Two Counties over 70s v Surrey Seniors Touring team – 40-overs match played at Stowmarket CC on 11th August 2021

Surrey Seniors 202-4 (Greenwood-Hone 50 ret n/o, Montgomery 43, Withams 2-28)

Two Counties 188-7 (Stuck 51 rtd n/o, Hayward 46, Greenwood-Hone 3-30)

Result: Surrey Seniors won by 14 runs

Surrey Seniors elected to bat on an excellent batting surface and made good early progress. The run-rate slowed a little in the middle section of the innings, but the last 10 overs yielded 74 runs to set a target of 203 to win. As this was a touring match, it had been agreed that batsmen would retire not out on reaching 50, which John Stuck duly accomplished. Thereafter, the run-rate never caught up with that which was required and the Two Counties finished 15 runs sort of victory.

Our thanks are due to Clive at Stowmarket CC for an excellent wicket and for pulling in the boundary rope on a rather large cricket field.

Two Counties Over 70s vs East Anglian Veteran Ladies 40 over match played at Elmstead Market on Tuesday, 27th July

Two Counties 213 – 5 (J. Stuck 87 n/o, A. Highfield 43, M. Kelland 1-24)

E.A.V.L. 214-0 (K. White 105 n/o, E. Honey 102 n/o, C. Withams 0-40)

Result: E.A.V.L. won by 10 wickets

The Ladies’ captain won the toss and elected to field. The Two Counties made good progress, built around a quality innings from John Stuck, who ended up with a score of 87 not out. Other batsmen all contributed to the total of 213, in particular Chris Martin with a quick-fire 32 and Allan Highfield with an almost as quick-fire 43.

In reply, the Ladies’ openers had little trouble posed by the bowlers and they both scored a century to pass the required total in just 32 overs. Although on the receiving end, the Two Counties could not help but appreciate the quality of stroke-play from both batsmen, in particular that of White who plays at county level. The bowlers tried their best and mention must be made of Charley Withams, who was the most economical bowler, going for less than 6 runs per over.

Our thanks are due to Elmstead Market Cricket Club for kindly hosting our day.

Two Counties Over 70s v Billericay Veterans

35-over match played at Kelvedon CC 30th June 2021

Billericay Veterans 161 for 6 (Geoff. Willey 23, Alan. Jarrett 50*, Ray Black 3-45)

Two Counties 70+ 165 for 6 (John Stuck 86, Ricky Ratford 34, Paul Johns 3-45)

Two Counties 70+ won by 4 wickets

Having won the toss, Billericay elected to bat on a run-affected wicket and made steady progress, thanks to Geoff Willey and Alan Jarrett, to post a total of 161 from 35 overs at a rate of 4 runs per over. In reply, a typically commanding innings by John Stuck, with a useful contribution from Ricky Ratford, saw the target achieved in the 32nd over.  Thanks were expressed to Kelvedon Cricket Club for hosting us, particularly to the Groundsman for producing a playable wicket after recent inclement weather.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Seniors

Two Counties Over 70s v East Anglian Ladies

40 – over match played at Copford CC on Wednesday, 23rd June 2021

East Anglian Ladies 93 all out (Di. de Alwis 35, Ray Black 3-6)

Two Counties 70+ 94 for 1 (Mike Thew 30*, Ricky Ratford 30*, Sam Shaw 1-25)

Two Counties 70+ won by 9 wickets

The Two Counties Over 70s won the toss and elected to field. The batting side reached a total of 93 all out in the 28th over, but it was decided that both teams should bat the full 40 overs to involve more players in the game. This resulted in a final run total of 127.

In reply, the Two Counties side reached the required number of runs in the 23rd over, but, with the match won, continued to bat to reach a final score of 200 for 2 at close of play. It had also been decided that the Two Counties batsmen should retire not out once they had reached a personal score of 30 runs and four batsmen (Mike Thew, Ricky Ratford, Jerry Hadcock and John Stuck) duly did so.

Special thanks are due to Copford Cricket Club for hosting us, to Lawrence for managing to produce an excellent wicket, in spite of earlier adverse weather conditions, and of course to Sue for yet again providing a superb tea for us all.  Thanks are also due to everyone involved for making it an enjoyable day.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 60s v Chelmer Veterans

Played at Copford CC Wednesday 16 June 2021

Chelmer Veterans 239 for 3 (Richard Cory 79, Les Gray 52, Bill Lovatt 43*, Andrew Gallant 2-51)

Two Counties Over 60s 218 for 6 (Alan Sims 51, J Wedge 39, Alan Porter 3-40, David Griffiths 2-28)

Chelmer Veterans won by 21 runs.

On a sweltering day at the delightful Copford ground the Chelmer Veterans captain won the toss and, not unreasonably, chose to bat.  The match started at 11.30am and was shortened to 40 overs per side.  Drinks were taken every 12 overs, which was a great relief.

The opening batsmen, Richard Cory and Les Gray, scored quickly on the excellent batting track and quick outfield.  However, the Two Counties bowlers stuck to their task and with some good fielding restricted Chelmer to 6 runs per over.  Andy Mills bowler a tight spell, but thinking back to unlimited cricket, was disappointed to have to come off after his eight over spell was completed.  Ian Robinson was also bowling well until he pulled a fetlock and had to retire, out of the very hot sun !!!!  Jerry Wedge stepped up in his place and bowled well for his first bowl of the year.  The opening bowlers, Trevor Money and Andrew Gallant returned at the end and restricted the scoring rate.

The Two Counties started well with Alan Sims scoring quickly.  There was a reduction in the scoring rate in the middle section of the innings but with some impetus added towards the end.  However, the two Counties Seniors finished some 21 runs short, in what was a most enjoyable game.

Thanks are due again to Copford for hosting the game and to Sue and Lawrence for the excellent hospitality and pitch.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 70s v Hockerill Veterans

Time game played at Copford on 9th June 2021

Hockerill Veterans 154-1 dec (Graham Mackay 55*, Ash Waheed 85*, Bruce Tompkins 1-37)
Two Counties Over 70s 125-4 (John Stuck 64*, Chris Leftwich 46, Tony Woodington 2-42, Jim Francis 2-21)
Result: Match drawn

In a match constrained by the training requirements of the host club, it was agreed that an old-fashioned time game be played. Each team had 1 hour 45 minutes to bat, with a win, a loss or draw result possible. The Hockerill Vets captain won the toss and elected to bat on an excellent batting surface. None of the batsmen looked in any trouble as a score of 154 – 1 was achieved in the allotted time. The Two Counties opening pair of John Stuck and Chris Leftwich made quick progress until the 15th over, when Leftwich fell just 2 runs short of his fifty. Tight bowling by Tony Woodington and Jim Francis slowed the Two Counties’ progress, which gradually fell behind the clock, leaving the batting side 30 runs short of the target at close of play.

Grateful thanks are due to, firstly, Copford Cricket Club who hosted us at short notice, secondly to Sue for yet again providing teas of her usual exceptional standard, and thirdly, to Lawrence for providing an excellent wicket which was appreciated by all the players.

Wednesday 9 th June 2021
Halstead Seniors v Two Counties Over 50s
Halstead Seniors won by 3 wickets
Two Countries Over 50s 251 for 4 (Andrew Gallant 95*, Simon Sargent 41*)
Halstead Seniors 253 for 7 (David Rawlinson 75, Justin Rose 70*, Mark Johnson 48 *)

In the continuing warm (hot?) weather, and a day that was largely cloudless and breezeless,
Halstead Cricket Club welcomed the Two Counties Over 50s team, Halstead were asked to field. It
was not until late in the innings that those present managed to get the main scoreboard working,
and as a result, a small, hand-operated one was used, which meant that the scorer was enabled to
annoy all those within earshot by shouting out the score at the end of each over.
Captain Pat Patel and Phil Tompkins started competently against Colin Jones and Mark Johnson, with
Tompkins the more adventurous in an opening partnership of 52, before presenting a catch off the
latter’s bowling. Johnson then proceeded to claim another scalp next ball, bringing in Andrew
Gallant, who batted through to the end of the allotted 45 overs, ending unbeaten on 95, which
included some very aesthetically pleasing cover drives. For the last third of the innings, he was
accompanied by Simon Sargent, finishing not out on 41, and at its close the innings had realised 251
runs.
Chris Hills and Ken Greenaway each struck in the early overs when Halstead replied, but David
Rawlinson and Neale Dakin steadied the ship with a half-century partnership, and despite the later
loss of a further two cheap wickets, 70s from Rawlinson and Justin Rose, together with a not out 48
from Mark Johnson were enough to see the hosts reach their target with 4 balls to spare.
Overall a most enjoyable and close game at the picturesque Halstead ground where The Two
Counties Seniors are always made most welcome and there is always a group of enthusiastic
spectators.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 60s v Surrey Over 60s – Wednesday 2^nd June 2021

Surrey Over 60 220/4 (Mark Redfern 101*, Dvaid Taylor 57)

Two Counties Over 60 209/7 (Jerry Wedge 51, Richard Polley 39)

Surrey Over 60 won by 11 runs

The main square at Ipswich’s Clay Hall ground provided the venue for this match, as the weather changed for the better, and warmer, and on winning the toss, the visitors not unreasonably chose to bat first, with the openers passing 50 before Martin Southwell beat Graham Thornton’s bat. Peter Taylor neared his personal half-century, before hitting a catch, neatly taken by Chris Martin. Simon Gray, after confirming to your correspondent the spelling of his name, failed to reach double figures, but then Mark Redfern, running like a man half his age, dominated stands with Paul de Alwish and Peter reaching his 100 in the 45^th and final over of the innings. The four wickets that fell were spread around, with no bowler taking more than one, although Martin Southwell’s 9 overs cost only a niggardly 16 runs.

After self-supplied teas, the Two Counties eleven started their reply, the opening partnership lasting for nearly the first quarter of the innings, and after captain Richard Polley retired hurt, after a heavy knock on his heel, John Gallant and Jerry Wedge doubled the score, before the former was run out. The next three wickets, including the returning Richard Polley, fell relatively cheaply, with Jerry Wedge just making his half-century before departing two balls later. The Surrey fielders seemed to be well placed, as, although there were innumerable singles (well they are numerable, I cannot be bothered to count them) there were only two further boundaries scored, and the hosts fell eleven runs short of their visitor’s 220 runs.

Thank you to the scorers and umpires and to Ipswich CC for hosting the enjoyable game and also to Surrey for the post match presentations.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 50/60/70 Cricket

Hockerill Veterans v Two Counties Over 60s – 35 over game

Wednesday 26^th May 2021 at Hockerill Sports and Social Club

Two Counties Over 60s 130 for 8 (Andrew Gallant 42, Richard Polley 20*, Peter Francis 2-8,  Robert Locke 2-13, David Singer 2-29)

Hockerill Veterans 80 for 7 (Simon Sargent 3-19, Martin Southwell 2-2)

Two County Seniors won by 50 runs

In a week when most cricket was cancelled because of rain, Hockerill worked extremely hard to ensure that this game would take place.  All of the Two Counties Seniors were very appreciative of their efforts.

With the damp conditions it was always going to be a game which favoured bowlers.  In the Two Counties innings only Andrew Gallant with 42 and Richard Polley 20 not out, batted with any permanence, although there were useful contributions from Chris Martin and Simon Sargent.  The innings closed at 130 for 8 after the allotted 35 overs.

This was not in itself a match winning score but it would depend on the bowling and fielding.  With the first ball almost coming to the attention of the Air Traffic Controllers at nearby Stansted Airport there was an element of concern from the Two Counties captain.  However, the opening bowlers Ken Greenaway and Martin Southwell settled into their rhythms bowling a very tight line and length such that the score was 12 for 2 after their 14 overs.

The replacement bowlers, Richard Polley and Simon Sargent also gave very few run scoring opportunities, Simon finishing his spell with 3 wickets for 19 runs.  Andrew and John Gallant came on for the remaining overs and continued the good work such that the innings closed on 80 for 8 leaving The Two Counties Seniors victorious.  All of the bowlers were supported by some excellent fielding.

There was no man of the match award due to the virus restrictions but if there had been one, Simon Sargent would have awarded it to himself.

It was an enjoyable afternoon’s cricket played in the right spirit by everyone.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 50/60/70 Cricket

Chippenham CC v Two Counties Over 50s

Thursday 20^th May 2021 at Chippenham Park – Timed match

Two Counties Over 50s 225-6 dec (Eric Davy 62, Phil Tompkins 61, Simon Sargent 50 not out, Charly Rattley 2-39)

Chippenham CC 104-7 (Harry Grant 36, Martin Southwell 4-41, Lindsay Towers 2-16)

Match drawn.

Rain, a large wet patch on the square, and a road traffic accident on the A11 all combined to delay the scheduled start of this away day friendly.

On a rain dampened wicket, the visitors were in a spot of bother as both Ben Moyle and Steve Henderson only spent 5 overs at the crease leaving the scoreboard to read 32-2. Chippenham’s tormenter in chief at Kelvedon, Phil Tompkins, was again in the runs and with Nick Meakin clubbing some useful boundaries the visitors were gaining the ascendency. A quickfire partnership of 41 was ended with Meakin having to depart having edged the ball to the keeper. There was little respite for the Home XI as Eric Davy entered the fray and was quickly into his stride. Meanwhile, Tompkins had reached his 50 from 52 deliveries faced. Having added 56 together, Tompkins then fell lbw to a slow Paul Mangel delivery that had descended from the heavens with snow on it! Still no respite for Chippenham as Davy out-batted Tompkins, 49 balls for his half century and an even quicker 50 from Simon Sargent, just 42 balls. After putting on 84 together, Davy, 62, fell to the bowling of Charly Rattley, whose second wicket came just 3 balls later, thus hastening the declaration at 225-6.

The target set by the Two Counties would give Chippenham around 35 overs compared to the 39 received by the visitors. Regular opening bowlers, Ken Greenaway and Chris Hills were pretty accurate with their deliveries and were thus able to restrict the flow of runs. With Hills’s spell only lasting 4 overs, first change Martin Southwell struck with the second ball of his first over, having Ashely Brown stumped by Davy as he tried to up the run rate. Greenaway got a much deserved wicket when bowling Harry Grant (36) in his penultimate over, before finishing his 8 over spell with figures of 1-27. At 55-2 after 14 overs, the umpires signalled that the last hour with a minimum of 20 overs to be bowled. Chippenham were unlikely to win the match as the next 12 overs produced just 37 runs for the loss of 5 wickets but could they survive the final 8 overs. Wicket keeper, Richard Sadler and opening bowler, Clive Sutton managed to repulse the varied attack of Southwell and Lindsay Towers’ seamers through concentrating on survival as only an additional 12 runs were added. Southwell returned figures of 4-41 and Towers 2-16.

An enjoyable afternoon’s cricket despite the vagaries of the weather conditions.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 50/60/70 Cricket
Two Counties Over 60s v Essex Police Veterans
Thursday 13th May 2021 at Ipswich CC – 40 overs per side.
Two Counties Over 60s 176-8 (Andrew Gallant 39, Alan Sims 33 Nick Meakin 30)
Essex Police Veterans 180-2 (Jim Couchman 91 not out Peter Orpe 35 not out Trevor Money 2-15)
Essex Police Veterans win by 2 wickets.

Jim Couchman played a major part in the downfall of the 60s with both bat and ball. The inclement weather and the presence of an additional fielder failed to prevent Jim from leading the Veterans to a 9 wicket win in this 12-a-side match. Trevor Money was rewarded for a splendid opening spell with 2-15 from his 8 overs. The two wickets had fallen in the space of 15 balls and 3 runs but that was as good as it got for the 60s. Growing in confidence, Jim and Peter steadily upped the run rate with Jim’s half century coming from just 54 deliveries. With the 60s well beaten, the only remaining doubt was whether Couchman would reach a deserved century. Alas not, although the next 29 deliveries he faced took him into the nervous 90s, the match winning target of 177 was reached with 8.1 overs to spare.

Prior to the innings break and the rain, the Veterans had won the toss and Skipper John Stonehouse asked the 60s to bat. Mike Thew and Alan Cooke struggled to make the scorers work too hard while opener Andrew Gallant looked to be in good nick. From 48-2 in 10.4 overs. Captain Nick Meakin (30 off 17 balls) and Gallant (39 off 47 balls) almost doubled the score over the course of the next 5 overs but then both were dismissed, caught out in successive overs. Alan Sims (33) and Richard Polley (22) put together a 59 run partnership but it was slow progress. Man of the match Couchman’s 1-27 off 8 overs and Martin Southwell’s 2-25 off 7 overs doing much to arrest the flow of runs. Come the end of the 60s’ 40 overs, the scoreboard read a somewhat disappointing 176-8.
Many thanks to Ipswich Cricket Club for hosting this game.

Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Over 50/60/70 Cricket

Two Counties Over 50s v Chippenham Park CC

Thursday 6^th May 2021 at Kelvedon & Feering CC – 35 overs per side.

Chippenham Park 161-8 (Harry Grant 74 Jon Van de Peer 30 Ben Moyle 3-36)

Two Counties Over 50s 164-3 (Phil Tompkins 93no Richard Polley 39 rtd)

Two Counties won by 7 wickets

Leaden skies and steady rain forced a late start to the match. Local knowledge is a wonderful thing as the match officials were told that the rain would blow over by 3.00pm and that play could commence shortly after. In the event, the rain ceased even earlier and play commenced at 2.28. Captain Patel won the toss and elected to be in the field. Despite the visitors‘ captain being an exceedingly young senior, the opening bowlers managed to keep a tight rein on the run rate. Chris Hills was at his miserly best conceding just 14 runs from his opening 7 over spell. With the TC X1 keeping the run rate below 3 an over, the best predictions were for a very swift home win. From 53-2 in the 19^th, the match suddenly came alight. J VdP joined his captain and immediately upped the tempo. Their 10 over partnership added 63 runs from just 58 deliveries. Grant was stumped by Paget in the next over having accumulated a very useful 74. Moyle benefited from the scramble to add quick runs over in the last few overs bagging 3 wickets in his 5 over spell.

The Seniors had a strong batting line up and were still strong favourites although their target was around 20/25 runs more than had been expected. With a changed batting order, captain Patel opened up with the in-form Tompkins. There was mirth from the side lines as Patel could barely hit the ball of the square but having got his eye in with his first boundary, he was promptly bowled the next ball. 8 overs gone and 27-1 on the board. Whilst Tompkins and Polley began to accumulate the runs at a healthy rate, the rate was still just a tad below what was required. Polley decided to confuse the scorers as having dotted the last ball of the 26^th over, he suddenly tucked his bat under his arm and walked off the pitch. The moral of the story is that hitting boundaries saves running! Can Lord Nelson claim “retired out” as a victim? 51 runs required off 9 overs is the ideal scenario for Meakin to bash a rapid match winning knock except that after one splendid lofted drive he sliced young Grant to gulley. Tompkins and Henderson upped the run rate and knocked off the required 43 runs from 36 deliveries. Tompkins finished on 93 not out with the “50” coming off 65 deliveries faced. What might interest the Statos is the fact that for 32 overs there were no extras then the unfortunate no 6 bowler put down two wide deliveries in the 33^rd and final over. A comprehensive 7 wicket win for The Two Counties Seniors in an enjoyable game played in the right spirit by both sides.