Monthly Archives: June 2015

Whalers success extends to East London

Whalers CC vs F.C.O

Thursday 18 June 2015: Millfields Cricket Pitch

Whalers win by 37 Runs

A warm and sunny evening eventually brought 91% of a Whalers team to a pitch in Hackney, interestingly located for two sides based in south London. Having won the toss, the Whalers batting was put to the test first in this Twenty20. Channa and Dario confidently strode out to the middle to start things off, but it was soon clear that only the England Cricket team have revised their approach to the shorter forms of the game. Some varied bowling slowed the scoring rate, and Channa was eventually undone by a surprise straight one which followed the theme of pitching somewhere between the stumps and the keeper. Frustration was demonstrated by a trip to the local corner shop for early-innings beers.

Kev’s claims of picking up the scoring rate were looking dubious after a quiet first over, but he and Dario were able to move things on a bit. Channa had agreed with the oppo captain that there would be no LBWs unless they were 100%, which worked in Kev’s favour as he survived an appeal for a 99.5% certain LBW. However, nothing could save him a few balls later when he was bowled for 9. Jiff entered the fray for a quickfire, moonwalking 5 (although claimed he actually scored 6), which brought in JT. His run of 3 ducks was extended to a fourth, being bowled first ball and setting the scene for later batting against an average attack, leaving the Whalers on 91 for 5. Luckily Dario was anchoring the innings with some solid hitting and good placement, although a lack of spikes was reflected by the absence of 2s and 3s.

Dan and Dario managed to steady the ship with some good hitting and made the most of the questionable fielding. Having reached 50, Dario gracefully retired to bring in debutant Pete who demonstrated some solid strokes before being impressively caught and bowled for 7, but had supported Dan’s quick march on well enough to put the Whalers up around the 160 mark. Special, who had arrived from Sydney that morning, walked out to the encouragement of those on the sidelines who suggested he go for it. 30 seconds later he was walking back after a brave swipe across the line missed and he was bowled. Jack was able to give the bowler a reward of a hat-trick after playing a poorly lined up defensive which let the ball take the top of off stump, and left the Whalers on 166-6. Nick did slightly better – his duck wasn’t golden, but the Whalers could only add three more before being caught, and left Dan on 51 not out. Dario decided not to go back in to face the last two balls, and the Whalers finished on 166-7. The bowling had been varied to say the least (one ball taking a grenade-trajectory straight from bowler to keeper), and the fielding helped us in our cause.

A quick team talk (and chance to finish some of the cans that had been brought onto the pitch) and the Whalers were ready to bowl. Nick opened things with a generous first over, not quite reflecting the comments of “I always bowl better when I’ve had a beer” which their batsmen seized upon with some confident shots and a few boundaries. Jack was at the other end with similar results, although he wasn’t helped by some dubious fielding (more to follow in details of the Muppet Moment). The pace bowlers tightened things up a bit, but the opening batsmen were able to use their pace to keep the scoring high. An early change brought on a jet-lagged Kamal who immediately restored order, teasing the batsmen with some good flight, and JT found a good rhythm from the other end. Special’s second over put the Whalers back in it, drawing the two opening batsmen into wild missing slashes which Kev seized upon to stump them both in three balls.

The fielding was a bit sluggish and may have been impacted by the choice of refreshment, but the bowling was improving as Peter’s drift and grip brought bowled batsmen number 3 and 4, and Jiff was able to pick up batsmen number 5. Dan bowled some tight overs off a short run up, and bowled number 6. Kev ran number 7 out by collecting the ball and shuffling back on his backside to take the bails off, and the effect was repeated (although not in the same style) to remove number 9. The oppo captain seemed miffed by some decisions that had been made and chose to take these up with Jiff. Despite his assurances that he would let it go, he repeatedly sought Jiff out to continue their debate, but some careful Kiwi sarcasm made sure the game didn’t descend any lower. JT offered some distraction by drawing number 8 into a loose shot which Dario snapped up, and then finished off the innings to bowl number 11 and finish with 3-11 off four overs, some very good bowling. There had also been a cameo over two from Channa, greatly encouraged by many of the team. It was less than tight, but kept the batsmen guessing with varied lengths and changes in pace (all of which I’m sure were intentional).

It certainly wasn’t a showcase of the Whalers abilities, but it was a solid performance that bowled the oppo out for 132 and left enough time for some post-game beers to accompany the fines, as well as extending our unbeaten run to 9 games.  Man of the match went to Dario for his solid and calm 50*, although special mention should also go to JT for his 3 wickets, and Dan for his 51* and contribution with the ball.

There were a few contenders for Muppet Moment – Jiff’s attempt to bring the game into disrepute, and Special’s practice on the sideline of trying to defend a ball which had gone for four but missing it and letting it right through his legs. However the award has to go to Nick for his fielding efforts at fine leg: drinking on the field, the ball comes towards him so he puts the can down, goes to field the ball, misfields it and lets it go for four and manages to knock over the beer at the same time. Luckily the oppo saved the beer. The Champagne moment goes to Kamal for his game-changing over and two wickets, but not to Kev for the stumpings themselves.

Stu strangles Exiles out of Energy

Energy Exiles CC vs Whalers CC

Sunday 14 July 2015; Nursery Road Recreation Ground

Whalers win by 93 runs

An overcast but brightening day saw 10 Whalers assemble  ready for the toss on a dryish looking wicket. Dan , winning tosser, soon elected to Bat after the Exiles had decided on a match for 40 overs in duration.  Clearly he wanted a good blocker upfront  in  hope of  grinding out some runs early on so he put Roland and Stu in at the top. Plan A was soon in tatters as  Roland was back in the hutch on only  the 3rd ball to swinging ball that did everything. More probably was the lack of foot movement and cross batted shot was the real undoing for Roland and his first ever Whalers Golden!
However in came the excitable Khalil  promoted up at 3 and in and got off he mark with a nicely clipped 3.  Stu at the other end was already settled and turning the ball square off the pitch and was soon sharing in with a clipped 3 and two driven 4’s. Khalil soon joined in the fun with a nice cut to the shortest offside boundary but in the 4th Over he got his execution wrong with some miss timed pull and head in the clouds shot and was easily caught. El Presidente Al was in at 4 and was soon under pressure. Hence after scratching around for about 10 balls he was caught off the opening Bowler for 0 At and the Whalers were struggling for 22 for 3.

Cometh the hour and cometh the late one, Pip ,to shore up the innings. Occupation was now the name of the game and Pip’s watchful eye and Stu’s steady and continuing accumulation nicely settled the innings along. The change of opening bowler to Chris soon helped with a few looser deliveries however the scoring rate was picking up with Whalers 50 being struck in the 10th over. !!
Just when life seemed to  easier around about in the 15th over Pip was gone caught for 18 with the score on 79 and a useful 50 run partnership.  Zia was the next man in and was soon under pressure from the 2nd change bowler however the first change bowler was offering some loose deliveries and Stu was tucking in.  In fact Stu had nicely spread the field and was soon approaching his 50. After some pushing and missing from Zia he suddenly came alive and hit Chris Ling for a couple of Sixes in the 24th Over and the bowler went from 12 runs from 5 overs to 40 runs conceded from his 7 overs and he was quickly withdrawn. At this stage Stu had nicely passed a trouble free 50 and the partnership was motoring along. After 15 overs of this partnership was broken when Zia being bowled just 3 runs short his 50 but this pair had smashed a very handy 82 runs to the total. Tariq was next in and continued with Stu on a similar theme but not at quite the same run rate. Stu Terrell couldn’t quite see the innings through and charged one of their bowlers after was caught behind for a lovely and well needed 87 runs.  WELL PLAYED. Geoff soon followed for the third duck of the Whalers innings  Tariq hit a nice couple of 4’s and whilst Dan played a small cameo innings by gaining 11 runs. JT broke his sequence of ducks by clipping his first scoring shot for 4. The only other note of controversy was a tight run out of Tariq in which Al gave the benefit to the batsman. The Whalers innings finished in a creditable 206 FOR 8

 

In reply the Whalers were on it from the start having to defend with only 10 men. Stu continued his marvellous match by catching their opener off Khalil. Khalil bowled his 6 overs in there spells but only conceded 17 runs with 2 maidens. JT had also opened the bowling from the other end. Geoff soon replaced with Khalil and was soon rewarded from a fine left handed diving catch from Roland. To be fair the ball deserved to be hit but also credit  Dan by moving Roland back to the ring of fielders in the offside at the start of the over. Pip also caught the other opener and Whalers had 3 cheap wickets. The pressure was maintained by Geoff who bowled batsman number 4 and their top order had scored approximately 19 runs for 4 wickets. However soon followed a couple of Dollys being grassed, step forward Khalil who literally stepped forward too soon and completely  misjudged a straightforward one off Dan. Not to be outdone Al missed a knee high Dolly as well one to his belly area! One of those dropped was off the opposing Captains however Al was let off the hook by their Captain being bowled by a full banger from Geoff’s very next ball.

 

It wasn’t all going the Whalers way especially as Batmen number 5 began to straight drive a lot of ball despite needed a runner. Indeed Batmen Number 5 and 8 put on a useful little partnership and the Exiles score edged past the 50 mark for 7 wickets. Pip rounded off  his 3 overs and chipped in with a wicket. Dan returned to the attack and to solve the catching issues of some of his fielders managed a caught and bowled of the crucial Batman number 5 and the Whalers were finally  on their way to a well deserved victory  Geoff bowled their last batsman. In fact the last 4 Batsmen of the Exiles Innings were all Bowled. All that was left was to issue the fines and awards it was not contest re the Man of the Match, it went to Stu Terrells fine batting display. Roland  Golden duck managed to dodge the Muppet Moment as Khalil’s inept catch attempt was deemed more crass. Roland’s catch did gather enough votes to make it onto Champagne moment.

 

A pretty solid all round display especially some very tight bowling through out the Exiles innings special mention to Geoff who’s 8 Overs earned him 4 wickets for only 26 runs conceded and a fine for missing out on a five for.

Cap presentation for Dan's 200th cap (and a rare shot of Dan holding a beer)

Cap presentation for Dan’s 200th game

Cap presentation for Pip's 100th game, ably supported on the day by Mr English Snr and Winston the dog

Cap presentation for Pip’s 100th game, ably supported on the day by Mr English Snr and Winston the dog

Victory beers - a record 8th win in a row

Victory beers – a record 8th win in a row

 

 

Whalers Magnificent 7th

Whalers CC versus Clapham In CC

Sunday 7th June 2015; King’s House Sports Ground

Whalers win by 91 runs

The Whalers reconvened from their successful French adventures on more familiar turf at King’s House. The weather was more Riviera style as for most of the day the ground was bathed in glorious sunshine. Early week squad numbers suggested 15 available but come Friday this was down to 10 until Channa was cleared to play on medical advice with the proviso he didn’t bowl, no doubt making no difference at all to Captain Osgood’s game plan. The toss plan went all awry though as Dan first didn’t have a coin, second wasn’t happy with the coin, and then the opposition skipper clean forgot to call. When the faff was resolved we were batting in a 40 over game.

On the basis that they were more batting allrounders than bowling allrounders Al, Ross and Channa were selected as the top 3, and the batsmen made a brisk start. Al played on for 8, but after giving an early chance Ross played aggressively including 3 sixes in his quickfire 52. Meanwhile Channa was even including some leaves in his innings and with Dan joining him at 4 Whalers were well placed at drinks on 97-2 off 20.

The middle order couldn’t quite keep the same pace and wickets began to fall under pressure of accurate bowling and consistent out fielding. Dan fell for 15, Channa 31, and JT for a duck. When Paul Mildon (the first of 3 Paul’s in the team) was run out without scoring after a ‘mix-up’ with Paul number 2 Clappinson Whalers were in some trouble at 132-6. However Paul C (42*) and Geoff (38) batted well first consolidating and then playing some impressive shots. A mighty 50 runs were plundered from the last 4 overs including a season best 1* from the DragonSlayer lifting the Whalers to an above par 214-7.

After tea Matt Lucas was presented with a cap to celebrate his 100th game for the Whalers – the eighth Whaler to pass this landmark. Opening the bowling was Khalil and Paul Mildon. Both bowled well and made breakthroughs in their initial spells – Dan snaffling a fine caught behind off Khalil and Paul clean bowling the oppo number 3. The Whalers worked hard in the field, but several catches went down as Clapham In moved along to 66-2. However a double breakthrough in the 16th over moved the game to the Whalers favour with a well executed run out by Matt and Dan, followed up by Geoff cutting one back in to remove skipper Frecknall for a duck.

As the rate climbed Whalers made regular in-roads into the Clapham In lower order, including a fine low catch from Paul Mildon off JT’s bowling to dismiss top scorer Ferreira for 42. After two wickets in 2 balls from Matt (although disappointingly for Geoff no opportunity to carry the hatrick ball between games) the end was nigh at 96-9. However some solid batting plus some disappointing fielding from the Whalers delayed the denouement for 7 overs until Khalil was brought back to finish the job off which he duly completed with his first ball.

Overall a fine victory – a margin of 91 runs didn’t really reflect two well matched teams. A game played in the right spirit with Clapham also timing their joining of the fines session well to remind us about Dan’s toss that wasn’t. Contributions from all team members had resulted in a record equalling seventh consecutive win for the Whalers, celebrated with a few beers in the evening sunshine. Happy days.

MOM: Geoff Judd for 38 and 2-12

Champagne: Paul M’s catch off JT to dismiss their highest scorer

Muppet: Plenty of choices in the fielding category, but ultimately unanimously awarded to JT for when he not only misfielded but also in the same move managed to kick the ball faster towards the boundary.