In their last match of the season, our Saturday 4th XI clinched victory over Harold Wood CC to lift the Shepherd Neame Essex League 4th XI Division Three East title. Skipper Paul Whitlock opened the bowling and took 6 for 37 to dismiss HW for 95, after which Stuart Morris smote a swift 47 to see us home by 7 wickets and clinch the club's first senior winners trophy for twelve years.
Title-winning 4th XI 2010
Back (Left to right): Mike Squires, Peter Clark, Barry Ruck, Stuart Morris, Lee Webber, Julie Whitlock (Scorer)
Front (Left to right): Mathew Lewis Jnr, Darren Frampton, Nathan turner, Paul Whitlock (Capt), Richard Waters, Mike Randall
Our Batsmen
No less than 24 centuries (15 in 2009) were scored by 19 different players - 16 years old Joe Joyce clocked up three and Gavin Jefferies, Paul Bennett and Scott Bayford made two each. Single centuries were chalked up by Lee Webber, Richard Day, Steve Huckstepp, Jim Robertson, Jim Banner, Darren Frampton, Billy Winter, Michael Cansdale, Nathan Turner, Nick Marns and John Lewis Jnr, and maiden club centuries in senior matches were posted by Peter Clark, Stuart Morris, Danny Norris, Joe Joyce and Michael Fogg.
4 of our batsman (the same as in 2009) chalked up more than 1,000 runs for the season - Joe Joyce (1,247), Gavin Jefferies (1,063), Danny Norris (1,051) and Richard Day (1,017). And 500 runs were registered by 18 other players and 8 batsmen (7 in 2009) made scores in the 90s. Well played gents.
Joe Joyce
Leading run-scorer 2010
Gavin Jefferies
Leading run-scorer in Shepherd Neame
Essex League Division Three (1st XI)
In all Shepherd Neame Essex League and cup matches, Gavin Jefferies racked up 939 runs at an average of 52.17, to finish as the leading run-scorer in Division Three (1st XI) and ranking overall 4th in the entire League. Richard Day finished 5th leading run-scorer in Division Three (1st XI) with an average of 40.17 and Jim Robertson was the 3rd leading run-scorer in Division Three (3rd XI) with an average of 46.08. Overall, 12 of our batsmen made 13 centuries (2 by Gavin Jefferies) in all SNEL matches.. And in the Essex Sunday League, Paul Bennett crowned a magnificent campaign by making 653 runs (2 x 100s and 4 x 50s) in just 8 innings for an outstanding average of 93.29.
Our Bowlers
Throughout all teams, 2010 was a far better season for our bowlers than last year. 5 bowlers (three in 2009) took more than 50 wickets in senior matches - Owen Jefferies (60), Michael Cansdale (56), Paul Whitlock (53), Brian Edwards (53) and Billy Winter (50), but it was spinner Cliff Cansdale who emerged as the season's star performer with 96 victims (the most in a season since 1983) at a cost of just 13.67 apiece - a brilliant performance in an era dominated by batsmen.
Cliff Cansdale
Leading wicket-taker 2010
There were 23 instances of '5 fors' in 2010 (22 in 2009), including only two 7-wicket hauls - by Ian Joyce (7 for 63 for the 4th XI v Shenfield CC) and Jim Banner (7 for 90 for the 3rd XI v Benfleet CC). But it was Ricki Ellis who took the prize for the oustanding individual performance(s) of the season. After taking a hat-trick (his first) in his 6 for 26 for the 2nd XI against Woodford Green CC on 12th June, he achieved the very same feat for the 1st XI the following week against Old Brentwoods CC when taking 5 for 4. Not surprisingly, it was the first occasion of back-to-back league hat tricks in the club's history and his combined analysis for these two matches read an amazing:
16.3 overs 30 runs 11 wickets average 2.72
Ricki Ellis
Two hat tricks
In the Shepherd Neame Essex League, 5 of our bowlers took over 30 wickets - Owen Jefferies (35) finished 5th leading wicket-taker in Division Three (2nd XI), Paul Whitlock (34) finished 1st in Division Three East (4th XI), Dale Kenyon (33) finished 6th in Division Three (1st XI) and Cliff Cansdale (33) and Rob Joyce (33) completed the group. By contrast, only 1 of our bowlers (Owen Jefferies) took more than 30 wickets in SNEL in 2009.In the Essex Sunday League, Michael Cansdale was our leading bowler, taking a total of 19 wickets at an average of 11.68.
Our Fielders
With so many young playing members in the club, we have a good supply of fine fielders. Dale Kenyon continued to display his agility in the outfield and 7 of his wickets were 'caught and bowled'. Michael Fogg excelled behind the stumps with 41 catches and 17 stumpings. He was the leading wicketkeeper in Division Three (1st XI) of the Shepherd Neame Essex League and finished overall 2nd in the entire League. Wicketeeper Ben Kent took a total of 18 catches in both senior and junior matches and, unusually, made more stumpings (20). Mike Randall also enjoyed a successful season behind the stumps with 26 catches and 9 stumpings.
Michael Fogg
Leading wicketkeeper
The all-rounders
Three of our players (all of whom played in more than 40 matches) achieved the 'double' of 50 wickets and 500 runs - Michael Cansdale (56 wickets, 777 runs), Brian Edwards (53 wickets, 537 runs) and Billy Winter (50 wickets, 929 runs).
Record aggregates and totals
Until this season, more than 600 runs in an afternoon's cricket had been recorded on only two previous occasions (in 2004 and 2006). This year, the milestone was achieved in three matches in the space of just 14 days:
605 - 1st XI v Ongar CC 17th July
604 - 1st XI v Billericay CC 3rd July
603 - Tour XI v Happisburgh CC 7th July
And in four matches we totalled in excess of 300:
346 - Tour XI v Happisburgh CC 7th July
317 - 1st XI v Billericay CC 3rd July
303 - 1st XI v Benfleet CC 30th May
303 - 2nd XI v Old Parkonians CC 10th July
Plenty of ducks too!
Although our batsmen were capable of high individual scores and team totals, they also managed a fair number of ducks between them. The 2nd XI's first match of the season against Nazeing Common CC produced 5 Belhus ducks, and the 1st XI followed suit in the SNEL match against Walthamstow CC on 31st July. Not to be outdone, the 3rd XI achieved the very same in their last match of the season against Statics CC. But we reversed the tables against London Marshes Select CC on 19th September when six of the LMS batsmen were dismissed for 0 by our Sunday 2nd XI bowlers.
Record 10 wickets win
Batting first, Old Parkonians CC scored a respectable 220 against our 2nd XI in a Shepherd Neame Essex League match on 22nd May. In reply, skipper Tom Thompson (97) opened our innings with Mark Sansom (93) and they skilfully took the partnership to 221 to secure the club record 10 wickets victory.
Mark Sansom (left) and Tom Thompson
Record 10 wickets win
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Most exciting match of the season?
Belhus 2nd XI 207 for 6
Woodford Green CC 2nd XI 207 for 9
In the 2nd XI's SNEL match against Woodford Green CC on 12th June, we declared on a modest 207 for 6 (Graham Davidge 53). And when WG made their way steadily to 203 for 5, we were staring defeat in the face. But then Ricki Ellis was brought back for a second spell and proceeded to take 4 wickets in 6 deliveries (including his maiden hat trick) and return a career-best 6 for 26. With their innings having collapsed to 206 for 9, WG could muster just a single from the last ball of the match for the scores to finish level for an exciting draw.
Tight finishes
There were other tight finishes too. In the 1st XI's SNEL match against Woodford Green CC on 14th August, we underachieved in scoring 202. Then stoppage due to rain after tea prompted the umpires to set WG a target of 110 from 20 overs on the restart. And with the scores level, WG required 3 runs to win from the last ball - but they managed to scramble just 2 and we won by 1 run. Phew!
The very next SNEL match, against Billericay CC on 21st August, saw another nail-biter for the 1st XI. We posted 242 for 5 thanks to 79 from
Gavin Jefferies and 64 not out from Billy Winter. After tea and some excellent fielding (4 run outs) and sensible bowling, we narrowly failed to capture all of the Billericay wickets - but they got very, very close when finishing just 2 runs short of the target for an exciting draw.
In the Sunday 2nd XI's match against the reformed Langdon Hills CC on 22nd August, we witnessed the first occasion for
Belhus when two of our lady players, Laura Knight and Amy Squires, bowled in tandem at each end. We dismissed Langdon for 151 after Laura had taken 3 for 11, but despite a patient 58 from Jim Banner and a quick-fire 26 not out from No.11 Rob Long, we were skittled out for 149 to lose by a mere 2 runs.
Laura Knight (left) and Amy Squires
The Sunday 2nd XI's total of 175 against Nazeing Common CC on 25th July didn't seem quite sufficient. And when Nazeing were perched on 150 for 4 with opening batsman Paul Johnson still at the crease with a century to his name, our cause was all but over. But when skipper Paul Whitlock brought Amy Squires into the attack, she immediately dismissed the confident century-maker and then snared another couple of quick wickets to enable us to win a nail-biting match by 6 runs.
Record 5th wicket partnership
In the Essex Sunday League match (40 overs) against Benfleet CC at North Stifford on 30th May, Paul Bennett produced one of the finest innings by a Belhus batsman when he struck a magnificent 175 not out (the club's highest score by a 1st XI batsman) from 104 deliveries. And in the process, he shared a new club record 5th wicket partnership of 141 with Richard Day and then took three catches in the outfield to secure victory by 138 runs. Fantastic.
Best all-round performance
The 'double' of scoring 50 runs and taking 5 wickets in a match had been achieved on only 19 previous occasions in the club's history. But Ian Joyce joined this elite band with his performance in the 3rd XI's SNEL match against Hornchurch CC on 5th June. Ian's 5 for 70 enabled us to dismiss Hornchurch for 235, and then, batting at No. 6, he crafted a fine 57 not out to see us home to victory by 6 wickets and cap an excellent all-round display.
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Ian Joyce
Best all-round performance 2010
Impressive run-chases
Two impressive run-chases were chalked up by the Saturday 2nd XI in the Shepherd Neame Essex League. First, against Old Brentwoods CC on 19th June, they chased down 260 (Nick Marns 100) and then reached 250 for 5 (Nick Marns 90, Danny Norris 51 not out) against Ongar CC on 17th July.
But the run-chase of the season came in the Essex Sunday League match against Basildon & Pitsea CC at North Stifford. After the visitors had racked up 273 from their 40 overs, we made light of the task when racing to 274 for 2 in just 37 overs. Michael Fogg scored his maiden century (108 not out) in senior matches, Paul Bennett notched 78 and Joe Joyce 69.
The Saturday 1st XI watched Aidan Wilkins smash 166 (the fourth highest individual score against the club) in a 250-run partnership with Jamie Abbott for Ongar CC in a SNEL match on 17th July, enabling Ongar to amass 317. In reply,
Gavin Jefferies (111) and Richard Day (87) made a great attempt to win the match, but we closed on 288 for 7 to earn a well-deserved draw.
Youngsters shine
Our youth teams played 50 matches during the season in both league and friendly games. The Under 13A side performed well under the captaincy of Sam Hall, finishing Runners-Up in the South Essex District Cricket Board competition in which 26 clubs participated. Max Scott took the only '5 for' in youth matches when returning 5 for 12 against Thurrock (Grays & Chadwell) CC and 8 of our bowlers took more than 15 wickets - Owen Jefferies, Daniel Dreher, Craig Dalton, Jack Martin-Hussey, Mark Fogg, Jake Wolfe, Mathew Lewis Jnr and Sam Hall.
Under 13A
South Essex District Cricket Board
Competition Finalists
Among the batsmen, fifties were scored by Sam Hall, Jack Panteli, Jake Wolfe, Joe Downes, Mathew Lewis Jnr, Daniel Dreher, Ryan Wells and Ben Kent (who made the highest youth score of the season - 88). And four batsmen totalled 500 runs or more in all matches - Ryan Wells (849), Mathew Lewis Jnr (718) Ben Kent (638) and Daniel Dreher (580). Well done to them all.
Most appearances
By reason of the generally fine weather, only a handful of matches were abandoned through rain. So with a good fixture list, a number of members made more than 40 appearances:
Danny Norris 53
Ben Kent 52
Billy Winter 49 Cliff Cansdale 47 Brian Edwards 47 Ricki Ellis 44
Owen Jefferies 43, Michael Cansdale 43 Michael Fogg 43
Mathew Lewis Jnr 43 Joe Joyce 42 Paul Whitlock 42, Ryan Wells 42
Danny Norris
Most appearances in 2010
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Playing Record 2010
Saturday 1st XI
Played 26 Won 10 Lost 13 Drew 2 Abandoned 1
Saturday 2nd XI
Played 21 Won 8 Lost 6 Drew 4 Abandoned 3
Saturday 3rd XI
Played 23 Won 8 Lost 11 Drew 4
Saturday 4th XI
Played 19 Won 14 Lost 1 Drew 3 Abandoned 1
Sunday 1st XI
Played 21 Won 14 Lost 4 Drew 1 Abandoned 3
Sunday 2nd XI
Played 22 Won 12 Lost 8 Drew 1 Abandoned 1
VETS and Midweek XI
Played 15 Won 8 Lost 7
Tour XI
Played 4 Won 2 Lost 2
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Under 15
Played 9 Won 4 Lost 5
Under 13A
Played 19 Won 13 Lost 5 Drew 1
Under 13B
Played 15 Won 3 Lost 12
Under 11
Played 7 Won 3 Lost 4
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New Records 2010
Highest Team Total - 346 for 6 - Tour XI v Happisburgh CC 7th July
Most Innings Scores Over 300 - 4
Most Match Aggregate Scores Over 600 - 3
Record 5th Wicket Partnership - 141 - Ist XI v Benfleet CC 30th May
(Richard Day and Paul Bennett)
Oldest Batsman to Score 1,000 Runs in a Season
(Richard Day)
Oldest Bowler to Take 50 Wickets in a Season
(Cliff Cansdale)
Largest Victory by 10 Wickets - 2nd XI v Old Parkonians CC 22nd May
(Tom Thompson and Mark Sansom)
Most Centuries in a Season - 24
Most Batsmen in a Season to Score Centuries - 19
Most Maiden Centuries for the Club in Senior Matches - 5
(Peter Clark, Danny Norris, Joe Joyce, Michael Fogg, Stuart Morris)
Highest 1st XI individual score - 175 not out v Benfleet CC 30th May
(Paul Bennett)
Highest 4th XI individual score - 148 v Orsett CC 3rd July
(Lee Webber)
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2010 2010
Review
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