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Tim's
columns
Smudger's columns
Season 2004
For details of the 1s in season 2004, you
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Tunbridge
Wells
This should have been a good game to end the season.
How wrong can you be..
A day to bat first for several reasons, the main one
to make their promotion claims more difficult. Unfortunately a lost
toss sees us in the field. A reasonable start, restricting the batsmen,
no early wicket for Rowester, but Bear gets his man again in the
dangerous Else. Wickets tumbled for a bit then, runs where scored
aided by misfields, unclean pickups and step overs, then wickets
tumbled again at the end. The bowling wasn’t bad, wasn’t
the best either, but the fielding was unusually poorer (may have
something to do with a poor opponent the previous week and two weeks
off before that!) They reached an easily achievable 180.
In reply we got off to a poor start at 24 for 3, no
partnerships, no-one anchored in. Hobo, Hickers, Wrenny and Rowey
got themselves in, but also got themselves out whilst the rest in
the main also gave up their wicket. Runs were forthcoming and it
was game on all the way but wickets kept tumbling and it was soon
all over on 152, handing them probably the easiest 20 points they’ve
got all season bearing in mind they didn’t exactly press us
as they could have and they had players missing. Surprisingly Lordswood
lost and so Tunbridge Wells went up and we remained, fortunately,
in fourth.
A damp squib end to the season.
All the same, overall the season as a whole, I think
we have proved ourselves well worthy of the position, under achieving
at times through belief in ourselves sometimes, but a very good
team.
Harvel
After all the torrential rain, the pitch was amazingly very good
and not as sticky as one would expect. Both teams had nothing to
lose as Harvel, if they wanted to try and remain in Div 1, had to
get 20 points and likewise if SPCC seriously wanted that last promotion
spot they really needed 20 points rather than relying on anyone
else.
Harvel won the toss and batted. They soon found
themselves in big trouble as Rowey struck second and fourth overs,
Smudger, after his holiday rest, collected the prize wicket of the
high scoring Pudney with a good delivery (Although I say it myself),
Rowey then struck again and Smudger again as they found themselves
5 down in 20 overs with 40 odd on the board. Only ex captain Keast
showed some resistance playing big shots, but after he was told
by his captain, whilst changing his cap for a helmet, to play out
the overs and stop thrashing it, he fell LBW trying to play defensive
the very next ball. Craig got his first wickets of the season unbelievably
and bowled very tidily with AA picking up one also, all was done
on 91 in the 40th over, the time about 3.15.
In reply two early wickets which Pards got a decent
ball and AA a rash shot, they did get a little excited, George made
a good start but got tapped leg before, Craig played one too many
big ones and holed out and it was left to Wrenny and Hickers to
see it through, after a jittery period. All done and finished by
5 o’clockish. Harvel 1 point and condemned to Div 2. Not a
nice feeling that going down. Unfortunately for us after Holmsdale
were on the brink of a famous, and only, victory, Lordswood clawed
they way back to win which means that the second promotion place
is beyond our reach now. But with Tunbridge Wells losing, a very
respectable third place is up for grabs in the last game, with a
potential promotion place for Tunbridge Wells if they win, assuming
Lordswood lose with minimal points. They will be very much up for
it, still everything to play for. One last effort by everyone, in
what has been a fairly successful season to date.
Holmesdale
A lot of debate about whether we bat or bowl first. Personally,
as the pitch was still very wet, I would have bowled first and made
sure of the points, which is exactly what we did. Not much else
to say, we bowled within ourselves which was too good for them,
a few of their players teed off but it was only a matter of time.
They finished on 139, which we got fairly easily. Their best player
is Sorensen (South African overseas) who bowled with pace and brain.
A useful player on a harder surface, if he doesn’t bowl short
like he did against us at Holmsdale, and in the right side with
a bit of motivation. We won, enough said.
Players missing next week, and a much tougher test,
and Canterbury will be a side definitely up for revenge. What’s
going to happen?
I repeat, lots of debate after the game about things
various, one being where ‘the club’ is going and what
it is aiming to achieve as we appear to be just cruising along.
I’m afraid I have to agree, and it is a serious point that
needs discussing and thinking about as whilst we are achieving or
aiming to be achieving many things one of the main pointers ie the
1st & 2nd teams, appear to have been missed, ignored or just
forgotten about.
Broadstairs
Good to see we had forgotten the slip up the previous week and got
back to our normal business.
Not sure of the toss but the wicket looked pretty good
on a hot day, and after, the batters said it was one of those pitches
that you fancied to get runs on.Hobo played well frustrating the
Broadstairs bowlers with many guided shots between keeper and slip
and not going to hand with AA almost back to his imperious self.
Approx 150 for the first wicket with 15 overs to go, a mini collapse,
Craig biffed a good 45 then another mini collapse, finishing on
258 for 7 at the end of the 50. A very good and comfortable effort.
A nice start for Smudger picking up Terry Bond in his first
over particularly as he was dismantled by said T Bond at the home
fixture and continued to bowl ok, but with Rowey not on tip top
form first up both kept slipping in gimme balls which were dispatched
for 4 which was a little disappointing. Bear bowled tightly and
picked up a couple of wickets as usual and Craig was unlucky not
to get a wicket, but again both threw in the odd 4 ball, which is
unusual it has to be said. At 25 overs Broadstairs were about 180
for 5, we fell asleep and the game did start to slip away with AA
now bowling ok but one four ball an over, Bear got a little tap
and some poor ground fielding, 21 off Georges over including a dolly
of a dropped catch and it was looking touch and go. Two run outs
by the now awoken Rowster and Broadstairs were on the back foot
again but still only need 25 off the last 5 with 3 wickets in hand.
Now revived, Rowey returned and promptly mopped up the last three
to make it look more comfortable than it actually was.
An excellent win all the same and nice effort in the main,
but we really have to get back on top with the tight bowling, tight
fielding and in particular taking any chances that come in the air
, it’s a must if we are looking to bigger and better things.
Well done.
Lordswood
A disappointing and unsatisfactory result.
The game was only playable due to the covers, the
surfaces either side were, and would have been, unplayable. So the
toss was quite vital, and yes we lost, but it means you have to
dig in if you get inserted on these types of surfaces. No partnerships
were made, and against probably one of the best bowling attacks
in our league it was made even more difficult, with the top order
looking out of sorts missing out often on the bad balls. Some silly
shots accounted for the rest. 79 all out in the 26th over, poor,
despite the damp conditions.
In reply we were confident of making it tough, but
several loose deliveries let them off the hook, coupled with excessive
banter which, I think, distracted us from the job in hand, not through
the banter player to batsman, but the way it affects the rest of
the team when umpires get involved and other players who are not
understanding what the banter is about also get involved. It is
not necessary, apart from the odd chirp, and it makes you look even
sillier if you have such a small total, what is the point?
So they knocked them off comfortably, they did have
plenty of time. This is best forgotten, onward and upward is the
way. However, I think this may have done us some good and put us
back in our place as a reminder, we were getting a little cocky,
a fair bit complacent and the mickey taking needs to be kept in
check as its starting to creep back in not so much on the field
but at training, which is another area in which we have tailed off.
Take a reality check everyone and lets get back to
how we were.
Hayes
A comfortable victory in the end despite a complacent and poor start.
In the field first, Rowey did his normal trick of
dismissing bats 2 and 3 in his second over. After that, a bit weird,
but we seemed to just sit back whilst Richard Harker (aka 181) and
Ollie Waite (aka Waitey) milked the bowling at will and kindly accepted
the regular 4 balls delivered on a plate to them. At drinks Hayes
were 100 for 2 and looked in no trouble, a brief chat and drinks
and everything after changed. 181 went first after getting his fifty
that was not clapped by anyone presumably because they missed it
and Waitey went shortly after for 44. That then seemed to be it
has the wickets tumbled to Bear who kept it tight again, with 3
fer, and AA with 2 fer, with only Martin Pratt who slashed and carved
a quick 29 and Aussie Dean Merola, 20 not out, making further contributions
to the total. Rowey returned and cleaned up the rest with a fine
hat-trick, in the 49th over, getting his first 5 wickets (of many??)
for the season, Hayes finished up on 163. A good effort in the field
and the bowlers tightened up, after the drinks what happened for
the first 25 I don’t know.
In reply AA and Pards, comfortable once again, saw off the
opening attack, once again, before both getting out in quick succession,
once again, but Hayes were already looking dejected and Bear hit
31, before being dismissed which left Craig to knock up another
good 44 and Si to support and nurdle the other end, it was over
in a flash, well the 30th over anyway.
So a good performance again for ¾’s of the game,
all rounded off in the evening by ones mother attacking 181 with
her umbrella because he has been nasty to me on the forum (Quite
right too Mum)
Harvel away next week, at the lower end of the table, but
can be unpredictable especially if the apparent missing players
return and we don’t wake up until the 3oth over, if we don’t
work at it and concentrate, especially with the points still being
tight, we could end up where we don’t want to be. Keep training,
keep working, we will reap the benefits.
Holmesdale
A deserved win at last against a weaker side.
Looking at the pitch, win the toss and bat. The skipper lost the
toss and we fielded, did it do us a favour? Rowey struck first delivery
of the day, Smudger got tennis ball bounce to deflate a 14 year
old academy youngster with one at the head defended to slip (It
was pace really that did him, honest!) From then on it set a bit
of a precedence. After the ball was a bit older it did settle down
a bit but there were areas still where it lifted. The opener Cotton,
despite being annoying, did do a good job in hanging in there and
did take a few for his team, and the lower order did look better
than some of the top order, but they destructed mainly due to tight
bowling and fielding, although 126 was aided greatly by too many
gimme four balls (and the outfield was quick and short on two sides).
Also a couple of drop catches and missed/no run outs (mainly due
to poor throws to Hobo it has to be said)
In our reply after a tea of kebabs,
cream scones, home made cakes and cream puffs (according to Rowey)
we got off to our usual good start, but two quick wickets again
did send a little panic, after AA got 31 and Pards 20 odd, Bear
settled it down a little, and Craig cracked a fine 31. Their bowling
was ok apart from a few who insisted in banging it in short and
sometimes wide, but the pitch seemed to have flattened out more
batting second and the deliveries were taken care of, they appeared
to have no spinner of any kind so it was up to their 2nd change
bowler to alternate from long run, to short run, to long run, to
spin, back to long run etc, it was completed by 6.30, 16 point in
the bag.
Another good performance just got to keep an eye on those
gimme balls, catches and most definitely throws/run outs, batting
was ok but just hang in there.
A sterner test against Canterbury in which we should be looking
to get a more than positive result out of.
The Mote
A
similar story to the previous week. After winning the toss, we bowled
first. (Well you would after all that rain we had.)
A
tremendous start again, Rowey picked up 3 quick wickets including
big hitting McLeod who was quiet this time, and Smudger keeping
his end tidy except for no-balls. 41 for 4 were The Mote after 20
overs. Aukett and captain Waters came to the wicket and played maiden
after maiden, mainly due to good tight bowling from all, and hitting
the odd bad ball. It wasn’t till about the 42nd
over they really started to hit out, accumulating 148 after 50 overs
for the loss of no more wickets that should have been a comfortable
total to get.
In
reply Andy Towse and Pardip looked really good and were well on
top of the bowling, looked comfortable. A change of bowling then
saw Aukett whistle out the top three cheaply. Still lots of batting
to come, Bryan Washer a fine struck but a little impatient 26, but
the experienced and tight spin bowling of David Joseph put the squeeze
on the runs as he forced bad shots by some to miss hit and either
get out or give chances. Still only requiring 28 from the last 4
overs, but unfortunately Rowey got out and the rest is history (again!!)
Very
very disappointing, frustrating but also encouraging and satisfying
in a strange way in that we can keep up easily and restrict one
of the better sides, just a little more application/thought/stubbornness
needed with the batting.
You
couldn’t even say we missed AA or Craig could you, they might
have helped yes but the opportunity got missed.
Onwards
and upwards, there’s plenty to come, against a tricky Holmsdale
side next week, lets get it all right and keep what we have going.
(The team spirit is still fantastic)
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Hayes
Nice sunny day, but due to the heavy rain the night before,
and the night before the night before, and particularly poor covers,
the water just rushed under on to the wicket. The umpires made a
good early decision to call it off. Not very satisfactory so I’m
told. (The pitch/cover situation that is!)
Canterbury
A lucky escape this. Missing two of our figure heads, we
decided to bat first on a very good pitch, true, quicker than we’re
used to, just a good pitch. Even Rob Marsh, Canterbury’s skip,
said he would have batted first if he had won the toss. However,
good line and length, and the pace of the pitch were too good for
us, 2 wickets down 40 off 30 overs was always going to be a struggle.
Wickets in hand but no-one built a partnership and scraping to 113
for 9 in 50 overs was a well below par performance. Just about something
to bowl at but with Rowey returning from Manchester that morning
having not slept hardly for 3 days, and our main two spinners missing
it was going to be a struggle. Then it rained, and it didn’t
stop. End of the game.
Unfortunately only 5 points instead of
8, but in the circumstances you’d take it. 3 games left, Hayes
first which should be comfortable but a few have hit some form so
beware, then Harvel again should be comfortable but beware Gary
Whatman is back and a few others have hit form. Could Tunbridge
wells on the last game be the decider for that final promotion place?
One thing’s for sure we will be getting stuck in, it would
be a shame to get this far and let ourselves down.
Blackheath
A close run thing in the end but a loss all the same. A good tight
25 overs left Blackheath looking to play big shots, which they did
actually achieve to a degree, but it was aided by at least three
misfields that went for four and two very unlucky shouts for run
outs (that were out – no doubt) but unfortunately the umpire
was not in the correct position to give them. Blackheath made a
respectable 228 in the end for the loss of seven wickets.
We made a good reply with both AA and Hobo looking
very comfortable, unfortunately they were both dismissed and others
quickly followed in succession through poor shot play and mistaken
umpiring decision (LBW off the glove), not that that is condemning
them as you win some you lose some, but patterns have been forming
in our games and talking to the opposition that more ‘decisions’
are given second up. Anyway at 25 overs Blackheath thought they
had already won it, but thanks to some exquisite batting from Hickers
and Rowey, we were right back in it, but they both fell and the
last three batters couldn’t quite manage it, falling 10 short.
A good effort made, showing our strength in depth
and almost getting maximum points for a loss result.
There are also several points that need making and
addressing.
1.Over several weeks players have been
going out the night before the game (which is fine) but they have
been getting smashed, coming in in the small hours and then not
performing as well as they could/should in the game. This is poor
and must stop.
2. The abuse and language towards umpires (and in general
come to that) has been growing each week, this must stop now as
it is only a matter of time before someone is banned.
3. Training and warm up have steadily been getting worse,
this week they were absolutely appalling. I don’t know what
the matter is but again it must be nipped in the bud now.
4. Bad tempers – Loads of toys. If we have problems
we must either try and forget them for games temporarily (or at
least try our best to) or if it’s because of the cricket aspect,
save them for after the game. Too many individuals with issues do
not make a good team and affects our own performance.
5. Help each other. For far too long the same people have
been doing the same things. This is and always will be an on going
issue but we must all try to help when & where we can.
Please can everyone make the effort, we are performing
well on the field, many oppositions say we have one of the best
fielding sides, so lets get back to it, as we will not only let
ourselves down but the name Sibton Park Cricket Club!!
The
Mote
No play as it poured hard all afternoon. A game of test match,
a round of cards and stopping at The Park Gate Inn on the way home
were the highlights. We would have taken 8 points at the start as
there were so many people missing this week.
Lordswood
Harvel
A good result pulled from a village game and poor batting.
On the only damp strip on the whole wicket, after
losing the toss, we were strangely put in to bat.
Some got a little started but regular falling of wickets
found Smudger padded up in the 20th over with 86 on the board. Quite
a bit of chat was handed out although to be fair some of it was
between Harvel team mates consistently shouting and swearing across
the field of play.
However digging in by Hobo and good shot selection
from Rowey saw the score steadily climb before Rowey cut one that
stopped on him and was dismissed on 49. Hobo at the end was not
out on 25, and the score was 169, all bowled out in the 49th over.
A well below par score but if we bowled and fielded
well it could be a challenging total.
After tea then, 1st over, the opening batsman takes
two and runs in to Hobo whilst he is waiting to receive the ball,
after various voiced exchanges (You can imagine!), none of which
is heard by the umpires, Hobo is the bad boy and the umpires intercede
and Hobo gets warned after they chat to Bear, during which the onlookers
are hurling abuse from the side lines. On goes the game, Rowey picks
up a wicket, a dropped catch, two or three missed half chance run
outs, Heathy and Bear come on and finally the wickets start to tumble.
Several exquisite catches and easier catches later and they are
4 down at drinks and things have swung back towards us. After drinks,
a little flurry of runs and things look like they are swinging back
to Harvel, but several more wickets keep it interesting. A big lad
(tall not fat) comes in and starts to really tee off, 4’s
and 6’s, but one too many swishes sees Rowey clean him up,
Harvel only need 35 off 6, but are 8 down, another wicket and they
are nine down for no more runs. The last pair hang in there for
a while and things get slightly uncomfortable as they nudged slowly
on, but the removal of Rowey and intro of Bear does it as a swish
sees the wicket tumble and a big celebration all round.
A fine victory, poor effort with the bat, mainly through
a combination of the pitch and poor shot selection, Hobo proves
again he’s the boat steadier despite not batting for weeks,
Smudger, Rowey, Bear, Heathy and AA keep it tight and most get the
wickets. Another excellent fielding display but a few dropped catches
and missed run outs could have cost the game, they didn’t
but it was a warning.
Halfway through the season, our league position is
an excellent achievement but in the second half everyone will know
that bit more about us and will know what to expect. We need to
step it up a gear now and push on, it will be very hard from here
on in but if we keep applying ourselves like we have we will have
nothing to fear.
Good work, keep going.
Canterbury
An amazing effort, if not Herculean, for a good win.
A lovely hot day, a good pitch and the skipper loses
the toss. So we’re in the field, Rowey and Smudger kept it
tightish but a good home pitch quickly seeks out any loose deliveries
which get put away more often than not. So an early change, of the
skip and Craig Coleman who bowled exceptionally well to keep it
tight with the ring field very difficult to penetrate, wickets start
to fall with Craig unlucky not to pick up any, Heathy has a go and
picks up a wicket, and bowled well, AA comes on and bags 4 fer,
Skipper returns and finishes with a 3 fer. 153 it finished up which
was a superb effort on a decent pitch. The fielding was again very
good, just a few little things to work on still.
So in reply, a repetitive story I know, but Pards and
AA looking comfortable then bad shots and your two down in quick
succession, the Skipper goes in and holds up for a bit and knocks
it around, Craig looks superb and does the same for 44, only the
shots trying to push the score on is their undoing, it's looking
tight requiring nearly 6 an over at times, Wrenny ‘Pietersen’
goes in and bang 4 good overs and we’re on the verge, Si has
a little cameo, Hickers gets run out going for it, Rowey biffs it
and wanting one to win holes out, Hobo sees out the over and with
11 balls to go Wrenny knocks the winner. Hurrah went the packed
crowd.
A great effort by everyone, the fruits of our labours
are slowly starting to come off, we still need to keep working at
it and concentrate hard as it wanders sometimes, but all in all
very pleasing.
PS Check out the cricket bag complete with full kit
and Harry potter’s special bat for sale on Ebay. Apparently
kindly donated by Holmesdale.
Blackheath
Always going to be difficult
as Blackheath are top and one of the tougher sides in an already
tough league.
The home side one the toss and batted. Rowey struck
early again and revitalised Smudger was back to some form picking
up an early wicket for not many runs.
Bats 2 and 4 looked comfortable on a carpet like wicket which
was quite dead and slow, making use of the fast and very bumpy outfield.
For fielding this is the sort of day you needed to get right behind
the ball, be prepared to wear one, and stop the ball first, whilst
being as attacking to it as you dare. There were more loose deliverys
than normal with the bowling which let them off the hook at times
but when bats 2 and 4 went to go for it in the last 10-15 overs
the wickets tumbled after being 181 for 2, AA scooped 4, Smudger
2 and Rowey 1, Blackheath only ended up with 223 for 7, which was
disappointing for them as they must have been thinking a 250 plus
score. A very good effort in the field in very difficult conditions
(outfield wise).
In reply, we started ok, but then if you look back I have
said that in all the match reports (There must be something in that,
a pattern is forming!) but the loss of 3 quick successive wickets
made it more difficult than it should have been as although we were
comfortably up with the run rate and we have no problems with our
batting line up, wickets in hand is essential. A fine knock of 57
by Craig proved it could be done with carefull watching, concentration,
application and nothing rash. The wickets did keep falling,
Hobo and Rowey stayed together for about 7 overs, Hobo peppered
by short balls before finally nicking one to the keeper (off his
pad actually) and Matt Davey showed he is in no way out of place
at this level batting well with Rowey for another 5 or 6 overs.
Rowey finally went for a good 30 with 5 balls to spare, and the
rest was easily blocked out, we finished on 180 for 9.
A losing draw, but a lot can be taken from it, ok the bowling
wasn’t our best this week, no run outs, a dropped catch, sometimes
a bit lack lustre in the field, but the circumstances were extreme
in that the outfield was a tricky customer to deal with, fast and
very very uneven which made it very difficult to attack the ball
without the fear of it hopping over your hands or any part of your
body the you could get in the way and being brave/determind to get
something behind it knowing full well you could end up with a fat
lip, the 3 youngsters again showed that they are more than capable
to cope with this league’s pressures and our grit & stickability
to keep going whatever.
The Mote next week which
again will be tough but I know we can be confident in what we do
will be of our best and to keep grinding away.
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