Stanford-Le-Hope Cricket Club

The Recreation Ground, Grove Road, Stanford-le-Hope, Thurrock, Essex, SS17 0ED; Clubhouse 01375 676000

SLHCC 1st XI get back to winning ways with a 20 point victory over Benfleet with Aussie Harry Maher grabbing 7-36 *** The 2nd XI just miss out on another 20 point victory after drawing with Old Brentwoods with Ian Sanderson striking 46 with the bat and claiming 4-33 with the ball *** The 3rd XI keep their promotion hopes going with a 8 wicket victory over Fives & Heronians with captain Geoff Lake hitting an unbeaten 67 *** A golden display with the bat saw Clive Ballard hit his first century for Stanford Le Hope with the 4th XI. Ballard ended up retiring Not Out on 130 but the mamouth knock was not enough victory over Hornchurch *** The Sunday XI win again this time over close rivals Thurrock with Robert Page hitting a half century **** DONT FORGET *** Super Sixes is this Sunday so make sure you come along for music, beer, BBQ and of course Cricket!!

Stanford le Hope CC – Match Reports  14^th June 2008

1^st XI at Billericay

Stanford 100ao   (40.2 overs)                             Billericay 101-2  (26 overs)

Having been put into bat by Billericay, Stanford made a real hash of things on a decent track. Wicket after wicket tumbled to some steady rather than spectacular bowling, particularly from opener Hynes (5-21). Stanford opening bat Peter Gray (36), watched with disbelief as batsman after batsmen contrived to give their wickets away, before he too succumbed.

The Billericay reply demonstrated that their were no demons in the wicket. A couple of early successes for Kevin Smith (2-49) were ignored by Rutland (45no) and Southgate (33no) as they negotiated a comfortable path to an eight wicket success.

Stanford  0 points               Billericay  18 points

2^nd XI at home to Billericay II

Stanford II  196ao  (51.3 overs)               Billericay II  198-7  (47.5 overs)

A great game at the Rec, saw visitors Billericay clinch a nerve-wracking win with a single ball to spare.  Stanford had been asked to bat, and were indebted to young Luke Dennis (86) who played a beautifully controlled knock. He shared good partnerships with Andrew Robinson (14) and Dean Hitchcock (22) as Stanford progressed towards a decent total. A mad dash for the 200 mark and extra bonus points meant there was a crash of wickets towards the end as opener Yates (4-38) returned.

The Bills reply was slow to start as Stanford nabbed three quick wickets. However, Harford (55) and Rutland (23) repaired the damage, before Sam Spooner (3-64) caused consternation in the visitor’s ranks as he picked up another three. However, Yates (50no) also excelled with the bat. He found an able partner in Mayhook (18no) as they swung the game back in Billericay’s favour, before clinching the win as the tension mounted.

Stanford II  9 points               Billericay II  18 points

3^rd XI  at Upminster IV

Upminster IV  212-3  (44.1 overs)               Stanford III  139ao  (43.2 overs)

Upminster backed themselves to make a big score on a benign Coopers Coburn wicket, which they duly did. Opener Rob Murphy took advantage of a few lucky breaks to score an undefeated ton. He got good support from Brooks (57) and Tuffee (31), whilst the Stanford bowlers struggled to make any impression. U’s skipper Will Sissons gambled on an early declaration as soon as Murphy reached his century, reasoning that he would need plenty of time to winkle the opposition out on a good batting track.

Just as well he did, because Stanford, despite the early loss of Jon Fuller, looked to be threatening at one stage. Skipper Geoff Lake (39) and U16 Harry Cook (30) looked comfortable as they added 68 for the 2^nd wicket. With the middle order all chipping in, Stanford looked comfortable at 129-4. However, it all went disastrously wrong from there as the inexperienced lower-order crashed for just 10 runs, to the tight bowling of D’Cruz (5-15) and Roome (3-40) as Upminster clinched a 73 run win.

Stanford  III   2 points                           Upminster IV  20 points

4^th XI at home to Orsett IV

Orsett IV 240-9  (50 overs)                            Stanford IV  83-9  (36 overs)

It might have been a miscalculation to bat on past the 200 mark for the visiting Orsett skipper, as the young Stanford tail somehow clung on for a draw. Orsett had posted 240 from 50 overs, thanks to Paumi (68), Boreham (47) and Pavitt (27). Stanford struggled manfully in the field and John Youngman (3-51), skipper Colin Knight

(2-59) and U13 Charlie Gleisinger ((2-12) all bowled well.

Stanford had to bat for an hour plus 20 overs and immediately lost a couple of quick wickets. There was a mini revival as Arthur Ramdial (19) and Robin Monji (14) battled away, but a rush of wickets saw Stanford facing the best part of the last 20 overs with only two wickets in hand. Somehow, youngsters Sam Sewell (20), Ryan Smith (3no) and James Hogger (2no) managed to defy most of what Orsett could throw at them to clinch an unlikely draw.

Stanford IV  4 points                                           Orsett IV  12 points