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 Match Reports  -  21^st June 2008

1^st XI at home to West Essex

Stanford   176ao  (51.1 overs)                           West Essex   179-8 (48.4 overs)

An ill tempered match threatened to bubble over as it reached an exciting climax, as one of the West Essex batsmen took umbrage with one of the home fielders after his dismissal. Fortunately he was prevented from taking physical action and was led from the field by colleagues. It took the gloss from a highly competitive match, which West Essex won by two wickets, thanks to the ever reliable ‘Naz’ Nazir (92no). His was the only really significant contribution as he watched partners dismissed at the other end on a regular basis. Colt James Drain (4-59) and Ross Poulton (2-45) were Stanford’s most successful bowlers.

Earlier, another of Stanford’s youngsters, Sean Barker (48) had staved off everything that the visitors could throw at him. He had seen two early wickets fall, but then shared in fruitful middle-order partnerships with Nathan Shearer (32), Ross Poulton (31) and Michael Gray (21) as Stanford boosted their total over the 175 mark. It proved to be not quite enough.

Stanford  9 points              West Essex  18 points

2^nd XI at Southend on Sea

Stanford II  154ao  (51.3 overs)                           Southend II  132ao  (41.4  overs)

It was a quite remarkable victory by Stanford’s second string. Having been ousted for a relatively low-score, they battled terrifically well to snatch a win. Having been inserted by Southend, openers Sam Spooner (33) and Mark Nuttall (12) added 56 for the first wicket, with few alarms, before things went horribly wrong. The introduction of Green (5-48) and Heiser (4-54) completely changed the game as Stanford suddenly collapsed to 65-6. Some of the damage was repaired by youngsters Matt Higgins (21) and Adam Knight (11), but the sting was in the tail for the visitors. Danny Tavio (18no) dug in, whilst Ian Sanderson (21) and Daryl Woodford (12) struck out, as Stanford’s last three added 60, to add a sheen of respectability to the score.

Southend’s reply was an equally sketchy affair. Opener Kenton (52), rode his luck a little, but ensured the home side stayed in the hunt. He found little support, apart from Heiser (21) as wickets tumbled regularly. Higgins and Sanderson both struck early, but the main damage for Stanford was done by Sam Spooner and Daryl Woodford, who bowled the last 30 overs between them. Despite numerous spilt chances, Woodford twice managed to pick up wickets in successive deliveries to return 4-35. However, the real star was Spooner who returned hugely impressive figures of 15-9-18-3.

Stanford  20 points                          Southend on Sea  5 points

3^rd XI at home to Chingford 4th

Stanford III  219-6 (52 overs)                                       Chingford IV  222-2 (38.4 overs)

Stanford were asked to bat first in this bottom of the table clash and skipper Geoff Lake (85) and wily veteran Peter Victory (60) cashed in on an easy-paced track. They added 135 for the first wicket and gave Stanford a great platform for a big total. The introduction of spin duo Tony Barker (3-88) and Jay Edmonds (3-31), wobbled the middle-order, but some lusty blows from Paul Lees, Neil Doherty and Adrian Page, boosted the total well over the 200 mark.

Unfortunately for Stanford, the wicket also proved to be comfortable for the visitors. Opener John Woodland crashed some superb shots as he added 64 for the first wicket with Tom Hayden (35) and then shared a winning stand of 154 with Jay Edmonds (68no), who timed the ball superbly. Stanford’s bowlers had no answers and only gained their 2^nd wicket when Woodland was run out going for the winning run.

Stanford III  8 points                                      Chingford IV  18 points

4^th XI at Hornchurch

Stanford IV  32ao  (21.1 overs)                           Hornchurch VI  34-2 (12.5 overs)

It was a tale of woe for Stanford’s 4^th string as they elected to bat against Hornchurch 6^th.  No-one managed double figures as they were rushed out for a desperately low 32, with Coote (5-4) and Shewing (4-7) inflicting the damage.

Despite an early wicket each for Charlie Gleisinger and Colin Knight, Miller (19no) saw the home side through with no further alarms.

Stanford IV  0 points                          Hornchurch VI  18 points