Tonbridge CC Match Reports 2015
Congratulations to both the 1st XI and the 2nd XI· 1st XI: Runners-up in the Kent Regional Cricket League Premier Division and therefore promoted to the Kent Cricket League Division 5
· 2nd XI: Runners-up in the Kent Regional Cricket League Division 2A West but missing out on promotion by 1 point
1st XI
2ndXI
Match Reports - most recent first
5th Sept
Tonbridge CC 1st XI – Hollingbourne CC 1st XI 203 for 5 (46 overs) vs Tonbridge CC 1st XI 185 (39 overs)
Number eleven, Martin Batley, secured promotion for Tonbridge 1st XI in a nail biting finish to their momentous season following a trip to third place Hollingbourne on Saturday.
To set the scene Tonbridge were 15 points clear of Hollingbourne so this was in effect a straight shoot-out for promotion. Knowing that they only required 6 points, Tonbridge skipper Julius Marshall went against his usual tactics after winning the toss and elected to field first on a murky day in Kent.
As a bowling unit, Tonbridge knew that restricting Hollingbourne and picking up regular wickets was going to be key in ensuring back to back promotions. Opening bowlers Martin Batley and Matt Smiles bowled consistently without reward. Between them their first spells read 11 overs for 33, and on a day where Hollingbourne needed a big total, the pressure quickly started to build. Their excellent work was continued by Jayden Wiggins, who himself bowled an excellent line and length to build pressure. Although Wiggins would also not get any wickets himself, his continued spell of restricting the batsmen did contribute to the wickets that soon fell. Nadeem Shehzad (3 for 44) came on up the hill and soon had the breakthrough as he bowled Neil Taylor for 24. The next spell of the game showed why Tonbridge had led the league for many weeks early in the season. Batsmen 3, 4 and 5 did not manage a run between them as Shehzad, and the left arm spin of his brother Khurram (2 for 35), left Hollingbourne struggling as they went from 59 for 1 to 67 for 4. Opening batsmen Ian Playfoot was in danger of being stranded at the other end until he received a small contribution from R. Raye (9). When Raye was dismissed at 119 for 5 the game could have easily slipped away from the home side. However Robbie Palmer gave his captain some much needed support, helping consolidate the innings before a late charge. The two of them put on an unbeaten 84 as they dragged Hollingbourne back into the race for2nd. Playfoot ended the innings on 119not out and without him you would suspect that Hollingbourne would not have got anywhere near their total of 203 for 5.
At tea it was quickly calculated that Tonbridge would require just 144 runs to secure promotion, but did not get off to the best start with opener Paul Smiles dismissed for just 1 in the third over. Skipper Marshall started off watchfully and was allowed to do so by the counter attacking innings of Michael Topham. Topham’s 28 came in no time at all but was unfortunately bowled with the score at just 31. Overseas Wiggins joined Marshall and between them they started to count their way down to the magic number. Marshall took advantage of a small boundary and smashed five sixes on his way to a sizeable contribution. It was Wiggins who was unfortunately dismissed next (25) playing a lose shot to the leg spin of Pritchard. Tonbridge had made their way to 100 for 3 and the odds of promotion were hugely in their favour, however after Marshall was caught for 61, Tonbridge’s middle order did not stand up to the task at hand. Tonbridge lost 6 wickets for just 42 runs leaving the score on a perilous 142-9 (2 required). Martin Batley (who hadn’t scored a league run since the 4th July) strode out to the crease knowing that the fate of the team was now on his shoulders. This however did not faze him as the cut his first ball for two leaving the rest of the team in hysteria on the boundary. Batley and Ben Peters made the art of batting look very simple in the end as they blundered their way to 23 and 22* respectively. When Batley was eventually dismissed they had taken the score onto 185 and promotion well and truly secured.
Tonbridge 1st XI are therefore promoted out of the Kent Regional Leagues and in to Kent Division 5 and will hope to make it three promotions in a row after a well-deserved winter break.
Tonbridge CC 2nd XI – Tonbridge CC 2nd XI 159 for 8 (46 overs) vs Dartford CC 4th XI 100 (34.5 overs)
A tough contest on Saturday ended with a victorious Tonbridge gaining maximum 20 points butagonisingly missing out from being crowned Champions by 1 point as they were pipped at the post by their close rivals Dartfordians. Only by virtue of having a game cancelled at Pembury earlier in the season did Tonbridge miss out having amassed an amazing 330 points compounded by the fact they had beaten the champions twice in the season.
Skipper David Blain lost the toss and was put in on a very wet pitch assisting the seamers who all bowled well in the conditions. Blain and Matt Wiggins have topped the averages this year in excellent seasons but Blain then Jake Rossiter went early before Wiggins looked aggressive with a hard hit 28. He was caught and quickly following his dismissal Kurusala went for 0 leaving Tonbridge 40-4 with the bowlers dominating. Veteran John Simmons steadied the ship and a strong partnership with Nick Helyar saw these two blunt the attack and with a mixture of sharp running and selective hitting add 59 before Helyar went stumped for an invaluable 23. Steve Allen (19) then hit some clean boundaries before Simmons went for a top score of 46 chasing his fifty. Tony Shepherd (12) and Nilesh Patel (13) got Town to a respectable 159-8 by the close in difficult batting conditions. Chopra (3-23), Gamage who was unlucky & Steel (3-41) all had excellent spells.
Dartford in turn found batting and scoring runs equally tough against the accuracy of Shepherd and the seasons leading wicket taker Patel who soon had his 52nd scalp of a superb season. Only Scarth (29) reached double figures as the strong Town attack strangled the batsmen. Shepherd got his reward with 3-29 from 12 excellent overs but the star of the show was Helyar. Patel was bravely taken off and Helyar immediately looked dangerous and had several chances put down in the outfield but soon got his reward. Clean bowling three of his victims and grabbing the dangerous Gamage well caught low down at cover by Rossiter, Helyar destroyed the middle and lower orders producing a seasons best of 6-19 to ensure a victorious end to a great season. The win by 59 runs against good opponents did not however sweeten the pill of missing out on the championship prize by a single point.
29th August
Tonbridge CC 1st XI – Tonbridge CC 1st XI 149 for 8 (33 overs) vs Blackheath Wanderers City of London CC 1st XI 183 for 9 (33 overs)
Tonbridge CC 2nd XI - League Match - Hayes (Kent) CC 4th XI conceded match vs Tonbridge CC 2nd XI
Tonbridge CC 2nd XI – Friendly - Little Chart CC 1st XI 80 (33 overs) vs Tonbridge CC 2nd XI 198 for 4 (27.5 overs)
22nd August
Tonbridge CC 1st XI – Tonbridge CC 1st XI 232 for 9 (46 overs) vs Bexley CC 3rd XI 187 for 8 (46 overs)
Tonbridge 1st XI require just 16 points from their final two league games to guarantee promotion after a relatively comfortable win against Bexley 3rd XI at the weekend.
On one of the hottest days of the year it was not a great surprise when home skipper Julius Marshall won the toss and elected to bat. With a conservative effort to leave wickets in hand for the latter part of the innings, Tonbridge’s top order started slowly. Marshall and Paul Smiles saw off the new ball before taking the score to 50 before the first wicket fell - Marshall (37), LBW. The rest of Tonbridge’s innings continued where he had left off. The majority of batsmen getting themselves in before playing a range of shots saw Tonbridge build a fine innings. Notable contributions included Michael Topham (37) and Jayden Wiggins (45) before once again the platform was there for Khurram Shehzad’s (27) late order hitting. All in all it was a decent effort from Tonbridge and a score of 232-9 off their 46 overs would normally be more than enough with the bowling attack at their disposal.
Bexley’s reply started off poorly with opener Castleton caught in the slip cordon off of Martin Batley for just 2. Bexley looked to rebuild, and with the help of some wayward bowling, were able to do. Opening batsmen Mike Maietta batted nicely pouncing on any balls that back of a length. It soon came clear that it was Maietta would have to bat long if Bexley were going to get close to the win. Unfortunately for them, Tonbridge’s depth in bowling once again proved how devastating it can be in the league that they are currently in. Nadeem Shehzad dismissed Maietta (68) shortly after his introduction before an excellent spell of 1-36 from 12. Because of the excellent condition of the wicket, this was arguably the spell that won Tonbridge the game. N Shehzad was as ever supported superbly by his brother K Shehzad who himself bowled wonderfully for his 3-43. If truth be told most of the Tonbridge bowlers bowled tight lines to good fields and would not let Bexley gain any momentum in the middle overs and this ultimately saw them fall short of their target. Tonbridge were however unable to take the final two wickets as Bexley ended the innings on 187-8, despite the best efforts of Wiggins (3-23).
With just two games to go and their promotion aspirations well and truly in their own hands, the extra point should hopefully not come back to haunt Tonbridge who will hope to secure promotion next week when they host Blackheath Wanderers, who themselves will be full of confidence after hitting 467-6 in their win at the weekend.
Tonbridge CC 2nd XI – NatWest CC 2nd XI 73 (29.2 overs) vs Tonbridge CC 2nd XI 75 for 0 (12 overs)
15th August
Tonbridge CC 1st XI – Shooters Hill CC 1st XI 117 (31.5 overs) vs Tonbridge CC 1st XI 236 for 9 (46 overs)
Tonbridge 1st XI extended the gap between themselves and third place Hollingbourne with a resounding 119 run victory at Shooters Hill.
Following two days of heavy rain, it was unsurprising that Shooters Hill elected to bowl on a green surface in South London. Despite the wicket, the start of Tonbridge’s innings actually saw positive signs. Most of the top order were able to get in and settled before getting out and therefore Tonbridge knew that seeing off the new ball would be key to posting a decent score. That is exactly what they did. Opening bowlers Pope (4-47) and Raghvani (2-40) tested Tonbridge with the new ball, but after that some wayward bowling with a ball that had stopped swinging around was punished. Michael Topham started the heavy hitting with a composed 48 and he was joined by Chirag Patel who smashed his way to 57. Zach Rossiter carried on where they had left off with a quick fire 28 and some late hitting from Khurram Shehzad (18) saw Tonbridge post a very respectable 236-9.
Tonbridge always have faith in their bowlers to defend totals but still knew that some early wickets were needed to swing the odds massively in their favour. Opening pair Matt Smiles (2-20) and Martin Batley (1-39) dismissed the top 3 early on leaving Shooters Hill was a mountain to climb. Khurram Shehzad (1-31) also picked up a wicket before his brother Nadeem Shehzad did what he does best. Quick, full, and consistently straight bowling saw no reply from the Shooters Hill batsmen and Shehzad finished the game off by removing the tail in double quick time. Only Raghvani (46) showed any resistance, but Shehzad prevailed in the end removing Raghvani on his way to figures of 6-17.
It was a good day for the 1st XI as other results meant that they now have a 35 point gap in second place. Two wins from their final three games will be enough to secure promotion and they will be hoping to start their final push when they entertain Bexley next.
Tonbridge CC 2nd XI – Tonbridge CC 2nd XI 130 for 9 (41.4 overs) vs Dartfordians CC 2nd XI 127 (38.4 overs)
8th August
Tonbridge CC 1st XI – Tonbridge CC 1st XI 155 (43.3 overs) vs Frindsbury CC 1st XI 192 for 7 (46 overs)
Tonbridge 1st XI’s promotion spot is now under severe threat from the chasing pack following their weekend defeat to top of the table Frindsbury.
Frindsbury won the toss and elected to bat on a wonderful summer’s day and got off to a steady start. Both Josh Duane and Sam Collis batted with care and consideration in the early part of the innings. On what appeared to be a flat deck and with little movement in the air, Tonbridge attempted to squeeze Frindsbury and try and force a mistake. Some tight bowling by first change Wiggins and K Shehzad meant runs were drying up and when Duane played hit and run to the covers, Collis (20) was ran out by a fair distance. Duane (17) did not last much longer after this andjust two overs laterchipped Wiggins straight to Marshall at mid-wicket. In truth no Frindsbury batsmen really found their rhythm due to the tight lines of the Tonbridge bowlers. The pick of the middle order bowlers was N Shehzad with 3-26 from 8. Despite not picking up runs freely, Frindsbury did however keep some wickets in hand for the end meaning that when captain Sam Dudgeon came to bat he was free to chance his arm. This tactic certainly paid off as Dudgeon hit his way to 69 not out taking the score to 192-7 from their 46 overs. The score could have been in excess of 200 if it was not for some tight death bowling. Wiggins returned and finished with figures of 3-45 from 11.