2019

Sandon batted first in a timed game. The openers were cautious in response to excellent opening spells from Woodcock and Parnell R, but it took some time before they each claimed a wicket, not helped by dropped catches (off Parnell). Replaced by the very economical but unlucky Prasad (5.1.10.0) and Loveday who bowled a pleasing spell (7.0.33.2) which included a delightful boundary catch for Parnell R. With 4 wickets down the Sandon 5th wicket pair knuckled down and gradually increased the scoring rate as Hausler (his spin not as tight as in previous outings), Vijay and Krshna all had their moments but no outright success. With 7 bowlers already used it was back to the opening pair to draw things to a rapid conclusion , with the economical Parnell R unlucky to only have 4 wickets in his figures of 9.3.28.4. A key runout (after another dropped catch off Parnell R) by Dinaker and Kenchington P was also crucial along with 2 more wickets for Woodcock (11.1.51.3) one of which came courtesy of one sublime left handed catch at 2nd slip by skipper Collins. 2 catches by Dinaker and P Kenchington’s athleticism behind the stumps were also highlights. Sandon were bowled out for 183, and Ivanhoe can reflect on an efficient bowling and fielding performance.

Thanks to Richard and Janet for a plentiful tea, which luckily included the Kenchington “bakewells”
Club skipper had to depart early to satisfy his girlfriend, but his batting was not missed as Ives had a ready replacement in Kenchington D, and, in any case, the heavy rain came down after 7.1 overs during which time Parnell S managed a golden duck courtesy of a well taken caught and bowled by bowler Atkins, and Ives reached 14-1 with Parnell R (10) and Vijay (2) steady and watchful against accurate bowling on a testing length. We will never know how the match would have ended without the deluge, but in 3 weeks’ time the return fixture may give some idea.

Bob C

The match was played at Rickmansworth CC. Nice scenic setting with good clubhouse and bar. Pitch was hard, pockmarked with a grassy cover.

As ever my prediction of a fast pitch was completely wrong with the ball keeping quite slow and low. Ivanhoe won the toss and sent in Batchworth, who had 10 players, into bat.

They had a slow start, accelerated, then were held back towards the end for a total of 208. Their captain starred with an unbeaten 77 not out whilst their number 3 got 50.

Pick of the bowlers were Andrew with 2 – 29, Ciaran (3-30), and Richard (1-36) and Prasad, who despite not getting a wicket, continually beat the bat and ended on 0 – 30.

Newcomer Vijay got 1-55, his wicket being a good reward after finally getting his length in bowling at the death.  Phil.K  did some great work behind the stumps with 2 catches (1 was a dive in front of 1^st slip who frankly had fallen asleep) and a stumping. Dexter ran around like crazy saving numerous runs (or rather his shins doing the saving) down at fine leg or long off.

After a nice Tea, Ivanhoe set out to try to get to an above 200 target which we have continually struggled to reach this season.

The tale of our Innings was a promising fast Start (after early loss of Phil.K) with Richard (59) and Steven (24) sharing a 68 run 2^nd wicket partnership, smacking the ball to all corners of the field, before Steven (bowled) and Richard (runout) were gone. Thereafter, a famous Ivanhoe mid-order collapse of 4 batsman (only honours going to Dexter getting his first run off the first ball faced). At this point one could throw up their hands in despair of an impending thrashing …… but Vijay (40) with John Loveday (11) shared an 8^th wicket partnership of 53, and then Prasad (9….but with a first ball 6) kept our hopes alive before we finally fell short on 196 all out!!

Good game and great to see some new faces in the squad. (Credit to Prasad for organising his friends appearance!!)

Andrew H.

After a number of close losses Ivanhoe finally prospered with its first win of the season.

It was an emphatic victory. We played at Bentley Heaths lovely ground in the Wroxham Park estate.

The pitch looked a bit dodgy and so it transpired with the ball shooting up and down unpredictably for both sets of batsmen.

Bentley Heath were weaker on the day but that should not detract from our performance.

Ivanhoe batted first with temporary captain Collins (until our regular tosser Woodcock arrived) loosing the toss.

The first two partnerships of 77 (Richard a steady 37 before trigger-finger Loveday gave an lbw) and 80 (Collins 66 and Max 52) were
the foundation of our Innings with not much else to write home about (Woodcock 11 and Nathan 10).

Ivanhoe finished on 191 for 7.

Of special mention was Bobs record breaking run of 14 consecutive singles!!

After a nice Tea, Bentley Heath started their Innings.

It was finished in 26 overs, all out for 54! None of their batsmen reached double figures. Ivanhoe fielded well with 2 catches for Max and 1 for Hausler.

Best bowling for Ives were Hausler ( 3-12), Loveday ( 2-10), Woodcock (1-5) and Richard Parnell (3-13).

Man of the Match would be a close call, with Richard’s all round performance being pipped by Bobs excellent Innings and Singles record.

Andy H.

Nearly 400 runs for13 wickets: not a bad afternoon for cricket but Ives were on the wrong side of the result, a match they had not looked like losing for long periods.

On winning the toss Ives batted on a used but benign strip. Openers Abrahamson and Kenchington faced the strongest bowling of the day and both perished. Parnell R struck some useful blows but also had to go. Dancer and Woodcock made progress, but when the former departed Ives were just 60-4. Woodcock (37) and Collins, the anchor, (41*) rebuilt and took Ives past 100. Parnell M (26), at number 7, struck one over particularly savagely, and Ives passed the 175 target early. Despite losing Zee and Saqib (4) (excellent boundary drive) Ives were able to declare 10 mins early, with Loveday showing he had learned the importance of a not out, defending the last 5 balls! A total of 195-8 was the highest of the season and Ives had plenty of overs to dismiss Octopus.

Tea courtesy of Earle and the Abrahamsons went down well before Octopus found themselves 12- 2 of about 10 overs. Everything was going to plan, but the next pair dug in and it was some time before the next breakthrough. However with 20 overs to go Octopus were 5 down with over a 100 needed. Eight bowlers were used (well 7 plus Zee!), a couple of catches missed, and the 6^th wicket pair, though they looked unorthodox, got their eyes in and creamed everything, finishing with individual highest scores and winning with 3 + overs to spare.

A disappointing result against a team we should play again. With hindsight, maybe on that pitch, we should have bowled first, but batsmen like to bat and dictate the game and there were no complaints at the start. Excellent fielding by Octopus saved many runs, and we could have batted longer, but we went for the win and with everyone fully involved it was what is was – a good match! 

R Collins

After having been inserted Ivanhoe enjoyed a slow but steady opening partnership between Collins and Kenchington, against tight opening bowling. With the change of bowlers came more opportunities and Kenchington (48) took them with a number of  aggressively struck boundaries. He had to go, with the total 63, to a stunning one handed catch and Rosaneri impressed throughout with their committed, energetic and skilful fielding. Zee (13) was just warming up with a couple of fours when he also departed to an outstanding catch. Skipper Woodcock arrived and had his sights on 175+. Challenging running between the wickets followed and innings anchor, Collins (32) departed run out, after a mini mix up and an excellent throw. Woodcock continue to pummel the bowling and neared 50 before more jug avoidance got him out for 48. Dancer, on return from injury, knew the benefits of a not out, duly achieved with 25 and Hausler completed the innings with a lovely cameo, and Ives reached a pleasing 185.

After a filling Kenchington repast, Ives had the best of starts when Hausler induced the opener to play on first ball. However his first spell was not up to his usual standard and Saqib was left on at the other end bowling a great length and getting significant movement. Woodcock bowled quickly and gave the batsmen much to think about though the number 3 (“uncle”) dispatched anybody and everybody to the legside boundary Ives were grateful to see him depart for 55. Otherwise the bowling was well on top and with 20 overs to go Rosaneri were 7 wickets down, though with less than 100 needed. Skipper Woodcock rotated the bowlers and Prasad, Loveday and Dancer all had their moments.  Hausler and Saqib and Woodcock all had second spells, but astute defence from some of the oppo ensured a winning draw, finishing on c 148-9.

Ives can reflect on an enjoyable match but one that should have been won. Too many chances went begging, though few were easy and the fielding awards went to Rosaneri. Of the bowlers  Dancer took his first wicket of the season and the other wickets were shared by Woodcock, Hausler and Saqib (who had 2 caught behind, always a good sign for an opening bowler.)

This match was organised very late in the day due to the Cancellation by Botany Bay.

We played at the quite picturesque Old Cholmeleians CC ground which is off Hendon Wood lane in Barnet.

Ivanhoe was a little weak in numbers (10) with a couple of newbies brought along by Richard.

It was a 40 over Match and Ivanhoe batted first.

Our lowest score of the season ensued – 116 all out (or for 9 wickets), with a number of our regular Batsman (Ciaran – 24, Steven – 16 [but more on Steven further down], Zee – 15, Richard – 10) making decent starts before getting out with the star Batsman being tail-ender John Loveday on 24 not out. His highest score to date and adding a tiny bit of respectability to our Innings.

After a very nice tea, Highgate opened their batting and lost a number of early wickets giving us some slight hope till one of their Batsman hit a quickfire 41 before being dismissed by Ciaran. Pick of the bowlers were Saquib (2-44), Richard (2-11) and Ciaran finishing with 3-33.

Man of the match (and Bravery award) would be Steven who was struck a nasty blow on the face when he opened our Batting, recovered later on to bat again and scored 16, then fielded and took a nice catch. All no doubt while suffering a throbbing head!

Better luck next time Chaps!

Andy H.

First home game of season always takes extra organisation, collecting together everything needed, so thanks to all for helping out, with Richard sourcing the urn and boundary markers and Adrian delivering the tea pot. Even the club kit was remembered.

On a rock hard surface North Weald elected to bat in a time game. Skipper, Parnell R, gave the bowlers short spells, as there was little in the pitch for them, and change was the greatest challenge to the batsmen. The bowling and fielding were of a high standard (despite missing 4 difficult catches) and after one opener finally departed, having scored a half century, the scoring rate was reduced by particularly economical bowling from debutant Poynton (6-1-11-1) and Parnell R (6-2-7-2). The other bowlers were also successful with Hausler (14-2-44-2) and Prasad (11-4-21-2) bowling 2 spells each  and Loveday having his most successful spell since joining the club (8-0-35-1), bowling a little quicker and seeing a proper leg spinner’s wicket caught by keeper Kenchington. Unable to bowl North Weald out they declared on 145-8 after 48 overs.

Tea went down very well, thanks to John Loveday who came up trumps by volunteering and setting a high culinary standard complete with catering health and safety certificate (allegedly).

The Ivanhoe reply was dominated by Kenchington at number 3, after Poynton (13) departed after showing clear potential. Kenchington selected shots wisely and punished anything wide, having the power and timing to reach the boundary regularly. He was rewarded with an invaluable half century (57), and it was perhaps inevitable that his departure changed the game in North Weald’s favour. Parnell S (22) kept things going with at the loss of his wicket went the chances of an Ivanhoe win. The 8^th wicket fell with 9 balls remaining. Parnell C calmly played out the penultimate over, before Prasad, rashly took a single on the 2^nd ball of the last over. Chris was caught next ball, leaving 3 balls to go. Earlier in the innings Parnell P had gone down as if struck by a sniper’s bullet, and had to withdraw for specialist calf treatment from Abrahamson. Suitably bound up, he returned at the death, as only a former captain and leading club officer could. Rather superfluously his brother entered the fray as a runner! The tension rose, the feet were not moving, but the bat was classically angled down with soft hands and Ivanhoe emerged with a draw at 123-9, having received 36 overs (12 less than North Weald).

Overall encouraging, but the batting, with some exceptions, let us down on a blameless track, though credit should also go to the opposition bowlers. Last year we had beaten North Weald by c 90 runs, and this time they played much better and, as before, in absolutely the right spirit, a fixture to hold onto, cherish and enjoy.

Bob C.

This was originally a Tour fixture for the Tour that never was. So after meeting for a pleasant Brunch at Newmarket we headed to  the outskirts of the village of Reach where our opponents relatively new Cricket Field was located. The field was sat in a patch of National Trust land, surrounded by  recent plantings of fruit and traditional trees. The ground was flat and windy, with a telegraph pole within the field, and lacked a Clubhouse. The pitch was rock hard and pock marked with a thin cover of green grass and promised to provide some challenge to batsmen.

Reach batted first. The bowling was opened by Richard (2-46) and Ciaran with an economical and fiery (managing to bruise Reach’s openers) spell of 1-24. Wickets from Andrew, John Loveday (First for club), and a welcome return from Max (1-19) made some progress at slowing their Innings before we had an excellent spell from Matt of 4-13 which ended the Reach Innings at 197. Ciaran starred in the field with 4 decent catches in the outfield. Phil.K performed a brave job behind the stumps and suffered much bruising caused by the variable bounce of the pitch.

So a gettable target and after a pleasant Tea, Ives started our innings. Bob and Phil.K fell cheaply before Richard, with an excellent knock of 60 (with his typical batch of 13 boundaries) was aided by Matt (26) and Ciaran (23). Chris P was elevated to the middle order and did not disappoint by swatting the ball round the field for 4 runs. The match see-sawed with Ives at times looking certain to win before late wickets in a second spell from their quickish opening bowler stopped us in our tracks. Phil.P (24) batted solidly at the end but was left without partners after Max and Andrew were out.

So an exciting but in the end disappointing result but a lot of fun had by all with drinks with the friendly opposition at the “Dykes End” (hmmm – puzzling choice of name for the village pub!).

Andy H.

This was a last minute arranged match due to Coopersale cancelling on us; Potten End were stronger than us but
promised to “make a match of it”. Sometimes  in Cricket Parlance that means the opposition will somewhat limit the Batting practise that their
first team Batsmen get. So we weren’t annihilated, instead we were beaten convincingly.

Potten End batted first on their picturesque ground and soft wicket and reached 300. Their openers started strongly, despite two dodgy umpiring decisions in Richards first over (clear LBW, and clear Runout) but Andrew (2 -41) and Richard pegged them back slightly. However their opener (90 odd) and two 50’s from other players saw them to a large total.

Ciaran’s spell of 1 – 41 was noteworthy as was Saqibs second spell. Catching was good, especially John Loveday’s boundary fumble and catch on the second attempt.

Nice lunch was had then Ivanhoe began our Innings. Potten Ends opening bowler was quite quick off a short runup (I think Zee was expecting leg spin 😉) and ended up with 4 wickets.

After Zee’s quick departure, Matt, and Richard (20) got off to good starts with nice shots. Steven and Bob fell cheaply then with Ivanhoe struggling to reach 100 Andrew came in (29) and had a good partnership (45) with John (high score of 19!!!).

The tail wagged somewhat with Saqib and Prasad knocking 4’s but Ivanhoe finished on ~145.

Man of the match??? (My vote goes to John Loveday for 1. Annoying the hell out of their Batsman with his Banter 2. Making a wonderful catch in the outfield. 3. Getting his high score and annoying the hell out of their Bowlers with his Banter!)

Andy H.

The season finally got underway at Arkley on a day of mixed weather, and, after the recent rain, a very stodgy track. A timed game, Ives were inserted, having lost the toss.

Runs were difficult to come by, and the openers did well to blunt the opening attack, until Parnell P departed. Kenchington complemented watchful defence with some powerful blows and reached 31 before an unfortunate hit wicket dismissal. A stand between Collins and Parnell R was slow but runs were accrued, until Collins’ first aggressive shot found him caught at deep square leg for 22. Parnell R played exceptionally well, cautious but selecting the one to hit, and hit very effectively, reaching 41, before a surprise run out. The tail wagged with everyone making a contribution except for Hausler who made 0 not out, admittedly from only one ball. The declaration came at 150-8 and no one knew how that would shape as a target.

Tea went down very well and then Arkley batted, on a track that seemed a little quicker and drier, but no easier. Loveday opened the bowling and had his best, most economic spell for the club, but could not break the partnership. The openers made useful but slow progress and then stagnated at 34 with 2 wickets down. The bowling of Hausler (18 overs for 28) and Saqib (11 overs for 21) were superb and contained, whilst taking wickets as well.  Parnell R came on late and bowled well, even taking a wicket off the final ball….. unfortunately it was only the 9^th so an honourable winning draw was achieved with Arkley  c 90 -9.

Everyone contributed.. Parnell M had his first bowling spell of the season; Parnell S had lost none of his fielding finesse, though he almost came to a sticky end in a fielding collision. Our two guests, friends of Saqib, performed well after a long break from cricket, and we hope to see them on the field again soon.

All in all, a positive, enjoyable and encouraging start to the season.

Bob C.