HENLEY COUGARS TRIUMPH IN UNDER 9's COUNTY FINAL
With Cougars losing the toss for venue, we had the choice to bat or field and skipper Tom Jordan took our usual option of batting 1st. A nervous start made that decision look a bit shaky, but the final 3 pairs steadied the ship accumulating a combination of boundaries and quick singles to take the total to a very defendable 275 for 7. Batting highlights were a couple of monster 6's from Cameron Wright and Angus Withers Green, best figures shared between Liam Hilditch (10 without loss), and Angus (15 for 1). As usual Henley were tight in the field, and picked up wickets at regular intervals to leave Slough always under pressure behind the rate. Despite a bit of a charge from the last pair Henley kept their nerve to leave Slough 13 short on 262 for 7. Bowling highlights were Max Hanshaw (2 for 4 off 1), including a slower ball yorker that will live long in the memory, Liam Hilditch (2 for 12 off 2), Dirk Hayward (1 for 8 off 2), and Johnny Connell (1 for 10 off 2).
Tom Jordan's captaincy kept the fielders busy, keeping his head under pressure and his nerve bowling the final over.
Match report from semi final win over Finchampstead
Finchampstead won the toss and asked Henley to bat. Henley got off to a good if risky start with some aerial shots missing fielders fingertips and making the boundary. A couple of run outs in the middle of the innings slowed the rate, but steady batting between the later pairs, and a strong final over left Henley on 250 for 5. Batting highlights were William Frood with 12 no, and the last pair of Tom Jordan (11 for 1) and Max Hanshaw (6 no). With a low total to defend Henley could afford no mistakes in the field, and they duly put in their best performance in the field all season. The game remained on a knife edge with Finchampstead just about keeping up with the required rate and needing 9 to win off the last over. A tight over with good field placement saw them end 2 runs short on 248 for 4. Fielding highlights for Henley were Max Hanshaw (1 for 1 off 1), Liam Hilditch (9 for 1 off 2) with a great clean bowled comeback after being hit for 6. Tom Jordan (6 for 0 off 2) took a great catch going backwards off Angus Withers Greens bowling, and also kept the final over tight when the pressure was on. The BYCL u9 final is against Slough.
Henley Cricket Club U11 Leopards v Purley Quarter Final
Henley U11 Leopards took their unbeaten run to 10 matches this season by beating Purley by 29 runs, in the quarter final of the Berkshire U11 cricket competition.
Henley were put into bat and were 94 all out in the 20th over, Purley in reply were 65 all out in the 19th over.
Of note;
2 great innings with the bat from Nat Andreae (26 ret and no) and Man of the Match Finn Brabham (28 ret and caught), Nat scoring our first 6 of the season. Important contributions from Connell, Williams,Wright and Darrell
In the field, exceptionally good bowling and fielding from all to limit a talented opposition to just 65 runs.
One wicket a piece to Brabham, Darrell, Andreae, and Williams, and a wicket maiden each to Darrell and Brabham
2 great catches to Darrell and Brabham, and a total of 5 run outs from sharp fielding and the ever reliable wicket keeping of Carder.
Last but not least a spectacular run out from Brabham, throwing the ball the length of the pitch at pace to take the last wicket.
Henley Lynx finish top and play Slough in quarter finals!
Henley Lynx finished top of the (very strong) BYCL South East Division with a comfortable win over Wargrave and a walkover against Crown Wood last Sunday.
The match against Wargrave saw play restricted to 16 overs due to prolonged showers and Wargrave, after winning the toss, decided to bat which they did soundly enough. However their run rate was stifled by the very strong Henley bowling attack with the highlight being Tom Batchelor’s 3 overs 1 wicket for 3 runs.
Henley’s batsman managed to knock off the 59 runs they needed with 4 overs to spare with stand-in opener Greg Bennett scoring a very fine 17.
The following week’s conceded match against Crown Wood confirmed that Henley finished top of the group…….an outstanding performance considering the section included many decent teams and that every member of their squad, bar one, is actually an under 10 player or younger!
Henley now take on Slough in the quarter finals at Henley CC next week (date to be confirmed) and this will be another very good test for the boys!
Match Report:
Cookham Dean won the toss and decided to bat 1st. As usual Cougars kept things very tight, and despite some aggressive shot making, the wickets kept coming, with Cookham Dean finishing on 215 for 14 from their 15 overs. Best bowling figures for Liam Hilditch and Johnny Connell - 2 wickets for 4 runs, and 7 runs respectively from their 2 overs. Special mention for a superb diving full length caught and bowled for Mia Rogers as well. The interval team talk consisted of 'nothing silly, play straight if its on the wicket'. It slowly became clear the Cougars had been focused a bit more on the biscuits and squash than the team talk as the reply got underway. An aerial assault of 4s and 6s was interspersed with a few too many caught or bowled for comfort, keeping the game on a knife edge until the last over which was safely negotiated to leave Henley winning with 233 for 11. Best batting figures for Dirk Hayward 21 for 2, and Liam Hilditch 15 for 1. Special mention for Johnny Connell with a superbly timed reverse sweep. Cougars await the semi final draw with some excitement, and wish all the best to the Pumas in their quarter final against Purley.
Sunday 3rd July:
Henley Lynx suffer their first defeat of the season in top of the table thriller at Shiplake!
Henley batted first and lost 2 early wickets. However an excellent stand between Tom Batchelor (22) and Callum Theodorou (26 not out / retired) steadied the ship and swung the match in Henley’s favour. This, along with some furious running between the wickets in the last few overs pushed the score to a very healthy and eminently defendable 100 for 5 in the allocated 20 overs.
Our bowlers, once again performed very well, with Angus Harris White standing out (3 for 17 in 3). Generally, our fielding was excellent and this was highlighted by 3 run outs, one a single stump direct hit from Callum! However, despite wickets tumbling at regular intervals Embrook managed to keep up with the run rate and it couldn’t have been closer! The away side needed just 2 runs to win from the last over with just one wicket remaining! After surviving a close lbw appeal Embrook knocked off these runs with just 2 balls to spare!
Although we lost, it was a competitive match, played to a high standard and in a very good spirit! Whilst boys were naturally disappointed to lose, it will teach them that against good teams, the margins for error are slim and that every run counts!
Sunday 10th July:
Henley Lynx rediscover their winning ways with fine 5 wicket victory away to Binfield
After losing the toss Binfield chose to bat and got off to a good start scoring 11 runs off the first 2 overs. However what came next was Henley’s best bowing and fielding performance of the season with Rufus Stone, Jack McNeill, Tom Batchelor, Will Redley and Dominic Meeks on top form taking 9 wickets between them in an electrifying 11 over spell. Rafe Dicke took 2 excellent catches in the deep whilst Billy Bolt had his best match of the season behind the stumps, restricting the byes to just 3 and taking a very spectacular stumping!
Needing just 60 to win, Henley, after losing an early wicket, batted very sensibly and it was good to see Zac Nearchou back in form, scoring 11 runs off some top quality Binfield bowling and it was this innings along with very solid 13 from Tom Batchelor which gave Henley the platform they needed! At the end of the innings it was great to see Charlie Bradbury back in the runs (12 no) scoring 2 high quality 4’s to win the match!
Overall, a very high quality performance and there’s no doubt that the previous week’s defeat actually stood the boys in good stead for this match. Callum Theodorou captained the side very well and, once again, the team played with an excellent spirit!
Match Report Henley Lynx v Finchampstead, at Shiplake College, June 19th:
HENLEY LYNX STAY TOP OF THE LEAGUE WITH HARD FOUGHT VICTORY!
The privilege of playing on the main square at Shiplake College proved a massive inspiration to both teams and an excellent game of cricket ended with Henley Lynx beating a very good Finchampstead side by 10 runs.
Finchamstead won the toss and asked Henley to bat first.
Zac Nearchou and Tom Batchelor opened and put on an excellent 31 against some top class Finchampstead bowling. 4 wickets then fell in quick succession and the run rate slowed. However, a stand between Callum Theodorou and Will Redley (19 and 17 n.o. respectively), comprising some masterful strokeplay and superb running, boosted the final score to a very respectable 97 for 4. Given the size and the pace of the outfield, this total represented a slightly better than par score and gave the Henley bowlers something to work with.
However, Henley knew that they had to keep their bowling tight against some first class batsmen and the bowlers did just that! Using 8 bowlers, Henley only gave away 6 wides / no balls, and this proved to be critical, when compared to Finchampstead’s 15 wide/no balls. Finchamstead’s opening batsmen, both of whom are Berkshire county players, were restricted to just 37 from the first 10 overs. Whilst it was a great team effort from the Henley bowlers, a special mention goes to Angus Harris-White and Jack McNeill who between them bowled 7 overs for just 15 runs! Dominic Meeks also bowled 2 excellent overs at the end of the innings to further frustrate the Finchampstead batsmen!
Well done to all the boys for a terrific effort!
HENLEY COUGARS DESTROY READING
Henley won the toss and asked Reading to bat. Tight bowling and enthusiastic fielding restricted Reading to 177 for 12 with a couple of good catches and 6 run outs
In reply every pair contributed with the result a foregone conclusion after the first pair rattled off 31 for the loss of the only wicket of the innings to a fine catch. Dirk Hayward top scored with 26 with Liam Hilditch and Jack Potter also reaching double figures. The final score was an emphatic 315 for 1
Henley Lynx recorded another impressive win against Woodley.
Henley batted first and made a solid total of 143 for the loss of 5 wickets. Greg Bennett scored a rapid 25 and was well supported by Tom Bachelor who made 21. Other good contributions were made by Charlie Bradbury, Hamish McAlpine and Rufus Stone.
Henley then produced another very competent bowling and fielding display and restricted Woodley to 62 for the loss of 5 wickets before the rain set in. All of the bowlers bowled with accuracy and discipline and didn’t give Woodley a chance to overhaul the Henley total.
HATRICK FOR GRUNDY
Hungerford - 200 for 13. Alex Grundy taking a hat-trick in his 1st game, and Liam Hilditch 3 wickets for 7 runs the highlights.
Henley Cougars - 338 for 4. Tom Jordan, Robert Dowsett, William Frood, Liam Hilditch, Jack Potter, and Johnny Connell all hitting double figures without loss in reply.
Match Report (for the paper):
Henley won the toss and asked Hungerford to bat. Tight bowling and some sharp fielding restricted Hungerford to 200 for 13. The highlight being a hat-trick for Alex Grundy in his 1st game for the Cougars.
In reply every pair contributed to keeping the score rattling along, with the result never really being in doubt, and a final score of 338 for 4. Top scorers who made double figures not out were Tom Jordan, Robert Dowsett, William Frood, Liam Hilditch, Jack Potter, and Johnny Connell.
Match Report Henley Tigers U13s - 2nd Round Berkshire Cup 4 June 2011 vs. Littlewick Green
On a fabulous morning at Shiplake College Henley we won the toss & batted. Huw Evans & Will Mackay as our opening partnership could not get some sharp bowling away and we were off to a slow start at 4-2 after 5 overs. Excellent 30s from Will Legg & Louis Walsh gave us better momentum and contributions from Harrison Ridge and Dan Sinfield at the end gave us a reasonable total of 100-5 off 20. Will Legg & Louis Walsh again gave us a good start with the ball and Dan Sinfield bowled tidily so at 50-5 Littlewick Green were potentially struggling. Despite a couple of excellent catches from Charlie Rollet-Manus we could not contain their middle order & they won fairly comfortably in the end (the winning hit an excellent 6 drilled over long on which you could only admire).
Match Report Henley Tigers U13s - League game 5 June 2011 vs. Finchampstead
On a colder day than Saturday Henley Tigers played their second match of the weekend at Shiplake College.Today we lost the toss and fielded against a very strong Finchampstead side. At 14-1 after 3 overs we were on top but they had 3 or 4 top class players in the middle order. Alex Harris-White bowled with real pace but when he did not pitch the ball up he was punished; Rob Clarke bowled better than his figures suggested and deserved his two wickets; Dan Sinfield again at first change was solid and Louis Walsh was a little unlucky. Will Mackay (with one very good caught & bowled) and Harrison Ridge bowled tidily at the end to slow the scoring from the last 5 overs of the innings but 145-5 was an imposing total. When we batted we determined it was only fair to give those who had not bowled a chance at the top of the order but unfortunately the plan backfired against some extremely effective bowling. Andrew Valentine & Charlie Rollet-Maus were out in the first over and whilst Chris Butler defended solidly it was Louis Walsh & Alex Harris-White who rebuilt the innings; Louis was eventually done for pace for 18 but Alex played beautifully for his 33 (returning at the end of the innings to score an additional two runs after retiring). Huw Evans, Harrison Ridge & Adam Garrod tried to hit very good, straight, length bowling & were bowled. Will Mackay played elegantly but could not penetrate the field & was eventually out as well. Rob Clarke & Dan Sinfield could not build any momentum and we were all out for 80. Finchampstead's fielding was exemplary, their bowling outstanding without a weak link and their field placing was equally good - sometimes you just have to respect the opposition & learn from them!
SONNING SUNK FOR 12 ALL OUT
Another convincing win for Henley's U11 Leopards Sunday. HCC 202 / 1 , Sonning 12 all out in the 9th over.
Batting
Many good examples today of positive controlled hitting, all batsmen hitting between 1 and 2.5 runs per ball; with man of the match Connell, 26 ret off 11 balls, Wright 26 ret off 13 balls, Williams 22 off 11 balls, Gilbey 23 off 13, Carder 18 ret off 11, Brabham 27 ret off 16, Maskell 27 ret off 24, and Darrell 14 ret off 12.
Bowling
This was a good team bowling performance, which saw Brabham taking a 4 ball hatrick. New comers Connell and Gilbey both put on good bowling displays. Wright, Williams, Gilbey, Connell, and Darrell all bowled a maiden each.
Catching was one of the highlights of the day, 10 catches in all and none dropped; 3 to the man with the gloves, Carder, (with another solid wicket keeping display) 2 each for Matthews, Brabham and Connell, and 1 to Wright.
Henley Pumas Defeat Kidmore End
Henley CC Pumas captained by Alex Harper, won the toss and elected to field.
It was a warm overcast day but each team had a spring in their step. Each batting pair faced 3 overs and produced some very attractive shots and even a couple of sixes. The hosts had to keep on their toes as Kidmore End were enthusiastic run takers looking for the single as much as they could. Inevitably this meant taking a few risks after a couple of early wickets and as the innings progressed the fielding got sharper by the ball, with some excellent direct hits to the stumps and a couple of very fine catches. After 15 overs, Kidmore scored a net 226 runs having scored 5 four's and 1 six. Hector Ellrington putting a fine bowling performance taking 3 wickets in two overs.
It was then Henley’s turn to "swish the willow". Kidmore took some early wickets and Henley like Kidmore End, had to take some risks to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Barnaby Charles with 20 runs led the batting scores for Henley with Owens Simmons also managing a fine 12 runs in his first outing of the season. Kidmore End displayed some excellent fielding to make the most of some rash decisions but Henley displayed some excellent stroke play and the scoreline ticked over between the two sides almost run for run.
Henley Pumas needed 2 runs off the final over and importantly needed to protect their wicket as this would incur a 5 run penalty. Henley scored a 4 off the first ball and 5 tense balls later prevailed, to sneak a very entertaining and sportsman like match.
Henley Cougars - 363 for 4. Tom Jordan 35no, Jack Potter 17no, Johnny Connell 18/1, and Dirk Hayward 28/2 the batting highlights.
Falkland - 200 for 13. Jack Potter and Jake Jones 3 wickets each, Adam Wright and Johnny Connell 2 wickets each the bowling highlights.
Falkland won the toss and asked Henley to bat. A blistering start saw Tom Jordan score 35 off the 1st 3 overs, with all pairs then contributing to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Some cavalier stuff from the last pair of Justin Hayward and Tariq Sinnetamby saw them add another 42 for 3, posting a very aggressive total of 363 for 4.
Falkland were on the back foot immediately in their reply when William Lebeau took an excellent caught and bowled chance. Jack Potter and Jake Jones took 3 wickets each, with Adam Wright just missing out on a hat-trick, and taking 2 wickets, along with Johnny Connell. Excellent work throughout the team in the field restricted Falkland to 200 for 13.
