September 2013

After Hillingdon got off to a quick fire start on a cloudy afternoon it took the intervention of Den (3 for 13 in 5 overs) to bring the scoring rate down and reduce the opposition from 60 for 0 to 79 for 3, aided by catches from Malcolm & Richard. Hillingdon then rebuilt with a century stand before a late wicket from Andy C to a catch by Earle and 2 wickets from Ciaran brought the Hillingdon innings to a close at 200 for 6 at tea.

In reply and in gloomy conditions Ives made a steady start from Andy H (19) and Den (11) before 3 wickets quickly fell. Phil K (21) and Richard (35) restored some order and with Adrian (20) and Earle (31no) making a late charge, Andy C (17no) tried to get the Ives over the line but was left a little too much to do as the innings closed on 188 for 8.

One run out, one catch, one wicket and two runs. Maybe Andy C should play once every 5 months all the time. Still great to have him back in action, puffing away as usual, but at least now on multi coloured ecigarettes and not the dreaded weed. Added to that Andy H came up with another excellent fixture with the tea very much up to the standard the Ives have come to expect and friendly opposition.

As to the match, Little Berkhamsted went off at quick pace, scoring at close to 8 an over initially and it took Andy C to show what we have been missing in the field with a lightning piece of fielding(!) to run out the opener by the length of the pitch and bring the 1st wicket. The introduction of Lawrence and Adrian slowed the scoring and after the other opener had reached his half century Adrian enticed him down the pitch to bowl him for 66, beating him in the flight and finish with 2 for 27 from 8 overs. With Lawrence taking 1 for 49, Richard 1 for 63 and Andy C in his first spell of the season 1 for 19 and catches for Earle and Lawrence as well as Andy C, Little Berko closed on 224 for 6 at tea.

Andy H got the Ives of to an excellent start with a quick fire 24 and after Phil P fell quickly, the innings continued at an average of 5 an over with scores of 38 from Richard, 23 from Phil K, and 27 from Adrian. Unfortunately no one went on to the big score that might have carried the game home and Ives eventually succumbed, 159 all out but an enjoyable match nonetheless and one o hopefully retain next season.

With one or two players feeling a little lethargic following Den’s surprise 65th birthday party the night before and one, who shall remain nameless (Joe), not even making it to the match, Ive’s batted first against Nazeing and after the early departure of Bob, Den and Raj set about giving the Ives a start with a 2nd wicket stand of 53 before Raj fell for 34. 80 was on the board after the first hours play as Phil P joined Den and kept the score moving with 22 before a lull as 3 wickets fell and the score quickly became 131 for 6 with 40 minutes still left to bat. Den outscored his age by 1 before departing for a fine 66 as Andy H with a quick fire 43 made sure the 200 came up with Ives declaring at 202 for 9 at tea.

In reply the Nazeing openers proved difficult to remove and put on 49 in good time before Lawrence stepped in to take the first wicket and it was then Adrian aided by catches from Richard, Phil P (2) and Ciaran who turned the match Ives way with 5 for 38 in 11 overs to reduce Nazeing to 129 for 7. Richard then removed the stubborn Nazing no. 8 with his first ball for 23 again caught by Phil P, but victory proved elusive as Nazeing held on, closing on 139 for 8 and a draw.