2013 2013
Review
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Thankfully, the sun shone a little more this year after such a miserable 2012. Not surprisingly, many more matches were played and all matches were completed on both our youth and senior tours.
Our team performances in the Shepherd Neame Essex League were not entirely unsatisfactory, but we didn't really do ourselves justice. Our Saturday 2nd XI scooped the Division Three (2nd XIs) title quite convincingly, and our 5th XI finished Runners Up in the 'Friendly' Division. Our Saturday 1st, 3rd and 4th XIs finished 8th, 5th and 7th respectively in their Divisions and everyone felt that "we could have done better".
Saturday 2nd XI
SNEL Winners 2013
Back (Left to right): Matthew Williams, Richard Day, John Lewis Jnr, Imran Mohammed, Dan Dreher, Sheraz Shahid
Front (Left to right): Jim Banner, Nick Marns, Mark Sansom (Capt), Roy Heffernan, Jake Wolfe
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In marking our 5th anniversary in SNEL, the club can look back on 4 Division titles, 5 promotions and just one relegation - a reasonable record but much still needs to be done.
The Sunday 1st XI finally won the Essex Sunday League (East Division) title with a victory in their last match of the season. They have now been undefeated for the past 3 years so promotion was perhaps well deserved! Our Sunday 2nd XI won or drew one-half of their matches (the same as in 2012) and finished 3rd in the Warsop Sunday League (Division 2) - a creditable performance overall.
Our Bowlers
16 years old Sam Hall was the only bowler to take more than 50 wickets in the season, with a final tally of 55 wickets (7 in youth matches) at an average of 18.16 and an economy of 4.65. Mudassir Mukhtar was the leading wicket-taker in SNEL Division Three (3rd XIs) snaring 30 wickets at an average of 16.50. To view the bowling performances of all players in all teams in all SNEL matches, please click the .doc link . . SNEL Bowling Averages 2013.doc.
The best bowling returns in each XI in SNEL matches were:
1st XI - Gavin Jefferies - 5 for 37 v Stanford-le-Hope CC
2nd XI - Connor Day - 6 for 23 v Benfleet CC
3d XI - Mudassir Mukhtar - 7 for 27 v Hutton CC
4th XI - Alan Maidment - 4 for 18 v Stanford-le-Hope CC
5th XI - Braydon Scarlett - 5 for 23 v Hainault & Clayhall CC
Sam Hall - leading wicket-taker 2013
In all matches, other bowlers who took more than 25 wickets were:
Mudassir Mukhtar (42 wickets, 16.64 average, 4.00 economy)
George Maidment (39 wickets, 18.56 average, 4.91 economy)
Matthew Williams (39 wickets, 19.54 average, 3.83 economy)
Dale Kenyon (38 wickets, 24.03 average, 4.36 economy)
Jack Plane (35 wickets, 23.54 average, 4.34 economy)
Scott Stonham (35 wickets, 27.43 average, 4.22 economy)
Connor Day (34 wickets, 23.65 average, 4.01 economy)
Gavin Jefferies (33 wickets, 24.03 average, 4.49 economy)
Alan Maidment (32 wickets, 18.75 average, 3.20 economy)
Dan Norris (31 wickets, 16.06 average, 4.05 economy)
Imran Mohammed (31 wickets, 18.23 average, 3.18 economy)
Sheraz Shahid (28 wickets, 18.71 average, 3.95 economy)
The season's best bowling performance was registered by Mike Squires who returned a fantastic 7 for 7 (from 8 overs) for the Saturday 3rd XI against Eltham CC on 27th April. It was the best '7 for' since 1981. And George Maidment broke the record for best bowling analysis for the Saturday 5th XI when snaring 7 for 24 against Hainault & Clayhall CC on 10th August. Overall, a total of 18 '5 fors' were recorded in 2013 across all teams (19 in 2012 and 22 in 2011).
Maiden '5 fors' were registered by Eathan Morris, Braydon Scarlett, George Maidment and Mudassir Mukhtar.
Our Batsmen
Roy Heffernan was the club's leading run-scorer with a total of 1,634 runs at an average of 60.52 in 41 innings (the club's fifth highest ever total in a season), and he topped the SNEL batting table in Division Three (2nd XIs) with a record-breaking (for that Division) 791 runs at an average of 71.91. Joe Joyce scored 1,427 runs at an average of 67.95 in 26 innings and was the leading run-scorer in SNEL Division Two (1st XIs) with 778 runs at an average of 51.87 - and Joe also scored the most runs in all SNEL league and other competitions out of all of the 40 clubs in SNEL. To view the batting performances of all players in all teams in all SNEL matches, please click on the .doc link . . .SNEL Batting Averages 2013.doc. Coincidentally, Roy and Joe, playing in league matches in different XIs, both passed 1,000 runs for the season on the same afternoon - 20th July.
Other batsmen to score over 1,000 runs were Danny Joyce (1,212 runs at an average of 48.48 in 31 innings) and Ryan Wells (1,188 runs at an average of 36.00 in 35 innings).
The highest scores in each XI in SNEL matches were:
1st XI - Joe Joyce - 154 v Southend-on-Sea & EMT CC
2nd XI - Roy Heffernan - 101 v Old Parkonians CC
3rd XI - Stewart Farr - 89 v Westcliff-on-Sea CC
4th XI - Greg Mendham - 150* v Billericay CC
5th XI - Mike Randall - 92* v Harlow CC
Roy Heffernan - leading run-scorer in 2013
In all matches, other batsmen who scored more than 500 runs were:
Michael Fogg (949 runs, average 27.91)
Charlie Lewis (854 runs, average 42.70)
Gavin Jefferies (821 runs, average 34.21)
Wayne Read (707 runs, average 27.19)
Dan Norris (653 runs, average 29.68)
Mike Randall (651 runs, average 31.00)
Jim Banner (603 runs, average 32.26)
Scott Stonham (594 runs, average 21.21)
Greg Mendham (579 runs, average 30.47)
Mark Sansom (537 runs, average 35.80)
Martin Guilbert (506 runs, average 36.14)
The season's highest score - and the new club record highest score - was made by Paul Bennett with a majestic 200 not out against Havering-atte-Bower CC on 19th May, reaching his double century with a single off the last ball of the innings. Overall, a total of 20 centuries were registered across all teams (18 in 2012 and 17 in 2011).
Maiden centuries for the club were registered by Connor Day, Greg Mendham and Mike Randall.
And those who registered their maiden fifties for the club were Ewan Day, Jack Day, Keith Dhannie, Jono Edwards, Stewart Farr, Mark Fogg, Ben Garwood, Alfie Rowley, Suhail Shahid and Matthew Williams.
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The Hat Trick Club
Two new members joined the Hat Trick Club - Josh Reynolds for the Under 13s against Rayleigh CC on 19th May in his 4 for 23 (4 overs) and George Maidment for the 5th XI in his 7 for 24 (8 overs) against Hainault & Clayhall CC on 10th August. Many club bowlers can span an entire career of 30 years or more without taking a hat trick so well done to Josh and George. For details of other members of our Hat Trick Club, please visit the left-hand side menu on this website.
The 90s Club
2013 saw three new members join The 90s Club - Jim Robertson (90), Paul Hall (91) and Charlie Lewis (99 and 96). Others who fell just short of a century were Joe Joyce (99), Mike Randall (92*) and Roy Heffernan (90*). For details of all other members of The 90s Club, please visit the left-hand side menu on this website.
New club record individual score
The club record individual score of 181 not out had been held by Wayne Read since 1984. But Paul Bennett sailed past that with a majestic 200 not out in our first-ever match in the National Village Cup - at North Stifford Village Green against Havering-atte-Bower CC on 19th May. Opening the batting and facing 139 balls, Paul struck 7 sixes and 18 fours, neatly nudging a single off the last ball of our 40 overs innings to reach his double century. Excellent.
And other records fell on that day. With Charlie Lewis, Paul created a new club record 2nd wicket partnership of 234 and the innings total of 348 for 2 was our highest in a 40-overs match. We won. A truly memorable day and an individual double century that will be remembered for many years to come.
Paul Bennett - 200 not out
Double for GJ
Gavin Jefferies achieved a match 'double' when scoring a fifty (51) and taking a '5 for' (5 for 27) in the Saturday 1st XI SNEL match against Stanford-le-Hope CC on 11th May.
New record 10th wicket partnership
Our inaugural fixture against Myddleton House CC on 30th June saw the Sunday 1st XI bat first at North Stifford. Despite a decent pitch, we limped to 111 for 9 but Roy Heffernan (135*) and Sam Hall (23*) combined together to carve an astonishing new club record 10th wicket partnership of 155 to take our total to 266 at tea. This broke the previous record of 73 created in 2007 by Ian Wright and Danny Chandler and Roy's 135 not out was a new club record score for a No. 9 batsman, reaching his century in just 54 balls - thought to be a club record. We won by 135 runs. On the morning of the match, Roy's txt message to a club member said " . . . it could be a decent match. . . " Little did he know that, in addition to new records, it would be one of the club's greatest victories.
Sam Hall (left) and Roy Heffernan after their
record-breaking 10th wicket partnership of 155
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Scored 341 - but we still lost!
In the 50/50 SNEL match against Southend-on-Sea & EMT on 17th August, our Saturday 1st XI racked up 341 for 5 thanks to 154 from Joe Joyce (a career best) and 81 and 72 respectively from Danny Joyce and Martin Guilbert. And in the process, Joe partnered in two 150 runs partnerships. In reply, we were unable to contain Numan Kahn (144) and Ross Daynes (81) and we lost by 2 wickets with just 4 balls remaining. Only 3 maidens were bowled in the entire match.
A memorable match in which we created a new club record for the highest losing total when batting first - and left players wondering how on earth we managed to . . .Phew!
Youngsters to the rescue
Our Saturday 2nd XI enjoyed a highly successful season but came very close to a heavy defeat against Woodford Green CC (the longest established club in Essex) in their SNEL match on 27th July. Batting first, WG posted a competitive total of 251 for 8 thanks to 67 from Mark Smith and 60 from Jagjit Singh. In the run-chase after tea, our strong batting line-up struggled to make any impression (apart from Roy Heffernan with 67) as we slumped to 132 for 7 with defeat looking inevitable. But then, and on his 16th birthday, Sam Hall (40) joined 18 years old Dan Dreher (71) to share an 8th wicket partnership of 124 to steer us home to a fantastic 3 wickets win. One of our most memorable victories in SNEL.
Great win at the seaside
In the SNEL match on 22nd June, Old Southendian & Southchurch CC closed their innings on 204 for 7 after 52 overs. And although the strength of our Saturday 1st XI batting suggested that we were firm favourites to chase down the runs, the situation wasn't looking too promising when we found ourselves perched precariously on 98 for 7. But, as they say, "a game is not over 'til it's over", and Richard Day (60) and Billy Winter (31 not out) shared a 64 runs 8th wicket partnership to get us out of trouble - and to leave the stage for Dale Kenyon to secure an unlikely win by 1 wicket. Great game.
. . .and another fine win at the seaside
Our Saturday 3rd XI were reasonably satisfied when they bowled out Westcliff-on-Sea CC for 195 in their SNEL match on 18th May as Mudassir Mukhtar took 4 for 55. But in the run-chase, we weren't feeling quite so confident when our early-order batsmen contrived to take us to 43 for 5. Enter Stewart Farr (89) and Brian Edwards (56 not out) who smashed a brilliant 143 runs 6th wicket partnership and we reached the required target in 42 overs. And Stewart's career best score of 89 was a new club record score for a No. 7 batsman. Superb.
4th XI thanks 'Mr Extras'
The Saturday 4th XI was delighted when Ilford CC provided 60 'extras' towards our innings total of 145 in the SNEL match on 18th May. Sadly, however, we still lost by 100 runs. But 'Mr Extras' made an even greater contribution in another 4th XI match - on 8th June when Harlow Town CC gave us no less than 68 extras in our run-chase (but on this occasion we won as we reached the required target of 212).
9 consecutive matches
From 6th to 14th July inclusive, Charlie Lewis and Stewart Farr played in 9 consecutive matches (including the club's tour to Norfolk). In their 9th match, against Upminster CC, and clearly tired from their endeavours, if not each other, both 'scored' ducks. Not to be outdone, our much-loved scorer, Julie Whitlock, scribed in the same number of matches over the same period. Now there's dedication for you.
4 Days in a day
On 22nd June, Richard Day and sons Jack, Connor and Ewan all played for the club in SNEL matches. And although theyall batted for their respective XIs, it was dad Richard who out-scored the siblings in scoring a match-winning 60 in the Saturday 1st XI win over Old Southendian & Southchurch CC.
We turned the tables
Sunday 2nd XI skipper Mike Randall saw his team lose by 6 runs against South Weald CC on 15th June. But the following week, on 22nd June, and coming on 4th change, Mike took 3 for 24 to see his side home to victory - by 6 runs!
Our first ever 6th XI
For the first time in the club's history we fielded a 6th XI - on Saturday 6th July. We fielded twins George and Billy Maidment and father and son Neill and Jordan Sullivan. Cameron Blake took 2 for 19 and Ewan Day top-scored with 26. And we may have lost but it was an historical and enjoyable day under the leadership of skipper Barry Ruck.
Our first-ever 6th XI v Billericay CC on 6th July
Back (Left to right): John Clarke, Billy Maidment, Neil Sullivan, Cameron Blake, Jordan Sullivan, Ryan Prendergast
Front (Left to Right): Joe Clarke, George Maidment, Barry Ruck (Capt), Ewan Day, John Gray#
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Ladies Section
Members of our Ladies section participated in the indoor competition at The Hathaway Academy and coaching/training was organised at North Stifford Village Green. In our new playing kit, the first full XI match was played at North Stifford Village against Upminster CC and it is planned to arrange more matches in 2014.
Youth Cricket
A full programme of matches was arranged for our Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 teams and we participated in the Under 16 Matchplay competition. We also took part in the Mini-Matchplay event at the County Ground and were undefeated in our matches.
The highlights of the season were: the hat trick by Josh Reynolds against Rayleigh CC, the two '5 fors ' by Eathan Morris against Horndon-on-the-Hill CC and Pegasus & Corringham CC and the fifties scored by Ben Garwood against Rye CC and Mathew Lewis Jnr against Westcliff-on-Sea CC.
Our 15th Youth Tour was organised in August. This time we toured Sussex and Kent and the weather was kind enough for us to complete our five scheduled matches - two were won, two were lost and one was drawn. The tour party comprised more than fifty players, parents and supporters and a great time was had by all.
Mini-Matchplay at the County Ground
Left to right: Jamie Fairweather, George Benson, Morgan Rudder, Jude Ranson, Liam Waters, Henry Benson
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and. . . . .
* Joe Joyce passed 5,000 runs for the club on 21st May
* 5 penalty runs were conceded by the Saturday 4th XI in the SNEL match against Stanford-le-Hope CC on 25th May
* The combined age of our Saturday 4th XI players in the SNEL match v Ilford CC on 18th May was 492!
* Connor Day took a '5 for' and scored a century in the 2013 season - a rare feat
* Rob Long established a new club record for a No. 11 batsman - 43 not out for the 3rd XI v Leigh-on-Sea CC on 29th June
* Mike Randall became the oldest batsman to score a century for the club - at 53 years 150 days
* Don East became the oldest batsman to score a fifty for the club - at 63 years 210 days
* In the league match against East Essex Stallions CC on 11th August, our Sunday 1st XI were awarded 6 lbw decisions
- by 6 different bowlers
* In the Saturday 1st XI match against Hornchurch CC on 10th August, only 1 wide was bowled in the match (106 overs)
* Dale Kenyon bowled the third ever highest number of overs in an innings - 26 - for the Saturday 1st XI against
Horndon-on-the-Hill CC on 20th July
* In SNEL matches on 31st August, we were fortunate to be able to 'field' four official scorers -
Julie Whitlock, Pat Stephenson, Julia Squires and Cliff Cansdale
* Joe Joyce scored 136 in the T20 match against Woodford Green CC on 27th May
* Our Saturday 5th XI established a new record team total - 240 for 5 against Rayleigh CC on 29th June
* Stewart Farr established the new club record score for a No. 7 batsmen when scoring 89 for the 3rd XI against
Westcliff-on-Sea CC on 18th May
* Four of our batsmen struck 6s to win matches - Brian Edwards, Dan Dreher, Jack Plane and Keith Dhannie
* 3 outfield catches in a match were taken by Sam Hall, Joe Joyce, Barry Ruck, Danny Joyce, Dan Norris and Stuart Morris
* Mark Sansom equalled his own club record of most wicketkeeper catches in a match - 6 - for the Saturday 2nd XI
against Billericay CC on 13th July
* Joe Joyce and Charlie Lewis became the third and fourth batsmen in the club's history to be dismissed on 99
* Mike Randall established a new club record score by a 5th XI batsman - 92* v Harlow CC on 20th July
Mike Randall Joe Joyce (left) and Charlie Lewis
Stewart Farr
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Final Senior Team Results 2013
Saturday 1st XI - Played 22, Won 10, Lost 10, Drew 2
Saturday 2nd XI - Played 20, Won 11, Lost 3, Drew 5, Abandoned 1
Saturday 3rd XI - Played 20, Won 9, Lost 8, Drew 2, Abandoned 1
Saturday 4th XI - Played 17, Won 5, Lost 6, Drew 5, Abandoned 1
Saturday 5th XI - Played 17, Won 5, Lost 6, Drew 5, Abandoned 1
Sunday 1st XI - Played 18, Won 16, Lost 1, Drew 1
Sunday 2nd XI - Played 22, Won 9, Lost 11, Drew 1, Abandoned 1
Midweek XI - Played 8, Won 4, Lost 4
Senior Tour XI - Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2
Gentlemen's XI - Played 2, Lost 2
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Player performance records and statistics are all very interesting, but, of course, they don't always tell the true story of what happened or didn't happen in any given match. Most of the players whose names don't appear in this Annual Review contributed in some way or other to victories or draws, so well done to everyone. And whether we are winning or losing matches, it should be remembered that it is a congenial club atmosphere and player camaraderie that creates a fine club.
And with the benefit of enhanced clubhouse facilities at North Stifford Village Green and a new pavilion at South Ockendon Recreation Groud, Belhus Cricket Club experienced another enjoyable season. We are grateful to our many volunteers, our generous sponsors and the many members and friends who supported our '150 Club' and numerous other fund-raising activities during 2013 - it is only with such support that our club is able to progress and develop. Thank you all very much.
2013 2013
Review
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