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| v Farnham Common 8 Aug |
Henley 2s travelled to Farnham Common last week and maintained their winning ways with a 10 wicket victory.
The visitors won the toss and asked the home side to bat first on a green but good looking pitch and it proved to be a decent batting track with some swing in the air but little deviation from the seam. Nick Denning started well and managed to get plenty of bounce and good pace which troubled openers Bassi and Khan but it was the introduction of Tim Chamberlain to the attack that yielded the first wicket, Bassi beaten for pace nicking a catch to Tom Bugg at 2nd slip from Chamberlain’s first ball. Khan continued to be aggressive but played one extravagant drive too many and was bowled by Denning. Jenson had replaced Bassi and after he played and missed at his first 3 deliveries, he got to 14 before he too was bowled trying to play a flashing drive to another good length ball, again from Denning. Mahmood then dug in and played a steadying innings but when he was the 6th man out to an excellent diving catch by Mick Hilditch behind the stumps with the score on 94, Farnham looked to be in trouble. However, Fearon took the game back to the bowlers and got to 39 before he tried to sweep the left arm spin of Chris Ellison the ball only ballooning up to short square leg, Smith making good ground from slip to take the catch. With the score on 123-8 only Blore (26) was able to make any further significant headway, his entertaining innings, and that of his team, coming to a close as he skied a catch to Darren White from the bowling of Jimmy Yandell and Farnham were all out for 149. Chamberlain was the pick of the bowlers with 4-32 from his 11 overs with Ellison picking up a useful 2-8 from 4 overs on his return to bowling duties. Again the ground fielding and catching, recently a strong part of Henley’s game, was excellent making it very difficult for Farnham to get any momentum.
In reply, Hilditch and Ellison never looked to be in any real trouble as they chased down the 150 required for victory. The innings was a mixture of sound defence, good running between the wickets and aggressive hitting of the bad ball with shots being played all around the wicket. Hilditch finished the game with an off drive to the boundary taking his total to 73 not out; Ellison finished on an excellent 69 not out in 35.2 overs. This was another clinical victory by Henley and, with top of the table rivals Cove slipping to defeat at the hands of Reading 2s, Henley find themselves 12 points clear at the top of the table with 4 games to go. Tomorrow (Saturday) NPL Teddington are the visitors to the Brakspear ground (1230).
Farnham Common
S Bassict Buggb Chamberlain10
R Khanb Denning8
R Jensonb Denning14
Z Mahmoodct Hilditch b Chamberlain23
Lavct Ellisonb Chamberlain3
G FearonLBWb D White0
A Fearonct Smith b Ellison39
D Sandfordct Hilditch b Chamberlain0
A Blorect D Whiteb Yandell26
G R Fearonct & bEllison4
A Ul HaqNot Out1
Extras (w8, nb1, b9, lb3)21
Total for AO (37.2 overs)149
Bowling: Chamberlain 11-32-4, Ellison 4-8-2, Denning 7-9-2
Henley 2
M HilditchNotOut73
C EllisonNot Out69
Extras (w2, b5, lb4)11
Total for 0 wickets (35.2 overs)153
Henley won by 10 wickets
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| v Cove 1 August 09 |
Rain spoiled Henley 2s chances of extending their lead at the top of TVCL Div 2b as they entertained 2nd place Cove last Saturday. Play was able to start on time at 1.30 but the drizzle was never far away as Henley took to the field having won the toss. Cove, sensing the possibility of a rain affected game, sent Sinha in to open the innings-the pinch hitting role one that he has successfully filled against other teams this year. Knowing the threat he posed, Henley countered by posting several fielders on the boundary, a plan that was nearly successful as early as the 2nd ball of the game, unfortunately Horne at long on just failed to make the ground needed to take the catch. However, continued excellent bowling by the home side and Nick Denning in particular, put Cove under pressure-so much so that by the 16th over, just before the first rain break, the visitors were struggling at 45-3. Howells had his off stump removed with the score on 21, quickly followed by Short caught behind by keeper Hilditch with the dangerous Sinha, frustrated by the excellent line and length bowled to him, lbw trying to whip a straight one through mid-wicket. After a 15 minute rain break, play resumed and Denning was straight back into the wickets Marisa nicking an excellent delivery to Smith at 1st slip. After another rain break which was combined with an early tea, Darren White produced an unplayable leg cutter to bowl Carter and with no addition to the score Denning removed Singh, another batsman lbw playing across a straight one and Henley were now well on top at 68-5. However with the score on 86-6, the heavens opened again and the prospect of an interesting game was lost to weather as there was by now insufficient time to play the required 70 overs. Henley will feel buoyed by this abbreviated passage of play even though they weren’t able to force a positive result. Once more the bowling and catching were of a very high standard and the ground fielding was excellent considering the conditions-if Henley can maintain these standards and continue to play the excellent cricket that they have played in the last 6 weeks during the run in to the end of the season they will put themselves in an excellent position to achieve their goal of winning promotion to Division 1.
Cove
V Sinha lbwb Denning21
C Howellsb Denning5
A Shortct Hilditchb Denning0
S Marisact Smithb Denning9
A Singhlbwb Denning17
S Carterb D White5
V DeSouzaNot Out 8
R McClean Not Out 10
Extras (3w, 8lb)11
Total for 6 wickets 86
Bowling: Denning 11.1-25-5, D White 6-35-1
Game abandoned-rain
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| v Reading 25 Jul |
Henley 2s avenged their week 3 defeat by Reading 2s with a comfortable 6 wicket win against the same opposition last Saturday at the Brakspear ground.
Having won the toss, Henley asked the visitors to bat first and the home side were soon on the board with Ali failing to play at the second ball of the match out lbw. Mo Ali and Davidson took the score on to 36 before Davidson played down the wrong line to an Andy White off cutter that removed off stump and with only one more run added to the total Jamie Hoddle was on his way back to the pavilion excellently caught low at gulley by Darren White off the bowling of Chamberlain who again impressed with excellent line and length and decent pace on a sluggish pitch. Andy White also accounted for the dangerous Beavan, caught at point by Yandell and when Yandell produced some excellent fielding at gulley to run out St Hill, Reading were 86-5 and in danger of being out for under 100. That the score progressed to 146 before the next wicket went down was due to a combination of determined batting from skipper Eaglesham, Ali continuing to ride his luck and some average bowling and fielding by the home side. However, Henley now started an impressive fightback which was led by Yandell who claimed 4-28 as he removed Eaglesham, lbw for 22, Ali caught and bowled for 81, and the last 2 wickets caught at slip for next to nothing. The Reading innings came to a close at 165 from only 42 over; the last 4 wickets only managing to put on 19 runs.
Although there were a couple of moments, opener Bugg being dismissed in the 4th over and Andy White run out in the 13th, when Reading might have got on top, Henley batted steadily and reached the total required for the loss of only 4 wickets. Smith (25) and Horne put on 50 for the 4th wicket to take the score to 117 when Smith, having worked hard to survive the swing of Hoddle, toe ended an Ali full toss and was caught at mid off. However Horne then combined with Darren White (20*) in another 50 run partnership that took Henley to victory in just 37 overs. Horne was the pick of the batsmen, his 54 not out a mixture of graft and hard hitting which was a pleasure to watch.
This was a good win by Henley, against dangerous opposition and despite some lapses in the field, and it means that they maintain their position at the top of Division 2b. However, with Cove and Boyne Hill (2nd and 3rd respectively) the opposition in the next 2 weeks, they will have to be on their best form to remain on top. Cove are the visitors to the Brakspear ground tomorrow (Saturday, 1.30pm).
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| v N Maidenhead 18 July |
Henley 2s completed an emphatic 78 run win over bottom of the table North Maidenhead 2s last Saturday to go top of TVCL Division 2b as top of the table rivals Cove lost at Falkland.
Losing the toss and batting first Henley’s total of 216 in 52 overs on a dry looking but underprepared pitch whilst well compiled with good partnerships, appeared to be no better than a par score. For the second week in a row Chris Ellison batted well and rode a little bit of luck to accumulate 62 before being narrowly run out by a direct hit as he attempted another quick single to Aziz at mid on. That ended a 53 run 3rd wicket partnership with Andy White who also batted superbly for 56 which included a massive straight six off spinner Saleem. Ellison had previously shared a 65 wicket partnership with Tom Bugg (28) before the latter was bowled by an excellent, quicker Akhtar yorker but these partnerships had laid a solid foundation for the Henley innings. Darren White and skipper Paul Smith added quick runs down the order and although Henley were relatively happy with 216, North Maidenhead were far from out of the game.
And the 2nd innings proved to be an interesting period of play as the North Maidenhead batsmen came out hitting the ball hard and going for the run chase. Wheeler started well and, swinging the ball prodigiously he got one to take the edge of Asghar’s bat, Smith completing the catch low down at slip. Neville then took a good catch at square leg to dismiss the other opener Quyyum and Henley were in the hunt. The North Maidenhead middle order threatened for a while but their tendency to play shots when a more circumspect approach would have been more fruitful meant Henley took wickets at regular intervals. Darren White chipped in with 2, the second courtesy of an excellent, steepling, catch by debutant Bradshaw who also bowled well and was unlucky not to get amongst the wickets. The dangerous looking Ahmed was run out by an excellent piece of work at mid off by Andy White who then came on to bowl and ran through the lower middle order in an excellent spell of 5-22 in 6.4 overs. Bowling off a short run up his nagging line and length frustrated the home batsmen and when he completed an acrobatic one handed caught and bowled to end Ewers’ stubborn resistance and the innings, North Maidenhead had come up 78 short of the visitor’s total.
Henley 2
M Hilditchct Ishaqb Aziz6
C EllisonRun Out62
T Buggb Akhtar28
A Whiteb Akhtar56
S Horneb Saleem0
D Whitect Saleemb Aziz23
P Smithb Akhtar15
J Yandellct Hussainb Ishaq5
S Wheelerb Akhtar0
J Bradshawb Akhtar1
J NevilleNot Out0
Extras (nb4, b4, lb10)18
Total for AO wickets (52 overs)214
Bowling: Akhtar 11-35-7
North Maidenhead 2
A Asgharct Smith b Wheeler0
A Quyyumct Nevilleb Wheeler4
S Khanct Wheelerb A White37
W AhmedRun Out (A White/Yandell)21
M Saleemb A White20
M Ansarct Bradshawb A White6
R Hussainct Nevilleb A White8
C Ewersc&b A White13
A Azizb A White7
M Ishaqct Yandellb A White4
P AkhtarNot Out1
Extras (w3, b13, lb1)17
Total for AO (30.4 overs)138
Bowling: Wheeler 4-19-2, A White 6.4-22-5, D White 10-25-2
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| v Falkland 2s 11 July |
Henley 2s completed a comprehensive 8 wicket victory over 3rd placed rivals Falkland 2s in the Morrant sponsored Thames Valley League Division 2b last Saturday. For the 2nd week in a row, Henley were asked to bowl first with unsettled weather forecast. The opening bowlers started well restricting Falkland to 2 an over. Chandler though looked set and when he smashed Chamberlain over extra cover for 6 it seemed like he might make a big score, however, the bowler held his nerve and was rewarded by Chandler skying one over mid off, Andy White making good ground to take an excellent catch. That seemed to deflate the visitors and wickets now fell at regular intervals, only Gowland (32) and Chapman (21) putting any significant runs on the board. When the former was run out, called through for a suicidal single by his skipper, and the latter gifted his wicket to Ellison it was only a matter of time before Henley, again bowling and fielding superbly, were able to wrap the innings up with the score on 145, Chamberlain (3-34) and Yandell (3-26) the pick of the bowlers.
Hilditch and Ellison opened the Henley innings, the former looking well set until Martin got one to climb and take the glove, Piper making no mistake with the catch. Tom Bugg, batting at 3, joined Ellison and those 2 took the score onto 64 before left armer Stephenson got one to swing back into Bugg’s pads and he was on his way lbw for 5. With the score on 84, the weather started to deteriorate and the umpires brought the teams off but, fortunately for Henley, the break in play lasted only 11 minutes. When play resumed the batting had a new urgency about it with the home side not wanting to lose out because of rain which still looked likely to frustrate the Henley team. Ellison who had batted superbly throughout his innings, pulling and driving with authority for his 83 from only 74 deliveries and Andy White, looking back to his fluent best, plundered 47 from 5 overs to wrap up an excellent win in just 25.1 overs, as the rain started to fall again. An excellent result for the home side and with Cove only drawing, the gap at the top of the table is now 13 points. Henley 2s are away to North Maidenhead tomorrow (Saturday).
Falkland 2
P Hydect Buggb Chamberlain11
J Chandlerct A Whiteb Chamberlain19
R GowlandRun Out (Chamberlain/Yandell)32
J Bloodworthct Ellisonb Chamberlain13
D Harrisonct Yandellb D White0
S Piperb A White12
J Chapmanct D Whiteb Ellison21
P Randallct Ellisonb Yandell16
M Bakerct Oldershawb Yandell1
J Martinb Yandell11
P StephensonNot out0
Extras (w3, nb5, lb1)9
Total All Out (48.4 overs)145
Bowling: T Chamberlain 3-34, J Yandell 3-26
Henley 2s
M Hilditchct Piperb Martin12
C EllisonNot Out83
T Bugglbwb Stephenson5
A WhiteNot Out38
Extras (nb3, b5, lb3)11
Total for 2 wickets (25.1 overs)149
DNB: P Smith, D White, T Oldershaw, A Fitzpayne, J Yandell, S Wheeler, T Chamberlain
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| v Kidmore End 4 July |
Henley 2s completed a comprehensive 9 wicket victory over local rivals Kidmore End in the Morrant sponsored Thames Valley League Division 2b last Saturday. Having lost the toss, Henley were pleasantly surprised to be asked to bowl first on the slightly unknown quantity that is the Stonor pitch; the Brakspear ground being out of action on Regatta weekend.
It was a decision that Kidmore were to regret as the Henley bowlers hit their line and length from the first overs and wickets started to fall from Tim Chamberlain’s first over, New edging the ball to 2nd slip where he was smartly caught by Andy White. 8 balls later the 2nd Kidmore batsman was on his way back to the pavilion as Chamberlain surprised Livingstone-Smith with a quicker, shorter ball that he could only edge to Smith at 1st slip. It was now Will Allum’s turn to get amongst the wickets and, bowling into a stiff breeze, his swing was too much for both Sheldon and D New. The former nicked an outswinger and was smartly caught by keeper Mick Hilditch standing up to the young medium-quick bowler and next ball Holland was on his way after getting a leading edge to another Allum awayswinger, Darren White making good ground from mid on to take a sliding catch nearer to mid off. 2 balls later 17-4 became 17-5 in only the 6th over as Ellison pouched an easy chance at point, Chamberlain again the bowler. It could easily have been 17-6 as Allum appeared to have trapped Harper dead in front with his hat-trick ball only to see the umpire shake his head and adjudge the ball to be going over the stumps. Although Henley were well on top, Harper(26) and Crawford(31) then proved to their colleagues that playing straight and punishing the bad ball was a good way to accumulate runs. Their sensible batting was rewarded with a 56 run partnership which steadied the Kidmore ship until Smith introduced Darren White into the attack. This signalled the beginning of the end for the visitors as White claimed 5 for 18 in an excellent 8 over spell of seam bowling, including 3 wicket maidens. In his 3rd over, he dismissed the stubborn Harper, caught by Wheeler at short fine leg, quickly followed by the dangerous Crawford caught at cover by Yandell. Denton played down the wrong line after a brief spell of resistance and Van Vuuren, who never looked comfortable, played on. Clark was the final dismissal of the innings; Hilditch cleverly stumping the Kidmore skipper for 4 as he dragged his back foot onto the crease with the total on 105 after 36 overs. The Henley bowling and fielding was again excellent, the wicket taking bowlers (White 5-18, Chamberlain 3-19 and the improving Allum 2-6) were excellently supported by Wheeler and Yandell who both created pressure with accurate, probing spells into the wind. If there is one area they will want to improve on for the 2nd half of the season, it is the 14 runs in wides and no balls that meant extras was the 3rd highest score on 21.
Henley started their innings cautiously and with 64 overs to reach their target, there was no rush to go after the bowling and Denton and Sheldon bowled good areas to keep the run rate to 2 an over and at tea, they had moved on to 37 without loss. The bowlers were briefly on top again after tea and when Emmanuel had Ellison caught at point by Van Vuuren the score was still on 37 and Kidmore still had a glimmer of hope. That glimmer was soon extinguished, however, as Hilditch and Andy White started to bat with more purpose, punishing anything that was loose in either line or length and in the space of 12 overs they had scored the remaining 68 runs without any major scares. Hilditch finished on 52 not out as he continued his recent good run of form with the bat and, with Andy White looking more fluent than in recent times and the bowling attack looking in good form, Henley have reason to believe they can still catch and overtake league leaders Cove to win promotion to Division 1. This week on Saturday (1.30) they entertain Falkland 2s in the first game of the 2nd half of the season.
Kidmore End
M Newct A Whiteb Chamberlain0
C Livingstone-Smithct Smithb Chamberlain1
J Sheldonct Hilditchb Allum7
P Harperct Wheelerb D White26
A Hollandct D Whiteb Allum0
D Newct Ellisonb Chamberlain0
R Crawfordct Yandellb D White31
R Dentonb D White12
G Van Vuurenb D White0
B Clarkst Hilditchb D White4
R EmmanuelNotOut3
Extras (w7, nb7, b5, lb2)21
Total All Out (35.5 overs)105
Henley 2s
M HilditchNotOut52
C Ellisonct Van Vuurenb Emmanuel15
A WhiteNotOut33
Extras6
Total for 1 (34 overs)106
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| v Boyne Hill 23 June 09 |
Henley 2s batted first against 2nd place Boyne Hill and despite a faltering start that saw them 34-4 in the 16th over, the home side went on to record a competitive 199 in the allotted 52 overs. Credit for the recovery was largely due to the sensible batting of Steve Horne and Tom Bugg who were able to post an 84 run partnership for the 5th wicket. Both players timed their innings well, watchful at first and then increasingly attacking as the bowling became less effective on a pitch that was becoming easier under the sun. It took an excellent inswinging Yorker from Meo to break the partnership as he dislodged Horne, bowled for 47. Smith chipped in with 20 and then Henley had the very pleasant sight of watching the tail wag. First Will Allum with an excellent 21 and then Jimmy Yandell hitting hard for his 17 enabled Henley to reach 199, a total that had looked well out of reach an hour into the game.
Defending their total, the Henley bowlers started well and from the 7th ball of the innings, Butt tried an ambitious pull shot which he only succeeded in top edging, Smith running back from slip to take the catch. Boyne Hill got the score to 24 before the next wicket, Choudhary lbw trying to play a straight one through midwicket and the next ball saw Chamberlain claim the wicket of the dangerous Fernando, Smith clinging on at 1st slip. Henley were now in control with the visitors at 24-3 and wickets continued to tumble relatively regularly. Hill’s skipper Mellor excellently caught low at 3rd slip by Bugg and ‘golden arm’ Andy White picking up Ashraf and Smith in consecutive overs. Pike continued to play well at the other end and got to his 50 with 4 wickets still to fall. He was threatening to take the game away from Henley when he was smartly caught by Hilditch. However any thoughts of a quick finish were scotched by youngster Pauffley whose belligerent hitting took his side to within 8 runs of victory before he swung across thr line once too often and was bowled by Chamberlain. The excellent Chamberlain (6-60) then wrapped up the game having Meo caught by ‘keeper Kirk with no further addition to the score.
This was a good win for the home team, the first of the season having batted first. The 24 points keeping them in touch with leaders Cove and putting a 15 point gap between themselves and Boyne Hill in 3rd. They will want to keep that momentum going at Wokingham this week (27th).
Henley 2s
M Hilditchct Pikeb Preston11
R Kirkc & b Preston0
A Whitect Buttb Ashraf11
D Whiteb Ashraf9
S Horneb Meo47
T Bugglbwb Ashraf49
P Smithb Meo20
W AllumRun Out21
J Yandellb Ashraf17
S WheelerNot Out2
T ChamberlainNot Out1
Extras11
Total for 9 (52 overs)199
Boyne Hill
M Choudharylbwb Chamberlain16
T Buttct Smithb Chamberlain0
D Pikect Hilditchb Yandell58
M Fernandoct Smithb Chamberlain0
T Mellorct Buggb Chamberlain13
R Ashrafct Wheelerb A White14
T Smithb A White4
J Pauffleyb Chamberlain45
K Chappellct Hilditch b Yandell19
M PrestonNot Out4
A Meoct Kirkb Chamberlain0
Extras19
Total (All Out 37.5 overs)192
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| v NPL Teddington 13 June 09 |
Henley 2s could only draw with NPL Teddington after a disappointing performance in the field and some indifferent batting. Winning the toss Henley elected to bowl on a pitch that looked like it might assist the bowlers early on and flatten out later. The visitors got off to a dream start when from the 3rd ball of the match, the NPL openers took a single to Gurung at cover, the latter’s accurate throw leaving Klimcke run out by a foot without facing a ball. Indika joined Abeysekerya and instantly looked at home driving Will Allum’s next 3 balls for consecutive 4s. 3 balls later Abeysekerya was back in the hutch having edged Chamberlain from the 9th ball of the game, 17 for 2 at the end of the 2nd over. Henley then failed to capitalise on this good start, Wooster and Indika putting on 93 for the 3rd wicket before another suicidal run saw Wooster run out by about a metre in the 27th over . Henley now started to take a little control over the scoring rate and were confident that 4 an over would be a comfortable chase in the circumstances, unfortunately the hard hitting of, first, Indika then Darby and Thomlinson took the score to 244 for 8 helped by some uncharacteristically lacklustre Henley bowling and fielding.
Nevertheless 244 still seemed achievable on a decent pitch with a fast outfield and short boundaries as long as wickets were intact for the chase. Henley’s Mick Hilditch and Richard Kirk started well, weathering the new ball storm of Rupasinghe who was bowling with decent pace and bounce. It was the bounce that got him his first wicket, Kirk unable to get on top of a delivery that ended up in the hands of first slip with the score on 20. Things immediately got worse as Andy White was bowled next ball and Prakash Gurung departed 4 balls later, Henley now having to rebuild at 29-3. Hilditch did a good job of starting the fightback, along with Darren White he took the score to 66 with a good mixture of watchfulness and aggression before he was tempted by a rank long hop from Indika, unfortunately he managed to pick out the only fielder on the leg side boundary and he departed for a good 31. Smith was next and unbelievably managed to do exactly the same and Henley were again in trouble at 72-6. Darren White continued to play well and kept the score moving along and while he was still there Henley had a glimmer of hope. Tom Bugg found scoring tough, aware that another quick wicket would have left the visitors in a very difficult position. He eventually found his fluency and along with White took the score along to 166 but overs were running out for Henely and when Bugg was adjudged lbw to Rupasinghe it was left to youngster Allum and Jimmy Yandell to see out the remaining overs for the draw.
Henley will feel that they should have done better against NPL whose bowling was persistent but, Rupasinghe aside, never really threatening. They will hope for better performances all round this week against fellow title chasers Boyne Hill (Brakspear Ground, Saturday 1.30 start)
NPL Teddington
B AbeysekyraRun Out0
T Klimckect Kirkb Chamberlain0
Indikact A Whiteb Yandell82
B WoosterRun Out37
G Singhlbwb D White7
A DarbyNot Out66
A Klimckect Wheelerb A White0
S Thomlinsonct Yandellb Chamberlain28
T Buntingct Wheelerb Allum9
S MayNot Out0
Extras15
Total for 8 (52 overs)244
Henley 2
M Hilditchct Abeysekeyrab Indika31
R Kirkct Indikab Rupasinghe13
A Whiteb Rupasinghe0
P Gurungct Buntingb Thomlinson1
D Whitect Rupasingheb A Klimcke76
P Smithct Abeysekeyrab Indika0
T Bugglbwb Rupasinghe41
W AllumNotOut11
J YandellNotOut0
Extras12
Total for 7 wickets (48 overs)185
Match Drawn
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| v Farnham Common 6 June |
Persistence Pays Off
After being teased by the drizzle for most of the afternoon Henley 2s eventually managed to get their game against Farnham Common underway with enough time to play 70 overs, thanks to a good set of covers and a positive attitude from both the visitors and the officials. Henley skipper Smith reversed a 3 game losing run by winning the toss and inviting Farnham to bat first.
This decision paid off almost immediately as the ball was both swinging and seaming off the slightly damp surface and the Henley opening bowlers, Allum and Chamberlain bowled an excellent line and length. This disciplined opening paid dividends as early as the 6th delivery of the game when Will Allum got one to shape away from the visiting captain, Fearon, who got a leading edge which was safely pouched at cover by Wheeler. Four balls later and Tim Chamberlain sent the other opener back to the pavilion, a beautiful in-swinger uprooting Kelly’s off stump. The wickets continued to tumble as Henley’s bowlers continued to move the ball at a good pace, Allum castling Sandford with another excellent off cutter and Farnham were now struggling. Soon after 7 for 3 became 14 for 4 in the 8th over, Chamberlain’s pace proving the undoing of GR Fearon. Mahmood and Bassi set about repairing the damage and through a mixture of luck and creative stroke making the score moved on to 77 before Mahmood was well caught at second slip by Bugg. However, any thoughts that the home side had of bowling the visitors out for less than 100 were scotched by Bassi and Ul Haq who put on easily the best partnership of the inning, taking the score from 77 for 7 to 114 for 8 before Wheeler bowled Ul Haq for 13. The visitors were only able to put another 6 runs onto their total as Chamberlain and Wheeler bowled the last 5 overs for only 7 runs. All of the Henley bowlers did well but the pick of the bunch was Chamberlain who finished with excellent figures of 5-32 from his 12 overs.
In reply Henley started well, the Farnham bowlers not having the same impact as their Henley counterparts and Mick Hilditch along with new opening partner Prakash Gurung looked relatively comfortable against the medium pace of Shabir and Mahmood. They were able to take the score onto 24 before Gurung got one that kept a bit low and he was adjudged lbw for 10. This brought Andy White to the crease at 3. As usual, ‘Chalky’ combined elegant attacking shots and solid defence and looked like he could win the game on his own until he got one that stopped from Kelly and was the 2nd wicket down, caught at cover for 15 with the score on 61. Steve Horne was next in but was never comfortable and was soon back in the pavilion, lbw to Ul Haq for 7. Hilditch was batting nicely with few scares at the other end but although they were moving closer towards their victory target, overs were starting to run out and a rate of 3.5 per over was not enough to get over the line. With that in mind Smith pushed himself up the order to try and move the score along. The gamble looked like it had paid off when Smith took 10 from 5 balls and with some good running with Hilditch, the rate was now closer to 4 an over and when he was out Henley required 22 from 7 overs. Darren White and Hilditch survived one or 2 scares as Kelly beat the bat; but they were able to bring the home side to victory with 8 balls remaining. Hilditch’s excellent 60 scored from 102 balls on a difficult pitch and slow outfield was the match winning innings and would probably have been worth many more on another day.
This outstanding Henley win, in a low scoring but ultimately very interesting game was played in an excellent spirit and it takes them to 2nd in division 2b of the TVCL just 2 points behind leaders Cove., an away game at NPL Teddington awaits the 2nd XI tomorrow (Saturday).
Farnham Common
GA Fearonct Wheelerb Allum4
S Kellyb Chamberlain0
P Kumarb Chamberlain14
D Sandfordb Allum0
G R Fearonct Hilditchb Chamberlain4
Z Mahmoodct Buggb Wheeler31
C Andrewsct D Whiteb Chamberlain8
S BassiNotOut35
A Ul Haqb Wheeler13
M Shabirb Chamberlain1
A BloreNotOut2
Extras8
Total for 9 (37 overs)120
Henley 2
M HilditchNotOut60
P Gurunglbwb Mahmood10
A Whitect b Kelly15
S Hornect b Ul Haq7
P Smithct b Ul Haq10
D WhiteNotOut7
Extras12
Total for 4 wickets (31.4 overs)121
DNB Bugg, Allum, Yandell, Wheeler, Chamberlain
Henley won by 6 wickets
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| v Cove 30 May |
A most unusual game of cricket-that is how the neutral observer might have described the game on Saturday between Cove and Henley 2s. Winning the toss on a glorious summer day, Cove chose to bat on what looked to be a good pitch and, with a fast outfield, they would have been expecting to amass a big score. Nick Denning opened the bowling for Henley and after being edged through the vacant 4th slip area by Reed he then had him caught at square leg by Gurung. A single to the new batsman Howells completed the over, Cove 5-1. Will Allum took the new ball at the other end. His second ball was a wide half volley that Howells tried to drive but only managed to get an outside edge, Smith taking the catch at 1st slip, 5-2. Number 4 Marisa clipped the 3rd ball of the over for 2 but was then trapped lbw dead in front by Allum 8-3. Voyce got back on strike and seemed intent on seeing the FA Cup Final on TV as he hit 2 fours, a two and a single off a no ball bringing an eventful over to an end at 18-3. Things settled down for a little while Denning and Allum bowled tightly, Khan was playing a very patient innings and with Audsley he took the score to 47 before Wheeler bowled he latter with a well disguised slower ball. This brought Sinha to the crease and the game was once more turned on its head. Sinha attacked from the start of his innings and put Henley firmly on the back foot with his big hitting including 2 sixes that went well out of the ground. Henley skipper Smith was rotating the bowling almost every over to try and keep Sinha guessing but the Cove batsman hit his way to a very entertaining 51 from only 26 balls before Andy White was brought into the attack. Experience showed as White’s first ball was on an excellent line and length and Sinha picked out Jimmy Yandell on the long off boundary but by this time the score had moved on to 154-6 in almost no time at all. Very next ball White also tempted Khan to try to clear Yandell at mid off but he couldn’t manage it and was finally dismissed for 42, Cove 154-7. There was more to come. In an effort to mop the tail up quickly, Henley turned to spin gambling that the tail would struggle to profit from slower bowling. This proved to be a good gamble as Ellison and Yandell finished off the innings despite a brief flurry from number 8 Short who finished on 21 not out. Ellison took 2-0 in 3 overs, including probably the best caught and bowled your correspondent has seen a full blooded drive caught one handed with the bowler in mid-air: outstanding cricket. There was still time for Short to hit the ball to deep square leg where it was caught but just carried over the rope. The very eventful Cove innings closed at 185 with Abbas becoming Ellison’s second victim. Surely the Henley innings would be more orthodox?
After an excellent tea, Ellison and Hilditch opened the Henley innings and started well both looking relatively comfortable against the pace and bounce of Sinha and Short. As usual Hilditch looked comfortable on the back foot cutting Short for four and then pulling the next ball hard into the helmet of Howells at short leg. It was a massive blow but, after a minute or so to regain his composure, Howells bravely retook his position at short leg. He was to have the last laugh, however, as Hilditch was unfortunate when he squeezed a good delivery from Sinha between bat and pad, Howells taking a simple catch. Andy White came to the crease for an elegant but all too brief stay, his 9 off 5 balls giving Cove some momentum. Kirk was next to go, caught in front lbw for 5 and when Ellison played on ending his patient 15 from 45 balls, Henley were in trouble at 70-5 with Cove sensing victory and Henley in danger of a collapsing as they had the previous week. However, the experienced duo of Darren White and skipper Paul Smith had other ideas. The pair saw off the dangerous Audsley and then started to open up against the spin of Finney, Abbas and Marisa. Hard hitting and excellent running between the wickets brought the victory total closer and, as the Henley pair got on top, they were helped by some lack lustre Cove fielding with 3 catches going down. Cove turned back to the dangerous Sinha but it was too late for the home side and Henley were able to get to the required total for the loss of 5 wickets, White and Smith ending up 47 and 79 not out respectively.
This excellent Henley win, in a very interesting and entertaining game, takes them to third in division 2b of the TVCL. More importantly, it gives the team new belief after a disappointing defeat the week before, Henely will aim to maintain the momentum when they entertain Farnham Common at the Brakspear ground this Saturday.
Cove
Reedct Gurungb Denning 4
Voyceb Denning34
Howellsct Smith b Allum 1
Marisalbwb Allum 2
Singhct Yandellb A White42
Audsleyb Wheeler14
Sinhact Yandellb A White51
ShortNot Out21
Finney ct Hilditchb Yandell 4
McNeilc&b b Ellison 2
Abbaslbwb Ellison 0
Extras10
Total for AO (38.4 overs) 185
Henley 2
M Hilditch ct Howells Dixon 12
C Ellisonb Audsley 15
A White ct Audsleyb Short 9
R Kirklbwb Short 5
N Denning ct McNeilb Sinha 13
D WhiteNot Out 47
P SmithNot Out 79
Extras 7
Total for 5 wickets (42.5 overs) 187
Henley won by 5 wickets
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| v Reading 2s 23 May 09 |
Henley’s 2nd XI good start to the season was abruptly spoiled by a defeat to local rivals Reading 2s last Saturday at Sonning Lane.
Winning the toss and batting, the home side got off to an aggressive start although both openers could have been back in the pavilion after the first few 5 overs, they rode their luck and made a reasonable start. Unfortunately for the visitors although Colley eventually nicked an outswinger from Wheeler to Hilditch behind the stumps, that was the only chance that went to hand for the first hour and a half of play. The fall of that wicket brought Turk to the middle who looked very comfortable from the start of his innings and along with Ali he moved the score rapidly on to 81 by the 15th over; at this stage 270-280 looked like a realistic score for the home side. At this point Henley needed to regain some control of the innings and turned to Darren White and James Yandell to take the pace off the ball. However although both bowled well and slowed the scoring rate, Turk continued to bat well. His innings was the vital contribution to the Reading total and when he was finally caught trying to hit another boundary he had moved the score to 218. Yandell bowled with good variation and control and picked up wickets at a steady rate to finish with figures of 4 for 96 from his 20 overs and Darren White was his usual economical self also bowling 20 overs unchanged for just 65 runs but 226 looked a decent score on a wearing pitch.
Henley knew that the opposition had benefitted from the best of a dry pitch and although they thought 226 a good score there was real belief that it was in reach given the quality of the batting line up. Unfortunately lack of application proved to be the Henley undoing despite an excellent start from Chris Ellison(43). Ellison played aggressively and for a while took the fight back to the Reading bowlers with a mix of hard hitting and good running between the wickets. He was looking like he could go on to a big score when unfortunately he lofted a long hop from Ali into the hands of McAdam at deep backward square leg-a shot that would have cleared the rope at many grounds. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and, despite a patient innings from both Andy White and Tom Bugg, runs dried up and the Henley batsmen provided little real resistance to Reading’s slow bowling. The exception to this was Darren White who played well for his 34 but eventually he fell to a good catch on the boundary by Slatcher from another short ball from spinner Ali when he too looked set to go on to a big score. Promising youngster Will Allum was lbw to a straight one from Turk and skipper Smith’s patient innings came to an end when he was bowled by Ali playing on the back foot when he should really have been forward. Hilditch tried to marshal the tail to survive the last 10 overs to deny Reading the victory but the pace and swing of McAdam and Slatcher mopped up the 3 wickets of the Henley tail very efficiently and the visitor’s innings came to a disappointing close at 134 all out, a shortfall of 92 runs.
Reading undoubtedly had the best of a very dry pitch but after coming back well to restrict them to 226, Henley will be disappointed with the way they batted as they tried to win the game. Turk’s innings was undoubtedly the difference between the teams and was ultimately a game winning performance which Henley were not able to match. Next week Henley 2s travel to League leaders Cove.
Reading 2
N Colleyct Hilditch b Wheeler14
Q Alib Yandell41
P Turkct A White b Yandell115
M Alict Hilditch b Yandell23
J Dixon b Yandell4
J Eagleshamct Allum b D White16
R McAdamNot Out3
T HuysingaNot Out2
Extras8
Total for 5 wickets (52 overs)226
Bowling: Yandell 20-9-4, D White 20-65-1
Henley 2
S Horne c & b Dixon1
C Ellisonct McAdam b Q Ali43
A Whitect Huysinga b Q Ali18
T Buggct M Ali b Q Ali16
D White ct Slatcher b Q Ali34
W Allumlbw b Turk2
P Smith b Q Ali9
M HilditchNot Out5
J Yandell b McAdam0
S Wheelerct Huysinga b McAdam0
T Chamberlain b Slatcher0
Extras6
Total for 2 wickets (43.3 overs)134
Bowling: Q Ali 22-43-5, McAdam 2-1-2
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| v North Maidenhead 2s 16 May 09 |
White Hot Henley
Despite trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Henley 2s continued their winning start to the season defeating North Maidenhead 2s by 5 wickets last Saturday at the Brakspear ground.
Winning the toss, Henley had no hesitation in asking the opposition to bat on a pitch with a tinge of green to it that promised some early assistance to the bowlers. This promise was realised as North Maidenhead were reduced to 30-4 in the 12th over. Chamberlain bowling with pace and bounce claiming 3-22 in his first spell of 8 overs and Wheeler 1-11 in a 7 over spell causing the opposition batsmen problems with the new ball. The innings was repaired by the experienced Duncombe batted patiently taking 77 balls for his 30 which was exactly what was called for in the circumstances. He was assisted by Peachy (22) who was the 5th man out with the score on 56 but with Khan becoming Andy White’s second victim in an over North Maidenhead were now struggling at 60-6. Any thoughts Henley had of an early finish, however, were scotched by the voluble Aziz whose habit of commentating on every delivery will no doubt get under the skin of a few opponents this season. Nevertheless, Aziz rode his luck and managed to continuously evade the fielders to hit an entertaining 60 before he was caught trying one big shot too many to spinner Yandell. The innings was pretty much over with the departure of Aziz, Duncombe briefly accelerating as he began to run out of partners but he also fell to Yandell and with Darren White mopping up the tail the innings closed at 172 all out.
172 is normally the kind of total that this Henley team would relish chasing. On this occasion, however, 4 of the top 6 managed to get themselves out in slightly bizarre circumstances. First, Mick Hilditch pulled a no-ball into the hands of square leg Chris Ellison and Chris Ellison, obviously not hearing the call of ‘no-ball’ was run out at the non strikers end after a smart bit of work from the increasingly vocal Aziz, 3-1. Next, Mick Hilditch smashed a short ball into the hands of cover who seemed somewhat surprised to see it in his hands. It was hit sweetly and had it been a foot either side of the fielder it would have been a definite boundary, 12-1. Next Tom Bugg was run out without facing a ball as Andy White called him for a run and then sent him back, 13-1. Smith who had thoughts of steadying the ship at this point left one that looked wide but his judgement was flawed as it nipped back and he was bowled, 17-4. That brought Darren White in to join his brother Andy who had watched 3 wickets go down at the other end in very short time and was determined to now play a long innings. Not for the first time at Henley, the local brothers then proceeded to bat the opposition out of the game. Playing each ball on its merit and surviving the odd scare they put North Maidenhead’s attack to the sword with a magnificent 143 run partnership that included 2 big sixes and 18 fours. Darren’s was the 5th wicket to fall at 160 lbw to Amin, the pick of the bowlers, but by then the game was all but over and Andy White applied the coup de grace with another 4 through the covers as he carried his bat for an excellent unbeaten 82.
This win puts Henley 2s in 3rd place in Division 2b of the TVCL and they will be looking to maintain the early momentum this Saturday with an away fixture at local rivals Reading 2s.
North Maidenhead 2
N Patelct D Whiteb Chamberlain0
M Khanct Hilditch b Chamberlain7
M Ansarb Wheeler4
R Husseinb Chamberlain15
J Peachyb A White22
S Duncombeb Yandell30
S Khanb A White4
A Azizct Chamberlain b Yandell60
A Asgharct D Whiteb Yandell9
M Ishaqb D White7
F AminNot Out0
Extras14
Total for AO (52 overs)172
Bowling: Wheeler 10-30-1, Chamberlain 11-3-47 J Yandell 6-28-3 D White 7.3-26-1, A White 5-14-2
Henley 2
M Hilditchct Ishaqb Amin5
C EllisonRun Out1
A WhiteNot Out 82
T BuggRun Out0
P Smithb Amin0
D Whitelbwb Amin69
P GurungNot Out 4
Extras12
Total for 5 wickets (43.3 overs)173
Bowling: Amin 9.5-37-3
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| v Falkland 2s 9 May 09 |
Henley’s 2nd XI opened their league account with an emphatic win at Falkland in TVCL Division 2B last Saturday. Travelling with some last minute replacements due to illnesses and unavailability, skipper Smith was happy to put the home side in on what looked to be another excellent Falkland batting pitch, Henley backing themselves to chase whatever total the home side posted.
Falklands innings got off to a steady start, both new signing Wheeler and Henley stalwart Andy White bowling an excellent line and length to keep the scoring rate down to just over 3 per over in the first hour despite the flat pitch and lightning quick outfield. Darren White replaced Wheeler to start a marathon 17 over unbroken spell, a massive effort for his team. He was rewarded with the wicket of opener Hyde in only his second over, an excellent catch at the wicket by Henley debutant Kirk, an excellent acquisition from Reading in the transfer window. Henley were sorry to see Hyde go as he had taken 51 balls to score his 14 and his departure saw a steady increase in the run rate with Furr, Dey and Asif hitting the ball well. A large total looked to be in reach but wickets did fall at steady intervals mainly throughWhite but Wheeler and Gurung opened their tally for the season with one apiece which kept the total manageable for the visitors. The Falkland innings finished on 260-5 from the 52 overs available to them. Henley will feel that they gave away 20 or so through indifferent fielding but they never felt out of it. Darren White was the pick of the bowlers 3-69 from 17 overs proving that accuracy and variation are key when bowling on such a good track. Wheeler was impressive on debut bowling excellently at both ends of the Falkland innings.
There was a lively start to the Henley innings, Martin was bowling at a decent pace but short and the Henley openers Hilditch and Kirk couldn’t resist the hook and pull. Kirk especially was lucky in the 4th over when a mistimed pull failed was put down at mid wicket. This missed chance was to prove very costly for the home side as Kirk put the Falkland bowlers to the sword. His 98 contained a variety of shots, all beautifully timed as he forged big partnerships, first an opening stand of 92 with Hilditch who was also looking comfortable when he looked unlucky to be given out LBW and then a 108 run effort with Allaway. Kirk’s 98 contained 18 boundaries and came off just 96 balls- looking to get to his century with another boundary he just failed to keep the ball on the ground and was out caught square leg. This was Allaway’s cue to open up. He took a particular liking to the bowling of Furr and Stevenson as he took Henley to the victory total of 261 with a combination of exquisite timing and brutal power, his undefeated 85 was an outstanding effort considering his injury problems over the winter and the fact that he only had his first batting practice 4 days before this game.
This was an excellent start to the season for the newly promoted Henley 2s; reaching this large total with nearly 5 overs to spare will send a clear message to the rest of the League. They will need to tighten up in the field but there were also many positive aspects to this performance including Kirk’s excellent all-round performance, Darren White and Simon Wheeler’s tight bowling and junior member Jake Elias making his senior debut. Next week Henley 2s entertain North Maidenhead 2s at the Brakspear ground.
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