Dear all,

Firstly, many thanks to everyone who attended and supported the club last weekend. A wonderful evening celebrating the 3rd XI promotion and the 4th XI survival with some vital funds raised for the Pavilion appeal. If you would like to help with the fundraising, either organisationally or through a donation, please contact me and I can direct you appropriately.

The final week of the season brought some good individual performances. Will Williamson (93), Jack Hughes (76), Tom Adams (49*) did well with the bat whilst Luke Harris (3-31 in his 1s debut), Gautham Hariharan (4-20), Matthew Yates (3-30) and Brijesh Patel (3-28) impressed with the ball. There was also a fine all round effort from Paul Corns who scored an unbeaten first league 50 and also bowled an excellent opening spell. However, the Player of the Week is Jack Hughes who helped the 4s achieve the bonus points required to survive in the Premier Division. Well done all!

The league season is finished, but there are still a few friendly games left over the next few weeks - if you’d like a game next week, please inform Raj Patel for Saturday on [email protected], 07983 452 211 or Mark Bartolo for Sunday cricket on 07830 655 335.

Anyway, on to the news, events & reports…

News

End of Season Dinner & Dance – 17 October 2015

You may have seen that the posters regarding this event have started to go up in the clubhouse. Always a popular event, the end of season dinner is a chance to celebrate the season with your fellow club members, family and friends. Hopefully we’ll have a couple of promotions to celebrate as well! Details as below:

From 7pm on Saturday 17th October at the Club Dress Code: Formal Tickets £35 (£30 if paid before 19th Sept, £25 Concessions) Contact: [email protected] for tickets

Surrey Championship Dinner – Friday 2nd October – The Oval

Normally a very enjoyable evening. The club have already purchased four tickets as part of the league subscription but we are able to get more at £39 a head. It would be great to get a donation towards the Pavilion Fund for anyone who takes the “free” tickets. More details attached.

Halloween, Rugby World Cup and Martin Thompson homecoming party – 24 October 2015

Surely at least one of those events appeals…! Martin Thompson will be back from New Zealand and will be hosting one of his infamous Halloween parties at the cricket club. All club members and friends are welcome – the more the merrier. If you want an idea of how seriously this Halloween party is taken

– see the following link… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVyDUjJDlX8&sns=em

Martin played for the club between 2010 and 2014, making lots of friends and supporting the club admirably. There is also the first Rugby World Cup semi-final which will also be on show in the late afternoon.

London New Zealand – North Island vs South Island – This Saturday

The club is playing host to this iconic fixture for London New Zealand CC. The bar will be open from midday as these two sides (who may feature some former internationals) play some competitive cricket. Feel free to come down and watch. There is also a club friendly fixture on the other pitch.

Death of a Gentleman

Some of you would have heard about the new film, Death of a Gentlemen, a documentary about the administration of cricket which has caused some consternation in the governing bodies. A few locals have lobbied East Dulwich Picturehouse to show the film on Sunday 27th September at 1.30pm. Should make interesting viewing.

To sign up, go to https://www.ourscreen.com/screening/39888

Last weekend’s results: Seniors

1st XI Won by 3 wickets SMCC 85ao (27.4) / Old Wimbledonians 88-5 (17.1) Report: Ordinarily, a plastic cooking spoon and Tesco red seedless grapes would have nothing to do with cricket. The firsts, however, are a creative team always looking to push the boundaries of innovation and we've had a number of glorious successes this season. Take Leggett for example, she started as just a small town girl from outback Melbourne and we've turned her into the club's leading wicket taker. Unfortunately our strategy failed us on Saturday against Old Wimbledonians. Whilst conducting our normal catching warm up using red grapes launched from a plastic IKEA cooking spoon, Ellis decided to attempt a catch with his cornea. Innovative, yes, but not recommended. Now blind and perhaps a little concuss, our opening batsman and lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a swamp of a wicket. It was a surprise to no one that the swamp wicket turned out to be very difficult to bat on. In a poor innings yielding 85 runs, the only highlights were a confident opening partnership of 7 runs between and Leggett and Drew and a crucial innings of 14 by Fuller who showed a modicum of spine.

Harris opened the bowling brilliantly in the second innings taking 3 for 31 to make a game of it. Leggett will be pleased with her wicket that pitched, seamed away and clipped the top of off stump. Pickles was particularly skillful in taking two catches whilst maintaining a number of riveting conversations across multiple dating apps. Old Wimbledonians reached the target 5 down. A disappointing way to end the season punctuated by very positive performances in the second half and some unsettling instances in the changing rooms. (H Drew) 1st XI Final League position – 8th / 9

2nd XI Won by 49 runs SMCC 193-8 (50) / Chipstead Coulsdon and Walcountians 144ao (48) Report: The 2s ended the season away at Chipstead. After arriving via various methods of public transport, we were greeted by a pretty damp pitch. With no sun or wind, both skippers agreed it wasn't going to get any better so decided to crack on. With that in mind, I lost the toss. We were asked to bat. McDonald got us off to a good start, and build a solid partnership with the in-form Udal after we lost an early wicket. We then lost a few wickets in quick succession meaning a little rebuild was in order. Enter Corns, who had batted impressively all season. He rotated the strike well during a tight spell of bowling, ensuring we were still ticking over at 3 an over. well with the tail, Corns took it upon himself to punish the bad ball and that he did. With no league half century, he found himself 49 with 2 balls left. He then picked up a 2 to the delight if his team mates who asked him to finish his knock in style. That he did, by walloping Chipstead's miserable old man over his head for a huge 6, nearly killing a sheep in the process to leave him 57 unbeaten. 193-8 off our 50. It seems a while since we haven't been bowled out. Great effort on a dodgy track.

After a ham fest whilst watching the Chipstead groundsman rolling the pitch at tea, we took to the field. Hariharan and Corns both bowled quick and troubling spells, getting one opener each to edge behind. Bowling changes were made and wickets were taken at regular intervals to leave Chipstead's middle order to bat out a dull and bemusing period of 15 overs before the tail then threatened to have a go but our bowling and fielding didn't offer enough for them to mount a serious challenge. In the end, we bowled them out for 144 to win by a handsome margin. An impressive win to finish the season is always a bonus. As captain, I'd like to thank all the players who represented the 2s this season. I have no doubt that with a bunch like you next year, we can mount a serious challenge. I'd also like to take my hat off to the chair of selectors Raj, who has worked hard all week every week in what is a very difficult job. An enjoyable season comes to an end. Roll on 2016! (A Sharif) 2nd XI Final League position – 8th / 9

3rd XI Won by 34 runs SMCC 296-8 (45) / Trinity Mid Whitgiftian 262ao (43.5) Report: 3s lost the toss were inserted, drank loads, Will, Ruari and Shane smashed it about, all getting 50+ with Will missing out on a maiden league ton. Sagar was taking bets throughout the day and had in play betting (for drinks) and thankfully broke even. We posted 296 off 45. After more drinks and tea we came out to bowl. We had them 130 for 7, Andy getting 2 wickets, 2 catches and a run out, before their number 9 and 10 came in and put on 100 in 10 overs, which set the pulses racing. Sagz got rid of the danger man caught by Tom Viking Haagensen at long on, before Drizzle wrapped it up. The evening followed and the Jug-a-thon began. Many a drink were drank, and harder tests lie ahead next season. 2 promotions in 2 years is not an easy feat but as always team spirit and people standing up when needed were the key ingredients. (S Mehta) 3rd XI Final League position – 2nd / 10

4th XI Lost by 1 wicket SMCC 242-9 (45) / Oxted & Limpsfield 246-9 (42.3) Report: Could the 4’s handle the pressure? A win would keep us up, an abandonment would keep us up, even a defeat with 5 bonus points would keep us up, but could we cope with it when it came to The Crunch?? The day started badly when the 10 o’clock meet time was disregarded by Reg, who awoke at 9.59 feeling surprisingly sober, but rather embarrassed upon being so tardy. Still, we at least all made it down to Oxted & Limpsfield with half an hour to spare, plenty of time for things to get worse as a quick pitch inspection led Mark Davis to give a furious diatribe on the ‘dangerous’ state of the wicket. In fairness to the big man the track did more closely resemble a bog than it did the middle at Lord’s, but nonetheless we would press on, determined as we were to earn our right to stay up in the Premier Division the proper way. Losing the toss in our customary fashion we were unsurprisingly asked to try and bat. 250 runs would earn us the 5 bonus points required for guaranteed survival, and so in-form Asif joined Curtis atop the order to get us off to a strong start, and he continued to make runs in his aggressive way, slapping bowlers to all parts as he made a brisk 33 to take us past 50 before falling to the impressive Oxted leggy. The often reliable combo of Justin and Reg both quickly followed in the skippers muddy steps as they each made their way back to the hutch for ducks (both bowled by said leg spinner). Brooky showed early aggression, striking a brace of fours before he, and then Curtis (27), left us reeling on the damp track at 70-5. Jack Hughes and Hafeez started to rebuild the innings in determined fashion, batting with good sense and scoring runs off the bad balls before a cunning slower ball did for Hafeez. When Mark Davis followed soon after so another of those well disguised slower deliveries we were reeling at 104-7, a long way short of even earning one batting bonus point by reaching 150. However, this year’s fours are nothing if not resilient, not to mention a deep batting unit and yet again a low order partnership came to our rescue. Tom Adams, on his 4s debut, strode out and after some early frustration soon found his form as the pitch started to dry out. Indeed, the drying pitch, coupled with the front line bowlers having all been bowled out, allowed both Jack and Tom to play more expansively, and the runs started to flow. Past 150, then 175 as we ticked along at a brisk 8 an over before the final 5 five overs seemed to all be going for 20+ as Jack struck 4s and 6s all over the shop, ending his innings in the final over for an outstanding 76, and Tom Adams finished on 49* as a last ball dash for 2 ended with Barrington run out. We finished though on 242-9, an amazing recovery, and almost certainly securing our safety.

After tea Lord Barrington strode out and made the early inroads we so craved, taking 3-25 as he bowled his 9 straight through, what a man. No scorecard from the oppo again this week (possibly rendered unreadable after being drenched in the tears of the relegated) but I think it was probably Mark Davis who took the fourth wicket (it almost certainly was not Ryno who by this stage was severely suffering from sleep deprivation, having substituted rest for Vodka the night before, and was bowling like 2010 era Mitch Johnson). The skipper decided to try some spin in the hunt for the crucial 5th wicket that would ensure we finished the season with more points than Oxted, and so on came one of the men of the hour, Tom Adams who, with the final delivery of his first over, managed to find some low, skiddy bounce and struck the stumps - SURVIVAL SECURED! LET JOY BE UNCONFINED! We continued on in search of a win to round off our season but, Asif aside (who I think took another 3 wickets, finishing as our leading wicket taker for the season with 20), the rest of the bowlers struggled and we could not take the wicket of the centurion at no. 3 as we ultimately fell to a 1 wicket defeat. Still, by the time we reached the club the result of the match was forgotten, and the result of the season was properly celebrated! Survival in the Premier League had at times looked beyond us, so big thanks and congratulations to all those who played for ‘The Escapologists’ this season! (P Henly) 4th XI Final League Position – 8th / 10

5th XI Tied Shooters Hill 95ao (30.5) / SMCC 95ao (40) A short journey for an experimental V's side to the majesty of the Barrack Field in Woolwich to take on our friends from Shooter's Hill. Mick, their skipper, is one of cricket's gentlemen. His forty eighth season and a great servant he has been to cricket in this corner of South-East London. Mick picked up a richly deserved OSCA from Kent in the week. Typical of the man that he went to herculaean efforts to get this game on despite the rain. Windell won the toss and put Shooter's Hill in and Brijesh Patel (38-2-28-3) set about demolishing their innings. The track was low and slow and Brijesh and his young opening partner Matthew Yates (6.5-0-30-3) bowled nice and full and soon the score was 8 for 4 in the 4th over. I like the look of young Master Yates who bowls a nice line and length and moves the ball off the seam. The arrival of the powerful Victor Outar - another mighty veteran cricketer of these parts - saw a change in the mood as he hit powerfully through the line, clouting Brijesh for 3 4's in one over before being well caught by the very safe hands of Jim Hughes at cover. Shooter's Hill now batted sensibly and got the total up to 95 off 30.5 overs. A mention for Paul Hutchin (6-0-13-2) who I had not seen bowl before. The 6's skipper looks a formidable cricketer - he took a very smart slip catch. A slip catch. In the 5s. At slip. Caught it. And then a nonchalant caught and bowled low to his left. This apparently led to some very questionable banter on the field between Mr. Moss, Mr. Bale and others - mentions of white men can’t jump but they can bend and so on. Richard Hunsley (10-1-21-2) bowled a very tidy spell showing the leap forward in his game since I last played with him. He has good variation and control and he had three catches dropped. David Cook did a great job behind the timbers with only 2 byes conceded.

After an excellent tea we started about our reply. For a while it looked like Windell (23) and Newton (20) would get us there without assistance. Windell hooked the first ball for 4 and that set the tone for his powerful cameo. Newton batted as well as I have ever seen taking great care and patience and playing late with soft hands. Unfortunately no one but Paul Hutchin (10) could stay with him. Wicket after wicket was given away until we were 9 down with only Brijesh and young Matthew Yates between us and defeat. Brijesh edged a 4 and the scores were level. Surely the maestro would muster his years of experience, realise that the pressure as on the young bowler and just gently nudge a single. The bowler was in his delivery stride, Jim with the prescience of the educated said – he’s going to be bowled. Brijesh took an almighty swing, missed the straight ball and was bowled all over the place. Nine overs to go. Nine overs to get one run. Jamie Davorn has a strong claim on the number 10 position next year. Excellent game of cricket with a Hollywood scripted finish, great set of characters and excellent hospitality from our hosts. That's it for another year. Only football and work until next spring. (L Johnston) 5th XI League Position – 4th / 10

6th XI No game 6th XI Final League Position – 3rd / 10

Ladies 1st XI Won by 108 runs SMCC 179-2 (30) / South Nutfield 71ao (21.2) Report: Our last match of the season was against the jolly ladies of South Nutfield. Rabz won the toss and a few eyebrows were raised when she elected to bat. However, having skittled South Nutfield out for 45 earlier in the season, I don’t think anyone could blame her for being fairly confident of getting a result. A combination of lack of pace in the oppo’s bowling attack and slow outfield meant that boundaries were hard to come by, so Rabz and SSS accumulated runs steadily in singles and twos (and extras) until the latter missed a straight one that kept low in the 8th over. VQ joined the skipper at the crease and our two top run scorers continued their good form and attacked the ball with confidence, both retiring not out on reaching 35. Marta came in at 4 and played some lovely shots until she was outdone by the full straight ball. In came Linda, on the back of four consecutive ducks, and she finally broke her duck with some powerful shots in her 13*, seeing us through to the end of the 30 overs with Dag (15*).

We set South Nutfield a target of 180 to chase down, which was always going to be a big ask of a team sitting firmly at the foot of the table. And so it proved. We started off pretty well with three wickets inside the first three overs (two for Dag separated by a top run-out by Liz) and four after five (curtesy of Kathryn (1-9)), so Rabz soon withdrew the openers and gave others opportunity to impress. They did, with Sarah (1-11) and Emma (1-17) taking a wicket apiece and Liz and Marta coming close. Following another clinical run out, this time by Kathryn, VQ (1-4) was thrown the hideously pink ball and struck with her third delivery to claim our eighth victim. Dag (4-5), returning for her second spell cleaned up the remainder of the tail with two wickets in two balls. South Nutfield all out for 71 in 21.2 overs. That result put us top of the table, unfortunately only for all of two hours, which was the time it took for news to filter through that Spencer had beaten Epsom to reclaim the top spot. However, we can be pretty pleased with our overall performance, especially after the difficult season we had last year. Well played ladies! As always, thanks to the umpires, Adrian, Coach and Armani and to our scorers, Izzy and Jacqui. (D Selwyn-Kuczera) Ladies 1st XI Final League Position – 2nd / 6

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 19th September Friendly XI vs Chelsfield Park (home @ 12.30pm) Friendly XI vs TBC (home @ 12.30pm)

Sunday 20th September Friendly XI vs Albamorphics (home @ 12.30pm) Friendly XI vs The Doctors (home @ 12.30pm)

Best of luck to all the sides, Dan