Date: 11th July, 2009.

Venue: Peppard.

Toss: Peppard won the toss and elected to field.

Result: Peppard (11) claimed a losing draw vs. Stoke Row (17).

Pitch: Extremely green. The overnight rain created an extremely two-paced track that was difficult to bat on.

Weather: Miserable – a combination of overcast skies and drizzle throughout the afternoon.

Highlights: Matt Reeves fine bowling (5-23), supported by Roy Hayden (4-31). 15 year-old Rich Armstrong made a classy 29 for Stoke until being brilliantly caught & bowled by Hayden. Andy Watts (31) batted well for Peppard, whilst Dion Sampson (2-24) and Will Macdonald (3-27) excelled with the ball. Row’s fielding was outstanding, illustrated by Macdonald’s one-handed slip catch, Sampson’s direct hit run out from the boundary and the Howell-Clark run out of Ian Jackson.

Catering: A very fine effort. A good selection of sandwiches, supplemented by a fine array of savouries and fruit. The option of homemade cakes always ensures a glowing recommendation from this correspondent, and Peppard fulfilled this option.


Report: Another titanic clash between local rivals Peppard and Stoke Row resulted in a maiden positive result for the Maharajas last Saturday. In a reversal of the previous two clashes between the sides, Stoke batted first and posted what initially appeared an inadequate total, before a fine bowling and fielding display ensured they claimed the majority of the points.

Stoke Row opened with the returning University graduate Charlie Stockings and 15-year-old Shiplake College opener Rich Armstrong, and the duo appeared to be completely at ease until Stockings edged Matt Reeves to slip in the eight over. Row 11-1.

Alas, Armstrong continued to showcase just what a phenomenal talent he is, advancing serenely, with the exception of a dropped catch at second slip when on 18, to a classy 29. At this stage, however, Roy Hayden further extended his lead at the top of the all-time BCL wicket-takers by claiming a caught and bowled reminiscent of Brett Lee’s snaring of Geraint Jones at Lords in 2005. A simply remarkable catch.

Thus Stoke stood at 43-2 at the beginning of the 17th over, and Sam Boughton and Nick Howell attempted to consolidate, although run-scoring was never going to be easy. With Tim Vines bowling a particularly ‘bodyline’ style at Boughton, and with the two-paced nature of the track making pulling and cutting difficult, the normally fast-scoring duo were unable to accelerate a lacklustre run rate. Drinks were taken after 22 overs with Row 50-2.

Immediately after, Boughton’s innings was ended in the most bizarre of fashion, as his attempt to ‘trap’ a ball that was spinning back onto the stumps with his foot saw him slide back onto middle stump and initiate a ‘hit wicket’ dismissal. When Howell missed a straight Hayden delivery, and Darren Clark’s brief cameo was ended by a fine Ronnie Brock catch behind the stumps, Row were languishing on 93-5.

Yet a quickfire 15 from Rich Ashton, allied with a steady 17 from Will Macdonald, saw Stoke to 124-5 at the start of the 36th over. However, the returning Reeves turned the game on its head by dismissing both in the space of three balls, and, bowling fast, full and straight, he ripped through the Row lower order to ensure the visitors closed on 139 All Out and he personally claimed figures of 5-23. A fine effort.

In reply, Stoke Row made an early breakthrough as Will Macdonald trapped Paul Heslop L.B.W. When the aforementioned took the most extraordinary of slip catches to dismiss Paul Vines, and Dion Sampson struck a direct hit run out from 45 yards to dismiss Ronnie Brock, the hosts were struggling on 25-3.
However, Peppard are nothing if not long in batting ability, and youngster Dan Hayden and the more experienced Tim Vines set about repairing the innings in gutsy fashion, until the former drilled a Sampson half-volley straight to Ashton at mid-off. At drinks, the hosts stood at 53-4.

It was captain Andy Watts who redressed the balance of power in conjunction with Tim Vines, and, despite a quite fantastic display of fast-medium bowling from Charlie Macdonald, the duo were able to advance the score to 91-4 before C-Mac was finally rewarded with the wicket of Vines, well caught at square leg by South African Sampson.

Another partnership appeared match-winning for Peppard, though, as Watts and bowling hero Reeves added an untroubled 19. Yet the decision to bring back the spin of the older Macdonald proved inspired, as Reeves was bowled with the first ball of W-Mac’s 9th over.

It was at this stage that the irrepressible Charlie Stockings turned the game. With a mouth like a foghorn throughout the game – constantly encouraging – it was essential that he clung onto any chances that came his way. And thus he backed up his words with actions, as both Watts and Hayden were pouched calmly at mid-on. When a stunning run out was enacted by a combination of Howell and Clark to dismiss Ian Jackson, Peppard were 130-9 with 8 balls remaining. In a tense penultimate over, number 11 Ben Vernon was a millimetre from being bowled by Clark’s 1st ball.

And so the final over was entered with all four possible results achievable. Yet Howell, whose first spell had proved less than inspired, was able to hold his nerve. Although Mick Chard was able to claim 3 runs from the first 3 balls, Peppard still required 6 from the final 3 deliveries. Alas, they were unable to add any more, and closed on 134-9, despite Vernon almost edging the last ball of an enthralling game.

Thus Stoke Row claimed 17 points to Peppard’s 11 in what was a magnificent advert for FNG-BCL Premier Division Cricket. The Maharajas continue to stand in 7th place in the league table, whilst Peppard remain in 5th, albeit ready to advance towards the head of the table following any weekend.

In other results, Mortimer West End secured their place at the head of the table with a dominant winning draw against previously second-placed Sandhurst. Jamie Stead (85) and Jono Bray (67) again shone in MWE’s impressive 277-7, whilst Sandhurst totalled 213-7 in reply – Anthony Clapham was again in the runs with 71.

Previously untouchable Sulhamstead suffered a shock defeat at Crown Wood as the hosts triumphed by 7 wickets. With 17 year old Ashley Fowles in devastating form (4-21), S&U were dismissed for just 108. CW knocked the runs off in rapid order to reach 110-3.

Elsewhere, Grosvenor lept up to 2nd in the league following an 8 wicket demolition of Emmbrook & Bearwood. Mohammad Rizwan’s (5-43) helped dismiss the hosts for just 143, and Toheed Nasir’s 41 eased the BCS based side home comfortably.

Finally, Swindon NALGO moved up to 4th after disposing of Pinkneys Green by 3 wickets. PG were dismissed for 134, with Shoayb Rahman and Usman Sahar claimin 3 wickets apiece. In reply, despite the best efforts of Jags Dhillon and Chris Anderson, Tim Shah’s 40 ensured a victory for the Wiltshire based side.
All in all Week 11 has resulted in the league table becoming ever more compact. Mortimer West End continue to lead the way, whilst Grosvenor now sit on their proverbial tail. Sandhurst, Swindon NALGO, Peppard and Sulhamstead remain in the title chase.

At the wrong end of the table, both Stoke Row and Crown Wood have eased themselves away from Pinkneys Green and Emmbrook & Bearwood, who will require a string of successes to advance themselves up the table.

Week 12 sees MWE face a potentially tricky visit to Crown Wood, whilst 3rd plays fourth when Swindon NALGO travel to Sandhurst. Gorsvenor host Pinkneys Green in a game they would anticipate winning whilst Peppard travel to SUlhamstead in a match that may define the season’s of those two clubs. Finally, in a relegation scrap, Stoke Row host Emmbrook & Bearwood.