Nazeing Common 244-7 defeated Rickling Ramblers 240-8 by 4 runs

Nazeing’s title charge continued on Saturday with a tense 4 run victory away to Rickling Ramblers.

With Skipper Mark Sturdy unavailable, Howard Cracknell took the armband and chose to bat first.

Aidan Crowley (11) and Rob Mackie (27) put on 45 for the first wicket before both falling quickly, with Ross Edwards (29) and Jamie Wills (26) putting on 52 for the third wicket as the Nazeing batsmen all got starts without pushing on.

With captain Cracknell (11) and Peter Barker (0) both dismissed, Nazeing were in trouble at 135-6 before the in form Michael Blair and brother in law Ed Taylor rebuilt the innings, putting on a useful 48 for the 6^th wicket before Taylor went for 23.

Blair continued on to make a classy half century, notching 8 fours and 1 six in a knock of 65*, ably assisted by some late big hitting from Jack Finch (17*) as Nazeing closed on 244-7.

It looked a good score, but the hosts got away to a quick start and were soon in the game. Matt Cowdrey (0-24), Mike Blair (0-46) and Peter Barker (1-51) all bowled admirably, but Rickling still looked favourites for the upset.

Some brilliant late bowling from Ed Taylor (3-36) and Jack Finch (3-66) however ensured that Rickling were unable to get the 21 they required from the final 4 overs of the match, with Nazeing securing an exciting 4 run win.

They host second placed Langley next weekend.

Nazeing Common II 204-6 defeated Rickling Ramblers II 202-9 by 4 wickets

Nazeing completed the double over Rickling, with the twos picking up a relatively comfortable 4 wicket win at home to Rickling II.

Rickling batted first at the Common, with openers Mike Plume (0-25) and Cos Achillea ensuring that things were kept tight.

Wickets were kept intact however, enabling the Rickling middle order to take advantage of the short leg side boundary, although skipper Sarah Waters (2-54) was able to pick up 2 important wickets.

Phil Young (1-37) and Charlie Mappley (2-40) were also in the wickets before Achillea (3-36) returned to take 3 wickets in a pacy over, with the visitors eventually ending on a respectable 202-9.

Andy Kadwill went for a duck in reply, before a 50 partnership from veteran batting duo Paul Johnson (20) and Ron Morley steadied the ship.

Jak Mappley also registered 0, before Morley and new man Mitchell Head put together a 99 partnership that would steer Nazeing towards victory.

64 year old Morley rolled back the years with an 83 ball knock of 55, whilst Head supported brilliantly early on in the partnership, before taking the reigns and smashing his way to an assured 79 from just 61 deliveries, with 10 fours and 3 sixes.

Head fell with Nazeing needed just 13 more for victory, and despite the loss of Barry Rowe (4), Cos Achillea (11*) and Phil Young (2*) saw them secure the win that crucially moved them into the second promotion spot in Division 7.

They travel to Langley II next weekend.

Nazeing Common 173-7 drew with Tennyson 243-6

Michael Blair Week continued on Sunday as he hit an unbeaten half century to help Nazeing collect a draw against a strong visiting side in Tennyson.

Arguably Nazeing’s toughest Sunday game of the season, the host side were without regular key players Ed Taylor(thumbed) , Todd Sturdy (drinking) and Dan Reese (not even he knows), and were carrying the injured Peter Barker(calf) and Mike Plume(hand), so a draw was an excellent result in the circumstances.

Some decent enough early stuff from Plume (1-41) and Josh Shelton (0-42) helped to restrict a quick start from the visitors, which unfortunately saw the beginning of a drop filled afternoon, Jamie Wills and Aidan Crowley both having a strong desire to fill in the match fees envelope it seemed.

Thankfully keeper Jack Finch showed safe hands when taking a catch off Peter Barker (1-33), whilst Charlie Middleton(0-45) was unlucky as Josh Shelton took his turn to drop a catch on the boundary.

Resident hero and texting machine Michael Blair also grassed a catch before coming on to bowl a good spell of 0-42, with Ross Edwards this time pushing a chance over his head, before Jamie Wills refused a simple chance at long off.

Sarah Waters (3-36) took two wickets in her first over, one a nice catch from spoilsport Peter Barker who refused to take part in the best dropped catch competition. Waters did remove the two top scorers in Lewis (91) and the worryingly Morley-like Wagstaff (42).

Wills celebrated his victory in the match fees contest by registering a 5^th ball duck, before Jack Finch took 6 balls of his own to record a similar round number in the runs column.

The fine start continued with grounds keeping legend Peter Danes also scoring 0, before Ross Edwards charmed innings came to an end on 18.  Aidan Crowley had 14 off his first 3 balls before eventually being dismissed for 21.

Peter Barker avoided a fourth successive duck, but did succeed in semi-middling one to indoor league umpire (and traditional ‘not out if Plume appeals’ specialist) Lawrence Golding on the boundary for just 5.

Charlie Middleton became the fourth Nazeing player to return to the pavilion with 0, his dismissal leaving Nazeing as slight second favourites on 51-7.

Nazeing were holding out for a hero however. He had to be strong, he had to be fast and he had to be fresh from the fight. They were holding out for a hero til the morning light.  He had to be sure, he had to be soon and he had to be larger than life.

Upon that final instruction, as if from nowhere, Michael ‘Hero’ Blair arrived, together with pink-shoed assistant Josh Shelton as the pair set about batting 22 overs to save the game for Nazeing.

The pair were positive, putting together a partnership of 123, Shelton hitting 28* from 59 deliveries including 4 fours in his best Sunday 1^st XI innings to date.

Shelton’s assured presence at the other end enabled magic man Blair to display a full range of strokes, hammering his way to 71* from 65 balls.

The crowd favourite hit 10 fours and a final ball 6 in his knock, which not only saved Nazeing from embarrassment, but also registered significant respectability.

By the time Id left at about 10.15, Tennyson were still drinking in the bar with Danesy. I only hope they managed to escape!

Nazeing Common II 169 lost to Belhus 175-7 by 6 runs

A stunning century from Paul Johnson wasn't enough as his Sunday 2^nd XI side fell 6 runs short at Belhus.

Several of Nazeing’s younger squad members made the long journey, with Johnson opting to give all 8 bowlers 5 overs each.

Veteran spin maestro Tom Burns led the way with 1-16, with Dan Wateridge taking 2-25 and Richard Finch 1-22.  Assisting ably were Matt Cowdrey (0-20), Tom Finch (0-33), Declan Walker (0-20) and Rhys Sayers-Jones (0-20).

Colonel Johnson needed to score runs if they were to have a chance and he led by example with a brilliant Captain’s knock of 110 from 90 deliveries.

The experienced bbq enthusiast, playing two games a weekend for the first time in months, caressed 16 boundaries in his magnificent innings.

The only major support offered was from number 6 Matt Cowdrey, who scored an impressive 32, with the rest of the side registering single figures as the team were all out for 169 in the final over.

NazeingCricket.org Performer Of The Week Award:

There is only one choice!!

With special mention to Johnners for his 110 !