by Ian | Jun 2, 2018
Saltwood made the short trip to Mersham CC on Saturday, keen to keep their winning run going. A nice early arrival, no one paid for parking, gentle stretches on the outfield and all was going well apart from Joey not turning up after a night time injury to his knee.
Despite Jack repeatedly saying that Mersham will bat first, they won the toss and had a bowl. Well done Nostradamus. After last week’s showing with the bat, Joey Pratt was promoted to open with the in-form Jamie Keeler. Sadly JK’s form didn’t last too long, snicking off to Matt Fagg in the third over for 1, narrowly avoiding the 10 point fantasy league penalty. Joey was joined by Ryan Hall, putting on a 49 run partnership to calm the early jitters in the SCC lineup. Hally departed for 18 in the 13th over, replaced by Dan Cowell who put on another 76 with Joey who fell to an LBW. Three people were padded up and waiting their turn, but skipper Teddy Easthope decided the conditions were right for Jack Dylan to swing the willow. It was a good decision as he hit 58 off 43 balls, putting on 56 runs in partnership with Dan who eventually fell for 52, bowled by Matt Fagg. Next up was Archie on debut, a Saltwood legend in the making. A few confident blocks to start and then the first of many runs for Saltwood. Archie’s innings was cruelly cut short by a suicidal run called by Jack. Archie out for 1, followed by Teddy for 11 and 6no for Harry Stafford. The assembled crowd sadly missed out on Brice Dempster’s sumptuous cover drives this week, but the sheik will be back next week for another go. SCC 232-6 off 40 overs.
Skipper Easthope turned to Dempster and Pratt to open the innings and was rewarded with a wicket in the second over, a quality low down catch in the slips by Ryan off the bowling of Joey. Mersham dug in and scored 44 off the next 10 overs before rabbit hunter Easthope decided to try his luck at some big game, making himself first change bowler. Just one run off his first over, followed by a wicket in his second and third.
Despite being mocked by the umpire, Teddy continued with his straight spinning darts for 7 overs, taking his 2 wickets for 19 runs. A few 20 runs starts for Mersham’s batsmen but no one went on to make the big big score that was needed to win. Jack picked up a couple of wickets to go with his 50 which will keep his fantasy points rolling in. Harry S had to wait a few overs longer than normal to send down his deliveries after Teddy’s performance, but he picked up another wicket to remain Saltwood’s leading wicket taker. 2 wickets for Ian Oakes from 3 overs and 2 wickets for Archie to close out the Mersham innings on 154 for 10 off 33 overs.
Even though he ran out Archie, for his 52 runs and 2 wickets, the Kent Ballooning Player of the match is Jack. Buy your flight online at www.kentballooing.com
Good game, looking forward to the return at ours. Thanks to Mersham CC, their scorer and umpire.
by Ian | May 26, 2018
After everyone eventually found the cricket ground, we won the toss on a good looking wicket and decided to have a bat. A straight swap at the top of the order with last week’s centurion Jamie Keeler being replaced by fellow left hander Joseph Libby. The left handedness is where the batting similarities ended. With a strong breeze, a massive in-swinging seed at a horrid length combined with a nasty glare off a car windscreen (according to Joey) the usually self assured batsmen was sent back to the pavilion first ball after leaving a straight one.
@Tom Carr (4) soon followed Joey to the hut with a thick edge to gully after trying a few times to play the exact same shot. Saltwood 4 for 2 wickets, the pressure was on.
A well hydrated Ryan Hall (45), Dan Cowell (22), Joey Pratt (23) and Jack (12) added to the scoreboard throughout the middle overs, but it was really well constructed innings from the evergreen Jeremy Russell (53) which put Saltwood in the driving seat. A late cameo from Brick hands Brice Dempster (15), Harry Stafford (6) and Teddy Easthope (8*) saw Saltwood post a competitive 205 from 40 overs.
After a lovely tea, as you’d expect from Sandwich, our opening bowlers started their work. Their opening bat proved hard to budge so the Saltwood bowlers attacked the other batsmen, with most of their middle order getting starts but not sticking around for too long. The 205 target looked like a possibility for Sandwich, but Harry S made the all important break through, bowling their opening bat for 65. Joey Pratt came back on at the end to pick up 3 well deserved wickets, and Brice Dempster bowled a very tight spell of 10 overs for just 27 runs, it was good to see him back in form. Sandwich finished their innings on 177-9
Saturday’s Hide Physiotherapy Man of the Match is Jeremy Russell, for his superb 53 run innings, full of back foot cut shots (before June as well)
Hide Physiotherapy (www.hidephysiotherapy.co.uk) have been successfully treating private patients for over 10 years and provide high quality physiotherapy to our clients at their practice in Hythe.
by Ian | May 19, 2018
On Saturday 19th May, Saltwood hosted Westgate on CC in the Kent Regional League Championship East. After a frustratingly wet start to the season, it was a pleasure to see the sun beating down on another gorgeous Saltwood wicket.
Saltwood won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Tom Carr and Jamie Keeler opened up and instantly made their presence known. The pair controlled their innings well and shared a 32 over first wicket stand of 166, before Tom Carr departed for 57 trying to munch a short ball through the offside, but unfortunately chopped onto his stumps.
With 8 overs remaining, Saltwood sent out billy big bash Jack Pudding, whom felt this was the time to construct an innings by introducing leaves and blocks into his game. After having a look, Jack (5) crashed a powerful 4, but fell a ball later attempting to whip one into next week.
Ryan Hall (26) enjoyed a quick cameo with some impressive 6 hitting and Dan Cowell (9*) joined the party for the final few overs, taking the Wood up to 244. The innings belonged to Jamie Keeler (120*) whom batted with some serious class, accompanied by a continuous flow of superlatives from onlookers in the pavilion. Very well batted Jamie.
It was Brice’s turn to produce a tea this week. Although it was a lovely tea, a very dark shadow was cast by the pungent egg sandwiches which lead to Brice being fined for stinky kitchen etiquette.
Saltwood took to the field. Joey Pratt started well hurling down fireballs, with Shah Rajput at the other end gracefully hooping the ball from leg to outside off. It was the ever elegant Shah who made the breakthrough, taking three quick wickets. Two of which were grabbed in the James Corden by the notorious duo Keeler and Carr.
Westgate found their momentum, with 3 of the middle order batsmen scoring fifties, putting the pressure onto the Saltwood bowling attack. Westgates chase was slowed when young spinner Harry Stafford took the prized wicket of Westgate’s hard hitting No.4 Smith.
Brice Dempster and Teddy Easthope saw the Wood home with the ball and Westgate fell 11 runs short, all out for 233.
The Hythe Life Magazine Man of the match award goes to Jamie Keeler for his glorious 120*.
Scorecard
by Ian | May 14, 2012
After 4 rained off matches the season finally started with our first Kent Regional League match against Herne Bay CC.
Dan won the toss and made the wise choice to bowl first. Early season rustiness was evident with SCC racking up 39 extras (13b 3lb 20w 3nb ) which proved to be the second highest score of the Herne Bay innings by some distance. With only one batsmen breaking into double figures the 39 extras were not popular with the skipper. A fine bowling performance from Joe Pritchard (17-4 from 4 overs) and Tom Leaver (11-3 from 9 overs) backed up by Rosie, Macca and debutant James Brigton.
With 103 runs on the board the win seemed likely for Saltwood, but we did manage to do it the hard way ending up at 25-4 before Dan and James took control. Dan took a back seat, leaving James to bash a couple of sixes to finish off the match and get 20 points on the board.
Full Scorecard (click here)
by Ian | Sep 4, 2011
With the 1C East Division championship within our reach we set off for Wootton & Denton’s ground with plans being made for the post match celebrations. What greeted the team was less than impressive with a locked up ground, no wicket prepared and no oppo to be seen.
A few phone calls later and Wootton & Denton decided that it would be a good time to cancel the match. Thanks for that lads, (more…)
by Ian | Jun 11, 2011
Another chilly afternoon with rain threatening, the Wood took to the field. Our opening bowlers were Rose & Tom. Rose unusually a bit expensive, Tom making his mark in his 2nd over with an LBW decision – 17 for 1 off 4. Rose now in the groove took the second wicket, a Tim W catch – 27 for 2 off 7. The run rate now slowing, Tom had a double hit in the 10th over, a Rose catch and a bowled – 30 for 5. (more…)
by Ian | May 28, 2011
We lost the toss and HG put us into bat on what turned out to be a very uneven wicket. We opened with G and Shaun and they put on 19 before they were removed in consecutive balls, G caught for 10 and Shaun bowled for 9 – 19 for 2 off 6.
Kearnsy and Trev 2 were our next pair but Kearnsy was bowled next over for 2 – 23 for 3 – bringing Tom to the crease, could he manage to steady the ship? Nine was added for the next wicket, Trev caught for 6 – 32 for 4 off 10. Cowello lasted for 12 balls, hitting a 4 and a 6 before being caught – 51 for 5 off 14. Matt W joined Tom and this pair produced the highest partnership (20), Matt being bowled for 14 (highest score) – 71 for 7 off 21 – Reedy went for a golden next ball, 71 for 8. Joey in at 9 and after a near run out, it’s Tom out next for 13, having held firm for 16 overs – 82 for 8 off 23.
Rose joins Joey but they don’t add to the score as Joey is bowled next over for 7 – 82 for 9. Amanda faces 6 balls but is bowled without scoring leaving Rose not out on 4. The Wood are all out for 87 off 25.5 overs with several sporting bruises caused by the erratic bounce.
As it was only 3.20, HG went straight into bat, Reedy and Rose opening the bowling for us. Hythe started smartly and had reached 22 when Rose struck, bowling their No. 2 for 4 in the 6th over. Reedy claimed the wicket of the more prolific Allen for 18, caught behind (Shaun) – 26 for 2 off 9. Reedy struck again in his next over, bowling the No. 4 for a single – 29 for 3 off 11. And with the run rate having slowed dramatically, he took his 3rd wicket, an LBW decision, in the 15th over – 35 for 4.
Tea was taken at this point and Reedy and Rose returned to finish their overs. They were replaced by Tom and Joey but no further wickets were taken and HG hit the winning runs at the end of the 28th over, finishing on 91 for 4. Special mention for Rose who finished with top figures of 10-4-8-1, Reedy 10-2-36-3, Tom 4-0-22-0, Joey 3-0-12-0 and G 1-0-1-0
by Ian | May 21, 2011
On another beautiful afternoon, Cowello won the toss and put Littlebourne into bat. Our opening bowlers were Reedy & Rose. Reedy being very economical took the first wicket (bowled) 25 for 1 off 5. Rose followed suit next over – 27 for 2 off 6.
Shaun almost took a slip catch in the 10th over to dismiss their No. 3 but the ball popped out as his elbow hit the ground – shocking but fortunately it didn’t prove to be too expensive as he was caught behind (a fine take by Ben) 2 overs later – 48 for 3 off 12.
A change of bowlers, Macca for Rose, brought the next wicket, Cowello taking the catch off Macca’s first ball – 55 for 4 off 16. Reedy, still keeping things tight, claimed his 2nd wicket – a G slip catch – 64 for 5 off 19. Then his final over proved to be a double wicket maiden, Shaun hanging on to a catch, and Reedy bowling his replacement 1st ball – 88 for 7 off 23.
This heralded a double bowling change with G and Shaun taking over.G proved very miserly only giving away 2 singles from his 2 overs and Shaun cleaned up the tale – 1 wicket in his first over (bowled) – 102 for 8 off 26. Then 2 wickets came off the last 2 balls of his second over, Ben again then Reedy taking the catches.
LB were all out for 106 from 28 overs, another great performance from the Wood. Bowling figures: Reed 12-5-24-4 (exceptional) Rose 7-1-34-2 Macca 5-0-35-1 (not a good day) G 2-0-2-0 (very tidy) Shaun 2-0-7-3 (starting a trend)
The decision was made for Saltwood to start their innings and to take tea at 4.15, G and Shaun our opening pair. LB started with a maiden, then Shaun hit a 4 off his first ball, unfortunately that was the extent of his contribution this week as he was bowled 2 balls later – 4 for 1 off 2.
Cowello in next, hitting 2 boundaries before he too was bowled (he did face 15 balls) – 25 for 2 off 7. T.W. replaced him only to fall victim to a rather dubious Cookie decision, given out caught behind for 7 – 40 for 3 off 10. Ben in at 5, batting very well,finishing 30 not out and seeing the Wood home with G hitting the winning runs and getting his 50 at the same time. We reached the 107 target of 23.1 overs – a very satisfying outcome.
A fine performance from Ben behind the stumps and with the bat, to go with Reedy’s immaculate bowling – well done.
by Ian | May 14, 2011
Bossingham lost the toss so Cowlo put them into bat. Our opening bowlers were Rose and Tom with Thorpe opening for Bossingham finding the boundary regularly and they were scoring at 6 an over. Rose made the breakthrough in the 7th over bowling their no 2 for 4 – 36 for 1.
The score continued to rattle along and then G was brought onto bowl. His second over was a double wicket maiden accounting for Thorpe who was stumped by Moxo for 53 and his replacement who was C&B caught for a 4 ball duck – 74 for 3 off 14. (more…)
by Ian | May 7, 2011
This was our first outing in the Saturday (RL)League, away to St. Lawrence. On a hot afternoon we had to take the field first and opened with Macca and Dan Rose (signed up for the Club with M Wanstall – both friends of Cowlo). Macca went for 2 boundaries in his opening over but after that both he and Rose kept things tight with Macca taking the first wicket in the 11th over – 36 for 1.
Leaver took over from Rose in the 12th over and apart from his final over was very economical. G replaced Macca taking the first of his 3 wickets by removing the other opener – 66 for 2 off 19 – both batsmen being caught by Wanstall. With G holding one end and claiming 2 wickets in the 25th over courtesy of Rose catches – 100 for 4 – a quick flurry of bowlers the other included Joey, Rose again and then Ben Mullan. It was Ben who took the 5th wicket – a Macca catch – 131 for 5 off 36.
Joey was brought back on and a neat C&B accounted for the only other wicket to fall, St Lawrence finishing on 175 for 6 off their 46 overs. It was great to see the Wood hanging on to all those catches backing up the good bowling figures.
G and Shaun opened the batting for us posting 9 when G was caught for 3 in the 4th over. Kearnsy in at 3, his scoring went 4, 4, 4, 2, dot, dot, 4, bowled – adding 18 of the 21 run partnership – 30 for 2 off 6, well up with the run rate. Wanstall in next but was caught behind for a 4 ball duck next over 31 for 3. Cowlo joined Shaun for a partnership of 26 – Shaun being caught off a full toss for 14 -57 for 4 off 12. Ben faced one more ball than Wanstall before also departing for a duck – 63 for 5 off 14.
Scoring rate still good, wicket tally less so! Rose added 2 to the score and was then given out LBW – 73 for 6 off 16 – which brought Tom to the crease. He defended really well while Cowlo upped his boundary tally and they had added 47 in 10 overs when Cowlo was out for 63, C&B in the 26th over – 120 for 7. Macca was bowled for a single in the 29th over – 123 for 8. And that was how the score stayed as first Tom was out caught behind for 7 a sterling effort having faced 48 deliveries and a mix up between James Canter and Joey meant two more ducks in the score book. The final wicket fell in the 31st over so although we were well within the scoring rate our batting let us down.
