England League and Cup Discussion

[Atko]

The Raging Speed Horns vs Egham Town CC
League One Day 1.1

Weather Cloudy
Pitch Sticky

Result: Egham Town CC won by 5 wickets

Match Ratings
The Raging Speed Horns Egham Town CC
Batting - Top Order 12,079 14,640
Batting - Middle Order 8,586 12,087
Batting - Tail 5,402 5,178
Bowling - Seam 11,233 (50) 13,882 (40)
Bowling - Spin 0 (0) 13,221 (10)
Fielding/Keeping 15,446 17,886
Overall 201,373 244,852

Our regular Friday thumping was this week provided by Egham Town. Rather disappointed by the two senior batsmen, Bozelli and Cromberg, who scored sod all. If either one of them had made a contribution, the game might have been interesting. As it was, the youngsters scraped together 119 runs - most impressive on a sticky, with Slaughter (24yo) and Loveless (21yo) scoring 45 and 33, respectively. At 45-3 in reply, it looked like we might make a game of it, but reality set in and the oppo ambled home with five wickets to spare.

A glance at leagues 2.1 and 2.2 has given me pause for thought regarding my development plan - 200k won't cut it in these leagues, which will mean another season of dire results and demotion (unless the team improves 10-20k in the next 10-20 weeks ). I don't think moving country will gain me anything in the medium term - plus, I'm English, dammit - this is where I belong. So I guess it's a case of enduring the pain (at least in SOD) for a couple of seasons, if nothing else, the xp will be worth it.

[spark]

Relegation reprobates won by 1 wicket

Ruff Royals Relegation reprobates
Batting - Top Order 8,904 7,864
Batting - Middle Order 5,478 5,237
Batting - Tail 4,103 4,756
Bowling - Seam 6,606 (38) 6,361 (32)
Bowling - Spin 6,144 (2) 9,865 (8)
Fielding/Keeping 9,688 8,090
Overall 131,820 126,256

Interesting match yesterday but we sadly just missed out. It was quite a poor performance from the players making their last appearances with Howe being out for a first ball duck and Buck not picking up a wicket.

The batting was going well on an uneven pitch but then we lost 4 wickets in 8 balls (including 2 run outs) when we were going along nicely. We managed to reach 184 which seemed like it wasn't going to be enough. The highlights of the innings were a 55 from Fuls and new first team regular Kutty showing he can contribute with 43 not out.

The bowling largely went better than expected but we couldn't pick up that final wicket and they won with 7 balls to spare. Verhoeven and Vasquez both finished with 3-36.

With ratings due to slide next week, I kinda hope we've got enough points to survive already!

[spark]

Ruff Royals C.C.DeVille CCC
Batting - Top Order 15,051 13,032
Batting - Middle Order 13,255 10,825
Batting - Tail 5,779 8,317
Bowling - Seam 14,240 (30) 12,258 (30)
Bowling - Spin 13,750 (20) 11,154 (20)
Fielding/Keeping 18,072 15,268
Overall 254,998 225,273

Ruff Royals won by 59 runs

It felt like we made hard work of this one. Allrounder Delap did nicely for his 43 but it was Dickerson who was the star with that bat. He hit a magnificent 139 not out after coming in after just 3 balls were bowled on this crumbling pitch.

249 seemed like it would be enough and we got off to a great start with the ball; they were soon 29-4. They frustrated us with a great 100+ stand but eventually we started picking up wickets again and, despite several drops, we managed to pick up the win in the end.

We're now 8 points clear at the top after Loddington did us a huge favour.

[casperj]

Crestfallen Sidekicks Loddington CC
Batting - Top Order 13,806 13,431
Batting - Middle Order 12,725 9,646
Batting - Tail 5,236 6,216
Bowling - Seam 13,401 (40) 12,184 (50)
Bowling - Spin 14,663 (10) 0 (0)
Fielding/Keeping 16,566 14,949
Overall 239,805 216,729

Loddington CC won by 107 runs

Pretty much the end of my season after the match engine strikes again. 23k ratings advantage, at home, and get absolutely hammered!

[spark]

YorkshireTykes Ruff Royals
Batting - Top Order 6,555 8,511
Batting - Middle Order 3,963 5,410
Batting - Tail 3,914 4,201
Bowling - Seam 5,853 (16) 5,904 (16)
Bowling - Spin 9,690 (4) 6,144 (4)
Fielding/Keeping 6,706 9,363
Overall 107,040 126,139

Apart from Verhoeven (3-16), we struggled with the ball on an uneven pitch and we needed 169 to win. Vinson hit 69 which was nice but we ended with 14 to get from the last over. We managed to get 13 so it was a match tied.

I was pretty happy with the ratings after losing 3 players to the seniors but we'll lose another player next week to weaken the batting once more. It'll be interesting to see if we can hold on to 3rd place.

[spark]

Ruff Royals won by 5 wickets

Ruff Royals Danger Hotspurs
Batting - Top Order 15,153 13,750
Batting - Middle Order 12,790 10,911
Batting - Tail 5,051 5,837
Bowling - Seam 13,995 (12) 13,717 (16)
Bowling - Spin 14,818 (8) 13,336 (4)
Fielding/Keeping 18,187 16,994
Overall 253,110 235,344

It was tough bowling conditions on an even pitch and at one stage it wasn't out of the question that they would reach 200+. They still left us with a formidable total of 190 to win. Bullock got us off to a strong start with 64 from 34 balls. Laurence then took up the chase with 48 from 37 balls. Him getting out left us on 129-5 and still needing more than 10 runs an over. But Dickerson smashed 31 not out from 18 balls and allrounder Mwai 35 not out from 20 balls as we won on the final ball of the innings.

Egham Town are still hot on our heels but we maintain a 4 point advantage at the top.

[Atko]

The Raging Speed Horns vs Oxhey Players
League Youth 2.1

Weather Cloudy
Pitch Crumbling

Result: The Raging Speed Horns won by 69 runs

Match Ratings
The Raging Speed Horns Oxhey Players
Batting - Top Order 6,233 6,386
Batting - Middle Order 6,847 4,809
Batting - Tail 4,398 3,703
Bowling - Seam 6,183 (24) 6,383 (24)
Bowling - Spin 8,880 (16) 6,834 (16)
Fielding/Keeping 9,760 6,574
Overall 131,107 108,430

By the numbers today as we beat Oxhey Players to maintain top spot by 4 points from swinton sharks and Goondiwindi. Our part-time bowler, Ragnar McSpank took MoM with 49 and 2-28. Honorouble mention for 17yo Klaus Steinvogel, who continues to impress with a sparkling 50 off 58 balls. Hoping there are no more U20 Nat tours this season, as Delameter has now got one of those pesky red stars next to his name, and I really don't want to lose both my top (by a country mile) bowlers in the run in to a tight season

EDIT : Actually, as usual, I'm talking cobblers - Delameter promotes to seniors in a couple of weeks, so it's a fait accompli anyway.

[wolfberries]

Camberwell Carrots wolfberries
Batting - Top Order 7,463 6,274
Batting - Middle Order 6,161 4,243
Batting - Tail 3,505 2,962
Bowling - Seam 5,271 (32) 5,581 (24)
Bowling - Spin 7,077 (8) 7,212 (16)
Fielding/Keeping 8,970 7,318
Overall 120,085 104,075

Result: Camberwell Carrots won by 64 runs

A huge seventh wicket partnership by our opponent put the game beyond us!

[casperj]

K. Carson (rfs) 9.1-0-34-3, D. Maynard 0 (2b)
End of over 45 (maiden) - St. Marks Hill Strollers(191-10) RR 4.24

Slightly weakened team put out, but happy with the bowling effort. Was a bit worried at 143-3, but we got through their lower order pretty well, with experienced spinner Carson doing most of the damage (on a green wicket)!

[casperj]

K. Carson (rfs) 9.1-0-34-3, D. Maynard 0 (2b)
End of over 45 (maiden) - St. Marks Hill Strollers(191-10) RR 4.24

Slightly weakened team put out, but happy with the bowling effort. Was a bit worried at 143-3, but we got through their lower order pretty well, with experienced spinner Carson doing most of the damage (on a green wicket)!

Apparently not..
Match tied
W. Drinnen (lf) 6.2-1-19-5, B. Waterson 2 (5b)
End of over 46 (maiden) - Crestfallen Sidekicks(191-10). 1 runs required from 4 overs. RR 4.15 RRR 0.25

Cruising at 139/2 but then had an identical collapse to them. Accomplished summary finisher was out second ball as well !!. At least the ratings were also even.

St. Marks Hill Strollers Crestfallen Sidekicks
Batting - Top Order 13,346 14,351
Batting - Middle Order 11,841 11,290
Batting - Tail 5,853 5,148
Bowling - Seam 13,203 (36) 12,944 (40)
Bowling - Spin 13,624 (14) 14,501 (10)
Fielding/Keeping 16,531 16,783
Overall 234,508 234,634

Next week's match probably determines whether we'll finish 2nd or 3rd.

[Atko]

Topmen vs The Raging Speed Horns
League One Day 1.1

Weather Sunny
Pitch Sticky

Result : Topmen won by 122 runs

Match Ratings
Topmen The Raging Speed Horns
Batting - Top Order 14,335 12,107
Batting - Middle Order 12,069 9,089
Batting - Tail 5,846 5,476
Bowling - Seam 14,675 (50) 10,668 (40)
Bowling - Spin 0 (0) 9,988 (10)
Fielding/Keeping 17,529 15,244
Overall 249,117 199,605

This weeks spanking was administered with some degree of aplomb by Topmen, who wasted no time in compiling a formidable 262, and then followed up by skittling us for 140. I suppose a plus for us was getting ten of the oppo wickets, but then it was a sticky, so...

Peeved at missing the full sponsorship payout by 395 points - that cost us $60k , I could have put out a stronger side but the youngsters need the xp, and my last practice match had us comfortably over the 200k; I guess even tiny bits of fatigue can be impactful.

Actually, it was one of the youngsters who shone the brightest. Logan Delameter, who will be promoting to seniors in a couple of weeks, bagged 4-36 from nine overs, more than justifying his spot. Among the rest Bozelli scored a stonewalling 48 from 101 balls providing the mast to which our tattered sail of an innings clung.

The fans will continue to be dismayed by our results no doubt, the ingrates

[Atko]

Cruising at 139/2 but then had an identical collapse to them. Accomplished summary finisher was out second ball as well !!. At least the ratings were also even.

You don't have a lot of luck, do you?

[spark]

gRhyllidae Ruff Royals
Batting - Top Order 13,171 14,986
Batting - Middle Order 9,350 12,625
Batting - Tail 6,476 4,993
Bowling - Seam 11,587 (20) 14,189 (20)
Bowling - Spin 13,155 (30) 14,344 (30)
Fielding/Keeping 15,483 18,185
Overall 218,602 251,394

I knew we'd have a good ratings advantage so I was expecting a win but I did not think we'd bowl them out for 51 on a dry pitch and then finish off the match after only batting for 8 overs!

Ruff Royals won by 10 wickets

Much credit goes to Combs who took 5-18 (at one stage he had 5 wickets for 7 runs).

We're 10 points clear at the top with 4 games to go.

[wolfberries]

wolfberries won by 8 wickets

Indian Avengers wolfberries
Batting - Top Order 4,977 6,154
Batting - Middle Order 3,223 4,160
Batting - Tail 3,829 3,056
Bowling - Seam 3,050 (16) 6,844 (8)
Bowling - Spin 2,437 (4) 6,324 (12)
Fielding/Keeping 5,205 7,351
Overall 74,540 105,138

Easy win over the league bot.

[spark]

Ruff Royals won by 1 run

Ruff Royals Snakey's Kent Stars
Batting - Top Order 7,621 6,920
Batting - Middle Order 5,200 5,512
Batting - Tail 4,297 3,510
Bowling - Seam 6,066 (16) 7,070 (8)
Bowling - Spin 6,211 (4) 6,765 (12)
Fielding/Keeping 9,399 8,587
Overall 122,851 120,455

I'm happy with those ratings considering I've not got only 1 player over 20-years-old. I'm also happy with the result given the tight match. Macrow's 62 and Fuls' 78 not out got us to an okay score of 160 on an uneven pitch. Milton was the best of our bowlers with 3-27 as we managed to defend our total.

The match finished with 2 run outs as they only got 11 of the 13 runs that they needed to win.