Ivanhoe v Hillingdon Manor – 29 September 2012

As with last week Ives found themselves facing a team with a sprinkling of 1st team players which was always likely to make it a difficult match and having elected to bat Den, Earle, Chris B and Richard quickly found the extravagant swing of Hillingdon’s opening bowler too much to handle as they all departed with only 15 on the board.  Bob steadied the ship with 25 and with good knocks from Ciaran (24) and Andy H (29) the innings at least went the full 40 overs to close on 117 for 9.

Despite the best efforts of Ciaran and Richard (1 for 26) in the opening overs and excellent spells from Den (1 for 28) and Andy C (2 for 33) Hillingdon were never in danger of losing and won in the 20th over by 6 wickets.

With one match to go interest turns to the Parnell/WilsonTrophy where Richard currently hold a small advantage over Andy H but where Adrian could still run out the winner.

For the Weatherburn/Martin Tankard thanks to Andy C missing a chance of Richard in the Hillingdon game he, Ciaran and Malcolm are currently sharing the lead on 8 catches with Richard only one behind.

Finally a reminder to everyone that as matters stand the AGM is on Sunday 14 October.  Venue to be confirmed

Ivanhoe v Woodford Green – 22 September 2012

Charge of Ivanhoe brigade
Cannon to right of them,Cannon to left of them,Cannon in front of them ,Volley’d and thunder’d; Storm’d at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well,Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell , Rode the eleven .
OTT maybe, but it seems to sum this season up for me .
Not for the first time this season, we turn up to find the Oppo has a ” COUPLE OF FIRST TEAMERS ” playing .Straight away we know its going to be another tough match, and so it proved to be !!!
Bob ( captain standing Marvel) has done so well to get another team out….11 bodies, injured , aching and battered men…..Where is are young superstar teenager !!!!
So into battle we go, Oppo bat first…off to a flier, but lose wickets regular…at 110 for 5 , game in the balance, but big hitting batsmen keep coming no’s 6 , 7 ,8 , 9 ..big bats and big shots. With only 5 bowlers, all bowled well CW 2 FOR 28 (my bowler off the season ) AH 3 for 48 , DE 1 for 35 , AC 2 for 38 ….and poor old PP 1 for 70, in his first spell of the season and suffering a big chest infection ( A GREAT TEAM PLAYER) Oppo close on 221 for 9…..you know its a tough game, when you think you have done well to keep down to 220 !!!!!!
So chasing 221 , Ives get off to a bad start losing Den ( run machine) early, then lose regular wickets to the very good bowling attack . Only a good knock from MP, some super off drives, PK 23  and some big hits AH 20 N.O ….Ives 110 all out
No disgrace considering the Oppo.
So another tough match, in a very tough season……In my opinion , somehow we need to arrange matches more on our standard. WE are an weak to med over 40’s team ( with a couple of stroppy teenagers) Then , hopefully , we can enjoy closer and more entertaining cricket !!

Ivanhoe V Old Merchant Taylors C.C 15 September 2012

Match Report v OMT 15.9.12

This was our first visit to the new OMT ground at the school site.. and most impressive everything was. The pavilion/bar/pitch .. even carpets in the changing rooms.. but our hosts continued with the same hospitality of old and the time declaration match was played in a great atmosphere.

Having won the toss and elected to field , on a glorious late summer’s day , and on a batting paradise, it was up to Ivanhoe to bowl the opposition out. However after one early success OMT pressed on quickly till 2 wickets at the same score brought the to 86- 4. Ivanhoe could not capitalise on this breakthrough and a number of OMT batsmen came in and pushed quickly into the 40s, all being dismissed as their 50 approached. Christie and Woodcock toiled in the sun.. and kept the score in check and the batsmen alert… and each had to bowl rather more than the standard spell. Woodcock gained his reward with 3 wkts but Andy “I’m unlucky” Christie only gained the one. With opening bowler L Parnell joining the ranks of Baddeley on the physio’s couch, it was lucky that Evans came good with 3 wickets and Bass and the returning (to bowling) Hausler each claimed a victim. OMT declared on 234-9 after 44 oversand full credit must go to the fielders who stuck at it .. D. Bass’ 2 important catches taken nonchalantly; catches from Woodcock, a relieved P Parnell, an outstanding over the shoulder one from L Parnell and Evans.. and special mentions for C Parnell who was on fire in the field, and keeper Kenchington who kept well throughout, even though the ball came through at variable heights.
When Ives innings began , similar to the previous match, we found ourselves at 10-2 facing possible annihilation and at least a huge uphill task. Luckily Evans had put his dancing shoes aside and returned to the crease, still in batting form and he and Collins put on 94 to take Ives to 104 -3 and almost into the final 20 overs. After Evans’ fine 54, Collins innings stagnated .. and according to the scoreboard actually when into reverse.. but was eventually caught behind for 35. The rest of the innings was memorable for a huge Kenchington 6 , cameos from D Woodcock and from Christie, who after his long bowling spell found exhaustion affected his eyesight! and in particular from L Parnell (with runner) and C Woodcock who both contained themselves with sensible defense and still managed to reach double figures as they snuffed out the possibility of defeat with their unbroken 8th wicket stand, leaving Ives on 155-7 after 48 overs..
A good effort all round with resilience from the middle and lower batting order but a losing draw nevertheless to a good side. For victory we needed to be chasing a few less and to aim for a firmer base/launch pad from the top order. However, it should be remembered that in the field, options were limited by injuries (L Parnell, Hausler, Baddeley), and age ( L Parnell, Hausler.. well everyone really except the Woodcocks/Bass and C Parnell.)
Acting skipper Collins

Ivanhoe v Mayfield – 9 September 2012

Having won the toss Bob elected to bat on another hot afternoon but after 2 overs with the score 6 for 2 he must have wondered whether that was a good decision.  However 3rd and 5th wicket stands of 85 each firstly by Phil P (28) and Richard (40) and then Phil K (33) and the skipper himself(46no), together with a generous helping of extras allowed Ives close on 187 for 6 at tea.

The Mayfield reply opened in a similar way and 3 wickets for Ciaran with only 17 on the board looked likely to give Ives the edge but some big hitting by Patel with 78 aided by Morara with 45 eventually saw Mayfield home with overs to spare with only a returning Andy H with 2 late wickets and a run out by Ciaran disturbing their march to victory.

Ivanhoe v Sheen – 1 September 2012

Ham is a long way to go for a game of cricket but it was definitely worth it.  Ivanhoe had a bat first while we waited for the stragglers to negotiate the M25. Traffic delays meant a 35 over game. Openers Chris B and Dennis worked hard to stave off a quality Sheen bowling attack.  Once the hard work was done it was time for the run makers.  Step up Bob with a steady 47 and Richard P with a solid 63 not out and Ivanhoe posted a fairly achievable 151.

Post tea Sheen started impressively and 151 was looking woefully inadequate. Ivanhoe weren’t daunted though despite a bowling shortage.  Ciaran (27-2) took the Sheen skippers wicket while Lawrence P (49-4) took the lion’s share.  Sheen advanced ever closer with wickets in hand, but a valiant all round effort in the field meant they needed 7 to win in the final over.  Step up Lawrence P.  Ball 1 was a fumbled stumping by keeper Phil K. Dot ball. Ball 2 was another swing and miss. Dot ball. Ball 3 was the stumping ball 1 was meant to be. Two more runs left Sheen needing 4 to tie from the final ball but it was not to be. Another win for Ivanhoe in a game which could easily have gone the other way.