2010 Season Review
Chingford Cricket Club
Overall 2010 was a difficult season for the Club, albeit still with instances of team success and notable individual performances.
However more than anything this was a year in which the transient highs and lows of winning or losing cricket matches were put into sharp perspective by the tragic death of David Joslin during the offseason. David was a well liked and important young member of the Club who had only just begun to fully develop his cricketing talent. He will continue to be missed.
Saturday 1st XI
The 1st XI, which was once again captained by Ben MacGregor, started the league season well with two wins but a last ball loss to Hutton in the third game started a long unsuccessful run which had the team fighting against relegation for most of the season. Only wins against Shenfield and Westcliff in the last two matches ensured safety and a final position of 8th.
This was well short of expectations following an excellent campaign the previous season when promotion to the Premier League was only narrowly missed out on. However credit should go to the captain and players for digging deep and persevering when confidence was low and eventually turning things around.
The batting produced no hundreds and only eight fifties. Unsurprisingly only three batsmen scored in excess of 300 runs - Robert Whitfield (429 runs @ 30.64), Shaun McMurray (388 runs @ 32.33 including 86* at Westcliff) and wicket-keeper Paul Shawyer (338 runs @ 28.17).
The bowling relied heavily on the spinners Ben MacGregor (35 wickets @ 18.49 including 5 for 46 against Westcliff) and Shaun McMurray (32 wickets @ 20.41). No one else managed to take 15 wickets and there were only two five wicket hauls including one by Richard MacGregor (5 for 53 against Ardleigh Green) rolling back the years during his brief call up to the side.
Cup Competitions
In the League Cup there was a first round exit to Hornchurch. In the National a narrow win against Fives (Truptesh Patel 60, Matthew O'Sullivan 51) was followed by defeat to Wanstead.
In the Conference Cup there were wins against Upminster (Sam Kirnon 55, Alfie Taylor 51, Shaun McMurray 5 for 21) and Walthamstow (Rob Whitfield 88, Alfie Taylor 54) before defeat by Bickley Park.
In the Dukes T20 Cup there were early round wins against Epping, with Sam Kirnon and Alfie Taylor producing an unbeaten opening partnership of 108, and Fives but a one run loss to Loughton ended any hopes of making it to Finals Day to defend the title won in the previous season.
Saturday 2nd XI
The 2nd XI was captained by wicket-keeper Billy Rhone for the first time. Although there were wins against Loughton, South Woodford, Upminster and Wanstead, ultimately there was insufficient strength in depth to avoid relegation from the Premier Division and the team finished 9th with 158 points.
The team were severely impacted by the lack of regular availability of several good quality players - Steve Piper scored 317 runs @ 105.67 (including 142* against Fives) and took 6 for 38 against Upminster but his availability was limited to only 6 appearances, Greg Hales and Chris Baldock both averaged over 50 with the bat but only played 6 times between them and Nick Shawyer averaged 40.00 with the bat (including 86 against South Woodford) and 13.20 with the ball (including 5 for 57 at Loughton) in his four games in the side.
Of the more regular players Billy Rhone scored 431 runs with five fifties, Richard Alston 383 runs (including a superb 155 against Loughton in the final game of the season) and Paul Smith 240 runs (including 111* against Shenfield). Of the bowlers only Richard Offord took over 15 wickets (including 6 for 58 at Chelmsford) although Ryan Harris produced a match winning 7 for 98 against Wanstead.
The big positive was the development of some of the younger players. Seam bowler Alex Gordon became a regular in the side and consistently impressed on largely unresponsive pitches taking 10 wickets @ 22.00 with an economy of 3.12 per over. In the last third of the season 14 year old off-spinner Andrew MacGregor made his second team debut taking 9 wickets @ 20.11 whilst demonstrating good control, turn and variation.
However particular mention should be made of 13 year old Daniel Lawrence who came into the side half way through the year. Opening the innings he cemented his place in the team scoring 254 runs @ 31.75 (including 89 against Wanstead and 73 against Fives). In addition Daniel was the leading run-scorer in senior cricket at the Club for the year scoring 1395 runs @ 35.77 including one hundred and ten fifties. It goes without saying that such performances evidence huge potential.
Saturday 3rd XI
Having been relegated to Division Two at the end of the previous season the 3rd XI began to go in the right direction again under the captaincy of Dan Carver finishing 5th with 8 wins and 198 points.
Only Dan Carver (252 runs) and Mark Campbell (219 runs) scored more than 200 runs for the season although others contributed usefully at times. The strength of the side was its bowling led by Stephen Thorne (26 wickets @ 11.35 including three five wicket hauls), Edwin Jabbari (22 wickets @ 19.59 including 5 for 55 against Basildon) and the returning Andy Perrin (20 wickets @ 15.20 including 6 for 31 against Wickford).
Saturday 4th XI
The 4th XI, captained by Paul Hart, retained their place in the Premier Division, finishing 8th with 4 wins and 163 points.
The outstanding batsmen were new member Paul Warren who scored 519 runs @ 43.25, including four fifties and a fine 101* against Upminster, and John Woodland with 356 runs @ 39.56 including two hundreds (119* against Hutton and 112 against Ardleigh Green). Nihal Noori (185 runs) and Roy Williams (168 runs) provided good support.
The leading bowlers were Scott Prestedge (24 wickets @ 12.88 including 6 for 35 against Ardleigh Green) and Adam Ferdinand (18 wickets @ 18.56). Veteran Carey Harborne also captured 6 for 28 against South Woodford.
Saturday 5th XI
Bill Burke took over as 5th XI captain and made full use of his extensive player network to ensure that fixtures were fulfilled. The team recorded 3 wins and finished 6th in Division 3W.
Mike Blake had a tremendous season with the bat scoring 515 runs @ 39.62 including six fifties and a highest score of 82 against Old Parkonians. In all cricket Mike, the Club's all time leading wicket taker, passed 1,000 runs for the season for the first time.
Vice-captain Andy Baker also had a fine all-round season scoring 266 runs with two fifties and taking 25 wickets including 5 for 70 against Orsett.
Sunday Cricket
The Sunday A XI, captained by Nick Shawyer, won the Dukes Chess Valley League for the second year running. Alfie Taylor (243 runs @ 48.60), Ben MacGregor (232 runs @ 46.40 including 114 at Harpenden) and Paul Shawyer (214 runs @ 53.50) led the runs. Paul Smith also scored 115 at Harrow Town. Ben MacGregor (14 wickets @ 5.93) topped the wickets with good support from Richard MacGregor, Alex Gordon, Aiden Woodcock and the captain.
The Sunday B XI was captained for the first time by Marc Fletcher who led from the front scoring 563 runs @ 46.92 and taking 28 wickets @ 18.71.
Apart from the captain the mainstays of the batting were Daniel Lawrence (620 runs @ 68.89), Myles Joyce (403 runs @ 31.00) and Peter Joslin (382 runs @ 25.47). Paul Hart had the best individual bowling with 6 for 26 against Hockerill.
Mention should also be made of cameo appearances by Alfie Taylor (123* against Tennyson), Ryan Harris (123 against Hanwell) and Ben MacGregor (97 and 5 for 38 against Hertford).
Other Cricket
On August Bank Holiday the Club played an all-day match in memory of David Joslin. Both teams included family members and friends and the day was extremely well supported which was a testament to David's popularity.
Thanks to all who contributed to ensuring that cricket at the Club takes place in an organised, well run manner, such as umpires, scorers, the grounds man and those who provided catering. Without this support the cricketing experience would be far less enjoyable for the players - it is to be hoped that those who benefit not only realise their good fortune but also demonstrate their appreciation.
Finally the Club would like to congratulate 17 year old Beth MacGregor who, after being called into the England Women's squad during the summer, made her full international debut for her country in Sri Lanka in November.