Sheldon Marlborough CC Blog

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After a long run of rain-induced ‘4 points’ we finally got out onto a cricket pitch and had a game. Keith Rondeau was clearly hungry to be in the action and involved himself in all 100 overs, scoring a very fine unbeaten 90.

The difference between the team was an unorthodox but extremely effective (and hard-hit) 97 from Street, the Stockton no5, who helped the home side score 160 in the last 20 overs. It’s a big pitch at Stockton and they made us work hard as they reached 279-6. Jim Shirley bowled throughout and was rewarded with four wickets, but dropped catches and some fielding mistakes inevitably cost us runs, and momentum.

Despite a solid enough start, keeping pace with the Stockton innings, we never found an extra gear to accelerate towards the target. Jack Hemming and Martin Weir both made starts of sorts, but only Ronny really got on top of the bowling.

Second half of the season starts next week, with a trip to Wishaw.

Last week saw most clubs reach the halfway point in the ASL. We have at least one game in hand on all the other teams in our divisions as last week was our free week.

The first team are in pole position with a 13 point lead over Corley, Fillongley, Four Oaks Saints and Knowle Village who all have 35 points. 19 points seperate top from bottom so a couple of poor results could change everything. Our results so far suggests that is unlikely though…our destiny is in our own hands.

The second team find themselves in 6th place, 16 points clear of the drop zone with 2 games in hand on Five Ways directly below them. As in the last few years Pickwick and Bournville are leading the way, although a win in our game in hand would move us up to 3rd spot 13 behind Pickwick and 2 behind Bournville. The next couple of weeks will be crucial as we play sides in the same area of the table. Good results could set up a championship effort, whilst defeat would mean a relegation battle.

Away, meet at SMCC 11.45

K Rondeau
J Hemming
M Weir
W Hemming
K Munir
N Rughani
T Hemming
A Coppell
W Millard
J Shirley
V Parmar

Last game of the first half… long way to go so let’s make it worth the trip boys.

Ten Saturday fixtures in, we’ve played only five, and three have been rain affected. Next week we visit Stockton (weather permitting) and that will be the first half of the season over.

How did that happen?

at Home, 12:30 meet for 1.30 start.

W Hemming
J Hemming
M Weir
N Rughani
K Munir
A Coppell
T Hemming
N Munir
W Millard
J Shirley
V Parmar

Come on the sunshine!

No play this weekend at SMCC. The ground is the wettest I have personally ever seen it - I did take some pictures last night but my camera has now eaten them. Here’s hoping for a dry week - we need it.

The 2nd XI won away at Bablake with Matt “Rug” Jenkins taking his first senior 5-for, certainly one to watch. The 3rd XI also won after skittling Kenilworth for 43, Richard Whittle claiming 6 wickets.

at Home. Meet SMCC 12:30.

J Hemming
K Rondeau
M Weir
W Hemming
K Munir
N Rughani
A Coppell
T Hemming
W Millard*
N Munir
V Parmar
*subject to registration

Good batting from Jack and Ronny saw off the opening attack (including some quick stuff) and at 27 overs we were 90-2, Ronny having been caught LBW as the rain got heavier and everybody came off.

Plenty more heavy rain meant we didn’t get to go back on and had to settle for four points. A shame as it was shaping up to be an interesting game.

Meet 12:15 @ SMCC or 12:45 @ Marston Green. Please let me know if you are going straight there.

K Rondeau
J Hemming
M Weir
W Hemming
K Munir
N Rughani
T Hemming
A Coppell
A Munir
V Parmar
plus one of
S Baxter
M Jenkins

[UPDATE: Simon was fit to play. Rug’s time will come…]