Match Reports
13th June 24 v Westcliff II
A rain filled week and a dreary forecast preceded this important fixture. The weather gods were, however, kind to us and Dave unusually won the toss and chose to bat.
A brisk start was provided by Wali & Frankie with Wali making 26 from 22 balls and Frankie making his career best for Civic of 33 from 27, featuring his signature self umpiring, signalling his own boundaries. Both openers hitting a six and six fours between them. Next was the in form Darshan, who didn’t disappoint hitting 2 sixes and 4 fours, dominating the partnership with Dave, who was most concerned not to get out to Dooley, who had been bombarding him with messages all week and set up a £100 bet to get him out. A near scare run out chance was provided by the pair who were too busy ball watching to notice that they were at the same end, anyway Dave scurried back to safety and all was well. Unfortunately, Darshan was provided with a golden jug avoidance moment by being given out on 43 LBW to a ball that he claimed to have nicked. Dave survived until the end making 11* from 10 and was briefly joined by the ever vocal Elmo who carved a breathtaking 4 from 4 balls before being given out for being annoying, although it was recorded in the book as bowled. Charlz stepped up and was unfortunately run out at the death. A score of 139/5 from 16 overs was posted, heavily assisted by Westcliff’s keeper who dropped 3 catches on the way.
There followed a good lesson in pace bowling from new recruit Callum and returning hero Matt who tidied up the first 4 batsmen, 2 each, all bowled by full and straight deliveries with a hint of swing in the heavy air. Jerin ran out their next batsman in rather controversial circumstances as the batter was too busy ball watching and chatting with the umpire to notice that he had not made his ground. There was some talk of calling him back, but the wicket stood and Jerin then picked up a nice LBW for the last wicket of the innings. The remaining batsmen batted out slowly and this gave a chance for Batman, Tom Cruise and myself to turn our arms over. Goth provided his normal pacy over and Charlz was tight with 2 overs for 9. The same can’t be said for me as I bowled the worst spell I can remember, a particular lowlight being a rank legside wide whilst bowling to a 7-2 offside field (oddly not mentioned in the Dick of the Day vote).
Westcliff fizzled out for 92/6 from their 16 and the match was over
Civic win by 47 runs
Player of the match Callum for a great bowling performance (close 2nd Darsh for yet another great knock & Matt for his excellent bowling spell)
Dick of the Day Elmo for being Elmo
Champagne moment wasn’t voted for but Callum getting Lockhart middle peg from a swinging full delivery, Darsh’s pulled 6 over square leg and Frankies self signalling boundaries were my contenders.
6th June 2024 v Eastwood
After a 4 week layoff due to the persistent rain, fingers were crossed that the rather poor forecast would be wrong and that we could get back on the roll.
We gathered at Eastwood for our latest adventure, with due credit to Gotham for turning up on time (take note Darsh).
The pitch was green on top and felt a bit soft and unrolled with the outfield lush and damp.
Dave claims to have won the toss and we would bat in what turned out to be much better conditions.
Eastwoods opening bowlers were quite lively and the ball seemed tricky to get off the square. Wali, however, was soon into his stride making a quickfire 20 off 14. Keating and Dan fought hard to no avail. Dave batted for most of the innings but could not seem to get on strike, running at least 2 runs for every one he scored. Darsh was particularly guilty of keeping him off strike, but having scored 46 off 28 he need not feel bad, especially after the memorable pulled 6 over square and into the road (luckily missing my car). Dave and Darsh put on 71 for the 4th wicket and a high score was in prospect. After Darsh fell for 46 (jug avoidance) it was good to see Leo, a “proper” Civvy back and hitting the boundary ropes. After Leo departed Dave was soon bowled but interestingly didn’t walk, believing that the keeper had taken the bails off, anyway the decision stood and he was out for a hard fought 23 off 20. It was left to Luke and I to rise (successfully) to Dave’s challenge of scoring 20 from the last 2 overs. Finally my new (drunken purchase) bat was unleashed, scoring 16 from 6 including a 6 over long on and two 4s. Civic innings closed at 142-7.
Eastwood found it hard going against the pace of Matt and Jerin and were soon behind the required rate. Jerin picked up the first prized wicket of Harp in the 5th over with the score on just 33. Luke picked up the second opener 2 overs later and the squeeze was on at 39-2. There was some concern for Wali as he went for a steepling catch at mid-on, the now wet rain soaked ball slipped through his fingers and smacked into his forehead. Admirably he soldiered on seemingly unscathed, but was spotted later dabbing it hoping for a battle scar to show off. Gowtham kept the pressure on with his new found pace then with about 70 runs left to get from 6 overs, Dave felt confident enough to loose myself and Darsh, the “maverick” bowlers to bring it home. Sadly, I was a little rusty and the first over went for 10 including a 6 and a no ball, but things settled down and soon the fielders were called into action. Nerves were jangling as the ball was skied in my 2nd over to long off, but all doubts went away when it was Gotham under the ball and he put his bucket hands to great use pouching a perfect catch in the deep. This inspired the Wells family with Dan taking another good deep catch at cow for Darsh and Luke bagging a head high cut at point. Fittingly it was left to Darsh to finish off and he bowled a flawless last over, resulting in another high struck catch in the deep, as before there was no doubt it was going to stick when we saw the Caped Crusader homing in and sure enough the buckets held firm, the innings closed with Eastwood back in the Batcave at 100-6.
Darsh 2-12, Hughes 2-19
A winning performance characterised by solid positive batting, disciplined bowling and excellent fielding (maybe one exception for a rather over exuberant overthrow ) no name mentioned, but you know who you are 😊
A good win for Civic by 42 runs
Man of the Match Darsh for a noteworthy all round performance of 46 runs and 2-12
Dick of the day not voted for and in spite of Luke trying to throw the pink hat away, Dan wore it whilst loudly denying the accusation of bottling out on a catch in the deep
Champagne moment was not voted for either, but I would suggest that Gotham’s two steepling catches take the prize
Nice to meet the Well’s WAGS, with good spirited after match bar, although Dave was bearing the brunt of Luke’s relentless banter.
Thanks to Anjo for doing 12th man fielding duties, your day will come.
Sadly the driver (me) had to leave early so we can’t claim to have won bar but Dave, Darsh and Jerin batted on courtesy of Rash's restaurant until late and having bumped into Jerin the day after, I reckon a fair amount of late bar was consumed…..
Check out the Play cricket link for the detailed scorecard:
https://civiccentrecc.play-cricket.com/website/results/6477540
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy playing as well as England v Australia and India v Pakistan
Martin 7/6/24
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd May 2024 v Westcliff - Knockout Cup Match "The upset of the Millennium"
After our successful opening match, this tie against Westcliff felt like it would be a tough gig. Captain Dave's plan was to win the toss and bat to get some scoreboard pressure on. As ever we lost the toss and were fielding in the gloom, with the prospect of batting beyond 8 o clock in the full darkness.
The pitch was heavy and damp and Matt Curtis on return from Australia, sporting a very Aussie looking mullet, found some great early pace and movement and along with Luke also bowling at full tilt kept Dave busy behind the stumps.
Luke picked up the first with a plum LBW, Jerin and Wali took over the pace attack and picked up one apiece, at 44-3 it was game on.
Sahil spun the next wicket (83-4) and with the return of Matt, wickets tumbled. Dave took a particularly good low catch at keeper to dismiss Aman Deep. Thanks to Westcliff for the loan of a sub fielder (for Darsh when he decided to turn up half an hour late) who took a particularly good catch in the deep and had a strong arm.
Bowling honours to Matt with 3-14 off 4 pacey overs.
Westcliff finished on 120 from their 16 overs.
We found it difficult to get a start and soon the required rate was above 10, Wali fell cheaply and Darsh at 3, claimed not to be able to see his first 5 balls. Bob played a characteristically reliable anchor role and got 19 from 20 to keep things steady.
There was a small controversy as Luke was caught off a chest high beamer, but eventually good sense and sportsmanship took over and he was called back to the crease. NB Umpires please note over waist high = no ball.
Luke and Matt were out quickly and finally Darsh got into his stride and started to reach the boundaries, retiring on 55 from 39 featuring three 4s and four 6s, a really tremendous innings, I think this will be an early candidate for performance of the year, to be awarded at the end of season gathering.
Unusually for Dave he did not fancy batting and was quaking in his boots as he tried to find his way through the dark to the crease with 15 still required from 2 overs.
Run for everything was Dave's instruction to Sahil, who was soon running for the pavilion as Dave ran him out. Once again Dave had a go at running me out, I was stranded half way as the bowler fumbled the ball and fell onto the stumps village style and I "waddled" back to safety, not out for 0.
But my mood was soon forgotten as with uncharacteristic early speed Dave knocked 12 from 7 to get us over the line with 2 balls to spare.
An extraordinary victory for Civic by 5 wickets
Great to see so many stay to help us win bar as well (see picture)
Man of the match Darsh for such a great innings
Quote of the day from Facebook: "...it doesn't get any darker than losing to David Colwill..."
Have a peaceful bank holiday
Martin 3/5/24
The winning Runs From Dave
Muted Celebrations from Civic
Bar Victory
Match Report Civic v Westcliff 17/5/23
Another Great Win
CCCC v Westcliff 17/5/23 at Chalkwell Park
Fresh after the victory of last week against the same team a strong CCCC arrived with great hope of adding another win to the solid start to the 2023 outdoor season.
As usual Dave lost the toss (a missed opportunity for a vote for Dick of the day surely) and Westcliff decided to bat. Will bowled a fantastic first over and seemed to be robbed of a plum LBW that hit the batsman’s toe on the full right in front of the sticks, but in true village stye the decision was not given. Suffice to say that this did not lift Will’s mood which gradually worsened over the course of the match as his patience and luck were tested to the max by umpires and fielders alike. Although it was with some indignation that Will denied backing off catches himself, making the spurious claim to being the fattest member of the squad and therefore not so mobile (I think I may have that title but would be pleased to relinquish it). Adnan picked up the first two wickets (2-9) clean bowled in repeat style full length straight quicker ones. The score however crept up with a couple of spilled catches & a few misfields, one fielder, who shall remain nameless, being accused by Dave of fielding like a “trout”, on the legendarily undulating outfield at Chalkwell . Amusingly at one point Adnan waited until I had run all the way to the deep legside boundary to offer to go there instead so I ran all the way back over into the covers, only to witness a seemingly magnetic attraction of the ball to Adnan (Magneto) in the position as the it flew to him, past him and over him several times. I was glad that he was there and not me, especially when a steepler went up to him and got buffeted around by the wind only to end up on the deck. 2023 new recruit Steve persevered and picked up 2-21 in a good 3 over spell. 2 catches for Luke sees him fly up the fielding table. A decent containing performance saw Westcliff reach 137/5 in their 18.
CCCC took to the crease with great intent, but Rash & Goth found it hard going as the opening bowlers managed to get both swing on pace, and some significant movement by the young leg spinner. Both succumbed quickly and it was 16 for 2 Jerin punched a stylish boundary but also fell cheaply and at 24 for 3 it was time to dig in, Dave nudged the ball around to keep the scoreboard ticking and, as shown on the Group watsapp, hit a particularly stylish straight boundary back over the bowler making 38* from 29, whilst Luke at the other end muscled his way to the innings of the day getting 51* from 32 before retiring at the death, his innings featured 8 fours and a towering 6. By the time Adnan stepped to the crease to grab the glory only 10 runs were needed and with some assistance from extras the innings closed at 141/3.
Civic wins by 7 wickets with 2.5 over to spare
Thanks to all for a great performance. It was followed up with drinks at the ground and Chinese meal at Zen.
A good night and as always Civic has the best social side in the league.
Man of the Match : Luke Wells
Champagne Moment : Luke’s 50
D of the Day : Will
Match Report CCCC v Rankins 4/5/23
4/5/23 Match Report Civic v Rankins
After the disappointment of a wash out of the first scheduled match of 2023, this was an opportunity to blow away the winter cobwebs and get a first taste of competition for the year.
The weather had held well during the week and it was a dry day with a few high clouds. Rankins won the toss and chose to bat – no doubt with one eye on the looming dark clouds and short evening. It was decided to reduce
the match to 18 overs.
Luke and Steve opened the bowling on a pitch that was keeping low, with scoring tricky. The outfield grass was long and so runs were mainly in quick singles, which we didn’t really stop effectively. Steve picked up the first wicket bowling out one of the openers in the 6th over. Rash & Jerin took over the bowling, the second wicket was a triumph for Jerin, who in spite of having a dose of the flu managed a quick pick up and shy down of the stumps at the bowlers end for a well-earned run out. Not that I wish you to be ill Jerin but If this is how sharp you are when you are unwelll, then maybe your state of health might influence Dave’s future selection policy. In yet another piece of inspired captaincy (according to Dave anyway) I came on a bowled a straight yorker length ball which sneaked through to hit middle stump for a wicket with my first ball of the season– a first for me - the winter net sessions were not wasted after all. The batsmen never really got away and the score was consistent with no bowler conceding at high rates. Rather harshly Elmo accused me of having no cricket brain as I tried to emulate Jerin’s direct run out to no avail – I’m hoping to get a dose of flu to improve my fielding and brain for next time.
Wicket takers Me 2-22 off 3 overs and Steve 1-33 off 4
Rankins innings closed on 145/4, which we considered gettable.
Bob and Rash opened the innings and found the going as tricky as Rankins openers, both tried bravely to connect with the ball off a the rather lifeless strip. Rash hit a memorable 6 into the tree and then there was some discussion as to whether this should be counted as 6 or 4 due to the overhanging branches. Anyway 6 was given. Bob was replaced by Finn who muscled the best innings of the day making 45 including a huge 6 into the neighbouring farmer's field. Rash holed out for a decent 22. Dave stepped in to try and move things along but Rankins bagged a hattrick with Luke and Gary failing to trouble the scorer. Brad selflessly ran hard but took a run out for the team bringing the always entertaining Elmo to the crease. I can only assume his half marathon training and success in Sierra Leone has caused a considerable weight loss, as Dave’s relentless running of quick singles left Elmo and the ladies in the crowd rather red faced as he failed to keep his trousers up, spending most of the time running in a duck like manner to try and keep them on. (PS well done Elmo for raising over £10,000 with your Formula E colleagues). By now it was rather gloomy and Rankins bringing their quickest bowler in the half-light could be considered questionable given that by then the game was gone. Dave and Elmo carried the innings to a close both finished not out on 22 and 11 respectively. Elmo raised an objection to allegedly facing 17 balls as he claimed it only to have been “no more than 11 –and at least a run a ball”
Civic finish on 119/6 – 26 runs short
A creditable effort at chasing and good turnout in the bar afterwards.
All our results will now be posted on play-cricket.com for those interested
Play of the day Jerin's run out
Man of the match Finn
Dick of the day Elmo for his dodgy trousers
