Match Reports 2010

10th July 1st XI v Guildford (Home)

17th April  1st XI v Radlett (Friendly)by Olly Roland-Jones

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In a thoroughly one-sided affair at Kenton Court Meadow, Sunbury cruised to victory against a young and inexperienced Radlett side. Racing to 354 in their allotted 40 overs, Stuey Poynter and Shane White hit boundaries at will in making 132 and 90 respectively. 15 year old Elliot Shaw impressed while compiling an impressive, unbeaten 42, and Dan Pope added the cherry on top, battering his was to 42 in only 28 balls.

Radlett got off to the worst possible start, losing a wicket to the second ball of their reply, before Kevin Smith and Adam Stanier reduced the visitors to 10-4. With the middle order seemingly in a rush to beat the traffic round the M25, Dan Pope, Haroon Aslam and Vishal Manro faced little resistance and ripped through the lower order as Radlett were bowled out inside 20 overs for a meager 62.

A comprehensive victory, but, it goes without saying that stiffer tests lie ahead.

24th April  1st XI v Weybridge (Friendly) by Olly Roland-Jones

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Sunbury continued their winning start to the season with a convincing victory over local rivals Weybridge. After Matt Church had got the visitors off to a positive start in near perfect batting conditions, Dan Pope was introduced into the attack and took 3 quick wickets to put Weybridge on the back foot. Aslam and Todd kept things tight through the middle overs, before Pope returned to complete an impressive five wicket haul, as Weybridge were dismissed for 181.

Henry Turner bowled with pace and good control and was unlucky to go wicketless in a hostile opening spell, during which he had as many as seven slips in place. Gavin Spencer slapped to cover after making 18, however his opening partner, Matthew Todd, continued to play with authority and patience. Shane White came to the wicket at 47 for 1 and immediately looked in great touch, finding the boundary with regularity and it was somewhat of a suprise when he chipped to cover on 48. The game was well set-up by then, although there was still time for Darren London to impress with a breezy, unbeaten 38. Todd, rather fittingly, hit the winning runs, finishing on 58 not out, as Sunbury secured victory by 8 wickets.

8th May  1st XI v Ashtead (Home) by Olly Roland-Jones

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Adam London scored a fantastic century as Sunbury kicked off the 2010 season in style, defeating newly promoted Ashtead by 121 runs on a rainy day at Kenton Court Meadow.

Put into bat in bowler friendly conditions, Stuart Poynter's early dismissal brought London to the crease, who formed crucial partnerships, first with Gavin Spencer (22) and then put on 98 for the fourth wicket with captain Olly Roland-Jones. London was fluent from the off, driving the impressive Burton through the offside and continuing his positive attitude against Ashtead's young spinners. Roland-Jones was more circumspect, although helped himself to a flurry of boundaries as Ashtead began to tire, especially during the batting powerplay. When Roland-Jones (45) and White were dismissed in quick succession, the visitors sensed an opportunity, but London continued to bat with great authority, bringing up his century from 98 balls. His dismissal, could have sparked a real collapse, but Justin Granger and Dan Pope ensured that Sunbury took the momentum into the tea break, as Sunbury added 42 in the final six overs.

Toby Roland-Jones removed the dangerous Jamie Powell in his second over and when Dan Pope removed overseas player Paver for a duck, Ashtead were reeling at 12-2. Roland-Jones bowled with pace and extracted some bounce out of a good Sunbury pitch. The introduction of Todd and Stanier triggered a middle order collapse, as three wickets fell with the score on 34. Although Chris Douglas hit some lusty blows towards the end of the innings, Sunbury cruised to victory dismissing the visitors for 129, with Justin Granger taking two wickets on his return to the club after a three year absence.

Next week sees Sunbury travel to Weybridge, whose opening fixture against Banstead fell foul of the bad weather that plagued the opening day's fixtures.

15th May  1st XI v Weybridge (Away) by Olly Roland-Jones

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They say that form is temporary and class is permanent, and so, with the classy Adam London in such scintillating form, one guesses that his strong start to the season will be more than a flash in the pan. London's measured, unbeaten 88, was the only score of real substance as Sunbury stumbled to 233-9, having been well placed at the half way stage at 120-2.

Poynter, Spencer and Balbirnie will all have been disappointed that they didn't kick on after making starts, while the middle order offered little resistance to some impressive swing bowling from Adam Bennett, who finished with four wickets. As Sunbury stuttered to 148-7, London was rendered helpless at the non-strikers end, but received staunch support from the energetic Justin Granger and the comparatively subdued Matt Todd.

Determined to use their full quota of 50 overs, Sunbury left the final assault until the last over of the innings, preferring instead to take what singles were on offer and take their chances running two's to the long boundary; London then struck the final ball of the innings for 6, a fitting end to a fine innings.

Justin Granger struck an early blow for the visitors removing Winslade, while Steve Lewis quickly found his length from the other end. And it was Lewis, with three wickets in two overs, who change the course of the game reducing Weybridge to 34-4.

With the experienced Janmohamed and the destructive David Court at the crease, Weybridge would have fancied their chances, but Adam Stanier produced a fine spell from the pavilion end, bowling his ten overs on the bounce, finishing with 4-49 from his allotted overs.

Even at 120-8, Court was not willing to go down without a fight and he mixed some clean hitting with some fine strokeplay, while installing a degree of faith in the lower order. Having made 80, Court then tried to swing Dan Pope to the short leg-side boundary and was clean bowled, as Weybridge finished 53 runs adrift, 180 all out.

Sunbury picked up their second successive ten point win, but delivered by no means the perfect performance, meanwhile Weybridge will be left wondering what might have been, having had Sunbury 147-8, in what was an enjoyable day's limited overs cricket.

16th May  Chieftains v Guildford (Away) by Vishal Manro

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The Chieftains faced their first challenge this year away at Guildford. Unfortunately we came off second best on the day, however there were many positives to take from the game!

We finally arrived at Guilford to lose the toss and be put in to bat. With the kit the handed out, Rhythem Bedi and Cameron Cowell headed out to the middle. After a positive start both were beaten through the gate. A solid partnership just shy of 50 between Vishal Manro and Jack Southbee followed which gave us a slight platform, (including two glamorous cover drives by Jack showing great technique and ability). However the loss of further quick wickets meant that it was in the hands of the lower-order to boost our total to give us something to bowl at - the standout being Saran Kalsi's quick-fire 19*. We finished off 129ao, still with 9overs left to bat!

In reply, Guildford got off to a good start… all until Micky O'Sullivan strolled up to bowl two in-swingers that cut away to find the edge of both openers completely fooling them - the effect of coloured clothing must have had a vast effect on Micky as he was also seen diving around around the covers saving every run possible! Just as we began to press harder to force a collapse of wickets the rain decided to interrupt! It gave us the chance to watch Australia collapse in the T20 final, but within half-an-hour we were back on.

A revised total meant Guilford required 84 more runs from the next 20overs. Even though Chris Page got up to his usual antics of tempting the big shots and beating the bat, we were not able to stop Guilford as they accumulated the runs required to record a win by 6wickets.

Although we gave a lot in the field, highlighted by catches from George Lathwell and tidy work behind the stumps from Cameron, we were not strong enough to stop a decent Guilford side. With many games fast-approaching hopefully we can push to win the remaining fixtures - especially since finals day is at Sunbury!! Well done to all the guys who gave it what they had, and to Colin Lathwell for fielding as we only had 10!

22nd May  1st XI v Sutton (Home) by Olly Roland-Jones

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Rather than their batting or bowling, it was Sunbury's fielding that really caught the eye as they beat Sutton in convincing fashion on a blazing hot day at Kenton Court Meadow. Run out's from skipper Roland-Jones and the electric Adam London were the highlights, but this was a team effort in which accurate, probing bowling was backed up by athletic, energetic fielding.

Toby Roland-Jones recorded figures of 6 -3-3-2 and cleaned up the tail with aplomb, while Justin Granger conceded only nine runs in his opening five over burst. Adam Stanier continued his recent good form and Matthew Todd provided the ideal foil from the other end, proving as miserly as ever and dismissing the dangerous Outram. Despite some late order hitting from Michael Williams, Sutton could only muster 130, as they were bowled out in the 40th over.

Stuart Poynter got Sunbury off to a positive start, racing to 24, including a sumptuous hook off Phil Sampson, before flicking the same bowler straight to square leg. Adam London recorded his first failure and when Shane White fell to an unfortunate LBW decision and Olly Roland-Jones was caught and bowled, the visitors sniffed an opening with Sunbury at 73-4. All the while Gavin Spencer stood firm and while he played the anchor role, Toby Roland-Jones was particularly positive and his 36 included some beautiful shots down the ground. Despite losing two late wickets, Sunbury reached their target with four wickets in hand and recorded their 3rd successive ten point win. Gavin Spencer can be particularly proud of his unbeaten 47; in every successful chase there needs to be a constant and his very presence allowed others to express themselves and play their shots.

29th May  1st XI v Cobham Avorians (Away) by Adam Stanier

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Sunbury travelled to Cobham Avorians in search of another 10 points to stretch their early lead at the top of the Surrey Premier league, which looked unlikely given the dank, wet conditions which led to a delayed start and reduced 32 over game.

Winning the toss, Sunbury suspiciously choose to bat first on a freshly covered wicket. Sunbury welcomed debutant Paul Stirling who has been seen on the International arena with Ireland began with a flourish of sixes, quickly backed by Spencer who scored 46 and 51 respectively. Poynter having opened the batting in previous games played an influential innings at number 4 only a skilful runout by Avorians opening bowler Naylor removed him for 49 attempting a quick run to make 50. After a flurry of late wickets, which indicated the surface wasn't flat Sunbury eventually finished on a more than reasonable 214 from 32 overs. Left arm seamer Lawrence the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets.

Avorians openers were quickly pressured behind the required run rate by another set of fine seam bowling from Grainger which led to the opening two wickets from Lewis end with batters trying to progress the innings. Some hefty blows from the league's leading run scorer Crawford caused Sunbury concern and it took a fine individual catch from Middlesex's T Roland Jones to bring his innings to an end. It was the spinners which took the eventual spoils as Avorians managed only 131 in reply, with Middlesex's London and the ever consistent Todd sharing six wickets at less than 3 runs per over.

An excellent fielding display from a young impressive side, including 3 catches from Toby Roland Jones, Sunbury are undoubtedly the team to beat.

5th June  1st XI v Malden Wanderers (Away) by Olly Roland-Jones

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A confident performance by Sunbury, in which they excelled in all three disciplines saw them extend their unbeaten run to 5 games, with a resounding win over Malden Wanderers. A positive, fearless approach with the bat, aggressive bowling and an excellent fielding display, made this Sunbury's most convincing win to date, in the first of the season's 120 over affairs.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Paul Stirling and Shane White played in a manner that verged on care-free, hitting boundaries at will. With White showing the ability to hit the ball on the up and pierce the offside field, Stirling was more brutal in his approach, savagely pulling anything that was slightly short, while equally punishing the bowlers when they erred on the full side. After White was held at long-on, in an ill-advised attempt to clear the man in the deep and then Adam London was sharply held at slip by Neil Mander, Malden must have sensed a way back in. But Stewart Poynter continued his strong start to the season, playing watchfully to begin with, before unleashing his full repertoire after the lunch break. Sunbury stuttered as Stirling was held on the long-on boundary for 92 and Olly Roland-Jones was adjudged to be caught behind on the stroke of lunch; nonetheless the score had rattled along to 180-4 at the interval. Toby Roland-Jones joined Poynter and together took the score towards the 250 mark. Poynter was unlucky to lace a pull shot straight to mid wicket on 82, and it was left to Stanier to take the score to 294-8 before the visitors declared, leaving themselves 67 overs to bowl Malden out.

Justin Granger struck early to remove the promising Cousens, caught down the leg-side, and when Euston top edged Roland-Jones to long leg, Sunbury were cock-a-hoot with the score at 14-2. Roland-Jones then inflicted further damage with two in two balls to effectively end any thoughts of a Malden victory. Steve Lewis bowled with skill and control and deserved the wicket of Hess who was pouched by Stirling at second slip. Mander launched a brief counter-attack striking the ball cleanly and hitting Todd for a maximum to the short leg side boundary, but when Barford tried to steal a ruin to Adam London, Mander was run-out and the tea interval was taken. Daniel Pope took a fine catch at deep square leg to hand Matthew Todd his only victim of the day and it was left to Adam Stanier, the league's leading wicket taker, to pick up the remaining three wickets, which he duly did, as Sunbury took all 13 points.

12th June  1st XI v Banstead (Home) by Adam Stanier

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A new look Banstead visited the Geoff Kaye memorial ground this weekend, from a side who struggled to obtain Premiership status Banstead have started well in the initial phase of their 2010 championship campaign.

The start to this game was no different, Banstead openers took to some good conditions and lack lustre bowling reaching 50 inside 7 overs, before changes were made at both ends. Surrey 2's and in form Lancefield was shortly bowled by Pope for 27 but It was Burns who produced an emphatic 116 and batted through the majority of the innings. Burns formed controlled partnerships with Jaffer and Nicholas who went on to score over a run a ball 55. Pope the only inspiring bowler of the innings finished with 4 for 31, and Roland Jones regained some form with the ball with figures of 3 for 21. Banstead cantered to 297 from 63 overs, leaving Sunbury an almighty task in 57 overs.

Sunbury were quickly out of the game with the top 3 scoring only that amount of runs for the loss of all 3 wickets. The Irish contingent steadied the ship and put on 99 before Poynter was bowled by Jaffer for a successful 54. Balbernie continued to look solid until he was adjudged LBW from a rising ball from Speller for 49. The tail had a lot of wagging to do and the all round efforts of Pope who batted patiently for 39 and Todd who batted for about an hour were in vein. Sunbury were bowled out convincingly over 100 short of the mark.

19th June  1st XI v Wimbledon (Home) by Olly Roland-Jones

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Having started the season so well, Sunbury registered their second successive defeat, this time at the hands of Wimbledon, who thoroughly deserved all 13 points.

After electing to bat first, Sunbury were quickly on the back foot as Shane White top edged an attempted pull in only the second over. Banham was charging in from the Second Square End and extracted some alarming bounce during a hostile opening spell which included an absorbing battle with Adam London, who having bravely survived Banham's burst, nicked the persevering Porter behind to give Wimbledon their second wicket. And when Poynter and Spencer followed in quick succession, Sunbury found themselves at 60-4. Olly Roland-Jones counter-attacked, driving strongly down the ground, before becoming Banham's first victim of the day, caught behind for 33.

Sean Ventham was showing an impressive resolve, and was showing his more experienced partners the values of a solid defence and a willingness to leave the swinging ball. For all of Ventham's determination, it took an innings of some bravado and authoritative hitting from Justin Granger to give Sunbury some momentum and it was his 41, coupled with 22 from Kevin Smith that took Sunbury towards a respectable rather then intimidating total of 193.

If Sunbury were to have any chance of restricting a talented Wimbledon batting line-up, the key would be early wickets, and they didn't get them. As Sunbury had an off day with the ball, Wimbledon's opening pair looked in fine fettle, positive from the off they took every scoring opportunity and batted with a great deal more composure that any of Sunbury's batters had displayed.

Justin Granger had Grace well caught by Smith at long-leg, to give Sunbury a sniff of a break-through, but a controlled partnership between Turk and Hobson guided Wimbledon towards victory, and although Matthew Todd and Adam London were able to create some pressure as the total loomed large, Wimbledon coasted home with six wickets to spare.

26th June  1st XI v Ashtead (Away) by Olly Roland-Jones

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Sunbury came unstuck for the third successive week at Ashtead, as the newly promoted club moved to the top of the Surrey Championship.

David Burton bowled unchanged for much of the Sunbury innings, finishing with figures of 18 overs 6-33 as the visitors were bowled out for a paltry 85. Only Darren London put up any real resistance, finishing unbeaten on 21, as Sunbury looked a long way short of the side who had won their first five games so comprehensively.

Justin Granger bowled with his usual vigour and energy and was rewarded with two wickets, yet Ashtead cruised in relative comfort and reached their modest target in only 16 overs for the loss of 3 wickets.

3rd July  1st XI v Reigate Priory (Home) by Olly Roland-Jones

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Sunbury ended their losing streak with a much-improved performance against Reigate Priory, and although they had much the better of a high scoring game at Kenton Court Meadow, could only claim four points for a winning draw as opposed to the full 13 points for a win.

Gavin Spencer, dropped on zero, made a free-flowing 82 that mixed some sumptuous stroke-play with some moments of good fortune, but on the whole, was rewarded for a positive and determined approach. Stuey Poynter impressed during his brief stay, after White had been trapped LBW by Mendis for 10. Olly Roland-Jones joined Spencer, and although the skipper looked in good touch, it was Spencer who did the majority of the scoring in their 94 run partnership, before the opener became the first of Simon King's three victims. With Sean Ventham dismissed for 1 by Hume, Sunbury took lunch at 155 for 4, with Roland-Jones unbeaten on 38.

Darren London was then LBW sweeping Hume, and when King bowled Pope with a big off-break, Sunbury were tottering at 176-6. Justin Granger provided impetus rather than reliability with a cameo 21, whereas Matt Todd was more sedate in making 19 out of a partnership of 56 with Roland-Jones who was quietly going about his business at the other end. Roland-Jones reached his century with a single off King, and with Steve Lewis added a late flurry of boundaries as Sunbury declared on 305-9 with Lewis unbeaten on 18 and Roland-Jones stumped for 118 to the final ball of the innings.

Justin Granger bowled a terrific opening spell, but it was Steve Lewis who struck first, having the dangerous Australian Blizzard superbly held by Stuart Poynter, who ran most of the way to the fine-leg boundary to take a terrific steepling catch. Granger then clean bowled the in-form Murtagh to leave Reigate 37-2. Dan Pope then had Jason Roy caught at the wicket and Jonathon Perkins clean bowled, as the visitors took tea at 82-4. Neil Saker had looked solid in making 46 and in King he found a willing partner as they played their shots in a partnership worth 62 before Todd trapped Saker in front. Despite losing Mills cheaply and then King for 55, Reigate defended resolutely for the draw, as Sunbury tried all they could to take the final wickets, but in vain.

10th July  1st XI v Guildford (Home) by Adam Stanier

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Sunbury suffered yet another defeat despite racking up 286 in their 66 overs, with skipper Roland-Jones securing back to back 100's. This week the bowling and fielding performance was well under par by the young Sunbury team.

Batting first on a good wicket, Guildford set mostly negative fields, with 56 overs of spin on display, Ed Young being the pick finishing with 4 for 55. Sunbury started with a positive run rate, with the flamboyant White and Spencer freely hitting boundaries. White, attempting to force the innings after being well set, finished 2 short of his first 2010 Premier Division half century. Roland-Jones and Darren London batted patiently but perhaps lacked momentum in top gear in the final 10 - 15 overs, albeit against some steady spin bowling and defensive fields.

Guildford's start could not have been worse with the form batter Kalam removed by Granger in just the second ball of the innings. Jones batted conservatively and left the majority of the scoring to Young who carried his bowling form straight in to his innings of 94 at almost a run a ball including 18 out of Guildford's 42 boundaries. The amount of boundaries and lower order performances a good indication of the poor bowling and fielding performance from Sunbury, with crucial over throws and run outs and critical catches missed. Todd and Granger shared 7 wickets and were the pick of an otherwise lack lustre second half performance. The defeat leaves Sunbury 17 points from the top over half way through the season.