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 CC – Match Reports 16^th June 07

Stanford 1^st XI at Southend on Sea

Stanford  121ao (42 overs)                         Southend 124-6  (31.3 overs)

Ian Heiser 4-36 F.Masood 3-19                Wayne Spear 71

Stanford’s batsmen once again failed to get to grips with some steady, rather than spectacular bowling from their hosts. Heiser (4-36) and Masood (3-19) kept the pressure on and 8 Stanford men gave Southend catching practice. Matthew Page (22) and his father Duncan (19) looked to build a partnership, but there was disappointment in the ranks as the team, once again , failed to post a challenging total. As skipper Andrew Robinson said after the game; ‘We let ourselves down with the bat yet again and we have to address this if we are going to compete in this division’.

Mind you, Southend did not have it all their own way in reply. They were reeling at 24-3, as Stanford spinners Sam Spooner (2-36) and Ross Poulton (1-19) struck early blows. However, Wayne Spear (71), chanced his arm and virtually steered his side home single-handed, to a 4 wicket win.

Stanford 2 points            Southend 18 points

Stanford 2^nd XI at home to Harold Wood 2^nd

Harold Wood II  231-5  (41.5 overs)               Stanford II  155-4 (39 overs)

K.Khan 123, D.Arachi 62                           Mark Knight 53no, James Drain 45

A delayed start and further rain interruptions, meant that no winner could be found in this intriguing clash. Khan’s splendid century on a slow track, probably proved he was ready to return to the 1^st XI. He enjoyed a terrific stand of 190 for the second wicket with Arachi (62), which set the home team a challenging total to chase. Ian Sanderson’s return of 2-29 was an excellent effort.

Another solid knock from opener Mark Knight (53no) laid the foundations, as he shared a partnership of 90 with James Drain (45). However, the Stanford team, under pressure from the loss of time, couldn’t raise the momentum, as the game petered out into a draw.

Stanford II  4 points   Harold Wood II  9 points

Stanford III at home to Epping III

Epping III  93ao  (34 overs                           Stanford III  97-4  (27.1 overs)

John Harris 4-20                                        Geoff Lake 31no

Stanford opening bowler John Harris bowled 13 overs straight off, 8 of which were maidens, without a sniff of a wicket. However, following a break for rain and a change of ends, he destroyed what remained of the Epping batting to finish with 4-20. He received good support from Dennis Wheatley (2-43). The Epping innings had started slowly, but they had made it through to 76-3, with sharp fielding accounting for two run-outs on the way. However, the rain break livened things up and after Adrian Page had accounted for top-scorer Beavers (28), Harris took control.

The Stanford reply was careful against some youthfully aggressive bowling. Skipper Geoff Lake (31no) stood firm to ensure his side became the first Stanford team to record a SNEL victory this term.

Stanford III  18 points                   Epping III 1 point

The Stanford VI team travelled to Gidea Park for their game, only to find that the groundsman had called it off because of an unfit pitch. ope CCCC