Sterland and H. Arnold Continue Fabulous Form and Brian Kaludewa Stars on League Debut!

Saturday 15th and 16th May 2021

Another week has been and gone and unfortunately the weekend’s fixtures were again affected with the damp weather we’ve seen throughout the most of May. Only half of our teams managed to get their games played- being 1s, 2s and 5s with the 3s, 4s and 6s missing out due to said weather. The 1st XI were also in action this weekend, playing their first round National Cup fixture.

1st XI vs Hornchurch (Away) – League.

Hornchurch 178/6 from 36 overs. Chelmsford 182/3 from 34.1 overs.

Chelmsford win by 7 wickets.

The first XI travelled to Hornchurch for their second league fixture of the season, buoyant from the win on the opening day. With another week of drizzling damp weather, the two sides were met with wet conditions and the umpires decided it unsafe to start at the original time. Due to the conditions and the delay, the match was reduced to 42 overs per side. Jack Sterland won the toss and elected to field first.

Andy Styan, bemused by the fuss the southerners made over a bit of rain, started proceedings with a testing maiden, only for the weather to take the players off after the first over. With both teams keen to play the game was reduced again, this time to 36 overs per side.

Hornchurch got off to a fantastic start, reaching 97 runs in the 20th over with their opening batsmen, before Ben Waring dismissed Sorrell for 25 in the 21st over to claim Chelmsford’s first wicket of the day. Keaney followed a testing bouncer with a full toss to dismiss the set Saunders for 61 in the 22nd over. Devenish struck twice in quick succession to remove Irfan and Murray cheaply, the home side were 128/4 in the 30th over.

With Hornchurch looking to accelerate, J Clifford removed the dangerous Westfield for 26, with Hornchurch at a score of 153/5 from 33 overs. Keaney dismissed Malik in the final over, leaving Chelmsford requiring 179 from 36 overs to win.

Openers Sterland and Hagen started Chelmsford’s reply off with a balance of caution and intent, appreciated by the rest of the order. Chelmsford reached 27 from their first 6 overs when Hagan was caught off the bowling of Gordon for 8.

Nick Prowting was the batsmen to join Sterland, and brilliantly the pair put on a 113-run partnership. A joy to watch and it quite simply showcased their class in challenging, ‘winter-like’ conditions against and experienced and dangerous bowling attack.

With the score reaching 140 off 26.1 overs, Sterland was given out LBW to Saunders for an excellent 78, leading from the front and continuing his great start to the season. James Clifford joined Prowting but was removed cheaply in the next over by Whitlock, meaning Ben Clifford would now join the well set Prowting; with 38 runs still needed to win.

Prowting continued his fluent innings, reaching his half century (50*) and settling any remaining nerves. With only 20 required from the final 4 overs, Ben Clifford (27*) was merciless on anything straying in line or length to compete the victory and keep Chelmsford top of the Premier Division.

Chelmsford Bowling & Batting figures: Oliver Devenish 2-39 Liam Keaney 2-50 Waring 1-31 Clifford 1-37

Sterland 78 Prowting 50* B Clifford 27*

2nd XI vs Hornchurch 2nd XI (Home) – League.

Hornchurch 148-6 from 35 overs. Chelmsford 152-1 from 23.3 overs.

Chelmsford won by 9 wickets.

Chelmsford won the toss and elected to field first.

Saturday morning, it’s been raining (again). Leaving Chelmer Park damp and soggy.

The skipper, Rob Catchpole, is keen to play in hope of “building momentum” and mindful that perhaps not everyone in the division will get a game in. The pitch has been covered overnight, but the bowlers' runups are wet. So, the Super Sopper is employed.

The Hornchurch advance guard are here, but do not seem all that enthusiastic. The covers come off - the pitch is damp (not surprising given the rain in the week).

Discussions and negotiations ensue (with Shane who is today's groundsman, the opposition, the opposition umpire and the Chelmsford team). Whilst all this is going on, poor Rory - the 3rd XI skipper is valiantly fighting a losing battle trying to get his game on, on either the top or bottom square. Also, Desmond the Dog inexhaustibly tears around everywhere with his football (which, I learn is not a football, but a volleyball, which is more difficult for him to puncture) I'd put money on him to see off the Duracell Bunny in any sort of head-to-head.

Eventually, it is decided. We will attempt to start a 35 over match at 1.45. Thanks to Shane, who kindly marks up the pitch, although I don't think he approves and probably neither will Martin. Sorry guys, but thanks again.

Prior to the toss, Hornchurch mention something about "as long as we don't have to bat first. They lose the toss and get to bat first.

Surprisingly the pitch seems to play all right, albeit low and slow with the occasional skiddy one. After a cautious start Hornchurch see off the opening bowlers (Harry Arnold and Mark Drain) and are 34 without loss after 10 overs.

The Hornchurch openers take 19 off the next 2 overs from James Liddiard and Rishy Upadhyay, but then Lids has the increasingly belligerent James caught behind for 34 by Catchy. A few overs later he removes the other opener caught by Neil Fergus at somewhere between short mid-on and fine-ish midwicket. 18 overs gone 70-2.

Rishi does not have the same luck and is replaced by Tom Halsey's loopy legspin. This is treated with suspicion and caution by the batsmen. This is not so misplaced, as in his second over an edge is induced behind to Catchy. Seeing this Catchy replaces Lids (6-0-20-2) with Stuart Everard's not so loopy legspin.

Tom (7-0-30-2) bowls the number 5 in his fourth over. And Stuey (7-0-33-2) in his third over has the number 5 stumped by Catchy and then strikes again, courtesy of a catch at long-on by Tom. Hornchurch battle on to 148-6 from their 35 overs. Their top seven all got into double figures but none, apart from the afore-mentioned James, could manage to go on against Chelmsford's bowling. And they only scored 11 boundaries.

Turning straight round, the players are forced off after 2 overs by heavy rain. 35 minutes are lost, but sufficient time remains for the remaining 33 overs, so no reduction in overs.

Cognisant of the possibility of Duckworth Lewis if there are more interruptions, Catchy starts to find the boundary, but loses partner Connor Cheverall for 9, caught at slip in the 10th over. 37-1.

Harry Arnold arrives at the crease and just carries on from last week. He swings through the ball, he connects, oh so cleanly, and the ball speeds past and over the bowler to the boundary.

Catchy reaches his fifty off 44 balls in the sixteenth over, meanwhile Harry is on 29 not out from 21 and catching up fast. 99-1, 50 required from 19 overs. Well ahead of D/L Par and one over more the win is assured, barring the loss of all 9 wickets for 49 runs in the remaining overs.

From here on, Catchy pushes the singles, giving Harry the strike as much as possible. Hornchurch's support bowling is plundered, as Harry keeps swinging, reaching his fifty off 33 balls.

The win is completed in the twenty-fourth over as Harry hammers consecutive boundaries, finishing on 77 not out from 47 balls (11x4 1x6).

Catchy finishes on 61 from 67 (9x4).

Momentum building, hopefully.

Next week the 2's are at away to Ilford.

5th XI vs Horndon on the Hill 3rd XI (Away) – League.

Horndon 265-5 from 40 overs. Chelmsford 160-8 from 40 overs.

Hordnon on the Hill won by 104 runs.

An excellent innings from Sandeep CP proved too much for Chelmsford. The highlight for the visitors was an outstanding league debut from Brian Kaludewa.

Kaludewa and Tom Hutchinson bowled excellent opening spells and were unlucky not to strike. The pressure told though with a run out and spinners Anish Nikam (2-46) and Ben Lawrence (1-34) were able to keep things tight as the score subsided to 52 for four. One over from Lawrence at the start of the 5th wicket partnership could have made all the difference with two edges either side of slip, a ball that shaved the stumps and a leading edge short of cover.

CP looked a class apart and rapidly upped the rate. His innings and Chelmsford's catching allowed Melbin Philip (76*) to settle in and he started to hit the ball hard too. They would put together 202 before Kauldewa (1-33) grabbed a well-deserved wicket, bowling CP for 119.

In the conditions 264 was a very large total and was never really on. Dave Hutchinson (32) played well and Nikam (17) and Alex Bailey (20) made useful contributions. They all fell to Togy Philip (4-21) whose bang it into the pitch strategy proved ideal for the pitch.

A good partnership of 50 from Matt Spinks (40) and Kaludewa (27) helped the total to some respectability in their contrasting styles.

Plenty of good signs from Chelmsford's young players.

Man of the Match: Brian Kaludewa

Sunday 1st XI vs Hadleigh & Thundersley 1st XI (Away) – National Cup.

Chelmsford 177 all out from 35.1 overs. Hadleigh 104/4 from 20.2 overs. (A revised target of 103 was needed).

Hadleigh & Thundersley win by 6 wickets.

Chelmsford opened their National Cup campaign in round one with a trip away to Hadleigh & Thundersley, at John Burrows Park. Like many other games throughout the weekend, this one was also reduced due to the weather to 36 overs per side.

Hadleigh won the toss and put Chelmsford into bat first.

Chelmsford started off well with a decent opening partnership of 30 in the first 4 overs.

However, in the 5th over Hagen was bowled out for 2. Sterland, looking to continue his fine form, put the foot back on the pedal with some boundaries, which included back-to-back boundaries consisting of a 4 and a 6.

Sadly, for the visitors though Sterland was sent walking, one run away from a half century. (49 runs off 37 balls). The opener was caught in the 10th over from Ali Zaidi. Chelmsford were 55/2 going into the 11th over.

James Clifford joined Catchpole at the crease but didn’t stay long as he was caught for 0 after facing jut 6 balls. A disappointing duck for James, something that’s not often described about the all-rounder’s innings.

Brother Ben Clifford came in and began playing some strong shots. Looking for boundaries and positive running. But in the 15th over, he would lose his partner Catchpole as he was caught by Hadleigh bowler Handley. (Abit of a tounge twister that).

Next in to join BC was our Dutch warrior, James Gruijters. The Flying Dutchman was knocking the ball around nicely and running well with B. Clifford, picking up 1s and 2s often and keeping the score ticking over. Gruijters and B. Clifford looked strong and put on a great partnership of 79, surviving 14 overs together.

But in the 30th over B. Clifford was caught by Tibbenham and like his captain, was painfully out for 49.

In stepped Jack Cook, but unlike B. Clifford, Cookie wouldn’t build a partnership with Gruijters as the Dutchman was stumped out on 37. Two overs after B. Clifford departed.

Chelmsford were 162/6 after 32 overs.

The over after Chelmsford lost Gruijters, they lost Brad Green. Caught for 0 off his second ball.

Liam Keaney joined J. Cook at the crease but ran himself out for 4 off 7 balls shortly after. Cook looked good and settled himself in nicely but was stumped by Vapiwala for 11 runs off 16 balls.

Harry Arnold was ran out for 0 and Shahid ended Chelmsford’s innings on 1 not out.

Chelmsford finished 177 all out from 35.1 overs.

Hadleigh started their innings slow. 12/1 off the first 4 overs with H. Arnold getting the first wicket, continuing his brilliant form this early season.

Keaney grabbed the second wicket in the 7th over and Hadleigh were 23/2.

Some tight bowling from Chelmsford meant that Hadleigh were 47/2 off 12 overs. In the 13th over, Shahid stepped up and fantastically delivered for his team. Picking up two wickets and only conceding 5 runs from the over!

After those two quick wickets many would’ve thought Hadleigh to panic, however, the hosts steadied the ship and composed themselves. They reached the 21st over without losing another wicket, with a partnership of 52.

But sadly, the rain became heavier and the players had to leave the field with Hadleigh on 104/4.

Due to the weather and the break in play, the Hadleigh were given a revised target of 103, which they had achieved in 20.2 overs. So quite anti-climatically, the hosts won the game.

Well done to Hadleigh, who progress into the second round of the National Cup, where they will face Peterborough Town Cricket Club who defeated Welwyn Bees by 9 wickets.

Fingers crossed that we are met with much better weather next weekend and in the future so all teams can fulfil and participate in a full day’s worth of cricket.