Reports 24th July

1st XI

Five wickets a piece from Lee Harrison an Danny Miller saw Cheam move up to second in Division 1 with a tight 29 run victory away to Walton on Thames. Winning the toss on a green, slow, low Ashley Park pitch Miller chose to bat first feeling that it would only get harder to chase later in the game. 

The innings started well with David Houpapa taking 12 from the first over and continued at speed as Chris Salmons (53) joined Houpapa in a fifty partnership.  Salmons initially grafted but became more fluent as he finally got a little luck.  The loss of 2 quick wicket after lunch slowed the run rate and the Cheam lower order were forced to battle for every run in the face of an excellent spell of spin bowling from Paul Bainbridge (6-56).  The final total of 226 could have been far less had Walton not dropped 7 catches. 

The Walton reply began slowly as 3 maidens were recorded in the face of excellent opening spells from Miller and Harrison.  Miller in particular ran in with hostile intent and extracted some real life from a docile surface.  Having hit opening batsmen Dyer no less than 6 times Miller finally delivered the killer blow by knocking back off stump.  Wickets continued to fall and an early victory looked likely until Bainbridge, lucky to be adjudged not out from a stumping, was joined by Houghton in a partnership of 89.  Houghton looked a class above everything else driving cleanly and particularly harsh on anything short.  The loss of Bainbridge, LBW to Miller, was crucial as the Walton lower order crumbled giving Houghton little support.  With wickets fast running out Houghton was left with no option but to hit out, eventually being well caught by Rob Hendry for a superb 84.  It was left to Harrison to deliver the final blow with wickets in consecutive deliveries to close out the innings with Walton 29 short.

 Cheam welcome East Molesy to Peaches close this Saturday.

2nd XI

This week saw Egham trek across Surrey to Rome.  The coliseum glistening in the Mid july sunshine.  It rained apparently this week, not that you could tell  The pitch was bone dry as was the outfield thats looking browner and browner as each week passes by.  Selection this week was a little more simple.  Smokey was re-living his youth at a prodigy concert, Dan Maycock was out, but in came MOD behind the stumps and Max Gardener.
 
Egham arrived at 11:40, looking young and very enthusiastic.  Both teams with loads to play for.  Cheam trying to get their promotion bid back on track and Egham fighting to stay in the league.  Egham won the toss and elected to have a bowl, presumably hoping Cheams batting collapses again leaving them a modest total to chase.
 
Dylan and MJ padded up and within 4 overs had Cheam 30-0 with some classy strokes and average bowling.  Eghams skipper stood at first slip wondering why the didn't bat!  The run rate stayed pretty impressive, Dylan playing some expansive strokes to get to 50, then even looked like he might actually make it to 100 without throwing it away.  MJ was doing a great supporting role now that his body has fully recovered from last weeks Burger King.  At 118-0 MJ lost his wicket and at 132 Dylan also fell leaving Circus and MOD to re-build.  The run rate slowed down but with wickets still in hand a large total was still on the cards.  MOD got to 30, Circus got his 50 before picking the longest boundary on the pitch and hitting the worst ball of the game straight to the only fielder out there.  6 overs to go, everyone was padded up ready to smash it 20/20 style!  The side got up to 267 off 50 overs.
 
The Egham opening batsman came out with intent, and moved along steadily at 5 an over.  Max got the break through though trapping the batsman LBW to see the captain step to the crease.  He moved his feet well but the spin wizard picked up his 2nd with a well flighted delivery that turn past the edge leaving a simple stumping for MOD.  Drib's then entered the attack wanting to prove his can spin the ball just as much.  The opener made his way to 60 before hitting the ball straight at cover where JP (Cheam's specialist cover fielder was standing).   "Yes!  No! Yes! No! was the call as JP threw the ball to MOD and for a run out.  Suddenly Egahm at 138-4 but still needing only 6 an over on a quick outfield to win the game.  I think the batsman got their maths wrong though.  No attempt was made to get the score so with men around the bat diving about like lemmings saw wickets slowly fall with Callum Hope the short leg specialist taking another great catch.  Drib's confusing the hell out of the tail enders with his 'wrong-un' was comical to watch and somehow didn't get a wicket, leaving Egham 7 189-7 off their 50 overs. 
 
Man of the Match - Dylan.  A classy 70 that made him look in a league of his own, surely a hundred is only round the corner.
 
Results elsewhere went Cheams way.  Purley 108 points, Cheam 85 points, BoE, Pyrford and Old Ruts 66 points.   
 
Next week Cheam are away to Cobham.  If you are coming to watch, turn off the A3 at Cobham turn left under the carriageway down the carriageway along the dirt track.  Past the bears and you'll see it on the left!
 
In other news this week.  I got my hair cut on Thursday.  Whilst i was getting my 'short back and sides' a bloke with no hair on his head or face walked in and sat down.  I left before it was time for 'his trim', but i dread to think what was actually being trimmed!!!!