Scorecard

St Albans Cricket Club 2XI v Stevenage 2nd XI on Sat 04 Jun 2022 at 12:00
St Albans Cricket Club Won by 56 runs

Match report For the second time in three weeks the 2s were without their self proclaimed “supreme leader” Coulman following his demotion to the 1s, with Howse once again taking the reigns as stand in. Nevertheless, continuing our promising run of form in response to the season’s opening game hiccup was well within our gift when assessing the calibre of cricketing minds and bodies assembled for this fixture against lower table Stevenage

Following an efficient and swift set up aided by the skipper and ever-present early birds Hammer, Hall and Westy, an end zone fumble from JC handed the old’uns a victory in the American Football style warm up fixture. At this point, the heavens proceeded to open much to the dismay of Cales (who’s line painting masterpiece on the assigned strip was yet to be finished) and undoubtedly Howse as well, as his meticulously placed warm up drill flexi-stumps were peppered with rain drops, and not cricket balls as he had envisioned.

With 45 minutes lost, 44 overs per side was agreed, with the Saints eventually put into bat following the umming and ahhing of the Stevenage skipper. An issue soon arose that many of the Saints had plenty of previous experience dealing with, but had yet to encounter this season, as both openers were back in the shed rather promptly. Howeson and Jimmy were in before the end of the 3rd set, but were confidently declared the ideal duo to navigate through this tricky juncture by their onlooking teammates. They both proceeded to do what any proficient No.3 and 4 club cricketer does, and saw off the shine their openers had left them.

Chamomile tea and a promising partnership were brewing alike, but as Jonny received his cuppa and declared to Winners his delight at having him back on the Saturday scene, Jimmy joined them in the clubhouse to somewhat less of a gleeful welcome. It was Caswell’s turn to partner the very promising looking Howeson in the middle, who was looking in great touch. What followed was nothing short of an exhibition of batting excellence, as both Cas and Howse were relentless in their pursuit of runs. The skipper chancelessly eased through the milestones and onwards past 150, with Chaz surmising that Howse must have been discombobulated by the Jubilee bank holiday - meaning he had surely mistaken this Saturdays league game for a friendly Sunday fixture!

He would finish with a personal best 168*, with Cas contributing a run-a-ball 61 in their mammoth partnership of 195 which firmly placed the game in the 2s grasp. As Cas fell in the closing stages, Jimmy in both look and practice did his best Neil Warnock impression, and devised a cunning plan to send in Jonny next to make the use of the short leg side boundary. West was frankly aghast and tucked into his Skips in a silent angst, but could have no arguments with the call as Dr Hall put on a clinic of late game hitting that was rather impressive, including the Abbey Aquatics shot of the day - a monstrous 6 down the ground. Stevenage in the end were set 287 to win.

Joe Curran and Chaz were tasked with tackling the openers, with JC providing an early breakthrough for his first 2XI wicket - wheeling away in glee to ensure the whole of Clarence Park knew of his achievement.
Chaz was unlucky not to claim a scalp in his spell - Louis instead having to watch his father toil away for no obvious reward, alas, an important life lesson imparted from Father to Son on the harsh realities of life in the big bad world of Herts league cricket.

First changers Nick and Hammer were introduced, and the latter brought the breakthrough with two near identical LBWs in two deliveries. With the field meticulously composed for a hattrick ball, Hammer committed the cardinal sin and chucked one down the leg side. A further wicket would grant Hammer yet another 3for, but he remains in search of those elusive best ever figures.
At the other end, Nick was replaced by Zach and in his 3rd over he removed their opener who to that point had put up the most notable resistance in the Stevenage innings.

From there on in, standards in the field dropped significantly as Saints coasted their way to the close. A couple of partnerships were allowed to develop in the Stevenage tail that on another day would have been snuffed out, but aside from a sheer moment of brilliance from Ralfey in the field (a one handed grab that’s certainly an early catch of the season contender) the effort and buzz in the last portion of the match was not befitting of a team pushing for promotion - an area for improvement next week.

Nonetheless, the 30 points were secured seeing the 2s up to 2nd in the table, and on a run of 4 wins on the bounce heading into a top of the table clash with Hatfield Hyde next week.

TAVAH MoM - Matt Howeson
Abbey Aquatics Shot of the Day - Jonny Hall / Huge straight 6
St Columba’s Holy Moment of the Day - Nick Ralfe catch
D.o.D - Jacob Winfield

St Albans Cricket Club 2XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
12w 3b 4lb 
for 5 wickets
19
286
(44.0 overs)		    
Adil Sharif ct L Wilkinson b P Lucy 2 13 15.38
Adam Hounslow lbw S Vinnakata 2 6 33.33 1
Matt Howeson Not Out  168 144 18 1 116.67 1
James Rosson ct M Naiville b M Reedy 7 29 1 24.14
James Caswell ct L Richards b P Lucy 61 62 7 98.39
Jonny Hall lbw C Richards 25 8 1 3 312.50
Zach West Not Out  2 4 50.0
Charles Smith  
Joey Curran  
Jacob Winfield  
Nick Ralfe   2

Stevenage 2nd XI Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Armesh Bart7.005800.008.29

Stevenage 2nd XI Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
26w 11lb 
for 8 wickets
37
230 (44.0 overs)		     
Josh Lucy ct N Ralfe b J Curran 7 15 1 46.67
Luke Richards b Z West 55 72 9 76.39
John Tata lbw A Hounslow 19 46 2 41.30
Ray Bivuti lbw A Hounslow 0 1 0
Luke Wilkinson ct A Hounslow b A Hounslow 7 13 1 53.85
Carl Richards ct N Ralfe b J Winfield 26 49 4 53.06
Sai Vinnakata ct M Howeson b J Hall 63 40 8 3 157.50
Armesh Bart b J Hall 12 15 1 80.0
Martin Naiville Not Out  2 11 18.18
Manya Reedy Not Out  0 2 0
Phil Lucy  

St Albans Cricket Club 2XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Jonny Hall4.0023211.505.75
Zach West8.0040140.005.00
Jacob Winfield6.0047147.007.83
Nick Ralfe4.002600.006.50
Joey Curran7.0119119.002.71
Charles Smith6.002700.004.50
Adam Hounslow9.0135311.673.89

  • Umpire :
    Macca
  • Scorer :
    Lucy