Chingford Cricket Club

The indoor season got off to a fun start at the Peter May Centre on 30th September with a pre-season all Chingford friendly. A team captain Ben MacGregor's side was given a stuffing by B team captain Stephen Thorne's side. The game was important practice for the league season that starts on 7th October, and a good opportunity for players to impress the new skippers. The Thornes batted first and in addition to Steve and Will, the side included 4 honourary Thornes in Peters, Patel, Whitfield and McMurray. Marc MacGregor opened the bowling to Shaun Thorne and after keeping him quiet for 4 balls had him caught by Sanjay MacGregor, fifth ball of the first over. Sanjay took the second over and induced Truptesh Thorne down the wicket for Mark MacGregor to complete the stumping. Graem Thorne joined Robert Thorne and the pair built a recovery. Ben alternated his bowlers but was unable to find one to get either player out. Robert retired and Stephen Thorne came in to scratch around for a while. After Graem retired, Will Thorne came to the crease which seemed to bring the best out of his sibling. The pair put on a useful partnership including one over from Sanjay where they each scored 3 threes. Both got out and Robert and Graem were given an over and a half at the end to get the score up to 100. Robert was beaten by Ben in the last over to give Mark his third stumping. Robert finished with 35 Graem 30*. The wickets were shaired around the bowlers with everyone taking one except Alfie MacGregor.
Sanjay and Mark opened the batting for the MacGregors. They took a liking to Will's bowling, taking 16 off the first over. This was an excellent start apart from a bad call that saw Mark Run Out. Robert bowled next over and got Sanjay to knick one to Graem for the sedcond wicket. Ben, in at three got his head down as if it were a Test Match, probably inspired by his partner Marc, who always bats like that. A tight over from Shaun was followed by another tight over from Truptesh that ended with him bowling Marc. Things went from bad to worse for the MacGregors as Alfie was caught and bowled by Stephen in his second over. The MacGregors were now down to their last two batters, but at least both were true MacGregors, most likely to fight for the team name. However, after tying Ben down, Shaun Thorne bowled him to complete a wicket maiden. Will returned to wrap up the match, clean bowling Richard with his third ball. The MacGregors were all out for 44. A wicket a piece to all the Thorne bowlers.
Next Saturday the league season starts proper and Ben MacGregor's A team will be looking to kick off their league season with a win. Their opponents for the first match will be Stephen Thorne's B team.