Seven More for Ali Aslam as Green Triumph Over Hornchurch

With two innings following a similar early pattern of losing two wickets by the mid thirties and recovering to the mid nineties by the time the 3rd wicket fell, Green were indebted to a stand of 71 for the 7th wicket between Ali Aslam (41) and Chris Cook (31) wheras the visitors, Hornchurch, could find nobody to keep Michael Bones (59) company for a similar rearguard action. Matt Sutton (49) and Royston Smith (32) had led the early recovery whilst Simon Savides was mainly responsible for establishing a good position in reply. The difference was that Ali Aslam never let Hornchurch off the hook in a spell of almost 20 overs in which he took 7 for 63. Ananda Krishnan (2-30) took the early wickets and Dean Skipper bowled an excellent spell to take 6 for 41 for Hornchurch.. Green's 225 was 45 runs too many for the away side.
An important basement battle for the 2nd XI saw them go down by 1 wicket to Hornchurch at Harrow Lodge Park. It was slow progress for Green early on and it was Martin Cason (49) who gave the innings some impetus batting in the middle order with Paul Sutton (19). A healthy supply of extras (45) boosted the total to 186 for 8 by the declaration. James Duhig (3-38) made early inroads into the Hornchurch batting wth Sian Ruck (2-44) bagging a couple in the middle of the innings. The home side's batting was fairly consistent with 8 of them making double figures and it was Wells (46 n.o.) who saw them home.
A sound batting performance by the 3rd XI saw them post a decent total of 210 for 4 at Ilford Wanderers. Captain Fierce was the dominant batsman with an excellent 90 and there were runs too for Laura Owens (44 n.o.), Clouseau (33) and Grahame Bull (22). Ryan Dack and Keith Mtchell took an early wicket apiece but it was Toast who undermined Fives & Heronians reply with a 12 over spell in which he took 3 for 9. Andy Cook (2-11) and Gavin castle (2-34) took two wickets apiece as Green were comfortable winners by 87 runs.
The 4th XI looked destined for a big total as Gary Pearson Jnr (45) and Geoff Robinson (30) added 99 for the 1st wicket. Gary Smith (4-56) had bowled well without luck but it was the introduction of Ian Jones that brought about a complete change. Billy Shorey made a brisk 23 but, when the total slipped to 159 for 6, it looked doubtful that Green would reach 200 even with the fast outfield. Vic Simmons (33) found an obdurate partner in Herbie Gosnell who scored just 7 in a stand of 41 that meant that Green would get at least 8 bonus points before Jones finished things off, taking 6 for 32. Harold Wood too had a good start with Ian Honeysett (40) and skipper Ross Wooding with an opening partnership of 77.Wooding and Darren Ellis took the score to 122 before Ted Patel dismissed the latter at the end of his 8 over spell. It was the introduction of Rob Duhig to the attack that turned things around. He immediately dismissed Wooding for a good 61 and in doing so removed the crucial left-handed batsman who had negated the problems at one end of the wicket. Calum Hill looked to be taking Wood to victory until an excellent catch in the deep by Herbie brought about his downfall. It was Green in the box seat as Rob Duhig reduced them to 174 for 9. The last pair made a valiant effort until Rob dismissed last man Jones 3 short of Green's total after a last wicket stand of 28.
When Stanford-le-Hope 3rd XI posted 214 for 3 against the 5th XI, recent evidence suggested that this would be enough for victory. After a reasonable start by Mitchell Collett (17) and Terry Dack (20), the loss of 3 quick wickets put Green in trouble. t was then that Malcolm Waters (80 n.o.) was joined by Paul White (72 n.o.) and the pair knocked off the runs without further loss. Earlier Knight (105) and Ingram (68 n.o.) had overcome the loss of two early wickets to help post Stanford's total.
A depleted 1st XI took to the field for the Sunday League game against East Essex at Old Brentwoods. Aaron Hills continued to surprise with some big shots in a free scoring 27 at the top of the order. Unfortunately, Smudger fell early but Cockinson (36) and Alex Cason (46) took the score towards the 100 mark. When both were dismissed, Chris Haylett (40) batted freely and the spectators were treated to a cameo from The Onion (19) which helped take the score to 207 for 8. The hosts made a fast start being particularly severe on anything short. Green stuck to the task with Adam savery doing some outstanding work in the field. However, East Essex ggot home with 2 wickets to spare.
On a slightly sporty pitch, Terling  applied themselves well to make 179 all out despite the efforts of Matt Simmons (4-8), Craig Burd (3-45) and Rob Duhig (2-31). In reply, Tiraj Patel batted well for his 44 but found no support as Green were bowled out for 127.To add to Green's woes a swarm of red ants took a particular liking to the Hanger who is now suffering the after effects of 70 odd bites.
 

Tons for Freddie and Smudger as Valiant Hadleigh Fall Short

Green overcame spirited resistance in their latest league win at Hadleigh and Thundersley. On batting first, Green were immediately in trouble as they lost Potter and Ananda with just 31 on the board. At this point, Freddie Butt (110) was joined by Smudger (112) and the pair both scored centuries in an record breaking 3rd wicket stand for the club of 219. Both were dismissed within 2 runs of each other after which the innings fell away to 295 for 8 when the declaration came after 52 overs. Thomas Oakley (2-34) removed both openers in a good opening spell but Jackson (107) and Wagstaff (66) took the score to 166 before Ananda returned to take 2 quick wickets. However, Jackson was still going strong and looked likely to win the game as he found support from Phillippe. Ali Aslam finally dismissed Jackson for an excellent century but the home side continued to press for victory ending up just 24 runs short after a magnificent effort.
Geoff Marchant (26), pressed into 2nd XI duties for a rare outing, provided the only resistance at the top of the order as Green slumped to 41 for 4 in the 2nd XI game against West Essex. Suggs survived with some early good fortune and the pair nearly doubled the score before Sir Harold was stumped. Mick Clarke, returning for his first game after injury, added 65 with Suggs with the latter providing much needed acceleration to the innings. The push for 200 just failed despite Toast struck the last ball of the innings for six. With the wicket liable to do odd things, Mick Clarke made an early breakthrough but Teepo Afzal (84 n.o.) and Babar Anwar (65) reciprocated the good fortune enjoyed earlier by Green in a 2nd wicket stand that laid the foundation for victory. Toast (3-44) took 3 late wickets but could not stave off the inevitable defeat.
A strong batting performance by visitors Hadleigh and Thundersley in which all of the first 8 batsmen registered double figures, saw Green facing an imposing 261 for 9. Harrison (54) and Smith (45) were the main contributors as Green's veteran attack of Bones (4-60) and The Silver Fox (3-65) toiled away. Green's attempt did not get off the ground and they were left hanging on for the draw at 129 for 9 with Andy Symes top-scoring with 23. Grosvenor did most of the damage for Hadleigh with 5 for 42.
The 4th XI overcame the early loss of Billy Shorey largely through a 2nd wicket partnership between Pads Pearson (52) and Adam Green (76). Herbie Gosnell (15) and Jevin Chapman (30) helped take the score beyond 200 with skipper Vic Simmons (14) helping to boost the score to 229 for 9. Kevin Chapman took a wicket immediately but McMullen (123 n.o.) scored an excellent century to take the game away from Green with assistance from Iqbal (44) and Mahmood (35). Vic Simmons (2-43) and 'Ginger' Pearson took two wickets apiece but the hosts got home by 4 wickets.
Green's 5th XI made a rare journey beyond 200 thanks to Malcolm waters (93), Terry Dack (46) and some late blows by Steve Shorey (21 n.o.). The reply by Benfleet 4th XI look solid with Mitchell Collett (2-20) and Billy Moffat (2-24) each taking an early wicket. Wright (55) and Whitbourn (67) took Benfleet to a strong position but when they were dismissed by Mitchell Collett and Kevin Hewitt respectively, the remaining batsmen could find no answer to Kevin Hewitt who took 5 for 49. However the last pair managed to avoid defeat for the visitors.
Green's league cup run ended with a narrow 2 wicket defeat at the hands of wanstead. Freddie Butt held Green's innings together with an excellent 68 but batting was never easy on the Central Park wicket. Green made a good effort to defend their total of 155, taking regular wickets but Westfield managed to see the visitors through.
The Sunday 2nd XI travelled to East Hanningfield to be greeted by 9 men and an apology. In a situation all clubs fnd themselves in occasionally we were grateful to play with Steve Shorey switching sides to even things up a bit. Worse was to come for the home side when one of their players left the field ill. He was taken home by rather an attractive blonde who must have worked a miracle cure as he returned after the match with a smile on his face. Tiraj Patel (59) and Billy Shorey (53) put on 140 for the first wicket but fell in quick succession, followed by Aaron Hills. This brought skipper for the day, Bambi, in partnership with Rob Duhig. An unbeaten partnership of 109 followed which was dominated by Captain Fantastic (78 n.o.) but it was Rob who caught the eye with a career best 31 not out. East Hanningfield were unlikely to be able to chase 273 with 9 men and the game was put beyond them by two early wickets by Ryan Dack (3-17). Ryan's analysis was just better than his father, Terry (3-18) as the hosts suffered a Dack attack. Steve Shorey top-scored with 29 but things were rounded off by Rob Duhig who followed his batting success by taking 2 for 11.
There was a close game at Springfield on Friday where Green recovered from some careless early batting, which saw them slip to 94 for 5, to recover to 246 for 8 thanks to three scores of 49 from Tiraj Patel, Graeme Walker and Matt Simmons.The home side built a strong position through Z.Mahmood and Goldsmith and Green required some containing bowling from Potter and Matt Sutton. Matt Simmons (3-52) removed W.Mahmood for 54 but it was still anyone's game in the last over with the home side finishing just short on 242 for 7.

Smudger and Ali get Green Back to Winning Ways

James Duhig made an early breakthrough in the 1st XI game against Westcliff-on-Sea but it was Ali Aslam (6-25) and Thomas Oakley (2-22) who put the skids under the visitors who slumped from 40 for 1 to 126 all out. This modest total looked to be a mountain to climb for Green with Alex Cason and Chris Cook both dismissed for ducks. Freddie followed having scored 41 of the first 48 but Smudger was in good form in partnership with Thomas Oakley (14). Thomas was dismissed just before the end but Smudger saw Green home with an unbeaten 67.
The 2nd XI came off 2nd best in their drawn match at Harold Wood where the home side ran up 266 for 7 in 49 overs. Dan Drury (3-80) and Suggs (2-42) were the main wicket takers. Green got off to a slow start and never really set up a challenge. Martin Cason (50) and Suggs (22) were both undefeated to earn the draw after Ian Stanley had made 32.
Green made a respectable start against Wanstead 4th XI in the 3rd XI match at Nutter Lane. Sir Harold continued his recent good for with another half century whilst Captain Fierce gave good support with 28. Michael Simpson scored a useful 23 but it was James Haylett who managed to push the score beyond 200 with a fine 36 down the order. This dd not trouble Wanstead's powerful batting line-up too much and they cruised home by a margin of 7 wicket despit Andy Cook's 2 for33.
An unbroken stand of 88 by John Woodland (112 n.o.) and Atif Rabbani (53 n.o.) established a good position for Chingford when they visited Ilford Wanderers. Kiran Hindocha bowled an excellent spell of 17 overs in which he took 2 for 62 and will bowl a lot worse for a much better return. However, Woodland seemed destined for a big score, surviving a good opening spell from Kevin Chapman and a couple of chances and it was an excellent knock to hold his side together after Green sniffed a chance at 119 for 4. Gary Pearson (41) is enjoying a much better season and he dominated the early proceedings in Green's reply. He put on 99 for the first wicket with Cockinson (43) and victory looked probable with less tha 80 required at the start of the last hour with 7 wickets in hand. Scott Prestedge (6-35) had other ideas and 5 wickets fell for 14 runs to leave Green struggling on the bad end of a draw.
Early wickets fell for the 5th XI in their game against Loughton 4th XI at Davenant School. A familiar sight of Malcolm Waters standing defiant followed and he found an important ally in Big Norm Collett who made 28. Moby will tell everybody that he was on the verge of a big score when time ran out with him undefeated on 23. A total of 213 for 6 was encouraging for the 5th XI for whom runs have been hard to find but it wasn't nearly enough once Naved Ali (133 n.o.) got started. Naved made light work of the chase with assistance from Kirapua (43) with Loughton winning in the 34th over.
Green's openers ran their luck in the opening stages of the ESL game at South Woodford. Potter mixed some thundering hits with some extravagant misses whilst Bambi was a touch more sedate before succumbing to a slower ball. Funk and Smudger were dismissed soon after and Aaron Hills then started a join the dots puzzle for Pipey in partnership with Fat Cas. Cas (26) held the innings together and Dan Drury (19) helped get the score 20 162 for 9 when the innings closed. On a worn wicket, a spinner would have been useful but Green's battery of seamers only found help in the low bounce. Nobody ever got well set but all of South Woodford's batsmen reached double figures as they won comfortably by 6 wickets.

Another Seven for Ali But Green Go Down Again

Ananda 's Ton and Ali's Seven Wickets Can't Win It For Green

With skipper Royston Smith enjoying an unusual mid-season holiday, the 1st XI required someone to step up and fill the breach. With the first three batsmen falling with only 41 on the board, such hopes looked extremely optimistic and although Thomas Oakley (24) and Ali Aslam (47) improved the situation, things looked distinctly bleak at 125 for 5. At this stage, stand-in skipper Chris Cook (55 n.o.) joined Ananda Krishnan and the pair remained undefeated in putting on 149 for the 6th wicket. Ananda (101 n.o.) completed an excellent century before the declaration came after 48.3 overs. The declaration looked generous as Hutton went to 165 for 1, courtesy of Morgan (101), Vanner (27) and Hammond (62). Ali Aslam was n the middle of a long spell and his 2nd wicket brought about a change in fortune with wickets falling fairly regularly despite Morgan's continued resistance. Potter (2-26) chipped in with a couple of late wickets but it was Ali who was the main man finishing with 7 for 75 from 18 overs with Hutton's last pair hanging on as they finished 28 runs adrift.
Tiraj Patel (21) and Ian Stanley (72) gave the 2nd XI a sound start at the Polo Field Ground but with Kevin Chapman and Martin Cason missing out, it was left to Chris Haylett to set a target in conjunction with the lower order. Chris batted beautifully for his 94 whilst Suggs (16) and Dan Drury (21) helped make a decent total of 250 for 8. The early declaration needed to be backed up by some controlled bowling but only Dan Drury bowled his overs at an acceptable economy rate. Spooner (62 n.o.), Bull(43) and Haigh (43) saw Hutton home for the loss of just 5 wickets.
Durrant (5-36) ripped out the early batting in the 3rd XI match against Hornchurch at Fielders Sports Ground. Aaron Hills (42) showed stout resistance but the only support came from Fraser King (39) as the wily Bones (3-22) wrapped up the innings for just 141. This was never enough to defend at the small ground and Rowe (68) made sure there were no slip-ups from the home team. John Coxall took 2 for 35 and youngsters Ryan Dack (1-23) and Fraser King (1-14) bowled respectably without threatening to cause a surprise.
With regular bowlers Keith Mitchell and Kevin Chapman promoted to higher sides, Green's depleted attack needed something special from someone to contain visitors Billericay after skipper Vic Simmons had won the toss for a remarkable 9th time in as many league matches. It didn't look promising at the drinks break but 'Ginger' Pearson mad an immediate breakthrough after the interval. Kiran Hindocha (5-43) then took over, bowling with maturity beyond his years. Rob Duhig (2-52) gave support at the other end as the innings fell away with Billericay finishing just short of 2 extra batting points on 172 for 9. Gary Pearson needed to make an impact after his father's wicket and two catches but he fell early. Billy Shorey looked in fine fettle before falling for 21 before Ted 'Boom Boom' Patel followed quickly after. At this stage, The Doc (48 n.o.) joined Cockinson (56 n.o.) and the pair finished the job without further loss with Billericay sticking manfully to the task without much luck.
The 5ths found some batting form at last and, predictably, it was Malcolm Waters who led the way with an excellent century at Great & Little Warley. James Hewitt (65), making one of his occasional appearances, made a good 65 and Squeak's late 22 not out enabled a declaration after 49 overs on 239 for 3. John Doughty (2-19) and Mitchell Collett (2-24) gave Green some cause for optimism but Basildon & Pitsea held on fairly comfortable at 131 for 6.
Green made heavy weather of the Sunday 2nd XI fixture at Navestock. Half the side managed to get themselves out through some poor shots before Adam Green struck the ball firmly in an innings of 74 that took Green to 180. Navestock looked unlikely to get the runs and the introduction of Potter to the attack looked to be winning the game for Green as he took 5 for 12. Chris Haylett took a couple of late wickets but last man Gildersleeve held on for the home side.