Well what a day for records. First and foremost the highest score for the club of 131 held by Dave Howard for five decades or more has finally fallen.
Many have tried and been close over the years but it has finally fallen thanks to Denis and an unbeaten 135 not out. Added to that was a 3rd wicket stand of 157 with Bob to which Den contributed exactly 100 as Bob playing the supporting role scored 43. Then there was Andy H’s top score for the club with 27 and when the Ives took to the field Richard recording his best return for the club of 5 for 13 in 8 overs as a 200 run win was recorded which must again be a record.
To tell the story in more detail after losing the last 3 games to bad weather it was somewhat of a surprise to everyone that there was no email on the morning of the match to say that the game was called off on what turned out to be the best day of the summer so far.
Ilford Catholics recognising they were understrength offered an agreed toss and so it was that the Ives batted first in a 40 over game.
The innings started with Chris B and Denis opening .They put only 10 on the board before Badders (2) was caught by the wicket keeper bringing Andrew H to the wicket. Together with Den the pair proceeded to put on 60 in 12 overs before Andy (27) was dismissed. This brought in Bob “The Batsman” Collins who with Denis put together a record stand for the third wicket of157 in only 21 overs with Denis contributing 100 of these before Bob was caught on 43. Laird Christopher “2 Plates” Parnell came next and as Denis continued to accumulate runs at the other end they added 5 runs to the score before Chris was bowled to be followed shortly after by Ciaran “The Beast” Woodcock . Malcolm added 4 runs in the final over to leave Denis unbeaten and with a new club record score of 135 not out and a total Ives score of 238 for 5 in 40 overs.
After tea Ives took to the field with the bowling attack of The Beast and ’Lionel’ Richard Parnell. They were quickly among the wickets as Ilford Catholics collapsed with Ciaran taking 2 for 19 in his 8 overs and Richard 5 for 13 in his assisted by catches by Adrian, Andy C, Andy H, and one each for Ciaran & Richard.. With Andy C taking over from Ciaran and taking 1 for no runs in his 1 over it was left to Badders making his annual bowling appearance to finish the game off in the only way he knows how. On a hat trick from his only spell last year Chris failed to achieve this feat with his first bal lthis time only to again dismiss the last two Ilford batsmen in 2 balls to again be on a hat trick next season when the annual call from the skipper comes. So Ilford Catholics were dismissed for 38 to end a day of sun and club records.