Dean Century Brings It Home for Whalers

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Whalers CC vs Salix CC; Saturday 7th July 2018 ; King’s House Sports Ground

9 Whalers, old and new, gathered on a very hot Saturday for a shortened T20 game versus Salix. 

Salix captain Dave won the toss and elected to field and kindly offered the services of Tony to allow for a 10 vs 10 game. 

Dean and Andrew headed out to bat with 200 assumed to be a par score on a sun-baked wicket. The pair got the Whalers off to a flyer punishing any loose bowling taking 67 off the first 4 overs. 

Salix switched their bowlers around but the carnage continued with the 100 partnership being raised in just the 7th over. Andrew was eventually dismissed just after reaching fifty, bowled trying to continue his onslaught. 

Salix then pinned the Whalers back, removing debutant Tom, Will and Josh in quick succession. Dean, however, continued to prosper and raced to another Whalers hundred, bringing up the milestone with an enormous 6, before retiring not out 103.

Dave, in just his second game, struck a couple of good boundaries and with Nick “I’m a specialist batsman now” Howes moved the Whalers past 200. After Dave was bowled for 13, Russell and honorary Whaler for the day Tony hit a couple of boundaries to further increase the score. The Whalers eventually finished on 223-9 for their 20 overs with Nick 21*.

With the clock ticking ahead of England vs Sweden, both teams hurried through a short drinks break and headed back out for Salix’s chase, Yovaan and CK opening the innings. 

Yovaan showed early intent hitting some cracking shots and damaging opening bowlers Nick and Special’s figures. Nick made the breakthrough in his 3rd over when he had CK caught by Andrew for 3.

Salix No.3 Johnny lent Yovaan valuable support and they continued to hit boundaries with alarming frequency. A couple of dropped catches further helped them on their way.

Yovaan was eventually run out by Will following a mix up for an very well-made 65. Will, staking a claim for a specialist fielder role, soon ran out the next batsman for 6. Salix were now on the back foot.

Having taken some punishment in his early overs, Josh then got in the act picking up 3 quick wickets, including an excellent delivery to remove No.3 Johnny. Another run out followed, this time by debutant Tom and Andrew picked up a wicket in the final over of the match. Salix finishing on 130-9 from their 20 overs. 

The teams then rushed back to to the clubhouse to eat tea and catch the England vs Sweden Quarter Final. Big thanks to Salix for being so accommodating and lending us a player. The Whalers winning streak continues!

MoM: Dean for his 103*
Champagne moment: Dean’s enormous 6 to bring up his 100
Muppet: Russell for two dropped catches and generally losing all ability to stop the ball 

Presidents Squeak Win On Batting Paradise

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Saturday 30th June 2018

Only 14 Whalers players were able to attend in the end despite the email pleas.

So a 7 a side match was arranged giving each team given 2 sets of 15 over innings. Each Batsman had to retire at 30 runs but could return.

So the Presidents men wondered out to start the innings well Dean and Luke did and in a blink of an eye Dean was retired after 11 Balls, taking Particular Liking to  Nick H 2nd Over !!! In Fact any bowler conceding  10 an over giving only 5 outfielders were the NORM.  So Jack the other opener only went for 10 off his first 3 overs. . Luke soon went to a generous LBW decision to Will then 1st change bowler . Which bought ,Matt to the crease and he soon  was enjoying himself and again retired on 30 as Did Al the president. In fact this was the only wicket to fall and poor Roland didn’t even face a ball.  146 for 1 off 15 overs looked like a good score to start with

The Captains reply was led by Ed and Will with Matt “ the Chuneorer “ and Roland opening the bowling. A tight  first over from Matt restricted the Captains to just 7 run. Roland 2 overs cost only 21 runs but a sure fire LBW decision against Ed was turned down,, even Ed thought he was gone!!!! Roland had a slight revenge by taking a steepling catch deep in the outfield to get rid of Will to give Matt his wicket. Ed used his second chance to grind away to 30 giving out some good catching practice along the way . In the meantime JT was bowled by Amit, Al took a good catch off Amit to get rid off Keiran and Amit picked up his third wicket when Russell took another good catch. Some semblance of balance was bought back to the proceedings from Nick and Jack who both scored freely and even manages to finish the Captains 10 runs ahead. How did that Happen!!! I think wide balls and aggressive running told its own story.

A BBQ burger Lunch and the World Cup match interrupted the break in innings by an hour or so as did those that had a cheeky beer in the sun to cool down.

Roland and Russell opened up trying to reduce the deficit and before we were into the black, Russell was bowled by Josh and Al was bowled by JT. Matt was back in a number 4 and looked to up the tempo. He soon asked for a risky second run and Roland was given run out by a direct hit even with a grounded bat and an umpire that had hardly moved.!  So 3 Down and about 5 runs in credit looked like a crisis but back in came Amit. But he managed to retire 3 times for the same shoulder complaint and the wilting bowler soon Face Dean at the wrong end of the innings, Having again retired having reached 30 in quick time. Matt duly gave his wicket away having to face a mild run up from Nick seem to scare him. Back came Dean with Luke although Luke  was trying desperately many times to give his wicket away and Dean finished a mighty 77 not out/.  Again 161 runs were scored setting the Captains a score off 151 off 15 overs to win it.

The captains soon lost Jack to stumping behinds the wicket even though the stump bails and ball ending near silly short leg.   Al had his wicket but at cost of 23 runs, Russell was economical until his 3rd over conceding 15 runs. Amit came in first change despite the suggesting how can bowl on a poor shoulder. Answers on a postcard.!!

 But impressive hitting from Nick particularly Josh,, Same shot same result.. and then Keiran  meant that all 3 had to retire at 30.. the president’s men looked in trouble. Nevertheless In came Matt to bowl and with surprise bowler Dean.. Matt Bowled JT with a beauty that hit top of off stump and Roland’s shoulder at the same time. Dean gave Ed the run around with variance in pace and flight and Ed got an inside nick for the keeper to take a smart catch. Better fielding and  less extra runs conceding meant the presidents squeaked home by about 7 runs with Will unable to hit the required number of 4’s to give the captains a second win on the trot. All players went back to the bar to get out of the sun to finish off the BBQ leftovers and more beers.    

 

 

 

Whalers overcome Clapham in T20 Blast

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Whalers CC vs Clapham Inn CC; Friday 22nd June 2018; Regent’s Park
 
 
On a balmy Friday evening the Whalers gathered in Regent’s Park for their one and only T20 fixture of the season versus Clapham Inn. 
 
Captain Will, evoking memories of the Corfu tour, tossed up using a Euro and chose to bat first on a very dry looking pitch. In line with Clapham skipper Joel’s request, it was agreed that every outfielder must bowl 2 overs and batsman to retire at 25, but with the option to return later in the innings. 
 
Sensing the need to get early runs on the board, the Whalers’ kiwi contingent (Geoff and Andrew) were sent out to open the innings. The Whalers soon discovered that timing a ball on the pitch was quite a bit harder than anticipated but Geoff managed to get a few edges away to the boundary. Soon after Andrew was bowled by Boyle for 5 in the 3rd over.
 
Will joined Geoff and watched from the other end as the latter hit Taylor for a couple of big hits to the cover boundary. Geoff soon reached his 25 and duly retired to take up important umpiring duties. 
 
Matt came out and 4 and started to pick up singles with some sharp running between the wickets. Then Will, clearly having watched too much franchise T20, attempted to walk down the pitch, instead missing the ball and being stumped by the gleeful Shinner behind the stumps. 
 
Al and Matt then set about building a partnership, picking up singles and punishing anything loose. Continuing his good form from the previous Sunday, Al started to find the boundary with regularity. Matt soon retired for a well-made 25, bringing Dan to the crease, and Al followed him to the milestone shortly after. With 16 overs gone, the Whalers were looking strong. 
 
Step forward 8th change bowler Shady, who dispatched of Josh for 2 with the first ball and knocked over Russell for a golden duck the next. Jack and Dan saw out the rest of over, but Clapham were not done yet. Left-armer Langham removed Jack with an excellent caught and bowled and then Dan, trying to up the run rate, ran out the unfortunate Amit for the second time this season. 
 
Geoff returned to fray but failed to repeat his earlier heroics, getting cleaned up by Shady second ball. Matt managed to rotate the strike but could only watch as Dan was bowled by another cracking delivery next ball. Al survived the last two balls, and with Matt, picked up some crucial late runs from Langham’s final over. The Whalers finished on 156 after their 20 overs, Al finishing 31* and Matt 29*. Honourable mention should go to Extras who made a significant contribution to the final total. 
 
With a decent total behind them, the Whalers went out to field with some confidence. 
 
Dan and Jack opened proceedings, keeping the scoring tight and pressurising hte openers. In his second over Jack dismissed Shinner for 2, well caught by Matt at mid-on. 
 
Clapham skipper Joel played some nice shots off Russell’s first over, in an attempt to get his team back up with the required run rate. He was soon bowled however; Amit striking in his first over. That brought Taylor to the crease who immediately found the boundary, being particularly severe on anything short. Russell’s second over was a flurry of boundaries and the Whalers were left scratching their heads.
 
Step forward Josh and Matt, the latter displaying his new shortened run up. Matt dismissed No.3 Frecknell in his first over, excellently caught by Russell, and Josh removed No.5 Langham for 0 in the final over of his spell. Both also managed to pin down the free-scoring Taylor with very tight lines and lengths. The Whalers were now well on top. 
 
In line with the pre-agreed rules, the lesser sighted bowlers began to appear. In preparation for Captains v Presidents, Al started to trundle in from the bottom end but was deposited for a 4 and a big 6 by the dangerous-looking Robbins, following Taylor’s retirement for a well-made 25. 
 
Will yorked Robbins in his next over and then removed Wilkes 3rd ball. Not to be left out, Al then claimed his first scalp of the season removing Ashelby LBW for 1. Geoff and Andrew rounded off proceedings, with both claiming a wicket each from the Clapham tail. Taylor returned, but it was far too late for him to effect proceedings and Clapham finished their 20 overs with 105 on the board. 
 
So a 51-run win for the Whalers, and another commanding performance. All eyes look ahead to Captains vs Presidents on the 30th and continuing the success into the second half of the season.
 
Whalers CC 156-8 (20)
Clapham Inn 105-9 (20)
 
Muppet moment: Dan running out Amit (again)
Champagne moment: Russell’s excellent catch on the boundary
Man of the match: Matt for his 29* and 2-0-7-1

Whale Feasts on Lamb

Whalers CC vs Lambeth Lambs CC: Sunday 17th June; King’s House Sports Ground
 
Under greyish skies the Whalers gathered at Kings House to play the Lambeth Lambs, aiming to make it 4 wins on the bounce. 
 
Captain Will, nursing quite a severe hangover, promptly lost the toss with the Lambs skipper (another Will) opting to bat first. News of an unfortunate last minute pull out for Khalil meant the Whalers were a man short heading out to field.
 
Dan and Russell took the new ball and immediately found some early movement, in part thanks to some favourable overhead conditions. Encouraged by a number of play and misses, Dan put Geoff in at first slip. Very next ball an edge flew in his direction, but unfortunately a tough chance was grassed. 
 
Into the next over and Russell found the edge which again flew in Geoff’s direction, but again he couldn’t hold on and the ball trickled away in the direction of third man. Buoyed by two lucky escapes the batsman tried to push for an optimistic second but underestimated the arm of Dan whose throw left the opener Bali a yard short of his ground. 
 
Russell and Dan continued to keep things tight but no more wickets were forthcoming, despite some more edges. Amit came on first change and immediately got into the wickets, beating Weatherald’s defensive push to castle the opener and removing opposing skipper Will via an inside edge which was fantastically caught by Dean behind the stumps. 
 
Paul, making his season debut, started his spell into the wind and shortly enticed number 4 O’Halloran into a loose shot which was held at mid-on by Josh, reducing the Lambs to 41-4 off 13 overs.   
 
The Lambs started to rebuild with number 5 Birrell-Gray in particular capitalising on anything short. But the chances kept coming, however the Whalers couldn’t take advantage putting down 3 or 4 tough chances (the ball seemed to follow Al around) and the other edges didn’t go to hand. 
 
It took until the 20th over for Amit to pick up his 3rd wicket bowling number 6 Stone with another swinging delivery, to break an important 48-run partnership. The Whalers were in good spirits as they walked off for a well-deserved, and slightly delayed, drinks break. 
 
Birrell-Gray was joined by Hegarty and the former put his foot down following the drinks interval striking some lusty blows, including a massive 6 off Paul. He went to a well-made 50 soon after. 
 
In need of some inspiration, Will turned to Josh’s spin, which immediately paid dividends as he claimed the scalp of Birrell-Gray in his first over, well-caught by a redemption-seeking Geoff for 59. 
 
Out walked May, who made his intentions clear by promptly dispatching Josh for 3 boundaries. Some more lusty blows followed, but Josh held his nerve and persuaded him to sky one to Dean at long-on, recently relieved of his wicketkeeping duties. The Lambs were 138-7.
 
Geoff came on to bowl at the tail and immediately got himself amongst the wickets, one well-caught by Al at point and another by Dean at long-off. He soon bowled No.11 Talbot to finish with a very impressive 3 wickets for only 4 runs off his 2 overs. The Lambs finishing 151 all out off 31 overs. A good display from all bowlers, but special mention  to Dan for an outstanding, but ultimately unlucky, 7-3-12-0.
 
Al and Dean opened up for the Whalers and got into their stride despite some tight bowling from the Lamb’s openers. Dean was particularly severe on anything short getting some pull shots away to the boundary. Al was slightly more circumspect but got going with a few nice drives and helping the Whalers to rattle along to 56-0 off 10 overs. 
 
Dean continued to attack, taking a particular liking to first change bowler O’Halloran, including a massive 6 over mid-wicket. Having raced to 49 he tried one pull too many and was caught by Birrell-Gray at deep-square leg off the spinner Moran, cue murmurs of jug avoidance.  
 
With the score at 84-1, captain Will strolled out see his team home and fight back his worsening hangover. Sadly after a couple of nurdles, he was soon making the return trip having managed to drag a legside half-volley onto his stumps. 95-2.
 
The second wicket brought Channa to the crease, despite a strained hamstring obtained whilst fielding. Despite a tricky start to the season and not having not yet scored a run with his new bat, he managed to get a few singles and give valuable support to Al.
 
Al continued to regularly pick up boundaries, putting away any loose deliveries and milking singles off the better balls. He eventually brought up an excellent 50 with a 4 off Moran. 
 
At other end Channa manfully stuck to his task, despite his limited mobility and started to find the boundary with some lusty blows. They started to build a good partnership and edged the Whalers closer to their target. 
 
A flurry of boundaries from Channa saw the Whalers reach their target of 152 in the 27th over, completing a comfortable 8-wicket victory.  Al finished with 65* and Channa a very useful 32*. 
 
Overall another very good win and the Whalers march on!
 
Muppett: Al’s Matrix moment in the field
Champagne: Dean’s catch off an excellent swinging delivery from Amit. 
MoM: Al for 65* and one good catch (despite 3 drops)

Russell guides Whalers to Pitch D glory

Salix CC vs Whalers CC; King’s House Sports Ground; Sunday 10th June

It was another hot Sunday afternoon as the Whalers reconvened looking to make it 3 wins in a row. Although this was an away game the game was played at our regular King’s House venue and so the only extra travelling was the long walk to Pitch D. The opponents were Salix and they didn’t appear to be too confident in ending the Whalers’ winning streak as they requested a non timed, time game (a maximum of 70 overs to be bowled) due to a perceived gulf in quality between the two sides. Will (captain) was happy to oblige and duly won the toss and elected to bat. The Whalers lined up as follows: Al, Channa, Will (c), Geoff, Dan, Jordan (debut), Josh, Jack, Russell, Nick and Kamal.

From the onset it became clear that the pitch was going to be low and slow. This combined with a large outfield meant it looked like the boundary count was going to be on the minimal side. Salix’s two opening bowlers started well and it was obvious we were going to have to work hard for our runs. Channa, filling the rather big shoes of Dean was unable to produce any of his fellow left hander’s big hitting as he lofted a straight drive into the air 3rd ball to depart for a duck. Will came in at 3 and together with Al was able to get the scoreboard moving with lots of 2s and 3s and the occasional 4. Al departed for a dogged 20, succumbing to their first change bowler, Padmore. Will was joined at the crease by Geoff who wasted no time at all in getting stuck into the attack. After bludgeoning a couple of 4s and also a six his entertaining but brief stint after he mistimed an Ellis delivery on the leg side and was caught at midwicket. Dan was the next man in at 5, slightly higher than he is normally accustomed to but the long boundaries suited his game and he soon set about scampering between the wickets. Will was then bowled for 33 to leave the Whalers at 92-4 and debutant Jordan striding out to the middle. Dan and Jordan put on a good partnership but with the Whalers looking to up the tempo having reached the 30 over mark Dan was caught in spectacular fashion at deep mid off to walk back for a well crafted 35, leaving the Whalers at 139-5. A combination of Josh, Jack, Russell and Nick the combined to get Whalers to a respectable score of 166/8 from 36 overs before Will decided that was enough and declared.

Needing 167 to win against a Whalers attack with a variety of options, you felt that Salix needed to get off to a good start to win or draw the game. This wasn’t to be the case though as Nick took care of their two openers, the first a nick well held at slip by Geoff and the second a fairly hefty drive that managed to find Josh at his customary mid off position. This however brought their number 3 (Yovan) to the crease and it soon became apparent that he could play, hitting some powerful shots all around the ground. Kamal in particular was on the receiving end of fierce hitting but his patience was rewarded as he bowled Yovan out for 37. Salix’s hopes now appeared to rest with Grant (mistakenly misheard in the scorebook as Crufts) but after being dropped behind by Dan who was deputising as WK, Russell eventually got his man bowled. He then proceeded to get two more, one with the assistance of a diving Jack, to leave Salix 5 down. Josh was then given the ball and surprised most people including himself by occasionally pitching the ball somewhere near the stumps and managing to grab a couple of wickets. Jordan made it a fine all round debut by taking his first Whalers wicket before Jack finished things off after their number 10 generously left a straight one.

Whalers: 166-8 declared. Dan 35, Will 33.

Salix: 95 all out. Russell 3-19, Josh 2-9, Nick 2-16.

All in all a good team performance.

Champagne moment: Kamal- for taking the most important wicket of the day.

Muppet moment: Josh- for a premature slide about 3 metres from the ball.

MOTM: Russell for 3 wickets

Fine of the day: Nick Howes