only meat in a very thin sandwich being a fifth-wicket partnership of 54 between Andy Cox (38*) and Rowan Allerton (33).
West X1 had bowled well to restrict the visitors to 146 in their 35 overs, Chris Folley trapping Ewer and Sheilds leg before, both without scoring, and Chris Boden capping a fine spell by bowling Caley. When Cox bowled the blond Robson with a grubber, CSE were 53-4, but opener Golding was allowed to carve the ball over the slips with impunity to flat-bat 37, whilst both he and the impressive Brookes-Smith (61) were fed a diet of full tosses by the support bowlers. Wrighty steamed in for his most forcible spell of the summer to pull the game back, outing both top-scorers and posting an excellent 3-15.
A run-rate of a tick past four an over should not have been a problem on a low, dry wicket and a flat outfield, but in no time the Westies found themselves 29-4. Norcott carved a full bunger to sub fielder Rowan at cover point, Boden and Bhatt were both lbw walking across their stumps and playing across the line, whilst Wright offered a pull straight to backward square leg.. Hope was raised during the Cox/Allerton axis, despite some lethargic running, but once Rowan pulled a ball straight to Sheilds at mid-on the game was up, though Cox and Folley briefly flickered before the venerable tail capitulated without a run between them.
This was a poor batting effort, lacking purpose and application, against a side that West X1 was well capable of beating, with most people seemingly more interested in what was going on at the Oval. Shot selection and running between the wickets is currently dreadful, with too many players more interested in their personal numbers than pulling for the team. This was a third defeat on the bounce and, with some tough fixtures coming up, there needs to be a considerable improvement if the season is not to fall away ignominiously.
On a day when questions were being asked of the captaincy of the imperious Ricky Ponting it is inevitable that the leadership of the beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell will come under close scrutiny. None of the senior players were available for comment, other than the usual meaningless platitudes, however the fact that the 500 match milestone was marked with such a whimper will not go unnoticed by the club's grandees. The web site is of couse totally neutral on the issue of the BDOC's total and abject failure to lead over the last few weeks.
Food for Thought as Beggars Fail to go the Distance
Imperial College Ground, Harlington Sunday 16 August 2009
WEST X1 127 all out lost to Salix CC 131-5 by 5 wickets
West X1 slumped to another disappointing defeat in the Heathrow badlands, bowled out for a measly 127 in perfect conditions in a mere 27 overs. Opponents Salix CC then knocked off the runs with almost 11 overs to spare despite a four-wicket haul from Dave Laing, the match finishing by six o'clock on a lovely, sunny evening. Match Scorecard
The desolate Imperial College Ground, utilised as a training facility by Coca-Cola Championship side Queens Park Rangers, is situated between the M4 and A4 roads, a soulless, bleak venue surrounded by motorway debris. The tea provided was excellent, though there were no bar facilities.
Another patched-up Beggar outfit got off to a promising start, openers Neepam Bhatt and Niraj Chanda striking 31 from the first five overs. Sadly, everything went the shape of the pear from that point onwards. After running out his best friend, Neep then spent an entire over attempting to self-destruct before final succeeding, lofting a soft skier to mid-on. Much depended on Chris's Wright and Boden, the latter still in fine form as he dominated a third-wicket partnership of 26 with some fine shots before a ring-rusty Wrighty, back from crossing the Andes by frog, played on for just 2. Chris Boden's subsequent dismissal, brilliantly caught one-handed in the covers for 33, provoked a typical collapse. The fragile West X1 middle-order is like a fragile thing that is being especially fragile at the moment, slumping from 80-3 to 82-7 in just 3 overs. Mike Delanian (18) and Vimal Dave (15*) showed some necessary enterprise to boost the total but their batting, like everyone else's, was ephemeral, the usual adherent lower-order suspects all being absent on this occasion. Salix bowled well, particularly the veteran Ling clone Kulasingam (5-31) and caught their catches, but there was no excuse for not using up 8 available overs.
Nevertheless, the total was defendable given a good bowling performance. Chris Boden sent down a frugal spell, 15 from 5 overs with 2 maidens, but the buffet bowling from the other end enabled the Salix openers to rattle up 50 without loss in 9 overs. Whilst Rickman attacked everything, his partner Spillane nurdled square and behind the wicket, basically to the same field. The outfielding was little better, including one farcical all-run four after a procession of brainless overthrows. The introduction of Dave Laing stopped the rot and turned the game on its head. Bemusing the batsmen with his theory of quantum mechanics and aerodynamic braking, explained in detail whilst the ball was in the air, he took 4 wickets in as many overs, bowling the dangerous Rickman for 38, two others the same way and outed Kulasingam with the help of a smart leg-side Bhatt stumping. When Wrighty, bustling in at full steam for the first time in months, bowled the obdurate Spillane for 29, Salix were clearly panicking at 83-5, but they bat a long way down, and Lumsden first hit Laing out of the attack with 14 in one over and assisted by Goold, knocked off the rest of the runs with undue haste.
'No matter how you dress it up, this was a poor performance,' said beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell. 'We seem to be lacking purpose and direction at the moment, not helped by having had three different captains in as many weeks and having to make six or seven changes each game. Hopefully things will pick up when the side settles down again.'
Omen V - Damien's Destiny Fulfilled
Berkhamsted CC Sunday 9 August 2009
Acme 252-5 beat WEST X1 151 all out by 101 runs
A weakened Beggar outfit put up a decent show against the powerful Acme eleven on a boiling day at Berkhamsted, but were always up against it with so many stellar players absent, most notably Wrighty, Daney and Bhatty, not to mention one or two other regular bowlers. These types of games occasionally allow one or two of the less celebrated names to step forward into the limelight: a couple of weeks back it was Dave Bender, on this occasion Damien Zachlod. Damien's West X1 career had not exactly caught fire until now, but on the flat Berko wicket he hammered 51 in 17 overs to give the Westies an outside chance of an unlikely victory. Match Scorecard
This was just as well because, after losing the toss, acting-skipper Dave Bender's expedient team spent most of the next couple of hours chasing leather around the Berko outfield and neighbouring farms as the visiting batsmen made hay in the sunshine. Dave shuffled his makeshift attack well, even giving Steve Rennie a rare full shift, but only Chris Boden troubled the batsmen and Dave Laing exerted any brief control on the run-scoring. Chris Nott trapped Lynch leg before at 53 and Rowan Allerton held a powerful drive to dismiss Johnson at 80, but this only brought together Wotherspoon and the veteran Bowden, who put together 160 for the third wicket in 17 overs of mayhem. The mighty Wotherspoon hit an almost faultless 104 before being rather lazily run out from a direct hit from Rowan. Three wickets then fell for no runs, Rennie's slower ball bamboozling Bowden for 51, then Mike Delanian taking a steady catch to out Taylor, but the bowling figures made sad reading at the end.
Damien's performance behind the stumps may have been patchy, but there was nothing fitful about his batting as he launched into the Acme attack from ball one, pulling powerfully to the leg side or hitting straight back over the bowler's head, dominating the innings to such an extent that by the drinks break he had made 51 out of 85, though sadly losing Chris Nott to an avoidable run out and Chris Boden to a controversial lbw decision. But the refreshment break did for West X1, Phil Walton being caught and bowled by Bowden the ball before and Damien bowled by Prest the ball after. With Delanian going in the same over, three wickets had tumbled for one run. Flat-track bully Rowan Allerton raised hopes temporarily with a brutal assault on Bowden, hitting him for 19 in one over until the bowler got his revenge in his next, Rowan perishing to a fine catch in the gully. Acme's fielding was faultless, with two run outs and a number of excellent catches. The tailed wagged enough to add 41 though the game was over by then.
Dave Bender acquitted himself well in his debut as captain, being ubiquitous and proactive throughout. Sadly, some members who often forcefully trumpet this ground as a perfect venue were sadly absent on this occasion, an observation that the chairman was not slow to point out - several times in fact! Ed - funny how vocal some can get when the object of their ire are not there.
NPFF Greenford Sunday 2 August 2009
WEST X1 158-7 beat Cuddington Casuals 155 by 3 wickets
A superb unbeaten 82 from Neepam Bhatt - during which he became only the sixth West X1 batsman to pass 2000 runs - gave the Beggars a narrow victory over Cuddington Casuals at the excellently-appointed Greenford ground. The teams are well matched: in the initial fixture less than a year ago, West X1 scraped home by six runs. This contest was equally close, but it was not a one-man show. Excellent spells by Gaurang Dave (4-19) and Andy Cox (2-24), backed up by probably the best fielding display of the summer, despite being a man short, restricted the visitors to 155 and set up the chance of victory.
Earlier, Rowan Allerton announced his return from the Caribbean by yorking Axtell in the first over of the game, followed by Chris Dane's swinging pitched-up delivery that accounted for the dangerous Malnick. But Sattaur (31) and Colombage (53) put together a fine stand for the third wicket, ended only when the former offered a rather soft return catch to Cox. Some astute field placings by acting-skipper Dane and a controlled spell from Gaurang staunched the earlier flow of runs. Some young legs in the field made all the difference, supported well by the more senior players, frustrating the Casuals' later batsmen and provoking a collapse to a disappointing 155 all out. Neep was particularly active, attracting the ball like a magnet and finishing off the innings with a direct hit run out. Dave Bender took a wicket with his first ball, Gaurang catching Clayton athletically at long-on. Having taken a wicket with the last ball of London Saints' innings the previous week, this meant that, technically, the birdman was on a hat-trick. Sadly the next ball was despatched to the technical boundary.
With so many heavy scorers absent, much rested on Neep and Daney in West X1's reply, especially when Justin Norcott and Gaurang, after a steady start, were dismissed by the ninth over. Neep was in full flow from the outset against some accurate bowling. He particularly likes this venue, having scored 64 out of 101 against Cincinatti back in April. Chris helped him add 59 in 11 overs, both batsmen driving and cutting powerfully, until Daney was bowled attempting a somewhat injudicious shot for 24, but Andy Cox, in probably his best match to date for the club, helped maintain the impetus with 17 in another productive partnership of 45 in 10 overs. The Westies looked to be in the driving seat at 130-3 with 12 overs remaining, but a fine spell of 3-21 by Colombage sparked a late collapse. Fortunately, by now Neep was in overdrive and West X1 stumbled over the line with only Dave Laing left in the shed.
'This was a particularly pleasing performance given the circumstances,' said not-so-beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell afterwards. 'Neep was the star but it was a real team effort. Wrighty was hardly missed, Rennie wasn't missed at all and our young players set the tone for the day right from the off.'
An emotional temporary skipper Chris Dane was equally enthusiastic about the team performance. 'It was a case of the whole WestX1 team stepping up to the plate, grabbing the bull by the horns, seizing the day, and delivering in spades. At every pivotal moment in the match, when we needed a wicket, when we needed a stand, when we needed wrest the initiative, it happened. And with Neep batting with such maturity, well, the sky's the limit. Captaining with that level of discipline from the players is an easy job. I'm only sad the contractual commitments keep me a way from the team for the next 3 weeks, but I'm confident that the lads will build on this victory. The Director of Cricket has my full unequivocal support.'
Also in Miscellaneous Whimsy - Mad scientist Dave Laing explains his rationale for umpiring for 12 overs in a match.
Sunday 26 July 2009 - Peter May Sports Ground, Walthamstow
WEST X1 96-7 beat London Saints 94 by 3 wickets
A weakened Beggars outfit scraped a three-wicket win in a scrappy match in gloomy conditions, mainly thanks to the contributions of debutant Martin McLaughlin and a resurgent Dave Bender. Martin, on loan from North Star, took two wickets in a lively spell and top-scored with a punchy 36 - the best innings of a low-scoring game.
With four of their highest scoring batsmen absent, this was an opportunity for some of the club's less celebrated players to make their mark: step forward David Bender. Dave has had a quiet season so far, but made up for in this contest with two catches, five wickets and a vital batting partnership with his captain at a critical point in the game.
The Saints' innings had started slowly and would have fizzled out completely had it not been for their recent centurion Griffiths, who batted most of the innings for 33, with the only others to make it into double figures being veterans Grimes, Berkeley and the leased-out Bignell. Dave announced his day with two fine slip catches to dismiss first Thomas and then Pearce, both for ducks, but it was his accurate dibbly-dobblers that were to bamboozle the batting side. On a slow pitch, Bender (5-14) and Laing (2-13) had the batsmen in trouble from the start after Hill and McLaughlin had bagged early wickets. The fifth-wicket stand of 40 between Griffiths and Berkeley (17) was easily the best of the innings and a final total of 94 looked well under par.
On a day littered with poor batting, West X1 fared little better. Against some steady bowling, Rennie, Allerton and Zachlod all perished to poor shots, whilst Delanian was run out. Justin Norcott held the first half of the innings together with a sensible 17 from 46 in 19 overs. Only Macca McLaughlin looked comfortable and he played some beefy shots before falling with 20 runs still needed. With such a fragile batting line-up, Chris Wright had held himself back, but was fortunate to survive when he was dropped first ball. Bender and Wrighty then added a vital 15 and Laing held out for Chris to hit the winning runs, but it could have been a close call.
'I was really delighted for Dave,' said beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell. 'He has had a tough time recently and we feared he was losing his enthusiasm for the game. We gave him some one-to-one counselling with a sports psychologist over the past couple of weeks and this seems to have done the trick. Hopefully he can now move onwards and upwards for the rest of the season.'
Double header ultimately pointless - Pressure mounts on the beleaguered Director of Cricket and hapless Fixture Secretary.
Saturday 18 July 2009 Leyton County Ground
WEST X1 141-8 lost to North Star 142-7 by 3 wickets
Sunday 19 July 2009 Old Tenisonians, New Malden
Gentlemen of West London 237-5 beat WEST X1 143-8 by 94 runs
The Beggars endured a double whammy over the weekend, narrowly losing a close match to North Star on the Saturday before being comprehensively defeated in the Bob Ashton Memorial Cup the following day. Whatever the sagacity of scheduling two matches on successive days at diametrically opposite ends of London, the club did well to get 19 players on the pitch, three of which (with a combined age of 152) had to take the field in both matches.
The Leyton Ground is probably the most famous venue at which the team has ever played. It was the headquarters of the Essex County Cricket Club from 1886 (when the pavilion was built) until 1933 and was again utilised during the county's ground rotation days from 1957-77. In 1932 Holmes and Sutcliffe posted a record partnership for any wicket in first-class cricket - 555 for Yorkshire v. Essex - and the ground once hosted a Football League Division 2 fixture between Woolwich Arsenal and Leicester Fosse in 1895 after Arsenal's Manor Ground in Plumstead had been temporarily closed following crowd trouble. Leyton Orient also hosted friendly matches there in the first decade of the 20th century.
Due to the bizarre booking conditions the match could last no longer than four hours, so a 25-over contest was agreed. Steve Rennie flat-batted his way to a lively 40 in West X1's innings, assisted by guest Rob Aylott's 25 and a brisk 20 from Chris Dane. Martin Drake added 3 not out in his only appearance for the season. Daney then turned in another fine shift with the ball (3-14) but 52 from Martin, 22 from Macca and a late burst of 24 not out from Randy was just enough to see North Star home with five balls to spare.
Sunday's match against the resurgent Gents was more predictable and the tired Beggars put in a good effort against a side currently off the radar by social cricket standards. Any chance Wrighty's invalids had effectively disappeared when Richard Gilkes (68) and Naveed Khan (60) put up 113 for the first wicket in 19 overs. The bowlers had no answer to Gilkesy's controlled hitting, Neepam Bhatt taking a particular pounding conceding 59 in his seven overs. Khan's innings was more measured (scored from 180 in 29 overs) but no less valuable. The rest of the batsmen all contributed and only a superb effort from Stewart Taylor (3-33) put any kind of control on the scoring.
West X1's outside hopes more or less disappeared when a jaffa from Inkollu took the top of Taylor's off stump, though another excellent cameo of 44 Chris Boden kept the game interesting. All expectation finally evaporated when Chris Wright was run out and Neep brilliantly caught by Khan from a skier. The remaining batsmen did their best but there was no respite in the quality of the bowling and fielding and in the end a 94-run defeat was good damage limitation against a side with a 100% record this season.
Beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell told the website, 'Obviously it was disappointing to give up the trophy after six years but it was no disgrace losing to a team of the Gents present quality, though I was not happy with a couple of players who appeared to throw in the towel very early on in the day. It has been a tough period for us recently and we have come through reasonably well despite injuries, tiredness and a few psychological problems. I am looking to the squad to pull together for the rest of the summer as August will be a difficult month with several key players on holiday and some tough games coming up.'
No Beggars Banquet despite hard won Victory over Mackems
Peter May Sports Centre, Walthamstow Sunday 12 July 2009
WEST X1 174-8 beat Sunderland 161-7 by 13 runs
West X1 continued their recent good form with a close victory over old rivals Sunderland in changeable conditions at yet another new venue. Chris Boden hit another measured half-century, well supported by the usual suspects, with the Beggar bowlers just clawing back the game when a 121 stand between Jones and Stewart looked to be taking the game away from them.
The Westies batted first for the eighth game in succession, though little early progress was made on a slow, green pitch against some miserly bowling from McGirr and Jones. The first four overs failed to produce a single run, but slowly Boden and Gaurang Dave began to up the run-rate. Their partnership was worth 59 in 18 tense overs before Gaurang holed out for 17. Runs then came quicker when Dane (23), Wright (27) and Bhatt (21) were at the crease, forging 101 in the last 15 overs for a decent total of 174.
Neep and Daney then produced excellent opening spells with a wicket each to limit the Mackems to 41-2 off their 14 overs. But the Beggar bowling has lacked real penetration all season, allowing Jones and Stewart to put the visitors in with a real chance of victory. They added 121 for the 3rd wicket in 22 overs but were always just that bit too far behind the asking rate. Wrighty's strategy of taking the pace off the ball for the last few overs proved effective, with Steve Bignell and Gaurang allowing just 41 runs from the last seven overs, Biggers teasing out both Jones (82) and Stewart (51) and Gaurang taking wickets with the last two balls of the match as mayhem ensued.
This was an excellent game but very nearly didn't take place at all. The stumps had not been packed in the kit and there were none available at the Sports Centre. Fortunately the Director of Cricket had the clubs' old set of sticks stored in his home close by and a swift car journey retrieved the situation. It was then discovered that no tea had been booked, resulting in a raid on the drinks and snacks machine in reception. All this was highly embarrassing and whilst no blame culture exists at the club a couple of absent committee members had better keep a tight grip on the genitals when they re-appear. All members have a collective responsibility and not everything should be left to the skipper and BDOC. Hopefully this was a wake-up call and the situation will not arise again.
SOMERSET WEEKEND
Saturday July 4 2009 Stoke St.Gregory
WEST X1 211 beat North Curry 148 by 63 runs
Sunday July 5 2009 Dinder
WEST X1 167-8 lost to Dinder & Croscombe 169-4 by 6 wickets
West X1 had a mixed weekend on their annual pilgrimage to the West Country, comfortably defeating North Curry but giving second best to a pumped-up Dinder outfit on the Sunday. The weather was decent for once - a victory for the pro-July Tour lobby - and the conditions therefore ideal for fast and heavy scoring.
Being a man short, the visitors were heavily reliant on their top four for the clash with North Curry on Saturday. Chris Boden feathered one down the leg side early on and Daney went uncharacteristically gung-ho, but Chris Wright and Rowan Allerton settled down for their second century partnership of the season - 107 in just 16 overs - against some mostly youthful bowling. With his leg still troublesome, Wrighty dealt mostly in boundaries on the small ground - 14 fours and 6 sixes in his 101 - whilst Rowan struck eight fours in his 40. Once this pair had departed the innings fell away in predictable fashion with the last six wickets tumbling for only 29, no one taking the responsibility to hold it together.
North Curry went looking for the runs straight from the off, though they lost early wickets. Forknall put together a swash-buckling 47, but got little assistance until Baverstock's 36 late in the day, well-supported by the young Kyle, who showed great promise with 15 batting last man. Hill and Boden were the pick of the bowlers and there were good catches from Laing and the usual Somerset juggle from Uncle Albert, not to mention a brilliant pickup and throw from Wrighty to run out Bradstock and some more fine work from Daney in the deep to out Kyle Senior.
Another big score looked possible when the Beggars batted first again on Sunday, but the pitch was more lively than usual, keeping the batsmen on their toes. Dane (26), Boden (29) and Wright (33) all got starts but failed to accrue a match-winning score. Nevertheless, a total of 110-2 in the 23rd over looked a good platform until Wrighty and Rowan Allerton holed out within a few balls. The inevitable collapse followed - five wickets for 20 runs - but the innings was saved by former West X1 captain and founder-member Denis Culpin, who manufactured 30 runs in his own unique style, whilst at the same creating mayhem in the middle with some appalling running between the wickets that resulted in one calamitous run out and several close shaves!
In the end 168 was a fair total but made to look woefully inadequate by Dinder's batsmen, who benefited early on from a fine selection off the buffet trolley, Higgins hitting a brisk 56 in 10 overs. Steve Rennie took a superb diving catch at second slip to dismiss Gould, but this proved a false dawn, everything going the shape of the pear when he attempted to bowl! Gully anchored the innings, making only 28 from 146, but more big handle from Willmott sealed the result with more than 10 overs to spare. Once again Dane and Boden put in good shifts with a brace of wickets each but the team was clearly running out of steam as the afternoon wore on.
A presentation was made later by Chris Wright on behalf of West X1 in The Bull Terrier to Dinder's Roy Bobbett, who recently celebrated fifty years playing service for the club.
Later, beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell told the website, 'Naturally I am disappointed with Sunday's result after our recent good run, though Dinder played very well and thoroughly deserved their win. Our performance levels were very down on the Sunday and we didn't get nearly enough runs. I told the team they could let their hair down a bit on Saturday night (those at least that had some), but it appears there was much extra-curricular activity in the farmyard after I had gone to bed which may have accounted for some of the lethargy later in the day. There is only so much you can do and players have to take responsibility for their own actions. I only hope we can learn from this.'
However one senior member of the team, speaking off the record, countered this version of events. 'We were lambs to the slaughter on Saturday night. We're just young lads, many of us away from our mums and dads for the first time. What we needed was a father figure, what we got was Father Ted. The Director of Cricket has to take some accountability for our actions, and a good starting point would be to issue an apology for our below par performance at the Dinder game.'
HILLBILLY TOUR REPORT - THE NAME OF THE GAME
This year's umpteenth tour of Somerset was all about having the right name. Otherwise it was a tour to forget. So if your name was Chris then you had a fabulous time filled with runs and wickets. If your name was Steve then you have had better tours and if your name was Dave then you really shouldn't have bothered!
After 20-plus years of visiting Somerset West X1 have finally stumbled upon the ideal tour thanks to the discovery of North Curry Cricket Club, who now make our Saturdays just as enjoyable as our Sundays.
Ten men went to mow and achieved the following:
Chris Wright
Highs - Another century to add to his list and top scorer both days
Lows - Questionable decisions on first change bowlers - Steve Rennie, need I say more!
Chris Dane
Highs - Runs and wickets in both games
Lows - Not being able to go on and get a big score in either game
Chris Boden
Highs - Two wickets in both games, a solid 29 in the second and 'walking' (not a word in most Aussie dictionaries) in the first.
Lows - Being unable to witness a 'BEAVER!' first hand.
Rowan Allerton
Highs - A mature 40 against North Curry and some lively bowling both days
Lows - Sharing accommodation with a number of elderly warthogs.
Steve Rennie
Highs - Superb slip catch on the second day
Lows - Possibly the second worst over ever bowled by a West X1 member
Phillip Hill
Highs - Getting a bat both days and bowling his best spell of the year on Saturday
Lows - The lack of pear cider and the late discovery of how cheap a rum & coke was in North Curry
Dave Bender
Highs - Taking only 2 hours to drive back from Bath to London
Lows - Having a knee the size of an orange and a nice new pear of spectacles collected on tour.
Steve Bignell
Highs - Reaching the top of the Mini Tor on only one leg.
Lows - Hitting a full toss straight to a fielder against North Curry and failing to control his troops yet again on tour.
Kevin Allerton
Highs - A juggling catch on Saturday and a good batting performance on Sunday that included two fours.
Lows - Failing to bring the right glasses on tour and consequently fielding most of Sunday evening like Ray Charles.
David Laing
Highs - A sharp catch on Saturday and a nice new pair of shoes purchased on Sunday.
Lows - Solo midnight orienteering from the pub back to the B & B and a wicketless tour.
We might have only had ten on tour but were joined for part of the weekend by the lesser-spotted Milton and his wife Bill, plus many thanks to Denis, who agreed to don the gloves on Sunday and scored a very useful 30 not out as well.
So that's it for another year and in my humble opinion this was probably the most enjoyable tour that I have had in the twenty-odd years that I have been travelling down to the cider county - and that without a single game of skittles!
Sunday 28 June 2009 Hornsey CC
WEST X1 295-7 beat Octopus CC 169-9 by 126 runs
West X1 continue to hit their mid-season straps with an emphatic victory on a gloomy afternoon at the well-appointed Hornsey ground. A superb opening partnership of 174 in 25 overs between Stewart Taylor (85) and Chris Dane (70) laid the foundation for the victory, the bowlers finishing the job after Octopus had fought back well in the early evening.
With the wickets pitched on the very end of the square there was a short boundary on the pavilion side, though one would have needed a taxi to get to the other frontier! Consequently, the opening partnership included seven threes and one all-run four. Daney rode his luck at times against some steady bowling, but Stewie was driving better than Jenson Button with strokes of classical elegance. The Octopus fielding let them down on occasion, particularly defending the shorter boundary, but they stuck to their task well in difficult circumstances. After Daney had holed out with a tired shot, Chris Wright announced his arrival first ball with a six! Stewart settled down to what looked like being his maiden century, but sadly Butler sneaked one through his defences fifteen runs short. Nevertheless, Wrighty (49), Neepam Bhatt (31), Steve Rennie and Rowan Allerton carried on the momentum of the innings towards what looked like the club's first 300 total until a clatter of wickets at the end left them just short.
Octopus began brightly but unfortunately their opening bat Simon had to retire with a heart problem, though thankfully he recovered later. Phil Hill bowled Ogilvie at 15 but the steady James (43) and the more aggressive Butler (59) put together a fine partnership of 95 as Wright rotated his legion of bowlers, causing the non-playing chairman some anxious moments in the pavilion. Allerton Senior has never been a man to hold back from asking the pertinent questions of the hour, like 'Why is Steve Rennie batting at number four?' or 'Why is Rennie opening the bowling?' After taking some early punishment it was Dave Laing who dismissed both danger men, whereupon the innings folded with some alacrity, the last seven wickets falling for 25. Vimal Dave put in another fine stint with the ball and debutant Amar Pandya also bowled impressively with 2-18 in 5 overs. However, it was the much maligned Steve Rennie who personified the difference in the fielding, defending the short boundary like a caged tiger.
Amazingly, sixteen players had pitched up for the fixture, though sadly the Bhattmobile's Prabnav malfunctioned again, causing yet another late arrival. But no one enjoyed themselves more than ace scorer David Bender, who was like a kid with a new train set as he played with Hornsey's remote control electric scoreboard happily all day.
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LORD NELSON CUP
Old Haberdashers Ground, Borehamwood Sunday 21 June 2009
WEST X1 73 and 175-7 beat London Saints 138-8 and 86 by 24 runs
In one of the greatest comebacks since Lazarus, West X1 overturned a massive first innings deficit of 65 runs to regain the Lord Nelson Cup in spectacular style on a warm afternoon in Hertfordshire. These two venerable teams have been battling it out (with much the same personnel) for the best part of 23 years, but seldom has any encounter been as topsy-turvy as this one.
Opting for first dig, Rawlings and Zachlod got the Beggars off in fine style with 17 from the opening two overs, but from thereon in the innings went rapidly downhill thanks to some insipid batting and schoolboy running between the wickets, not mention a brilliant spell of bowling by Saints' stalwart skipper Dave Thomas (5-11 in 3.2 overs). Extras was clear top-scorer, with only Rawlings and Bignell making it (barely) into double figures. Despite the slow pitch, Saints' top four made batting look easier when their turn came, overtaking West X1's feeble total in less than 10 overs as Griffiths (20), Burrell (18), Morrison (28) and Cronin (16) all scored freely. Chris Wright's attempt at a bowling comeback foundered with a recurrence of his Achilles injury and Chris Boden's 20 balls went for 34, but slow bowlers Bignell and Laing took advantage of a turning track to rein the score back, Biggers and Damien Zachlod combining for a trio of stumpings.
In the end 138 was good damage limitation. With batting orders reversed for the second innings, Rowan Allerton became the third needless run out of the day before Chris's Wright and Boden hit out boldly, the lame Wrighty hitting 22 off one over as the boundary fielding disintegrated in the face of such carnage. This pair piled on 73 in less than 8 overs until both reached fifty and had to retire under the competition rules. Fortunately the following batsman kept up the impetus to total 175-7 in the 20 overs, leaving Saints 111 to win, a perfectly apposite figure for the Nelson Cup.
Debutant Mike Delanian took an excellent catch to out Berkeley, but veterans Grimes and Thomas put up 48 for the second wicket, though always slightly behind the asking rate. However, the force was increasingly with West X1 as the bowling and fielding showed a huge improvement from the first innings. Bignell and Laing bowled steadily, accumulating three more wickets, until Chris Dane broke the back of the innings, bowling Cronin and the impressive Morrison with successive deliveries before administering the coup de grace by outing Griffiths in similar fashion.
It was a great day's cricket - with 472 runs scored in less than 80 overs, seven run outs, three stumpings and a hit wicket all in the mix. This format (2 innings of 20 overs each) seems very popular and makes for a very different sort of game, but most entertaining for all that, as everybody got a bat and most of the others a bowl or a spell as wicket-keeper.
Wrighty's View
Cricket Glorious Cricket !!!!!!
Who would have thought it possible??? A comeback of epic lazorous-like proportion - outrageous, inconceivable - preposterous !!!!!!!
West XI pitched up in Borehamwood to attempt to regain the Nelson Cup, lost last year to the current holders Southampton. Clearly the unusual and unique format didnt sit comfortably with some of the more traditional elements of the club but it was always going to make for an interesting and unpredictable days cricket.
Somebody said recently that theres more to life than cricket and whilst they are of course quite right there is conversely nothing more life affirming than cricket!! It is an illuminating reflection of life itself testing all the players nerve, skill, concentration, resilence and character - so it proved !!!
Everybody plays cricket for a variety of differing reasons but one thing that binds us all is the magical feeling of wrestling an improbable victory from the jaws of a certain defeat.
How can a team which posted 73 in 20 overs one minute, score 175 the next and then go onto defend 111? Was it the benevelent gaze of Horatio himself sending us a sign with the score? Nelson only had 1 arm but Wrighty only had 1 leg, Rear Admiral Walton had trouble with his groin (ours is not to question these things), Rear Admiral Dane had a combination of gripe and trouble with his hamstring and Rear Admiral Allerton just had trouble!
Was it the spirit of Tralfalgar that filled our nostrils as we entered the clubhouse or some other mysterious force that galvanised the team from the dismal depths of the first innings despair to the pheonix like display of steely determination, conviction and common purpose - whatever it was, breathe it in deeply and let the season begin !!!!!!
Sunday 21 June 2009 Garsington
WEST X1 106-9 lost to Acme 107-6 by four wickets
The Beggars' inconsistent season continued with defeat in a hard fought game against a strong Acme side in the Oxfordshire countryside. The bowlers dominated all day on what looked a decent flat pitch, with the highest individual score being just 27. West X1 fought back well in the middle part of the game after a now typical mid-innings collapse until an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 46 (the best of the day) between Lynch and Whiting won the game for the home side.
Logistical problems kicked in from the off, with both skipper Wrighty (still injured) and deputy Dane both unavailable, Steve Rennie taking over as captain for the day. He did a steady job, rotated his bowlers effectively, introduced an innovative huddle and dealt diplomatically with some fielder insubordination. Sadly one carload of players got predictably lost, causing yet another late realignment of the batting order. Acme's bowlers gave little away all innings and every run had to be fought for. Consequently, the Westies could only limp to a total of 106-9 from their 40 overs, the only decent partnerships being between Chris Boden and Prabhu Bapu (36 for the third wicket in 9 overs) and stubborn resistance by Steve Bignell and Kevin Allerton, who batted out the best part of 15 overs to squeeze 29 runs for the last wicket against some intimidating bowling. Boden top-scored with 25 and there were some good hits by debutante Denny Jones (12) but those apart only Bapu (15) and Bignell (18*) made it into double figures.
Jones then pulled off a great one-handed running catch at mid-wicket at the start of the Acme innings, but Hoskin (24) and Taylor (27) added 38 for the second wicket with little bother. Excellent bowling by Vimal Dave (2-22) and Neepam Bhatt (2-21) swung the game back into the balance as Acme slumped to 65-6 until Lynch and Whiting's winning partnership. Nevertheless, this was West X1's best fielding performance for some time. There is always a bit of an edge between these two teams and this game was no different, though everything ended happily.
So after several abortive attempts West X1 finally got play at this venue, deep in the rolling hills of Oxfordshire on a beautiful summer's day, although according to the locals the pitch was unplayable the previous weekend after torrential rain.
Sunday 7th June 2009 - Winchester Leisure Centre
WestX1 (258-6) beat Plums (177 all out) by 81 runs
West XI managed to put the brakes on a 3 match losing streak by convincingly winning this years much anticipated match against their great friends the Winchester Plums down at the Brittas Empire leisure centre ground on Sunday.
Haunted by the spectre of rain throughout the weekend, the game was played in dry and on occasions chilly and sunny conditions requiring frequent applications of sun cream and extra layers of clothing in equal measure.
Tea lacked the usual finesse and quality of previous years being restricted to the unusual and intriguing Thai chicken flavour crisps, smaller than usual non brand supermarket apples and exceedingly chewy chocolate biscuits - the only plum tarts on show being Messrs Hill and Wright.
7 of the 11 Westies on duty had taken the precaution of travelling down to Winchester the evening before to ensure a prompt start on the Sunday and avoid the sinful and decadent temptations of London's nightlife before a match. The more bucolic setting of Winchester with its magnificent cathedral and slow pace of life proving more attractive to cricketers of a certain age worn down by years of continuous all night parties and fast lane living.
An early night was not on the Plums agenda however as Tat, Jim and MG provided a welcome reception party with the jugs of summer lightning mysteriously filling themselves as the John Mortimer/Rowley Birkin QC lookalike competition got into full swing and Dave Bender attempted unsuccessfully to remove outdoor patio heaters from guests in the beer garden without them noticing.
All 7 Westies did eventually find themselves back at their sumptuous university accomodation, some by more roundabout routes than others and were ready for battle the next morning.
Wrighty won the toss, elected to bat and bravely sent in Prab, Neep and Dane, all of whom had arrived fresh from London that morning and not been subjected to tampering by the plums. An unexpected opening 10 overs of sensible batting followed with few rash shots and a steady flow of valuable runs, the run rate exceeding 8 an over as both Prab and Neep grew in confidence and found their range. Prab fell for 27 and Dane entered the fray knocking 50 effortless runs off before falling. The run rate was still swinging at 6-8 an over and Neep was still piercing the gaps in the field with regular boundaries and accumulating runs until falling to Folley bowled for 93, a personal best and highest score yet for West XI. Boden fell unluckily playing onto his stumps attempting to turn one round the corner, Wright was bowled by Folley after attempting to hit him out the ground and Cox connected with a couple but never looked comfortable before being bowled. It was up to young Allerton to try and get the score past 250 and he did so with aplomb, thrashing the ball to all parts of the boundary.
A formidable score of 258 had been posted and the Plums knew that to challenge it, they had to bat well and keep the scoreboard ticking over. Young Allerton followed his excellent batting with a decent opening spell whilst Hill, clearly suffering from an evening of abstinence the evening before took afew overs to get going before being replaced by Dane. The Plums found some early momentum and were ticking the scoreboard over with the dangerous bacardi guzzling Woody hitting cleanly and beginning to look like he could inflict real damage. It took the drinks interval at 20 overs to break his concentration and with the introduction of Neep from the American Football car parking area end to effectively put the match beyond the Plums grasp.
Man of the match went to young Neepam Bhatt who when offered the chance to open the batting, took it with both hands. Accompanying Prab at the other end continues to provide a challenge for West XI and whilst it is beyond question that Neep has the talent, does he yet have the temperament and resolution? Only time will tell.
A great couple of days down in Winchester then, we look forward to next year.
Report by:
Rumpole of the Bailey
Correspondent at the bar
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Sunday 31 May 2009 Civil Service Sports Ground, Chiswick
WEST X1 (155-9) lost to Gentlemen of West London (156-1) by 9 wickets
West X1 suffered a third consecutive reverse, going down to a convincing defeat in the first Bob Ashton Memorial Cup match of the summer. Chasing a moderate target of 156 on a hot afternoon, the Gents romped home with nine wickets and almost as many overs to spare.
The Beggars' cause was not helped by the usual eleventh-hour withdrawals and late arrivals - the bane of captains and organisers - which necessitated a late realignment of the batting order, resulting in a makeshift opening pair that effectively put West X1 on the back foot from the off and conceded the first eight overs to the opposition, at the end of which the home side had limped to 9-2. Dane and Bignell - neither in any sort of form - were early casualties, with Bender virtually scoreless, although he did subsequently burst into life with some powerful offside blows that included his first ever six!
By the time the core batting was at the crease they were chasing the game. Chris Boden hit a sensible and cultured 40, though stand-in Gent skipper Hemin Patel rotated his bowlers with dizzying alacrity, never allowing the batsmen to settle. The Westies' situation was not helped by Chris Wright pulling his calf muscle and Neepam Bhatt foolishly running himself out just as the innings was gaining some late momentum with a sixth-wicket stand of 43 in 5 overs. The final overs fell away predictably as Snelling reined in the tail, the last four wickets going for just 13 runs.
The Gents' top three, Khan, Desai and Rudru, rarely looked in trouble as they hunted down the required runs in little more than 26 overs. Only briefly, when Dave Laing and Chris Boden were bowling in tandem, did the fielding side assert any semblance of control. Dave had the only success, bowling Khan at 37 and Chris beat the bat on several occasions without any reward. Desai (53*) and Rudru (68*) batted superbly in a unbroken partnership of 119 in 15 overs, the last 60 runs coming in just six overs.
Thus this match followed the pattern of recent years, with the away side running out easy winners. The omens are not good for the remaining rubbers as this current Gents side have won all their six matches so far this season quite comfortably and look to be playing on a different level from everyone else.
Nevertheless, the game was played in a good spirit apart from one unfortunate incident on the boundary where Dave Bender allegedly assaulted Gent Supremo Sir Alex Burman with his abdominal protector. Sir Alex was seemingly unhurt and made light of the matter though we understand the match referee has submitted a report to the ECB which could see disciplinary proceedings instigated against Bender. A West X1 spokesman later told the website, 'It was simply playful over-exuberance on Dave's part and there was no malice intended. He had plainly got a little too excited after hitting his maiden six and has apologised unreservedly. Hopefully the matter is now closed and no further action need be taken.'
Sunday 24 May 2009 Coney Green, Uxbridge
Hillingdon Manor 3rds (223-7) beat West X1 (155 all out) by 68 runs
Chris Wright became only the second West X1 batsman to reach 5000 runs during the course of his innings in this match. Sadly, his efforts on the day were in vain, although what was a scratch and experimental side put up a decent show against a strong Hillingdon Manor team packed with talented youngsters.
For once, the Beggars were able to field some academy players of their own, with three teenagers in the side. Rowan Allerton had a quiet match but Miles Watson performed well in the field and Gaurang Dave played a mature and measured innings of 53 in difficult circumstances to outscore his captain.
Only three of this side (Wright, Bhatt and Rowan Allerton) are certain starters for the first Bob Ashton Memorial Cup match next week, and after Wrighty had lost the toss again, his team were condemned to another 40 overs in the field in conditions not dissimilar to Enrecasteaux last weekend. The older players have had to bear the brunt of running about in stifling heat for the past few weeks, though thankfully there were some young legs to help out on this occasion. Excellent bowling from Vimal Dave (3-22) and John McGirr (3-23) limited the home side to 67-2 from the first 20 overs, but once Morris (67) and Read (36*) began to apply the long handle, putting up 107 in 11 overs of mayhem, a big score looked inevitable with the fast outfield and West X1 a player short.
In the end a total of 223 was good damage limitation, though Rowan and Wrighty had gone for 93 in their combined eight overs and a bucketload of extras didn't help. The skip then came out all guns blazing as the fifty racked up in only the sixth over. Dave Bender was an early casualty but Neepam Bhatt hit four boundaries before falling in typical fashion, leg before shuffling across his crease. Chris hit 51 in just 13 overs, including 2 sixes and 7 fours, but once he was bowled round his legs at 89 the game was up. The batting was again patchy, with four blobs to follow the four in last Sunday's innings, until Gaurang and John McGirr put together a sensible stand of 49 in 15 overs to lift the final total to a respectable 155.
'This was a decent performance in difficult circumstances against a powerful side,' said beleaguered Director of Cricket Steve Bignell. 'The young players showed much promise and Gaurang is a big talent whom we hope to sign up as a full-time player shortly. Hopefully, our A-teamers are now well rested and should be raring to go next week and give the old gits a well-earned rest!'
Sat May 16 2009 WEST X1 (97-6) beat Entrecasteaux (96-7) by 4 wkts
Sun May 17 2009 Entrecasteaux (184-6) beat WEST X1 (42 all out) by 142 runs
Tour Report
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS
By our special correspondent E.Savinalar-Finney
Not since the first showing of Jurassic Park has the south of France witnessed such aged bones being put on show for entertainment when the West X1 pitched up in Entrecasteaux with a squad of eleven hardly fit players, with an average age of over 47 and only one player under the age of forty (though even his age has been questioned by members of the squad).
The tour itself was an overwhelming success and one that will be hopefully repeated the same time next year. I don't want to bore you with the cricket details - let's just say we won one and lost one. The highest run-scorer over the weekend totalled 35, the leading wicket-taker had three and the number of catches dropped reached double figures. The famous phrase, 'What goes abroad stays abroad' will remain in place with regards to the cricketing action, but that's not all that occurred one sunny weekend in Provence.
Fuzzy memories of France
Here then is a breakdown of the team performances over the three days, in batting order:
David Bender (Johnny) - Enjoyed himself as per normal, but had more success throwing the ball than catching it, though managed to reach double figures with the bat on the Saturday. He wins the hard man of the tour award for managing to stay out until 1am wearing only a t-shirt, shorts and sandals, whilst other members were attired in long trousers and fleeces. He appeared to be turning yellow by the end of the tour due to a diet of non-stop omelettes.
Damien Zachlod (Obafemi Martins) - Purports to be only 34 years of age, but after a weekend of keeping wicket for 75 overs in the hot sun probably feels more like 54. The cultural attaché for the weekend, providing excellent interpreting skills with such phrases as, 'Excusez-moi, monsieur, pourrez-vous me dire ou je pourrais etre en mesure d'acheter un pot de peinture Dulux?' *
Chris Dane (Jensen Button) - The team chauffeur for the trip, ferrying the squad at speed from our base in Salernes to Entrecasteaux, occasionally remembering to drive on the correct side of the road. Picked up a couple of wickets but has yet to fire with the bat this season and has dropped more catches in 2009 than he probably has in his whole career.
Chris Wright (Lewis Hamilton) - Saddled with a hire car that was not up to the job and spent most of the weekend in contact with the muppets at Eurocar. Voted man of the match for his score of 29 on Saturday and was presented with a bottle of champers, which he finally shared with his team-mates at 10pm the following day. Last spotted entering the offices of said rental company with willow in hand.
Steve Rennie (Dulux) - Maintained his position as 'A disgrace to English cricket' by trashing his hotel room and covering the walls with red wine within six hours of arrival. Managed to reach double figures on Saturday and took the best two catches of the weekend.
Steve Bignell (Director of Cack) - Palpably failed to control his troops by allowing the team to remain out until 1am on Sunday, only 11 hours before the big game. Left his used underpants on full show to the players and supporters of Entrecasteaux and for those two reasons he should receive a black mark by his name (or should that be a brown one?).
Phil Walton (Michael Palin) - Not content with travelling to the south of France by train, he also decided to use the train to travel to a business meeting on Monday in Bonn via Cologne, returning to the UK via Brussels. He rather blotted his great explorer reputation by failing to locate the Salernes town square despite the fact it was a stone's throw from the hotel.
Kevin Allerton (Glen Campbell) - The only player on tour to receive a pair of spectacles over the weekend, which can hopefully be put to good use as he continues his quest to locate the little red ball in the outfield. Wins the Sharpest Dressed Man award for his Saturday night cowboy outfit, which unfortunately none of the locals were able to see as they were all at home watching the Eurovision Song Contest.
Phil Hill (Tweedledum) - Bowled reasonably and managed to take his first catch for two years, though later declined Alie's challenge to recreate the scene from 'Chariots of Fire' by running round the town square in bare feet. May now require self-defence classes, a safe house and a change of identity following the events of Sunday evening.
John McGirr (Tweedledee) - Star batsman on Sunday with a magnificent 7 - yes, that's right - SEVEN - just like that film with Brad Pitt where he finds a head in the box. Has sadly now been outed as Hillbilly's twin brother, which he must feel is like twinning Monte Carlo with Macclesfield.
Dave Laing (Fanny Craddock) - Embarrassed fellow members of the team by bringing his own tea bags down to breakfast, then made matters worse by stealing fellow players' food at dinner. Luckily, Dave was on his best behaviour with our opposition, providing them with a mouth-watering buffet with his bowling on Sunday afternoon which the Entrecasteaux middle-order enjoyed thoroughly.
Stars of the weekend were jointly the players and supporters of Entrecasteaux CC and the staff of the Le Relais de la Belle Epoque hotel who both looked after us fantastically. As that governor of California would say, 'We'll be back!'
* 'Excuse me, sir, could you tell me where I might be able to purchase a pot of Dulux paint?'
Beleaguered Director of Cricket, Steve Bignell, told the website, 'Naturally I am disappointed by our heavy defeat on Sunday, but the weekend was more about exploring new horizons, team bonding and fostering better Anglo-French relations. This was a very venerable squad and the weekend caught up with us badly after we had restricted Entrecasteaux to 64-4 from the first 20 overs. Additionally, the players never quite came to terms with the conditions, artificial pitch and an outfield of wild flowers. The opposition had an excellent team packed with French internationals and we were simply outmatched.
'Nevertheless, I felt we were focussed and showed great mental strength together with a fighting spirit. Hopefully, this experience will put us in good stead for the upcoming fixtures. We have little bit money to spend and I am looking for a possible one or two new players but feel our squad still has fantastic promise as most of them are not even 50 yet.'
Our lady statistician, Dot Ball, reveals that the 42 all out at Entrecasteaux was the second lowest completed innings in the club's history, and the worst for 16 years since they were bowled out for 43 by the Hackney Marshians at Boston Manor on 16 May 1993. That record went less than four months later when Ditcheat dismissed West X1 for just 29, which remains the club's lowest ever completed score.
Chris Wright now needs just 35 more runs to reach 5000 for West X1.
From our Aeronautical correspondent
Top man and he should be made an honorary Westie.
wingco
Sunday 10 May 2009 Harrow Recreation Ground
WEST X1 (253-4) beat Belmont & Edgware 2nds (96 all out) by 157 runs
A week that began with doubts about any possible fixture ended with an overwhelming victory and a new club record partnership of 223 as the Beggars were entertained by Belmont & Edgware, a match-up obtained from the emergency fixture web site, during which skipper Chris Wright hit his fifth century for the club and Rowan Allerton made a career-best 78 not out.
For once there was a fast, competitive pitch and a hard flat outfield that appeared ideal for run-scoring, although West X1 made a poor start, falling to 28-3 by the 9th over. The Beggar innings was a game of two halves, or more precisely, a game of two-fifths and three-fifths. The Belmont opening attack of Kaplan and Horowitz bowled their 14 overs straight through, at the end of which the batting side were 60-3 with the game in the balance.
Absentees and late arrivals meant a re-jigging of the batting order, complicated by Wrighty having badly injured his right index finger earlier in the week in a domestic accident. Daney's run of poor luck continued - bowled by a ball that kept low, Rennie nicked behind and Neep, having just hit the bowler back over his head for four, typically aimed a huge heave at the next ball and was bowled. Wrighty and Rowan Allerton set about repairing the innings, slowly at first. They were helped by some wayward support bowlers and nondescript fielding that included a marked reluctance at making any attempt to catch the ball. Nevertheless, runs still had to be made and whilst never at full throttle Wrighty dominated a stand of 172 in 22 overs before retiring hurt in some pain after reaching his ton. Rowan had played only a support role at this point but now cut loose, smiting the unfortunate Aizen for three successive sixes over mid-wicket and passing his previous PB. He and Chris Boden added a further 51 to what was already a fourth-wicket record in the last four overs of mayhem.
Chris Boden then effectively won the match with two overs of swing bowling that bemused the batsmen with movement both through the air and off the pitch, clean-bowling three. Steve Rennie carried on the good work with two more wickets (again both bowled), though the Belmont batters did not helped their cause with two silly run outs. Dave Laing removed the competent Reid with his first ball and wrapped up the innings as Ziff attempted a reverse sweep and was leg before. The last pair put on 42 to add a degree of respectability but the result was never in much doubt despite some sloppy fielding from the visitors, the exception being some smart work between Dane and Bhatt to effect one of the run outs.
Wright innings - 15 fours, 2 sixes
R.Allerton innings - 9 fours 2 sixes
Sunday May 3 2009 - CSSC Ground, Chiswick
WEST X1 (125-2) beat Dinder & Croscombe (121-9) by eight wickets
West X1 got their season back on track with a comfortable victory over the visitors from Somerset thanks to a much better all-round team performance and a measured unbeaten half-century from Stewart Taylor, his first since the summer of 2005. On another slow pitch with a huge outfield, Dinder never quite came to terms with the conditions as they laboured to a total of 121 in 40 overs. The Beggars were never in serious trouble and romped home with almost nine overs to spare.
Winning the toss on a bright but cool afternoon, Dinder got away to a good start, openers Wilmott and Gould putting up 36 in 11 overs without to much difficulty. Neepam Bhatt has hit the ground running this season and carried on his good work by dismissing Gould and Bobbett cheaply before pouching a record-equalling four catches. Boundaries were not surprisingly at a premium, but Wilmott was opening up with some big blows until Chris Dane shattered his stumps (literally!) with a corking delivery. After running repairs to the woodwork Wrighty ended a promising knock by Higgins with a return catch and the Dinder innings went into freefall, flopping to 78-7 by the 23rd over. A steady effort from former Beggar legend Denis Culpin, well assisted by tail-enders Hatcher and Swindale, lifted the final total to a disappointing 121-9. All the bowlers performed well, Dave Laing bemusing the batsman with 3-30, Wrighty snaffling another pair and even Phil Hill, following last week's nightmare, getting back on line with a steady five overs that leaked just four runs.
The four catches from His Neepness (adding to three taken in the first match of the season) equals the record of Phil Hill and Andy Robinson. Neep's included one caught and bowled, whilst Phil's bag was in his only appearance as wicket-keeper, against Maffia in 1990. However, neither compare to Andy Robinson's four outfield catches (all skiers) against Staefa at Imber Court back in 1998.
Needing only 3 runs an over, openers Wright and Taylor began cautiously in reply, only eight runs coming in as many overs against some tight bowling. However, Dinder are rare opponents in that they can exceed West X1 in both total age and body mass, and their fielding suffered accordingly. Stewart built his innings sensibly until launching into some flowing drives and hairy running between the wickets that reminded veteran watchers of the halcyon days of another legendary Westie, Charles Arthur, before reaching his fifty with the winning hit. He received solid support from Chris's Wright and Dane, who both made 18 and latterly Phil Walton, who contributed a safe 22 not out, taking him satisfyingly past the career aggregate of arch-rival Steve Rennie. Wrighty was comprehensively beaten by Higgins and Daney adjudged leg before well forward - a brave and honest decision - but this pair have days yet to come.
Sunday 26th April 2009 - NPFF Ground Greenford
WestX1 (101 all out) Lost to Cincinnati (147 all out) by 46 runs
The Beggars got away to their usual sluggish start to the season, making a dog's breakfast of chasing down a fairly modest target of 148 on a flat pitch in perfect conditions, acute embarrassment only being averted by Neepam Bhatt's stylish 64 from a meagre total of 101 after the top six had accumulated an unassuming 17 between them. Some credit should be given to Cincinnati, who bowled and fielded superbly throughout the opening burst of bowlers Lewin (4-15) and Ross (3-9) which left the West X1 innings in ruins at 24-7 after 14 overs.
England's World Cup winning manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, once said, "We succeed as a team, but we fail as individuals". This was certainly the case here, with Neep scoring 64 of the 89 runs from the bat, bowling a steady spell and taking three safe catches in the outfield. He got some support from Rowan Allerton, the talented tyro coming on as eighth bowler and bagging four wickets in fifteen balls, including three in his first over (all bowled), and Dave Bender, who batted sensibly to help Neep add 63 for the eighth wicket in 14 overs. Briefly, a reprise of the Menorca miracle looked possible, but once Neep holed out to long-on the game was up.
Batting first after winning the toss, Cincinnati sailed away to a flying start with opener Borah riding his luck for a brisk 51, assisted considerably by an undercooked Phil Hill, whose only over went for 27, including three beaming no-balls, failing by one to equal the worst ever over by a West X1 bowler (Steve Bignell's 28 v.Strong Room in 1998). Slowly they were reined in, Wrighty and Dave Laing picking up a pair of wickets each before Rowan shot down the tail.
The Greenford ground is well appointed, with a slow but flat pitch and the Beggars' collapse was due as much to poor technique and lack of application as excellent bowling. Chris Dane can consider himself unlucky, caught at cover with the ball hardly leaving the ground; Wrighty went second ball to a sharp slip catch chasing a wide outside the off stump, but the others were all bowled apart from Chris Boden, who looked comfortable and in control until bamboozled by Lewin's slower ball. Neep was left stranded, but farmed the bowling so successfully that Dave Bender only had to face a few deliveries in their 14-over partnership. Neepam cut loose with an array of hefty blows to the leg from some high wayward pies, but once the Cincinnati bowlers regained control any chance of victory faded away.
"Naturally this was a disappointing performance," said new Director of Cricket Steve Bignell, "but we must take the positives out of the game and build on them. I am expecting a far better effort next time out. Some of the players let themselves down badly. I know it, they know it, the whole world and his dog knows it. How they react to this defeat will show me what they are made of."