Monthly Archives: July 2018

Whalers Wilt In The Heat

Whalers v Cricketers, 22 July 2018; King’s House Sports Ground

On the back of a long winning run, the Whalers gathered hopefully at Kings House for the rematch against old foes the Cricketers. The weather was hot and muggy, the pitch was true, and the outfield looked like straw-coloured concrete, so all the pre-game chat was that this would be a good toss to win… Will lost the toss, and we were bowling – having perhaps already talked down our chances of a good performance.

Despite this, accurate bowling from Nick, excellent wicket-keeping from debutant Jim (who stood up to pretty much all the Whalers bowlers), and some good catches meant that by drinks the Cricketers were only on about 90-3. As pretty much anything which got past the infield was guaranteed to go for a boundary, the game was still in the balance. However, the Whalers had already dropped the Cricketers opening bat Grace a few times, and post-drinks things got a bit more ragged. Will rotated the bowlers but some more drops and tired fielding, and some excellent batting, saw Grace to his second ton of the season against the Whalers. The Cricketers closed on an imposing 251-4, with the only post-drinks highlight being Paul Mildon’s diving, sliding catch millimetres from the ground which deservedly got champagne moment.

The Whalers reply got off to a watchful start, but wickets then started falling including two LBWs in two balls (and a golden duck for your author). The Cricketers then unleashed their secret weapon of very slow bowling, and with no pace on the ball, the fielders well-spread, and needing at least a couple of boundaries each over just to keep up with the run rate, the Whalers innings wilted in the heat. Geoff hit a quick 20, and Pip held one end down with a top-scoring 49 and entertained the crowd with a couple of reverse sweeps. But Pip, Amit and Josh were then all out identically, stumped off wide slow deliveries from the same bowler, and when Nick missed a full toss the Whalers were all out for 138. Perhaps the kindest thing that could be said about the Whalers innings was that the scorebook was very neat.

Man of the match was Jim for his wicket-keeping, with an honourable mention for the scorebook (yes, things were that bad). Paul Mildon’s diving sliding catch got champagne moment, while Pip / Amit / Josh got muppet moment for a collective failure to learn.

Cricketers – 251-4 from 35 overs (Nick 1-23 from 7)

Whalers – 138 a.o. (Pip 49, Geoff 20)

Dean Century Brings It Home for Whalers

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

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.