1st XI beat Egham by 88 runs
Normality resumed as Hampton Hill got back to winning ways. Form is temporary, class is permanent. It’s safe to say there was plenty to forget about last Saturday…some components to never be remembered.
On a day where the England Euros QF was an afterthought, Hampton Hill vs Egham was rightfully able to take centre stage. It was a humid, damp and overcast day in Bushy Park full of surprises. Unfortunately, the start time was delayed by 45mins due to an intermittent downpour, but this didn’t limit the entertainment. It was the calm before the storm.
Rich ‘Benoit’ Bennett (16) and Jamie ‘Sonos’ Sones (29) managed to mitigate early spice from the Egham bowlers by digging in and slowly going through the gears. The pair reached a 51 partnership and just as they were entering 3rd gear both went cheaply in the 19th over. By rounding the overs up, to 20, this was exactly the foundation the skipper had requested. Believe it or not, this is the highest opening partnership of the league season. As John Heywood once said; “Rome was not built in a day, but they were laying brick every hour”. The foundations are only getting stronger, and the pair are busy laying brick.
As Mahendra Singh Dhoni said in 2011 after India lost 4-0 to England, “we need to regroup”. This is exactly what James ‘Skip’ NS & Tom ‘1pint’ Hampton did in response for the next 8 overs. Although Skip couldn’t get going it was a good consolidation phase. Tom was then left stranded at one end (23) until James ‘Trent’ Boulton took to the crease showing that he might be an all-rounder. Trent Boult.on (22) and Jack ‘Russell’ Baverstock (19*) put on an invaluable 31 run partnership with some fantastic manipulation of the field and a mighty fine downtown mixer. The innings was finished off by dogged determination by Hampton Hill, epitomised by Rob ‘Bobby’ Fullicks (17) battling through an exploded (/aged) quadricep. It’s rare that you see team spirit like Hampton Hill as all 9 other players were queuing up to help Bobby. Such team spirit only comes from having every player choose to be part of ‘The Hill’, a culture that other teams in the league can aspire to emulate.
It’s worth highlighting those six batsmen made a start but did not convert. This is something the batting unit will be focusing on ahead of the fight against Long Ditton. With Jamie xx on the DJ decks next week, the unit will be taking themselves to higher places.
If you thought the storm had begun, you’re in for a bumpy ride. Buckle up. The Hill bowling attack had not got their hands on the red ball. It’s easy to be misguided by perceived pleasurable moments. Some of the side experience this at different points throughout their Saturday. However, for the next 20 overs all 11 players + the lucky fans, were able to mutually appreciate the true definition of pleasure. Bowling a side out for 50.
Headlines can often by deceptive. Many would think bowling a side out for 50 was easy. How very wrong you’d be. Egham looked settled early on, putting on 21 off 4 overs until the Hill opening bowling attack managed to find their rhythm. It’s bobsleigh time. The bowling all-rounder ‘Trent’ Boult.on made the important breakthrough of a dangerous looking Egham opener. Once this partnership was dismantled, the rest, as they say, is history. From there, James ‘Robo’ Robottom & James ‘Trent’ Boulton bulldozed through the Egham middle order. If you haven’t seen the Shanghai Maglev in action, just picture the monster train reaching its high speed of 267mph going through the Great Wall of China as if it was tissue paper. A thing of glory.
Like any Hampton Hill performance, it took 11 players. This sensational display of fast (medium) bowling in English conditions required equally impressive fielding. Most notably some fantastic grabs by Jack ‘Russell’ Baverstock behind the stumps. It would come as no surprise if the Sanderstead CC commentator made a summer transfer to come and watch some real cricket.
Hampton Hill ended up winning by 88 runs, bowling Egham out for 50. James ‘Robo’ Robottom took a memorable 5 wicket hall for 29 runs and James ‘Trent’ Boulton, still waiting for his 5fer, took 4 wickets for 16 runs.
It continues to be a pleasure and honour to be part of a true, home grown club looking for their 4th promotion in 6yrs. This victory marks the halfway point in the season and the side have a lot to be excited about. “You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits.” (Michael Phelps)
Player of the Match: James Boulton 4/16
2nd XI beat SinjunGrammarians by 3 wickets
Match Report in the style of Tom Coates
The inspirational leader of men, Joe Porter, superbly led his team to a deserved victory over Sinjuns Grammarians. Sure, 10 others were involved but they merely played the role of pawns to the King and it was the cult of this glorious leader that underpinned the win. He even found time to diffuse various altercations on the pitch, once again proving what a calm diplomat, he really is. So, the Joe show rallies on. Win after win and it is all down to him.
The Real Report
Nobody in their right mind ever wakes up on a Saturday morning saying I really fancy traveling to Sinjuns Grammmarians for a game of cricket. 1. It takes ages to get there 2. There is no clubhouse instead a cowshed to change in 3. The ground is surrounded by traffic, and you invariably hear that classic 'HowsZat 'from some South London random. 4. We normally don't win there.
So spare a thought for the 'baby faced assassin' Sam Fullicks who was returning there for a consecutive week. He exacted his cold-blooded revenge but more of that later. Skipper Joe Porter managed to win a toss and Sinjuns were duly inserted. To say the outfield was lush does not do it justice. At one point we lost Mike Murton at fine leg as he became entangled in the undergrowth. A new species of sloth was later found at deep long on. It really does not suit the Sinjuns. They like to hammer the ball from the go and if you set an in outfield you completely cut off their options. Mike the metronome Murton opened up from the cowshed end and Adam Mac from the emergency services end. Adam duly unsettled both openers and got their stylish opener out with a lifter. He thought about not walking, we told him to walk, and he forlornly trotted off.
At this point the team were buoyed by the arrival of two high profile spectators. I will not get involved in the first team denigration of mercenary clubs that pay people to play and intend in destroying our great game but it was testimony to our great club that players living far and wide away still travel to play for us. Harry Coates and his less talented brother Tom were excellent in their support and lifted the team. They certainly helped JC who for most of the season has been impersonating a fielder. He pulled off a running one-handed catch with a Tom Daley-ish effort.
In fact, our fielding was superb. Mike Murton running out their rather brash number 4 with a direct hit. The scene was set for the Fullicks brothers to take centre stage. Jumping Jack F had hardly been able to contain his excitement about joining his teammates and he bowled an excellent spell getting rid of their dangerous captain. Sam Fu then dismantled them with a high-class spell of spin bowling. Excellent control., bounce, pace. They struggled. He finished with four and we duly despatched them for 98. A small word for James' tops off' Everett who in the last two weeks has bowled 5 overs 3 for none. Yes none.
To give you an idea of the scrutiny a modern captain is under, I am getting weekly texts from my brother asking what this Everett tops off fella needs to do to get more overs. The fact Ian Grizzly Exworth and Joe 'the Firenze' Porter are not bowling at all is not pacifying him. Anyway, we felt good about our chances and Jake Zen Wood and Jc started well until JC's tiny legs betrayed him and he was run out by an iffy call from Jake. HNS was then done by a very good piece of bowling from their opener. Jagging it away to take the faintest edge. He was the best bowler I have faced in 2nd XI cricket and then duly yorked Sam Fu after Sam had played him with assurance.
At this point he became angrier and more hostile due to Jake not walking. The fact that their umpire did not give it out not really registering with them and even at the end of the game he refused to shake hands. He is by no means reflective of their team who are for the most part good company and enjoy the banter. Skipper Joe and Jake were intent on survival and slowly got the scoreboard moving again. Jake was bowled by another yorker thus time from their first change. His thirty odd basically won us the game. He is so talented 30 odd could be viewed as a failure. It was not.
Joe Porter then preceded to hit his first six since 1996 hooking their weakest bowler into the stands. Next ball full toss straight back to the bowler. A lame dismissal. Jumping Jack looked completely secure until being undone by a change of bowling and at 7 down for 80 we were all feeling it. Well apart from HNS who after being dispatched by the angry opener was filming his action from 53 different angles in order to evidence the case, he is going to make to the ECB. I thought his action looked OK and wondered how quickly the ECB would despatch officials to 2nd eleven division 5 cricket!! It was down to Ian not out Exworth and James" I will not slog I will not slog I will not slog Everett to bring home the bacon. Once again, a magnificent team performance. We go again next week and will continue to take it game by game.
Player of the Match: Sam Fullicks 4/21 off 10 overs
3rd XI beat Chessington by 4 runs
In a crucial game for the promotion push in a congested group of 5 teams fighting for a promotion place.
The Hill lost the toss on a day where rain throughout the early morning and close to the earlier start time due to the football. However, the real excitement was just off the M25 and not in Rome…
It looked as if it was a bad toss to lose with Hampton Hill struggling on the slow wicket and some accurate bowling from the Chessington openers.
Only Ajmal Bhatti out of the top 4 batsmen managed double figures with Oisin Shrivastava, Ed Cinderey and Adam Oliver struggling to adjust to the damp pitch.
However, James Johnson batted as if he was playing on a completely different pitch to everyone else with a blistering 68 off 54 deliveries. A knock that required Roger Coates who was umpiring to take evasive action on a few occasions.
A stylish cameo from Dave Coates helped push the Hill up to a score on a tricky wicket which we were confident to defend.
Once again Tahir Butt and George Barrett bowled tight up front to put the Chessington batsmen under pressure early on creating a lot of chances for the Hill.
After clear player of the match James Johnson made more crucial inroads for the Hill which could’ve been more however a mix up between Adam and Max Goubert saw the two fielders both go for the same catch in a basketball tip off-esque style.
James picked up the wicket of former Hampton Hill player James Burns caught and bowled playing in the same way he did whilst playing for the Hill and then the wicket of the only batsman of Chessington to score a half century to once again put the 3rd XI in the driving seat.
Joe Ayley once again extended his lead at the top of the leading wicket taker for the club this season.
It was over to skipper Nally Fernando to try and make a breakthrough for the side. Picking up first the wicket of the set batsman however with only 5 runs to play with it was always going to be difficult.
However, some clever chat from close fielders Aj and Max clearly put the batsmen under more pressure as the last two wickets started meaning the celebrations could begin for The Hill. Nally ended with figures of 3/3 with on most days would have been enough for Player of the Match if it wasn’t for James Johnsons superb all-round day including 3 catches as well.
This will be a result that the Hill will look back on at the end of the season and could be a huge result in the race for promotion.
Player of the Match: James Johnson 68 off 54 deliveries and 4/37 off 9 overs
4th XI lost to Kingstonians by 4 wickets
At a soggy Carlisle Park the 4s lost the toss and were asked to bat v Kingstonians 5s. A solid start saw Thornley, and Owens build a solid foundation until Thornley held out at mid-off. Owens continued to score even after pulling a hamstring, but partners fell and only Warren and Sykes provided any real support. However, the Hill found their way to the 200 mark, finishing 203 all out.
Kingstonians opening pair had only one way of batting and some swashbuckling hitting saw them race to 40 without loss. Both openers were dropped and made their way to 50s. Eventually the breakthrough came and Carr and Fallows stemmed the run rate, with weeks taking 2 excellent catches at cow. Hill had the chances to change the game, but 6 dropped catches took its toll and Kingstonians made the target with 3 balls to spare. Agonising but a great effort.
Player of the Match: Will Owens with a fine 65 on one leg for the majority.
5th XI beat Chessington by 37 runs
Finally, a team that plays development cricket in the same way we do. It was great to meet Megan, the Chessington captain and hear how they bring through their younger players with a few seasoned veterans... Very similar to us.
Of course, this weekend we had the knowledge of just lost innocent youth with Will "Summertime" Smith and Andrew "Tony" Blair playing and bolstering the side...
For once, HHCC lost the toss, and were put into bat. So, what we needed was a solid start... And the wise team of Farooq (24) and Neil (34) did exactly what was said on the tin... An opening stand of 51 set the scene for a very solid batting performance. James "the Earl" Neville (18) came in to back the start and only the reach of a quick single could stop Neil, who retired with a torn muscle.... Summertime could claim a triggered dismissal, but another Will (Aust) (21) shored things up... At the end a quick blast was required and Keith "4 lives" hit a blistering 27 before the 5th catch, he gave actually stuck. In the end a total of 168/6 off 35 was a defendable target...
And this is where the team showed its true colours. The batting may have been good, but in the field HHCC were awesome (apart from the odd dropped catch here and there...). Tony (1/10 off 5) showed intent in the first over, snicking off the young Chessington opener with a top catch from Farooq at slip. Soon after, Tommy "the beach" Rance (1/17 off 7) did the same to the other opener, with the Earl taking the catch behind the stumps as Young Neil had to concede that the muscle tear meant slip was the only viable option... Tony and the Beach carried on with excellent opening spells, fully backed by a loud supportive fielding side.
More excellent bowling followed from Joseph "the older" Steel (1/24 off 5) and Freddie "the younger" Steel (2/20 off 5), ably supported by Mae "sunburnt" Bush (0/28 off 5). The bowling and fielding performance was finished off in excellent style by the Wills... Aust (2/16 off 5) and Smithy (2/10 off 2.2), with Mr Blair taking 2 catches and Mallet a run out, HHCC ran out winners by 37 runs. Only the second win for the 5th XI in history.
Everyone in the team deserves the POTM award, but one player went above and beyond....
Player of the Match: Neil Baverstock. Having scored 34 and then not able to walk, he soldiered on, kept the team going, mentored the younger players and kept the field straight when needed,
6th XI beat Sonning by 8 wickets
The Hill won the toss and elected to field. A great bowling and fielding performance restricted Sonning to 135-9 off 35 overs notable performances with the ball came from Arsh 3-23 Jamie 2-14 and Alex 0-19 who deserved a wicket from his 7 overs. There was also some excellent fielding from Nigel, Sam, Alec and Phil who all got run outs with the latter run out a direct hit from Mid On.
Dharamvir took 2 catches 1 superb effort just inside the boundary at deep mid-wicket during the final over where he just managed to stay inside the boundary line.
So, needing 136 to win from 35 overs Hill got off to a good start with Dharamvir dropping anchor with a well-judged 39no he supported Sudipta who smashed 27 off 24 balls and then Nigel whose strike rate was even better 45no from 30 balls which included 3 sixes and 3 fours - I think he wanted to make sure we got back for the football.
So, a great win with a great team performance as all played their part.
POTM is a difficult decision great effort from Dharamvir 39no and 2 catches Nigel 45 not out a run out and a good 4 over spell of bowling.
Player of the Match: Arsh Ahuja for 2 excellent spells of bowling and finishing with figures of 3-23 off 7 overs
