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The Annual London vs Amersham Cricket Match
Nicky Cresser reports back from the annual Barnett Waddingham Amersham vs London cricket match.
A thrilling end to an epic contest
The hottest day of the year and we all decided that it would be a good idea to stand in the sun at Seer Green. All this in the name of tradition and the annual Amersham vs London cricket match.
The toss was won by London who opted to field with the help of several Amersham players to fill in the gaps. Amersham came into bat in fighting form but lost two cheap wickets. Skipper Steve Adams put in a sterling performance to gain 31 runs, to take Amersham up to a respectable score, finishing with 110 all out off 28.4 overs. The other notable innings was Paul Latimer, caught out for 23. Paul Hamilton, Paul Houghton, Andrew Twells and David Noel all reached double figures. The bowling honours were evenly spread, although Adam Walker - still fresh from his five wicket haul in last year's match - managed two wickets in two balls but missed out on a hat-trick by the narrowist of margins (only two feet wide of off stump)! Paul Leandro's sharp fielding brought him 3 catches to add to his wicket.
Caroline Harrington and other Amersham ladies put on a fine spread for tea, and provided drinks throughout.
London came into bat and got off to a quick start that promised a swift victory but then skipper John Jeffery was caught out for 4 in spectacular style by James Harrington, a diving left handed catch low down betraying an athletic grace that had hitherto escaped the attention of his colleagues. The awe in which James was being held was soon shattered when he spilled a chance that even the least agile amongst us would have coped with. Two further quick wickets fell before a partnership of 40-odd between Will Bennett and Paul Leandro put London back on track. Paul Hamilton's foot played a vital role in preventing a 4, but the pain was certainly worth it in such a close match. Paul Leandro eventually ended up as London's top scorer, making 30 runs before going from hero to zero by being bowled off Steve Adams first ball of the last over with London requiring just one more run for victory. A significant contribution was made to London's score by Amersham's bowlers, contributing 26 runs in extras.
Man of the match deservedly went to Steve Adams for both his high batting score and taking the vital wicket to tie the match.
BW Amersham Innings
| 1 |
J Harrington |
c Leandro b Bennett |
3 |
| 2 |
S Meldrum |
c Carter b Jivanjee |
0 |
| 3 |
P Hamilton |
c Leandro b Spencer |
10 |
| 4 |
S Adams |
b Bennett |
31 |
| 5 |
M Rochowski |
b Jeffery |
1 |
| 6 |
P Latimer |
b Leandro |
23 |
| 7 |
P Houghton |
c Jeffery b Walker |
10 |
| 8 |
D Robinson |
c Jivanjee b Walker |
0 |
| 9 |
A Twells |
b Jivanjee |
11 |
| 10 |
D Noel |
Not out |
10 |
| 11 |
N Cresser |
c Leandro b Jeffery |
2 |
|
|
Extras |
9 |
|
|
TOTAL |
110 All out |
| Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
| A Jivanjee |
6 |
1 |
13 |
2 |
| W Bennett |
4.4 |
0 |
23 |
2 |
| S Spencer |
6 |
2 |
18 |
1 |
| J Jeffery |
5 |
0 |
17 |
2 |
| A Walker |
4 |
0 |
23 |
2 |
| P Leandro |
3 |
0 |
15 |
1 |
BW London Innings
| 1 |
J Carter |
c Harrington b Noel |
10 |
| 2 |
J Jeffery |
c Harrington b A Twells |
4 |
| 3 |
W Bennett I |
c Houghton b Adams |
17 |
| 4 |
A Jivanjee |
c Houghton |
2 |
| 5 |
P Leandro |
b Adams |
30 |
| 6 |
J Bailey |
c Hamilton b Meldrum |
5 |
| 7 |
S Spencer |
c Latimer b Meldrum |
4 |
| 8 |
A Walker I |
b Harrington |
0 |
| 9 |
S Hitchiner |
c Noel b Meldrum |
0 |
| 10 |
A Walker II |
b Harrington |
8 |
| 11 |
W Bennett II |
Not out |
4 |
|
|
Extras |
26 |
|
|
TOTAL |
110 All out |
| Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
| D Noel |
5 |
0 |
24 |
2 |
| A Twells |
4 |
0 |
10 |
1 |
| N Cresser |
2 |
0 |
22 |
0 |
| P Latimer |
5 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
| S Adams |
4.1 |
0 |
13 |
2 |
| S Meldrum |
4 |
0 |
21 |
3 |
| J Harrington |
5 |
1 |
12 |
2 |
Nicky Cresser, September 2003.