Chelmsford Club Report for 13 and 14 August

Chelmsford endured a difficult week with the top four Saturday teams all losing, only a victory for the fifth team saving the club from complete whitewash on Saturday. Two victories on Sunday, including an excellent victory for the first team in their League Cup semi-final, provided a lift after a Saturday mainly comprised of gloom.

The first team lost in agonising manner against league leaders Wanstead. James Clifford claimed five for 36 as Wanstead were dismissed for 141, Sam Cook and Karamat Ali also taking two apiece. A spectacular top-order collapse reminiscent of this fixture last year soon made this target appear fairly distant, but good batting from Nick Bailey and Karamat Ali came agonisingly close to getting Chelmsford over the line. The last ultimately fell to a run-out with Chelmsford just two shy of victory.

The second team fell to defeat at Ilford. Sensible batting allied with excellent running enabled Ilford to post 242-8, with Mark Drain, Tom Halsey and Harry Green all claiming two wickets. On a flat pitch with a fast outfield the target of 243 should have been achievable and at the halfway stage this looked to be what was going to happen. However a tame collapse from 155-2 to 226 all out resulted in defeat by 16 runs.

The third team were overmatched by a strong Wanstead side. Matt Davis’ 74 was the main contribution to Chelmsford’s score of 176, David Thrift having earlier made 33. Harry Arnold bowled excellently, taking four for 31, but received little support meaning that Wanstead chased down Chelmsford’s total with some ease, winning by five wickets.

Andrew Rycroft made a belligerent century for the fourth team, who totalled 217-8 against Buckhurst Hill. The match looked to be set-up nicely but looks can be deceiving, Buckhurst Hill chasing down the total of 218 with considerable ease, with seven wickets and fifteen overs to spare as all of Chelmsford’s bowlers suffered punishment.

The fifth team provided the only ray of sunshine on Saturday with victory over Hadleigh & Thundersley. Hadleigh totalled 167 in their innings, brothers Abdul and Mohammed Baig taking three and two wickets respectively on their debut, with another debutant Bharat Odedra also claiming two. Rupert Redman had evidently benefitted from his holiday in the south of France as he struck 73 to underpin Chelmsford’s reply, which proved a fruitful one, Chelmsford winning by three wickets.

The first team recovered from events on Saturday to record an excellent win over Shenfield in the cup. Shenfield made a large total, 327-6, as all of the bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. At 29 for three, it looked as though another collapse could be on the cards, but fifties for James Clifford and Brad Green gave Chelmsford hope. It was still not much more than that though, until excellent undefeated innings of 74 from Lee Cranmer and 54 from Karamat Ali took Chelmsford over the line, ultimately with some time to spare.

There was also an emphatic 8 wickets victory for the Sunday 2nd team at Little Baddow. A flat, good- paced wicket and fast outfield gave batsmen the advantage, though Chelmsford put in a disciplined performance to hold Little Baddow to 240-3 from 40 overs. Both Callum Rudd (1-23) and Fabian Bright (1-46) put in challenging spells with the new ball. Peter Banfield was the pick of the change bowlers with a controlled 7 overs spell conceding 30 runs. In reply, Chelmsford raced to victory in 27.3 overs. A fast tempo was struck from the off with Matt Davis (87), Harry Green (58*), Matt Cook (56*), and Tom Arnold (25) all impressing in a total of 241-2.

Reports & Scores Saturday 6 August 1st Team Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier League Played at Chelmer Park

Wanstead 141 all out Chelmsford 140 all out (Wanstead won by one run)

Undoubtedly the biggest game of the season so far took place on Saturday at Chelmer Park as Chelmsford took on Wanstead.

Wanstead won the toss and decided to bat first. No different to the whole season, Sam Cook (two for 21) and Anthony Hill (one for 21) bowled with great skill, effort and discipline at the start of the innings to get Chelmsford off to a good start restricting Wanstead to 43-2.

The introduction of spin really turned the game in Chelmsford's favour. Karamat Ali (two for 39) picked up the important wicket of Khushi, then James Clifford (five for 36) got the wicket of Nijjar. Both spinners bowled with great control, not giving Wanstead anything to score off. Sam Cook then got the wicket of Adnan Akram (38) with the final ball before lunch, leaving Wanstead 128-8. After the break, the innings was wrapped up with the final two wickets being taken by James Clifford, with Chelmsford requiring 142 to win.

This was always going to be a tricky chase, however Chelmsford didn't make it easy for themselves as some poor shots and tight bowling from Wanstead resulted in Chelmsford being 43-6. Nick Bailey (47) and Oliver Devenish (10) went about the rebuilding job, both batting excellently in a tough situation.

Devenish was dismissed with the score on 85-7, and when, not long afterwards, Bailey was dismissed with the score on 103-8, the game was in Wanstead's hands. However some outstanding batting and character shown from Karamat Ali (43*) who was well supported from Anthony Hill got Chelmsford to 139-8.

Hill was then dismissed leaving Chelmsford needing three to win with one wicket left. A run out on then bought devastating end to the game for Chelmsford as they were bowled out for 140, Wanstead winning by one run.

2nd Team Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier League Played at Valentines Park

Ilford 242-8 Chelmsford 226 all out (Ilford won by 16 runs)

A tame batting collapse saw Chelmsford lose away at Ilford and miss out on the chance to significantly cut the gap of leaders Wanstead, who also lost.

Winning the toss and electing to field, Chelmsford made a tight start, with Sean Sullivan's first five overs all being maidens. After their circumspect start though Korgaonkar and Bhogal began to play shots once settled, taking advantage of the flat pitch and the fast (and bumpy) outfield.

The leg-spin pairing of Tom Halsey and Harry Green, who both claimed two wickets, did briefly slow the scoring rate again to below four an over but Ilford accelerated again towards the end of the innings, finishing on 242-8 at the mandatory declaration after 50 overs.

There was an early wicket in Chelmsford's reply but Rob Catchpole and Gary Chidley then took the score to 79-1 and then Brad Green and Chidley took it to 155-2. With the required rate well under control and the fairly ideal batting conditions Chelmsford looked strong favourites.

Chidley’s dismissal though at 155 set off a collapse from which Chelmsford could not recover, as a succession of batsmen came and went cheaply. The only other batsman to make double figures was Mark Drain, whose 25 briefly suggested that Chelmsford may still limp over the line.

It was not to be, though, and the final two wickets fell at 226, Ilford winning by 16 runs. Chelmsford now play Wanstead next week in a must-win game.

3rd Team Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier League Played at Nutter Lane

Chelmsford 176 all out Wanstead 177-5 (Wanstead won by five wickets)

Despite outstanding efforts from Harry Arnold and Matt Davis, a strong Wanstead side proved too good for Chelmsford.

It was hard going early on against accurate bowling on a pitch giving plenty of help to the bowlers. Awan (2-20) picked up two wickets whilst David Thrift (33) batted with great determination.

The change bowlers were challenging too but left hander Davis gave them some problems. A good partnership with James Arnold made a score of around 175 achievable. However, the introduction of spin, in particular Janjua gave a new challenge that initially stopped the scoring.

Only Davis was able to score freely, taking the score over 150 but he was out with 3 overs to go for an excellent 74 and Janjua immediately picked up his third wicket at the start of the next over. Rather surprisingly, last wicket pair Anis Rahman and Alistair Fergus plundered 26 from the last 17 balls to get the score past 175.

Harry Arnold bowled a brilliant opening spell, taking four wickets to put the home side under pressure. Unfortunately, the adults at the other end did not bowl very well.

The fifth wicket pair, Gupta and Aziz played with real skill before a good catch ended Gupta's innings at 41. Any hopes that Chelmsford had were swiftly crushed as Rising came in and smashed the ball to all parts.

Both Rising and Aziz finished on 46 as Wanstead won with plenty of time to spare. This also applies to the league, as this was wrapped up with 3 games still to go.

4th Team Shepherd Neame Essex League 3rd XI Division One Played at Chelmer Park

Chelmsford 217-8 Buckhurst Hill 221-3 (Buckhurst Hill won by seven wickets)

5th Team Shepherd Neame Essex League 4th XI Premier League East Played at Chelmer Park

Hadleigh & Thundersley 167 all out Chelmsford 168-7 (Chelmsford won by three wickets)

Sunday 24 July Saturday 1st Team Essex League Cup Semi Final Played at Shenfield

Shenfield 327-6 Chelmsford 328-7 (Chelmsford won by three wickets)

A brilliant partnership between Lee Cranmer and Karamat Ali ended Chelmsford's difficult weekend in glorious fashion. In a high scoring encounter, the loss of several early wickets had made it look more likely to be a horror ending. Instead Chelmsford advance to their first Essex League Cup Final for 21 years.

Shenfield captain Jack Kliber put Chelmsford bowlers to the sword in a fine innings, exploiting the odd shape of the ground. He received good support from Walter (22) and Plom as the score reached 176 for one from 26 overs. Karamat Ali found his groove and struck twice, first Plom (37) and then ending Kliber's innings at 113.

This briefly allowed Chelmsford to slow the scoring but Potticary launched some huge blows to send the scoreboard whirling. Ali (3-47) returned to remove Potticary for 49 from just 28 balls. That seemed like a vital wicket that might enable the target to be around 300.

Unfortunately it just brought Arshad Ali to the crease and 300 was passed very quickly with several more sixes. However, Ben Clifford and Sean Sullivan ensured that Chelmsford went into the break with a fillip as only 16 were garnered from the last three overs, Sullivan dismissing Arshad (42 from 21 balls).

On a small ground against an attack lacking several first teamers, Chelmsford knew that they could win if they batted sensibly. Four overs in it was 29 for three, a disastrous start reminiscent of Chelmsford's semi-final experience since 1995; in four efforts they had not reached three figures.

Rob Catchpole played some good shots but was for 33 to further undermine hopes. Skipper, James Clifford and fellow 19 year old Bradley Green put together the partnership that gave the chase some foundation.

Clifford (51) was out in pretty unlucky fashion just after posting his half century. Green (52) also succumbed just after passing his landmark. At that point, six wickets were down and only just over halfway to the target.

Ollie Devenish (30) exploited the short boundary before losing his wicket. Lee Cranmer was well set by this time and Ali joined him and whilst there was a lot to do, the run rate was well within manageable proportions.

The bowlers were simply unable to stop Ali scoring; his ability to cut the ball meant that dot balls were a rare event. As a result Cranmer had more of the strike and repeatedly found gaps on the field.

With five overs to go, the match had turned around and it was Chelmsford’s to lose. They did not do so, achieving the target with 14 balls to spare. Cranmer hit the winning run and finished 74 not out, Ali was unbeaten on 54, scored from just 31 balls.

This was an exceptional performance after a hard Saturday and tough time in the field, a testament to the character of the players.

2nd Team Friendly Played at Little Baddow

Little Baddow 240-3 Chelmsford 241-2 (Chelmsford won by eight wickets)