Sterland Guides 1st XI Home in the Cup & Harry Arnold Hits Maiden Century!

Saturday 1st May 2021

Pinch Punch, it’s the First Day of the Month

So, as we head into another weekend of cricket and another start to a new month, I’m sure we were all hoping that May would bring us some sunnier days, brighter evenings and warmer temperatures. How wrong was that…

A cold, windy and occasionally rainy Saturday of cricket on the 1st May. Here are the match reports:

1st XI vs Billericay (Away) – League Cup.

Billericay 130 all out from 40 overs. Chelmsford 133/5 from 30.2 overs.

Chelmsford win by 5 wickets.

Chelmsford continued their good form from the previous week in the second round of the Essex League Cup, with another win; playing away to Billericay.

With Chelmsford bowling first, this meant the familiar combination of Keaney (2-17) and Styan (1-23) were required to get CCC off to the best possible start. Something that may prove challenging on a wicket as good as Billericay. However, after a tight opening couple of overs, Keaney would soon strike, picking up a wicket within the first 5 overs. Soon after, Styan would follow and pick up the second of the game, with the score still in single figures Billericay were already 2 down. With Keaney picking up his 2nd this meant that Billericay’s fifth batsman would find himself at the crease before the overs got into double figures. With the opening damage done by the two seamers it would be time for the combination of spin and seam with Ben Waring (2-21) operating from one end and Oliver Devenish (2-23) the other. It wouldn’t be long until another wicket would fall after a slight rebuild, Ben would soon get his first and then second wicket. With the score 50-4 and immediately 57-5. James Clifford (4-40) would replace Ben and start to pick up his wickets. Eventually bowling Billericay out for a below par score of 130.

Jack Sterland (75) led the way and continued his good form with the bat, showcasing a classy captain’s performance once again. After an early wicket of Gruijters, this brought Nick Prowting to the crease. With Sterland and Prowting at the crease together again (coming off of the previous week which saw both of these batsman knocking centuries) the confidence was high, however an unplayable first ball to Prowting would see his bails fly off. Resulting in the score showing 13-2. James Clifford (22) alongside Sterland solidified the early collapse, but when James was dismissed with the score 50-3, it meant that Chelmsford still had a lot more work to do. This didn’t faze Sterland as he continued his positive play ensuring the scoreboard ticked over. A neat bit of wicketkeeping saw Jack Cook (7) unluckily get stumped down the leg side to a seamer after looking like he would guide Chelmsford home. Ben Clifford finally got involved with the bat and joined Sterland, merely being an onlooker as Sterland dispatched the bowling to all parts, but when he was finally dismissed for 75 there was only 10 runs required which came within the next over. With B. Clifford finishing on 18* and Brad Green 6*.

Chelmsford now find themselves in the quarter final playing against Hadleigh and Thundersley.

Man of the Match: Jack Sterland - 75.

2nd XI vs Billericay 2nd XI (Home) – Pre-Season Friendly.

Chelmsford 299-3 from 40 overs. Billericay 106 all out from 37.5 overs.

Chelmsford won by 193 runs.

It was bright and sunny-ish at Chelmer Park on Saturday, but with a decidedly very chilly breeze. In the final pre-season friendly before the league campaign begins next week, Chelmsford followed on from thumping Colchester last week by thumping visitors Billericay this week.

Captain Catchy had no hesitation in again employing Plan A and batting first. The Billericay opening bowlers bowled tidily, restricting Rob and Connor Cheverall to 12 off the first five overs, but the batsmen then upped the ante; taking the score to 59 off ten overs. Then Connor was well stumped for 10 in the next over, which was a bit of a surprise.

Harry Arnold joined Catchy and after a couple of overs of watchfulness matched him stroke for stroke as they added 112 for the second wicket, before Catchy departed- caught at deep mid-off for 95 (off 80 balls). Just short of back-to-back centuries. Chelmsford was now 172-2 in 24 overs.

Rishabh Upadhyay combined with Harry to add 54 in seven overs before being bowled for 27 (off 18). 226-3, ten overs left.

By now, Harry Arnold had moved to 84 with some lovely crisp hitting, mainly in the arc between cow and deep extra cover and was personally in uncharted territory, having only once ever passed 50.

Lee Cranmer did a great job in shepherding Harry through the nineties, more cautious than nervous, as ones and twos were carefully accumulated. And then a smartly run 2, culminated, with a memorable leap of joy plus simultaneous fist-pumping and Harry had his maiden century, richly accoladed by his team-mates and his dad, playing on the top pitch! Harry promptly retired not out for 103 (off 80 balls, with 17 fours).

Cran (32* off 30) and James Liddiard (18 off 12) added 40 off the last four overs, with the former launching a couple of ‘Cranmeresque’ 6 hits.

The Billericay innings did not start well with the rarity of a first ball runout, courtesy of a smart pick up and throw by Mark Drain running in from deep fine leg and a smart take and execution from Connor.

Then, in his second over Drainy removed the other opener caught and bowled as Billericay tried to attack. Billericay were 27-2 from 4 overs. Billericay tried to build over the next few overs, but Harry (4-2-6-1), introduced as first change, had the number 3 well caught behind by Connor.

Billericay moved carefully to 70-3 from 20 overs and Catchy introduced spin. Stuey Everard (6-0-20-2) had an immediate effect and bowled the set batsman (Elliott 28) with his first ball. Tom Halsey (6-1-8-2) on at the other end also produced a wicket with his first ball, having the number 5 stumped by Connor and then in his third over had the number 6 caught by Cran at short cover. Billericay were now 86-6 from 28.

Tom ran out the new batsman with a good throw to Connor from mid-on in Abdul Baig's first over.

With score now on 99 for 7, Billericay were reduced to 'getting them in singles', the final seven overs comprising one per over, whilst the Chelmsford fielders shivered in the chilly breeze.

Stuey was brought back for an over and had the number 9 caught for a duck by Harry at mid-on. The next over Abdul (4-0-4-1) bowled the number 10 for a duck. Drainy (6.5-0-23-2) then stepped on for th next over to replace Stuey with the aim of getting at the number 11 but had to wait for skipper Rutland (23*) to take the single, before bowling the last man first ball.

Another comfortable win by 193 runs, but sterner challenges surely lie ahead in the league campaign, but Chelmsford seem in good nick to meet them head on; starting with Buckhurst Hill away next week.

Furthermore, for one young man, a match he will surely never forget!

Man of the Match: Harry Arnold - 103* off 80 balls (retired).

3rd XI vs Harold Wood (Away) – Pre-Season Friendly.

Chelmsford 234 all out from 38.5 overs. Harold Wood 214/7 from 40 overs.

Chelmsford win by 20 runs.

No Match Report.

Matthew Cook – 76 Hugo Skepelhorn – 58* Ben Turner – 27

Steve Bond 2/42 Jonny Tween 1/26 Shona Keaney – 1/30 Rory Skepelhorn – 1/47

Another good win for the Chelmsford 3s which puts them in a strong mindset for the start of the league campaign beginning on the 8th May. They play Billericay 3rd XI away.

4th XI vs Harold Wood (Home) – Pre-Season Friendly. Harold Wood 204/3 from 40 overs. Chelmsford 241/2 from 40 overs.

Chelmsford win by 8 wickets.

The 4th Team continued their pre-season with a home game against the Harold Wood 4ths. For the second consecutive week Chelmsford lost the toss, but this time were sent into the field. Wickets were hard to come by with only T. Mukherjee taking wickets (3/35). Harold Wood’s opener O. Disanayaka made Chelmsford pay when he was dropped on his way to a huge 141*. Chelmsford were set 241 to claim back to back victories.

Very early on it became apparent that the bowling of Harold Wood was batsman friendly. P. Arnold made a quick 61 before being bowled. Jack Campion entered at 4 and also quickly found himself at 50 before retiring. Jordan Campion reached 50 in slower fashion before also retiring for the second week running. B. Clayden (20*) and L. Wilson (26*) knocked the final runs off without any issue. Chelmsford chased the target down in 29 overs, leaving CCC with 2 victories in preparation for the start of the league campaign next week.

Man of the Match: Tanay Mukherjee (3/35)

5th XI vs Maldon (Home) – Pre-Season Friendly.

Chelmsford 279/3 from 40 overs. Maldon 182 all out from 32.1 overs.

Chelmsford win by 97 runs.

The fifth team opened the season with a comfortable win that included landmark performances from Ben Lawrence and Beth Wright.

Debutant Usama Ahmed (17) and Dave Hutchinson made a positive start adding 40 in quick time. That wicket brought Lawrence to the crease, getting a rare chance to bat up the order and he settled in nicely with some high-quality offside shots.

Hutchinson struck the ball nicely but was bowled for 50 and the score was 111 for two at the halfway stage. Wright and Lawrence combined to really good effect, initially Lawrence dominated the scoring but as Wright settled in, she hit the ball cleanly.

Just after completing her first half century in adult cricket Wright (53) was run out having shared in a partnership of 101 in 12 overs. Anish Nikam (29*) and Lawrence kept the scoring going with a final tally of 279 from 40 overs. An exhausted Lawrence was unbeaten (although not unbowed -prostrated would be most accurate) on 91.

On a lightning-fast outfield 280 was an achievable score and some stiff bowling, poor fielding and decent shots combined to give a fast start. Tom Hutchinson (1-19) found his range and finished his spell with 2 good overs including the breakthrough.

Ahmed entered the attack and took a wicket with his first ball for the club and two more followed as he returned three for 8, Alex Bailey doing well to cuddle a catch at gully in the cold conditions. At the other end young debutant Brian Kaludewa bowled very well and helped to control the scoring.

Maldon captain Norman Case began to exploit the short boundary on one side but was losing partners at the other; Wright taking three for 12. The numbers 9 and 10 stayed about for a bit but Nikam and Lawrence grabbed a wicket apiece as extras completed a half century.

Case (76) was finding Nikam (2-14) difficult to collar and was trapped low to end the match.

A good if rusty performance.

Man of the Match: Ben Lawrence Perfect catch: Usama Ahmed Super striker: Beth Wright Game changer: Usama Ahmed Sixes award: Norman Case/ Ben Lawrence Most valuable asset: Ben Lawrence

So, its back-to-back weeks where all Chelmsford teams pick up victories in their Saturday matches. Let’s all hope this form from everyone continues and we take it into our league campaigns beginning on the 8th May.

Sadly, this week we were told of the extremely upsetting news that club legend Bob Shortman passed away.

Here is the club statement released earlier in the week…

“It is with the greatest sadness that we have to send the news of the passing of Bob Shortman, who passed away peacefully in his sleep at Broomfield Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday 4th May.

It is impossible to state the debt we as a Club owe to Bob for his playing skills over many decades but even more for his service to the Club in so many roles including 1st team captain and more recently Club Captain. For many years Bob has been the mainstay of our coaching system and has honed the skills of too many players to mention but including J J Lewis and latterly Aaron Beard and Sam Cook. Bob’s involvement with the junior (Colts) section in every aspect has been remarkable.

Bob was a patient, quietly spoken coach who earned the respect of youngsters who admired his knowledge, experience and love of the game of cricket. His enthusiasm continued over the years and was passed on to all who came into contact with him, including opposition teams, umpires and League officials.

We are sure many people throughout the world of cricket (and other sports) will wish to pay tribute to Bob in their own way. Our players will observe a minute’s silence before this weekend’s matches as a mark of respect.