Cavaliers Cricket Club, Colchester, Essex, England

Lexden did us a favour by cancelling the Saturday game; we had just enough players to field a side but it would have been hard work on a very hot, humid day. The cancellation also allowed us to be fresh for the Sunday game against Tendring. It was another very hot day so I had no hesitation in electing to bat first (especially as Jon W had a massive hangover!). It was tough going against the new ball as the seam was breaking the surface of the wicket; after a blow to the chin Simon and Danny called for the helmets. The early scoring was steady rather than spectacular but 70 on the board after 20 overs set a great platform. The Tendring bowlers were not supported by their fielders as Danny and I were dropped off relatively easy chances, which turned out to be expensive. As Tendring wilted in the sun the scoring rate started to accelerate especially off the slow left arm. Simon (112) got to century first but then chipped to midwicket to leave the partnership equal to the best in the club's records. Darren joined Danny to see him get his ton (104*) and the total up to a sizable 250.

The Tendring reply started sensibly with nothing much happening in the first six overs as Stuart struggled with find his line. A skied leading edge went to ground in a mix up between bowler and fielder but that was the last let off as we started pouching our chances. Darren took three in an over and suddenly Tendring were 30-7, then 34 all out.

The Second XI had a tough fixture against a High Easter side out for revenge after coming up against a strong Cavaliers side the last two seasons. The bowlers all bowled well but too many catch chances were spurned allowing Easter to set a big target (247); the spin twins of Tony (4-53) and Martin (3-32) were the pick. In reply Peter J held the innings together to make a fine 59 and Luke W chipped in with 32, as the Cavs got to a respectable 136.

Great Bentley were the first team to beat us in Division 2 but we were able to take a considerably stronger side over to the village green for the return fixture. A decent wicket had been prepared making it a tricky decision having won the toss, but with uncertainty over a par score I decided to put them in. The opening bowlers rewarded the decision with a decisive spell from Stuart and especially Robbie but Tim's 10 overs for only 13 runs and two top order wickets put us in a commanding position. The fielding was pretty good although we put down a series of catches once again. A target of 135 did not look very challenging at tea but the loss of Simon in the first over (again) was not a great start. Runs flowed effortlessly from Jack's bat until he played over a straight one for 22. Danny started to get into his stride and partnerships developed with Ray and then Rasanga until Danny was bowled for 38 leaving us still needing 33 runs for victory. A mini collapse followed with apprehension starting to creep into our cricket as Bentley sniffed another tight win over the Cavaliers. However Jon W kept his composure helping Rasanga eek out the final 26 runs.

The Cavaliers were upset by what we felt was an unsporting attitude and dodgy bowling action of one of the Bentley players. The victory beer tasted all the sweeter leading to a big night for the three musketeers.

In the Sunday fixture the Second XI took on a very young Copford side somewhat weakened since the opening game of the season. Having elected to bat first the openers struggled against the accurate out-swing of Luke W and Tony's usual precision with wickets falling regularly. Only enthusiastic S Wood (55) hung around long enough for build a big score although partner Bullen was unlucky to be run out backing up. Some good hitting and running at the end brought up a respectable 172. The Cavaliers reply could not have started better with Simon (62) and Paul M (44) putting on a century opening stand but when both fell to the Copford skipper 56 runs were still required. Although wickets fell regularly everyone chipped in with a few runs, especially Alex W (23) and Peter J's wise head led us home for the first victory of the season. The bowling and fielding was especially worth a mention with Alex covering many miles and Peter playing a blinder; virtually all the catching changes were also taken.

Cavaliers were very keen to improve on a comprehensive thrashing at local rivals Boxted earlier in the season and also halt a run of defeats. The wicket was looking green after a wet week so it was no surprise to be asked to bat first having lost the toss. Simon fell from the second ball of the innings trying to hook but Jack (19) and Rasanga (20), promoted to 3 following his knock last week, consolidated well before Ray (28) and Stuart (17) joined the party. Boundaries were in short supply with the pitch being slow and the outfield lush. Vinnie and Angad also contributed but it was Darren (18*) and Jon Walton (21*) who really added impetuous to our innings putting on 43 in the final five overs mainly through some audacious running between the wickets.

Boxted still seemed quite confident but our bowling attack was always going to be difficult to score against on this wicket. Darren and Ray bowled efficiently and collected two wickets in the first five overs to put the pressure onto Boxted skipper Chris Wilson, who was run out with a direct hit from Rasanga when pushing for a tight run. Ian Evans and M. Wilson put together a good stand that was gathering pace until Evans chipped Stuart to mid-on in frustration as the runs dried up. Vinnie took a steepling catch off the next ball and Boxted were in trouble at 44-5. The tail offered little resistance against some excellent bowling from Rasanga (3-7). It was great to have Tim back to bowl 6 overs following his injury. After pulling down three short pitched delivers in the opening two overs he found his usual accuracy to build the pressure leading to Stuart dismissing the Boxted danger man.

The Second XI played Kirby on the next pitch with three new players joining the club. Sam Rigby and Luke and Alex Wisbey all made their Cavaliers debut - welcome to the club. Once again the Second's batting was unable to raise a competitive score with only Martin Pawsey having the application to hang around long enough to accumulate runs. Everyone else chipped in with some nice shots but didn't last long enough to build a total. In reply Luke bowled a good opening spell and the Cavaliers spin department (Tony, Martin and A.F. Bloke) were all economic but no-one was able to dismiss Kirby batting ace George Wilson and so inevitably Kirby reached their target.

The hot favourites in our half of the draw, Colchester and Halstead, both lost their games and so we should have been looking forward to a possible run to the final but we simply didn't play well enough against a reasonably strong Stebbing side. With showers forecast for the whole afternoon a 40 over game was agreed and we elected to field first, in hindsight this was a mistake but we generally chase moderate scores. Darren got us off to a flyer with a wicket with his fourth ball but the rain started almost immediately and we were back in the hut by the fourth over. After a short break the other Stebbing opener had some fantastic luck to make 26 while his partner at the other end accumulated a more conventional 51. Danny had to go to hospital early in the innings as he dislocated his thumb attempting a brave block in the covers leaving us down to 10 men. In the conditions we bowled fairly well but our fielding was very poor with several easy chances going begging and a few more difficult chances also spurned. A great run out chance passed us by when the two batsmen collided mid-wicket but Stuart was unable to gather the throw and there was no-one backing up. Jason took 3 useful wickets before pulling his calf muscle in his follow through and limped off to leave us down to 9. Good running between the wickets taking advantage of the gaps in our depleted field brought the total up to a respectable 161-7.

We felt reasonably confident of chasing down a score of that magnitude but the Stebbing bowling was definitely their strong suit with both openers maintaining a good line and hitting the pitch hard. Wickets fell all too regularly until Rasanga and Phil W came together to put on 55 for the sixth wicket by running intelligently, showing the top order that 6 an over can be quite straight forward. Despite a late flourish we ended up 29 runs short with Danny unable to bat. Luck seemed to be against us again but we need to bat and field much better if we are to win tight games in the higher divisions.

On Saturday we visited Lexden and their new club house. I had no hesitation asking the home side to bat first in bowler friendly conditions and all the bowlers contributed to restricting the score to 139. Only Lexden skipper Robin Sellar was willing to attack the bowling, with Robbie and Danny bowling excellent spells out of the trees. Our reply faltered before it began as super-slow right arm Alan Highfield clung onto a return catch to dismiss Simon in the 6th over and Darren played over a straight one two overs later. Jon W and Peter J added useful runs but fell leaving us at 49-5 and in the hands of Danny who was hitting the ball hard. Stuart supported Danny in the rebuilding and thereafter the result never looked in doubt. In fact Danny was enjoying himself so much that he sprinted through for a 3 and then a couple of overs later went absolutely mad and ran 4 (all at once!).

The next day Bocking visited the Rugby Club as division 2 leaders and unbeaten so far this season. Again I was lucky at the toss but the pitch looked good so we elected to bat first. Another good start from Simon and Jack put 50 on the board in 12 overs but we then added only 16 runs on the next 14 overs as McIntyre tied up an end. Suddenly we had to accelerate the scoring and wickets fell regularly but everyone chipped in to support Simon who was going well and ended unbeaten (again) on 89. A total of 163-6 was almost certainly below par so we needed quick wickets. Unfortunately we didn't have our catching heads on as all four of the Bocking top order were given a life. Wickets fell but without taking our changes we never quite looked like creating an upset and Bocking finished the job in the 43rd over with 6 wickets in hand. A very creditable performance under the circumstances against a really strong division two side.

The club ran into a wall this weekend as we had to concede both second teams games due to lack of players and struggled to put together a first team for the visit of Great Bentley. With Darren, Danny, Robbie and Tim absent for one reason or another we were missing almost our entire first choice bowling line up. Still we had won games like this before and went into the game to put up a fight. Losing the toss probably didn't make a great deal of difference; Jack and Simon started slowly but accelerated with the change of bowlers and had 93 on the board when Jack was first out in the 25th over. The next ten overs were slow going and only some quick running between the wickets lifted the score to a respectable 185-4; Simon again unbeaten (87*).

After tea Bentley started steadily with Ray pinning down the batsman but Stuart showing the affects of a wedding hangover. First change Jason was nearly the hero of the day as he took 2-8 in his first 4 overs and ended 4-33. Now we needed to find a few overs from the part time bowlers and Jack K bowled a tidy line and took two wickets along the way, still fighting for his premier all rounder spot. The Fowler brothers then put on a 34 runs partnership for the 6th wicket that turned the game as we could not prevent their quick singles. Needing 20 of the last two overs we fancied our chances but some good running made the difference and Matt Fowler scored 2 off the final delivery to seal the win for the visitors.

On Saturday we faced Ardleigh with a side packed with bowling but a little light on batting. The sun was beating down at the toss so we elected to bat first and post a target. The Ardleigh bowling was accurate early on and runs were not easy to come by. Danny was first to go for a patient 31, leading to a couple of quick wickets with the dismissal of Stuart and then Rasanga but Phil helped Simon steady the boat and when Phil went in the 39th over Jon rotated the strike. A total of 169 looked a bit short of par but we recognised that this was one of those Rugby Club wickets that made it difficult to score off good bowling. Simon ended up unbeaten on 96.

We could not have hoped for a better start to the reply as we captured two wickets in the first three overs thanks for a juggled catch from Rasanga and a suicidal run out. A period of consolidation followed but when Stuart clean bowled Ardleigh skipper, Joe Bland, things were looking good. However a 100 run stand between Lamont and Chandler turned the game back in favour of Ardleigh. The slow scoring rate eventually caught up with the Ardleigh pair as both fell trying to reduce the required rate of 8 per over. With these two went the game. Deji took the critical wickets but had to bowl out a nervous last over.

On Sunday we faced an old friend, Ash, and his new club determined to put on a good performance against a side relegated from Division 1 last year. This was another chance to benchmark ourselves. This time we were unlucky at the toss and had to field in the heat. All the bowlers stuck to the task without much luck as numerous half-chances went to ground and the ground fielding was distinctly average. Colchester opener Kuss made a ton but the scoring rate didn't accelerate much towards the end and we were quite happy to be only chasing 202 for victory.

Simon and Jack got us off to the perfect start reaching 90 without loss in the 20th over before Simon chipped to midwicket for 47. Ray was unlucky to slip and fall on his stumps leading to a twitchy period but Jack was motoring along at one end and rate was never above 5 per over. Stuart helped Jack complete the job with an over to spare. After his first over Ash bowled quite well considering the field placements he was given.

The Second XI faced Abberton and made a reasonable start as new recruits Jason and Deji had Abberton at 27-1 at the end of the 10th over. Once Herring and Brown got together at the crease it was a different game as both made 100's, leading to a big total of 283-4. Our reply was solid without ever looking like reaching the target, Peter and Paul Mills both made 30 and Rasanga thrashed 55 in the gloom helping make a respectable 189-7.

The club did really well to present three decent sides over the weekend and it was really encouraging to see some new faces making a name for themselves.

We were very pleased to be asked to bat first on a very soft wicket at Mile End Road and batting was indeed an effort for the Copford openers. By carefully selecting the right shots especially taking advantage of the short boundary a solid stand was built up until Robbie was given an LBW with the batsman well out of his crease. Wickets came steadily after the initial breakthrough with only the Copford keeper making any progress; again picking off the short boundary to good effect. A total of 183 certainly seemed to be competitive with the outfield being extremely cow-pasture-like.

The Cavaliers reply got off to a good start with a 50 stand between Simon and Jack before Simon played across one and lofted a leading edge over cover. It took an excellent backward diving catch from the Copford skipper to pull off the dismissal. Ray and Jack (58) then added a further 50 but a flurry of 3 wickets put the game back in the balance as the score slowed. Our big hitting middle order then took control of the situation with Danny (35*), Stuart and Robbie accelerating the score with their own 6 hitting contest, leaving Phil W to tickle an "all along the ground" four for victory.

The weather on Saturday was gorgeous (over 22 degrees) but the recent wet weather was evidenced by a very slow track and boggy outfield. The Copford skipper lost the toss but mysteriously hypnotised Tony into electing to bat first maintaining the tradition in the Second XI of the skipper making unpopular decisions at the toss. Despite two big sixes from Phil W the Cavaliers just scratched around for 23 overs not troubling the scorer too often.

A total of just 88 was never going to be sufficient and it soon looked a lot worse as Ken injured his knee bowling his 9th delivery. Tony took over and was the most successful of the bowlers taking two wickets including a great Peter J catch with some assistance from the tree.

On Sunday we made our first visit to league newcomers Braintree College and were very impressed with the pitch and facilities. The wicket was relatively hard and the outfield flat and even. Tony lost the toss thereby saving himself from any further embarrassment and we were asked to bat first. Jack and Vinnie both fell to catches at short cover bringing Darren to the crease to join Simon. The partnership added over 130 runs with both batsmen passing 50. Darren fell on 68 allowing Stuart to add a brisk 27 including an enormous straight six followed up by a six over extra-cover in the final before falling to a good catch. Phil W pushed a single of the penultimate ball to leave Simon needing 4 of the final ball to make his ton. I wasn't to be however and he ended up unbeaten on 97.

With Tim having suffered a freak nightclub accident the bowling was threadbare but Vinnie and Jack K (reclaiming his premier all-rounder crown) filled the void admirably. With less than 20 overs bowled the rain came heavily and put paid to any chances of finishing the game so it was duly abandoned.

Asanka is sadly leaving England very shortly and we'll all miss him; good luck mate!

All the match reports from last year have been moved to a separate page to reduce the clutter.