...and so the Sunday XI adventure continued at Audley, at last we had 11 players, or so we thought, Glenn unfortunately pulling out just before the start of play (less said teh better but get well soon fella), leaving us to put a call into Fred who was en-route from his 'Inbetweener' break in Magaluf....but more of that later. Luckily, Gush won the toss and elected to bat, and sprung the first surprise of the day by opening with big David ‘I’m clearly not a number 11’ Platt and Rory. After a steady start Rory got triggered leaving Platty and the in-form Ben ‘the new Naj’ Begg, sorry Degg, to rebuild our innings, both batsmen playing admiral strokes to push the score along to the mid 50’s for one. Cue the 3’s typical mini collapse where, after being set, Deggy was cruelly cut down in his prime bringing Dode and Limmy to the crease in quick succession, and they promptly returned to the pavilion to utilise the spanking new facilities due to Audley’s keepers quick hands. Platty continued to play an array of shots including a nice 6 over mid wicket to get into the 30’s. On 36 however his innings was over, castled by one that kept low, but an exemplary stay at the crease in what may be his last match of the season. Jacko and Gush tried to keep the score ticking over, but soon fell as Audley’s bowlers took control. Cue Fred....having landed at East Midlands Airport only an hour before and driven straight to the match to make up our eleven, he donned his pads, but not before young Zoe had been in, and out. Well into the tail now, Fred put on 20 odd with Addo for the ninth wicket before falling to a great delivery (I can vouch for it), and Mobber’s came in for a brief cameo at Jack including smashing their returning opening bowler for a boundary . Addo played a few lusty blows to finish 20*. MHCC 129 all out of 37 overs. Tea....as usual Audley’s ladies but on a great spread, and in the comfort of the refurbished pavilion we took stock, and we still had time to watch Arsenal go two-nil down to Manure, and to be smug at the mighty Potters crushingly nicking a one-nil victory at the Baggies (sorry Stu). Gush gave his captains speech despite being hungover and we shortly took the field. Addo to open...strides, bowls, Morgan out first ball Dode leaping like a salmon at slip aided by Rory’s glove. Great start, however Addo’s reputation for being the ‘Jonathan Woodgate’ of cricket was strengthened, breaking down in his second over (again) and unable to continue, Gush completed the spell. A man down, the Hedgehogs bowler’s toiled, Limmy bowling well and tieing the batsmen down, while gush was attempting to use the ‘weather’ to assist swing. The Audley batsmen continued to rebuild, offering little in the way of chances. Several overs passed without incident, Addo returned to make up the numbers, and after bowlers tired, it was time for Fred the sequel. Asked to try something different, Fred twirled and danced, the first few balls taking several skips themselves to the keeper. Then drama, Fred bowls, Birkin tops it into his chops, smashing a tooth clean out. Bloodied he continued, but obviously shaken by the animalistic delivery. Jacko into the fray then to mix it up, and runs dried up a little more. Time for the over of the day with Fred (and I believe videoed by Crumpy, I’ll try to get it posted). Dot ball, then WICKET! Skipping down the track, stumped....the breakthrough we needed. Who was more shocked? The onlookers? Hedgehogs? Or Fred himself? Yelps of joy and a new batsman at the crease. What’s this? Skipping again...ANOTHER, two in two for Fred and sharp take by Rory for his second stumping. Fred is cock-a-hoop, and the ‘bowlers’ of the team can’t quite believe it. Hat-trick....Dot ball...boooooo, but more tweak and...ANOTHER, clean bowled! Fred has 3 in 4 balls, and is practically orgasmic...I don’t actually think I’ve heard or seen him so happy (or loud...with a gob like that he could be ordering drinks back in Magaluf...from England). Could this lad be an all-rounder? Another bowling change from Gush, and whoosh, Platty sets up Birks to play on with his first delivery. MHCC back in this. Another wicket falls, but Audley regroup and push on towards the total, thus neutralising the threat of Freddo (hmmm...I wonder if he is really filled with caramel), and Platty. Limmy back on but to no avail as a few chances went begging, and even with 18 overs still to bat, Audley crept past our total to win by 4 wickets. Bugger....the rain came 10 minutes later (but I don’t believe we could have bowled any slower than we did to use it, our over rate was terrible), but another great entertaining game against Audley, second of the season, played in great spirits and just the right amount of banter. Thanks to the Umpires for getting involved, and all that played. Highlights...? Platty’s great opening knock of 36, and he may yet play again, Deggy still in form, a brief 20* from Addo, Zoe’s superb fielding, and the emergence of a few ‘all-rounders’ maybe? But the day belonged to my, and probably the team Man of the Match for turning up (late), keeping us entertained and showing a commitment to ‘cricket’, smashing someone in the face, and then that crazy over including 3 wickets in 4 balls...play up Fred. Three wickets for twenty-two off seven overs. Roll on Burslem (grrrr).
Addo
In other news, Letter from Yasir to follow....
August 2011 Addo writes on Knype v. MHCC 3's game 31.7.11
Finally another victory for the 3’s, a quality away win at 2nd placed Knypersley. Stand in Skipper ) Stu the Butcher (due to Gurshwin being late after trawling the small Ads for an 11th player) failed miserably and lost the toss so we were stuck in the field to sweat a long afternoon out...again. Despite this, and after a good opening stand by the Knyp’s pair, the bowlers toiled hard and bowled Knyp’s out for 152, Addo takin his 2nd 5 for in two weeks, Liam in the wickets as usual, and Jacko and Platty chippin in to clear ‘em out. Platty’s in particular was a prime example of how to set up a batsman! Supported greatly by some top catching, great field placing and bowling changes (well done Stephen...makes up for turning up late) and quality banter in the field, it was an all round great performance. On with the chase and Stu (generously reprieved on ‘0’ by Knyp’s inability to take the chance) put them to the sword (I suppose you could say he butchered them). Supported ably by Fred (was a good ball to be fair), they put on our best opening stand of the season so far. In the end it was a fab knock by Stu that saw us home, supported well by our top order for once...we finished the job inside 34 overs. Stu carried his bat with 102*. Great performance lads (and lady Leah :D). A great weekend for all our teams, with 1’s, 2’s, 3’s and 17’s winning. Could get used to this....Thanks for the support, and thanks for looking after my dog! Addo
June 2011 DDA Writes -
J.N.Britton - An Appreciation. ---------------------------------
Your own correspondent has at last received the inspiration necessary to air his views concerning events at our unique club as we are now well into the 2011 campaign. Sadly it is a few years ago since I would hear the response "Rubbish" to my polite enquiries to our late and truly lamented Alastair McManus as to what he thought of what he had just witnessed on the field of play. To those members who never had the pleasure of his company I introduce our scorer at all home matches in the days of manual scoreboard manipulation. He left the scene far too early however when his life was cut short in his forties but please believe me he has legendary status fittingly loved and admired alongside any former stalwart of our family. Running totals and batsmen's individual scores were displayed on the board sooner than scribes were able to record such details in the book. Ask anyone who had the good fortune to score a match with Alastair behind and you will hear the same commendation. But then with the heading of the memoire as it is I can hear the readership thinking what has Alastair to do with our subject matter.The plain truth is Jason Britton was at once Alastair's favourite player yet there was not another he was critical of quite so much. Alastair's and Jason's careers ran parallel for several years and nothing gave our sage of a scorer more pleasure than seeing JNB in his pomp[ a phrase incidentally which almost all of cricket's commentator's use when referring to the greats of the game] as a young man. Our subject was indeed at one time a prolific purveyor of centuries particularly say in the early 1990's. Alastair meanwhile would never go so far as to openly voice his opinions as to Jason's exploits with the bat but he had a way of expressing his feelings by the invention of a rival, an imposter of the genuine article. So all a coversationalist had to say to Alastair after a match was:- "Did we see the real Jason today?", or by implication, the imposter! After a while and as the seasons came and went by Alastair's air would become more ambivalent and he clearly really enjoyed the banter that all of us have in the aftermath following a game. Alastair's big grin would have been in evidence had he seen Jason's blitz of an innings at Cheadle last saturday, and he may well have declared it to have been the work of the imposter. An innings of 83 compiled within 38 balls only faced will be committed to the memory banks of all who witnessed such a brutal and savage demolition of a bowling attack. The first boundary he struck was a firmly stroked square cut and I can honestly say that a thought then did enter this old head of mine that we might just be about to witness something special.This instinct proved to be spot on with properly executed shots mingling with those where both height and distance had to be the priority.An unbelievable hundred was just too far away but it also occurs to me that this experience of complete domination may have the power to push this so amiable one-club man to similar heights of success in the season or two or three that still await.Whatever happens next however you can be sure Alastair somehow will play a part.
Until we meet again, may I wish our membership in all its forms and guises the best of everything that life sees fit to give. I have been around MHCC for some time now but the place is buzzing and there are wide smiles to be seen. I love it !
Your DLCF.
Cheadle v MHCC 11th September 2010
A day in the life of your DLCF- Saturday the 11th of September, 2010.
Your own correspondent felt the need to dress up rather than down. Accordingly a clean shirt, a beige cotton jacket, and the splendid club tie would complete one's deference to some kind of sartorial elegance[?]. Anyway, the result did not go unnoticed- with a smattering of oohs and ahs voiced by the MHCC faithful. As it turned out I'm glad I was reasonably presentable as your 1st XI skipper asked one to deliver the pre-match team address. This was indeed an honour and as unprepared as was the case I did what I could and I think said what I should to concentrate the minds and energies of our eleven stars [and starlets] upon the task immediately ahead. Somehow I thought that we would be taking first knock and Billy and Stoney looked confident and purposeful right from the start. Certainly there was some playing and missing but far more pleasing on the eye were many fine shots with Stoney's trademark driving to the fore. One boundary by Stoney scorched the damp grass leaving a vapour trail on its rapid way to the rope. Billy had squeezed a four to third man and pulled a short delivery through square leg for the same result. All the time though one was conscious of both batsman looking for singles to alternate the strike. The opening partnership flourished until the 9th over when Stoney [having middled a four over mid-wicket] again thumped the legside half volley towards the edge but Matthew Coxon this time was in the way to take a catch in the Australian manner. Phil Stephens entered the arena sadly bereft of runs of late and no doubt desperately hoping for some good fortune to accompany his stylish shot making. He eventually left the dreaded O behind with a streaky edge which found its way to the rope- perhaps this was to be a change of luck from bad to good. In the 16th over there was a four through the covers from "Shaking" followed by a gift of a full toss which also disappeared towards the off side for another boundary. At the end of the 17th over MHCC were 66 for 1. During the 18th over Mr Stephens continued to deal in fours with shots over point and a truly magical caress through extra cover. At this juncture the rain came down. The shower though severe did not last too long and play resumes at 13-35 hrs. Sadly, Billy [who had been quietly adding to his score before the break] suffered for the interruption when he was clean bowled by Cheese immediately. Next man in was young Birchy and he did what Don Bradman said he always tried to do and got off the mark first ball. Meir Heath prospered for some little time and at the end of the 25th over the score had reached 100 for two wickets- a healthy state of affairs, but fortunes were about to change in favour of the home side. Somehow by the end of the 36th over MHCC's batting took a nosedive. Birchy had been bamboozled by a near perfect Rashid yorker for 20, "Shaking" was trapped LBW to Ian Bailey for in all fairness a nice crafted 31 and Ifty had gone cheaply adjudged LBW when playing a sweep, a shot which he had eschewed in previous innings along the way. In addition to these reverses Jake had not troubled the scorers for very many and Lefty and Jason B. had experienced the briefest of stays at the wicket. The total at this time was a dismal 121 for 8 wickets. Young Dale and Nick Locker restored our fortunes to a degree until Dale was out after an ill considered attempt at a quick single but Nick [batting at number 10 in the order ???] passed the 30 mark with some very fine shots full of improvisation. He was out stumped with the visitor's final total on 161. As Cheadle replied Andrew Shaw's 59 in 135 balls, with 7 fours was far more crucial to the home team's march for a victory than Chris Barker's later onslaught of 43 runs from 48 balls with 6 fours. At one stage however, at the time James Sellers was bowled for a duck by Nicky Locker Cheadle were on a score of 88 for 6 wickets- that state of affairs was seemingly precarious but the lads did not take another wicket until ten past six when Birchy took a lofted catch of the bowling of Richard Stonier to end the stubborn yet priceless knock of Andrew Shaw with the home side at Nelson [111]. From then on Cheadle's innings prospered via the forceful batting of Chris Barker. His was the 8th wicket to fall with the score on 157, and if I can read my jottings of the time MHCC's score was beaten by Cheese Plant's pull for four through square leg. Congratulations to Cheadle on their success which actually ended a season littered with poor performances particularly in the batting department. Your own correspondent can reveal to his readers that our dream of playing Premier grade cricket in 2011 ended officially at 17:30 hours when he was privy to hearing Norton's last wicket fall courtesy of "Radio Orange" via Agent Smith's mobile 'phone. Yes the campaign was over for this time. God willing there will always be another opportunity. The signs are there for I believe those men [notice I have not said ......"and boys"] who have VALIANTLY given their toil and talent to almost get past the line will be together again next season. Well played to Stoney and his band of brothers. We are so proud of you all.
For now, and until more column inches are written,- Adieu.
MHCC v Stafford 4th September 2010
The penultimate match. Willow Lane:03/09/10.
Your own correspondent had planned his morning schedule to accommodate a noon start, yet he has to admit sheepishly to an unableness to see this important tussle from the very beginning. Joe Askey had fallen victim almost as soon as the match had commenced to a fine lifting delivery from Adam Birch and an equally impressive catch by Jake Heath. Young Joe had done as much as any Stafford CC batter earlier in the season at Riverway to thwart an MHCC victory celebration as much as the dogged and determined 10th wicket pair famous now for the defiance displayed for well over half an hour. To the consternation of home supporters the lads were then starved of further success for too many wicketless overs as firstly Oliver Stark, then Omar Ali and Dave Foster denied the home attack with pushy, positive and sensibly applied batting. Stark eventually departed LBW to Nick Locker for an attacking 40 runs but Foster and Ali went on to compile personally 50 and 39 runs respectively looking good in the pro- cess. Their demise was due to thanks in both cases to captain Stonier whose variably paced off breaks would eventually provide him with figures of 4-56. The rest of Stafford's batting fell at regular intervals to finally close at 168 at 5 minutes to 3 o'clock- and had taken up 53.3 overs. There were three wickets for Ifty at 12 runs each[which still keeps him marginally ahead in the league averages] and one wicket each for Adam B. and Nick L. Billy Locker's stunning throw from distance and hitting the stumps directly accounted for Aatif Ali. Jake Heath's three victims puts him level with young Alex Mellor [Leek CC] at 31 victims apiece with one match to go! Those home supporters who had witnessed Stonier's and Locker's demolition of Blythe's ineffectual bowlers the previous saturday need not have worried too much about just how a similar situation today would develop. Last week's target had been arrived at in a canter, and now even wider eyes sparkled as MHCC' in form openers put the Stafford attack to the sword in an instant. Initially the attention of your own correspondent was diverted by the visit of a long time friend and MHCC supporter presently living with and courageously fighting a serious illness. He and I spoke at length about the "world and its wife" - which means fond memories of mutual friends no longer among the rest of us and of course words uttered on the health [but not neccessarily the wealth!] of indeed the rest of us. Of cricket itself it is always never a need [for your DLCF anyway] to apply a formal agenda for any discussion excepting perhaps the use of the word- everything. At MHCC all of us wish our said friend the best of attention known to man and the kind of luck that can come from anywhere.The home side's piratical openers needed no luck at all. Billy's 50 came up with a majestic off drive of the most royal kind to take the score to 90 in the 13th over. Billy was leading the way on this occasion but the skipper's form too was in the ascendant, and following Billy's dismissal to a difficult low slip catch for 56 in the 16th over with the score at 107 Stoney went on to complete his own half century with a maximum hit over midwicket. The captain was adjudged LBW shortly afterwards for 55 and then neither Philip "Shaking" Stephens nor Birchy would have the bouquets for taking MHCC to victory. "Shaking" did hit two boundaries- one a searing straight drive which was received rather with astonished joviality than with studied appreciation. Phil Stephens's season has been mixed to say the least- on his day he has an enviable fluency but it always continues to surprise me how a dip in confidence can lead a competent batsman into a maze of doubt and uncertainty. Philip's days of being able to bask in the sunshine of his exploits at the wicket is surely just another close season away. This match was put to bed by a fluent looking Jakey Heath and the confident driving of Ifty Asghar. MHCC' s winning score of 171-4 was achieved in 25 overs over 98 minutes.
A footnote:- Your DLCF has noted that Joe Hawkins's 20 wicketkeeping victims leads the way in Division 1B. Go for it Joe! There's only one match left in 2010........................................Keep your cool. Best wishes from everybody at MHCC.
MHCC v Blythe & MHCC v Meakins 28/29 August 2010
From your own correspondent D.L.C.F. My story begins circa 18-40 hours Sunday the 29th August, 2010 as I attended J&G Meakin's cricket ground after a brisk 1760 yards stroll following an especially tasty chicken jalfrezi. The scoreboard told the story in an instant. Identifying the unmistakable silhouette of T.A. Baker Esq.,[in the field] your own correspondent realised that MHCC had posted a score of 150 and that Meakins then had 41-4 to show as their reply- so far. As time elapsing would explain this was a game of 31 overs each innings and MHCC had a further 17 overs to capture the unexpired 6 wickets or otherwise J. & G. Meakin's needed 110 runs to win the day. Hindsight being what it is your own correspondent can report that the slight sinewy form of Naveen Ahmed had contributed 84 runs himself [inc. 4x6s and 11x4s] and that the Chairman had come to the wicket to face two balls before T.A. [Nadge] Raza declared. Returning to the live action J.& G. Meakin laboured and preferred to tread water as wickets tumbled relentlessly further. Young pretender Asim Ali took two wickets in his first over, and as late footnote the 9th wicket went down by a run out occasioned by an accurate throw to bowler Rehman's end. J.& G. Meakin saved the game and prevented scribes from reaching for the dictionary for the most accurate spelling of ignominy. Rehman's figures of 10:4:15:4 were a just reward however. Now back to the day before. Blythe humbled. A view on the First XI NSSC Cricket League match vs. Blythe CC at Willow Lane 28:08:2010.
For the second succcessive week skipper Richard Stonier opted to veer away from type by inserting Blythe on a track surprisingly dry in spite of the many showers throughout the week. The outfield meanwhile had retained a kind of firm tackiness but the ball would run swiftly due to the closeness of the cut. Peter Finch would be sorely disappointed with his team's batting performance. This fixture of near neighbours had usually seen Blythe having the edge generally with stand out examples of the game at Willow Lane two or three year's ago when the home team were cock a hoop at the interval and Blythe were all out for 57. MHCC then collapsed to a humiliating defeat- all out for 29! -and then a hundred from Stoney at Blythe more recently was of no avail as the home team galloped to a winning score in excess of 200. On this occasion Blythe were to stutter to a score of only 90 while all four of Meir Heath's bowlers used enjoyed themselves immensely backed up by some fine catching from Birchy and the captain and high quality 'keeping from Jake Heath whose display included two catches and a stumping with no byes conceded either. The visitors were all out at the said score of 90 after 45.3 overs in 2 hours 40 minutes. Each bowler had taken at least two wickets but with "Peter" Brough [taking the new ball with Adam B.] perhaps getting the edge over his team mates with niggardly figures of 9.3:7:10:3. By comparison the response from Stonier and Locker was both emphatic and deadly- actually well worth paying an entrance see to see- a real life version say of Blythe's tortoise to MHCC's hare. The visitor's total was matched and surpassed in only 12.3 overs [33 overs fewer] and the ten wicket victory was secured in only 55 minutes of batting mayhem. Stoney's knock of 54 from 40 balls included 4x4s and 3x6s, while Billy's run a ball 27 had within it 2x4s and a six. The match ended at 17:05 hours.
Whitmore v MHCC 21st August 2010
The incredible match Your correspondent travelled to Whitmore through driving rain and it was obvious that the match would not start at the earlier time of 2:30. Eventually the drizzle did relent to allow Bridgewater and Butt to open up for Whitmore at 2:20 pm. Interestingly the toss had been won by Lee Johnson who then enquired of Richard Stonier what he would do. Routinely Richard would bat first given the chance but not this time although the wicket had been kept quite dry in the circumstances and the outfield seemed little affected too despite the amount of rain that had recently fallen. Bridgewater and Butt were soon taking their pads off as Richard "Peter" Brough dismissed them both courtesy of catches by Paul Wright and Nicky Locker. Neither had troubled the scorers and eventually Whitmore would go on to have 5 batsmen failing to get off the mark. Without Mark Stokes's 47 the home team's score would have been a disaster- as it was with the score on 93 all ten wickets had been bagged by 4:17 pm in the 34th over. Iftikhar had snared another 5 for at under 8 for each wicket including the prize of professional Fazil clean bowled for only 6. Ifty is truly a captain's dream bowler, not a huge spinner as he will admit but a constant danger to batsmen with his variety of delivery which includes a viperish quicker ball aimed at a very full length. For the record Ifty is presently the leading bowler in Div 1 with 64 wickets [inc. 7 x 5 fors] at 9.36 slightly ahead of the Leek and Staffs all-rounder Greg Willott whose wickets have cost him 9.74 each. Apart from "Peter's" two wickets the skipper also helped to wrap up the tail with his 3 for 16 in 6.4 overs. Apart from a briefish interlude of bright sunshine and a rise in temperature of easily 10 degrees the weather proceeded to remain obstinately dull, cloudy with further rain threatening all the time. In these conditions Biily Locker and Richard Stonier began the chase facing up to Fazil's thunderbolts whose first couple of overs which were propelled following a run up which began inches from the sightscreen. As defiant as they could be for a while both Billy and Richard became 2 of Fazil's scalps who added a third when Phil Stephens was adjudged LBW first ball. Add to this the early demise of Adam Birch to a diving catch by Andy Wagg off skipper Lee Johnson the lads found themselves in a precarious position at 25 for 4. At this time- 5:30 or so- the rain forced the players from the field. Two of Fazil's wickets [later he was to add a third taken in the same manner] were LBW decisions by umpire John Coxon whose style is to lift the dreaded finger after several seconds of delay. Much to the surprise of everyone and in an instant seemingly the match resumed around 6:30 pm but within 25 minutes both Iftikhar and Jake Heath succombed to the irrepressible Fazil and MHCC were standing [just !] at a shaky 33 for 6. At the fall of the 5th wicket "One club man" Paul "Lefty" Wright had strode to the middle. He was identified by your correspondent as our last hope. Something special was demanded since a total of 64 runs were still needed for victory. A partnership of two determined operators was vitally needed, but still chances had to be taken and all the time lady luck would have to favour the visitors. Nick Locker came and went quickly but his departure gave Dale Heath of yet still only tender years to show the world the chance to enter the fray. This young man is without doubt a talented and precocious left hander yet very far from the finished article. He has never been short on confidence however and to many a raised eyebrow he drove the tireless Fazil both through the off and on sides immediately. It was quite incredible how the hearts of your own correspondent and other MHCC watchers began to beat faster and faster as Dale and Paul courageously sowed seeds of doubt within the home team. "Wrighty" hit to long on and drove off the back foot through cover for boundaries. Cheeky runs were plundered and the initiative began to shift away from the home team until Dale was adjudged run out by John Coxon-but 25 golden runs had been secured in the alliance with his senior partner, not a lot of runs but in the context of a low scoring game worth much much more. At Dale's departing a further 24 runs were still needed but enough overs remained for a measured progress to force an improbable victory.As "Wrighty" was needed to be the principle run scorer henceforth a couple of 2s and two boundaries edged the boys closer to the magical figure of 94. At the other end defiance in turn from "Peter" Brough and Big Alex gave the main man the time to complete one of his most memorable knocks in his long career at MHCC. The best Staffordshire cut that your correspondent has ever seen for 4 from the Big Show brought the target ever closer which was claimed fortuously via the penultimate ball of the match which to the horror of the admirable Fazil passed the stumps and the 'keeper for 4 byes. The Whitmore people were so gracious in defeat and all present realised that the match could have gone either way. Your own correspondent's personal thanks are extended unreservedly to Brian and his club for their special treatment of its MHCC visitors. We can only wish that their fortunes are enhanced shortly in their cup commitments and as time comes and goes generally. The Spirit of Cricket can be clearly seen and felt these days at Bent Lane just off the A53.
Your own D L C F.
Kidsgrove v MHCC 4.07.09
"Road victories continue as Nicky Locks down win....."
There are a few things that have emerged as absolute fact within the last 8 days at MHCC. Firstly our opening batters are capable of carrying their bats and delivering a performance that helps the team to emerge victorious. Secondly we have a team spirit that cannot be matched anywhere else in this league. Lastly we now have confirmation that Sid Conner can eat his own bodyweight in fish and chips !
On arriving late at Kidsgrove on Saturday the editor was met with a surprisingly picturesque setting in which to watch a game of cricket. Meir Heath were bowling the last few overs of their innings and the Kidsgrove batsmen were taking advantage of the very short boundary at one side of the pitch ! In closing on 206 after 55 overs it seemed a tall order for the visitors to overhaul such a total. It turned out that it was a target that would prove far too small.
While taking tea, you couldn’t help being impressed by the bar area and clubhouse, KCC have spent their grant money well and the club must be a goldmine throughout the summer and winter months.
During the tea interval the heavens opened and we had a good 35 minutes of very hard rain, the sky was nearly black at one point and the prospects of further play looked bleak. We were lucky though as due to some “encouragement” from some of the visiting players the covers were soon on the wicket and the outfield was that dry in simply sucked up the rain like a dyson.
When the rain stopped we were informed by the umpires that Meir Heath would now have 39 overs in which to meet their victory target, 144 being the figure to ensure we came away with a winning draw.
As the sun began to shine down upon us our fortunes blossomed as we had 4 byes off the first ball of the day to set the tone for the innings. The home sides pro was taking such a long run up it started in a different postcode and the wicket keeper was twice the size of our own Jake Heath, so he had trouble moving his somewhat rotund frame quickly enough to stop the ball effectively.
Richard was first to go to a rather debatable decision, the ball struck him and spun up in the air and the pro took a diving catch. He definitely took the ball in the air but the contact was the controversy. It appeared not to have struck any part of Stoney’s willow but the umpire, after a few moments hesitation gave our captain out.
The undisputed winner of the “Shakie, his glove took the bail off” prize for the most outrageous decision of the day went to poor Jo Woodward, he received a ball on his pads which might have hit middle stump, on another set of wickets ! How the umpire came to the outcome he did is anyone’s guess but he gave Jo out and we looked in a spot of trouble.
Luke Heath came in and tried to reach a ball and clip it over the slip corden, he only succeeded in giving up his wicket to a fine one handed catch. Shakie looked in good nick, playing some great shots before letting his eagerness to score quickly get the better of him and he was out on the last ball of an over in which he had already scored 8 runs !
At the other end throughout all these proceedings was Nicky Locker. Now Nicky’s biggest critic is Nicky himself but even he could surely find little of the negative in the innings he played on Saturday. He was faultless from start to finish and delivered an innings that both delighted his proud parents but had the rest of the visiting masses enthusing long into the night. Jake joined him at the crease with us averaging around 4.5 per over. The pair of batsmen the proceeded to blast the home sides attack all over the park, such was their dominance and high scoring rate, young Harry in the scorebox had smoke coming from his pencil !
As we closed in on our victory target it was pleasing to see all the good guys together till the end, a true team.
As the winning runs sailed to the boundary, The 2 unbeaten batsmen came off to a great ovation from players and club members alike. We had achieved the win within 38 overs, no mean feat.
A quick note to Nicky and Jake, your partnership today was one of the best we have seen at the club in recent history. You did yourselves, your team and club proud. All the team should feel very good about themselves at the moment.
10 games to go, how long can this run continue ? If this potential is played to every week we could still be in the shake up at the end of the season !
Cheadle v MHCC 27.06.09
“Meir Heath Grate Cheese as Stonier’s Boys Bring Home Bacon !!”
In recent issues of the Cheadle and Tean Times, Cheadle captain Simon “Cheese” Plant has stated momentum could guide the Tean Road outfit to promotion. Well any momentum that had been built by Cheadle was not just stopped, but derailed totally by a dominant Meir Heath side on Saturday. Sticky misty weather greeted the editor as he arrived at the ground but you sensed then that the sun was just waiting to appear and so it did ! Much has been made of recent MHCC performances, some comments justified, some not. What we saw at Cheadle on Saturday and to a lesser extent against Norton the previous Saturday, proved that we have a fine team of talented individuals who are fast learning to play together as a team. It seemed that we would be up against it right from the start as we feared Guesty would not be able to play due to a nasty bite on his foot but despite major swelling that would have put Stoney’s head to shame, our likeable pro buckled up and prepared to rip through the Cheadle batting. Richard won the toss and put Cheadle in, a great toss to win. Progress was made at a steady early rate. Skippy bowled very well in his opening spell for no reward, he was to persevere though and ample gratification would come in his second spell. Chris Guest really is bowling well over the last few weeks. His form yielded 4 wickets to go with his nap hand last week. He really does look likely to strike with every ball at the moment, well done Chris. Twinny came back for a second spell and claimed 4 wickets, Stoney took a super catch off Nicky Locker and that pretty much was that. Cheadle were never allowed to push on with the score and Meir Heath always seemed in control of the innings. A welcome bonus was that we would have an extra 6 overs in which to reach our target of 172 to win. Tea was taken by the editor and team in the soon to be demolished Cheadle club house and after several sandwiches and a can of Tizer, everything was set fair for 3 hours of the “Good Guys” taking the shine off the home sides balls. Nicky got a good ball from the likeable Shaun Rashid and was bowled but that was as good as it got for him as Joe Woodward came in and proceeded to dispatch Rashid to the boundary on several occasions. He didn’t spare the other bowlers either however, on his way to a sublime 57. The innings was worth the gate money alone, well done to you Joe, it’s great to have you back !. Anchoring the innings was Richard Stonier who all week had reiterated the fighting spirit that was so evident all day on Saturday. He rode his luck a couple of times (without giving a real chance I might add) but also played some classy and sometimes belligerent shots on his way to an unbeaten 78. A real captains innings from Rich and hopefully the sign of things to come from our captain. Shakie came and went in bizzare circumstances, while attempting a quick single he was well short of his ground when the wickets were broken, the controversy was what were the wickets broken with ? From my view it appeared the wicket keepers glove took the bails off. The square leg umpire was also not sure so deferred the decision to Mr Hopkin at the bowlers end who gave the unlucky Shakie out. It seemed a really harsh ruling but to his credit Shakie took it and walked off the field. Leaving his comrades to steal the glory from him later down the order. Special mention here to Billy Locker who came in and scored a quick fire 21 and played the kind of innings we all know he can to bring the side to the brink of victory. Stoney struck the winning runs, hitting a beleaguered Cheadle bowler for 4 and as he waved his bat in delight and celebrated you could sense sheer relief and joy from all connected with the club. The dressing room was particularly buoyant and rightly so. The players have taken some knocks this season and rightly now should take plaudits. Fair play too to the Cheadle team, although well beaten on the day, they are good sports. We look forward to welcoming you to Willow Lane for the return fixture later in the season. A visit to out of sorts Kidsgrove next Saturday awaits us. If the boys play with the same resolve and talent then we could soon be looking up the table instead of down !.
Whitmore v MHCC 25.04.09
Victory Whit-More than welcoming for early pacesetters !!
Meir Heath began their away program in division one with a trip to newly promoted Whitmore CC. Having picked a up a new vehicle earlier in the day, the editor was somewhat waylaid in his efforts to reach the field for the starting time of 1PM.
When he did arrive he was greeted with a lovely setting in which to watch cricket. The sun was shining and chances of a full days play seemed really promising. The home side were 55 for 2 with Yasir the stand in pro, hitting the ball rather well.
He went on to reach a score of 41, the top score of the home teams innings. Early support was given by Whitehead (33) who played well before hitting the rejuvenated Jason Britton in the field who took the sharp catch. The visitors bowled and fielded rather well, Nicky Locker in particular grafted hard for no reward. He also took a ball firmly on the knee causing him to limp around for the rest of the innings. Not ideal when chasing balls in the deep. Joe Woodward again looked very focussed and accurate and finished with figures of 4-59 from 21 over’s. This was the first opportunity I had to see our new pro Chris Guest in action. I must say he looked sharp with the ball with 3 for 43 from 16 over’s. Supported by Alex “big show” Whalley at the start and end of the innings and, as mentioned the efforts of Nick, which yielded only 14 runs from 11 anaemic over’s, the home side reached a tally of 183 all out from 57 over’s.
With tea being taken in the pavilion the Mile House fish bar was the desired choice of dynamic duo DDA and Smithy, word filtered back that the fish and chips had scored maximum 10 out of 10, Smithy had eaten the pattern off his plate and the peas were first class ! All that was now needed was for us to take care of business and get the runs needed to extend our perfect start to 2 wins from 2 fixtures played. I was thinking to myself at the tea interval that the total seemed a few light. The outfield was quick as lightening and if you beat the man it was a boundary 90% of the time.
Things could not have got off to a better start. 7 runs were scored from the first over and scoring continued at a favourable rate until Ricky Stonier got a delivery that sat up and as he was trying to get out of the way, he gloved one to the young Whitmore keeper who took the first of 2 fine catches well above head height. It was such a shame for the Meir Heath captain who had looked in fine form before his dismissal for 19.
A word of praise for Jason Britton who opened up with Richard. He played very patiently at the start of his innings, got himself in and went on to contribute 48 well hit runs to the total. There was some confusion among the visiting contingent as some thought he had struck a fifty but 48 was the correct recorded score.
Joe Woodward came into bat and played some sublime shots on the way to 31, Jake Heath added 10 before falling to catch he himself would have been proud to have taken behind the wicket. To be fair to Jake he got a tough ball to play at and was quite unlucky to fall to such a good catch.
Then came the steady influence in the middle of the order we seemed to lack last season. With 65 or so runs still needed to be added, Nicky Locker and Christ Guest found themselves at the wicket. The latter seemingly suffering from a very sore back. Some superb batting both attacking and in defence saw the visitors home despite some confusion at the very end of the scoring. The result was in no doubt at that point. A word of thanks to the folk from Whitmore who were really friendly to all the visiting entourage. A big well done and I wish you every success in the future.
Hearty congratulations were meted out after the game as Rich led the team into the warm down and well deserved they were too. This was a game we would have drawn or probably lost last season. We are taking advantage of some favourable early season weather to rack up some early points and now already hold a healthy 7 point lead in the embryonic division one table. This lead will be tested to the full no doubt when Crewe visit Willow Lane on the 2nd May but if we show the same skill and spirit so evident in the first two matches there is no reason why we should not extend our winning run even further. A big well done to all concerned !. DTM Lubbock
April 26th 2009 -Newcastle & Hartshill v MHCC
Our 1st game this season in section A saw the 3rd team come up against Newcastle and Hartshill, we won the toss and elected to bowl 1st.
We bowled well and bowled newcastle all out for 144, martyn horleston was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-31 and was well supported by Marc Townsend 2-14, Taiyub Rehman 2-23, Tom Baker 1-18 and Ozzy Crump claiming a run out.
For the Batting we lost 4 quick wickets which included the losses of Alex Quaintance for 7, Matt Holmes for 8, Callum Rowley with a duck & Naj for 11. Afterwards the ship was steadied by Tom Baker who top scored with 42, Ozzy Crump with 15, Will Day with 6 and Rob Holmes with 26.
We held out for a draw in the end, it was a superb effort from all the lads and i hope we can take this onto our next game where hopefully get our 1st win of the season.
September 14th 2008 - MHCC v Weston
Well it was now are never for The 3rd team to return to the SUNDAY SECTION A all that stood between us and a return to the promised land was the WEATHER/ Little Stoke finding another 30 Points from somewhere or Meir Heath not doing what we have been doing all season and carrying on a wonderful winning run. The lead up to this game was like a nightmare the weather all week was wet wet wet , and saturdays game was called off due to that wet stuff, So come Sunday morning of the game it stated off brightly and there was a glimmer of hope to get the game on. At this point I would like to THANK ALL The Ground Staff KEV, SMITHY, BRIAN< anyone I missed off I do apologies, Without these people we wouldn't exist ! So come 12pm sunday the lads are slowly getting up the club for a 130pm i'm getting prematch nerves but why ! Well we have come this far and I don't want us to blow it . 1:15pm everyone is up the ground we have had a warm up and ready to toss for the start of the MATCH AGAINST WESTON C.C their skipper calls TAILS and Tails it was he decided to BOWL thank goodness for that I thought, Their Captain expained to me after the TOSS that their lads wanted a longer match this time , as last time we played them two weeks before we bowled them out for 28 and NADJAR and OZZY knocked them off in about 13 BALLS. BATTING Asif and Callum opened the Batting Callum played and chipped a shot straight to a fielder out fo 0 not a great start to the game out stepped GO BIG NADJAR having only batted 7 times this year having hit 254 runs in the process not bad ! Nadjar as I call him either get runs or gets out so last time Weston played against us he knocked their score off in 12 balls , Chasing 28 but this time we wanted him to stay out there a long as poss, so some 30 mins later he was out cleaned bowled playing a shot that wasn't their but having hit 27 on the way with 2x 4's and 2x6's getting the score up to 40 the track wasn't there to slap everything around next in was Matt SAFE HANDS Holmes has been in good form with the bat so no problems, 12 runs later Asif gets himself out scoring 9 runs we are now 52-3 long way to go up steps Tom T BONE Baker having hit 226 runs he needed a good knock to win the averages from Nadjar with his knock giving him an average of 56.2 so out their batting was tom and matt they put on 29 before Matt was dismissed up stepped a Young Talent for next Year Austen OZZY Crump with a combined age of 72 batting you would think there should be enough talent out there to hit runs well there was a 12 year old at one end and a 60 the other Tom had a steady usual knock hitting 43 and young ozzy hitting a valuable 10 when OZZY got caught the score was on 113 so together they put on 32 Great partnership from Teacher to Student next up stepped James FARMER Brookfield he didn't last long run out for 1 , Next in Neil HITMAN Hanton with a steady 5 runs to end innings on125-6 not a bad total with pitch conditions ,,
Bowling
Martyn SKIPPER Horleston opened with Taiyub TOY Rehman M.Horleston had 9 overs for 1 wicket conceding 17 runs and TOY on the other end had figures of 7 overs for 3 wickets for 23 runs should have had 5 but who cares as long as we enjoy ourselves. Next up T Bone Baker didn't take long for him to spin his magic a big hitter at the crease hit Toy the over before for 6 so T Bone had a plan put Young SKIPPER Horleston on COW CORNER let his SOLID catching Chest do the work and of course HANDS BIG SLOGGER R. HEALER slaps one straight to cow corner M SKIPPER HORLESTON their running to far forward had to back peddle with one foot 2" from the rope caught in on his chest and into his safe hands. WESTON now 44 for 5 and on the other end Marc ACCRINGTON Townsend great future in cricket he had 2 overs 1 wicket for 1 run . Tom finished the innings off with figures of 3.1 overs for 4 wickets at a cost of 2 runs.. This Win had made sure of Winning the league and 25 points Not even Little Stoke could catch us unless they could muster some invisible points from else where. Having played 18 matches 2 rained off we won 12 lost 2 and drew 2 What a great season for MHCC 3RDS a BIG THANKS OUT TO" MY TEAM" we then had a meal out at the MANGO TREE Blythe Bridge where 21 people attended even FREDDY QUAINTANCE Back from his exploits in some HOT Climate We have had 8 Players out of our team this year who have made it into the league averages 4 batting Nadjar, T. Baker ,Asif Khan and Freddy Quaintance, Bowling T. BAKER , TOY, Marc TOWNSEND , M. HORLESTON ,,,, Asif Khan and M. Horleston both having 9 catches each and behind the stumps M Holmes with 9 victims. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANKS TO WENDY, SUE AND EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING MARCS WIFE AND DAD FOR HELPING TO DO A WONDERFUL JOB IN MAKING THE BEST TEAS IN THE LEAGUE NO ONE COMPARES......OUR TEAM THIS YEAR "great thanks been a pleasure bring on next season" 2 players not playing for the 3 rds Asif Khan and Nadjar all the best in your future... M. Horleston
August 31 - Oulton v MHCC
Skipper M. Horleston won the Toss and elected to Field with the weather been overcast and raining most of the morning was a good toss to win. I decided to bowl up hill and slow it down to contain the runs and put TOY coming down hill at the other end. But it worked in reverse TOY bowled his allotted 7 overs for 2 runs 2 wickets and 5 midiens Iv'e been telling him all season to bowl at those 3 things coming out of the ground, he asked me what were they there for !! Anyway going back to the game I bowled 8 overs for 29 taking 1 wicket. There were too many streaky edges I think ! By the time TOY and Myself had bowled 15 overs they were 31 runs on the board. So as to not get slated on this message board again by CRUMPY I took myself off. Replacing me up bank Was "T BONE" BAKER thought I would give him a chance to keep it tight and take a few wickets so as to stop him moaning at me after every over. When he would walk past me smile and wave his arms in a circular motion, Tom did indeed keep it tight Having figures off 17-4 off 11 overs, On the other end was Marc Townsed with his Left Arm medium swing he had figures of 16-2 off 7 overs What a find he has been this SUMMER never played cricket before only with Danny Ibbs a lunch time at work, Nice one keep it up Marc. Behind the STUMPS was MATT HOLMES who I think had a Great game Catching that RED ROUND THING in his Gloves not once but THREE times and Hitting the winning runs, NOW TO OUR SECRET WEAPON young OZZY CRUMP one for the future he has played for us on 3 occasions won the match against WEDGWOODS batting for 2 hours and every time he has bowled he has taken 1 WICKET for a BOTTLE of LUCOZADE SPORT so his figures of 5 overs 1 wicket for 8 runs.. Watch out T BONE .. We ended up having Oulton at one stage for 38-8 and they went on to get 74 all out.
Now to the BATTING
ASIF /NADJAR opened the innings I told NADJAR take your time !! Well it's like asking a dog to stop barking. He hit 6 runs before given caught behind off his PADS !! Not at all inpressed. Up stepped A "FREDDY" Quaintance in fine form this yeat hitting 2 x50's He hit a steady 22 before been cleaned bowled with a ball that swing not once but twice in the air pitched and cut back in ,, one hell of a ball if you ask me.. I thought it was straight. Next in was CALLUM ROWLEY who hit a fine 51 the day before for the 2nds he went on to hit a very steady 10 not out. Soon after the second wicket went down ASIF KHAN went for 20 runs caught behind trying a late cut. Up stepped Matt Holmes who went on to finish the job with 10 runs. I would like to THANK THE TEAM FOR ALL THE EFFORT so far this SEASON. MY fingers are aching now MEIR HEATH 20 points Oulton 2 points next week we are playing STONE AWAY with a chance of winning the league this year,,,,,,,,,,2 GAMES TO GO
August 24 - MHCC v Weston
Weston CC managed an intersting 28 all out mainly thanks to Mart Horlestons wides and No Balls but he did take 4 wickets as well as bowling too long, along with Sunday pro' Phil Critchlow picking up 3 wickets that Mark would have taken if allowed to bowl, Ozzy also struck again with his 2 ball spell of 1 for 1. Having just 49 overs to knock off the 28 runs required Naj and Ozzy knocked off the runs with only 46.5 overs left, Naj hitting 28 from 12 balls and Ozzy 1 Not Out from 1 ball.
August 4 - MHCC vs Wedgwood 03/08/08
Meir Heath won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Wedgwood were 94 all out with Asif Khan and Marc Townsend taking the majority of the wickets, Asif with superb figures of 7-1-16-5 and Marc with impressive figures of 8-2-18-4 and also Taiyub Rehman took 1 wicket.
Meir Heath chasing 95 to win got off to a poor start with the top order being blown away, mostly playing poor shots, with meir heath being 38-4 up stepped young Austen Crump only playing in his 2nd senior game played an outstanding innings by batting nearly 2 hours and with wickets tumbling all around him, he guided Meir Heath to victory with a good knock of 23 not out which included 4 boundaries, Asif Khan after taking 5 wickets also contributed with 20 runs.
July 27 - Hey up,
just a quick mail to let you no how we got on we batted 1st and made 177 all out with naj hitting 40, naj's cousin kasim ahmed & callum rowley both scoring 24 and bowling we fell 1 wicket short of winning bagnall were 130-9 martin got figures of 16-6-33-3 and tom baker got 9-1-23-4 overall we drew but are now 2nd in the league, if u could please update this on the site that would be great.
Cheers Fred
July 20 - The Thirds came up trumps with another win this time against Stone batting first we reached 126-4
Freddie Q top scored with 31, naj's cousin Kasim Ahmed hit 22 on his debut for the 3rds, asif got 27 and tom baker was 25 not out Stone all out for 63 taiyub rehman took a five wickets with figures of 7-0-17-5 and tom baker took 3 wickets with figures of 9.2-4-8-3
July 13 - Oulton who were top of the league, batted first and scored 251-2 declared, The thirds held out for a morale boosting draw on 159-9 at the close of play. Freddie Quantaince notching up his first ever half century With James Brookfield chipping in with 20.
