Reports July 10th

1st XI

 

Winning the toss Danny Miller invited Pyford to bat first in hot conditions on an unusually slow and very flat Peaches Close pitch.  Pyford opener Sys Meyer rode his luck early as the Cheam fielders failed to accept any of the 5 chances he offered. The only shining light in a poor pre-lunch bowling and fielding performance was the wicket keeping of Michael Burgess.  Finally released from school cricket Burgess displayed immense skill in standing up to the trio of Cheam seamers, taking an excellent catch and a quite sensational leg side stumping to dismiss overseas professional Jake Smith first ball for 0.

 Meyer opened his shoulders after lunch reaching 129 before finally being dismissed by Lee Harrison (4-49).  Meyer’s dismissal sparked a collapse as 6 wickets fell in for 29 runs, Pyford eventually being dismissed for 265 in 63 overs no more than a par score on a lightening fast outfield.

 The Cheam reply started badly against modest bowling with Houpapa dismissed early being adjudged LBW trying to turn one to leg.  Salmons, Miller and Johnson followed swiftly after leaving Cheam precariously placed on 51 - 4.  Things failed to improve after tea as wickets continued to fall.  An excellent spell of bowling from former Notts spinner Paul McMahon (4-32) kept the pressure on but, with little support, he was unable to supply the final wicket with Cheam finishing on 153-9 from 60 overs. 

 

Cheam entertain Normandy next week and with significant improvements needed to get the season back on track.

  

2nd XI

 

Round 10 of this years fixtures saw Cheam away to Pyrford, for a 2nd Vs 3rd battle.  Due to the annual flower show held at their ground Cheam drove 20 odd miles to find themselves at somewhere reminiscent to Priest Hill!!  With 8 'Glyn Old Boys' in the side this was like a home fixture!  If you ever want to see the ground, drive down the A3 a few left and rights past £1 million plus house then when you find the rec that looks like a battle field in Afghanistan then you have arrived!  The pitch itself was covered in moss and despite the governments hosepipe ban and it not having rained for over a month, it was breaking up as you walked across it.
 
Onto selection, and there were a possible 20 players who could have played this week but as ever, it didn't work out like that.  Dylan went up to the 1's, Blackman was 'rested' due to his ageing knees.  Smokey who fielded with 1 arm last week go pins and needles in his legs and JP was doing the okey kokey at his Nan's 80th Birthday!!  However Max Gardner had sobered up from the night before, Mr Incredible was back from St Tropez and filming the latest 'Twilight' movie (google Robert Pattinson, it's definitely Pricey... HOWZAT?) and the Doc once again answered the captains Thursday afternoon SOS.
 
Anyway, to the cricket, Cheam lost the toss and were put into bat, and soon found themselves 3-2 as both openers fell to deliveries that popped and were next to unplayable.  Enter Circus and Crouchie, both in relatively good form, not that it would count for anything out there!  Circus took the attack to the opening bowlers and hit them out of the attack before he and Crouchie played hit and run on the hottest day in history!  Although both looking good there was always a chance of getting out as both were hit by balls pitching on a length and taking off to hit them in the chest.  X-rays show that Crouchie has not broken a rib, his 3rd nipple saved him!  Crouchie was dropped at point, the fielder launched it at the stumps, missed by 10 foot for 4 over throws.  Thank you!  Circus got his 50, and drinks finally arrived.  Circus fell shortly after drinks, enter MOD.  His last outing for the 2's he made 99 at Old Wimbledonians on another minefield, so the signs were promising.  He and Crouchie batted well, with plenty of quick singles, and Crouchie made his 100.  MOD fell on 30 trying to reach a score in which to declare on and Crouchie was run out for 118.  I can't tell you exactly how, i was receiving acupuncture at the time!  Batsman from then on came and went enabling Cheam to declare on 251-9 off 50 over's.  Highest score ever on that deck!
 
Tea was forgettable, but if you picture the tea's at school cricket then you know what it was like.  One of the Mum's was even there to pour the tea!
 
Circus' team talk was simple.  Be ruthless, loads of energy and use the pitch.  Pricey's first over consisted of a beamer, 3 full tosses and a bouncer.  Beefy struggled to hit his areas due to the excitement of aiming at the craters on the pitch and after 8 over's Pyrford were 47-0.  Circus brought his strike bowler into the attack (MJ).  A few balls later he takes a wicket, 2 balls after that, he takes another and suddenly they are 47-2.  MJ had the ball hooping like only Machine can.  Next over Pricey go two to pitch and took 2 wickets in as many balls.  As ever the hat-trick ball was forgettable but they were now 47-4 with their captain who last week made 182* back in the factory.  MJ took another a few over's later and in fear of him getting 5 wickets Circus quickly introduced spin!  Max Gardner was pitching it just outside Guildford getting it to turn and bounce to just miss Portsmouth, took a wicket, and Drib's wrapped up proceedings with 4-12 off his 3 over's.  Pyrford all out for 149, Cheam win by 102 runs.
 
Having just checked the results, Purley lost to Camberey!!  Leaving Cheam 2 points behind. 
 
Man of the Match - Crouchie.  First batsman ever to score 100 there, most teams can't manage it!  Enjoy batting at 9 for the 1st team next week!!!!!!!!!!
 
The league table looks as follows.  Purley 82 points, Cheam 80 points, Camberley 62.  The title race is on! 
 
Next week BoE away and with many players back another big performance is expected. 
 
In other news, Raoul Moat has been captured up North and killed himself.  The locals took time to step out of their inbred villages to be interviewed by Sky News and feel the events of the past week have put Northumberland on the map.  Holidays there are going cheap at the moment!  Now he is dead the Met have called their 20 firearms officers back to London for their normal patrols.  The streets of London are safe once more!
 
See you next week!