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  19^th July 08

1^st XI at home to Buckhurst Hill

Buckhurst Hill  204ao  (49.5 overs)               Stanford  177ao  (47.4 overs)

Becket (37) and Peters (26) gave the visitors a solid start, with an opening partnership of 71, having been invited to bat by Stanford skipper Michael Gray. James Drain (3-39) and Kevin Smith (4-77) struck at regular intervals to reduce Buckhurst Hill to 151-9. At this point, Stanford looked favourites to finish the innings off and begin a steady run-chase. However, Platt (25no) and last man Raza (31) had other ideas as they swung the bat furiously, blasting their team past the 200 mark.

It was a rueful Stanford dressing room at tea-time as they reflected on key missed chances. Their mood was not enlivened by the regular tumble of wickets as they began the chase. Opener Duncan Page (24) successfully anchored the innings for 23 overs, but when he departed at 60-5, things were looking gloomy for the home side. A hard-hitting half-century from Ross Poulton revived thoughts of a win. To Stanford’s credit, after Poulton departed, the tail still batted positively in an effort to win, rather than shutting up shop with a couple of overs to go.

Buckhurst Hill won by 27 runs.

Stanford  7 points              Buckhurst Hill  20 points

2^nd XI at Old Southendians  

Stanford II  158ao  (49.2 overs)               Old Southendians II  147ao  (40.5 overs)

Stanford’s second string clinched another tight victory in an excellent game at Southchurch Park. Having been asked to bat, Stanford’s innings was a patchy affair. Matt Higgins (30) and Andy Powley (17) added 57 for the 2^nd wicket, but that was the biggest partnership of the game by some way. Decent contributions from Rob Pearn (35) and Sam Spooner (30) edged the visitor’s total over the 150 mark, but the feeling was that this was a good 30 or 40 short of a challenging total.

Matt Higgins (2-32) struck early for Stanford as the home team began their reply. However, Matt Hope (60) played solidly and at 88-3, the Old Boys looked to be in command and heading for a comfortable win. Stand-in skipper Mark Nuttall then pulled off a master-stroke as he called wily swing bowler Andy Powley (5-25) into the attack. The home batsman were rabbits in headlights as his slow dippers mesmerised them into submission. They ended the match 12 runs shy of victory.

Stanford II  20 points                     Old Southendians II  5 points

3^rd XI at home to Fives and Heronians 4ths

Stanford III  131ao (46.3 overs)               Fives & Heronians IV 132-5 (38.1 overs)

Life continues to be tough for Stanford’s 3^rd string as they battle against the Premiership big boys 4^th XIs. They are now way adrift at the bottom of the league, with a miracle needed to keep them up. Having been asked to bat, they suffered the early loss of the experienced Peter Victory, but Dennis Wheatley (32) and Marc Easter (18) added an even half-century for the 2^nd wicket. Both these went on the same score as Mike Wheeler (5-40) was introduced into the attack. In partnership with ‘Yas’ Yaseem Snr (3-30) he worked his way through the order as Stanford slumped to a disappointing 131 all out.

Stanford battled hard as Fives replied. Nothing was given away in the field, but opener Steve Foley (49) dropped anchor and was determined not to be shifted. He was eventually dismissed by Ben Tarten with the scores level, as he searched for the winning run, giving Stanford an unexpected bonus point, but wins are required now, rather than bonus points.

Fives & Heronians IV won by 5 wickets

Stanford  III  4 points                     Fives & Heronians IV  18 points

4^th XI  at Orsett

Stanford IV  148ao  (48.5 overs)               Orsett IV  152-3  (28.5 overs)

The good spirit in the 4ths continues to burn brightly as they battled away against their local rivals. Opener David Ashley (20) defended valiantly for 32 overs, allowing his team-mates to play around him. All the Stanford men struggled against tight bowling from Mike Reynolds (5-36) and Sam Proctor (4-34).  Chris Vale (29) batted well, but the highlight of the innings came from U13 Laurence Petts (41). Coming in at No 8 he batted beautifully to boost the total to respectability.

Respectable was no challenge to Orsett. Kooyman (35), Parvitt (28) and Smith (42no) made light work of the total, to race to a 7 wicket win in less than 29 overs.