CCC report- July 4/5

A weekend of two halves!

Saturday 1’s stay bottom of the table...but Sunday 2’s make it 7 in 7!

To quote that old sporting phrase, it was a weekend of two halves, with no success on Saturday in the league but two good victories on Sunday.

On Saturday, the 1^st XI lost again, this time to league leaders South Nutfield, and as a result stayed rooted to the bottom of Division One. Claygate batted first and despite Lance Meyer’s solid 58 not out, were all out for 136. Nutfield were also in good form with the bat and punished the Claygate attack reaching the target for the loss of only one wicket.

The seconds also lost after a good run recently, unable to find their normal batting form against Capel. Claygate started terrifically having Capel 9 for 4 but the fifth wicket partnership then put on 141.Two promising youngsters were amongst the wickets – opening bowler Tom Gallyer and Ed Jones’ leg breaks accounting for four. Skipper Pete Shury also bowled 15 overs producing excellent figures of 2 for 30. Despite a fighting knock of 45 from Dillon Woods, Claygate lost wickets steadily ending on 156 with 11 overs to go – but remain top of the third division.

On Sunday however it was different story, with both sides romping home to victory.

The Sunday 1^st XI at Caterham scored an extraordinary 295 for 6 from their 40 overs. 19 year old Matt Holmes produced his third century of the season, opening the innings and scoring 115 not out by the close. David Price also continued an excellent summer with the bat with 85 and Marcus Wood added a quickfire 39.

Claygate’s bowlers were always in the driving seat and contained Caterham to 226 for 9 with 2 wickets for Tom McKinley, Joel Watkins bagged 4 for 28 and part-time off spinner Ian Darke showing all-round ability taking 2 for 8.

Meanwhile the Sunday 2’s continued their superb run, getting close to a club record with seven victories from seven. Batting first the TBC’s faced tight bowling throughout with an outstanding opening spell from Luke Webb (4 for 30) and then tight middle innings bowling from Craig Schultz and Nigel Abbott ( 2 for 36). Champagne moment of the match was Luke Webb’s superb direct hit from cover point which ran out their leading batsman! TBC’s reached 189 for the lost of 9 wickets, a score that with the 2’s recent batting form always looked reachable. Rufus Legg continued his excellent form in the side, his 67 not out providing the backbone of the innings. Rory O’Malley made 25 and Danny Proctor returning to the crease after 10 years contributing a fluent 40 not out. Claygate were runaway winners by 7 wickets.

Ends

CCC match reports – Weekend 27/28 June

Life at the top and at the bottom!

As the 1^st XI  lost to Headley and headed to the bottom of the Surrey Downs 1^st Division, the 2nd XI won again and are now top of Division 3.

Winning the toss at home, Headley chose to bat and in excellent batting conditions reached 242, Duncan Murphy taking 3 for 31. Claygate finished 24 short, but 25 year old captain Henry Vincent played an extraordinary innings, carrying his bat and finishing on 113 not out. Vincent is now in second season as Claygate captain and this was his second century of his career. Claygate drop to bottom of the league.

The 2^nd XI continued their rich run of form and having won the toss

and opting to bowl first dismissed Headley for 156 in 46 overs. The Claygate bowlers shared the wickets with captain Peter Shury 2-33, Matt Holmes 3-23, Mark O'Connell 2-30, and Dillon Woods 2-36.

After an amazing storm with hail, thunder and lightning and a break of around 2 hours, the pitch dried out almost as fast as the rain had come and Claygate compiled the 158 needed for the loss of just 2 wickets in 24 overs. Rufus Legg scoring 69 not out, Damian Ross 50 not out in a highly disciplined 138 run partnership in just 20 overs. Claygate won by 8 wickets and go top of Division 3

Meanwhile on Sunday, the  seconds maintained their remarkable record at home this time defeating Shepperton to record their 6^th victory in row, but the 1^st XI can’t quite find the same magic formula.

The firsts at Horsley bowled tightly from the off with 15 year old brothers - leg spinner Ed Woods  taking three and left arm quickie Matt with two wickets taking the honours. But two loose overs in the middle of the innings let the game slip and Horsley’s No 7 scored a powerful 97 - putting on 100 in the last 11 overs. It was always going to be an uphill task chasing 237 and despite David Price continuing his excellent form with 66 and Matt Holmes adding 28 and Peter Andrews 33, Claygate finished 45 runs short on 192.

The seconds however march on. Batting first on the Dalmore Avenue track which is looking better and better this season, Ian Darke opened up with an impressive 77 and hopes his golf score will soon be the same. Sebastian Huff, Steve McKinley and Jake Dear all added scores in the thirties - the home side posting a powerful 255 for 7.

15 year old Huff proved his all-round ability taking 4 wickets in seeing off the opposition for 184 in 39 overs, Luke Sheavi took 3 and Jake Dear 2 for 28. Six out of six for the 2’s! Some kind of record?

June 21

Claygate start to find the formula  

Having now settled on a batting line-up that looks significantly more promising and with fast bowler Tom McKinley back in the fold, Claygate secured a wining draw against bottom of the table rivals Ockham at home. Claygate won the toss and posted an excellent 251 for 4 in 44 overs with captain Henry Vincent making 26, Chris Howe 36 and both Matt Holmes (87) and David Price (75 not out) continuing their excellent form.  

Claygate got to within a whisker of securing their second win in two weeks reducing Ockham to 228 for 9 in 46 overs, Dokey making 48 and Navqi 40. Tom McKinley finding pace and bounce returning excellent figures of 4-48.

The high-flying 2^nd XI played the return fixture at Ockham. Winning the toss, the visitors finished on 227 for 9 declared in 45 overs. In-form Steve Salmon making 55, Mark O'Connell 25, Jake Dear 44, and Shrey Brahmbhatt 29. But Ockham flayed 233 for 4 in just 29 overs thanks to newcomer Danushka who finished on 130 not out. Claygate’s Brahmbhatt took 2-28. Claygate lost by 6 wickets.  

On Sunday, Claygate teams struck twice, with a fifth successive victory for the in-form seconds.

On a spinners wicket at Old Woking, the 1^st XI posted 171 with Matt Holmes and Joel Watkins continuing their good run with 32 and 47 respectively. Old Woking threatened to get close with a 72 run partnership getting them to 152 with 5 wickets in hand. But Claygate polished them off with leg-spinner Dillon Woods leading the way with 4 for 26, Joel Watkins taking 3 and Craig Shultz 2 for 28.

At home, the imperious seconds made it five in five with a victory over Whiteley Village. Batting first, Claygate’s openers were once again amongst the runs with Rory O’Malley 41 and Rufus Legg 48. Luke Webb continued his conversion to all-rounder with 32, and skipper Jake Dear struck 28. Claygate finished with an impressive 245 for 9 from 40 overs. 

Tight bowling from the Claygate openers contained Whiteley from the off, with 15 year old Sebastian Huff restricting one end and Nigel Abbott taking 2 for 17 at the other. 14 year old Ben Morse then struck twice with 2 for 40, before Claygate spinners Jake Dear (3 for 38) and John Law (2 for 38) polished off the tail with Claygate winners by 59 runs.

 

14th June

Firsts find success...as Sunday two’s make it four in four! 

In a weekend which saw three victories out of four for Claygate sides, Claygate’s 1^st XI posted their first victory in the Surrey Downs league, whilst the Sunday seconds powered to their fourth successive victory with a 3 wicket demolition of West One. 

The Saturday 1^sts played Brockham Green who, winning the toss batted first and finished on 201 all out - Werde making 81. Claygate bowling honours was taken by Joel Watkins with four wickets - the start of a busy and highly successful weekend of cricket for him. There were two wickets each for Duncan Murphy and Vikram Prabakar. The batting was strong with Lance Mayer making 36, Henry Vincent 40, Vikram Prabakar 47 and Watkins demonstrating his growing all-round ability with 39 not out. Claygate crossed the line with 2 wickets to spare.  

The seconds also won, this time at home to Shere, who batting first made 210. Leg spinner Steve Wells followed up his ‘sixfer’ last week with another four victims and with excellent back up from Shray Brahmblatt (2 /39) and Marcus Woods (2 for 21). Claygate looked on track throughout the innings with Matt Holmes hitting 49, Steve Salmon 45 and James McPhail one short of his fifty by the close. Claygate finished on 213 for 8 and victory by two wickets.  

On Sunday, the hot weather produced almost perfect batting conditions and nearly 1000 runs were scored in two games. Claygate 1^st’s looked in a powerful position at the half way point at Godalming, having reached 238 for the loss of just two wickets. Matt Holmes completed his second century of the season with 101 not out and Joel Watkins scored a rapid fire 79 not out from a partnership of 98! However Godalming used the conditions even more effectively, racing to the total for the loss of just two wickets - completing the victory in the 28^thover. 
 

The Sunday seconds continue to star with a remarkable victory over Raynes Park side West One, chalking up their fourth victory in four. Batting first, West One were in problems at 28 for 3, but recovered well to reach 240 with the skipper feeling sufficiently comfortable to declare one over short of the 40. There were 2 run outs, two wickets for Nigel Abbott and an excellent senior side bowling debut for 14 year old Dominic Harris who returned 1 for 29 from a tight spell. Rory O’Malley and Rufus Legg were again in stunning form and made a superb opening stand of over 100 - O’Malley making his second successive 50 and Legg 54. But it was Luke Webb’s much improved batting form that took the Twos to victory, opening bowler Webb finishing on 63. Claygate reached the total with 3 overs and 3 wickets to spare.  
 

7thJune

Firsts loose...as Sunday two’s star again!

Claygate’s 1^st XI slipped to another defeat in the Surrey Downs league last weekend - albeit by only one run - but the Sunday seconds powered to their third successive victory with a 5 wicket demolition of Long Ditton.

The Saturday 1^sts played East Horsley who finishing on 189, gave Claygate a reasonable target.  Luke Webb returned the best bowling figures with 3 for 38, and there were two wickets each for Howe, Prabakar and Watkins. The batting was the best of the season so far with all-rounder Watkins hitting a quick fire 40 and Lance Mayer 36, but Claygate just failed to produce the goods at the end finishing one run short.

The seconds also lost to South Park Manor who batting first reached 205-8.   Veteran leg spinner Steve Wells produced the best figures of his Claygate career returning 6 for 63 , Rufus Legg taking three stumping opportunities. Claygate started purposefully, but slowly, with Russ Guyatt making a solid 38 and Damien Ross 35, but the Dalmore Avenue side were always behind the clock. Captain Pete Shury pushed himself up the batting order and knocked an excellent 35 in the final run chase, but Claygate finished 20 runs short with 8 wickets down.

On Sunday, Claygate 1st’s struggled against a powerful Long Ditton side

 losing by 89 runs. Long Ditton scored an impressive 215 with Peter Turnbull 

making 98. Claygate wicket takers were Schultz, Holmes, and Price with two 

each, with leg spinner Marcus Wood grabbing three. Claygate struggled from 

the off and it was only Joel Watkins with 41 who put up any opposition, 

Claygate finishing 124 all-out.

The stars however continue to be the Sunday 2s, with the reverse fixture against Long Ditton at

Dalmore Avenue producing their third victory in as many weeks.  Batting first, Long Ditton scored just short of the 200 with four wickets for Luke Webb.  After a lighting opening stand of 50 in just 5 overs between Rory O’Malley and Rufus Legg, O’Malley went on to make 53 and Legg 43. But it was Luke Webb who rounded off a terrific weekend for him hitting a powerful 30 not out, who saw Claygate home with five wickets to spare.

 

 30/31 May

Claygate Ist’s struggle...but McKinley powers to a ton!

Claygate’s 1^st XI struggled to another defeat in the Surrey Downs league last weekend, but on Sunday, 22 year old Steve McKinley reached his maiden century, emulating father Alan who scored his first hundred at the same age!

The Saturday 1^sts played Holmbury St Mary and with Holmbury finishing on 218 for 7 seemed to have an opportunity. Chris Howe returned useful figures of 4 for 54. However the batting proved incredibly fragile and the visitors could only reach a poor 55 all out.

The seconds continued their winning ways beating Nutfield - edging closer to the top of Division 3. Losing the toss, Claygate were put into bat and the Woods - Dillon with 76 and Ben 23, helped the visitors reach 204-9. Ben (aged 15) was making his Claygate senior debut.

Nutfield were dismissed for 116, with Dillon again starring with the ball taking 4 for 28, skipper Pete Shury taking two and 15 years old leg spinner Will Stoddart taking the eye.  Claygate won by 88 runs with 9 overs to spare.

On Sunday, Claygate 1st’s struggled against a powerful Chobham side that scored 

a decisive 240 from their 40 overs, Ben Lane having Claygate’s only real success 

with 2 for 20. Claygate struggled from the off and it was only Russ Guyatt with 40 

who put up any opposition, Claygate finishing 123 runs short.

The star turn of the week was the Sunday 2s, as a century from Steve McKinley lit up an exciting victory over Cobham Avorians. Batting first, Avorians scored 200 with two wickets each for Nigel Abbott and Luke Webb.  At 101-5 Claygate looked precarious but a fine stand of 60 between McKinley and Alan Cope Morgan (18) gave the home side the platform to push for victory in the final overs. Steve finishing on 106 not out!  Father Alan has scored 8 centuries for the Dalmore Avenue side, so far so let's hope there’s plenty more from Steve! Claygate won by 3 wickets.

 

23/24^th May

 

A bit of a blank holiday really...

 

But Claygate Sunday side light up the weekend!

Claygate 1st XI continued their poor start to their season in the Surrey Downs league with a losing draw against in-form Westcott. On a flat pitch and lightning outfield, Westcott managed an impressive 311 for 5 dec, four players getting 50’s and Bullough just two short of his century. Henry Vincent was the standout bowler for Claygate with 2 for 44.

 

After a furious start from Lance Mayer (48), Claygate slowed up as wickets tumbled with Vikram Prabakar steadying the ship with 69 not out and Joel Watkins 21. Claygate however were never up with the rate finishing on 219 for 8.

 

Claygate 2^nd’s lost their first game of the season to Horsley and Send by seven wickets. Batting first, Claygate declared on 212 for 4 with useful scores from Rufus Legg 21, Tom Law 38, Damien Ross 28, and James McPhail 30, but it was Steve Salmon with an elegant undefeated 56 who was the star turn in the innings.

 

Claygate bowlers however failed to produce the goods taking only three Horsley & Send wickets with the home side scoring 215 for 3 in an impressive seven wicket win.

 

The Sunday 1^st’s also lost to a very strong St John’s Wood side who posted 278 for 2 on an excellent Claygate track. Top scorer was newcomer David Fisher with 155. The bowling was of an equally high standard with Claygate in reply making only 149, despite useful contributions from Dick Murphy 39, Joel Watkins 31 and Dillon Woods 36.

 

The Sunday 2s however lit up the weekend with a thrilling 13 run victory against local rivals Hersham. Batting first Claygate scored quickly with a useful opening partnership between Steve Wells and Rory O'Malley (24), opening bowler Luke Webb knocked 34 in mid-innings and Steve McKinley, despite tired legs form his successful ascent of Ben Nevis the day before, reached an undefeated half century. Claygate finished with 192 for 7 from their 40 overs.

 

The Hersham openers also started quickly, but Claygate regularly took wickets and despite a series of dropped catches, forced the victory with just 9 balls to go with a spectoracular(!) catch at mid-on. The wickets were shared - two each for Chris Louw, Danny Simmons, Steve Wells and Steve McKinley.

The best result however was on bank holiday Monday, when Claygate 3^rd’s beat Morden Corinthians thanks to a beautifully struck four off the last ball of the game!

Bowling first, Claygate restricted the visitors to 150 with two wickets for Chris Louw and three for 14 year left armer Ben Morse, making his debut for a senior side.

In reply, and coming in a No 3, David Price played superbly for an undefeated 88 ably supported by Russ Guyatt (20) and then finally Ben Morse playing sensibly at the other end allowed Price to hit the winning runs.

17 May

Claygate’s phalanx of fabulous fifties!

Claygate 1^st XI were well beaten on Saturday by a Newdigate side that outshone them in all departments. Newdigate decision to bat first was vindicated with an opening partnership four short of the century and posting a useful 221/6. Claygate’s bowlers made little impact with the ball, Joel Watkins having the only success with 3 for 41.

Claygate then struggled against an excellent Newdigate bowling and fielding display, with skipper Henry Vincent the only batsman to find any form with a useful 33. Having reached the hundred with four wickets down, Claygate collapsed losing their last 6 wickets for just 12 runs.

The seconds though moved into second position in Division 2 with a fine win against Woldingham but with just three balls to spare! Claygate batted first and at 24 for 4 it look desperate, but the first of Claygate’s phalanx of fabulous fifties shone with the bat - Ian Darke – scoring 60 and sharing in a partnership of 135 with James McPhail   Claygate finished on 181 for 8 from 47 overs. Woldingham experienced a similar pattern to their innings being 40 for 4 before a 6^th wicket partnership started to look ominous. However fine bowling from Mark O’Connell (3-45) and skipper Pete Shury (4for 44) secured the day clinching the last wicket in the final over, winning by 31 runs.

On Sunday the rain put paid to the second’s game at Old Woking and despite the rain and cold blustery conditions Claygate put in a fine performance against local rivals Thames Ditton. Captain David Price inserted Thames Ditton on a damp track but bounce from the new ball made conditions hard for the visitors. 2 wickets in two balls in Nigel Abbott’s first over gave Claygate the initiative which they never lost. Abbott senior (3-17) took the first 3 ...with son Kerrigan Abbott (3 for 33) talking the next three. Marcus Wood took 4 catches and pocketed a fifth to find it was judged no ball. Ditton’s last wicket partnership put on nearly 50 to post a reasonable 136. With the rain falling and the pitch getting slower throughout the afternoon Claygate’s even more senior opening pair of Dick Murphy and Richard Waller started brightly, with Waller, in his first game of the season hitting a powerful 78. Claygate completed the win with just four wickets down.

 

NEWS: Pre-season nets:

• Tuesday at Claremont School, Esher  from 8-10pm
• Friday at Claremont School, Esher from 6-8pm

Any queries, please contact: Joel Watkins - 07885 737050

Secretary’s Report 2008  

2008 was a strange but ultimately successful year.

In my report last year I asked for four things:

1. Get the league teams back on track – well 3^rd and 4^th place for the 1^st and 2^nd XIs wasn’t a bad result and the 1^st could have won the league with a couple of extra runs here and there
2. Win a game or two on tour – well we won three in our most successful tour ever
3. Find a way to retain the best of our senior colts and get them playing senior cricket regularly – a successful start with more than a dozen colts making their senior debuts this year all playing, some playing several games
4. Thanks to the excellent work of our new treasurer we have collected more annual subscriptions on time and in total than ever before and regularly chase up those who have not paid match fees, etc

I would say that constitutes about an 8 out of 10 success.

The weather was never very good but surprisingly few fixtures were lost.

The League teams looked good on paper, as usual, although we had few new players to call on. Our two main new recruits, Duncan Murphy and Mark Hodgkiss, contributed well as well as being great team members.

After a disappointing 2007, we would certainly have settled for 3^rd and 4^th places respectively in Divisions 1 and 3 of the Surrey Downs League. But for the 1^st XI it could have been so much better but for an amazing series of close games lost, drawn or tied. What was great to see was the team spirit, as strong as I can remember in all my years at the club and a lot of credit must go to Henry for this. The 2^nd XI on the other hand were fortunate to come so high having been in relegation fear again.

The youth sections move from strength to strength with the likelihood of further expansion from 5 to 6 sections in 2009. Their expansion is also starting to be matched by good results at all levels. Howard Dutton was rightly honoured at the Dinner Dance for his contribution over the last few years but all the colts’ section managers (Ian Darke, Russ Guyatt, James McPhail, Graham Dear, Steve Salmon, Howard Dutton) can be proud of their charges and input. The club also hosted a schools cricket day and Darren Gough came down to give some of the colts a cricketing master class plus the end-of-season colts barbeque.

The 2008 Tour of the Eastern Cape was one of the best tours ever and an amazing example of what can be achieved by a small village club.

Since last season, the club has invested in an outdoor net and a bowling machine. The concrete strip needs work and permanent surface needs laying down. The club has acquired an artificial strip on the edge of the square. In 2009 we intend to get an extra strip prepared on the far side of the Recreation Ground so that two matches can be played at Dalmore Avenue at the same time. That will be a first.

We are planning to join a 20/20 local league in 2009, fixture dates permitting which means more local games which are easier to get to. There are thoughts about joining the Sunday league which encourages younger cricketers but this is unlikely until 2010.

What can I ask for in 2009? Key things on my mind:

• A refurbished pavilion – stretching it a bit?
• Better weather and bar sales – we can’t decide the former but members can help with the latter by coming down the club more often, staying for a bit after matches, supporting social functions and inviting friends down
• Better upkeep of the outfield and improved wickets – we may have a new sub-contracted groundsman in 2009 but we need to keep the pressure up
• The continued encouragement and development of the older colts and a more systematic integration into the senior sides which will require significant effort and vision from our five captains in 2009
• Good planning for 2010 celebrations

 
 
 

Committee structures 

For those not directly involved in the running of the club, the club is run by the full Committee which discusses the major issues within the club made up of: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fixtures Secretary, League Rep, Trust Rep, 1^st XI, 2^nd XI, Sunday 1s, Sunday 2s & 3^rd XI Captains, Youth Development Officer, Communications Officer, 2010 Co-ordinator/Social Secretary, ex-oficio Pavilion Refurbishment (15 members)

Under the full Committee, there are Sub-Committees which meet separately from the full Committee but report back to the full committee:

Captains’ Sub-Committee: 1^st Captain & Vice-Captain, 2^nd XI Captain & Vice-Captain, Sunday 1s Captain & Vice-Captain, Sunday 2s Captain & Vice-Captain and 3^rd XI Captain & Vice-Captain, Treasurer and Secretary (12 members)

Youth Section Sub-Committee: All Colts’ Managers, Clubmark Representative, Secretary (8 members)

Pavilion Sub-Committee: Pavilion Development Officer, Welfare Officer, Social Secretary (3 members)

2010 Sub-Committee: 2010 Co-ordinator/Social Secretary, Communications Officer (others to be co-opted between now and 2010 celebrations)

With the sun shining last Saturday, the pitch looking very well prepared and a convincing six wicket in the friendly over local rivals Esher, the signs look good for a very positive season for Claygate in the Surrey Downs League this season. 

New 1^st XI skipper Henry Vincent commented, “We were well pleased with our third position in the table last season, but we really believe we can do better this year. We have been strengthened by two or three new members over the winter and these will particularly improve our batting.  We are also looking for big seasons from vice-skipper Chris Howe and all rounder Joel Watkins who both have the potential to make a real impact this summer.  Bowling is spearheaded by Vikram Prabakar our classy left-arm spinner who once again has the ability to be one of the leading wickets takers in the league this season”. 

Claygate will field two sides on Saturdays, with the second team also playing in the Surrey Downs League, as well as two friendly sides playing on Sundays – one of the few local sides to have that strength in depth.

The Claygate colts systems has been radically improved in the last few seasons and the first products of this will be impacting the senior sides this year , with players such as Matt and Ed Jones likely to be blooded into league cricket .

Claygate now run five colts sides at ages from U10’s to U 14’s and will also continue their successful Kwik cricket format for ages 6 to 9 later in the summer.

“Things have moved on well on all fronts over the winter”, commented club secretary Rufus Legg. “We’ve added coaching strength over the winter for the colts and that’s starting to have an impact at the more senior level. We will be beneficiaries of the new ground contract at Dalmore Avenue and we can already see an improvement in the wicket compared to this time last year. Our only disappointment remains with the plans for the new pavilion but there is a lot of effort going on behind the scenes in this direction at the moment.”

“We are however always on the lookout for new players and not just at junior level. We’re always interested in talking to anyone locally that would enjoy a good standard of competitive cricket combined with the unique Claygate community feel.” 

Ends

 

 

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Claygate 1^st‘s failed to kick start their season in the Surrey Downs league with a losing draw against Albury. Batting first, the home side put up a useful 197 for 9, with left arm spinner Vikram Prabakar starring with 5 for 43. Six wickets from the opposition’s John Kinnes shook the visitors, leaving Prabhakar as Claygate’s saviour, this time with the bat with a well constructed 41, well supported by skipper Henry Vincent (27),leaving Claygate’s last pair at the wicket on 138 for 9 at the close.