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!!

SLHCC – Match Reports  31^st May 2008

1^st XI at Epping

Stanford 242 – 6 (52 overs)                                     Epping 186ao (40.4 overs)

Nathan Shearer 95, Lee Knight 48no,                           Aufan Raja 50, Kevin Smith 7-96

Michael Gray 44

Stanford registered their first league win of the season thanks to a couple of outstanding performances with both bat and ball. Nathan Shearer (95), Stanford’s Aussie import, found some form with the bat, whilst Kevin Smith (7-96), put in an heroic effort with the ball. Epping couldn’t find anyone to match this pair as they tumbled to a 56 run defeat.
Batting first, Stanford were able to set up some decent partnerships. Shearer shared half-century stands with Peter Gray (27) and Lee Knight (48no), before Knight and skipper Michael Gray (44) put on another 50 plus for the 5^th wicket.

Epping’s reply began well enough, with opener Majeed (35) sharing a 74 run partnership with No3 Aufan Raja (50). Both of these fell victim to the slow left-arm of Bill Poskitt Jnr (2-52) and then the rest of the afternoon belonged to Smith. He toiled for 20 overs to run through the rest of the order. All of the rest of the top 9 home batsmen got into double figures, but none progressed beyond 14 as Smith winkled them out.

Stanford 20 points       Epping  5 points

2^nd XI at home to Epping

Epping II  169-8 (52 overs)                                      Stanford II  91ao  (38 overs)

Dave Sly 52                                                                 S. Oliver 4-4

Having been inserted on a slippy Stanford wicket, Epping stuck resolutely to their task, despite sterling efforts from the home team’s young attack, bereft of three regulars on 1^st team duty. Epping opener Dave Sly (52) held the innings together, with everyone else chipping in to take the total to 169 from their 52 overs. Daryl Woodford and Sam Spooner both picked up 3 a-piece for Stanford.

The home reply was a miserable affair, following a decent opening stand between Mark Knight (23) and Sean Barker (16) no-one else made double figures until No10 Matt Higgins came to the crease. Oliver (4-4) and Lycett (3-11) did most of the damage as Stanford folded to leave Epping winners by 78 runs.

Stanford II  3 points      Epping II  20 points

3^rd XI at Ardleigh Green

Stanford III   166-8  (52 overs)              Ardleigh Green IV  167-4 (45.3 overs) 

Harry Cook 49, Ben Tarten 31,                   D.Minocha 46no, G. Pearson 35

Adrian Page 33

Stanford’s 3^rd string are still searching for their first win in the tough 4^th XI Premiership, despite another solid performance. On a slow track and outfield, they felt that 166 from their 52 overs was a decent score, especially having been struggling at 41-4. It was an adventurous partnership from U16 Harry Cook (49) and U15 Ben Tarten (31) that led to a recovery as they added 84 for the 5^th wicket. With old hand Adrian Page smashing a quick-fire 33 at the end of the innings, the visitors set a challenging total.

Ardleigh Green are currently sitting on top of this league and they showed why with a precisely timed run-gathering exercise. Openers Robinson (30) and Patel (33) gave them a solid platform, which Minocha (46) and Pearson (35) carefully built on. Whilst Stanford tried to apply pressure as the overs dwindled, the home team had too much in hand and clinched a hard-fought 6 wicket win.

Stanford III  5 points               Ardleigh Green IV 18 points

No 4^th Team game this week.