Ricky Gill (2 - 98) and
Alex Cason (1-27) gave Green an excellent start
to their match against Wanstead when the top three batsmen from the visitors
were dismissed cheaply. It was an afternoon of toil thereafter as Adnan
Akram (94), Mervyn Westfield (114 n.o.) and Christopher Laas (66) plundered
the weakened attack to register 336 for 5 with Shanka Gunalan the only other
wicket taker with 2 for 69. There was an improvement in Green's batting
display but not sufficient to threaten to pass the target.
Paul Hurworth mad 42 and, in doing so,
passed 1,000 runs for the season. Ramesh Gunalan (50) scored a half century
and Alex Cason made 43 but Green lost wickets too regularly to Mohammed
Fayaz Khan who finished with the excellent figures of 6 for 51.
Martin Cason (22 n.o.) was left to hold on
for the draw, this time in the company of Chris
Brett who stood firm against Wanstead's pace attack.
Leigh-on-Sea surprisingly chose to bat on a wet wicket at Chalkwell Park and
paid the price as Thomas Oakley (3-24) and
Mick Clarke (4-17) found conditions to
their liking. Matt Simmons (2-19) weighed
in with a couple of late wickets to see the hosts dismissed for 159 in the
52nd over. Green lost two early wickets but the 3rd wicket pairing of
Thomas Oakley (65 n.o.) and
Chris Gibbon (44 n.o.) steered Green home
without further alarm.
The 3rd XI lost a crucial toss at Harlow and found themselves put into bat
on an unreliable track. Seven players managed to get into double figures but
none of them managed more than Sir Harold's
17. Dave Whellams was the most impressive of the home attack, taking 3 for
24 in 12 overs, as Green were dismissed for 127 with the total given a late
boost by an unlikely range of shots from James Duhig (13). Harlow too found
batting difficult against James Haylett
(2-36) and James Duhig (2-26) and when
The Sub removed opener Burton Harlow had
lost half their side before reaching 50. The home side's resistance was
built around Steve Perry (49 n.o.) who applied himself admirably against a
good sustained spell from Aaron Hills
(11-2-20-2). The wicket eased as it dried out and Perry was unfortunate not
to reach a well merited half century as he guided Harlow to a two wicket
victory. John Doughty (2-37) made early inroads into
the Hainault & Clayhall batting in the 4th XI game at Ilford Wanderers. With
Ryan Dack (2-18) also picking up a brace of wickets, the visitors were in
trouble. Keith Mitchell was not the man to
let them off the hook and picked up 4 for 24 to leave Green with a target of
130. After the early loss of 'Pads' Pearson,
Adam Green (23) and
The Doc (31) set Green on their way.
Gavin Castle (39) and
Herbie Gosnell (20) took Green to the brink
of victory and, although both were dismissed, the 4ths got home with 4
wickets to spare.
A draw was secured for the 5th XI by the unlikely combination of Paul
'Squeak' White and Paul 'The Panther' Duhig who
defied the Chingford bowlers in a an unbroken 10th wicket of 46.
The Panther's contribution to this stand was 0
whilst Squeak (62 n.o.) recorded his maiden fifty.
The visitors declared immediately on reaching 200 with Daniel Lawrence
making 66 and Andrew Perrin 41. Rob Duhig took 6
for 62, aided by some good work in the field notably by Phil Pearce and
Rob's father behind the timbers, and Paul White
took 2 for 32. Phil Pearce (30) and Billy Shorey
(23) mad good headway after the early loss of Norman Collett. However, there
was an awful collapse and Green looked to be heading for defeat until the
last wicket heroics.
Green blew an excellent chance to win the group stage of the T20 competition
with a 20 run defeat at home to Brentwood.
Thomas Oakley gave Green a good start taking 2 wickets and conceding
just 16 runs in his 4 overs. Alex Cason and
Alastair Horne took a wicket apiece before
Jumbo Jeffries bowled a miserly spell in
which he also picked up a wicket. Sam Poutney played a resolute ant
ultimately a match winning innings of 39 before he was dismissed for 37 by
Royston Smith, who ended with 3 for 13.
Dismissing Brentwood for 112 exceeded expectations and
Potter (31) gave Green an excellent start as
they reached 40 for 2 after 4 overs. With four and a half runs per over
required, it should have been plain sailing from this point but the middle
order struggled against the bowling of Osborne (3-23) and Muwas (2-10).
Economical spells from Moore, Belchamber and Richardson kept up the
stranglehold and only Chris Gibbon (17 n.o.)
showed any real resistance as Green struggled to reach a disappointing 92
for 8.
After a reasonable start, East Hanningfield became bogged down against the
bowling of Russell Savidge (2 for 10) and
John Coxall (2 for 10) who conceded just one
an over from the 20 they bowled in tandem. Frost showed some spirited
resistance for the home side before Matt
Simmons (2-31) came on to quell the resistance with the aid of some fine
catching by Tiraj Patel (who took 3). Green
too found the slow wicket a problem and lost 4 wickets for just over 50 with
Adam Mathias making 22. Matt Simmons (50
n.o.) was alone in finding no problems in timing the ball and scored an
impressive half century as he and Adam Green
(27 n.o.) saw Green home without further loss.
The Leigh-on-Sea opening attack made life difficult for Green in the 40
overs a side midweek friendly fixture at Chalkwell Park.
Cockinson (54) and
Adam Green started steadily enough but when
Adam holed out at mid-off, Daniel Drury soon
departed to a long range stumping. Potter
immediately started to find the boundary with some well timed shots as Green
built a commanding position. Potter fell
eventually for 77 after which some frantic batting by Craig Burd (20 n.o.)
and Matt Simmons (16) saw them to a total
of 233 for 8. The hosts made a swift start in reply until the introduction
of the Whale to the attack paid immediate
dividends. In his 8 over spell, he picked up 2 wickets at a cost of just 14.
James Duhig bowled a good spell and was
rewarded with the wicket of Wallace to a good slip catch by
Potter. There was no respite for Leigh when
The Whale had finished as
Matt Simmons was in similarly miserly form
taking 4 for 16 from his 8 overs (including a spectacular catch in the deep
by James Duhig). Daniel Drury (2-16) bowled a
useful spell and Burdy finished things off. Denis Freeman (63) batted well
for Leigh but he could not prevent his side falling to a 64 run defeat.
It was left to Chris Cook (6 n.o.) and
Martin Cason (11 n.o.) to hold on for a draw
in the bottom of the table clash against Gidea Park & Romford after the
early batting had failed again. Several batsmen made a start with
Alex Cason (35) and
Freddie Butt (22) being the main contributors in the middle of the
innings. Jacob Thompson (22) and Shanka Gunalan (19) had shown promise at
the top of the order but it was short-lived as Ali Aslam ran through the
side with 5 for 48). The match had started promisingly for Green with
Ananda Krishnan (4-63) taking 3 early
wickets before Hasibul Hoq (97) and Ali Askam (61) combined to set Park on
their way to a good total of 243 for 8. It was not a good result for either
side who are both at the foot of the table.
The 2nd XI gained revenge for their early season hammering by Gidea Park &
Romford with a 5 wicket victory at Central park. Minesh Gunalan (5-2-6-3)
ripped out the top of the order in a lively spell after which
Thomas Oakley (2-31) helped reduce the
visitors to 50 for 6. Park made a partial recovery through the efforts of
Churchill (41) and Wall(30) but Ramesh Gunalan (2-57) and
Mick Clarke (2-36) took two wickets apiece
before Matt Simmons polished off the last
wicket with the score on 152. Green too were in trouble at the start of the
innings with openers Andy Symes and
Graham Cook dismissed with only 29 on the
board. Lasif Ganasena (67) and Thomas Oakley
(55) combined in a stand of 84 and, although both were dismissed, Green got
home with 5 wickets in hand.
Early wickets for James Haylett (2-24) and
James Duhig set visitors Walthamstow on the
back foot in the 3rd XI league match at Ilford Wanderers.
The Silver Fox removed skipper Portman after
which Jawaid Ali (3-19) undermined the middle order. An early victory looked
likely but Lauren Onojaife (45) defied Green and then batted more
aggressively in tandem with her brother Nathan (30). 'Stow finished 1 short
of getting a further two batting points but it was a commendable effort to
reach such a total after their early difficulties. Green's reply was
cautious against a lively opening attack but the score kept ticking over
with the assistance of extras. Tiraj Patel
(23) was first to fall after the pair had put on 53 after which
Cockinson (33) put on a further 42 with Gibbo
(28 n.o.). Time was on Green's side and Jawaid Ali (30 n.o.) helped them
ease to an 8 wicket victory. Adam Green (43) gave the 4th XI a good start in
tandem with the stodgy Suggs (45) folowing the
early fall of 'Pads' Pearson (LBW would you
believe). Clouseau barely troubled the
scorers but Herbie struck the ball well to
help the score reach 211 for five and ended with an undefeated 75.
Ted Patel soon removed Kilpatrick courtesy of
the first of 3 catches by the Hanger (fantasy
cricket indeed). The Whale was as steady as
ever in taking 2 for 29 from his 14 overs but Bukhari and Chadri both scored
half centuries to put Fives & Heronians in with a chance of victory. Fraser
King and Vic Simmons (4-38) took late wickets
to swing the game Green's way but the game ended with honours even.
Mark Baker dominated the Hadleigh and Thundersley innings with an excellent
century against the 5th XI. All of Green's main bowlers took wickets with
Kevin Chapman (2-40), Paul Simmons (1-40),
Daniel Drury (2-50), Craig Burd (2-42) and Rob Duhig
(2-36) unable to stop the hosts posting a sizeable total of 263 for 9.
Green soon lost their openers and although
Malcolm Waters (70), Norman Collett (35), Daniel Drury (22) and
Kevin Chapman (20) all made runs, Green
slumped toa 100 run defeat.
Jacob Thompson was in good all round form in the Sunday League game against
Horndon-on-the-Hill. His 79 enabled Green to reach 215 for 6 with
Albury hitting 30 not out. The home side
crashed to 120 all out in reply with Jacob's 4 for 15 including 4 wickets in
4 balls.
The Sunday 2nd XI looked to be heading for a low score when a lively St
Andrews side took the first 4 wickets for 30. However,
Tiraj Patel (46) and
Ivor Shorey (27) dug in with a stand of 58.
Matt Simmons (25) continued the good work allowing Green to reach 139.
The bowling and fielding of the visitors was excellent giving very little
away. The batting was not so proficient and struggled to cope with
John Coxall (3-8). Thomas showed some spirited
resistance but Matt Simmons never let them
back in the game, taking 5 for 22.
Steve 'Ivor' Shorey is desperate for some
favourable publicity in order to get some upward movement through the sides.
Following a fine performance by Terry Dack in the 5th XI,
Ivor feared he had fallen down the pecking
order and was distraught that the midweek fixture against Galleywood had not
been reported on the website. We are happy to correct that by stating that
IVOR SCORED 49 in a total of 262 for 6. A
supporting cast of Jacob Thompson (92 n.o.),
Thomas Oakley (43) and Rob Duhig (24) stood
in awe of Ivor's performance. This total was
insufficient however as Galleywood romped home with 5 wickets to spare
despite Toast's(2-27)
After recent batting disasters a start of 19
for 2 was hardly ideal in the 1st XI encounter at Upminster. A partial
recovery by Jacob Thompson (27) and Royston Smith (29) took the score to 76
but 5 wickets then fell for 15 runs and another early finish looked on the
cards. Paul Hurworth (31) and
Ricky Gill (28 n.o.) showed some resistance in
putting on 60 for the 8th wicket but, once Potter was dismissed, the last
wickets tumbled quickly. The main destroyers for Upminster were Naeem Iqbal
(4-70) and Ollie Peck (4-31). Green put on a better bowling show with
James
Wyatt (3-36) and Ananda Krishnan (1-48) making an early breakthrough. The
spinners chipped away and Green looked to be in with an outside chance with
the hosts at 143 for 7 but the 8th wicket pair saw them home. Green have now
hit the bottom of the table and must reflect on some shoddy fielding which
saw seven chances go begging. Graham Cook (25) and
Captain Fierce (16) gave the 2nd XI a sound start in
their home league match against bottom of the table Wickford.
Thomas Oakley
(23) continued the good work but a mid-innings collapse including ducks for
Chris Cook and Ramesh Gunalan left Green floundering at 78 for 5.
Mick
Clarke found some support from Chris Gibbon (12),
Chris Brett (19), Minesh
Gunalan (15) and Matt Simmons (9) as he scored an excellent undefeated 68
enabling Green to declare on 207 for 9. Thomas
Oakley and Minesh Gunalan put
the visitors in trouble at 13 for 2 and Chris Cook gave Green some hope by
taking the 3rd wicket on 68. However Stace (88 n.o.) and Rouse (66 n.o.) saw
Wickford to a comfortable victory and off the bottom of the table. Cockinson (20) and
Sir Harold (39) seemed to have weathered the early storm
as Shaw and Bullen found movement in the humid conditions at Wellstead
Gardens. A mix up in the running saw the partnership broken and
Jack Taylor
soon followed. Tiraj Patel stood firm with
Sir H and gradually played a more
expansive game. When Sir Harold departed,
Tiraj found allies in
Jon Bayfield (12) and
Joanne Cook (22) but was finally caught on the boundary for a well
made 90. Green's total of 225 for 8 did not seem to be enough although the
slow wicket did offer some assistance to the bowlers.
The Beast (2-35) took
two early wickets as he and James Duhig troubled the early Westcliff
batting. Johnson played an aggressive hand for his 31 but fell to Jawaid Ali
(2-38). John Coxall (2-31) showed his usual control and reached 1,000
wickets for Ardleigh Green (plus many more for Dagenham Cables prior to
joining) when he trapped Bullen LBW. A couple of late wickets for
Andy Cook
gave Green some hope but Dane and Hurley held on for the draw.
The 4th XI were disappointed to find out on Saturday morning that they had
no game. The last minute cancellation by Basildon & Pitsea left no time to
arrange an alternative fixture.
A good team effort saw the 5th XI to victory over Horndon-on-th-Hill.
Wickets fell regularly as the hosts slumped to 102 all out with six bowlers
- Kevin Chapman, Kevin Hewitt (2), Craig Burd, Daniel Drury (2),
Malcolm
Waters (2) and Rob Duhig - taking wickets. Terry Dack (20) got Green off to
a good start after which Daniel Drury (19 n.o.) and
Kevin Chapman (27) took
the 5ths to the brink of victory.
The lack of a 1st XI game meant that the 2nd XI was slightly stronger than
usual against High Beach 2nd XI on Sunday. The home side stuck manfully to
their task as Green posted 247 for 8 in 41 overs. Tiraj Patel (28) looked to
continue his form from the previous day until trapped LBW.
Chris Brett (29)
struggled to locate the middle of the bat and, when he finally hit one for
six, promptly changed his bat. Adam Green hit some lusty blows in his 51 and
there was an IPL cameo from Ted Patel (33).
Chris Gibbon (22 n.o.) and
Potter (16 n.o.) scored heavily in the closing overs. The scenes in the team
room were something like a Herbie convention with pride of place going to
Chris 'the best apple crumble I've ever had' Brett refilling his bowl 3
times and confining himself to fielding close to the wicket.
James Haylett
(2-14) and Paul Hurworth (3-12) shot out the top of the order. The rest of
the innings centred around Russell Savidge who brought his own pitch of
appealing back to the Green from Upminster. The Sub took 3 for 3 and skipper
Matt Simmons, showing his father's acumen in when to bring himself on, 2 for
0 as the home side collapsed to 48 all out. they can cont themselves a touch
unlucky with two catches for Tiraj Patel.
Another shocking batting performance saw the 1st XI shot out for just 85
against Woodford Wells at Central Park.Green were struggling at 8 for 4 and
then 24 for 6 before Shankar Gunalan (15) and Ananda Krishnan (30) took the
score to 55. Ananda was 8th out at 76 after which the innings quickly
subsided. O'Reilly was the main destroyer with 5 for 27. Wells made a
similarly bad start with Alex Cason (1-14) and James Wyatt (2-29) reducing
them to 3 for 3 before Richardson 52 n.o.) and Majeed (32 n.o.) saw them
home without further loss.
Harlow began well against the 2nd XI before Albury made the initial
breakthrough followed by a couple of wickets for Aaron Hills reduced them to
66 for 3. Wickets fell regularly despite the resistance of Jessey who made
45. Steve Gawler (3-12) and Mick Clarke (3-37) did most of the damage and,
at 134 for 8, an early finish looked likely. There was spirited resistance
from the 9th wicket pair of Wiltshire and Stone before the innings was
wrapped up by Mick Clarke and Thomas Oakley (2-18).With plenty of time
available, it was an ideal situation for Captain Fierce (31) who opened with
Graham Cook (26). A rare failure by Martin Cason left the stage to Thomas
Oakley who batted beautifully for his undefeated half century (55 n.o.) and
Mick Clarke (46 n.o.) who duly finished the job.
James Haylett took a wicket with the first ball of the match in the 3rd XI
game against West Essex. James Duhig followed with another soon after but
the visitors established a strong position through the batting of Najib who
made an excellent 67. John Coxall (4-56) picked up wickets in the middle
order including two smart slip catches by Sir Harold in the same over. The
West Essex tail wagged but a good 2nd spell from James Duhig (3-48)
restricted them to 210 for 9. This looked to be a useful total on a slow
wicket and a slow outfield. Cockinson (42) and Sir Harold added 56 for the
first wicket but the former was bogged down in partnership with Jack Taylor
and the challenge at the drinks break was to score over 130 runs. Geoff
Robinson attempted to up the tempo but was then stumped. Jack Taylor (51)
then produced some good shots in partnership with Jon Bayfield. Once Jack
was dismissed, Bambi (51 n.o.) saw Green home in company with Joanne Cook
(14 n.o.).
A late panic set in for the 4th XI having been comfortably placed with 20
overs to go and 60 runs required. Adam Green (43) and Gary Pearson (21) had
given them a good start in pursuit of South Woodford's 176.. The Doc fell
for 11 and Chris Haylett for 17 but with victory in sight the loss of Luke
Hartman and Dalton Calcott started the jitters. Gavin Castle appeared to be
in control but, when he was caught, it was left to The Hanger to see Green
to a 3 wicket victory. Earlier it was the Whale who had set the home side
back on their heels with a magnificent spell of 15 overs in which he took 4
for 34. Abrahim scored an unbeaten 66 and the total received a late boost
from his partnership with Mashkoor (33) for the ninth wicket before Vic
Simmons came on to end the innings with 2 for 4.
The bowling of Kevin Chapman (4-48), Daniel Drury (3-16) and Kevin Hewitt
surprised league leaders Billericay as the 5th XI recorded a 23 run win.
Paternoster had looked in control until dismissed by Paul Simmons but once
he and Rhoods were dismissed, Green's bowlers ran through the tail. Malcolm
Waters had dominated Green's innings with an excellent 64. There were useful
double figure contributions from openers Daniel Drury and Phil Pearce and at
the other end of the innings from Kevin Hewitt and Paul Simmons as Green
reached 154.
Excellent bowling by Paul Johns who took 4 for 10 from 11 overs on a slow
Navestock wicket put the Sunday 2nd XI in trouble. Adam Mathias (23) and
Keith Abbott (20) promised to make a substantial contribution but it was Tom
Greaves (51 n.o.) who rescued the side with his maiden half century.
However, Green's total of 153 didn't look enough and the home side got home
with 6 wickets in hand mainly through the efforts of Scott (70 n.o.) despite
Matt Simmons taking all 4 wickets to fall at a cost of 63.
Freddie Butt scored a quickfire 70 to put Green into the next round of the
T20 competition following a 5 wicket win with nearly 2 overs to spare. Alex
Cason (21 n.o.) saw Green home in the final stages. Green did well to
contain Hornchurch to 155 with Ali Horne taking 2 for 28.
Green had a close fough midweek encounter with East Herts Cavaliers. Ramesh
Gunalan (103) and Jacob Thompson (101 n.o.) posted centuries in green's
total of 266 for 5 but the visitors set about the target with gusto. Craig
Burd took the first wicket but it was Dave Brown (3-47 who turned the game
Green's way. However the later batsmen refused to give up the chase and
Green were indebted to a good spell from Alex Cason (4-46) who put the brake
on and almost pulled off a victory.