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   1^st – 4^th August 2008

1^st XI at home to Epping

Epping 99ao  (17.5 overs)                             Stanford 103-4  (23 overs)

It’s unusual for a game to be concluded in the first over, but one could argue that was the case here. At the end of Kevin Smith’s first over, Epping were 3 wickets down for no runs, as batsmen scrambled out of their chairs to hastily strap on their kit. When Ian Sanderson trapped Dean Majeed for only 10, having scored a big hundred last week, the visitors were in desperate trouble. There was a mini recovery as Whiting (39) and Hasan (24no) tried to rescue the situation, but Smith, who bowled through, took another three wickets to finish with the excellent return of 6-45. Sanderson’s 3-27 backed him up, with Sam Spooner taking the final wicket as Epping were shot out in under 18 overs.

Stanford suffered a couple of alarms after Duncan Page (16) and Lee Knight (22) added 36 for the first wicket.. They both perished one after another, but Nathan Shearer (22) and Matthew Page (27no) added 45 before Epping claimed two more victims. However, Kevin Smith completed a good personal day by swiping a couple of boundaries to clinch a six wicket win.

Stanford  18 points              Epping 1 point

2^nd XI at Epping

Stanford II  200-7  (52 overs)                           Epping II  181-8  (40 overs)

It was a slightly strange finish to a tight game, as Epping tossed away the chance of a win by blocking out the last 4 overs. Stanford skipper Dean Hitchcock had the slow bowlers on and was prepared to lose to give his team a chance of victory, but the home team failed to rise to the challenge. Earlier, Hitchcock himself had ensured his team maximum batting points, with a skilful 61no. This built on a solid start from Andy Powley (20) and Mark Knight (60) who added 58 for the first wicket. There was a bit of a mid-order tremble before Hitchcock and Knight combined to add 70 for the 4^th wicket. Further wickets tumbled as Stanford threw the bat in an effort to make 200, with Adams and Kayani picking up 3 apiece for Epping.

The Epping reply was a solid enough affair, Twitchett (61) and Offord (29) shared a half-century partnership for the 2^nd wicket and Kayani (24) and Khan (27) saw them over the 150 mark with overs and wickets in hand. However, Greg Barr (4-56) was bowling consistently, and Powley (3-60) bowled his slow in-swing to good effect. Four quick wickets took the fight out of Epping as they held on to draw the match.

Stanford  II  11 points                                 Epping II  6 points

3^rd XI at home to Ardleigh Green IV

Ardleigh Green IV  206-5  (49.5 overs)                 Stanford III  143-8  (43 overs)

Ardleigh Green posted a more than decent total at Stanford Rec. Patel (35) and Arora (31) gave them a great platform as they added 56 for the first wicket. Another good stand of 70 between Pearson Jnr (51no) and Hartman (31) saw the visitors able to close their innings a couple of overs early. Jon Fuller (3-42) and Ben Tarten (2-41) were Stanford’s successful bowlers.

Stanford’s reply began disastrously, as David Ashley top-edged the ball into his face early on and had to seek hospital treatment. Two more quick wickets followed as the dangerous Keith Mitchell (5-12) exerted control. Stanford skipper Geoff Lake (43) held firm and found defiant support from Neil Doherty (17). They added 59, but after their departure there was only a few hefty blows from Adrian Page (24) to show defiance. Young keeper Sam Sewell (10no) showed a good technique to hold out for a draw.

Stanford III  3 points                                      Ardleigh Green IV  11 points

Stanford Cricket Festival

Stanford’s festival of Cricket was again a great success. Friday’s visitors were local rivals Grays and Chadwell and the home team just edged a close 40 over match. Two half century partnerships set up the Stanford total of 224. Matt Higgins (60) and Sam Sewell (33) put on 71 for the 2^nd wicket and Nathan Shearer (41) and Jono Simes (28) put on 50 for the 6^th wicket. Grays and Chadwell looked solid, especially when Downes (80) and O’Neill (56) were together. But they just couldn’t accelerate against some tight bowling and Stanford squeezed them out.

Sunday saw black sightscreens and stumps, coloured shirts and pink balls as the Super-Sixes took place! A great day was had by all, with some stunning batting and bowling and brilliant fielding to back it up. The day was sponsored by two local companies, MK Forwarding and Senator Welding, to whom the club is grateful. Eventual winners were the Billet Bandits , who beat the Stanford Superkings in a tight final.