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 - 24^th May 2008

1^st XI at Benfleet

Benfleet   183 – 9 (52 overs)                               Stanford 151 – 9 (55 overs)

Stanford put themselves in a decent position, as they restricted Benfleet to 183 from their 52 overs. Stanford made steady progress through the home batting, with 4 bowlers and a run-out accounting for the first 5 wickets to fall. Stanford were held up by a couple of half-century partnerships. First, Tremain (40) and Wright (33), combined well. Then Pritchard (29) and Prophet (26) seemed to be propelling Benfleet to a total in excess of 200. However, the introduction of the slow left-arm of Bill Poskitt Jnr (4-22) stopped their ambition.

After tea, Stanford’s reply began in positive manner. Poskitt (24), Nathan Shearer (36), Ross Poulton (25) and Lee Knight (39no) all made reasonable scores. However, good work from Edmonds and Miles with three wickets each and a couple from Pritchard put Stanford on the back foot. They were grateful in the end to the cool heads of Knight and last man James Drain to avoid defeat and pick up an extra batting point.

Match drawn  Stanford  6 points            Benfleet 10 points

2^nd XI at home to Orsett

Stanford II  238 - 9  (52 overs)               Orsett II 239 – 5  (50 overs)

This local derby was dominated by the bat, as visitors Orsett clinched a last gasp win. Stanford openers Sean Barker (60) and Mark Knight (38) gave Stanford’s second string a great base to set a challenging total as they put on a century for the first wicket. Thereafter, proceedings were dominated by Matthew Church (65no), who dealt harshly with all the bowling.

Orsett however had an effective reply, as Quilter (71) and Henry (41) replied with their own century stand for the 1^st wicket. Another half-century stand between Kooyman (30no) and Robinson (30) virtually clinched things for Stanford’s near neighbours.

Orsett won by 5 wickets.  Stanford II 10 points  Orsett II  18 points

3^rd XI  at Hainault and Clayhall

Hainault and Clayhall IV  200ao (52 overs)      Stanford III 149-8  (37 overs)

Another case of what might have been for the thirds. Adrian Page (3-49) Ricky Tavio (2- 39) and Dennis Wheatley (3-55) had the home team on their heels as they crumbled to 110 – 8. However, a stirring 9^th wicket partnership between the hard-hitting Sam (69) and watchful Nawaz (31no) boosted the total towards the 200 mark. Stanford should have been chasing 120 after tea on a pitch of indifferent bounce, but were now faced with something far more formidable, and 15 overs less than the opposition to do it.

The chase began poorly, with wickets falling at regular intervals against some lively but occasionally wayward bowling. The 44 extras that Hainault contributed were most welcome! However, at 66-5, Stanford were contemplating a heavy defeat. However, Harry Cook (26), Neil Doherty (15) and Ricky Tavio (24no) injected some life in the innings and they were unlucky to be denied an extra batting point.

Match Drawn  Stanford III 5 points    Hainault & Clayhall IV  11 points.

4^th XI at home to Old Southendians

Stanford IV 87ao  (38 overs)                           Old Southendians IV 90 – 6  (21.1 overs)

Stanford opener Arthur Ramdial (35) played almost a lone hand, until he was joined by skipper Colin Knight (18). They had the total at a fairly healthy 82-4, when disaster struck. A flurry of wickets, as Fulfend and Johnson picked up three each saw only another 5 runs added as the home innings fell apart.

With only 87 to defend, the entire Stanford attack had to be on their mettle. Unfortunately, only the returning Laura Knight (3-33) really offered a consistent threat as the visitors edged home by 4 wickets.

Old Southendians won by 4 wickets.  Stanford IV  2 points   Old Souths IV  18 points