Match Reviews 2008

Date

Day

Opposition

Result

Score

Opp Score

Best Batting

Best Bowling

27-Apr

Sun

Preston

Lost - 8 wkts

114-9

(a/o)

116-2

Vora

Clinton

1-12

The first match was against Preston CC. Not a good start as we lost rather convincingly.

30-Apr

Wed

Old Victorians

Cancelled

04-May

Sun

Chorleywood

Drawn

185-4

216-4

dec

Chitty

Whyte

4-56

45.2

Our second match of the season against Chorleywood was more keenly fought than the first and ended in a draw. Chorleywood batted first scoring 216 for 4 wicket. Tom White 4 - 56 from 15.2 overs (Reckon Tom is suffering today). An opening partnership of 135 with Will Chitty 77 (a good start for our new club captain) and Dominic Ramjag 76 got us of to a great start. with tight bowling in the final overs from Chorleywood, Stage were restricted to 185 for 4.

08-May

Thu

Montenotte

Won - 2 wkts

215-8

211-6

dec

Carson

62*

Davis

2-6

37.2

44.2

We have recorded our first win of the season against Montenotte by 2 wickets. They say that catches win matches well we dropped about 10 catches and still managed a win. Check out who had the best bowling figures of the day!!

11-May

Sun

Eastcote

Drawn

125-8

252-5

dec

Vora

1-0

43.1

On a baking hot May Sunday we toiled in the field against Eastcote who declared on 252 for 5 wickets. Our reply got off to a poor start despite one of our opener Y Vora scoring 52 including 10 fours and 1 six. as wickets tumbled at the other end. John Hoare 23 not out and Mike Sadler 0 not out came to our rescue and batted for 24 overs for the last wicket to produce the draw.

18-May

Sun

Shepherds Bush

Drawn

252-5

269-2

dec

Ramjag

Sadler

1-45

On Sunday May 18 we visited Shepherds Bush. Roger Barrett won the toss and elected to field. Our opening bowlers were put to the Sword and it looked like we would be chasing well over 300, however due to some tight bowling in the later stages of the innings from Roy McMillan and Yakub Vora, Shepherds Bush declared on 269. After a poor start, having lost our first wicket with no runs on the board, Dominic Harte and Dominic Ramjag put on 148 for the 2nd wicket. Unfortunately the match was drawn as we ran out of overs just 18 runs short of victory.

21-May

Wed

Ruislip Victoria

Drawn

184-6

190

a/o

Ellis

Hoare

3-61

38.4

The match started early to accommodate the Champions League Final (the least said about that the better) with Ruislip Victoria getting of to a good start. However one of the openers managed to hook a short ball from David Friend in to his nose and then retired hurt and went off to hospital. Stage soon made in roads and dismissed Ruislip Victoria for 190. John Hoare taking 3 for 61 in 2 spells. Yes that is 2 spells. Stage batting also started well and a victory looked on the cards (Andy Ellis 48) but was not to be and we ended up just 7 runs short of victory.

25-May

Sun

New Calypsonians

Cancelled

28-May

Wed

Worcester Park

Cancelled

01-Jun

Sun

Adastrians

Cancelled

04-Jun

Wed

Chipperfield

Cancelled

08-Jun

Sun

Harrow

Drawn

230-3

dec

218-8

Padhani

Ramjag

3-18

43.2

At last a warm sunny day and skipper Will Chitty wins the toss and decides to bat. We are off to a good start when the first wicket fall at 62 and of course 1 wicket brings 2 and the 2nd wicket falls at 74. Stage eventually loose the 3rd wicket on 230 with Asif Padhani 90 and Jeff Davis 69 not out. Harrow start their innings slowly mostly due to a fine opening spell of bowling from Mike Sadler of 9 overs for just 23 runs. However with good captaincy from Will Chitty the game is kept open and in the last over of the match all 3 results are still possible. The match finishes as a draw with Stage requiring 2 wickets and Harrow needing just 12 runs.

11-Jun

Wed

Streatham 1805

Tied

172-8

172-7

dec

Rushden

Padhani

5-20

This is the third year that we have played the Chris Wells Memorial Ashes match (his pants were burnt in his memory and placed in a cup). It is always a keenly contested match and just like last year it went to the last over. Streatham 1805 retained the trophy despite Asif Padhani and Tom Whyte's heroic efforts. The match ended up tied with both teams on 172. The highlights for Stage were Asif Padhani taking 5 wickets for just 20 runs and Max Rushden, who has just taken over as the presenter of Soccer AM, scoring a fine 41 before trying a reverse sweep and being caught by the wicket keeper.

15-Jun

Sun

Horsley & Send

Drawn

171-8

195

a/o

Vora

Tanner

4-0

The captains had agreed to a 40 over game (very reluctantly on our part) when Mike Catt (no not the rugby player) captain of Horsley & Send saw John Hoare, Mike Sadler and Richard Godfrey wandering over and suggested that maybe we should change the format to a timed game. This was very rapidly agreed. Mike Catt won the toss and decided to bat. The batsman obviously had not been told that it was no longer limited overs and decided to punish the opening bowlers with John Hoare taking most of the flack in his first 3 overs. A quick discussion between captain and bowler and it was agreed to give him one more chance. The gamble paid off and runs at last dried up. Then with a change of bowling Jonathan Tanner took an amazing catch at mid wicket, when everyone's money was definitely on the ball. This sparked Stage into action and with a superb spell of bowling yet again from Mike Sadler producing 2 for 62 from 12 overs, some fine catching and a short spell from Jonathan Tanner of just 2 overs 2 maidens for 4 wickets to wrap up the Horsley innings in just 37 overs. The Stage reply got of to a poor start with wickets falling early. Paul Bailey and Dominic Ramjag steadied the ship however a run out ended the partnership and 3 wickets fell on 67. Despite some good batting from Yakub Vora 47 and man of the match Jonathan Tanner 23 not out Stage ended up 25 runs short of victory.

19-Jun

Thu

Wembley

Drawn

201-7

234-7

dec

Khan

Durden

4-65

On a very windy day that seemed more like autumn than mid-summer, Stage lost the toss and had to field with only 8 men as Paul Bailey's car had broken down and for the first time this season Peter Jenner was late. I wont tell you why Roger Barrett was not there (please ask him). Wembley loaned us 2 players and we took the field only to be punished by a young opening batsman Shah 120 and Raz Sialui 71. Highlights of the Stage bowling was a welcome return for Brian Jackson with 6 overs for 18 with 2 catches dropped and a stumping missed by yours truly. (Jenner should not have been late) and Richard Durden who took 4 wickets in his second spell down the hill could have been 5 except another stumping missed. Wembley declared on 234. We made a good fist of the chase and despite an interesting last over when Asad Khan was bowled on 78 followed on the next ball by Richard Durden (primary club) however John Hoare stemmed the flow of wickets and stayed there for the final 3 balls falling leaving Stage 34 runs short of victory and Wembley needing 2 wickets .

22-Jun

Sun

Tiffin Tercels

Won - 5 wkts

171-5

170

a/o

Chitty

Beeching

3-21

34.5

40.1

Tiffins won the toss a decided to bat. Stage took the field with ten men despite Will Chitty watching from the boundary with his 2 children. Tiffins first wicket fell in the first over of the match to a fine ball from Simon Price and wickets then continued to fall on a regular basis. It was definitely a day for left arm bowlers with fine spells from Tom Whyte 2 for 52, Roger Barrett 2 for 4 and Richard Beeching, who was playing against his old school, taking 3 for 21. With one wickets to fall Will's soon to be wife Sarah arrived to look after the children and he was able to take the field, this was an added bonus for the Stage as a superb knock from Will of 86 took the Stage to a fine and rare victory against Tiffin Tercels.

25-Jun

Wed

Tiddington

Drawn

191-6

221-4

dec

Mestecky

Whyte

3-69

35.1

Tiddington won the toss and decided to bat and Stage took the field with just 9 players and were put to the sword very early on. Eventually the missing players arrived and Stage tried to fill the gaps unsuccessfully. Tiddington declared setting a very fair total of 221 for 4 with the best spell coming from Tom Whyte with 3 for 69. Stage's reply got off to a miserable start and it took David Mestecky with a fine 51 to put us back on track. Jeff Davis had to ask for a runner during his innings because of an Achilles problem and on the first ball with the runner all 3 batsman were at the same end. Amazingly there was no run out however Brian Jackson umpiring at square leg could not control the laughter. The next man in was Asif Padhani also batting with a runner. Even with 4 batsman at the crease Stage failed to get the total and the match was drawn.

29-Jun

Sun

Hanwell

Lost - 6 runs

161

a/o

167-8

dec

Godfrey

Jackson

3-21

39.5

03-Jul

Thu

Dulwich

Won - -1 run (D/L)

367-5

182

a/o

Oldroyd

134

Barclay

3-41

Oldroyd, Ansari, Davis and Extras gorge themselves on fleshy carcass of weakly Dulwich bowling

In an act of almost obscene gluttony, the Stage batsmen feasted for 40 overs on a lacklustre Dulwich attack. Oldroyd, in particular, was merciless as he sank his fangs into the long hops and full tosses that were served up to him as the main course by Dulwich. Runs came faster than a bishop escaping from a brothel raid (a slightly tenuous metaphor, I feel - Ed.) as the Stage amassed a monumental 367 for 5.

5 sixes were hit in one over by Oldroyd who scored in 134 in 12 overs. No Dulwich bowler was spared from the onslaught as an apparently unassailable target was set for Dulwich to score in their 40 overs. The hand of fate intervened at this point, in the form of a heavy shower at tea, and after some deliberations, it was decided that Dulwich be invited to score exactly half the score (183) in exactly half the overs (20). Duckworth and Lewis, it would appear have become the new Laurel & Hardy or Rosencrantz and Guldenstern of 21st Century Cricket. The early Dulwich batting set about their task with due diligence and were up with the clock when Barclay was introduced in to the attack. Barclay's off-spin bore a striking resemblance to that of the evergreen Gibson, of Dulwich Saturday 6th XI renown. This may have been due to the fact, that they are in fact one and the same person. The usual mixture of innocuous and beguiling long hops and full tosses not only applied the brakes on Dulwich's headlong chase but also made inroads into their batting order. Barclay ultimately removed 3 batsmen in his allotted 4 overs, but Dulwich remained a threat and the 183 began to appear as a very realisable score. Amid heightened tension skipper Oldroyd took the ball for the final over with 3 results possible. The second ball of the over was struck with great force towards Barclay at deep mid-on. The rest of the Stage team were thunderstruck as the hapless Barclay somehow contrived to allow the ball to cross the boundary for 4. Was this a case of divided loyalties or a rather pathetic exhibition of inept fielding? The final ball of the match arrived with Dulwich's last pair still requiring two to win. Dulwich's number 11 struck the ball straight at the onrushing and irrepressible Oldroyd, who fielded the ball, turned and ran the last batsman out with out completing his run. Victory by 1 run! Penned by Jim Bambozler Barclay

06-Jul

Sun

N.P.L & Lensbury

Cancelled

09-Jul

Wed

Flycatchers

Cancelled

13-Jul

Sun

Barnes

Won - 4 wkts

276-6

274-5

Ansari

111

Khan

2-11

Well,where should I start?

Most reporters would start at the beginning of the match, but most of the "hot stuff" happened before then. Having assessed the pace of the bowler (Harte) and the hardness of the pitch, yours truly was standing several inches behind the stumps in readiness for the first delivery of the match ,when I heard a commotion on the boundary's edge.

I looked up, expecting to see, at the very least, a streaker on the pitch, and it was with some disappointment that I saw Yakub rolling around the pitch holding his ankle. In many ways he looked like Diego Simeone after Beckham had pole-axed him, and I can assure you that we ( his team mates) were very concerned about the situation. We were saying things like "you alright mate" (me)"uncle you hurting bad!( his nephew Fais) and, and "jolly hockey-sticks that looks very painful old sport" ( Oliver Blunt, QC). In truth we were only concerned because we needed his bowling and batting, we couldn't give a stuff about his foot.

Someone even said stick him on the bus to the hospital, but as it turns out Yaks suffered a broken foot and your reporter's wife had to drag him off to casualty and then drop him home later.

How anybody could break their foot moving a sightscreen is anybody's guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On to the match itself. Barnes started very well and were cruising along when Matt Gallagher, bowling a consistent line (in the corridor of stupidity six inches outside leg stump, much to the consternation of the keeper) hit the opening bat plumb in front of leg stump, and well on the front foot, and he was needless to say rather underwhelmed when the umpire stuck his finger up.

That bought in the veteran number three, the captain, but a jolly good player, and he set about the Stage bowling with gusto. There wasn't really much to say about the Stage bowling; it was not helped by the pitch ( flat as a pancake), the overhead conditions( no cloud cover) and the ball ( no bottle top), and Barnes happily swung there way to 274 runs in their 40 overs.

They could have had many more had it not been for some brilliant fielding.

Alfie took a catch at extra cover in a somewhat unorthodox manner; if you can imagine this, he managed to catch the ball behind his left shoulder whilst having his fingers facing the sky, but having his arms at waist level!!

And all this despite being sleep deprived as a result of having a late night (Boney M tribute) and a very early morning ( Landlord/Tenant dispute) resulted in him turning up 90 minutes late.

Sam( Yakub's brother in law) fielded brilliantly but only when Johnny Hoare was bowling in the final ten overs, and when asked what happened in the first thirty ,when he missed everything, he said that it took him some time to warm up!!!!

Matt G also distinguished himself in the field ,not least when he combined fielding at long off with babysitting his little child while his wife had a bathroom break.

I must also mention Asif P's brilliant effort at slip, when he somehow managed to drop the ball heading straight for his stomach, much to Dom's disgust.

A special mention for young faiz ( another Vora) who fielded very well and took a stunning catch at square of a dipping Johnny Hoare full toss ( his words not mine).

The next most significant event was the tea, which was magnificent, and so the Stage batters

got their pads on in readiness for the chase. Unfortunately we didn't have Owen Oldroyd today(134 last week) ,but we had a more than able deputy in the form of the destroyer himself, the insomniac's dream ,Mr Asif Padhani.

Despite not being able to run properly ( stop it you cynics, I know what you are thinking) Asif set about the oppo bowling literally on one leg, and with the help extras ( there were seventy in all) and the other Asif, we had 90 on the board in no time.

Asif P then hammered the ball gently to mid off, whereupon Tom ( who had subbed for us earlier ) leapt several feet off the ground and caught it in mid air. Asif limped of, but that only increased Barnes's misery further ,as Asad and Asif A then smashed another 120 for the second wicket, Asad eventually falling for a quick 40.

Asad promptly returned to the crease, but only to act as a runner for Sir Peter Thomson, who by all accounts must have been a mighty fine cricketer back in the days of WG. Unfortunately today was not his day, as he was run out ( even though he was standing at square leg next to the umpire) without facing a ball as Asif A called Asad for a quick single ( he NEARLY made it)

In came Matt G and he and Asif slogged it around and got us with in fifty runs of the target, whereupon Asif got out having just reached his hundred, and it was left to the strong Stage middle order ( Harte, and the three V's Vora, Vora, Vora) to finish off the job.

All in all, it was a lovely day,550 runs scored, only the one broken bone, and Stage carry their impressive from ( unbeaten this month) into Wednesday's game at Richmond.

Anybody looking at the scores must thing " blimey these guys rack up 360 and 270 every week".

What little do they know............

Best of luck in your recovery Yakub and thanks to the three V s for ensuring that we had ( nearly) eleven at the start

Over and out Penned by Asif Ansari

16-Jul

Wed

Richmond

Drawn

223-5

dec

214-7

Gibbs

65*

Harte

4-63

What a Game!! What a day.

weather was hot hot hot, there was a big crowd in ( at least four men and a dog) all nervously waiting to see what Alan Watkins ,or Taff to his mates, was going to order for lunch. I shall put you out of your misery; it was a burger and chips. The perfect diet for our opening bowler. Alan was making his debut for the Stage, along with Nick Burroughs, a Spencer reject who fancied a game for us. Out of sympathy for him Owen (the imperious captain of SCC) let the two new boys open the bowling but enough of that ,let's talk about the batting.

How complicated can it to work an electronic scoreboard? Domin Ramjag and Asif (the good looking one, not the one that spends four hours in the showers (normally with the other Dominic, cracking each others bones) had rattled up 984 runs before they even started before Peter Rochford realised that the "reset" button meant, well reset actually, and we could begin.

Asif gave a master class of how to face the Australian overseas quickie, who called him "rubbish" at the end of the over, which promptly caused Asif to burst into tears as a result of that vicious sledging. Asif used his full array of shots, effortlessly driving, almost caressing (ala David Gower) the Ozzie through the slip and gully region off the outside edge, much to the consternation of the young fast bowler. Dominic Ramjag fell early and was soon followed by Owen, but that only bough Jeff (boom boom) Davis to the crease. they added a few, but when Asif went soon after that bought Ollie Gibbs (of Shepherd Bush gardening fame) and he smashed the Richmond bowling all over the place, ably assisted by the younger Dom (Harte), finishing on 65 not out as Stage decked on 223 for 5.

Richmond's reply was a bit of a mixed bag. Nick B showed his class immediately by sending down a very long long hop first ball. Everybody was looking at Asif (who told us that he was a good bowler ,a proper cricketer) who merely shrugged his shoulders, and said that he might be a bit stiff. But Nick got better, as did Alan and we did well to contain the strong Richmond batting line up, the Ozzie prop being one of them (eventually getting a ton)

The highlight of the innings has got to be Dom Harte's hat-trick (all bowled). He got four wickets in all but The most notable thing was that, rather unusually, we fielded absolutely magnificently and this was the main reason Richmond fell short by 4 runs and being 8 down at the end.

All in all a great game against a good-natured oppo

Well played The Stage!!

Penned by Asif Ansari (If you had not guessed)

23-Jul

Wed

Taplow

Drawn

236-9

259-8

dec

Davis

83*

Hoare

3-76

Close your eyes.

Imagine listening to Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Fanfare For the Common Man

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dZsGemL0O-4 if you're really interested)

Enter the Doc.

The latest and newest member to wear a Stage shirt.

Rumour has it that the Doc flew in on a specially chartered plane all the way from Germany just for this game, and he added much needed ,and it is fair to say that he left a lasting impression on those that came to see him.

Apologies to Johnny Hoare for nearly giving you a coronary. I knew he was'nt the other Doc that I was slagging off!!

The game......Taplow batted first and it is fair to say that the most stupid thing The Stage has done this year is the get the first two Taplow wickets, because that bought the two Sri Lankan boys together, who smashed us all over the park (scoring 180 between them in no time at all).

They eventually got bored and allowed themselves to be dismissed so that others could have a bat. Sorry John Hoare (again) but I stand by my original belief that he missed it on purpose and being a thorough reporter I asked him after the game and he said that that was true. Taplow eventually decked on 250(ish) and Stage began their innings.

We started brilliantly and were racing along until the second over when Andy got caught and Asif followed soon after. Ollie Gibbs repeated his heroics of Richmond by smashing another fifty, including a massive six over mid wicket, eventually falling valiantly trying to keep up with the run rate. This bought Captain Courageous (Jeff) to the crease, and he single handily dragged us towards the winning line. As usual Jeff demonstrated his unique array of batting skills, punctuated with the odd orthodox textbook straight that any proper batter would be proud of , not least the cover drive of their quickie that will leave a lasting memory in the minds of all that were lucky enough to see it. Just think, in years to come, we will all remember where we were when JFK was shot, England won the football, and when Jeff hit a cover drive!!!! Sorry Jeff, I still love you!!!!!!

We fell just a few runs short, and there was nothing else memorable in the innings other than Jim Barclays cameo of 30 including being run out (not sure about this one as Jim was not playing Note from Editor)and the oppo not appealing, and of course Tom White's duck (yes, another one I'm afraid), and Peter Rochford and Jeff batted out for a draw 25 runs from the target, Jeff finishing on 83 not out, much to the delight of the Davis family in attendance.

Thanks to the oppo captain for making such a fantastic game of it. Who says timed games are boring?

This report is dedicated to Tom Whyte, our published author. Any errors (gramatickal or otherwhyze) are dedicated to Jimmy White.
Penned by Asif Ansari

27-Jul

Sun

Little Marlow

Won - 6 wkts

225-4

222-6

dec

Ansari

111*

Shaw

1-13

Owing to Wimbledon's participation in the Evening Standard cup, we found ourselves in leafy Little Marlow, a beautiful ground in a picturesque village in Bucks, courtesy of the CCC.

Owing to captain Owen Oldroyd's delay in traffic, Asif went and tossed with the captain, and called incorrectly, which meant we fielded in the blooming hot sun for 41 overs. They set us 223 to win and which was largely down to Johnny Hoare and our guest "steve" that we were not chasing significantly more. JH sent down 9 overs for 20 runs on a totally batsmen friendly wicket, demonstrating that it is not all just about raw pace, but about experience, something that he has has precious little of the former but too much of the latter!!

The two v's (Vora and Vora) who were drafted in at short notice to replace some late dropouts played very well. Indeed Sam ( father of Fais) sent down a succession of long hops, all gratefully slapped to the point boundary by the opening bat, and it was left to Alex ?, our tall quick bowler, to restore some order to proceedings with some tight bowling, and then Faiz (12 years old) cleaned up their opening bat (80 odd runs) near the end of the innings. Some lusty hitting at the end meant that we had to score 223 to win.

Neil Panchoo and Asif opened and had 70 on the board when Neil got out, but unfortunately (for them) this only bought Owen to the crease. Now for those of you that did not read the Dulwich report, Owen Oldroyd hit 12 sixes in his 134 runs, and this time he smashed 7 or 8. Between me and you , he said that it might be a bit boring if he didn't get out so he retired on 65 with a mysteriously damaged hand. Enter and exit Dominic Harte.

Think Emerson Lake and Palmer again http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dZsGemL0O-4 to save you scrolling up again. The Doc and Asif put on 10 runs, the Doc falling with only a few runs required. The Stage eventually wining by 5 wickets. After we all retied to the pub for well earned drink, and we hope that Little Marlow will invite us again next year.

Off to Gloucester on Friday. To all you Gypsies out there, be afraid, be very afraid!!!
Penned by Asif Ansari

02-Aug

Sat

Ram Inn

Cancelled

08-Aug

Fri

Gloucester Gipsies

Drawn

194-8

213-3

dec

Ansari

101

Harte

1-11

10-Aug

Sun

Ealing

Abandoned

171-7

dec

Oldroyd

13-Aug

Wed

Worcester Park

Cancelled

17-Aug

Sun

Provender

Won - 25 runs

161-8

136-9

Ramjag

55*

Curtis

2-18

20-Aug

Wed

Sevenoaks & District

Drawn

219-5

dec

171-8

Oldroyd

Bowry

4-47

24-Aug

Sun

Tilford

Drawn

258-4

dec

209-9

Oldroyd

103

Price

3-22

41.2

27-Aug

Wed

Old Camdenians

Drawn

254-5

dec

111-7

Barrett

Oldroyd

3-13

31-Aug

Sun

Merstham

Cancelled

03-Sep

Wed

Gaietes

Lost - 74 runs

162

a/o

236-6

dec

Ramjag

Whyte

2-53

45.2

07-Sep

Sun

Royal Household

Cancelled

10-Sep

Wed

Cross Arrows

Lost - 7 wkts

158

a/o

161-3

Bowry

63*

Whyte

2-52

46.5

22.2

21-Sep

Sun

H.A.C.

Cancelled

25-Sep

Thu

Montenotte

Drawn

226-8

dec

161-5

Oldroyd

3-15

37.3

05-Oct

Sun

Highgate

Cancelled

08-Oct

Wed

Old Victorians

Cancelled