Stoke Row Vs. Crown Wood

Date: 4th July, 2009.

Venue: Newlands Lane, Stoke Row.

Toss: Stoke Row won the toss and elected to field.

Result: Stoke Row (27) beat Mortimer West End (5) by 7 wickets.

Pitch: Dry and dusty, and favouring the spinners, although Row paceman Charlie Macdonald was able to induce some variable bounce. For the most part it favoured the batsman though.

Weather: Beautiful throughout the day, reaching 31 degrees at some stages.

Highlights: Thamindu Wedatalike’s composed 66 and Riyas Rajab’s 38. C-Mac bowled a magnificent spell claiming 3-20, whilst Dion Sampson (12-3-45-2) provided good support. Will Macdonald’s unbeaten 77, Nick Howell’s 55 not out and Sam Boughton’s 38 were all fine innings. Sampson’s post-match celebrations in Henley are also worthy of mention!!!

Catering: Another Row classic. Sue Boughton concocted a fine mix of baps (as opposed to sandwiches due to the heat), which, allied with an excellent mix of savouries – sausage rolls, scotch eggs, *****tail sausages etc. – and fruit (melon and pineapple) made a fine base. With the traditional Boughton home made cakes, it was another tea to truly savour.



Report: Stoke Row claimed a degree of revenge for their opening day thrashing against a depleted Crown Wood (no Maliks {x2}, Rubbani, Iftikhar or Jeyerajah) at Newlands Lane last Saturday, thus cementing their seventh place position in the FNG-BCL Premier Division.

Having won the toss, Row captain Rich Ashton elected to field and this decision was quickly vindicated as South African Dion Sampson dismissed opener Ollie Johnson in just the second over. However, the experienced and classy Thamindu Wedatlike and Ravi Godbole set about re-adjusting the balance of the game with a fine stand of 46 for the second wicket.

However, it was at this stage that 19 year-old Charlie Macdonald achieved what he had threatened in the previous games he had participated in. Again bowling a disciplined line outside off stump, he dismissed Godbole, Maujoon and Crook in rapid order to completely alter the course of the game. From 51-1, Crown collapsed to 87-5, with Darren Clark also dismissing Chris Allwright.

Yet as is so often the case with Premier Division cricket, lower order partnerships can ensure a competitive total is posted. On this occasion it was opener Wedatalike, aided by all-rounder Riyas Rajab, who rebuilt the Crown Wood innings. Playing sensible cricket, the two added 82 for the seventh wicket, before Wedatalike was smartly caught at short mid wicket for a well-crafted 66. With a late order flurry from Andrew Clifton benefitting Wood, they amassed what appeared a par score of 179-7, albeit the highest total posted at Newlands Lane this season.

In reply, Stoke Row were confronted with the old ball, and a brace of spinners at the top of their game. Rob Crook and Rajab bowled exceptionally for the first 14 overs, and, with a wicket looking as though it could fall at every delivery, Row slumped to 16-2, before Sam Boughton and Will Macdonald advanced to 35-2 before the new ball was taken after 14 overs.

The batting duo appeared far more at ease with the added pace of Ashley Fowles and Ravi Godbole coming on to the bat, and a half century stand was amassed with a degree of serenity. It was only with the introduction of Shabrin Maujoon, more of a ‘hit-the–deck’ bowler akin to Charlie Macdonald, that a breakthrough was made, although Boughton may have been unfortunate to have been adjudged caught behind when it appeared that bat may have struck pad rather than ball.

The very next ball was perhaps the pivotal point of the fixture, as Nick Howell gloved an attempted pull shot down the leg side. The diving wicket-keeper Andrew Taylor was unable to cling on and the 22 year-old then moved into full flow.

With Macdonald now batting as he did in 2008, and as he has given an inkling of throughout the current season, Stoke Row proceeded with a calm authority. Such was the dominance of the pair that they were able to knock the runs off with 6 overs to spare, despite a spirited effort from Wood. The pairing displayed such class that at times they appeared to be toying with a Wood bowling attack who are far from weak – Godbole has proved successful for years, Crook is a fine bowler and Fowles displays promise for future years.

Thus Stoke Row claimed 27 points from this encounter, whilst Wood claimed just 5. Again the unpredictability of the league can be seen by the fact that earlier in the season Wood destroyed Row, claiming 26 points to Stoke’s 2. Thus in terms of head-to-head, the Bracknell based side have secured dominance but the variability of results continues to be the most eye-catching feature of the league.

And so it appears throughout – capricious would be an understatement. In week 1, Sulhamstead beat Mortimer West End. This week, Tom Mackenzie (120*) inspired West End to a five wicket win. Sandhurst smashed Peppard in week 1, yet on this occasion Paul Vines (72) led the visitors to a tight winning draw.

Continuing this theme, Swindon NALGO defeated Grosvenor in the first game of the season, but on this occasion the ever-reliable blade of Hamid Sana (64) and Mohammad Rafi’s (62) saw the BCS-based side advance their title aspirations.

The only game of the weekend that followed the pattern of its predecessor was the basement battle between Emmbrook & Bearwood and Pinkneys Green. Yet this appears to have been something of an epic as well – Mark Lazenbury’s 73 helped E&B to 237 All Out, before Kevin Cox’s 76 just managed to push the hosts over the line by 1 wicket.

All in all, then, the FNG-BCL is as wide open as it ever has been, with no fewer than six sides still in the hunt for title glory with over half of the season gone. In week 11, a monumental clash sees the top 2, Mortimer West End and Sandhurst, lock horns, whilst Sulhamstead will look to return to winning ways at Crown Wood following a couple of disappointing defeats.

Fourth placed Peppard take on local rivals Stoke Row in what could prove to be an absolute belter, whilst both Grosvenor and Swindon NALGO will be looking to consolidate their championship challenges with victories over bottom clubs Emmbrook and Pinkneys.


AS AN ASIDE, THIS SUNDAY WILL ALSO SEE THE CLASH BETWEEN 2008 CHAMPIONS AND CURRENT TABLE TOPPERS MORTIMER WEST END AND THE BCL SELECT XI, SO, IF YOU ARE FREE AND WISH TO SEE SOME TOP QUALITY CRICKET, PLEASE COME ALONG. THE GAME STARTS AT 1. P.M. AND WILL BE 40 OVERS A SIDE – BAR AND BBQ OPEN ALL DAY.
WHO WILL WIN THAT CLASH OF THE TITANS??!!!