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 – 28^th June 08

1^st XI at Woodford Green

Woodford Green  124ao   (28.1 overs)                 Stanford  126-6  (27.4 overs)

It was a bowlers day at Woodford Green , with 16 wickets falling for 250 runs. Despite being shot out for 124, Green made their visitors sweat for the win as wickets tumbled in the Stanford innings. A half-century partnership for Woodford’s 3^rd wicket, between Davies (35) and Khoolkard (26), was probably the batting highlight of the day. No other home batsman really threatened as Kevin Smith (4-47) and Lee Knight (4-47) enjoyed the bowler-friendly conditions.

Stanford’s reply was a rocky affair. Three quick wickets gave Woodford a scent of victory, before Nathan Shearer (28) and Ross Poulton (25) steadied the innings. Another 3 swift wickets again caused alarm, before skipper Michael Gray (13no) and keeper Matthew Page (10no) took control and steered Stanford to a 4 wicket win.

Stanford  18 points                          Woodford Green  2 points

2^nd XI at home to Woodford Green

Woodford Green II  185-8   (52 overs)               Stanford II  186-6  (44.1 overs)

A century partnership for the 3^rd wicket, between Darby (63) and Davies (43), laid the foundation for the Green innings, after they had lost two early wickets. After that however, Stanford had the better of things, as Matt Higgins (3-21) and Luke Dennis (3-15), took control, and restricted the visitors to below the 200 mark.

Stanford’s innings also suffered early setbacks as Higgins and Luke Dennis were dismissed early doors. The ever reliable Mark Knight (35) steadied things down as he shared half-century partnerships with Drew Robinson (29) and skipper Dean Hitchcock (46). Sam Spooner (20no) was there at the end to clinch a 4 wicket victory, with overs to spare.

Stanford  II   18 points                                 Woodford Green  II  8 points

3^rd XI at Hutton

Stanford III  97ao  (25.5 overs)                           Hutton  IV  100-0  (18 overs)

Stanford were asked to bat and were immediately in trouble as their experienced openers, Peter Victory and Jon Fuller, quickly fell to the pace of young home bowler Patterson (2-15). Thereafter, it was a real struggle against some accurate bowling. Harry Cook (20) and Mark Easter (16) briefly looked to be re-building, but after they went, Kishore (4-33) and Barry (3-7) decimated the rest of the innings. Stand-in skipper, Adrian Page (22no) took the attack to the bowlers before he ran out of partners.

Hutton’s reply was a stroll for their very good young openers. No Stanford bowler looked like making an impression as Mole (39no) and Jayman (36no) compiled a serene century partnership to clinch a 10 wicket win.

Stanford III  0 points                                      Hutton IV  18 points

4^th XI at home to Wickford

Stanford IV  156ao  (40.1 overs)                           Wickford IV  114ao (40.1 overs)

It’s been nearly two years since Stanford 4ths last registered a victory and they weren’t really expecting too much as they took on league leaders Wickford. As someone once said – ‘It’s a funny old game’ and Stanford’s youngsters were cock-a-hoop with the unexpected triumph. Batting hero for Stanford was U13 Charlie Gleisinger who played really maturely for his 40. He got support from Matt Hassler (18) and stand-in skipper John Youngman (13), but the total was boosted to respectability by another U13, Jono Simes (21no).

5 of the Wickford team made it into double figures, but none of them could push on to make a significant contribution. Hassler (4-18) and Youngman (3-24) both completed good all round matches, with the other bowling honours going to Sumit Sharma (2-9) as Stanford completed a well-deserved and long awaited 42 run win.