Herongate Hit By Hurricane Smith

The Sub Wants the Season to Go On

The 1st XI went down to a narrow defeat against Holtwhites Trininbis despite a fine all round effort by Ramesh Gunalan. Firstly, Ramesh's 3 for 27 helped restrict the home side to 199 for 9 in their 40 overs, assisted by The Sub (3-40) who also picked up 3 wickets. In reply, Green began promisingly with Tiraj Patel (36) and Paul Hurworth (26) batting well but a succession of bad shots left them in trouble. Ramesh began to strike the ball well and found some belated support from James Duhig and The Pig but the latter was out with just 5 runs required, leaving Ramesh unbeaten on 73.
The 2nd XI turned in a disgraceful performance at Rayleigh where they went down to a 9 wicket defeat. Ivor and Chris Haylett were soon out on a pitch of unpredictable bounce but Muddy Waters continued his fine form of the previous week scoring 88 and dominating a 3rd wicket century partnership with the more sedate Cockinson (33). With the partnership broken Muddy continued to score freely but his dismissal led to a small collapse as Green sought to press ahead for the declaration. John Doughty and Rob Duhig gave the innings some late impetus when Muddy called proceedings to a halt with the score on 204 for 7 after 43 overs. It was thought that Green might make the hosts struggle but some indifferent bowling was supported by some fielding of an even lower standard. Green were caught out by the unusual length of game and possibly declared too early as Rayleigh romped home with 9 wickets in hand and, despite having more overs than Green, 10 overs in hand. Andrew Impey (67 n.o.) batted through the innings but it was Steve Adams (80) who was the more dominant force.
Leigh-on Sea were savaged but the unlikely middle order combination of James (No. 4) Duhig, who hardly considered defence as he scored freely all round the wicket for his 32, and The Sub who blasted the ball with unexpected power in his 38. This followed a sound start by Jack Taylor (28) and Cockinson who put on 50 for the first wicket and the usual sprightly innings from Potter (28). The Pig (20 n.o.) added some valuable late runs, although clearly mesmerising the umpire with some adroit footwork, to enable Green to reach 221 for 9 from their 35 overs. Sean Elliott looked as if he wanted to finish the game before the delayed tea interval, scoring freely at the top of the order. The sustenance did the trick for Green's bowlers after The Pig (2-25) made a breakthrough. The Whale (2-19) and The Sub (3-13) ensured there was no way back for the hosts who finished on 109.
The Sunday 2nd XI were in terrible trouble in the new fixture against Carlton Sports. Despite Chris Haylett's 32, green were 8 wickets down for 60 but resistance from The Hanger (51 n.o.) and Rob Rayner (39) who put on 85 allowed them to reach 152 for 9 from their 40 overs. Regular readers will be surprised that The Hanger reached his half century over cow shot corner. John Coxall was in fine form and his 3 for 15 undermined the batting of the visitors who were dismissed for 94.

Two Tons in a Week For Potter

Tiraj Patel (91 n.o.) and Thomas Oakley (90) both scored well after Green's 2nd XI had started badly against Hornchurch Athletic on an unreliable surface at Hylands Park. The pair batted with good technique and played some assured shots enabling skipper Steve Gawler to declare on 240 for 4 after 36 overs. Athletic's response began well but they were soon in trouble with The Sub taking the first 3 wickets for 28 runs. The Whale was particularly difficult to play and the middle order found no answer to him as he took 4 for 13. Tom Greaves then mopped up the tail with 3 for 12.
The 3rd XI had a close encounter with Rayleigh at Central Park with a match saving catch being taken by the unlikely figure of Paul Sutton in the last over. In pursuit of Green's 205 for 3, the visitors made good headway despite Rob Duhig (3-53), Dalton Calcott(2-21) and Keith Mitchell (2-22) getting amongst the wickets. Earlier, Malcolm Waters (60 n.o.) had batted well in partnership with Suggs (58 n.o.) to post a decent total after the Shorey family rivalry had ended with honours even with Billy and Ivor both making 27.
The Sunday League season ended with yet another game against South Woodford. Green's youthful attack of James Haylett (3-23), Tiraj Patel (2-13) and James Duhig (2-30) supplemented by the slightly older Jumbo Jeffries (2-32) took wickets at regular intervals as the visitors were dismissed for 217 from 40 overs. In reply, Potter (103 n.o.) scored his 2nd century of the week and saw Green reach the target comfortably in partnership with Martin Cason (61).
John Coxall's first over in a rare Sunday outing against Ingatestone & Fryerning gave little indication of what was to follow. In beating the bat with each of the six deliveries, Green had hopes raised that they may be able to control the game. However, although The Silver Fox bowled his 8 overs for just 11 runs and took 2 wickets in the process, the rest of Green's bowling left much to be desired. In fairness to the bowlers, the fielding was well below par and the hosts rattled up 253 for 5 from their 40 overs. Matt Simmons (2-47) and Adam Green took the other wickets. Green began fairly steadily until Cockinson was dismissed by a spectacular catch at cover. Adam Matthias played with aggression for his 64 but Green were always behind the rate. Matt Simmons (27), Steve Shorey (25) and Billy Shorey (20) all tried valiantly before The Hanger (21 n.o.) came in for his customary not out.
Potter and Cockinson began well in the midweek game at Gravesend. The pair added 82 fairly comfortably but when the partnership was broken, wickets fell all too easily. Paul Hurworth score a splendid century but Green failed to bat out their 35 overs and were dismissed for 211. Dave Brown settled into a good line and length to constrain the the Gravesend batsmen but they survived comfortably and became increasingly aggressive. There did not seem much prospect of a breakthrough until Simon Brown ran out McKechnie (81) with a direct hit from point. Simon (2-18) then produced a good spell with the ball to take a couple of wickets, including Harrington for 81, but it was too late to have any impact on the result with the home side comfortable 7 wicket winners.

Going Down but Youngsters Show Promise

The league season ended in disappointing fashion with only the 2nd XI managing to win. The defeat of the 1st XI meant there was no consolation following relegation whereas the other sides finished comfortably in mid-table.
Ali Horne (3-28) and Thomas Oakley (3-34) set up a promising position at home to Colchester & East Essex who were bowled out for 216. Shanka Gunalan (2-40), Chris Cook and Ananda Krishnan took the other wickets. However, Reece Topley (4-36) was in terrific form with the ball for the visitors as green slumped to 125 all out. There was some hope with the only double figure contributors being the younger members of the side. Chris Cook made 35 and Alex Cason 25 in a brief show of middle order resistance whilst Thomas Oakley seemed wasted at No 9 as he was undefeated on 35.
A half century partnership between the unlikely pairing of Minesh Gunalan (38) and The Pig (17) promised much for the 2nd XI but wickets fell at regular intervals in a bit of a crawl at Castle Park The only man out before reaching double figures was Martin Cason and Green were indebted to a 9th wicket stand of 36 between The Beast (21) and Dougal (13 n.o.) to post a total of 174 for 9. It was the same pair who undermined the early batting as the hosts too struggled for runs. There were two wickets each for James Duhig (2-30), Matt Simmons (2-35) and Mick Clarke (2-26) as Green's task was made easier by an unfortunate injury which caused Husain to retire hurt in a 16 run victory.
Green's openers were soon back in the hutch as Matt Roberts produced some prodigious swing to dismiss both before double figures were on the board. Roberts also accounted for Bambi for 25 but Michael Rowe then took over to take 7 for 49 as Green were shot out for 137. Jack Taylor (21) and Chris Haylett (41) had looked good but neither would be pleased with their tame dismissals. The score seemed to be about a hundred short of a decent total and that thought was underlined as the Hornchurch openers moved to 37. The introduction of The Sub turned things around as he took 4 for 28 in an inspired spell. With John Coxall taking 3 for 36 at the other end, an unlikely victory became a distinct possibility as the home side slid to 74 for 7. However Dave Kiff (32 n.o.) batted sensibly and was given good support by Jack Filtness in a 47 run stand for the 8th wicket. After his day with the ball it seemed inevitable that Rowe would be there at the end of a good competitive game which Green lost by 2 wickets.
A solid batting performance by Hornchurch 4th XI saw them post a challenging 238 for 9 in the game played at Navestock C.C. Imran Khan (58) and Scott Harper-Horn (59) posted half centuries for the visitors whilst Fraser King was the most successful of Green's bowlers with 3 for 61. The Doc took 2 for 9 and Keith Mitchell 2 for 53 before Hornchurch declared in the 52nd over. By contrast, Green's batting was pedestrian and only Kuldeep Minocha (57) and Paul Sutton (31) really raising any challenge. It was left to The Whale and Fraser King to hold on well short at 167 for 9.
A five wicket haul for Billy Greaves (5-49) and a hat-trick for Rob Duhig (4-33) inspired the 5th XI to dismiss visitors Walthamstow for 171 at Great & Little Warley. However, there was no such inspiration in the batting as Greg Bonsor took five for the visitors. Green were bowled out for just 89 in the 24th over.
Alex Cason scored a magnificent century in the Sunday League game against Waltham. He added 79 with Potter (49) for the 1st wicket, 50 for the 2nd wicket with Thomas Oakley (14) and 78 for the 3rd wicket with Chris Haylett (26). A promising position of 207 for 2 soon vanished with only Royston Smith (29) of the other batsmen reaching double figures as Green were dismissed for 255. Waltham too had a centurion in opener Amjad Ali whose 105 was largely responsible for getting home in the last over with 5 wickets to spare.
Some defiance by Ivor (28) and The Hanger (27 n.o.) was insufficient to save the Sunday 2nd XI from a 78 run defeat by Anson St. George in a game best forgotten.
Potter (58) was in the surprising position of being out-scored by Cockinson (65) in an opening stand of 137 in the midweek game at Belhus but just sneaked to his half century first. Wickets fell rather too readily until The Pig joined Simon Brown (29) in a late order stand. The Pig was run out going for an ambitious 2nd run whilst Brownie was so far out stumped that he too could have contemplated a 2nd run. Belhus got off to a reasonable start until Ryan Dack made the initial breakthrough. Dave Brown dropped onto a line and length straight away taking a vital wicket in his economical 8 over spell. The Whale turned the game Green's way but some spirited hitting down the order kept the home side in touch. Jacob Thompson took 3 for 52 as Green got hoe by 28 runs.