News Archive 2007
Click a link from the list below for the detail
9 September 2007 Six a Side Sunday
(click for top of page)In an enjoyable and well contested day, the eventual winners were the six of Gavin Spencer, Justin Granger, Toby Roland-Jones, Richard Gabb, Sean Ventham and Rhythm Bedi; yes, you are right, that does sound like a strong six!
Special mention to Matthew Golding who played in five matches, and lost all five, for various teams. Darren London, who bowled some memorably expensive overs. Adam Stanier for actually losing, being dismissed, and did I mention, not winning, thus proving that perhaps he is not the greatest six a side player to have walked this earth. Micky Lowe for organising and supervising the day, but no thanks for his efforts behind the stumps! Richard Barker, John Salter, Ian Pope and Linda Buggey for their umpiring, and Peter Lewis for scoring, the day could not have happened without their help. A final thanks to everyone who turned out, and made the day a good one.
8 September 2007 2nd XI v Dulwich
(click for top of page)The Second Eleven completed a fine end to the 2007 season with their 3rd win on the trot against Dulwich on Saturday. Dulwich, winning the toss, elected to bat and were soon in trouble against a depleted home side attack. Missing Pope, Smith and Stanier skipper Spencer started with Scott Anstiss and Paul Scott. It was Anstiss who starred with his best performance of the season, taking the first 5 wickets and reducing the visitors to 60 for 5 in the 23rd over. In fact Anstiss bowled unchanged for 17 overs finishing with 6-77 - would that he always make the most of his undoubted talents.
Three reasonable partnerships saw Dulwich recover to 201 all out leaving Sunbury to chase in 49 overs. Paul Scott chipped in with 2 late wickets and there was one each for Andy King (19 overs but never quite threatening enough) and Rhythm Bedi.
The run chase required a good start and biy did it get one! Stuey Poynter (46) and Gavin Spencer (58) went off at nearly 7 an over with Spencer in particulary deciding that if a ball was hitable it was going to be hit. By the time the skipper was out the game was all but won at 107 for 1 in the 16th over. Spencer's 58 had taken just 49 balls and he hit 12 fours!
Enter Aussie Paul Scott who batted very maturely to finish on 46 agonisingly short of his half century and the winning runs. It was left to Andy Holley to hit the winning boundary and the season was over.
Fourth place in the table was disappointing after the heroics of 2006 and there were too many "nearly" games and poor team performances. The main batting contributor was skipper Spencer with 409 runs and Colin Bentall took 23 wickets. Keeper Stuey Poynter contributed 26 victims and hit 237 runs to complete a fine season for the youngster.
8 September 2007 Dulwich v 1st XI
(click for top of page)Sunbury won the toss and elected to bowl in their last fixture of the season, on a wicket that looked like it might provide some assistance to the seam bowlers. Indeed early in the innings, there was regular seam movement, some wayward bowling, a wicket from Granger, and several moments of fortune for the Dulwich batsmen. As the reader may have gathered, this was a mixed bag, and so it remained until Woodcock entered the attack in the 40th over. Luke’s control allowed Matthew Todd to find his rhythm, after Vishal Manro had bowled several promising overs of his left arm spin. Dulwich who had been 120 for 2 at lunch slipped, rather recklessly to 170 for 8, until a 9th wicket partnership guided them to a respectable and probably slightly above par 222-8 in 66 overs. Todd finishing with 4-41,and Stanier and Toby Roland-Jones only conceding 40 in 16 overs between them.
Any total in excess of 200 is a difficult proposition, particularly at Dulwich, particularly on a difficult wicket, and particularly when Hall was well held at slip in the first over. Gould battled hard for 18 and was unlucky to be caught behind down the leg-side; unlucky because he did not hit the ball! Olly Roland-Jones and Luke Woodcock came together and formed a good partnership, mixing some intelligent running with the occasional boundary. However, an unfortunate mix up saw Woodcock run-out for 44; a special mention must be made of his contribution this year, the backbone of the batting and comfortably the leading run scorer, his left arm spin was equally valuable, as was impressive attitude and determination, a real role-model for aspiring cricketers, it would be brilliant to welcome him back next year. Of course out in the middle, minds needed to be concentrated on the game, however when Roland-Jones was dismissed for a well made 47, a result looked out of Sunbury’s reach. After Farnsworth was trapped plum in front it was left to Stanier and skipper Lewis to play out a comfortable draw, indeed this pair made batting look easy, have you heard about Junior’s pull shot?
A slightly tame end to a promising season, but that is the nature of games which have no bearing on our final league position. Less tame were the end of season celebrations, but that’s another tale. Sunbury will need to learn from their mistakes if they are to progress and achieve a top 3 finish, which must be the aim with such a talented group of lads.
4 September 2007 West Surrey Final U15 v Stoke D'Abernon
(click for top of page)Sunbury finally won a toss and decided to have a bat. Tim Cross the outstanding bat of the year and Sean Ventham took us to 22 but both fell on the same score and when Captain Stan Raymond our all rounder of the year subsided with the score on 42 after 10 overs we set our sites on getting to a 100 on a difficult wicket. We were soon 48 for 4 but Declan Gray looked in fine touch with one cover drive showing that he is truly a very classy batsman. Louis Razey joined Declan and soon we had reached a far more comfortable position of 88 after 16 overs. Declan departed for a superb 32 and a flurry of wickets left Louis and Matt Nichols to take us to a creditable 113 for 9 off 20 overs, Louis finished with a very valuable 25 not out scoring all but 6 of the last 25 runs.
The boys seemed very confident that they could defend their modest total, and why not they had done so before! George Pearce and Matt Nicholls led the way as usual putting the ball on the spot and getting their openers behind the run rate. The real bonus was that Matt took three vital wickets numbers one, two and three and Stoke D’ lads seamed to lose their momentum completely. Sean Ventham was quick and accurate and only went at 4 an over and when Ben Scott and Nick Glover maintained the pressure even though the batsmen tried to counter attack they had left it all too late. The final over of the season was fitting left to Captain Stan and he duly obliged with a wicket off the first ball and a 12 run Sunbury victory.
In truth this was not our best performance of the season but still of a high enough quality to beat a very good opposition side. The boys have performed brilliantly this season after a shaky start and a mark of their quality is that they only lost very narrowly (in the dark) to the eventual National Champions. A huge thank you is due to the boys for all their efforts whilst representing the club and a thank you is also due to all the parents for their outstanding support this year!!
A big thank you is due to Gary Cox for his help during the winter, Peter Lewis for scoring in all our vital matches and Frank Sharman for all his help behind the scenes (and putting up with me). Last but in no way least in fact most vitally of all John Ventham and Doug House for their massive input on the coaching, selection and tactics during a very busy and successful season.
Russell Roland-Jones
1 September 2007 1st XI v Normandy
(click for top of page)All season Sunbury's batting line-up has at times looked very fragile and they left it to their last home game against Normandy to put in their poorest performance when they were dismissed for just 99, with 5 batsmen failing to trouble the scorers. With the batting collapse, on a wicket that although helping the bowlers, nevertheless looked good enough for 200 to be a par score, Normandy rattled up the runs in only 28 overs losing just 4 wickets in the process.
Winning the toss and electing to bat Sunbury lost opener Neil Farnsworth from the first ball he faced but Adam London and Luke Woodcock, Sunbury's two most consistent batters throughout the campaign, added 59 for the second wicket until Woodcock(17) was controversially given out caught, leaving him stranded on 499 league runs for the Season. Joel Pope and Max Hall followed in quick succession and when London, who had batted stubbornly for 2 hours was finally dismissed for 41 in the over before lunch Sunbury were in disarray on 79-5 with a further 35 overs still available to them. Unfortunately the batting collapse continued after the break and it took the Normandy bowlers just 6 overs to capture the remaining 5 wickets and the Sunbury innings ended on a Season low of 99 from just 36 overs.
A slight ray of hope saw Justin Granger (1-29) and Matthew Todd (1-43) capture 2 quick Normandy wickets but try as they did the Sunbury bowlers failed to make the early inroads needed to put pressure on the visitors and although Woodcock (2-26) chipped in with 2 late wickets Normandy were able to complete what became an easy victory.
Sunbury's league season comes to an end on Saturday when they visit Dulwich, safe in a commendable 5th place in their first year back in the Premiership and with New Zealander Luke Woodcock in his last game before he returns home needing just 1 run for the magic '500' to add to the 32 wickets he has captured.
1 September 2007 Normandy v 2nd XI
(click for top of page)The Second Eleven pulled off a win the darkness at Normandy by 4 wickets to make it 2 wins on the bounce with telling contributions from Danny Pope with the ball and Neil Khanna with the bat.
Losing the toss and finding themselves in the field on a still, cloudy day Sunbury started with Danny Pope and Kevin Smith on an unresponsive wicket. A steady start from the home side openers was broken by Smith (1-31) with a fine catch down the leg side by Stuey Poynter. In fact Normandy did not look in much trouble until their batsmen started donating their wickets and they quickly subsided to 67 for 6 with Pope, who bowled a bit short to start with, and Adam Stanier (2-31), replacing Smith, doing the damage. Inevitably on a slow wicket two batsmen were capable of digging in and they duly did with the score creeping up to 148 in 43.5 overs with wickets for Andy King (1-15) and Colin Bentall (2-12). Danny Pope returned for a final wicket to finish an excellent spell with 4-56.
Chasing 149 in 57 overs what was required was a good steady start from the Sunbury openers and the combination of Stuey Poynter and Gavin Spencer certainly delivered. In fact some loose bowling from the Normandy openers allowed Poynter in particular to prosper and when he was out at 57-1 for 33 Sunbury were scoring at 5 an over. Skipper Spencer had tinkered with the order to allow batting experience to some and Scott Anstiss came and went (least said the better) and for once Sean Ventham failed. When Spencer (27) and the promoted Pope went the innings was tottering at 72-5 and the result was suddenly in the balance.
Neil Khanna batting at 5 and Charlie Holcomb at 7 needed that steadying partnership that was always possible on this wicket and they delivered just that. Khanna was overdue to make a contribution and he was the one who scored the bulk of the runs as the 6th wicket partnership took the score to within 12 of victory before Holcomb was caught behind. Holcomb's restrained innings was especially welcome to the Sunbury skipper who at 72-5 may have begun to doubt the wisdom of his batting order changes. The light was also an issue with dark cloud, an enclosed ground and some quick bowling making batting unpleasant. But Khanna was able to complete his half century before Adam Stanier joined him to knock off the final winning runs to give Sunbury a deserved 4 wicket win.
A final weekend victory at home to Dulwich gives this young side a hope of 3rd place in the league.
11 August 2007 1st XI v Farnham
(click for top of page)A magnificent seventh wicket stand of 112 between Toby and Olly Roland-Jones saw Sunbury to victory over Farnham after they were reduced to 94-6 and seemingly struggling to overcome the Farnham score of 205-9.
Fielding first the Sunbury quickies Danny Pope and Justin Granger each took an early wicket but on a good batting track a third wicket stand of 86 saw the Farnham score reached 112 before Luke Woodcock struck just before lunch when keeper Joel Pope took the first of 2 excellent stumpings. Shortly after the break the dangerous Lamb (63) became Woodcock's second victim and he struck again in the 51st over with the Farnham score on 159. The score crept up to 177 and a big total looked likely until Olly Roland-Jones took 3 wickets in just 4 balls and suddenly at 177-8 the balance of the match turned in Sunbury's favour. Woodcock captured his fourth wicket and although a last wicket stand put on a spirited 24 the innings closed on 205 with Woodcock (4-64) and Roland-Jones (3-60) bowling unchanged for 43 overs.
Sunbury were quickly reduced to 15-2 in reply but the ever reliable Adam London and Woodcock dug in to take the score to 59 before London (26) fell LBW. Woodcock (20), Neil Farnsworth (22) and Max Hall (3) were dismissed at regular intervals and with Sunbury stuttering on 94-6 defeat was looking a distinct probability. However the 2 young Roland-Jones brothers, Toby 20 and Olly 22 thought differently as they came together at the start of what was to prove to be a match winning performance. Both started cautiously in overcoming the early problems being set by the dangerous slow left arm spin of Farnham skipper Hicks, but they grew in confidence and runs started to flow. Olly was the more aggressive and took 19 from 2 overs and with Toby playing more of a sheet anchor role they proved the perfect combination. They both batted beautifully and sensibly took advantage of any loose bowling whilst at the same time looking to rotate the strike and the run rate was now running higher than at any stage in the match. They each deservedly passed 50 and saw Sunbury to victory in the 55th over with time to spare. Toby finished on 59 not out and Olly on 52 not out in a partnership which showed a maturity well beyond their young years.
This Saturday Sunbury visit 3rd placed Wimbledon and victory could see them replace them in the League and with just 3 more matches to play a top two finish is a distinct possibility.
11 August 2007 Cheam v 2nd XI
(click for top of page)The 2nd XI finally got back to winning ways with what was in the end a rather tense victory over lowly Cheam. Adam Stanier's 5-20 proved decisive in a surprisingly low scoring and occasionally bad tempered game.
Cheam chose to bat first and opener Nathan got them off to a flier trying to hit virtually every ball. He succeeded well enough to see Scott Anstiss off after 3 overs, Anstiss once again failing to find a good length, but fell to the other Sunbury opener Kevin Smith with the score at 56-1 in the 8th over. Matt Golding, replacing Anstiss, gave skipper Spencer much more control with 3 maidens in his first 5 overs. The home side's second wicket stand took the score to 100 and then wickets fell regularly with Stanier ripping into the middle order. Andy King chipped in with 2-21 and Cheam's innings ended after 38.4 overs leaving the visitors plenty of time to knock the runs off.
Spencer again started with Stuey Poynter (5) and Neil Khanna (13) and both fell early to the agressive Corbett, both playing too early and chipping leading edges straight to fielders. At 30-2 a partnership was required to set the visitors minds at rest. Charlie Holcomb (21) looked in total command until an uppish slice was brilliantly caught in the gully and it was left to Gavin Spencer (33) and Scott Anstiss (45) to provide that partnership and take the score to 110. But they could not see the side home and both were caught with 23 runs still required. Anstiss was unlucky to be caught off a clear no ball from Corbett who was to finish with 5-61. The home side's hopes were raised further by Adam Stanier (5) and Sean Ventham (7) both going cheaply as the innnigs stumbled to 139-7. But then Matt Golding and Kevin Smith confidently closed the game out and the win was in the bag.
The bowling was much improved from the weak performance at Sutton and both batting and bowling will have to be right on song to challenge next week's visitors Wimbledon.
7 August 2007 Under 12 v Guildford
(click for top of page)Congratulations to the Sunbury U12 team who beat Guildford in the semi-final of the West Surrey Competition to put themselves into the Final of all three of their competitions - a fabulous achievement. They must now work hard to see how many of the trophies on offer they can win. The finals are 16th August at Horsley & Send and the 3rd & probably the 4th September both at Sunbury.
4 August 2007 1st XI v Sutton
(click for top of page)After the comprehensive defeat of the previous week, Sunbury put up a much better performance in scoring 203-8 against third placed Sutton in response to their 254-6, but were once again out-manoeuvred by their visitors and had to settle for a losing draw.
Batting first Sutton, lead from the front by ex-Surrey star Keith Meddlycott and veteran John Fry, put on 70 for the first wicket before Mathew Todd had Medlycott (41) stumped by keeper Joel Pope. Fry (17) followed shortly after when Neil Farnsworth pouched the first of his 3 catches to give Todd his second victim and by lunch Sutton had reached 85-2 from 32 overs. After the break were able to increase the scoring rate and try as they may the Sunbury bowlers were unable to make too many inroads into the Sutton batting line up and although Todd captured 2 more wickets to finish on 4-84 from 22 overs and Justin Granger chipped in with 2 late wickets the innings closed on 254-6 from 62 overs, the last 169 runs coming from 30 overs at a run rate of 5.6 per over.
Sunbury started brightly enough with 23 coming from the first 4 overs until Richard Gould (13) missed a straight delivery. Luke Woodcock joined Adam London and the pair battled it out in a stand that added 43, but with the score on 66 London (30) was dismissed lbw - the first of 4 such decisions. A rare appearance from David Nash (14) saw the scoreboard ticking over until he was unfortunately alleged lbw and when Woodcock (33) went the same way Sunbury were struggling on 102-4 and with 153 still needed from the remaining 23 overs it looked an impossible task. Cameo innings from Farnsworth (24) and Gareth Lewis (17) and a determined knock by Max Hall, who at the closed remained unbeaten on 51 helped the score pass 200 but after 3 quick wickets went down for just 18 runs Hall and Danny Pope were left to block out the last 4 overs.
A good battling performance puts the team in good spirits for the visit on Saturday of lowly Farnham, play starting at 11.30 and with the side currently in 5th position in the Premiership with 57 points, one more win should ensure another season for the young Sunbury side in the top division.
4 August 2007 Sutton v 2nd XI
(click for top of page)The sun shone for what seemed the first time for months and should have raised spirits for the trip to Cheam Road on Saturday. But the Second XI produced a very poor bowling performance and were soundly beaten by a mature Sutton outfit. The loss of Richard Gould, Toby Roland-Jones and Kevin Smith to the 1st XI, injury and illness was a serious blow and in came three youngsters with Sean Ventham making his debut at this level, he did not look out of place.
For once winning the toss skipper Colin Bentall chose to bat on a hot day and a Sutton wicket with the ball coming on to the bat nicely. The early loss of Neil Khanna only brought in Charlie Holcomb to join Stuey Poynter and their partnership of 100 gave the Sutton attack plenty to think about. The visitors were handily placed at 107-1 at the drinks break. By that time the Sutton veteran Siefers had begun to bottle up one end and runs were becoming more difficult. Poynter was LBW to Siefers for a classy 64 and suddenly it was a different ball game. The middle order of Adam Stanier, Scott Anstiss, Shane White and Matt Golding came and went contributing 11 runs between them and at 149-6 after 44 overs the innings could have ended disastrously. That it did not was due to a bright 76 run partnership between Holcomb and Sean Ventham. Ventham fearlessly hit the bad balls including 2 straight sixes in his unbeaten 34 from just 35 deliveries and Holcomb was out just before the close for 91.
228 was a total that could be defended but was only par for the wicket and conditions and left the home team needing 5 an over. Bentall started with the old ball using medium pacer Stanier and leggy Curtis Higgins, and it was Higgins who tempted Sutton skipper G Lambe in his first over to sky a shot to mid-on and the visitors were up and running. But so was Sutton's Seadon who simply hit Higgins out of the attack with 4 fours in his second over. And the home team never looked back. There were 50's for Seadon and J Lambe, and 87 for Mercer as Sutton's 'stand and deliver' approach to batting was too much for the Sunbury bowlers. The new ball was taken after the first 10 overs had gone for 51 runs and Matt Golding achieved a level of control at the tennis courts end. At the Cheam Road end Scott Anstiss could not find his length and the hard new ball just went more quickly to the boundary. The loose deliveries just kept on coming and there was never any pressure on the home side's batsmen as they ran out winners with more than 6 overs unused.
You can always look for positives in a defeat and Stuey Poynter's knock made one question again why he has been batting at 7 or 8. Sean Ventham showed his more experienced middle order colleagues what was possible. But the overall impression is one of disappointment - when will this side start playing as a team?
29 July 2007 1st XI v Finchampstead
(click for top of page)The overnight rain which infiltrated the covers, meant for a sorry looking pitch, as visitors Finchampstead ummed and erred before inserting Sunbury in a match reduced to 30 overs per side. Matt Golding and Joel Pope were positive in putting on nearly fifty for the first wicket, before Pope and Golding were both well caught in the deep in front of the Sharman residence. Kevin Smith top scored with 32 and Woodcock and Olly Roland-Jones took the score past the 150 mark, before a breakdown in communications between scorer, umpire and players saw the Sunbury innings finish in strange circumstances. Maintaining a run rate of more than 5 an over would always be tough on a drying pitch providing extreme variations in bounce and substantial spin. Indeed even the unusual new ball pairing of Neil ‘Simon Jones’ Farnsworth and Olly Roland-Jones made early inroads. Farnsworth responded well to being hit over extra cover for six, dismissing the opener with a swinging full toss. Byrne and Higgins took up the mantle and Sunbury assumed full control in the middle overs, and despite some lower order hitting, Stuey Poynter took the final wicket with the opposition still thirty five runs short of victory.
28 July 2007 Reigate Priory v 1st XI
(click for top of page)Having been put into bat on a green seamer, Sunbury’s newest opening partnership Adam London and the recalled Richard Gould, set about the task of seeing off the most accomplished opening attack in the league at Reigate Priory. Indeed they battled hard throughout the first hour, and while scoring opportunities were limited, more importantly Sunbury had all ten wickets in hand at the drinks break. Gould and London were both unable to kick on, and when Farnsworth steered Surrey off-spinner King to slip, Sunbury found themselves 65 for 3 at Lunch having used half of their allotted overs. Matters were made worse when Olly Roland-Jones was a little unlucky to be given out caught behind, and an out of sorts Max Hall skied to mid-off to leave Sunbury teetering at 80 for 5. Unsuprisingly to regular readers, Woodcock was still at the crease and he found an able and willing partner in Toby Roland-Jones who quickly imposed himself with a six towards the pavilion. This partnership was by far the most fruitful of the innings and with Woodcock passing fifty, Sunbury were suddenly looking to post a target of 200. However with the dismissal of Woodcock for a determined 74, Sunbury were unable to kick on, as Gareth Lewis and Joel Pope were dismissed in consecutive deliveries, indeed Pope in particular will want to forget his dismissal in a hurry. Sunbury finished on 185 with Toby dismissed for 46 from the last ball of the innings to give their Australian left armer a deserved five wicket hall.
Reigate’s openers seemed keen to throw their hands through the ball, often at the expense of technical grace, but nonetheless they raced to 30 in 6 overs, gratefully accepting the extras that were being thrown their way. Pope and Gareth Lewis clean bowled the openers, which brought Priory’s number four to the crease. A few choice words and some good aggression from Pope stirred the batsmen into action as a flurry of boundaries took Reigate to 65 for 2 at Tea. Despite the efforts of spinners Woodcock and Todd, Reigate eased past the hundred mark, with both batsmen looking comfortable. This is not to say that they didn’t ride their luck, with Woodcock particularly unlucky in seeing several LBW decisions go against him. The introduction of Olly Roland-Jones and Gould did not stem the flow of runs or provide the break through, although Roland-Jones’ brand of off spin did seem to be causing both batsmen problems. Although Pope picked up a deserved second wicket, Reigate effectively eased to their target three wickets down. Another disappointing performance with bat and ball, Sunbury were even fairly immobile in the field. It is easy to be critical however, and it must be remembered that Reigate are an excellent and thoroughly professional outfit, and indeed showed why they are running away with the league with a classy all-round performance.
28 July 2007 2nd XI v Reigate Priory
(click for top of page)A slow wicket allowing a little turn produced a game for grafting at Kenton Court and the 2nd XI failed the test losing to a confident Reigate Priory by a substantial margin. Skipper Gavin Spencer for once winning the toss elected to field and started as usual with Scott Anstiss and Kevin Smith. A bright opening partnership for the visitors produced 60 runs before being broken by a run-out (Darren London who else). In truth that had seemed the most likely way. Any batsmen prepared to graft and wait for the bad ball was difficult to dismiss. On a slow wicket the bad balls were easy to hit. Anstiss's line was not consistent and he was soon replaced by Adam Stanier. Smith mixed up the speed of his deliveries and in 7 overs conceded only 13 runs, but there was no penetration. Colin Bentall replaced Smith and suffered the most from the slow wicket and was himself replaced by the excellent Andy King. King pushed the ball through and produced the best spell of the innings with 3-32 from 13 overs. Matt Golding followed Stanier at the bowls green end chipping in with 2 wickets. The home team could be fairly pleased with restricting Priory to 202 in the 55 overs, with Stuey Poynter making 3 stumpings and the standard of fielding varying from the divine to the awful.
Requiring 4.5 an over for the win Sunbury set off in pursuit with Neil Khanna and Gavin Spencer. The former applied himself well to the requirements of batting on this wicket only to be stupidly run out later. But Spencer and then Charlie Holcomb and then Matt Golding all fell to impatient or injudicious shots and the innings was under pressure. The possibility of a win was fading fast and thoughts turned to the winning draw. The Sunbury batsmen targeted the cover fielders and were very successful at finding them, thus failing to punish the loose balls that inevitably came from the Priory bowlers. There were starts for Scott Anstiss and Adam Stanier but they were 2 of the 6 batsmen to be out in the teens as opposed to the 6 batsmen out in their 30's for the visitors. And there was the difference. A brief flurry at a run a ball from Kevin Smith just delayed the inevitable and King and Bentall could not hold off the new ball and the game was lost.
This was a poor performance from a strong side on paper, but all players need to act as a team and to pull together with a plan and this seemed to be a missing element on Saturday.
26 July 2007 Eric Burdett
(click for top of page)It is with great sadness that we must announce that Eric Burdett passed away after a long illness last Saturday, the 21st July in the Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford. Eric was an integral part of Sunbury Cricket Club during our days at the London Irish and after our move to Kenton Court. He skippered the 3rd X1 for many years, taking over 2300 wickets for the Club during that time.
The funeral will take place at Aldershot Crematorium, Guildford Road, Aldershot on Tuesday 31 July at 11.00.
21 July 2007 1st XI v Guildford
(click for top of page)Having won the toss, Sunbury elected to bat, a decision inspired not so much by the slightly bowler friendly conditions, but more by the need to get runs on the board and put pressure on Guildford when their turn came to bat. The ball swung early on, and while Kalam quickly found a probing line and length the other opening bowler presented several scoring opportunities which openers Adam London and Neil Farnsworth duly capitalised on. A bowling change from the Bowls Green End, enabled Guildford to make the first breakthrough, as London feathered a cover drive to the keeper.
Luke Woodcock came to the crease and immediately looked in fine form, with a crisply driven four to the cover boundary. However, the overseas star soon pulled Kalam straight to mid-wicket, to leave Sunbury at 38-2. Olly Roland-Jones joined Farnsworth in the middle, and although Roland-Jones was circumspect to start with, Farnsworth accelerated, with several lofted drives and some classy pull strokes.
At 74-2, the rain came down for the first time on what would prove to be a frustrating afternoon. Indeed the rain continued to fall at regular intervals throughout the afternoon. Farnsworth was caught at the wicket for a well made 42, and Hall was immediately into his stride racing to 34 with shots all round the wicket before he was well caught at mid wicket by the Guildford skipper. With Holcomb unlucky to be caught and bowled from his first delivery, Gareth Lewis strode to the crease, striking 2 sixes in what was to be the final over of a rain affected innings, as Sunbury closed on 176-5, with Roland-Jones unbeaten on 47.
Only four overs of the Guildford reply were possible, but even in that short time, Dan Pope looked threatening, beating the bat and creating chances for the slip fielders. Nonetheless, the rain came again, this time with more purpose, and as the prospect of a result slowly disappeared, no more play was possible on a frustrating and wet day at Kenton Court.
Special mention to a fine curry a Lunch!
21 July 2007 Beddington v 2nd XI
(click for top of page)The weather was the only winner at a bleak Beddington Park on Saturday as heavy showers reduced the match to 60 overs and the wet wicket proved difficult to bat on. Again Sunbury skipper Gavin Spencer was to lose the toss to find himself unexpectedly in the field. The home side's innings eventually started at half past one and was not completed until 20 minutes after 6. Wickets fell regularly with some injudicious shots and some good bowling, for Beddington Milligan was circumspect and Cuff aggressive in their 35 overs which saw them to 129 for 9.
The visitors mainly seam attack attempted to limit the runs that would be required for the chasing thrash that was to come, and largely succeeded. Scott Anstiss produced his customary long spell and bowled with good control to finish with 3-42. Kevin Smith was his usual aggressive self mixing in some good slower balls and taking the wicket of the dangerous opener Lester. Matt Golding used a shorter run to good effect taking 2 wickets at the end of the innings and Andy King's 3-14 took the wind out of the sails of the middle order.
The required rate of more than 5 an over to win always seemed unlikely and the early loss of Spencer and Neil khanna in the Sunbury reply forced the visitors to buckle down and ensure that there was not an embarrassing disaster. Golding and Shane White took the score to 28 until the former was caught and after White was dismissed the innings was tottering again at 34-4. Enter Stuey Poynter whose classy innings steadied the ship and steered Sunbury to a deserved winning draw.
Poynter mixed solid defence with cleverly placed shots and 4 well timed fours and his unbeaten 29 showed his elders what might have been. A partnership of 28 with Anstiss (17) did some of the hard work but, after a brief contribution from Tom Doran, it was left to Poynter and Kevin Smith to finish the job. A very determined Smith hit a run-a-ball 21 with some good cricket shots to show the skipper that he is a very good number 8, but the batting honours went to Stuey Poynter, completely unaffected by the 'chirping' from the fielding side, leading the team home.
15 July 2007 1st v Hartley Wintney
(click for top of page)A rainy Sunday saw Sunbury beat Hartley Wintney with the minimum of fuss. Regular and at times heavy rain did not prevent Dan Pope from completing his nine overs with the new ball, as he along with Matthew Golding ran through the top order. Olly Roland-Jones, George Pearce and Luke Woodcock kept things tight in the middle overs, however some late innings hitting allowed Sunbury’s opponents to reach 211 from their 45 overs.
Neil Farnsworth and Adam London started particularly positively, racing to 40 in 5 overs. Farnsworth was bowled for 31 offering no shot, giving Max Hall a chance to come to the party, which he duly did. London brought up a well compiled fifty with a pull through mid-wicket, and Hall was soon into his stride with some nice shots all round the wicket, bringing up a fifty of his own in quick time. Both batsmen began to cut loose with victory in sight, and London showed some power of his own to finish unbeaten of 79, while Hall was 85 not out when the visitors score was overhauled in only the 27th over. A comprehensive victory for Sunbury, and a welcome return to form for some of the premier batsmen.
14 July 2007 Cobham Avorians v 1st XI
(click for top of page)Sunbury won the toss and elected to field in favourable conditions for seam bowling; the pitch was slightly damp and the conditions overcast and humid. Livewire opening bowler Justin Granger struck in the very first over removing overseas dangerman Mark Higgs for just 2. Sunbury however were unable to take the initiative, as the opposition mixed cautious defence with an appetite for a bad ball. Toby Roland-Jones demonstrated the control necessary on a slow wicket and was consistent with both line and length and picked up a deserved wicket in the final over of his spell. With Gareth Lewis and Adam Stanier unable to settle, the trusted spin partnership of Luke Woodcock and Matt Todd entered the fray. Nonetheless, the Avorians middle order were positive in their approach and as such Sunbury were unable to build any pressure, with boundaries coming freely. 130 for 2 at Lunch, quickly became 200 for 3, as Olly Roland-Jones was unable to make any impact with his off spin, and Avorians continued to be aggressive. None more so than their captain who raced to 60 in a mere 24 balls, hitting Todd for 25 in one over, as Avorians declared on 318 for 6 in 60 overs.
Application was the key word for Sunbury’s batsmen, however only Luke Woodcock, with a patient 71, demonstrated the necessary concentration and determination to bat a long period of time. Farnsworth was dismissed in the second over, and after London was caught at cover, the Roland-Jones brothers were both dismissed cheaply after the introduction of spin. Justin Granger showed that attack was his best form of defence, however his aggression got the better of him and he was well held at Mid On after tea, leaving Sunbury reeling at 90 for 5. Skipper Gareth Lewis was unlucky to be given out caught behind without scoring and when Woodcock holed out to mid off, Sunbury’s hopes were all but dashed. Indeed despite some resistance from Joel and Dan Pope, Avorians wrapped up victory when Todd miscued to mid on as Sunbury were bowled out for just 156. A disappointing performance in the field, where at times the side seemed resigned to conceding a huge total and a lack of application with the bat against what was not an outstanding attack on a good pitch, leaves much room for improvement in the next fixture against Guildford.
14 July 2007 2nd XI v Walton
(click for top of page)The Second XI secured a comfortable win over local rivals Walton in the Surrey Championship on Saturday. Richard Gould starred with ball and bat but there were telling contributions throughout the team. Walton skipper Turner won the toss and chose to bat, raising a few eyebrows and leaving Sunbury captain Gavin Spencer a relieved man. And it seemed as though he had made the right decision when Walton’s 1st team player Harrison, playing his first match after injury, got the visitors off to a flyer. Walton were 53 after 10 overs and despite profiting from a few edges were looking good. But one edge too many off the bowling of Scott Anstiss finally went to Matt Golding in the slips and Harrison (38) went. In fact 5 wickets fell for just 13 runs in 7 overs and with Walton at 66-5 the game seemed over. The only resistance came from skipper Turner with 29 and the innings ended after only 37 overs for a meagre 115. Anstiss bowled 12 overs off the reel finishing with 4-37 and Gould produced a fine spell at the other end with 4-29 from his 12.2 overs. But it was a very good performance in the field, the Sunbury effort superbly marshalled by skipper Spencer which did the trick. His field placings always seemed on the money, particularly with the dismissal of the other Walton opener Evans who was uncomfortable against the short ball. And what a difference it makes to have a Darren London on your side in the field, forever chasing down and producing an inevitable run-out.
The Sunbury response with the bat was almost a formality. The early loss of Spencer after a rather cavalier shot did not seem to matter as Gould showed that he is a class above this level, timing the ball superbly when given the chance. He and Andy Poynter took the score to 57 before Poynter holed out to cover and then there was a brief stutter as Golding and London both fell cheaply. At 64-4 did Walton have a sniff of a chance? Not really, Neil Khanna joined Gould and went smoothly to 98 when Gould played one shot too many and was caught at backward point. His match winning 63 contained 11 fours (it beats running too much!) and he never looked in trouble. Khanna and Anstiss completed the victory with a flurry of fours in the 30th over.
07 July 2007 Low scoring battle with local rivals brings unlikely victory
(click for top of page)It's been four years since local rivals Sunbury and Weybridge last met in the Surrey Championship Premiership and this encounter was well worth waiting for, with Sunbury victorious by 34 runs in a low scoring encounter at Kenton Court on Saturday.
On a difficult rain affected wicket Weybridge won the toss and sent Sunbury in to bat and they were rewarded with the early wicket of in form Sunbury opener Neil Farnsworth when he was dismissed lbw without scoring after a stay that lasted some nine overs. Adam London and Luke Woodcock, Sunbury's ex Weybridge overseas player looked comfortable enough although runs were hard to get but 5 wickets in quick succession suddenly had Sunbury on the back foot. London (15) was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by veteran keeper Gary Notton off the medium pace of Bennett, Max Hall (8) and Olly Roland-Jones (4) fell shortly after and when Woodcock (24) was caught at mid-off Sunbury were reduced to 63-5. Matters got worse for the home side when keeper Joel Pope (2) was dismissed shortly after but the determination of skipper Gareth Lewis supported by Adam Stanier took the lunchtime score to 82-6 from 31 overs.
After the break Lewis fell for 15 and only the plucky Stanier (13 not out) showed the qualities needed to propel the home side towards any sort of respectability and after a further 8 overs the Sunbury innings came to a dismal close with the score on a meagre 105.
What followed when Weybridge batted was quite amazing. With 81 overs at their disposal to score the 106 for victory the visitors started well enough, and although Justin Granger struck with the score on 26, they quickly got to 46 and were looking comfortable until the introduction of Sunbury's spin twins Matthew Todd and Woodcock completely changed the pattern of the game. Within the space of 9 overs they captured 9 wickets between them for just 25 runs and the rout was completed with Weybridge all out for 71 in 26.3 overs. Todd was again the main wicket taker with a spell of 5-12 in just 7.2 overs, with Woodcock chipping in with 4-12 from his 6 overs to leave Sunbury victors by 34 runs. Overall there was a lack of batting application by both sides, with the bowlers holding the upper hand throughout the day but the surprise 13 points gained by Sunbury continues to keep them in contention for the title.
7 July 2007 2s escape with draw at Weybridge
(click for top of page)A strong Sunbury 2nd XI made the short trip to Weybridge green on Saturday to challenge the division's pace setters. Put in by the home side the Sunbury batsmen were soon in full flow against some less than challenging bowling. Skipper Gavin Spencer led the way with a sometimes risky 65, with Charlie Holcomb (53) also contributing well and Sunbury reached 131-2 at drinks from just 26 overs. The complexion of the innings changed somewhat after drinks with the introduction of some much tighter bowling by the home side, to an extent that the remaining 29 overs yielded just 90 runs with the loss of 6 wickets. Andy Poynter, guesting from his Irish adventure, found it hard to work the ball away and struggled for his 28. A middle order collapse brought the swashbuckling Scott Anstiss to the crease and his 37 not out yielded the Sunbury bowlers something to play with.
Spencer chose to start with the old ball and opened with Richard Gould and Colin Bentall. But there was no penetration and after 14 overs he turned to the quicker Kevin Smith and Scott Anstiss, even taking the new ball eventually. Anstiss seemed determined to give away with the ball the advantage he had made with the bat and was soon going for 8 an over. The Weybridge 3rd wicket pair of McKenzie and Macdonald were at this stage looking very comfortable and were cruising to victory with the required rate down to 4 an over. Skipper Spencer finally returned to Gould and gambled by switching the profligate Anstiss to the pavilion end. The partnership was broken and in a clatter of wickets Weybridge fell agonisingly short of a victory which was theirs for the taking, Gould finishing with 4-59 from his 17 overs and Anstiss 2-81 from 12.
6 July 2007 Portman Cup Middlesex final v Ealing
(click for top of page)Sunbury as usual lost the toss and an excellent Ealing opening attack had Sunbury pinned down and under pressure as in form batsman Tim Cross left lbw for just 3. Louis Razey was struggling to get the ball away as was Sean Ventham and both fell for 8 runs as the ball continued to dominate and we were 36 for 5 of 11 overs. Elliott Jones (10) and Ben Scott (15) then added some pace to the innings pushing the run rate up but they both fell in consecutive overs and another mini collapse saw our last wicket pair George Pearce and Matt Nichols together. With some daring running and panic from the Ealing fielders they added valuable runs as we set Ealing 80 to win.
What followed were 20 overs of the best out cricket I have seen from a Sunbury Colts side for many years! The boys excelled themselves in every department and were a credit to a cricket club that prides itself on the quality of our fielding. George Pearce and Matt Nichols bowled excellently to restrict Ealing to just 22 runs for 2 wickets off 8 overs just 1 run ahead of our total at this stage. Captain Stan Raymond then applied the pressure with three excellent overs for just 6 runs and a wicket. Sean Ventham added to the pressure with excellent control from the other end and another wicket. After 11 overs Ealing were 29 for 4. Ben Scott added to his batting heroics with three excellent overs for just 10 runs and 2 wickets and with Nick Glover chipping in with a wicket even though it was tight, the match was swinging our way. Two great catches by Declan Gray made him the outstanding fielder brilliantly supported by Louis Razey and Tom Buggey who both helped in run outs. With the pressure on Ealing collapsed in a flurry of lofted shots and suicidal runs and Sunbury ran out worthy winners against a very strong Ealing side.
The match was played in an excellent spirit and special praise to both captains for the excellent fields they set and their use of their bowlers. Finally the game came down to who held their nerves in the final phases of each innings and it was here Sunbury’s determination to win shone through!
18 June 2007 Tim Cross leads Under 15 to Middlesex final
(click for top of page)A fine unbeaten half century from Tim Cross put paid to Mill Hill Village in the Portman Cup semi-final played at Kenton Court on Monday. The result sets up a meeting with Ealing in the final. The real work was put in in the field to restrict the opposition to just 80 for 7 in their 20 overs. Fine contributions from George Pearce (1-8 from 4 overs), Sean Ventham (2-8 from 2 overs) and wickets from Ben Scott and Nick Glover ensured that Mill Hill were going to have to bowl and field exceptionally. This they failed to do and looked particularly lacklustre in the field. Tim Cross made the most of being dropped twice and punished any loose deliveries to go to his 50 in the 17th over and being forced to retire. He was aided in good partnerships by Sean Ventham and Declan Gray, but it was left to Chris Hawkins to nonchalantly clip a 6 to backward square to win the game.
16 June 2007 Toddy spins Sunbury to comfortable win
(click for top of page)Sunbury turned in their most competent performance in their Surrey Championship Premiership campaign when in a rain affected match they ran out comprehensive winners against visitors Dulwich by 7 wickets and with 2 overs to spare with Mathew Todd claiming another 6 wickets.
Todd's contribution was not the only highlight, wicketkeeper Joel Pope had a great day with 3 stumpings and 2 catches, the bowlers all showed good form with line and length to keep the Dulwich run rate to a minimum and the batsmen, with Neil Farnsworth leading the way with an aggressive half century all made valuable contributions to the run rate.
Skipper Gareth Lewis started proceedings by winning a valuable toss on an overcast day. Justin Granger and Danny Pope, back after a 4 week injury lay-off, took advantage of the conditions and when Joel Pope captured the first of his victims with a regulation catch from the menacing Granger and Max Hall picked up a sharp catch at first slip off Danny Pope, Dulwich were reduced to 13-2 after just 10 overs. Last week's hero Adam Stanier chipped in with a wicket before he was struck down with a back injury which allowed him to bowl just a handful of overs but just before lunch with the score on 67-3 from 23 overs the heavens opened resulting in a loss of nearly 3 hours play.
The delay meant a reduced overs match with Dulwich allocated 47 overs with Sunbury due 30 in return, Todd quickly got in on the act with his first wicket but the visitors seemed interested only in survival and only 46 runs were scored in 17 overs until the dangerous Dar (80) a Pakistan under 19 star took a liking to the spin of Luke Woodward and smashed 16 off an over, including 2 huge sixes that cleared the pavilion. The off spin of Todd at the other end was proving more of a problem and the Dulwich batters were struggling to up the run rate, his first 9 overs having cost a miserly 14 runs and when in the 41st over Joel Pope claimed the first of his hat trick of stumpings the flood gates opened. Dar was dismissed in the next over and four more wickets fell for just 20 runs. Todd ended with 6-39 from 14 overs and Dulwich were dismissed for 154.
For once it was Max Hall who opened the Sunbury reply with Neil Farnsworth and the innings got off to the best possible start with both openers looking in menacing form and the score raced to 57 from just 8 overs. Farnsworth was first out when, with the score on 84, for a well struck 50 from just 45 deliveries. Luke Woodcock joined Hall and both were looking comfortable until Hall (35) with 6 fours was dismissed with the score on 103. Adam London chipped in with a cameo 28 from 24 balls before he was out with just 3 runs needed and it was left to Woodcock (26 not out) to see the side home with 7 wickets to spare.
This weekend Sunbury face their toughest games of the Season so far, when on Saturday they entertain table topping Wimbledon, starting at 11.30 and then on Sunday in the last 32 of the Evening Standard Challenge Trophy play hosts to Ealing, the competitions most successful team since it's inception, starting at 13.00.
20 Mar 2007 Playing subs and fees
(click for top of page)The Committee has decided that the sub for Senior players [21 years old or more] this year will be £130, reduced to £110 if paid before 1st June. For Junior players [under 21s and full time students], the sub will be £70. For 'Sundays only' players, the sub will be £30. Match fees will remain unchanged from last season. An 'all-in' arrangement will again be available - £350 for seniors; £200 for juniors. To qualify for the 'all-in' arrangement, the lump sum must be paid, or a defined instalment arrangement agreed [see below], before the first of this season's Surrey Championship games is played.
To arrange 'pay by instalments' [e.g. by post dated cheques], please contact the Treasurer by e-mail, landy.wood@ntlworld.com or on 02083980637.
This is the first increase in subs for several years, and the reason that we have needed to increase the lump sum amount in particular is that we set it too low last year. The impact has been that the combined subs/match fee income for the 2006/7 financial year is going to be somewhere in the region of £2000 less than we budgeted for. However, the lump sum arrangement still remains an attractive option for people playing a lot of cricket in a season and gives decent cost savings for anyone playing upwards of about 25 games.
PLEASE NOTE - any players who have subs or match fee money from 2006 still owing after the end of this month will not be considered for selection for the new season, until their dues have been fully paid to the Club.
19 Mar 2007 Clubhouse smoking ban
(click for top of page)Advanced warning ...
By law, a ban on smoking anywhere in the clubhouse comes into force shortly and we have no option but to enforce this strictly. Please do not make life difficult for the Steward or Club Officials in this regard - this is Government legislation and there are substantial penalties for non-compliance. The relevant notices will be displayed in due course but basically it will mean that if you want to smoke, you must do so outside the pavilion. If you do this, please be respectful of other members and visitors who do not want to be near smokers, and please place cigarette ends in the receptacles provided.