Bickley Park managed to get back on the winning trail today in their home encounter with Beckenham.
Having won the toss, Bickley took the unusual step, for them, of bowling first. Given Beckenham found themselves 77-7 at one point, it wasn't the worst decision the Bickley skipper has ever made. Despite a battling 39* from Whiteland, Beckenham were all out for 148 on a track that simply wasn't a 148 track. So it proved with Bickley's openers, Singh (53) and Hooper (43) making a massive dent in the target and with almost 25 overs, for the loss of 4 wickets, Bickley landed the spoils.
Top of the table Canterbury's defeat of Bromley means that, although it is isn't mathematically certain, they will be playing in the Premier Division next season. Should Bickley win their final two games they will join Canterbury although one victory might just be enough.
Had the pleasure to umpire OD Cuaco CC 4s vs Old Colfes 4s today. A low scoring thriller, OCs won 8 down in the final over. @PaddyP17 made a mockery of the ODs top order with 5-24 and a total of 137 always looked below par. ODs battled back and looked to be in poll position with OCs 8 down needing 20 form 4 overs. A very good 9th wicket partnership saw OCs home with 4 balls to spare, not before ODs had turned down a difficult chance with 10 runs needed. Lovely to meet fellow addicks @PaddyP17, @AshBurton and his son Simon. Wish you all well and the only disappointment was not to see @Leuth perform since he was promoted to OCs 2s, purely on merit I understand....
It was lovely to chat to you again, mid life crisis, and belatedly make the Charlton Life connection via Paddy. I’m surprised you didn’t notice Leuth bowling on the adjacent pitch as your game needed to be halted on a couple of occasions to retrieve the ball.
Bickley Park managed to get back on the winning trail today in their home encounter with Beckenham.
Having won the toss, Bickley took the unusual step, for them, of bowling first. Given Beckenham found themselves 77-7 at one point, it wasn't the worst decision the Bickley skipper has ever made. Despite a battling 39* from Whiteland, Beckenham were all out for 148 on a track that simply wasn't a 148 track. So it proved with Bickley's openers, Singh (53) and Hooper (43) making a massive dent in the target and with almost 25 overs, for the loss of 4 wickets, Bickley landed the spoils.
Top of the table Canterbury's defeat of Bromley means that, although it is isn't mathematically certain, they will be playing in the Premier Division next season. Should Bickley win their final two games they will join Canterbury although one victory might just be enough.
How has Seb been doing since his return from his broken thumb?
Bickley Park managed to get back on the winning trail today in their home encounter with Beckenham.
Having won the toss, Bickley took the unusual step, for them, of bowling first. Given Beckenham found themselves 77-7 at one point, it wasn't the worst decision the Bickley skipper has ever made. Despite a battling 39* from Whiteland, Beckenham were all out for 148 on a track that simply wasn't a 148 track. So it proved with Bickley's openers, Singh (53) and Hooper (43) making a massive dent in the target and with almost 25 overs, for the loss of 4 wickets, Bickley landed the spoils.
Top of the table Canterbury's defeat of Bromley means that, although it is isn't mathematically certain, they will be playing in the Premier Division next season. Should Bickley win their final two games they will join Canterbury although one victory might just be enough.
How has Seb been doing since his return from his broken thumb?
Thanks for asking @LenGlover . The season has been a bit of a "write off" since not only did he miss six weeks with the thumb injury (when we had the best weather) but, then, as soon as he came back Bickley had a couple of games abandoned and he wasn't required to bat in a couple of the others - so, he has only batted 7 times on a Saturday in total this season with scores of 25, 32*, 11, 0, 31, 4 and 13* - ironically the two games he was unbeaten in were the two wins against Beckenham. The intention was also that he would return to doing some keeping but with the thumb only really being one hundred per cent in the last couple of weeks plus he's also been nursing a rotator cuff shoulder injury sustained diving when he first returned, it makes no sense for him to do so with just two remaining games - the main thing now is that he tries to help Bickley get promoted in any way he can.
Having been to Australia for six months in each of the last two winters, he's actually been playing cricket for virtually two and a half years non stop so he's going to take this winter to re-evaluate where he is and also to allow his body to recuperate. He's coaching at a school during the off season as well as for the district and also running a club's winter training program so it's not as if he's going to be totally escaping the game! Then, all things being equal, he will return fit and able to start afresh next summer for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Our firsts who’ve won so many coin flips got smashed in their 2nd place v 3rd match when they lost to Springfields 2nd Xl who Leap frog us in to second place . we got a pathetic 155 all out in our 45 overs , Springfield stuttered to 40-3 before cruising home with 3 overs to spare and not losing another wicket . The seconds are 3rd in the table as well and now play second this Saturday .
I came back too early from injury but I’m playing in our Presidents 30 over club match on Bank Holiday Monday where I’ve been named skipper and my eldest son is the oppo skipper with 3rd son Peter Kay playing for them as well , I’m gonna teach these kids a lesson !!
Some wonder why people do not want to umpire - warning the footage below contains some rather extraordinary language.
The abuse might not have been aimed at the Umpire by the Hailsham CC player in a Sussex League game last weekend but the official will still have to write a report about this and the behaviour is indicative of the lack of respect shown to the game these days by some players. No doubt someone reading this will excuse his (and other members of his team) actions because that is the way they like to play cricket. The really stupid thing is that the Hailsham players must have known that their actions were being streamed!
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
Our firsts who’ve won so many coin flips got smashed in their 2nd place v 3rd match when they lost to Springfields 2nd Xl who Leap frog us in to second place . we got a pathetic 155 all out in our 45 overs , Springfield stuttered to 40-3 before cruising home with 3 overs to spare and not losing another wicket . The seconds are 3rd in the table as well and now play second this Saturday .
I came back too early from injury but I’m playing in our Presidents 30 over club match on Bank Holiday Monday where I’ve been named skipper and my eldest son is the oppo skipper with 3rd son Peter Kay playing for them as well , I’m gonna teach these kids a lesson !!
Probability on the main lesson being 10% - never underestimate an elder cricketer 45% - never come back too early twice from an injury
45% - don’t eat too much chocolate at tea as it’ll cost a fortune in new whites.
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
as a aside I would also allow the umpires to add or subtract runs if the players question the Umpires decisions . If you had 50 runs added onto the oppo's score for each time / person who questioned their decisions then it would quickly stop it.
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
as a aside I would also allow the umpires to add or subtract runs if the players question the Umpires decisions . If you had 50 runs added onto the oppo's score for each time / person who questioned their decisions then it would quickly stop it.
I've watched the ball prior to the one above - it goes down the legside and the Umpire gives wides. Immediately the same bowler throws his arms about and questions the decision. So that is two balls in a row that would qualify for a five run penalty (in addition to others not related to this e.g. ball hitting helmet on ground)
wilfully mistreating the cricket ground, equipment or implements
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
as a aside I would also allow the umpires to add or subtract runs if the players question the Umpires decisions . If you had 50 runs added onto the oppo's score for each time / person who questioned their decisions then it would quickly stop it.
While this could happen where you have neutral umpires, it just wouldn't work in club cricket where clubs appoint their own officials. The Voluntary Code of Conduct generally works very well, and it is only a small amount of games where players flaunt it (often because they know their own umpires won't report them).
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
Don't know if you can see anything further on from this clip ..maybe the skipper intervening,an attempt to pacify this oaf possibly? Level 2 offence @Pedro45?
Incidentally in my experience the Kent league is/was better on discipline than Sussex
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
Don't know if you can see anything further on from this clip ..maybe the skipper intervening,an attempt to pacify this oaf possibly? Level 2 offence @Pedro45?
Incidentally in my experience the Kent league is/was better on discipline than Sussex
The wide ball takes place at 1:41:18 (with the antics from the bowler remonstrating with the Umpire) and the wicket follows the next ball. As you can see post the wicket, someone does push the bowler out of the way but only after he has been allowed to vent his spleen to all and sundry both verbally and with actions with his hands. Two fielders are heard accusing some of the spectators of aggravating the situation.
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
Don't know if you can see anything further on from this clip ..maybe the skipper intervening,an attempt to pacify this oaf possibly? Level 2 offence @Pedro45?
Incidentally in my experience the Kent league is/was better on discipline than Sussex
The wide ball takes place at 1:41:18 (with the antics from the bowler remonstrating with the Umpire) and the wicket follows the next ball. As you can see post the wicket, someone does push the bowler out of the way but only after he has been allowed to vent his spleen to all and sundry both verbally and with actions with his hands. Two fielders are heard accusing some of the spectators of aggravating the situation.
It doesn't remotely excuse the outburst, but if you go back just one more over you gain more clues as to why it came about. Young leggie comes on against a guy who's feeling a bit dangerous. A brutally familiar (to me, from my own legspin days) tale of yips, full tosses, lost balls, no balls and sixes ensues, and 34 runs later the lad's entire world is in ruins. Small wonder there's an outburst when he's out next over, albeit yeah, taken way too far (although if your first name is Diesel you probably have an explosive reputation to uphold)
Hailsham are currently in 2nd place in Division 4E of the Sussex League. Imagine them getting a points deduction because of the actions of their players. A whole season's efforts potentially undone but, there again, this incident was caught on camera and some might question, given the continued nature of the send off and vitriol coming out of the players' mouths,that this wasn't the first time that they have pushed the boundaries.
Don't know if you can see anything further on from this clip ..maybe the skipper intervening,an attempt to pacify this oaf possibly? Level 2 offence @Pedro45?
Incidentally in my experience the Kent league is/was better on discipline than Sussex
Two offences really, both level one I think. Abuse heard over the boundary and also the send off.
I see a couple of our best bowlers were missing for the 2’s this week (8 overs 0-8 and a 6-40 from last week unavailable today) For our home match we’re third v second placed Beaulieu Park 2nd XI and tentatively put myself forward for selection if required for my first game for the 2s this season , I’ve only bowled 2 overs for the 3s and that’s when I re fucked my knee after op 2 months or so back . I’ve been picked and passed my late fitness test , we’ve got an injured wild card player from the ones playing (moody) and a pony player who usually plays just Sundays , plus me … been in training (stopped eating biscuits , chocolate and crap) since Tuesday when I put myself forward for selection and have lost 6lbs 🙄 down to just over 14stone still the heaviest I’ve played cricket in my life , cat funt I am I’m excited and nervous like a big kid .. boffin playing for one’s passed his driving test the other week and I’m lining him up to drive me home pissed if we win but he’s refusing (not had my company in the car yet cos I’m too critical 🤦♂️ ) and we’ll lose anyway ffs ever the optimist
We bowled first, had oppo 215/15 off their allotted 40 overs … disgraceful cheating umpiring lbws caught behinds even a run out the batsman walked off … eight down they ended then heavens opened game abandoned I didn’t even get a bowl 🙄 but my legs held up
we now go in to next week needing 25 points to get promotion (2nd place we played today have finished their season ) which means we have to bat first to get 200 and 5 bonus points and win match with oppo 8 down and 4 bonus points plus 16 for the win if oppo bat first they need to get 179 all out so we can get 4 batting points (for 180 runs) with 5 bowling points fffs so if we bowl them out for less we fuck ourselves ffs ridiculous we may have to feed them runs if we have them 100/6 what if they’re 179/9 in the last over do we get a wicket which we might not or give them 20 runs so we can get 200 to get 5 bonus points to go with 4 for the wickets (1 point every 2 wickets)
if we get 24 points we end up level it goes to game winning percentage of completed matches which is the same apparently and then on to who has best away record and that’s the same , so its a play off after that … it’ll prolly get rained off and we’re done anyway .
edit: it was their skipper and another clown who were the cheats
We bowled first, had oppo 215/15 off their allotted 40 overs … disgraceful cheating umpiring lbws caught behinds even a run out the batsman walked off … eight down they ended then heavens opened game abandoned I didn’t even get a bowl 🙄 but my legs held up
we now go in to next week needing 25 points to get promotion (2nd place we played today have finished their season ) which means we have to bat first to get 200 and 5 bonus points and win match with oppo 8 down and 4 bonus points plus 16 for the win if oppo bat first they need to get 179 all out so we can get 4 batting points (for 180 runs) with 5 bowling points fffs so if we bowl them out for less we fuck ourselves ffs ridiculous we may have to feed them runs if we have them 100/6 what if they’re 179/9 in the last over do we get a wicket which we might not or give them 20 runs so we can get 200 to get 5 bonus points to go with 4 for the wickets (1 point every 2 wickets)
if we get 24 points we end up level it goes to game winning percentage of completed matches which is the same apparently and then on to who has best away record and that’s the same , so its a play off after that … it’ll prolly get rained off and we’re done anyway .
edit: it was their skipper and another clown who were the cheats
That is an absolute madness of a bonus system. Should have a fixed number that is at least 75% of the total number of points you can get, not 64% as your system describes! (KCL lower reaches is 15 for a win + 1 point per two wickets taken)
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We had an abandoned today and a madness of a fixture against Old Elthamians 2s. We had 11 this morning, two of whom I'd never met; one of whom is a mate who is a softball player; one guy who's basically retired from the game; one guy usually in our 5s (club legend and regular though); another guy who's played 4 games for the 4s/5s after not playing since school; four 4th XI regulars; and a teenager who plays 5s.
One of the guys I'd never met pulled out cricking his neck on the way to the ground. 14 year old lad we knew very little about but a regular school cricketer guy. Shame. Down to ten.
We lose the toss, meaning I'm one away from a 100% record of losses this season, and are stuck in. (Shit. We wanted to field for reasons that will become clear.) We start on time. First over 1/1 - basically retired guy fends to gully. Some time later about 10/2 - teenager who plays 5s edges they're quick behind.
Then, 20/3 - our number 4, the guy I'd never met but who made it to the game, is pinned on the head by a bouncer. No lid. Sees stars. Says he's okay to continue to bat and is bowled next ball. He then goes to A&E and, thankfully, is fine. Down to nine.
30/3 and we go off for a long rain break - heavens really did open. Thereafter we proceed quite nicely to 70 or 80 odd for 4, when our number 5 holes out. Our number 6 is the softball player - he gets two and then is bowled. 86/5 or so. Our number 7 comes in; inside edges it onto his pads for an LBW (thanks to the teenager who plays 5s). 86/6. I run in, forgetting I'm at 9, needing to pad up.
Our opener then gets bowled by the ancient left arm spinner/grenade launcher after putting on about 15 with our number 8. 102/7. I come in and with rain looming, and six overs to go, we put on a useful 39 runs or so to take us to 141/8, as I'm run out off the last ball for 11. 34* for the man returning after two decades including a massive on drive for six - there's a hitter in there!
The heavens open BIBLICALLY as I am run out, and they rush to get the covers on. The wicket takes two minutes of heavy rain, but covers are secured. This is at 4.50pm. With the rain and weather and underfoot conditions as they are, they start their reply at 6pm.
But teenager left at 5pm. Regular and my intended opening bowler left at 6pm. We are down to seven.
At this point, Elthamians should be MASSIVELY commended for lending us three fielders. Yes, it's a nothing fixture, but some of their 1s lads came down and fielded. (One dropped a catch but the ball was a bar of soap in fairness.)
We bowl eight overs with their generous spare fielders and they're 40-odd for 2. They then have the last hour from 6.30pm - min 16 overs to bowl - and they can probably do it at a run a ball. The three sub fielders go; they're replaced by two of their own team. Again, hugely generous, and we manoeuvre nine guys around how we can. I wanted to give their guys every chance to play and get a result as it's their last fixture of the season - and I was hoping we could take it close wicket-wise. But our keeper is the retired guy who can't really bend down; we have me opening the bowling; our opening bat opening the bowling as there is NO ONE else; and our grenade launcher who bowls at 15mph as... it, basically. Some other part timers but I would only trust myself to bowl nine overs - finding 31 from six others would've been near impossible.
We get four or five overs in after 6.30pm, at which point another heavy enough shower falls, and we call it with them 80-odd for 4 off 13, needing 60-odd off 16 to win. But the weather prevailed. I'd gone 7-0-43-3 including a fabulous even slower ball to get out one of their guys (it really was a nice piece of work). We dropped about six in that time though!
A really oddly fun day and I must commend Owen and his charges at OEs for their spirit and that we did our best to play. We didn't reduce overs, thinking we'd be fine, but there we have it. Ten points - way more than I thought given our list of 50(!!!) unavailable players this week - and a good day out.
One game left next week and then a good old club end of season congregation I imagine.
Bickley Park went to The Mote in the knowledge that a win might secure them promotion.
Bickley won the toss and elected to field. With the home side 55-1 and in little trouble it did look as though Bickley might be chasing a few. In stepped skipper Elliot Hooper to take the ball and to say fortunes dramatically changed with him doing so is a bit of an understatement - 5 wickets in 8 balls including a hat trick, finishing with 6-17 plus a run out. The only resistance came from opener Harvey who battled for 68 off 116 balls out of a total of 133. Given that there were 28 extras it won't surprise anyone to learn that the other 10 players managed just 37 runs between them.
Not content with his six fer and run out, Hooper then hit 64 off 62 balls to see Bickley home by 8 wickets. And just to show he's not the selfish individual that his MOM performances in the game would suggest, he had pre-arranged (with the help of his partner and Mum) for the players to go for a barbecue at his house which is just a stone throw away from The Mote.
As it happened, one suspects that a few beers might have been sunk given that third placed Bromley's game was abandoned (Bromley 94 all out and Beckenham 1-0 at the time) and as a result Bickley are promoted back to the PL at the first time of asking. Some comfort for going down by just the one point last season and potentially they could land the Championship title if they win next week and Canterbury fail to do so because the current leaders conspired to lose by 5 wickets to Dartford mainly as a result of being 99 all out. Here's hoping Super Hooper is in the same form next week!
Points in Mid Essex Cricket League 16 for a win bonus batting points 120=1 140=2 160=3 180=4 200=5 bonus bowling points every 2 wickets 1 point ….so 8&9= 4 and 10 wickets = 5
we need to win and get 9 bonus points to win the league outrIght or 8 to take it to a tie if the powers that be have worked it out correctly to have a playoff for promotion
Forgetting us hitting a 6 off the last ball we need oppo to score realistically 159 all out (5 bonus points ) so we can knock them off 160 (3 bonus points ) and tie for second .
my issue is if they’re on 140 for 6 with 2 overs left we need them up to 199 unless we nick 2 wickets when 179 will do but we can’t afford to not be in control of it .
obviously if we bat first 200 , they don’t get the runs and we get 6 wickets to tie 2nd place or 8 wickets to win promotion
lots of different scenarios to fuck this up with!
Edit : Just checked and they have a better away record so we need 25 points for promotion . so 180+ and 10 wickets and a win or 200+ and 8 wickets and a win if they bat first it could become farcical if we have them 50-5
A special shout out to Leeds and Broomfield CC, who have addicks involved.
Promoted yesterday as Champions to the KCL Championship.
8th promotion in 14 years with no relegations. Majority of players played at the club since youth level. No paid players. And good enough to easily hold their own next year. (Oh and a little match next Sunday at Lords in the NVC final).
Bickley Park went to The Mote in the knowledge that a win might secure them promotion.
Bickley won the toss and elected to field. With the home side 55-1 and in little trouble it did look as though Bickley might be chasing a few. In stepped skipper Elliot Hooper to take the ball and to say fortunes dramatically changed with him doing so is a bit of an understatement - 5 wickets in 8 balls including a hat trick, finishing with 6-17 plus a run out. The only resistance came from opener Harvey who battled for 68 off 116 balls out of a total of 133. Given that there were 28 extras it won't surprise anyone to learn that the other 10 players managed just 37 runs between them.
Not content with his six fer and run out, Hooper then hit 64 off 62 balls to see Bickley home by 8 wickets. And just to show he's not the selfish individual that his MOM performances in the game would suggest, he had pre-arranged (with the help of his partner and Mum) for the players to go for a barbecue at his house which is just a stone throw away from The Mote.
As it happened, one suspects that a few beers might have been sunk given that third placed Bromley's game was abandoned (Bromley 94 all out and Beckenham 1-0 at the time) and as a result Bickley are promoted back to the PL at the first time of asking. Some comfort for going down by just the one point last season and potentially they could land the Championship title if they win next week and Canterbury fail to do so because the current leaders conspired to lose by 5 wickets to Dartford mainly as a result of being 99 all out. Here's hoping Super Hooper is in the same form next week!
How did Hooper come to be at Bickley ? Maidstone to Bickley for Training and Matches can’t be easy every week.
A special shout out to Leeds and Broomfield CC, who have addicks involved.
Promoted yesterday as Champions to the KCL Championship.
8th promotion in 14 years with no relegations. Majority of players played at the club since youth level. No paid players. And good enough to easily hold their own next year. (Oh and a little match next Sunday at Lords in the NVC final).
Interesting to see who replaces Bickley and Canterbury in the championship .
At the moment it looks like it could be a Premier league trapdoor playoff between Blackheath and Sevenoaks Vine. Didn’t think they would be candidates at the start of the campaign.
Bickley Park went to The Mote in the knowledge that a win might secure them promotion.
Bickley won the toss and elected to field. With the home side 55-1 and in little trouble it did look as though Bickley might be chasing a few. In stepped skipper Elliot Hooper to take the ball and to say fortunes dramatically changed with him doing so is a bit of an understatement - 5 wickets in 8 balls including a hat trick, finishing with 6-17 plus a run out. The only resistance came from opener Harvey who battled for 68 off 116 balls out of a total of 133. Given that there were 28 extras it won't surprise anyone to learn that the other 10 players managed just 37 runs between them.
Not content with his six fer and run out, Hooper then hit 64 off 62 balls to see Bickley home by 8 wickets. And just to show he's not the selfish individual that his MOM performances in the game would suggest, he had pre-arranged (with the help of his partner and Mum) for the players to go for a barbecue at his house which is just a stone throw away from The Mote.
As it happened, one suspects that a few beers might have been sunk given that third placed Bromley's game was abandoned (Bromley 94 all out and Beckenham 1-0 at the time) and as a result Bickley are promoted back to the PL at the first time of asking. Some comfort for going down by just the one point last season and potentially they could land the Championship title if they win next week and Canterbury fail to do so because the current leaders conspired to lose by 5 wickets to Dartford mainly as a result of being 99 all out. Here's hoping Super Hooper is in the same form next week!
How did Hooper come to be at Bickley ? Maidstone to Bickley for Training and Matches can’t be easy every week.
He teaches at Trinity School in Croydon (as do two of the other players) and up until this summer was renting in Bickley but he and his partner bought a place together in Maidstone (not sure if that is where she is from). Training is hardly an issue for April to July as it's on his way home and some of the away games are as near for him, if not nearer anyway as in the case of The Mote. His parents live in Sussex and come to every single home and away games so travelling is clearly not an issue to the family!
Not quite the same as the former international cricketer who has been playing in the Kent League for a number of years and who flies in from Holland every weekend!!!
A special shout out to Leeds and Broomfield CC, who have addicks involved.
Promoted yesterday as Champions to the KCL Championship.
8th promotion in 14 years with no relegations. Majority of players played at the club since youth level. No paid players. And good enough to easily hold their own next year. (Oh and a little match next Sunday at Lords in the NVC final).
The Treasurer and father of the big hitting club captain used to be in the year below me at school and I used to play football with his brother too. Congratulations to them.
Interesting to see who replaces Bickley and Canterbury in the championship .
At the moment it looks like it could be a Premier league trapdoor playoff between Blackheath and Sevenoaks Vine. Didn’t think they would be candidates at the start of the campaign.
If the Vine (167) beat Blackheath (160), then the latter will be down. However, If Blackheath win then Hayes (167) and Sandwich (168) could go down if they lose to Minster and Bexley respectively as it will all come down to bonus points achieved by those teams and the Vine. I don't think anyone had last year's PL Champions, Hayes, as candidates for relegation but Sandwich certainly would have been given that they only survived on the final day of last season by one point.
Congratulations to Seb's two former clubs (for which he and I are still social members of) Sidcup 1s and Bexley 2s who are promoted to the 3rd tier from Division 2 to Division 1. Bexley 1s lost to Tunbridge Wells yesterday so are out of the PL title race but still have the National Club Final to look forward to.
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Having won the toss, Bickley took the unusual step, for them, of bowling first. Given Beckenham found themselves 77-7 at one point, it wasn't the worst decision the Bickley skipper has ever made. Despite a battling 39* from Whiteland, Beckenham were all out for 148 on a track that simply wasn't a 148 track. So it proved with Bickley's openers, Singh (53) and Hooper (43) making a massive dent in the target and with almost 25 overs, for the loss of 4 wickets, Bickley landed the spoils.
Top of the table Canterbury's defeat of Bromley means that, although it is isn't mathematically certain, they will be playing in the Premier Division next season. Should Bickley win their final two games they will join Canterbury although one victory might just be enough.
Having been to Australia for six months in each of the last two winters, he's actually been playing cricket for virtually two and a half years non stop so he's going to take this winter to re-evaluate where he is and also to allow his body to recuperate. He's coaching at a school during the off season as well as for the district and also running a club's winter training program so it's not as if he's going to be totally escaping the game! Then, all things being equal, he will return fit and able to start afresh next summer for whatever challenges lie ahead.
we got a pathetic 155 all out in our 45 overs , Springfield stuttered to 40-3 before cruising home with 3 overs to spare and not losing another wicket .
The seconds are 3rd in the table as well and now play second this Saturday .
I came back too early from injury but I’m playing in our Presidents 30 over club match on Bank Holiday Monday where I’ve been named skipper and my eldest son is the oppo skipper with 3rd son Peter Kay playing for them as well , I’m gonna teach these kids a lesson !!
The abuse might not have been aimed at the Umpire by the Hailsham CC player in a Sussex League game last weekend but the official will still have to write a report about this and the behaviour is indicative of the lack of respect shown to the game these days by some players. No doubt someone reading this will excuse his (and other members of his team) actions because that is the way they like to play cricket. The really stupid thing is that the Hailsham players must have known that their actions were being streamed!
10% - never underestimate an elder cricketer
45% - never come back too early twice from an injury
Incidentally in my experience the Kent league is/was better on discipline than Sussex
For our home match we’re third v second placed Beaulieu Park 2nd XI and tentatively put myself forward for selection if required for my first game for the 2s this season , I’ve only bowled 2 overs for the 3s and that’s when I re fucked my knee after op 2 months or so back .
I’ve been picked and passed my late fitness test , we’ve got an injured wild card player from the ones playing (moody)
and a pony player who usually plays just Sundays , plus me …
been in training (stopped eating biscuits , chocolate and crap) since Tuesday when I put myself forward for selection and have lost 6lbs 🙄 down to just over 14stone still the heaviest I’ve played cricket in my life , cat funt I am
I’m excited and nervous like a big kid ..
boffin playing for one’s passed his driving test the other week and I’m lining him up to drive me home pissed if we win but he’s refusing (not had my company in the car yet cos I’m too critical 🤦♂️ ) and we’ll lose anyway ffs ever the optimist
good luck to all playing today
then heavens opened game abandoned
I didn’t even get a bowl 🙄 but my legs held up
we now go in to next week needing 25 points to get promotion (2nd place we played today have finished their season ) which means we have to bat first to get 200 and 5 bonus points and win match with oppo 8 down and 4 bonus points plus 16 for the win
if oppo bat first they need to get 179 all out so we can get 4 batting points (for 180 runs) with 5 bowling points fffs so if we bowl them out for less we fuck ourselves ffs ridiculous we may have to feed them runs if we have them 100/6 what if they’re 179/9 in the last over do we get a wicket which we might not or give them 20 runs so we can get 200 to get 5 bonus points to go with 4 for the wickets (1 point every 2 wickets)
if we get 24 points we end up level it goes to game winning percentage of completed matches which is the same apparently and then on to who has best away record and that’s the same , so its a play off after that …
it’ll prolly get rained off and we’re done anyway .
edit: it was their skipper and another clown who were the cheats
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We had an abandoned today and a madness of a fixture against Old Elthamians 2s. We had 11 this morning, two of whom I'd never met; one of whom is a mate who is a softball player; one guy who's basically retired from the game; one guy usually in our 5s (club legend and regular though); another guy who's played 4 games for the 4s/5s after not playing since school; four 4th XI regulars; and a teenager who plays 5s.
One of the guys I'd never met pulled out cricking his neck on the way to the ground. 14 year old lad we knew very little about but a regular school cricketer guy. Shame. Down to ten.
Then, 20/3 - our number 4, the guy I'd never met but who made it to the game, is pinned on the head by a bouncer. No lid. Sees stars. Says he's okay to continue to bat and is bowled next ball. He then goes to A&E and, thankfully, is fine. Down to nine.
30/3 and we go off for a long rain break - heavens really did open. Thereafter we proceed quite nicely to 70 or 80 odd for 4, when our number 5 holes out. Our number 6 is the softball player - he gets two and then is bowled. 86/5 or so. Our number 7 comes in; inside edges it onto his pads for an LBW (thanks to the teenager who plays 5s). 86/6. I run in, forgetting I'm at 9, needing to pad up.
Our opener then gets bowled by the ancient left arm spinner/grenade launcher after putting on about 15 with our number 8. 102/7. I come in and with rain looming, and six overs to go, we put on a useful 39 runs or so to take us to 141/8, as I'm run out off the last ball for 11. 34* for the man returning after two decades including a massive on drive for six - there's a hitter in there!
The heavens open BIBLICALLY as I am run out, and they rush to get the covers on. The wicket takes two minutes of heavy rain, but covers are secured. This is at 4.50pm. With the rain and weather and underfoot conditions as they are, they start their reply at 6pm.
But teenager left at 5pm. Regular and my intended opening bowler left at 6pm. We are down to seven.
At this point, Elthamians should be MASSIVELY commended for lending us three fielders. Yes, it's a nothing fixture, but some of their 1s lads came down and fielded. (One dropped a catch but the ball was a bar of soap in fairness.)
We bowl eight overs with their generous spare fielders and they're 40-odd for 2. They then have the last hour from 6.30pm - min 16 overs to bowl - and they can probably do it at a run a ball. The three sub fielders go; they're replaced by two of their own team. Again, hugely generous, and we manoeuvre nine guys around how we can. I wanted to give their guys every chance to play and get a result as it's their last fixture of the season - and I was hoping we could take it close wicket-wise. But our keeper is the retired guy who can't really bend down; we have me opening the bowling; our opening bat opening the bowling as there is NO ONE else; and our grenade launcher who bowls at 15mph as... it, basically. Some other part timers but I would only trust myself to bowl nine overs - finding 31 from six others would've been near impossible.
We get four or five overs in after 6.30pm, at which point another heavy enough shower falls, and we call it with them 80-odd for 4 off 13, needing 60-odd off 16 to win. But the weather prevailed. I'd gone 7-0-43-3 including a fabulous even slower ball to get out one of their guys (it really was a nice piece of work). We dropped about six in that time though!
A really oddly fun day and I must commend Owen and his charges at OEs for their spirit and that we did our best to play. We didn't reduce overs, thinking we'd be fine, but there we have it. Ten points - way more than I thought given our list of 50(!!!) unavailable players this week - and a good day out.
One game left next week and then a good old club end of season congregation I imagine.
Bickley won the toss and elected to field. With the home side 55-1 and in little trouble it did look as though Bickley might be chasing a few. In stepped skipper Elliot Hooper to take the ball and to say fortunes dramatically changed with him doing so is a bit of an understatement - 5 wickets in 8 balls including a hat trick, finishing with 6-17 plus a run out. The only resistance came from opener Harvey who battled for 68 off 116 balls out of a total of 133. Given that there were 28 extras it won't surprise anyone to learn that the other 10 players managed just 37 runs between them.
Not content with his six fer and run out, Hooper then hit 64 off 62 balls to see Bickley home by 8 wickets. And just to show he's not the selfish individual that his MOM performances in the game would suggest, he had pre-arranged (with the help of his partner and Mum) for the players to go for a barbecue at his house which is just a stone throw away from The Mote.
As it happened, one suspects that a few beers might have been sunk given that third placed Bromley's game was abandoned (Bromley 94 all out and Beckenham 1-0 at the time) and as a result Bickley are promoted back to the PL at the first time of asking. Some comfort for going down by just the one point last season and potentially they could land the Championship title if they win next week and Canterbury fail to do so because the current leaders conspired to lose by 5 wickets to Dartford mainly as a result of being 99 all out. Here's hoping Super Hooper is in the same form next week!
16 for a win
bonus batting points 120=1 140=2 160=3 180=4 200=5
bonus bowling points every 2 wickets 1 point ….so 8&9= 4 and 10 wickets = 5
we need to win and get 9 bonus points to win the league outrIght or 8 to take it to a tie if the powers that be have worked it out correctly to have a playoff for promotion
Forgetting us hitting a 6 off the last ball we need oppo to score realistically 159 all out (5 bonus points ) so we can knock them off 160 (3 bonus points ) and tie for second .
my issue is if they’re on 140 for 6 with 2 overs left we need them up to 199 unless we nick 2 wickets when 179 will do but we can’t afford to not be in control of it .
obviously if we bat first 200 , they don’t get the runs and we get 6 wickets to tie 2nd place or 8 wickets to win promotion
lots of different scenarios to fuck this up with!
Edit : Just checked and they have a better away record so we need 25 points for promotion .
so 180+ and 10 wickets and a win or 200+ and 8 wickets and a win
if they bat first it could become farcical if we have them 50-5
(Oh and a little match next Sunday at Lords in the NVC final).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=fDHgbynDsilsTXHz&v=QaIlFaMv40E&feature=youtu.be
He teaches at Trinity School in Croydon (as do two of the other players) and up until this summer was renting in Bickley but he and his partner bought a place together in Maidstone (not sure if that is where she is from). Training is hardly an issue for April to July as it's on his way home and some of the away games are as near for him, if not nearer anyway as in the case of The Mote. His parents live in Sussex and come to every single home and away games so travelling is clearly not an issue to the family!
Not quite the same as the former international cricketer who has been playing in the Kent League for a number of years and who flies in from Holland every weekend!!!
If the Vine (167) beat Blackheath (160), then the latter will be down. However, If Blackheath win then Hayes (167) and Sandwich (168) could go down if they lose to Minster and Bexley respectively as it will all come down to bonus points achieved by those teams and the Vine. I don't think anyone had last year's PL Champions, Hayes, as candidates for relegation but Sandwich certainly would have been given that they only survived on the final day of last season by one point.