Tangmere v SMMCC Sunday 2 October
It was a wonderfully warm day for our autumn fixture against Tangmere, more akin to a mid-July day with temperatures in the upper twenties. After a short delay to the start due to traffic queues created by the beach-goers heading to West Wittering, SMMCC won the toss and elected to bat.
Ahmed and Emeka opened the batting but unfortunately Tangmere claimed Emeka’s scalp in the first over. Raza was in next and immediately started hitting boundaries but in the fifth over didn’t quite get hold of one and was caught on 14 going for a six. 19-1.
Prasad joined Ahmed who was scoring steadily and tried to up the run rate but was bowled in the 11th over on 10. 46-3.
Ahmed was scoring well with several boundaries including a six that nearly took out Mike Barnard sitting on the sidelines – perhaps us younger chaps should not have shied away from the ball like startled young school girls! While Ahmed looked strong at one end unfortunately the same could not be said at the other. When Imran was caught on 2 the Tangmere bowler picked up MacFarlane’s and O’Brien’s wicket with two very good deliveries to take a hat-trick. 79-6 after 17 overs.
Bennett and Javed soon followed on ducks and the innings was all but over when Ahmed was caught in the 24th over on 66. 104-9.
Salter joined Prasanth (0*) at the crease but finished off the innings on another duck! Tangmere were set a target of 105 to win.
After tea, Raza and Salter opened the bowling but after two sloppy overs Salter (2-0-17-0) was replaced by Ahmed for some spin. Raza bowled four overs when Imran was brought on and the combined spin at either end slowed Tangmere’s run rate to a crawling pace. Ahmed picked up the first wicket in the 12th over. 43-1.
In his next over Ahmed claimed two more to make the score 47-3 after 14 overs. In the 15th over Imran, who had already bowled three successive maidens, bowled Tangmere’s second opener for a wicket maiden (with some help from some friendly banter from Raza in the slips!). Ahmed bowled another maiden in his final over to finish 8-2-20-3 and Imran picked up his second wicket maiden in his 7th over to finish 7-6-3-2 (in 15 overs Tangmere only scored 15 runs and lost 5 wickets!). 56-5 after 21 overs. [Unfortunately the scorers stopped entering the score in our scorebook so the rest is from memory – apologies for any inaccuracies!]
The Panicker boys were brought into the attack with Prasanth bowling some accurate leg spin at one end and Prasad bowling some medium pace at the other. Prasanth kept the run-rate down for his three overs and Prasad picked up two wickets in his three and the match was set for a tight finish. Emeka replaced Prasad and picked up the 8th wicket with his second ball. Raza came back on at the other end for some pace and soon bowled a tail-ender for the 9th wicket. Tangmere needed just seven runs for the win and despite SMMCC’s efforts to put pressure in the field they were able to reach their target to win the game. SMMCC lost by one wicket.
A mention to Mike O’Brien who, in his first game of the season, performed admirably behind the stumps and I look forward to him playing for us again next year. Well done everyone on a valiant effort and a very enjoyable final game of the season! I look forward to seeing and playing with you all next year!
Nick
This comment comes from Umpire Ian Bagshaw:
Nick,
You might well be away on holiday now but one small correction to your great
report…
It wasn’t a hat trick!
Despite the fact that Simon, unbeknownst to me, was endeavouring a ‘dead
ball’ situation whilst attempting to get some young Tangmere talent off the
field of play, I was unaware and allowed the delivery as the batsman was
unperturbed and the ball passed safely to the wicketkeeper.
It was only then that I became aware of the slip area fieldsmen mentioning a
dead ball and I quickly scotched that else it would have been a seven ball
over.
I then politely but firmly addressed the ‘ladies’ – the Tangmere lads
laughed at that as they reckoned that there were no ladies in Tangmere and
certainly not in that group – and asked them to leave the field of play
immediately in the interests of their own safety. I pointed out to them
that the field had been hired for the afternoon and that any injury to them
would be their own responsibility.
Obviously they ignored the advice but play continued without any delay, they
weren’t hit and didn’t make any obscene or otherwise unladylike responses.
Perhaps they didn’t understand the old geyser.
On a more serious side, on occasions like that in Southern League matches we
do exactly as I did. If we didn’t the locals would soon latch on and it
would become a game of frequent disruption to their amusement and to the
players’ anger and frustration. Worth thinking about.
I wasn’t aware that one hit was close to Mike. That would not have been a
good end to his life at all at all…
My records show that Imran bowled his eight overs for 8 runs, five of which
came in two scoring shots in his last over and the other three in one over.
Eight overs, six maidens including a wicket maiden, two for eight is a
fantastic performance and he was the Mariners’ man of the match for me; the
late order Arundel batsman who steered Tangmere calmly to victory was the
other notable player. I’ve been impressed with Imran’s bowling and his
batting and fielding on more than one occasion this season and he should be
encouraged into the Southampton Community’s top team set up as soon as
possible
I’ve copied to everyone in your listing as I think that the circumstances
surrounding the (none) hat trick are quite amusing but certainly not unique.
Enjoy your holiday.
Regards,
Ian
SMMCC v St Cross Wednesday 10 August
Raza captained the side for our last mid-week fixture of the season; he won the toss and elected to bat.
Raza and Turner opened the batting and Raza made short work of the opening bowlers and retired on 28* in the 4th over.
Turner and Jay played themselves in with a succession of singles and the odd four and in the 10th over Jay also retired in 28*. Emeka was in next but unfortunately mistimed a forward defensive and was caught on 0. 76-1 off 10 overs.
Warren came in and immediately kept up the run rate with a couple of fours, meanwhile Turner, whose eye was now in, hit a six and a four in three deliveries and was the third man to retire (26*).
Warren was picking up runs in singles whilst Imran decided to get his in boundaries and Warren was soon the fourth batsman to retire on 25*.
Hoping to be the fifth to retire, Imran fell short in the 16th over when caught on 20. 132-2.
In his first game of the season for the Mariners Lawrence made a quick 10 before being caught LBW in the 17th over. 142-3.
McFarlane and Debasis carried their bats after the allotted 18 overs on 4* and 2* respectively, setting a very challenging target for St Cross of 147 to win. Lawrence and Emeka opened the bowling for the Mariners and Lawrence had the perfect start by bowling their opening batsman on his first ball. 0-1.
St Cross couldn’t quite keep up the necessary run-rate and in their haste when running between the wickets they were not quite fast enough for Raza’s fielding when he skittled the wickets with a superb direct hit. 33-2 off 7 overs.
The wickets then started to fall with Imran (2-0-6-2) picking up two and Debasis (4-0-19-1) one and after 10 overs St Cross were 44-5.
Turner picked up the sixth wicket in the 14th over with the score 70-6, and Emeka the seventh in the 17th over and finished on 4-0-19-1. 93-7.
In the final over Turner managed a wicket maiden to finish 4-1-15-2 and seal a very convincing win for the Mariners. Result: SMMCC won by 53 runs. Season’s stats: Won: 11 Lost: 4 No result:3 Our final game of the season is against Tangmere (away) on Sunday 2 October. I will be in contact a couple of weeks beforehand. Regards Nick
Match Report SMMCC vs OMCC @ Otterbourne 03.08.2011
Following the cancellation of the previous week, this game was almost forfeited due to the lack of availability of players for the Mariners, however, last minute recruitment from the MCA and Langley Manor CC allowed us to field 11 players. Binstead and McInnes from MCA, Hawking and Morrison (U17) from LMCC.
Edwards lost the toss and OMCC (Overseas Mapping) elected to bat. Emeka and Turner opened the bowling, keeping the run rate down and restricting OMCC to 22-0 after 6 overs. Foster replaced Emeka and maintained the control of runs. Turner was relieved by McInnes who catastrophically damaged his knee in the run up for his first ball which sailed high and wide of the batsman. Hawking took over and in his second over claimed the Mariners’ first wicket in the 10th over of the game, with the visitors on 42-1. The OMCC opening batsman retired not out on 25 and Morrison was brought into the attack to replace Hawking, but his first over went for 9 runs. Champagne moment of the game was a stunning one handed catch by Foster in his last over, caught and bowled, we’re not sure how, as Warren was convinced that he had his eyes closed when he took the catch! Morrison’s off spin then began to take its toll as he took 5 wickets for 11 runs off 16 balls, including 3 wickets in 4 balls in his last over. OMCC total after 18 overs: 107-7.
Details of the SMMCC innings in the scorebook are not well recorded, however, Emeka and Turner opened the batting, progressing the runs at a good rate until Emeka was bowled for 10. Turner continued to score freely and Hinton kept the pace until he was caught for 19. Turner retired on 28 not out, McFarlane assisted with 4 and a bad day for the MCA guests was completed by a first ball duck for Binstead. Foster was looking comfortable on 7 until Edwards called for a quick single which resulted in a run out. Morrison came to the crease and eased the score along until Edwards was bowled for 12 in the penultimate over. Warren’s pull shot to the mid-wicket boundary completed the Mariners’ victory with 3 balls to spare. A fine all round performance by Morrison as he finished on 20 not out.
SMMCC won by 4 wickets.
Keith Edwards
General Manager
Gosport Ferry Ltd
SMMCC v Winchester College Sunday 31 July
It was a rare sunny, warm day for our fixture against the masters of Winchester College. Both teams were sporting ten players and SMMCC went in to bat first.
Winchester struck in their first over by bowling Shimi on his second ball. 0-1.
Raza showed his intentions of scoring quickly with three fours but in the fifth over got the slightest of edges and was caught by the keeper on 13. 23-2.
Jay and Warren steadied the innings but after a tumble making a quick single Warren called for a runner to give his knees a rest. The partnership lasted until the 17th over when Warren was caught on 15. 67-3.
Jay was batting well when Javed came in and kept the scoreboard ticking over in singles and twos with the occasional four. Javed was also scoring steadily but in the 23rd over Jay was caught on 42. 99-4.
Javed took the score past 100 but followed in the next over on 18. 101-5. SMMCC had two new batsmen in (Foster and Imran) but Imran started hitting out with the first six of the match and a succession of fours to deep mid-wicket. Foster held up the other end until the 29th over but was bowled on 10. 138-6.
Abdul was in next and looked solid in defence until one got through his guard in the 34th over on 5. 161-7.
Imran continued to hit boundaries and went past his half-century while Fiaz picked off some singles but was bowled in the 37th over on 5. 178-8.
Oakley was the last to come in and defended for two overs but was run out in the 39th over on 1 while Imran finished on 66*.
199 all out setting Winchester a target of 200 to win at five an over. Abdul and Fiaz opened the bowling for SMMCC and Abdul struck in the third over catching their number 2 batsman LBW. 11-1.
Both openers were bowling accurately and restricted the run rate and in the 7th over Abdul struck again taking the number 1 batsman’s wicket, caught on 12. 16-2.
After 10 overs Javed and Raza were brought into the attack and Javed bowled their number 4 batsman in the 13th over on 12. 50-3.
The Winchester number 3 had played himself in before accelerating along with the number 5 batsmen. Javed finished his spell on 3-0-23-1 when Shimi was brought on but Winchester coped well with his off-spin and the number 3 soon passed his half century.
Imran (5-0-29-1) replaced Raza and broke the partnership by bowling their number 5 on 27 in the 24th over. 117-4.
The number 3 was scoring well and in the 27th over Fiaz was brought back and had their number 6 caught on 1 and later finished on 8-1-31-1. 142-5.
Raza also came back and bowled their number 7 in the 32nd over for a duck. 171-6.
Their number 3 passed a century and were looking odds on to win at 178-6 after 33 overs and needing 22 to win with three wickets in hand. Shimi came back and changed his bowling to seam which claimed the crucial wicket of their number 3, caught at mid-wicket in the 34th over. 186-7.
The game was set for a tight finish and two balls later Shimi bowled their number 8 for a duck and finished with figures of 5-0-33-2. 186-8.
Raza claimed the final wicket in the 35th trapping their number 9 LBW to finish on 7.3-0-36-2.
190 all out and SMMCC had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and won by 9 runs.
Well done everyone on another great game and another win!
Nick
Match Report: SMMCC vs DSTL CC at Otterbourne Wednesday 13 July @1800hrs
This was the ‘Mariners’ third game in a week and injuries caught up on squad numbers, resulting in only 9 fit players available for the game.
M27 delays from Portsdown resulted in a delayed start, with the match reduced to 18 overs, with the other usual restrictions.
VC Edwards took command and won the toss, electing to bat.
Emeka and Turner opened the batting and some wayward bowling helped bring 9 runs from the first over. Emeka then caught a thick inside edge and was bowled in the second over. Panicker snr batting 3 scored a quick 25 and retired not out whilst Turner steadily progressed the total. Hinton made a quick 5 runs before skying the ball to mid-wicket whilst Turner retired not out on 25. Foster, making his first appearance of the season, recovered from a slow start to score 25 retired not out. Edwards contributed 13 not out, Javed suffered a late ‘golden’, guest player Sanchu was 1 not out and Panicker jnr DNB. Total – a very respectable 131-3 (32 extras) from 18 overs.
Due to a lack of detail in the score book, details of DSTL’s innings are limited. The shortage of fielders allowed DSTL to maintain a run rate ahead of that required, throughout their innings. However, Emeka and Sanchu opened the bowling with 4 and 3 overs respectively, picking up a wicket a piece. Hinton deputised for the injured Warren behind the stumps with a creditable performance, whilst Panicker snr and Javed bowled 2 overs a piece before Turner and Foster restricted the scoring. Sanchu bowled the penultimate over leaving Turner to defend 4 runs for a DSTL victory. A boundary from the first ball completed the match, with DSTL winning by 6 wickets, with 5 balls to spare.
It was a disappointing finish to the game, which the ‘Mariners’ felt slipped away at the end, despite the limited fielding options.
A full spread of sandwiches at the White Horse proved too great for the few who returned to the after-match refreshment, although the visitors did their best to assist in clearing the platters!!
The next game will be challenging against Southampton Community (potential divided loyalties!) 1800hrs start at Otterbourne, Wednesday 20 July.
Keith
SMMCC v Swanmore CC Sunday 10 July 2011
On our second Sunday match Swanmore won the toss and elected to field. Captains agreed to play 40 overs, eight overs per bowler and no restrictions on batting.
Shimi and Raza opened for SMMCC and got off to a blistering start. After 10 overs the score was 85-0.
Swanmore made the breakthrough in the eleventh over with Shimi’s wicket who finished on 43 (7 fours). 93-1.
Mehmood scored a quick 10 (2 fours) before getting caught in the 14th over. 111-2.
Abbas also scored quickly before being bowled in the 18th over on 23 (2 fours, 2 sixes). 150-3.
Javed was in next and decided to take on the spin bowling but was stumped in the 22nd over on 8 (1 four). 164-4.
Warren held up one end while Raza continued to hit massive boundaries but Warren was bowled in the 23rd over on 0.
Oakley was in next and decided not to continue the trend of quick runs but to play himself in first.
Raza stormed past his century with yet another six and retired on 101*.
Edwards and Oakley steadied the innings with some defensive batting but still hitting the bad ball but in the 31st over Oakley was bowled on 5 (1 four). 211-6.
Edwards made the third highest score of the innings before getting caught in the 37th over on 25 (4 fours). 250-7.
SMMCC were a man short so Salter was last in the order.
Imran made a quick 19 (1 four, 2 sixes) and when he was caught in the 39th over with the score 262-8, Raza came back in. He then scored 20 in the final over including three sixes but was bowled on the final ball. Salter finished the innings on 6 (1 four). Raza on the other hand had a outstanding innings and finished on 124 which included 7 fours and a staggering 14 sixes! 287 all out.
After tea, Swanmore started with the intention of reaching their target and scored steadily off Mehmood and Salter’s bowling. After ten overs they were slightly behind the run chase on 64 but both batsmen were looking comfortable.
Salter finished his spell on 5-0-32-0 and Mehmood on 6-0-31-0. Imran and Shimi took over with leg-breaks at one end and off-spin at the other. It took until the 16th over for Imran to make the breakthrough, bowling their number 1 on 28. 96-1.
Shimi bowled their number 3 in the next over (99-2) and then in the following over ran out their number 4 on a duck with a direct hit from extra-cover. 107-3.
Shimi then struck again in the 21st over when their danger-man was caught on 72 by Imran in deep mid-wicket. 119-4.
In the 22nd over and Imran’s sixth he got his second wicket by bowling the number 6 on a duck. 119-5.
Both Imran and Shimi completed their 8 overs on 8-1-38-2 and 8-1-31-2 respectively. An excellent display of spin bowling by both. Javed and Abbas took over the bowling bringing some swing and seam back into the attack. Swanmore started to open up and score a few more runs but in the 32nd over and Javed’s third, he struck twice with one caught and one bowled. 189-7.
Not to be outdone Abbas also struck twice in the following over bowling their number 5 on 50 and their number 10 on a duck. 189-9.
Swanmore’s tail-enders survived two more overs and in the 36th Abbas finished the game off by claiming the final wicket. 201 all out.
Javed ended with figures of 5-0-36-2 and Abbas with 6-1-20-3.
Result: SMMCC won by 86 runs.
A superb all round performance and well done everyone!
SMMCC v ONS Wed 6 July
SMMCC won the toss and decided to field first.
Javed and Deb opened the bowling and picked up an early wicket each. They both (bowled) economically to finish 3-0-15-1 and 4-0-18-1 respectively.
ONS started hitting out when Salter and Gill took over and despite another wicket falling Salter finished on 4-0-29-1 and Gill on 2-0-13-0.
Prasad and Turner finished off the innings with more economical figures of 3-0-14-1 and 2-0-6-0 respectively.
ONS finished their 18 overs on 101-4.
Emeka and Turner opened the batting and it didn’t take long for Emeka to reach 25* before retiring. Turner played sensibly and took fewer risks to reach his 26* and Prasad made his usual quick start and he also retired on 26*.
SMMCC were looking at a comfortable win when Paddock and McFarlane came to the crease. Unfortunately Paddock suffered the embarrassment of two golden ducks (the first being a no-ball) and McFarlane trudged off having made just 1. Warren made a steady 8* and Edwards, having hit a boundary was out the next ball on 4.
When Gill came in SMMCC needed 3 runs off 3 overs. In his last game for SMMCC in the season it was fitting for Gill to win the scoring runs in the 17th over.
Result: SMMCC won by 7 wickets.
Season so far: Played 10 Won 7 Lost 3
Shirley CC v SMMCC 29 June 2011
A short report today:
For the return fixture against Shirley CC up at the Sports Centre Captains agreed to play 20 overs with the usual 4 overs per bowler and batsmen retire after 25 runs.
Shirley CC won the toss and decided to bat. They scored pretty steadily throughout the innings averaging about 6 an over to post a total of 125-9 after 20 overs. Not a bad total but one well within reach.
Bowling figures were (in order):
Prasad 4-0-20-0
Emeka 4-0-23-2
Javed 4-0-20-1
Paddock 4-0-24-1
Turner 2-0-20-2
Salter 2-0-11-1
In response our openers made an outstanding start averaging 12 an over and after 5 overs were 60-1! What looked like would be a convincing win the wickets started to fall and SMMCC needed 25 off the final five overs.
It went right down to the final over when Prasad came back in having retired on 25 and hit a six on the penultimate ball to seal the win.
Batting figures were (in order):
Prasad 31*
Turner 10
Emeka 16
Paddock 5
Salter 11
Warren 12
Javed 0
Edwards 10
Hamza DNB Result:
SMMCC won by one wicket.
Next fixture: SMMCC v ONS (Home). More details to follow. Regards Nick
SMMCC v Kerala XI Sunday 26 June
It was a great day for cricket with clear blue skies and it was, apparently, the hottest day of the year. Captains agreed 40 overs, eight overs per bowler and no restrictions on batting. SMMCC won the toss, decided to bat and Emeka and Ahmad strolled out into the ‘midday’ sun. They made a solid start scoring quickly but in the fifth over Emeka was caught out LBW, bowled Betty. 30-1. In came Raza who immediately kept up the run rate and both batsmen were scoring freely with a variety of sixes (Raza hit one way over long-on and lost the ball in the field), fours and singles until Raza (29) was bowled by Anoop to one that kept low. 93-2 off 12. Despite Kerala XI mixing up the bowling Ahmad cruised past his fifty whilst at the other end Shimi was scoring steadily. Ahmad then opened his blade, hit several boundaries and passed his century with another four. He waited until the end of the over before retiring on 108. A superb innings! Meanwhile Shimi had passed his fifty and looked like he had picked up from where he had left off against Winchester last year. Javed came in next and he played himself in whilst Shimi decided to accelerate. Javed fought off some tight Kerala XI bowling but they couldn’t get past his defence until he thought he had the speed of a puma and was run out on 21 in the last over. Shimi was on 89 when Salter came in at the non-striker’s end with only three balls left. One six and a four later Shimi needed just one run off the last ball to reach his century. Shimi patted the ball to short mid-wicket and raced towards the other end. Fortunately for him the fielder fumbled the ball in his haste and Shimi scampered over the crease for another superb innings! SMMCC finished their 40 overs with a very challenging 286-3. After the halftime tea Salter and Raza opened the bowling and both made it difficult for the Kerala XI openers with Salter’s away swing (if you don’t mind me saying!) and Raza’s over-the-wicket deliveries. Both were rewarded with a wicket apiece in their second and third overs respectively, however when Jinson and Jinoy came in they both showed their intent on having a go at their target and began swinging the willow. After a few big hits over long-on and long-off Jinoy tried one too many and was caught by Javed in deep long-off. Salter finished on 5-1-19-2 and brought on Imran to bowl some leg-spin. Raza continued at the other end and was rewarded in his sixth over when he bowled Betty on 6. When Raza finished his spell on 7-1-22-2, Kerala XI were 55-4 off 12 overs. Wasim was brought into the attack with some more spin but Jinson and Prasad hit some big shots and Jinson passed his fifty with a six. Wasim took his revenge from the six in his next over and caught Jinson LBW on 53. Two balls later he picked up Tapish’s wicket on 0 and finished his spell on 4-0-24-2. Imran was rewarded in his sixth over when he picked up Prasad’s scalp on 21, and finished with 6-0-46-1. Javed brought a bit more pace into the attack and Gill was brought on at the other end to throw some ‘hand-grenade’ deliveries which landed on a length and began to frustrate the batsmen. Immediately after being hit for a four off his first ball of his second over, Gill outfoxed Sanchu with one that landed long on a length. Sanchu swiped and Gill had him bowled on 16. Gill finished his spell on 4-0-16-1. Javed meanwhile was bowling accurately and kept Kerala XI’s run rate down and finished on 6-0-22-1. Shimi finished off the innings with his off-spin and figures of 1.3-1-0-1. Kerala XI finished on 170 after 34 overs. A special mention to Ken Warren behind the stumps who throughout the innings, was diving left and right and saved many a delivery from turning into byes. Well done Ken! Result: SMMCC won by 114 runs.
Well done everyone on an excellent performance by all!
Regards Nick
SMMCC v Gosport Mayors XI , Wed 22nd June
During the day leading up to our fixture against Gosport Mayor’s XI we had spells of rain in between sunny periods and it was unclear whether we would have a game. It cleared up towards the start of the match but a sudden downpour delayed the start until 6.30. Captains and umpires agreed to use the artificial wicket, reduce the overs to 16 and, despite the opposition’s request for having first ball grace for batsmen and no LBW dismissals (!?!), we went with the usual four overs per bowler and batsmen retire after 25. Gosport Mayor’s XI won the toss and elected to field. The SMMCC top order had a bit of trouble with some difficult bounce with Turner (2) and Emeka (7) falling to a couple that kept low and Prasad (0) caught off one that nipped up to get a leading edge. Raza steadied the ship with a quick-fire 25 however Paddock (1) also succumbed to one that kept low and McFarlane started well but all of a sudden he was trudging back to the pavilion. After he defended one on the pads someone had ‘whispered’ an appeal in the umpire’s ear and he was dismissed on 5. After 8 overs SMMCC were 51-5. Warren (15) and Oakley (7) both looked comfortable at the wicket and picked up some runs from ones and twos but Prasanth and Salter were out for a duck (Salter run-out on the last ball) and Gill carried his bat on 0*. SMMCC finished short of a par score from their 16 overs on 72-9.
Gosport Mayor’s XI openers made light work of Raza and Salter’s opening overs and it was evident they had brought some good batsmen with them. After quickly knocking the ball all around the park they both retired after only six overs. Raza finished with figures of 4-0-39-0 and Salter managed to pick up three wickets to finish 4-1-18-3. Prasanth (1-0-10-0) and Emeka (0.2-0-1-0) finished the bowling and Gosport Mayor’s XI won in the 10th over (73-3) by 7 wickets.
Next two fixtures: Sunday 26 June v Kerala XI Wednesday 29 June v Shirley CC More details to follow. Regards Nick
SMMCC v Kerala XI Wed 8 June
Kerala XI won the toss and elected to bat first on what was a pretty soggy wicket after some late ‘April’ showers in the afternoon however the sun was out and the pitch had started to dry. As such the two teams agreed that bowlers should take shortened run-ups, 18 overs and the usual 4 overs per bowler and batsmen retire on 25. Emeka opened the bowling and was rewarded on his final ball to finish 4-0-22-1. Kerala XI attacked Bennett’s bowling who was unlucky to finish 3-0-45-0. Prasanth (4-0-21-1) made things difficult for Kerala XI with his leg-breaks and at the half way stage they were 63-2. Salter (4-1-14-2) and Turner (3-0-10-1) tried to keep their run rate down but after the 18 overs they posted a competitive total of 114-5. Turner and Emeka opened SMMCC’s batting and were faced by some accurate bowling from Kerala XI. Emeka (12) fell in the fifth over shortly followed by Salter (0), Hinton (0) and Gill (1) to make it 30-4 after nine overs. John Sheard (guest player) started comfortably but was then run out on 5 but Turner, who had remained at the crease throughout the collapse, retired on 25 (that’s three in a row now!). By this time SMMCC had clawed back to 61-5 off 11 overs and Edwards and Bennett shared the final 7 overs between them making 4* and 16* respectively. Unfortunately SMMCC couldn’t match Kerala XI’s run rate and finished on 86-5. A quick thanks to Rich for stepping into the wicket keeping role and for a job well done! Same again next week? Result: SMMCC lost by 28 runs. Next fixture: St Cross CC v SMMCC Wednesday 15 June Away at Southampton Sports Centre. More details to follow. Regards Nick
SMMCC v The Vine Inn Wednesday 1 June 2011
The Master Mariners kicked proceedings off with Emeka and Turner opening the batting. Unfortunately Emeka (2) fell early on and Turner (25*) retired soon after. Salter (8), Edwards (8) and Warren (5) added a few runs to the total but were unable to build substantially on the score. Bennett (15) and Prasanth (3) made efforts to up the run rate and in the dying overs Prasad (9*) and Oakley (7*) finished things off after 18 overs to make it 104-6. Perhaps 10 or so runs shy off a parr score. The Vine Inn needed 5.8 runs an over to win and this was made difficult by Prasad and Emeka’s opening bowling. They both picked up four early wickets and thoughts of a possible win were in the air. Emeka finished on 4-0-10-3 and Prasad bowled three with one in reserve. Bennett (4-0-24-2) and Salter (4-0-27-1) took over and picked up three more wickets but The Vine Inn had picked up their run rate. It was looking like a close finish and after Prasanth (1-0-7-0) and Turner (1-0-5-1) had an over each, The Vine Inn needed 8 runs with two wickets in hand from the last over. Up step Prasad to take his fourth over who took one of the required wickets however on the penultimate ball of the match The Vine Inn were first over the line. Result: SMMCC lost by one wicket. A close run thing and makes for an interesting re-match on July 28th. Next fixture: SMMCC v Kerala XI Wednesday 8 June (Home). More details to follow… Regards Nick
SMMCC v OMCC 25 May 2011
On a sunny and breezy afternoon at the Sports Centre OMCC won the toss and elected to bowl. Captains agreed 18 overs with the usual 4 overs per bowler and 25 runs per batsman to retire. Turner and Emeka made a good start and both reached 25 after 8 overs. At the halfway mark Salter and Paddock were at the crease on 75-0 however in the tenth Salter (13) skied one back to the bowler. In came Warren and made a quick 13 and Paddock who had played himself in increased the run rate with some boundaries and retired on 26. Hinton (18 no) and Edwards (11) carried us over the line to make 147-3 after 18 overs. A very competitive total especially with the uneven wicket. Prasad and guest player Debasis started the bowling and Debasis (3-0-17-1) bowled their danger-man in his first over. Prasad continued with some accurate deliveries and finished his four overs on 4-0-18-2. After Prasanth’s (2-0-24-0) first over the hosts were 48-3 at the halfway mark. Turner (3-0-16-0) and Paddock (4-0-10-1) continued the attack without letting the hosts score freely. This was backed up by Emeka’s (2-0-6-1) tight deliveries and OMCC, who were unable to match our run rate, finished on 105-6. Result: SMMCC won by 42 runs. Next fixture: Wednesday 1 June SMMCC v The Vine Inn at home (Otterbourne). More details to follow. Regards Nick
Match report: Swanmore CC v SMMCC 11 May
Swanmore CC won the toss and allowed us to bat since we were still waiting for a couple of our players to arrive. It was an overcast evening and looking a bit dark so the captains agreed to have 16 overs per side with the usual 4 over per bowler maximum and batsmen retiring at 25. The Swanmore bowlers started well, capturing Prasad’s wicket in the first over. In came Turner who settled himself before striking out (the fourth over going for 14 runs). Unfortunately Anoop was the second to fall having just made 2 and Swanmore soon had SMMCC on the backfoot after taking Edwards on 4. Turner was set to reach his 25 but was bowled on 24 and Gill soon followed in the 10 over and SMMCC was 44-5. In step Warren who hit three successive boundaries but unfortunately Swanmore struck back in the 11th over by taking Hunter’s (3) and Oakley’s (0) wickets. Warren quickly reached 26 before retiring with Prasanth picked up 6 before being caught. Salter managed 15 before the allotted 16 overs but carelessly allowed Warren (who had returned to the crease) to be run out! SMMCC finished with 88-9. Swanmore were chasing 89 to win and SMMC made a good start with Prasad and Salter taking early wickets. However the Swanmore numbers 1 and 4 settled in and both reached 25 before retiring and taking the game away from SMMCC. Oakley managed to pick up the third wicket in the 10th over but by this time Swanmore was looking strong to win which they did in the 12th over. Perhaps another 20 or 30 runs would have made it closer! Result: Swanmore CC won by 7 wickets Next fixture: DSTL CC v SMMCC (Away) – details to follow Regards Nick
SMMCC v Shirley CC Wednesday 4 May
Please see below my match report for the first fixture of the season:
Result: SMMCC won by six wickets. And so the season began on a cool and sunny evening at Otterbourne with Shirley CC winning the toss and electing to bat. The Captains agreed to have 18 overs per side with the usual 4 over per bowler maximum and batsmen retiring at 25.
The Master Mariners opened the bowling with Raza and Salter and soon discovered the wicket was still fairly damp and the batsmen had to contend with some uneven bounce including some difficult low ‘pea-shooters’!. As such Shirley’s openers couldn’t cope with the opening bowling attack and Raza was very economical finishing with figures of 4-1-6-1. Salter was slightly less economical but finished with 3-0-16-3.
Young Prasanth was showing his potential with his leg-breaks and picked up a wicket in his first over (thanks to some quick reactions of Ken Warren behind the stumps) so at the halfway mark Shirley were 34-5.
The father/son attack of the Panicker boys kept the pressure on the Shirley batsmen although they were able to up their run rate. Prasad finished with 4-0-23-2 and Prasanth finished with 4-1-24-1. Richard Paddock (2-0-16-1) and Jon Bennett (1-0-10-1) both picked up a wicket a piece including a second stumping by Ken off Richard’s bowling.
After their allotted 18 overs Shirley managed 98-9 so the Master Mariners target of 99 meant a 5.5 an over run chase.
Prasad and Raza got the run chase off to a flying start and it wasn’t long before Prasad retired on 29 after big six over deep mid-wicket.
After 5 overs the Mariners were racing along at 52-0 but Raza, who was looking comfortable at the crease, was stumped on 16 in the sixth over.
Turner and Paddock kept up the run rate reaching 60-1 off 6 overs. Turner (9) was then unlucky to be out after hitting a drive back to the bowler who threw out an arm and held onto a difficult catch.
Paddock scored a quick 13 and he and Hinton (1) were the next to go before Edwards (13 no) and Warren (3 no) finished the match off after 12 overs.
A good performance by all and a great start to the season. We were then treated to a superb tea after the match, kindly organised by Mrs Garry Bagshaw, consisting of a variety of sandwiches, quiches and cakes including some very tasty homemade banana and ginger cake! Thoroughly enjoyed by all and a huge thank you to Garry and her team of butter spreaders! Thanks also go to Ivor Salter, SMMC Captain, for cheering us on for our first match of the season.”
Next match Wed 11 May v Swanmore CC (Away)
Regards Nick