The 1st XI welcomed Harefield to Chenies, but only 8 turned up! This didn’t affect their batting as the visitors took full advantage of first use of a flat pitch to score 246 with only 10 balls unused at the end of the innings due to their short handedness. The wickets were taken by Bilal Nisar (3), Waqas Kiani (2) and Ateeq Mohammed (1), but on his 1st XI debut, Alex Walker bowled with excellent control and was unlucky not to snag at least 1 wicket. With only 8 players in the field Harefield were always going to struggle to contain the hosts batting line up. Ateeq Mohammed (30), Waqas Kiani (26) and Alex Martin (19) got the innings off to a blistering start and after only 8 overs the score was 74-2. Mike Pickard (69 not out) and Harry Dahiya (82 not out) then completed the job emphatically reaching the target after only 25 overs and one ball. No change at the top with 2 games to go and one more win needed to guarantee the league title.

The 2s travelled to Cookham Dean and batted first. After a solid 43 run start against a good opening attack, we lost 5 wickets to the first change bowlers leaving us at 62-5 of which Stuart Silk had made 34. From there Brian (27*) and Pete Naylor-Smith (19*) took us to 118-5 off our 40 overs. An early dropped catch didn’t help our cause, especially as it became obvious that Cookham didn’t have much depth to their batting, but a 5-32 from Ian Gilmour, with tight support from Brian, reduced Cookham to 86-7. Unfortunately a second dropped catch and a determined 8th wicket partnership saw Cookham home.

There was no Sunday fixture this week, but on Friday we hosted Northdown, a touring side from Kent. The game featured a few things of note. Firstly, a good old-fashioned timed game much appreciated by all. Secondly, 3 Browns (Dave, Mattie & Emily) taking to the field together for the first time. Thirdly, the performances of our youngsters: a maiden senior half century for Mattie Brown, the usual tight bowling spell from Emily (15 runs conceded off 7 overs) bowling at the middle order, a 5-25 from Alex Walker plus a 71 run partnership with Mattie for the 8th wicket that took us to within 8 runs of victory and Luke Marsden’s best (so far) batting (24) and especially his fielding performance. The result, well a loss by 4 runs but a day to be remembered more for our youngsters ‘coming of age’ and showing that together they will be the future of this fantastic club.

Next week the 1st XI visit OMT and the 2s host Ruislip. The Sunday XI have an away match at Chalfont St Peter.

Colts News:
Colts Day takes place on Sunday 8th September. The activities will get under way from approximately 11.30am with U6, U7 and U8 colts versus parents matches. The BBQ will be going throughout lunchtime and the awards ceremony for all age groups will take place at 1.30pm. To speed the awards ceremony up the Colts Managers have been told to stick to just the awards and not to regale everyone with a full wicket by wicket and run by run summary of their season. These summaries will be published on the website instead. After the awards at about 2.15pm the U9, U10 and U11 colts versus parents matches will take place, and at 4pm the girls will have their colts versus parents match. We are also planning some other activities for everyone to partake in throughout the day. All these plans are in flux so please keep an eye out for specific communication from your age group manager to confirm details.

In other news:
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The last Prosecco Cricket session for the season takes place tonight at 7.30pm. It’s a fun way for women to get involved in cricket and for those Mums who are going to take part in colts day, a great opportunity to get some practice in. It’s soft ball and a great keep fit session with a glass of Prosecco to finish. Roll up to play and £5 per session. Julie Pickard looks forward to welcoming you all and any queries please get back to her (01494 762707, mgmpickard@icloud.com)