SACC BATTING AVERAGES 2011

                             TOTAL RUNS            INNS                            N/O                 HS                  AV

J. RICHES                 1100                           21                    4                      170n/o             65

B.MEREDITH           612                             14                    3                      146 n/o            56

D.ERITH                   238                             7                      2                      70                    48

P.GAY                       214                             5                      0                      63                    43

I.HELLAWELL        240                             12                    6                      50                    40

RATHA                     502                             16                    3                      73                    39

J. HOWE                    408                             14                    2                      79n/o               34

N. DRUMMOND      220                             11                    3                      37n/o               28

J.GRANT                   201                             12                    1                      45n/o               18

C. BROWN               118                             7                      0                      42                    17

G.LAGNADO           74                               6                      0                      35                    12

NAVEED                  37                               8                      3                      8                      5

Also batted: Moodley, Gilbey, Gurdev, Sweeney, Groom, Clack, Smith, Caine, Massie, Howard, Haworth,, Rowe, Surridge, Byng, Macintyre, Thomas, O’Brien, Atif…et al!

CATCHES: Drummond: 14, Meredith :9,   Ratha,Riches,Hellawell, Grant :8

BOWLING AVERAGES

                                   OVERS          RUNS             WKTS            AV                  ECON

Drummond                 26                    188                  12                    15,6                 7,2  (11)

Hellawell                    43,3(+1)          276                  17                    16,2                 6,37 (8)

Ratha                          29                    178                  11                    16,2                 6,1   (7)

Gay                             19                    100                  6                      16,6                 5,26 (4)

Groom                        27                    165                  9                      18,3                 9,8  (13)

Macintyre                   56(+7)             263                  14(+3)             18,7                 4,7   (3)

Naveed                       74(+3)             482                  25(+2)             19,3                 6,51 (9)

Erith                           64                    265                  11                    24,1                 4,1   (1)

Riches                         59                    389                  16                    24,3                 6,59 (10)

Clack                          72(+7)             381                  14                    27,2                 5,29  (5)

Smith                          25(+5)             137                  5(+2)               27,4                 5,48  (6)

Howe                          59                    255                  8                      31,8                 4,3   (2)

Grant                          16                    133                  4                      33,2                 8,3 (12)

SACC played 29 games, won 19,  lost 9, drew 1.

Sunday 25th September

Sunday Match vs British Embassy by Brett Meredith Capatin of the game

After the night before at the Long Hop washing down a few ales and whisky cokes and sharing tactics with a buxom blond Swissess (shame nothing else was shared), we found ourselves on the ground on Sunday afternoon at Meudon, the ground in pristine condition and lovely sunshine ready to finish the season off in style.  Winning the toss, we opened with Phil and Shanka, one of our ring-ins who proceeded in pounding boundaries all over the park terrorising the kids on the boundary. Shanka finished off with a century, then out went our “out-of-former” James Grant in perfect conditions at 1 down for over 100, but to no avail as the out-of-sorts batsman was fired lbw for 1. Julian, Greig and Jon then continued the run-feast despite the improved bowling with Jules and the subdued Jon enjoying a very solid partnership. The old guard (Les and Robin) had been sitting down padded up for an eternity waiting to go out to bat, but had obviously worn themselves out checking out the crumpet and proceeded to take their pads off with 2 balls left in the innings. Of course the inevitable happened, Jules getting stumped and nobody padded up, so yours truly went out in keeping pads to face the last ball. A solid innings of 288, perhaps the highest this year, with Jon and Phil scoring in the forties and Jules 64.

After an afternoon tea of epic proportions put up by the Browns family consisting of  home-made quiches and the famous carambar cake, everyone was keen to clean ‘em up and fill up those empty jugs at the bar. First ball of the innings saw El Presidente bowl a screamer swinging late and cutting away. Too good for the batsman, too good for the keeper up at the stumps, the ball crashed straight into Julian’s glass (who was suffering from heat stroke) and the batsman crossing for 1. Our own “Mr Cricket” of course pulled out the rule 29b page 56 obstruction rule and the opposition was granted 5 extra runs, thereby being 0 for 6 off the first ball. They were obviously led into a false sense of security, being ahead of the run-rate with Les ending up getting one of those edges and Jon mitting it at 2^nd slip. Change of bowler at the tennis courts end brought on Jada, the second ring-in, bowling with great variety of  medium pacers and off-cutters. All of a sudden the game changed direction with a stunning catch by James at point diving to his right and forward to take a one-handed catch inches off the ground. Must have been the catch of the year and I think that even the locals at the Horse and Cart Inn in Huddersfield would have agreed on that one. Next bowling change brought James from the forest end after Greig had toiled very well (too good for the Brits). James bowled with great variety ranging from good balls to absolute rubbish down leg-side giving the keeper a good work-out. This obviously bamboozled the Brits and he picked up 2 quick wickets then got belted all around the ground with some beautiful strokes from the left-handed Evry ring-in. After coping some good solid sledging from fellow players with comments such as good spell “Granty”, captain stubborn decided to persevere with him. First ball next over, the batsman just plopped the ball up to Phil in a close in catching position, making everything look so easy. But James hadn’t finished yet, as he bowled, lbwed and ran out the rest of the BE boys by himself earning the right to fill the jugs up at the bar and showing everyone that he can do more than just clean the fridge. His personal tally, 4 wickets, 2 catches and a run-out.

Game over, BE all out for around 90 in around 14 overs allowing everyone to hit the “terrace” early to sample that amber liquid that everyone had been dreaming about. After some tame discussions and much jug emptying, the atmosphere changed turning into a joke telling competition between our seasoned campaigner and professional Les and the young Leila. Leila specialising in the dirty ones after her “stage” of dirty joke telling down-under, much to the pleasure of our invited BE players, ring-ins and SAC players and wives/girlfriends. Some great story-telling like the “Bruce & Sheila bath tiles” one and the “Lone Ranger” kept the crowds ecstatic, with lots of promises of “catching up” in the winter.

cheers,

Mr Brett MEREDITH

Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th September

Chaps,

Below a brief summary of our Friday T20 and Saturday 35 over games against the Drovers CC over from London.

Glorious afternoon/evening for the T20, SAC went into bat and we managed a reasonable total of 179, I think, with Greg batting the last overs through by himself (actually batting by himself as a ‘last man standing’ due to a cockup over numbers – no fault of the MM I might add).  Creditable score, with some reasonably tight bowling, and not a catch dropped by the oppo.  Runs were fairly evenly shared throughout with various 30s and 40s…

Greg and Jules then opened up with some tight bowling and a few wickets.  Then it’s all a bit vague, but I remember getting a (quite possibly career, or at least SAC personal best) of 3-14, although the plaudits must go to Brett who was on fire (1 catch off the first ball, followed by a (leg side) stumping).  The hat trick was on, but didn’t happen, although Brett later took another (leg side) stumping.  Was really quite a comprehensive display behind the stumps.  Nigel took a good catch, and Drummond Junior almost took a catch off Drummond Senior, but didn’t.  I don’t recall who did the rest – probably Brett, but it was a pretty thorough victory – I think they got through about 16 overs for 120 odd. 

Saturday was another day, although actually it was quite similar, though for some reason half the SAC decided to turn up late.  No matter, we started bowling with myself and Julian and about 6 fielders, but managed to keep it fairly tight.  Julian picked up a couple, then Phil had a good spell and also took a few.  Ratha and Naveed had a good bowl and then it was to Jon and Ian to mop it up and I think both finished with pretty good figures, though I don’t have them, but let’s say 3 a piece for argument’s sake.  James and Brett also combined for a run-out which was patently not out, but was given out by their umpire because even he was bored with how slowly the score was moving.  I think they scored about 45 off the first 20 overs.  In any case, they got a score of sorts, which was then dismissively knocked off by Brett and Jon (notable by his absence at the crease was ‘out of former’ James Grant).  Some trouble with some ladies at the bar meant that I went off (rather unnecessarily as it turned out) to buy a load of beers before match end (though it was definitely in sight) so I don’t know the final numbers.  Going on past experience I suspect Jon got (close to) his ton (??).  We then enjoyed very pleasant beers by the marquee, before being booted off-site by aforementioned ladies.  I struggled with the finances, but think it’s all clear now – James I owe you/SAC €50.  Good to see Ben up at the ground again and hope to see more of him (and his bro?) next year!

Thanks again to Dusty for umpiring.

Had an email this morning from the visitors saying how much they enjoyed the weekend, with apologies for not putting up a better fight.

Cheers

Daniel Erith,

20 / 20 Tournament

Gents,
Our Saturday morning game against the Embassy started with us batting, having been invited to do so by Steve Hollins the Embassy captain. The morning dew meant that earlier shots which would normally have gone for four runs were confined to twos; but inspite of this the score, after the allotted 20 overs, was 194 for a loss of six wickets, just short of 10 runs per over - a very good score to bowl at.
Phil Gay scored over 50 and Big Jon Riches scored a quick 60 runs hitting a few big sixes - as usual!

The Embassy lost two quick wickets but Marc Moodley and Steve Hollins put on a partnership of almost 100 runs and had brought the run rate to such a level that victory was in their sights; but once the off-break bowling of Ian Hellawell and Jon Riches came on the run rate fell, together with another three wickets and at the end of the 20 overs the Embassy's score was 170 for 7 wickets down.
The match was followed by an excellent lunch in the marquee - although the Blacksmith deplored the lack of gravy on his shepherd's pie and solved the problem
by pouring red wine on it!

Ian HELLAWELL

SAC played Juveniles in the final of the 20/20 competition by Les CLack

JCC batted first, their openers looking very much like a couple of Standard players. Andy Mac's first over went for 10 and things looked ominous, but he then settled into his rythm, picking up the first wicket. Chairman Clack at the other end also had JCC in all sorts of trouble, missing the bat (and the stumps of course) more often than not.  After the first 8 overs JCC were well behind a decent run rate. SAC, it must be said, fielded out of their skins. There were three terrific run-outs, two from brilliant bits of
fielding by James Grant in the covers (pity he doesn't play more often) and one from a terrific pick up and throw from the boundary by Jon Riches. Titian haired Brett Meredith, although handicapped around the area of his box, kept wicket brilliantly and took several stumpings, some of which were given out. We held all our catches except one (I won't mention off whose bowling, I might start crying again). Blacksmith pouched two skyers and skipper Hellers took the catch of the match, if not the
season, running round the boundary and taking it one handed. Orgasms of self-congratulation (What a catch! What a catch!) were heard as far as 'Uddersfield. But it was a good'un.

Juveniles picked up the rate at the end and finished with a modest 127.

Sac's batsmen had little real trouble in making the score, Julian, Phil, James, Nigel ,Jon all pushing it along. Julian came in at 3 and batted through. Jon hit his biggest six ever over the trees and into Velizy, and Ratha finished it off with another down to the tennis courts.

Dusty umpired.

20/20 Champions 2011 SAC. Well done everyone!

Les

Saturday 10th September

Gentlemen,
We had a good victory on Saturday against the Croq Sportif, in sweltering conditions.

They batted first and struggled to score above 3 an over for most of the game. Andy Mac got a quick wicket - cleaned bowled again. That inswinger is quite lethal. Chairman opened at the other end and bowled his 7 overs at a cost 13 runs. No wickets of course. Phil Gay bowled nicely and got a couple on his bowling début. The opposition were really struggling to post a score, but we weren't really getting many wickets. Then the skipper brought on the secret weapon, Drummond. Just back from a week in Cornwall, Nigel offered up a selection of pies and pasties, but as these were clearly well past their sell-by date, they were dismissed to outer darkness, and Nigel was out of stock after 2 overs as the Croqs finished up with a sort of creditable 172 for 4. We started off very badly losing 3 wickets in a couple of overs. Both Chris Brown and Phil Gay were out after getting off the mark with fine shots, then Ratha and Nigel contrived to get Nigel run out by about 2 yards. We can probably put that down to pies as well. Then Ratha and Dan Erith took the game by the scruff of the neck and put us back on top. Dan hit a cracking 70 and Ratha 50 odd, both thrilling the crowd (?) with sixes, before getting out. Young Hugo Stevens, one of Andy Mac's juniors, kept the skipper, Hellers, good company.Well done Hugo, who fielded well throughout and hit the runs that tied the score, before old reliable hit the winner. SAC 176 for 5.
Thanks everyone
Les