3 May 2008 - High Beach v Matching Green (HECL Div 2)

High Beach 148-all out, Matching Green 149-9  

High Beach narrowly lost a tense and pulsating opening fixture in their league season by the narrowest of margins.

Upon losing the toss they were inserted on a slow and low wicket at Matching Green. Skipper Mickey Bear (7) departed early but then a healthy stand developed between Chris Apps and Danny Hanna.

The pair put on 67 before Apps (15) was bowled looking to break the shackles of some steady bowling. Disastrously for the Beach Hanna who looked in fine form for 48.

Beach then contrived to lose 6 wickets for only 37 runs and only Mickey Evans (18) and Barckley Sumner (14) of the Beach’s middle order got any kind of score.

The Beach only managed to achieve their final total due to a rescue operation staged by 15 year old Reece Hanna (18) and Paul Smith (13 not out). However the rest of the tail failed to wag and the Beach were all out for 148 in 39 over, at least 30 runs short of a good total.

In order to have a chance the Beach needed early wickets and both veteran swing bowler Jim Kent (2-19) and Reece Hanna (2-11) made early incisions. When Paul Glasgow managed o get one of his trundlers through the defences of Matching Green’s Hartnall (26), half the Matching side had been dismissed for under 50.

The fact that the Matching innings didn’t collapse was largely due to T Figg who with the support of Weaver (18) and Muggleton (15) dragged Matching Green close to the total.

Late wickets fell when Mickey Evans switched from off spin to medium pace to dismiss Figg for a fine 53 and also two other wickets. However the last pair for Matching Green managed to scramble the last five runs they needed for victory.

A thoroughly good game of cricket all round although the Beach will be disappointed with their batting display.

10 May 2008 - High Beach v Ashdon (HECL Div 2)

Ashdon 285-4, High Beach 228 All Out

On the day of the best cricket weather so far this season, Ashdon won the toss, elected to bat and proceeded to take full advantage of the conditions.

High Beach made an early breakthrough in the fourth over when an edge from G Ford bounced off Phil Apps at 2^nd slip only for Mick Evans to calmly collect the rebound at 1^st slip off Paul Glasgow’s bowling.  A attempt to repeat the trick two overs later which saw Phil spill an edge from Millership but out of  Mick’s reach proved costly as the batsman went on to make 47.  Solid partnerships from the Ashdon batsmen including an unbeaten 107 between D Hall and Mallett then took the away side to 285 for 4.  A well balanced 112 not out from Hall was the cornerstone of the innings.  All the Beach’s bowlers suffered with the exception of Robin Bear who finished with figures of 1 for 29 off his 10 overs.

In reply, the father & son opening partnership of Chris and Phil Apps got off to a steady start.  The loss of Phil for 10 followed by Mick Bear for 20 brought Mick Evans to the crease and he set about the bowling in an aggressive manner.  Partnerships of 60 with Chris Apps and 31 with Feisal Islam took the Beach to 147 for 3 but the loss of the next four wickets for just 13 runs meant Mick was running out of partners.  Continued attacking strokeplay saw him to 128 before being bowled by a delivery that kept low.  High Beach finished on 228 all out and were well beaten by a strong Ashdon side.  Best bowlers for Ashdon were Pinnington with 3 for 51, S Salt 3 for 53 and man of the match D Hall with 2 for 51 to add to his earlier ton.

17 May 2008 - Birchanger v High Beach

Birchanger 175-all out High Beach 176-5

At the third time of asking High Beach finally got into their stride with a thoroughly efficient victory at Birchanger.

On winning the toss on a damp pitch High Beach opted to bowl. In his first over Reece Hanna comprehensively bowled Birchanger’s opener Gladwin for a duck.

Despite this early set back Birchanger’s batsmen began to build partnerships with Edwards and Bass building sound foundations until Edwards was caught in the covers for 28.

Bass was then joined by Gillard who made a quickish 25. With wickets starting to fall it was essential that Bass carried his bat if Birchanger were to post 200 plus. To the Beach’s delight Robin Bear was able to tempt Bass into a big shot and was very well caught on the boundary at deep midwicket.

Birchanger were only able to post their final total due to the sound batting of Parker who contributed a good 27.

For the Beach the best return was by Paul Glasgow who achieved figures of 4-28 despite suffering from sciatica and Mick Evans who bowled his off spin at the death and returned excellent figures of 2-29.

However the main difference for the Beach on previous games was that a noticeably younger side fielded exceptionally in wet conditions taking seven out of eight catches offered by the opposition.

In reply for the Beach openers Sumner (9) and Apps (10) were able to steer the Beach through the first 10 overs and create a base.

A partnership of 50 between Mickey Bear and Mickey Evans (26) then placed the Beach firmly in control of the match.

In particular skipper Mickey Bear was back to his attacking best and scored particularly strongly through the extra cover region.

In the latter part of the innings Mickey Bear was supported by grizzled veteran Paul Smith who scored a gritty 19 not out.

Bear was bowled by the persevering Ahmed for 82 with the score on 151. the Beach were then seen over the finishing line by a quick cameo from Reece Hanna (12) and Smith who opened up his shoulders to play some lusty blows.

The Beach will be looking to continue to maintain their winning ways next week in a home game against long-term adversaries High Roding.

24 May 2008 - High Beach vs High Roding II (HECL Div 2)

High Roding II 231 all out, High Beach 233-3  

High Beach began their 60^th anniversary weekend in the best possible style with an emphatic win over a young High Roding II side.

On winning the toss the Beach opted to field on a fast bouncy wicket and a lightening quick outfield which aided scoring.

Roding got off to a flying start due to some wayward bowling from Mickey Evans whose fast opening onslaught was far too wide and in excess of 25 extras were conceded in his opening salvo.

The introduction of Mickey Bear brought the first wicket with Dawson departing for 14 but Roding continued to score quickly. After 15 over they already had over 90 runs and looked on course for a score of around 300.

However despite continuing to play shots wickets began to fall. Although a little expensive Robin Bear picked up 3 good wickets. Alex Brooks bowled two excellent spells of steady medium pace to pick up figures of 2-29 and Mickey Evans changed styles to bowl his off spin and cleaned up the tail to finish with figures of 3-49.

For Roding their innings were held together by Holdgate and Sewell who both scored 53. Although the highest scorer was extras with an astonishing 56.

In reply the Beech also got off to a good start before Sumner (11) departed with the score on 34. Mickey Bear then hit a cameo 20 before becoming Barr’s first victim. When opener Phil Apps (32) was well caught at point with the score on 89, the alarm bells were ringing for the Beach.

However they should not have worried. Mickey Evans who was batting on one leg, with a runner, due to a hamstring strain was at his stunning brutal best, the ground was simply not big enough for his expansive hititng. He was ably supported by Alex Brooks, who batted with rare maturity to support Evans.

The pair put on a undefeated fourth wicket partnership of 144. Evans finishing on 119 not out, his innings included 6 sixes and 18 fours. Brooks finished on 34 not out, by far his best league score. So quick was their scoring that their were still 11 over left when the Beach reached their winning post.

Despite their victory the Beach will want to be tighter in the field in future matches and ensure that they do not gift the opposition easy runs, in future matches.

31 May 2008 – High Beach v Bishops Stortford III (HECL Div 2)High Beach 137-2, Bishops Stortford 138-2

A thoroughly lacklustre performance by High Beach saw them vanquished by a well organised and disciplined Bishop Stortford side.

The Beach got the worse of the conditions, losing the toss and being asked to bat on a greasy green damp wicket at Pepper Alley.

However the conditions did not excuse some poor shot selection from the Beach’s top order and they were soon reduced to 25-3 within the opening six overs.

While the majority of the Beach batsmen struggled Mickey Evans played as if the pitch was perfect and was not fazed as he hit 66 before being caught at mid on from a slow ball bowled by Bishop Stortford’s best bowler Sumner (2-45).

The only support for Evans came from Paul Glasgow (34) who was the last man out for the Beach.

The score of 137 was at least 60 runs too low as the pitch was improving all the time and the outfield remained quick.

The Stortford batsman made short work of the Beach bowlers who all struggled to find a good line and length on the pitch. To add insult to injury a couple of half chances were missed in the field, which could have placed some pressure on the Stortford batting line up.

With chances missed and aggressive shots being played at both ends Stortforrd were able to cruise to the victory post with the loss of just two wickets in under 20 overs.

After a bad day at the office the Beach will be looking to put this defeat behind them as they travel to unbeaten league leaders Stanstead Hall for their next game.

7 June 2008 - Stansted Hall vs High Beach (HECL Div 2)

High Beach 118-10 Stansted Hall 122-7

Another batting failure by High Beach ultimately consigned them to defeat in what proved a tight and compelling game of cricket.

For the second week running skipper Mickey Bear lost a crucial toss on a damp wicket which offered considerable lateral movement for all bowlers.

The Beach got off to the worst possible start when opener Chris Apps shouldered arms to the first ball of the match and watched in horror as the ball careered into his off stump.

Things got no better in the third over when Sumner also departed for a duck.

Paul Glasgow and Mickey Evans staged a mini revival until Glasgow was bowled for 15 with the score on 33. Opening bowler Glassbrook then picked up his fourth wicket with the Beach not yet on 50 when he had Danny Hanna (8) caught at mid on.

Further disaster hit the Beach when in form batsman Mickey Evans was entirely out thought by the other opening bowler Williams and was bowled by a slower delivery for 28.

The Beach’s hopes of posting a good score were now down to skipper Mickey Bear however after playing several good strokes he holed out to off spinner Maule for 16.

The young Beach tail each scored a few runs but wickets continued to fall and the side were all out in the 28th over for 118. At least 40 runs short of a good score.

For Stansted Hall the bowling honours were firmly with Glassbrook who bowled with pace and movement to pick up 4-36 and destroy the Beach’s top order.

In reply the Beach got off to a excellent start when Mickey Evans bowling seam up bowled opener Keefe (0) in the first over.

Both opening bowlers Evans and Mickey Bear bowled with good control and were able to restrict the Stansted batsmen without quite being able to make further inroads.

The second wicket did not fall until veteran Paul Glasgow came on first change to bowl his gentle swingers, picking up the wicket of Jones for 9.

In fact all six Beach bowlers bowled with good control and each challenged the batsmen. For Stansted Hall the opener Livings played a crucial obdurate innings of 40, and was not dismissed until the victory line was in site.

With Stansted within 20 runs of victory Evans returned and picked up 3 further wickets all bowled, finishing with good figures of 4-22. But despite many enthusiastic shouts and near misses a further wicket was not forthcoming and Stansted were able to clamber past the winning post.

Despite their poor batting the excellent bowling and fielding should place the Beach in good heart and they will be confident of returning to winning ways next week, when they play bottom of the table Thorley.

14 June 2008 - High Beach v Thorley (HECL Div 2)

Thorley 196-9, High Beach 197-2

High Beach returned to winning ways with an emphatic victory over an uninspiring Thorley team.

The visitors batted first and lost an early wicket when Reece Hanna bowled Bob Mills (6) through the gate.

Following the early breakthrough the Beach expected to make further inroads with Paul Glasgow in particular causing the Thorley batsmen all sorts of problems with his gentle away swing, but he could not induce an edge.

Two quick wickets fell with the score in the early 50s but the Beach bowling then became flat and undisciplined. Further problems ensued when young seamer Alex Brooks had to withdraw from bowling after going lame.

The fourth wicket partnership for Thorley put on 80 runs with Phillips playing particularly impressively and hitting an excellent 63.

Mickey Evans with a mixture of off spin and quick bowling picked up three wickets to exert restraint on the Thorley lower middle order and finished with 3-41. With wickets falling at regular intervals Thorley were unable to quite reach the psychological barrier of 200 runs.

The only other important contribution was from Bird who hit a powerful 30.

In reply the Beach got off to a poor start with the early dismissal of makeshift opener Alex Brooks being bowled by Crews for 3. The Beach then looked to be in some trouble when Chris Apps was also bowled by Crews for 9.

However this brought together Phil Apps and the in-form Mickey Evans at the crease.

While Apps played a series of classical drives and cuts and scored quickly through his timing, Evans took a more thuggish approach and was intent on hitting the ball as far as possible.

In the face of this onslaught the Thorley bowlers visibly wilted and runs came even more quickly.

The victory post arrived in just the 28th over, with 17 overs remaining. Apps finishing with an undefeated 75 and Mickey Evans hit 81 not out.

The comprehensive victory will put the Beach in good heart for their next fixture against fellow mid-table side Hockerill, although they will be keen to improve their bowling performance.

21 June 2008 - Hockerill v High Beach (HECL Div 2)

Hockerill 156 all out, High Beach 157-8

High Beach eventually emerged triumphant in a  tense nerve jangling encounter played under leaden skies.

Hockerill were asked to bat first and got off to a slow start with Beach openers Reece Hanna and particularly Mickey Bear extracting lateral movement and bounce from the pitch and making life very difficult for the Hockerill openers. Mickey Bear bowled especially well and made two early breakthroughs picking up 2-28.

For Hockerill their innings was built around their number 3 Rob Sanders who scored strongly on the legside. Each time Hockerill seemed in danger of breaking the shackles the Beach were able to take a wicket. Sanders only fully receiving support from Tinsley who played a watchful inning of 31.

Sanders’ innings was eventually ended by Robin Bear who generated extra bounce from the pitch to have the batsman well caught behind the wicket.

Any remaining hopes that Hockerill had of posting a large target were ended when Paul Glasgow returned for a second spell and took three wickets in one over. Glasgow eventually finishing with excellent figures of 4-27.

The Hockerill total was perhaps 25 runs below par on what was never an easy wicket to bat on.

In reply the Beach got off to a fast start, despite the early loss of Chris Apps (5) stumped down the legside.

However with the score just over 50 a flurry of wickets began to fall. In form Mickey Evans (15) played an indifferent shot down the wrong line and was bowled by Tinsley. Opener Paul Glasgow who had been going well misjudged the bounce on a pull shot and was bowled by Hockerill skipper Chablis for 27. Danny Hanna (3) then holed out from Tinsley and Barckley Sumner (2)was only able to guide a bouncer from Chablis to slip.

With the score on 72-6 and the Beach in dire trouble skipper Mickey Bear was joined by Alex Brooks at the wicket. Mickey Bear played a watchful innings but seized on anything wide scoring well on both the off and legide. Brooks demonstrated a high degree of perspicuity (I think that’s a compliment, Alex – Ed) in his batting, stoutly defending anything straight and scoring off anything short or over pitched. In particular Brooks’ flat batted six over extra cover is an early nomination for the Beach’s shot of the season. Together the pair put on 70 runs until with the score on 144, Bear (50) was bowled by Truscott. Reece Hanna entered the fray and hit two boundaries before being bowled. It was left to Brooks (25 not out) and John Gregory to scramble the Beach over the winning line.

For Hockeill the pick of the bowling was Tinsley who returned figures of (3-27).

This good away victory sets up the Beach for the rest of the season and shows that when they play as a unit they are one of the better sides in the division.

28 June 2008 - High Beach v Chestfords (HECL Div 2)

Chesterfords 127 all out, High <placetypew:ston>Beach 128-3

All rounder Paul Glasgow arose Lazarus like from his sick bed to play a major role in High Beach’s vanquishing of a weak Chesterfords team.

Chesterfords chose to bat on a good track, due partially to having only 9 players.

Despite a good tight opening spell from Reece Hanna and Mickey Bear, the Beach were unable to make any inroads.

Their first wicket came when a running mix up allowed Danny Hanna’s direct run out to deprive Watson (12) of his wicket.

A good partnership then developed between A Perring (25) and Mughal (23) with the latter in particular hitting the ball hard and well. The introduction of Paul Glasgow then changed matters as he dismissed both batsmen in quick succession. Glasgow returning good figures of (2-11).

Chesterfords hopes of recording a good score were now solely resting on the shoulders of D Perring who was scoring freely and managed to get his team to over 100.

The introduction of Mickey Evans bowling his flat off spinners heralded the end for Chesterfords. Perring was well caught in the covers by Brooks for 32. Evans than ran through the tail achieving figures of (4-13). He was ably supported by Danny Fowler who bowled with good pace and recorded figures of (1-7). Chesterfords last wickets fell in the 28^th over, 17 short of bowling of their full allocation.

Chesterfords score was at least 100 runs short of a reasonable total on a good pitch and a quick outfield.

In reply the Beach got off to a quick start, with Chris Apps scoring two boundaries in the first over, before being bowled by the left arm seamer Thake for 8.

His dismissal brought together Glasgow and Daniel Hanna. Glasgow went berserk and scored incredibly quickly scoring 44 off just 26 deliveries and wrecking the figures of the Chesterfords' bowlers.

At the other end there was a welcome return to form for Daniel Hanna who finished unbeaten on 54 and brought up his half century off 33 balls, the quickest by a Beach player this season.

In fact the Beach dominance was so great that they were able to finish the match in under 12 overs.

This comprehensive victory will place the Beach in very good heart as they approach the second half of the season.

5 July 2008 - High Beach v Matching Green (HECL Div 2)

Matching Green 158-all out, High Beach 159-5

High Beach enjoyed a convincing victory, their fourth in consecutive matches, against an average Matching Green.

The Beach won the toss and asked Matching to field on a pitch offering both carry and sideways movement, although the very quick outfield meant that batsmen got more than full value for their shots.

Green lost the early wicket of Figg, who was bowled by Mickey Evans. Although the grizzled veteran pace bowler, soon had to be withdrawn from the attack due to a slight calf strain.

Both Beach bowlers Mickey Bear and Paul Glasgow were able to put pressure on the Matching batsman. The pressure soon told when danger man Simon Hartnell edged to slip where Evans took a good catch.

All the Beach bowlers put in good stints and were able to regularly produce wickets. For Matching opener Bibby played a dogged and somewhat streaky innings to keep them in the game. He eventually departed for 50, when he was well caught in the covers by Alex Brooks off the bowling of Reece Hanna.

Young pace bowler Danny Fowler picked up two wickets to destroy Matching Green’s lower middle order. The away team were eventually all out for 158, around 50 runs short on a good pitch.

In reply the Beach got off to a good start and looked to be scoring quickly, before opener Glasgow (16) was caught in the covers playing an ill advised drive.

His dismissal brought an in form Danny Hanna to the wicket, who quickly set about pulverising the Matching Green bowlers and scoring 50 off of just 25 balls.  Hanna was well supported by Chris Apps, who was providing solidity to the Beach innings.

The game changed on its head when Matching introduced the Hartnell brothers, who both purveyed left arm spin.

Matt Harntell tempted Hanna into one drive too many and he was caught at mid off. Then the Beach suffered a collapse. In the space of three balls Evans (9) and Mickey Bear (0) were both adjudged LBW. Then soon after Alex Brooks (2) played an injudicious pull shot and was bowled by Matt Hartnell to give him his fourth wicket.

With 23 runs still needed and the ball turning and bouncing Matching believed they had a sniff of an unlikely victory.

However left hander Sumner, well supported by the unflappable Apps, entered the fray and hit a quick 19 not out, to vault the beach over the finishing line, with 16 overs to spare.

Apps finishing on an undefeated 32 to prove he was the backbone of the innings.

The win puts the Beach in a good place to go on and challenge the leaders in division 2.

12 July 2008 - Ashdon v High Beach (HECL Div 2)

Ashdon 207-7, High Beach 138 all out

High Beach’s winning streak came to a juddering halt at Ashdon, when yet again their batting failed to fire.

Ashdon won the toss and decided to bat on a flat pitch, with only a little sideways movement.

The Beach openers bowled with good discipline and Paul Glasgow was rewarded with the early wicket of P Salt.

Ashdon then produced a 60 plus second wicket partnership between Millership and Sutherland. The introduction of slow bowler Robin Bear brought the demise of Millership (41) caught at deep mid off by Robin’s brother Mickey.

Sutherland and Hall then took the attack to the Beach and Ashdon looked set for a score of 250 plus.

The fact that they did not get anything like that score was due to the introduction of the to Mickey’s Bear and Evans to bowl the last 18 overs of the innings. Both were able to apply the brakes to the Ashdon juggernaut. Sutherland was caught in the covers for 82 and Hall was brilliantly caught in the deep by Gregory for 25.

Mickey Bear returning excellent figures of 3-33 and Evans unfortunate not to pick up more wickets having figures of 2-43 (tactical ploy by the keeper not to stump their no. 9 – Ed).

At tea the Beach were confident of getting to the Ashdon score of 207-7.

In reply Paul Glasgow (6) soon departed after spooning a full toss to mid off. He was quickly joined back in the hutch by Alex Brooks (1) who never appeared happy at the crease.

However with Apps settling nicely into the anchor role and the Beach’s hitters still to come the situation was not too bad.

Mickey Evans produced another frustrating cameo innings, he scored 24, including 3 sixes off 20 balls before being caught by Millership standing up to the medium pacer Noakes. Steve Game then produced a very similar innings before he too was dismissed for 21, bowled by the impressive P Salt for 21.

The defining point of the match was the introduction of the leg spinner S Salt; none of the Beach’s batsman felt able to play shots against him and the Beach’s innings seemed to lose all traction. In particular Apps struggled to get him away.

As the pressure mounted wickets began to tumble. Mickey Bear (23) was bowled by Salt. Veteran Phil Coe (6) was caught behind off of Gardiner.

Left hander Sumner (6) was able to hit S Salt for a boundary (the only one he conceded) and then was run out after a mix up with Apps.

The Beach were doomed once Apps was bowled also by Salt.

Ashdon then quickly mopped up the Beach’s tail and the visitors were all out for a sorry 138. S Salt returning the parsimonious figures of 3-13 off 8.3 overs.

While the Beach will be disappointed with their performance they will recognise that they were beaten by a good, well organised unit.

19 July 2008 - High Beach v Birchanger (HECL Div 2)

Birchanger 181 –8 High Beach 105 all out

Another dire batting performance consigned High Beach to defeat in a match where they should have been competitive.

On winning the toss High Beach asked the visitors to bat.

Reece Hanna, returning to the side gained the early breakthrough bowling M Parker for 5.

Despite this early loss High Beach were not able to make further breakthroughs but the Birchanger batsmen struggled to score freely on a drying pitch which was offering some assistance to the quicker bowlers. Such was the disregard for the scoring rate that some of the visiting teams supporters commentated that their batsmen were being pusillanimous.

The second wicket feel when with the pressure increasing Gladwin (26) gave an easy return catch to Danny Fowler.

This wicket brought further dismissals with Birchanger becoming aware that overs were running out. Reed was able to make a hard hit 39 before holing out in the deep and P Parker (22) also fell in similar fashion, both to the bowling of Mickey Bear.

The fact that Birchanger scored as many as they did was due to Tyler, who spanked 14 off Mickey Evans’ last over and ensure that Birchanger finished on 181-8. A score which was thought to be 30 runs short on a wicket which it was hoped was improving.

In reply the Beach got off to a poor start when Sumner (2) and Smith (0) were both dismissed by opening bowler Tyler and Chris Apps (2) was bowled by Ahmed.

Much of the Beach hopes now lay with Evans and Game. Game began to score quickly but he too fell to Ahmed, bowled for 12.

Then skipper Mickey Bear holed out off spinner Sellers for 1. Evans and Smith then began to build a stand, before a returning Tyler bowled Glasgow 12. The Beach last hope of salvaging a win ended when Mickey Evans (39) was caught off Sellers.

Of the tail only Fowler 12 made double figures and the Beach were all out for a very sorry 105.

For Birchanger the bowling award went to Tyler who returned figures of 5-26.

A better performance is required the next game against High Roding.

26 July 2008 – High Beach v High Roding II (HECL Div 2)