Scorecard

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 1st XI v Northampton Exiles on Sat 03 May 2014 at 1pm
Berkhamsted Cricket Club Lost By 5 wickets

Match report The 2014 cricket season had arrived with Berkhamsted 1st XI starting their campaign against Northampton Exiles. The opposition name confused some of the players as Jamie L asked why they were playing in the Hertfordshire league. Thankfully someone kindly took him through the definition of Exiles. The team were ousted from Northampton in 1937 before the start of World War II only to reform as the Exiles in 1946 near Winchmore Hill. Apparently. This is all according to the well known historian (and part time accountant) Ollie Chinneck.

Pre-game preparations were as expected with the Sunday XI at the end of last season failing to put the rope away correctly causing endless issues getting the boundary out. The youngsters vs oldies footie game went the usual way with experience victorious over youth and the skipper owning midfield. He was also clinical in front of goal, something Joycey needs to learn. Tricks and flicks will get you nowhere son.

The skipper won the toss and elected to bat on a fairly green looking wicket. The opposition skipper questioned this decision by commenting "Thank god you said that." This threw me somewhat and I started to doubt my decision but as regular readers will know green doesn't necessarily mean bad as the Berko wicket is always green. And in fact the pitch played very true.

Despite the early loss of Gareth things were going well. Joycey was playing as fluently as a person who was out in London all night and only got 4 hours sleep while Ollie was patiently building an innings. Extras were leading the way though and were soon out scoring both Joycey and Ollie. With the score 69/1 and both batsman starting to look good, Ollie was harshly given out LBW while Joycey throw up an easy catch. And then came the collapse. I would like to say the Northampton Exile bowling tore into us but to be honest we play some bad shots.

We were looking at a very mediocre score but our three young debutants had better ideas. Adam come in and showed no nerves in taking the attack back to the bowlers with Josh and Jamie S ably supporting him. All three impressed the skipper with their determination and showed the rest of us how it should be done. They managed to get the score to a total that gave us a glimmer of hope.

With some key bowlers missing, Gareth and Riaz (with his medium pacers) opened up. With the IPL in full swing the Northampton Exile's opening batsman had clearly learnt a few agricultural shots and was prepared to try them on every ball. Even the good ones on middle stump. One could say this was a master stroke of tactical nonce, I would argue he was lucky. Either way he got the oppo off to a flying start. Once he had departed some form of normality resumed. Riaz turned to his off spin and pegged the rate back. Josh bowled well and took his first ever 1st XI wicket while Jamie S was unlucky not to get one of his own.

In the end we had them 5 down but with only 119 on the board and with 62 overs for the oppo to get them it was always going to be struggle. We showed determination in the field but it was too little too late. It was a disappointing start to the season and if we are going to get promoted this year we must put runs on the board even if we have to grind out "ugly" runs.

Man of the match goes to Adam who on debut should the more experienced players how it should be done.

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 18w 4b 2lb 
for 10 wickets
25
119		        
Andrew Joyce ct A Patel b M Shah 24 59 2 40.68 1 1
Gareth Preedy ct A Mistry b M Shah 2 14 14.29
Ollie Chinneck lbw M Shah 19 38 2 50.0
Luke Frey b M Shah 10 15 1 66.67
Jez O'Neill ct Y Patel b A Mistry 2 7 28.57
David Smith ct D Taylor b M Shah 0 5 0 1
Jamie Lewis lbw R Booka 1 5 20.0
Adam Brierley b A Patel 20 41 2 48.78
Riaz Richards st T Lawlor b M Shah 8 15 1 53.33
Joshua Peacock b R Booka 4 12 1 33.33
Jamie Slater Not Out  4 19 1 21.05

Northampton Exiles Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Asfak Patel2.10717.003.23
Mehul Shah16.013966.502.44
Ravi Booka12.0335217.502.92
Yagnesh Patel3.001700.005.67
Anil Mistry5.0215115.003.00

Northampton Exiles Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
2nb 5w 4b 2lb 
for 5 wickets
13
120 (32.2 overs)		     
Ravi Booka lbw R Richards 22 21 4 104.76
David Taylor ct A Joyce b J Peacock 4 41 9.76
Asfak Patel ct D Smith b R Richards 6 19 1 31.58
Sarath Kotamarthi Not Out  51 67 3 1 76.12
Nimai Amin run out  (A Joyce) 7 15 1 46.67
Venkata Girinala lbw R Richards 9 12 2 75.00
Tyrone Lawlor Not Out  8 21 38.10
Mehul Shah  
Jordan Alleyne-Lawler  
Yagnesh Patel  
Anil Mistry  

Berkhamsted Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Riaz Richards16.2253317.673.24
Gareth Preedy4.001800.004.50
Joshua Peacock6.0124124.004.00
Jamie Slater6.011900.003.17

  • Umpire :
    Richard
  • Scorer :
    Sarah