Scorecard

St Albans Cricket Club 4XI v Monken Hadley II on Sat 10 Aug 2002 at 1:30
St Albans Cricket Club Won St Albans win by 2 wkts and LEAGUE

Match report No problem getting the team together at the right time, as everyone reported to 'The School' on time. Despite being rather wet, both the wicket and outfield had received some attention from Ade Hallchurch in an effort to ensure that the gakme went ahead.

The toss was won and Monken Hadley were invited to bat. David Haygate offered to stand down to allow, J Fretter to play, although Richard Williams was asked to keep wicket. The St Albans opening bowlers kept the right line and length and the batsmen had difficulity getting the ball away. With the wicket very wet, the mat made bowling difficult.

It did not take long to make the break though as Uzman Zaman bowled in his usual manner and had the bails flying with a low bounce. A couple of run outs then saw the brakes put on the Monken Hadley score. Naveed then entered into the action and had the ball around the batsmen throat, and it was not long before he had his two wickets.

Adam 'Onion' Bhanjee replaced Zaman and was rewarded with a wicket in his first over, as the batsmen played round a low straight ball. Andy Walker also found the wicket, and batsmen to his likeing as he picked up a late wicket. A top catch by Tim Fretter removed the only Monken batsmen to look anything like dangerous. A drive to cover, which was no more than 12" off the ground was grabbed at full stretch in one hand.

Monken Hadley's run rate had now all but stopped and it was a matter of time before the innings finished. St Albans recalled Uzman back into the attack to give themself the extra overs. Fittingly it was Uzman, who has bowled outstandingly all season, to take the final wicket to skittle the opponents out for just 140 off 49 overs. This never looked enough, but things are never what they seem.

The fielding was one of the best of the season and backed up the bowlers well. With a little luck, the score could/should have been around 100.

With 51 overs to get 141 the opening two overs saw 16 runs, as Sylvester and Fretter J took full advantage of some wayward bolwing and fielding. It was not to last as Sylvester then called for a quick single, before changing his mind. Unfortunately, Fretter was now half way down the wet wicket and had no chance to make his ground. Hallchurch and Walker both failed to trouble the scorers. Sylvester was then given out LBW by teammate, Raj. This caused a few raised voices in the dressing room shortly afterwards. Richard Williams fell for just 6, and St Albans were looking at defeat in this most important match.

With no information coming from Harpenden (they played and won), it was important that St Albans tok maximum points to take the title. Raj Mehta soon fell as he was bowled. St Albans were now 61 for 6 with still 26 overs left.

Tim Fretter then played a top innings, which will probably go unrewarded again, as he and Uzman Zaman calmly took the total over 100. The introduction of spin saw Tim hit the ball to all parts as he moved swiftly to 38. Having got so close he then perished going for a final hit, as he miscued to mid-wicket. Uzman had played slowly up until this part, as he gave the strike to his partner. With 13 still needed from 15 overs, Radleigh Tant was bowled for 6. Uzman took the total level, but it was left to Adam Bhanjee to hit the title winning runs, as he swept the ball to backward point who dropped the catch and the pair managed to scramble the required single.

Congraulations to everyone who has played a part in winning this title, including Dave Haygate and Colin Murphy (now back in sunny Oz). Lets continue the good work in Division 11 next year. Special thanks should go to Ade Hallchurch who has led the side well in his first season as captain.

Hopefully some of the hard work put in by the team may be rewarded with higher standard of cricket in the coming months. ??!!

St Albans Cricket Club 4XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
141
(0.0 overs)		    
Patrick Sylvester Lbw  14
Jeremy Fretter Run out  2
Adrian Hallchurch Bowled  0
Andrew Walker Bowled  0
Richard Williams Lbw  3
Tim Fretter Caught  38 1
Raj Mehta Bowled  6 1
Uzman Zaman Not Out  31
Radleigh Tant Bowled  4
Adam Bhanjee Not Out  2
Mohammed Naveed  

Monken Hadley II Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Monken Hadley II Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
140 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

St Albans Cricket Club 4XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Uzman Zaman14.323649.002.48
Tim Fretter6.011500.002.50
Mohammed Naveed13.0437218.502.85
Adam Bhanjee4.0110110.002.50
Radleigh Tant6.011800.003.00
Andrew Walker5.0213113.002.60
 
Photos and video of St Albans Cricket Club 4XI v Monken Hadley II on Sat 10 Aug 2002 at 1:30

St Albans IV - Division Twelve Winners 2002

St Albans IV - Division Twelve Winners 2002 Extracted from Herts League Handbook 2003