Review of the Season
by Graem Peters
After a number of changes in the playing personnel in 2004, Chingford had settled sides in 2005 and for a club looking to do well, good availability throughout most of the summer. Three of our Saturday captains were continuing with only the 3rd XI under new leadership. The 2nd XI and 4th XI won their respective divisions and the 1st XI and 3rd XI were in promotion contention for much of the season before slipping up in later fixtures. In addition to this success, our Sunday 1st XI won their division. Our Sunday improvements can largely be attributed to more Saturday 1st XI players playing on Sundays. It was therefore hardly surprising that we were able to add to this success with a decent Evening Standard Cup run. Measured in terms of the winning of trophies (3), the club has not had a better season than 2005.
1st XI
James Hill again led the side on the field as skipper and also as top batter, with youngsters Billy Rhone and Ben MacGregor also to the fore. The batting was consistent without ever being outstanding; seven players averaged over 20 but none averaged over 40. The main batting disappointment was Niraj Odedra who made up for his lack of runs with 38 wickets at under 19 apiece. The leg spin of Angelo Bass was a frequent match-winner, taking 26 at under 18. With Sean McMurray and Ben MacGregor chipping in, the spinners took 95 wickets whilst the seamers took just 27. Sean McMurray takes over as skipper for 2006.
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2nd XI
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In his third and final season as skipper, Richard MacGregor finally got the 2nd XI back up to division 1. The side led the table throughout the summer, winning many matches thanks to the off spinners Stephen Thorne and Richard MacGregor who collected 55 wickets between them and the opening attack of Steve Piper and Andy Perrin who took 53 wickets between them. New wicketkeeper, Paul Shawyer collected 17 victims and three 50s. All-rounder Mike Lyon claimed 13 wickets and over 350 runs. The specialist batters Richard Alston, Marc Fletcher, Darren Ross, Billy Rhone, Peter Joslin and Robert Runciman all contributed runs regularly. Robert Runciman captains the side in 2006. |
3rd XI
New captain Dan Carver led the side which for the first third of the season, led the table. The top order batting of Miles Joyce, Paul Canham, Andrew Chipchase, Dan Carver and when not required by the 2nd XI Marc Fletcher and Peter Shawyer were consistently in form. With Stephen Thorne mostly in the 2nd XI, Michael Haigh took over the bulk of the spinning workload. However, the seam attack of Paul Hart, Richard Offord and the improving youngsters Nadir Noori and Richie Coulson shared most of the wickets. Dan Carver again skippers the side in 2006, looking to improve upon 3rd place in Division 1.
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4th XI
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Mark Campbell led the side again in only its second season. He was able to pick from a pool of players that included many experienced players not required by the 3rd XI. The side ran away with the Division 2 West title, thanks largely to the bowling of Michael Blake, who took 41 wickets in 12 matches and the batting of Steve Hart and Mark Campbell. This made it easier to bring on some of the club’s younger players in a better cricketing environment. |
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Sunday Cricket
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Chingford continues to run two sides playing a mixture of friendlies and Chess Valley league matches. For the second season running, the 1st team under Shaun McMurray, won their division and in 2006 will take part in the top division. Niraj Odedra averaged over 90 with the bat in league matches and scored 4 centuries on Sundays. Stephen Thorne led the 2nd team who succeeded in avoiding relegation from the top division. |
Youth Cricket
Chingford continues to run three sides (Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15) under the direction of Mark Campbell.
Captains Reviews
Saturday 2nd XI
by Richard MacGregor
Overall Record: Played 22 Won 16 Drawn 3 Lost 3
League Record: Played 18 Won 13 Drawn 3 Lost 2
The performance of the 2nd XI during 2005 was outstanding as is summed up by the playing records shown above. At the start of the season the Skipper set out his intention to win the league and made it clear that for this to happen that i) the players would have to put the team first before themselves and ii) that we would have to deal with pressure situations better than the opposition.
The team took these messages to heart and it became a regular feature of the season to hear Darren Ross shout out the words ‘Pressure Cricket’ from Gully and Steve Piper remind everyone else (ad nauseam) that ‘There is no I in team’.
Notwithstanding this encouragement the team went on to record 271 league points and become Champions of Division 2.
The individual match results, details and reports can be found elsewhere on this website and of course they give a decent account of what happened during the season, however the whole picture can not be properly understood without knowing something about the players who made up the team. The following are the Skipper’s personal recollections of the contribution made towards the team by each player, in order of appearances, who turned out for the 2nd XI at least four times during the season:
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Richard MacGregor (22 apps, 20 runs, 39 wickets, 6 catches) – known either as Skipper (by AP and most of the team), Fluffy (Steve Piper), the Headmaster (by Darren Ross) or RichieMac (when the players couldn’t think of anything else). Paucity of runs due to lack of batting opportunities, bowled less than last season (honestly, it was only 238 overs) and amazingly took 6 catches. Most memorable moment was the Skipper’s tantrum at West Essex. Prone to giving pre-match team talks and using words such as ‘focus’ and ‘discipline’. |
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Mike Lyon (22 apps, 473 runs, 17 wickets, 11 catches) – the team’s ‘token Aussie’ wanted to win the league as much as the Skipper and he continually gave everything whether with bat, ball or in the field. Usually batted at number 5 but always coveted Darren Ross’s number 4 berth and sought to challenge Darren’s apparent God-given right to this slot at every opportunity. The owner of a very individual batting technique (and possibly the tightest pads in the Essex League), when he began each innings the opposition generally thought they were into the tail. His performances however proved the opposition very wrong. Never liked being taken off when bowling as he always believed that given another over he would get the batsman out. Fitting that he scored the winning runs at Horndon that saw us promoted and become Champions. Needs to get a decent pair of cricket shoes. |
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Darren Ross (20 apps, 587 runs, 10 wickets, 5 catches) – apart from being one of the best 2nd XI batsmen around, Daz encouraged the team with his caustic wit and laid claim to being the team’s specialist Gully fielder (well to the extent that was where I had to hide him most of the time I suppose its true). Took on the role of Marc Fletcher’s fielding coach during the season (that explains why you missed so many weekends Marc) but might have been better advised to learn how to run between the wickets when batting with Marc (I believe that you both ran to the same end against Benfleet!). Managed the team’s pre-match fielding practices, which proved to be of enormous encouragement to the watching opposition. Daz was in his element however when he came on to bowl. Statistics of 10 for 94 off 22.4 overs during the season were very impressive. Darren has used these figures to argue that he might have been used rather more often by the Skipper. The Skipper believes these good figures were down to knowing when to bring him on to bowl (i.e. at the tail end muppets when we had at least 150 runs to fritter away). The Skipper always enjoyed Daz’s pleadings to come onto bowl (including against Benfleet ‘give me the next over and I’ll get him out or I’ll buy you a jug’……I enjoyed the jug enormously, thanks Daz) and it is true to say that by the end of the season Darren took the Skipper’s invitation to ‘warm up’ with a pinch of salt!. Provided luxury transport to away games for the Skipper (now you know why you never got the number 4 spot Mike). |
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Andy Perrin (19 apps, 6 runs, 37 wickets, 4 catches) – this was the year that AP stopped being known as ‘Lucky’. This was the year when the ball hit the stumps rather than miss them and took the edge rather than beat it. A superb performance with the ball all season. Only called on to bat twice. A stalwart of the side who gave constant support to his teammates and helped keep the Skipper sane by accompanying him on well over 100 laps of the boundary during the season when the side was batting. General consensus in the dressing room that he owns the tightest pair of Y-fronts in Essex. |
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Paul Shawyer (18 apps, 407 runs, 13 catches, 15 stumpings) – affectionately christened Shawysa 3 by AP (Nick is Shawysa 1; Peter is Shawysa 2) although the eldest of the three brothers. Filled a key need in the side, that of a top class wicket keeper. His keeping made all the bowlers look better and increased their confidence. Also an excellent top-order batsman who made consistent runs all season including the match winning innings of 71 against Horndon to see us promoted and become Champions. A great team player who was happy to drop down the order on occasion to become the finisher (particularly important at Benfleet). The 2nd XI were fortunate to have his services this year as he is a 1st XI quality player and from next year I imagine that is where he will be playing. Must learn to stop hurling abuse at the opposition batsmen from behind the stumps. |
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Rob Runciman (16 apps, 362 runs, 1 catch) – another great team player who was happy to bat either in the top order or on occasion drop down to number 7 as the finisher (particularly important away to Hadleigh). His best innings was a superb 126 not out away at Harlow which enabled us in Week 3 to go top in the division (a position we never left). A consistently good fielder who usually patrolled the covers but did excellent work wherever he was put. Good to have in the side to keep Steve Piper in line. |
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Stephen Thorne (15 apps, 13 runs, 25 wickets, 4 catches) – achieved his goal of becoming a 2nd team regular during the season. His attacking off-spin bagged a good haul of wickets with an excellent 5 for 34 at Old Brentwoods being the highlight. Only called on to bat 3 times but once was to see us to victory at St.Albans early in the season. A good enthusiastic fielder with a tendency to be suicidal when chasing the ball to the fence. |
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Richard Alston (11 apps, 502 runs, 3 catches) – the legend that is Richard Alston was restricted to appearing in only half of the games due to injury but as always he had a massive impact on the fortunes of the side. After starting the season with some big hitting against South Hampstead he succumbed to injury only returning on a regular basis at the half way point of the league season. His first game back saw him smite 106 in 60 balls at Shenfield including going to his hundred with a straight six off their fast bowler and nearly killing two of our players when he put the ball into the scorebox whilst they were scoring. He continued in this rich vein of form for much of the rest of the season helping to win a number of games but only managing to break one window in the process (at home to Harlow). Took some brilliant catches at first slip and in one game ably filled in as keeper for a time. His great sense of humour, stories of games gone by and the familiar greeting of ‘Hello chaps!’ were as integral to the side off the field as his batting was on the field. |
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Sanjay Sharma (11 apps, 44 runs, 5 wickets, 5 catches) – probably had the hardest job in the side as he was usually asked to bat at number 8 and bowled only occasionally. He did this with good grace and made some vital contributions (for example, his 3 for 15 at Shenfield turned the game in our favour and enabled us to get 20 points for the win and his catch of Benfleet’s overseas player, when he had to hobble to the catch in some pain due to a pulled hamstring, enabled us to restrict the opposition to a getable total). Always happy to be ‘in the face’ of the opposition if necessary he also did an excellent job as back-up keeper when Paul Shawyer was unavailable. Managed to persuade Kevin Pieterson to visit the club where he struck up an instant friendship with Richard Alston. |
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Steve Piper (10 apps, 56 runs, 20 wickets) – appearances were restricted due to work commitments nevertheless Pipes was a key member of the side. He bowled consistently well all season (provided you forget the barrage of long-hops against Old Brentwoods which got dispatched to the fence), taking key wickets and exerting control. A top-order batsman who due to the strength of the side usually batted at number 7 or 8, he got few chances to bat but on the one occasion he got a top 5 slot produced a blistering innings of 40 at Harlow. Always saying something on the field (even if it was only ‘come on Fluffy!’) he brought a passionate desire to win and was always on the team sheet when available. |
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Marc Fletcher (9 apps, 297 runs, 1 catch) – would have played a lot more matches had there not been tough competition for opening the batting and his tendency to not be available the week after he had apparently cemented his place in the side with a good performance. Fletch (or Norman Stanley) has become a good 2nd team bat (although this fact continues to mystify Darren) who delivered some important innings for the side, in particular his superb 124 not out on a damp wicket against Benfleet. His fielding continues to improve (not difficult some might say but full marks to Darren’s tutelage) although the Skipper still watches to see if he has moved from his appointed position in the field. |
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Andrew Chipchase (8 apps, 8 runs, 14 wickets, 3 catches) – Chippy had one early appearance for the side (his only innings with the bat helping to secure victory at St.Albans) before spending a large part of the season as an all-rounder for the 3rd XI. However he came into his own late in the season with a run of games for the side, bowling particularly well at Hadleigh (4 for 52), against Benfleet (8 overs, 7 maidens, 1 for 1) when the Skipper took him off after conceding his only run and at West Essex. Still has the ability to wander in the field and to unwittingly exasperate the Skipper but good to have him back in the side for the title run-in. Useful person to have in the side to challenge Mike Lyon. |
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Peter Joslin (8 apps, 257 runs, 2 catches) – due to a lot of competition for opening slots and work commitments played less than in previous years. However still a very good batsman who made several vital contributions to the team, in particular 83 against Horndon (before being run-out by his Nephew) and 76 against Buckhurst Hill. Took possibly the most important catch of the year to get rid of Pete Ryder at Shenfield when the latter was taking the game away from us. |
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Yogi Flora (7 apps, 59 runs, 1 wicket, 1 catch) – a first team quality player who was only available to us on an intermittent basis because of other committments. A great team player who was a constant source of encouragement to his teammates even though he was normally asked to bat at 6 or 7 and only asked to bowl on occasion. A key finishing innings at Buckhurst Hill when we had been in trouble chasing their score was a highlight, as was his catch at West Essex. |
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Jon Dyers (7 apps, 57 runs, 8 wickets, 1 catch) – unfortunately only available during the first half of the season nevertheless bowled with the quality expected of someone who has been one of the best bowlers in Essex League cricket. Sometimes he bowled too well constantly beating rather than taking the outside edge of the bat. Excellent contributions with the ball in particular on a hot day at Benfleet and at Harlow. Highlight with the bat was 38 not out to take us to victory against Buckhust Hill. |
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Billy Rhone (6 apps, 171 runs, 2 catches) – a memorable stay in the side for the Club’s hair stylist before returning to the 1st XI. A match winning innings of 46 at Old Brentwoods and a thrashed 32 all in boundaries against West Essex were the playing highlights but no one who was there will ever forget Murdoch’s match. At Harlow the team had to go on the field with only ten players as the eleventh man was hiding in the dressing room under an alias (enough said)! |
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Paul Adshead (5 apps, 47 runs, 6 wickets) – Naggsy had only a brief return to the side in the early part of the season before work and Greece intervened. Even so he produced a couple of key performances, first with bat (26 not out) against Shenfield in the first league game when a batting collapse threatened to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and then with the ball (3 for 39) against Buckhurst Hill.
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David Joslin (5 apps, 28 runs, 3 catches) – a star for the 3rd XI who struggled to play to his potential when he came into the 2nd XI. Nevertheless he always tried 100% and fielded at times brilliantly. An important contribution to the run chase at Hadleigh and the run-out of his Uncle against Horndon are two memories. No doubt he will make his name at this level in the near future. |
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Myles Joyce (4 apps, 40 runs, 2 catches) – another who would have played more in the side except for unavailability co-inciding with call-ups. A superb attacking 25 in the run chase at Horndon helped us significantly to victory and ensure promotion and the Championship. |
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Jon Palmer (4 apps, 53 runs, 2 wickets, 1 catch) – played the four pre-League-season games with some success before an injury-enforced lay-off. Some tight bowling and whole-hearted fielding was capped by some useful cameos with the bat when completing successful run chases. Ended up playing against us for Buckhurst Hill when we met in the league in the second half of the season. |
Thanks must also go to the following who played:
Thanks to the Umpires who stood during the season:
Thanks also to our main scorers:
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Mark Lawrence – can’t remember how many appearances Logs made (but then he probably doesn’t either). Very accurate scorer who did our home games other than when he was ill, was taking a bath, didn’t want to know etc.
- Stephen Thorne – doubling up on his duties as a player and used his own pens (which meant that the ones I provided didn’t keep disappearing).
End of Season Awards:
1. Outstanding Performance Trophies
Andrew Chipchase (4/52 @ Hadleigh)
Steve Piper (5/25 v Buckhurst Hill)
Stephen Thorne (5/35 @ Old Brentwoods)
Marc Fletcher (124* v Benfleet)
Richard Alston (106 @ Shenfield)
Darren Ross (73 @ Hadleigh)
Andy Perrin (4/20 @ Benfleet and v Hadleigh)
Peter Joslin (83 v Horndon)
Paul Shawyer (71 @ Horndon)
Rob Runciman (126* @ Harlow)
Mike Lyon (61 @ St.Albans)
2. Man of the Match Trophy
With 4 awards each during the season the trophy was shared between Darren Ross and Paul Shawyer
3. Top Runscorer Trophy
Darren Ross
4. Top Wicket Taker Trophy
Andy Perrin
5. Champagne Moment Trophy
Mike Lyon scoring the winning runs @ Horndon to secure promotion and the title
6. Catch of the Season Trophy
Richard Alston (diving catch at first slip off the captain's bowling @ Horndon)
7. Comic Moment Trophy
Billy Rhone for Murdoch's match @ Harlow
8. Player of the Season Trophy
Shared between Mike Lyon and Paul Shawyer
Overall 2005 was a fabulous season for the 2nd XI that will live in the memory. We played our best cricket when we focused on the basics (i.e. building partnerships and disciplined bowling) but also managed to win on occasion when we were not at our best.
The final champagne toast in the dressing room after the last game of the season was from Darren Ross who saluted ‘Pressure Cricket’. My final word on the season is quite simply........... CHAMPIONS!
Saturday 3rd XI
by Dan Carver
It’s been my first season as skipper and by rights it has been pretty successful. This however is largely due to good availability and having a strong core team throughout the season. The team has played with enthusiasm and determination and it’s been a pleasure (most of the time) skippering them.
We eventually finished third after having a strong start to the season. Defeats against Westcliff, Ardleigh Green and West Essex (as well as an abandoned game against Saffron Walden) put us out of the promotion race. During this period, Ardleigh Green and Hutton both had winning streaks to secure first and second place. Who cares though?? – ENGLAND WON THE ASHES!!
In light of England’s victorious Ashes campaign, I thought I would evaluate the team from a Duncan Fletcher-esque point of view:
Dan Carver (Michael Vaughan) – Quite chilled out in his approach to captaincy, he’s set some interesting fields this season! Hasn’t always produced with the bat, but has played a couple of useful innings.
Paul Hart (Simon Jones) – Aggressive bowler who is capable of making the ball swing wickedly in the right conditions. He out-foxes batsmen and mouths obscenities at them when he doesn’t in equal measures!
Graem Peters (Geraint Jones) – Chirpy little fellow behind the stumps – has had some absolute howlers, along with occasional moments of brilliance. Useful batsman at times (although could’ve chosen a better time than the last league game of the season to hit form!!)
Richard Offord (Steve Harmison) – By far our quickest bowler, but not always the luckiest. A great team player, who’s fiery with the ball yet demure in personality. Likes going for the big shots when he comes to the crease at the end of the innings.
Myles Joyce (Marcus Trescothick) – Aggressive left-hand opening bat who strives to get the team off to a quick start. He's not fond of running (as it's boring), so hits boundaries instead.
John Woodland (Andrew Strauss) – Steady left-hand opening bat, whose maturity shines through! Has played some vital innings. Laid-back to the point of being horizontal in his approach. A partnership between John & Myles won't typically involve many quick singles.
Paul Canham (Kevin Pieterson) – A team player with a big heart. Reads the game well. He has oodles of talent as a batsman but is a little susceptible early on in his innings! He would look like a plonker if he had diamond studs in his ears!
David Joslin (KP again) – Aggressive player, whose shot selection isn’t always conventional! Can be the most destructive batsman in the team. Has succombed to silly mid-wicket this season as well as a couple of silly hair-cuts.
Cookie (Right handed Ashley Giles equivalent) – Consistent slow bowler who showed good form early on in the season - struggles with his length from time to time (oohh-errrr missus). He models his hair on Pieterson, who models his hair on a honey badger, which can be confusing!
Richard Coulson (left handed Matthew Hoggard equivalent) – A dangerous swing bowler, who has picked up some big wickets this season. Unlike Hoggard, he can bat as well!
Chippie (Freddie Flintoff) – Useful all-rounder who looks equally comfortable with either bat or ball. In-spite of lacking Flintoff’s height, Chippie is happy to take on the hook shot, as the bruise on his head after Hutton away testified!
Chris Baldock (Paul Collingwood) – Useful all-rounder who came into the team late-on after various injuries etc. A handy bowling option, who can also score useful runs when required. Plays a good cheeky student role!
Peter Shawyer (Denis Compton) – classical player, not of this era. A true English gent, which is a trait shared by other members of his family. He's in the process of learning some useful swear-words from his team mates.
Thanks to all those mentioned as well as those who have played who aren’t on the list. It’s been emotional.