Green Finish 3rd As Potter Makes the Final

The Over 40s finished 3rd in the indoor league at Chelmsford following a comfortable 5 wicket win against Hornchurch. The game started with Hornchurch scoring freely and looking set to post a good score but Keith Miitchell broke the opening stand as Green gained control. Two more wickets by Bones curtailed the run rate with Hornchurch finishing on 78 for 5.
Clouseau and Fat Cas rarely looked troubled with The Inspector quickly reaching retirement on 25. The Pig continued the fast scoring until finding himself plumb in front a couple of runs short to someone just turning his arm over to get a quick finish.
The final was a match between Hutton and Great Baddow and it turned out to be a thrilling affair. Although neither Green side made the final, we were represented by Harry Potter standing at square leg after one of the regular umpires was called away. Potter was soon in action giving a straightforward run out as Great Baddow put themselves in a commanding position with some sharp fielding. Hutton were just over half way with the last pair at the wicket but Baddow's fielding then lapsed as they missed a couple of comfortable run outs (and also a couple of narrow squeacks at Potter's end). Hutton finnally made it in the last over with 1 wicket in hand.
Congratulations to both sides on such a fine game.

Over 40s Undone by Hutton's Attack

A disastrous batting performance saw Green knocked out at the semi final stage of the indoor 6 a side competition at Chelmsford. Batting first, The Pig and Graham Cook made a good start with 10 runs off the first 4 balls until the Pig's nemesis, Steve Cotton, claimed him LBW with a well pitched up straight ball. It was down hill all the way from there as all of the Hutton bowlers kept to an immaculate line and length to see Green dismissed for just 46 with all players bowled or LBW.
There was little chance of defending such a meagre total but the bowlers made a good fist of it. The Pig, Toast and Bones all bowled well and would have taken early wickets given the rub of the green. It was not until Clouseau entered the attack that the first wicket fell after which Bones gave a brief moment of excitement with 2 wickets in 2 balls but Hutton held on for a deserved victory.
Green will now face Hornchurch in the play off for 3rd place next Friday. Will Toast last longer than Big Sam?

Bambi Won't Duck the Issue of Averages

Jon Bayfield has been persistent in his quest for information on the performances in 2007. We are now pleased to announce that Bambi's average can be found by following this link. However, to look at the real reason for his interest, follow this link.

Gwyn Dobson

We are sad to report that the former Ardleigh Green player, Gwyn Dobson, died suddenly last week.
Gwyn, Reg's younger brother, played for Ardleigh Green from 1960 to 1969 in which time he scroed 2195 runs, took 106 wickets and held 104 catches.
Our sympathies are extended to Gwyn's family.

Rampant Griffins Finish With a Flourish

With nothing but pride at stake in the final indoor match, The Rampant Griffins continued their good recent form with a victory against Great Baddow, who had already qualified for the semi-finals.
Without the in-form Onion, Cockinson opened with Kevin Hewitt and the pair made a respectable start. When Cockinson was run out, Dave Lock and Kevin played the bowling with ease mixing up some excellent striking with some deft touches to the corners. Both reached 25 and retired but the need for quick runs seemed lost on an obdurate John Doughty. Hit it and run was the agreement between Coxy and the Hanger but the latter was forced into one of his famous scowls when the absent minded Fox managed just the first half of the agreement and left him stranded. Kevin Hewitt returned to reach 30 and Dave Lock was out to the final ball of the innings for 29.
John Coxall bowled an excellent opening spell to claim 2 wickets and there was well supported by The Whale, Kevin Hewitt and Dave Lock as the Griffins gained control. The Hanger withdrew himself from the attack after an expensive over. With Byford batting well in a last man stand Great Baddow, who had defeated the 'A' side in an earlier match, were still a threat but a diving Vic Simmons surprised more than just the batsman as he clung on to the catch to secure victory by 40 runs.

Over 40s Make Semis Indoors

The Over 40s reached the semi final of the indoor league at Chelmsford on Friday with a less than comfortable performance against Raphael who they defeated by 7 runs. Green were in early trouble at 12 for 2 with The Pig and Sir Harold dismissed cheaply. However, the Fat Man was in fine form, finishing with an undefeated 32. Clouseau too retired on 25 and Toast made a telling contribution with 14 as Green recovered to 97 for 3. Raphael looked likely to pull of a win that would have been a surprise had it not being for them having done exactly the same last year. However, Dave Osborne was run out when seemingly well in control.
The pattern of the competition has been similar to 2006 with the bowling being the strength of the side who secured some comfortable early wins. The Inspector, Sir H, The Pig, Fat Cas, Graham Cook and even Keith Mitchell have batted well at some stage and, even more surprisingly there has been the odd good stop by Bones in the field.
The Rampant Griffins also followed last year's pattern which is not good news. Heavy early defeats left them well adrift at the bottom with only Dave Lock looking like scoring a sizeable total. The introduction of some young blood in Kevin Hewitt and the return of the Onion saw an improvement in fortunes with the Whale at last finding the middle of the bat. A good win against Basildon & Pitsea followed by a tie against Old Brentwoods where the Old Boys did remarakbly well in the final overs when seemingly out of the reckoning.
The semi final is to be played on 4th January.

Alex Revives Memories of Dropta

A visit to Holtwhites Trinibis after a gap of about 15 years saw a stunning change to the ground after substantial re-development. The covers protected the pitch and, judging by the dampness of the rest of the square, almost certainly saved the game following heavy overnight rain. Smudger (18) and Jack Taylor set off at a cracking pace but fell in quick succession to leave Green struggling on 35 for 2. Ananda looked in good form, finding the boundary regularly in his 27, but was over-ambitious with a pull shot which saw him bowled. Shaun McMurray joined Alex Cason and struck the ball sweetly from the off. Shaun was soon catching up in terms of score until Alex showed that he had learnt from a couple of seasons batting with Clouseau by farming the strike. The partnership blossomed with both players becoming more expansive in their shots until Shaun was bowled for a well-made 63. Alex continued to dominate and joined an illustrious list of centurions at this ground, 'Dropta' Pollock and The Onion.
There was plenty of time for the home side to chase down the 251 required but they found James Haylett and The Pig difficult to get away. Rob Duhig made the initial breakthrough with the help of the first of three catches by Shaun McMurray. Chris Haylett (2-10) took a wicket either side of running out the other opener. Rob Duhig continued to tease the batsmen and finished with 3 for 36. The introduction of Fat Cas to the attack was sufficient to tempt the home side to hit out with Saush following up his lively bowling spell with some big hits to cow corner in his 44. The Pig (2-33) and James Haylett (1-19) returned to pick up wickets but Holtwhites settled for a draw on a docile pitch, finishing on 176 for 9 from 53 overs.

Al and Sunday 1st XI Survive Drop

With 5 points required for safety, skipper Chris Cook chose to bat on a green wicket at Leigh-on-Sea in the final Sunday League game of the season. Alex Cason (50) and Ananda Krishnan (22) made a fast start against a lively opening attack. When Ananda fell to a return catch Cookie kept up the momentum. Alex took on the frequent short deliveries which eventually led to his downfall. Potter (21) played in his usual manner before a becalmed (i.e. hung over) Royston Smith came and went for 19. Hector finally went for a very good 71 leaving Fat Cas (33) and Jack Taylor(24 n.o.) to take the score beyond 250. There was just time for a touch of magic from Big Al Surrey who lofted a six over extra cover in the final over to set a target of 291.
Ananda (3-24) used the new ball to good effect taking 2 early wickets and beating the bat on many occasions. Alex Cason (3-65) too found life in the pitch to claim an early scalp which left Leigh struggling. This just let in Dean Waller and Matt Wallace to come together in a remarkable stand. Bones was the first to suffer, disappearing onto the A13. He may have been spared had Al Surrey not dropped a chance off Ananda although in fairness, it would have been an easier chance for the bowler. Big Al then joined the attack with Steve Gawler. The flats along the adjacent road took some fearful hammer with Al bowling from the road end whilst any sunbathers along the sea front would have been a taking a big risk with the Pig ambling in from the sea end. There were some massive sixes as the home side threatened to win the game with plenty of overs to spare. Having reached his century, Waller finally launched the Pig into the stratosphere only or Chris Cook to take an excellent catch. Matt Wallace continued the quest for runs and was granted a life from a simple chance to Al Surrey in the deep. Al then completed a remarkable hat-trick by downing another chance and completed his party piece by letting the ball between his legs in front of the delighted spectators in the pavilion. Wallace's innings was ended by smart reactions by Cas at short extra who parried a fierce drive and eventually caught the ball between his knees. The later batsmen scored in brief flurries bur wickets fell at regular intervals as Green ran out winners by 15 runs with 5 overs still to be bowled.

Pipey Gets His 1,000th Wicket

Pipey Harris took his 1,000th wicket for Ardleigh Green in the midweek friendly at Belhus. The vital wicket came courtesy of a stumping by Cockinson, a combination that had seen many a novice clad in black trainers on their way. This dismissal broke a 5th wicket stand between Fogg and Norris, the latter scoring his maiden half century, after Tiraj Patel (4-34) and Jack Taylor had made early inroads into the Belhus batting. The ageing limbs of a depleted side, with the notable exceptions of Jack Taylor and Paul Hurworth, could not maintain sufficient pressure on the home side who managed to reach 204 for 9 from their 40 overs. Jack took a fine catch over his left shoulder and saved many runs off apparent lost causes whilst John Doughty made surprisingly light work of a skied catch to point.
Green hoped for a good start on a bouncy pitch and fast outfield but were reduced to 1 for 2 in the first over with Tiraj Patel and Neil Cook departing for ducks. Harry Potter was striking the ball well but lost partners regularly as The Onion, The Whale and The Hanger departed for little reward. Potter was 6th out with 63 out of 84 after which Cockinson and Jack Taylor tried to re-build but could not score quickly enough to present a challenge. Both departed in successive balls leaving Dave Osborne and Ted Patel to play out the remaining overs. Father Ted oozed class in his first innings since his school days ending on 13 not out in a disappointing losing total of 140 for 8.
Despite the heavy defeat, team-mates relished the prospect of a Pipey jug which was consumed with greater ease than had been shown on the field.

Russell and Clarke Defy Wanstead

A gritty rear-gaurd action by Ian Russell (46 n.o.) and Micky Clarke (32 n.o.) saved the 1st XI from defeat against Wanstead and kept title aspirations alive going into the final week's fixtures.
The visitors rattled up 267 before the end of the 57th over leaving Green a long time to get the runs. Green held a strong hand but 83 by the No.9 Maruf Chowdhury put the game firmly in the hands of the 2nd placed side. Chammy took 4 for 83 and Micky Clarke 4 for 66 but tisastrously wrong with wickets falling consistently until Ian and Mick came together to bat out the last hour for a draw. In all, Ian batted for nearly 4 hours in a magnificent defiant innings.

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Last Wicket Pair See Horndon Home

The 2nd XI suffered a narrow 1 wicket defeat at Horndon-on-thr-Hill on Saturday but seem to be safe from relegation after picking up 12 points.
Bambi scored his 2nd consecutive league half century to form the backbone of the innings whilst both Alex Cason (38) and Joanne Cook (21) both batted well as Green reached 200 of the final ball of the innings.
The home side looked well set for a comfortable win but good bowling by Liam Ferns (4-56) and Chris Cook (3-18) made them struggle but they eventually prevailed with the last pair at the crease.

Harlow Have No Answer to the Wiles of the Fox

A battle of 3rd v 4th in the table was an enticing prospect for the 3rd XI at Great & Little Warley but the game proved to be an anti-climax. Weakened Visitors Harlow were put in and their openers made light of the tricky conditions despite a good opening spell from Kevin Chapman. Andy Cook (2-12) broke the half-century partnership after which John Coxall teased the batsmen in taking 4 for 16. Keith Mitchell (2-26) took two vital mid-innings wickets and Kevin Chapman earned a well deserved wicket when he returned to finish things off. The bowlers were backed up by some splendid catching by the veterans with Sir Harold and Gibbo taking piece whilst Coxy and Fierce took 1one each.
Captain Fierce looked comfortable but chipped a simple catch to square leg. Ian Gibbs (51 n.o.) then dominated proceedings in partnership with his nephew Thomas Oakley (25). The pair took Green within sight of victory when Thomas was caught at mid-wicket. Sir Harold and Gibbo saw Green home without further alarm.

Herbie and Adam Stop Leaders

The 4th XI had a tough job on their hands with a game against leaders Hornchurch at Cromer Road. Green's bowlers did well to dismiss Hornchurch for 216 with Al Surrey (4-67) and Matt Simmons (3-79) the main protagonists.
Green didn't look like reaching the target although Garry Green made a good 34 early in the innings. However it was the 7th wicket pair of Herbie Gosnell (43 n.o.) and Adam Green (25 n.o.) who saved the game in an undefeated stand.

Five Victims for Tiraj in 5th XI Romp

The 5th XI dominated their game agianst Hornchurch with Ross Frost (3-21), Vic Simmons (2-13) and Kevin Hewitt (2-34) all in good form with the ball in bowling out the hosts for 110. The bowlers were backed up well bt keeper Tiraj Patel who claimed 5 victims.
The batsmen too were in good nick with Neil Cook (34 n.o.), Simon Weston (32) and Tiraj Patel (23 n.o.) all making a decent contribution as Green eased home by 8 wickets.