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 – 12^th July 2008

1^st XI at home to Benfleet

Stanford  264 – 7  (52 overs)                                        Benfleet  190 – 8  (53 overs)

Another near miss for a frustrated Stanford side, on a day when the bat was dominant. Nathan Shearer (98) and Ross Poulton (90no) were the batting heroes for Stanford. Shearer shared an early stand of 59 with opener Peter Gray (27), before being joined by Poulton. They shared an electrifying stand of 119, before the Aussie fell an agonising two runs short of his ton. Poulton then unfurled an audacious array of shots to set the visitors a really tough target to chase.

After tea, Benfleet lost an early wicket as Greg Barr removed Tremain in the 3^rd over. Jenkins (57) and Prophet (30), then settled things down with a half-century stand, before Phil Wright(57no) joined Jenkins in another profitable stand of 48. The Benfleet innings was slowed to a crawl by the introduction of spin. Shearer (4-53) and Poulton (3-56) both completed excellent all round matches, but Wright stubbornly organised a rear-guard action that ultimately earned the visitors a draw.

Stanford   11 points                                                     Benfleet  6 points

2^nd XI at Orsett

Orsett II   134ao (46.1 overs)                                       Stanford II  137 – 2 (36.2 overs)

This was a solid derby victory for Stanford 2nds. Having won the toss, Stanford skipper Dean Hitchcock had no hesitation in inserting Orsett on a damp track. A weakened Orsett side struggled against the visiting seam attack of Ian Sanderson (2-28, Matt Higgins (3-32) and Daryl Woodford (2-29), which was backed by some outstanding fielding. Laws (24), Howlett (23) and Reynolds (26no) all showed resistance, but 134 was a meagre target to defend.

In reply, Stanford were briefly in trouble at 26-2, but opener Andy Powley (50no) was determined to resist his former team-mates and dug in for the duration. He was joined by Andy Robinson (61no) who showed a welcome return to form. Together they added a nicely timed 111, in increasingly wet conditions, to seal a valuable win.

Stanford II  18 points                                 Orsett II  2 points

3^rd XI at home to Hainault & Clayhall 4^th

Stanford III   160ao (49.3 overs)            Hainault & Clayhall IV  164-3 (34.2 overs)

Stanford were inserted by the visitors, who were totally frustrated by the home team’s solid start. Skipper Geoff Lake (59) and fellow opener Peter Victory (29), shared a stand of 102 for the first wicket. With such a base, Stanford were looking to push the total over the 200 mark, but a combination of good bowling from Bhardwaj (6-29) and some indifferent batting, saw a major collapse as Stanford crashed to 160ao. If Jon Fuller (28no) hadn’t kept his head, the situation could have been worse.

Hainault began their reply brightly, and Stanford were soon struggling as opening bowler Laura Knight picked up an injury after a single over. Adrian Page (2-37) took over and kept one end quiet for the rest of the innings, but Mike O’Kelly (68no), shepherded the visiting batsmen to a comfortable 8 wicket win.

Stanford III   5 points              Hainault & Clayhall IV  18 points

4^th XI at Old Southendians & Southchurch

Old Southendians IV 240 – 6            (46 overs)            Stanford IV  79ao  (39.1 overs)

Quite why a returning 1^st XI player would need to play 4^th team cricket might be something of a mystery. However, that’s what Stanford’s 4^th team were facing as Pratt (113) helped himself to a cheap century. Craddock chipped in with a half-century and Stanford’s 4^th team were faced with an impossible task. They resisted gamely for nearly 40 overs as they tried to keep the Old Boys at bay. Matt Hassler (22) and young Charlie Gleisinger (17) were particularly stubborn, but eventually the accuracy of Rolph (4-24) and Johnston (3-9) wore them down as the home team registered a 159 run win.

Stanford IV  2 points             Old Southendians IV  20 points