1st XI 2018 Season Report
The 2018 season was one of consolidation as the 1st team secured a safe, mid-table finish. Re-entering the first division for the first time since 2012, 5th place represented a good return for a year in which we beat every team and lost to every team except the two promoted clubs and Springfield (we were able to beat the promoted Gt Totham twice).
We lacked the consistency in selection that had we had been blessed with in last year’s title winning campaign but nevertheless flashed periods of brilliance against opposition a standard higher than those we played last year. Our home form was particularly pleasing as we won 7 from 9 and the moniker ‘Fortress Waltham’ once again lived up its name. In a division where it seemed that anybody could beat anybody, recording more wins than losses indicated a good season for GWCC and, more importantly, a springboard from which to launch ourselves next year.
If last year was slightly weighted towards the batsman, 2018 belonged to the bowlers. Ollie took thirty wickets, Josh took one less but JT beat both Fitzwater brothers to the bowling title as he claimed the final two wickets of the season to finish on thirty one. The statistics don’t tell the whole story; they don’t tell you the quality of the performance of the Fitzwater brothers’ 20 overs at Springfield to win us a game we seemed to have no hope of at the interval. Nor do they tell you about Ollies’ 5-8 over at Bentley which almost brought us back from the brink. Nor do they tell you about JT’s 5fer at home against Writtle, setting up the win which would confirm out status in Division 1 for next year.
We were without three key members of our title winning side last year at the start of the season and after a Spurs’esque off season recruitment policy we turned within, to our youth setup. Joe proved himself to be a wicket taking option in the middle overs, taking two 4 wicket hauls. Lewis, in his first year in the first team, provided some valuable performances, most notably his 30 at home to Bentley and 3-38 to help win us the game against Great Baddow. They say sometimes you don’t notice how much you miss something until it’s gone. Never more was that saying apt than with Chappy and Swanny. Swanny returned in the home win against Tillingham, whilst Chappy returned from a broken ankle the week after against Writtle. Their experience in the bowling department is extremely valuable to a captain hoping to be able to throw someone the ball and make things happen.
The battling in general had its good and its bad moments through the long season, which if you’ve been reading my reports will be obvious to you but we’ll focus on the good here. Dan hit one of the best hundreds I’ve seen, carrying his bat in an inefficacious attempt to chase 295. In what Dan has been describing as a down year he still managed almost 500 league runs @ 31.5. Dave, the batting hero of last season, started so well over at Hornchurch reaching a patient(ish) 50 and in conjunction with Gary held the batting together. Unfortunately for Dave, the flow to his batting wasn’t quite with him all year as he could only show glimpses of what he was capable of, most notably winning the game against Tillingham at home within the first 20 over with a typically destructive 95. Gary was once again, arguably, the best wicket keeper in the league, an amazing feat for someone who has been playing as long as he has. Thanks to the introduction of league umpires, his quick hands were finally rewarded this season as he took three stumpings. Gary has taken up a different role in recent years and the finisher is now content to finish not out and maintain his double figure score streak.
When Simon lasered a cover drive through extra for 2 on the opening day of the season, I thought this would be another season of a glorious opening partnership and the rest of us sitting on the sidelines. Although a couple of 30s and at least one glorious on-drive followed Si never properly recovered his form post injury. Nevertheless he’s another member of the team whose contribution shouldn’t be measured by statistics alone as he provides valuable insights for a captain trying to learn on the job. Both Jamie and Ryan contributed to the first team efforts this year. Both wer superb in the field and both hold great promise for the future, Ryan found some late season form with a couple of 50s for the 2s and having seen Jamie play all year on a Sunday I’m sure there’s plenty more to come. It’s strange to finish a season with Duggers not topping either the batting averages or wickets column but this year will just have to go down as an anomaly. One of the ultimate club men, Duggers spent half the time he was available helping the 2s (where he promptly topped the batting averages with 81). Nonetheless he was still able to provide match winning performances, namely at home to Great Totham. 2-24 at the death followed by a promotion up the order in the chase which yielded a match defining 47* saw us chase down a tough total.
Thanks to everyone who was able to come and watch us play this season, we hope to have entertained and despite our lowly position in the fair play table (Oliver), I think we’ve played the game in the right spirit. I’d like to thank everyone who stood in last minute or was called upon trying to balance the teams, your services are not forgotten. Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone who helped make Saturday an easier job, mostly the committee and Brownie who helped chair and mediate our selection committees. As for next year, a little improvement over the winter, maybe a little more luck during the season and I’m sure we’ll be in the hunt for promotion, we weren’t all that far away form those teams this year.
Sam
2nd XI 2018 Season Report
On a sunlit Saturday afternoon with supporters gathered to witness Navestock (Division champions) scamper home by 2 wickets and 4 balls to spare, sealing our fate. In previous seasons 7 wins and 221 points would have comfortably secured our Division status.
We could look back at missed opportunities, having bowled out the top three sides for less than 182. Not beating Rettendon and Navestock at home, the dropped catches, the lack of maidens bowled. To focus on those events would camouflage the development of our youngsters; the consistent performances from a few of our ‘experienced’ players, the run chase against Great Wakering, the fun, the laughs!
Batting
Congratulations to Nindi: 502 runs including a match winning hundred against Great Totham in a must win game. Nindi also only missed 2 games all season. This is the fluent I’ve seen him bat, it was genuinely a surprise when he has been dismissed. The Batsman had not scored a league hundred since September 2016. This year we had three, Nindi, Robbo and your truly. Robbo coming in at No.7 carrying his bat for 112 against Purleigh. A special mention to Rhys to aided Robbo with a crucial 40. The averages will not tell you the full story. One of the highlights was chasing 268 against Great Wakering. This was a game when Harrison (214 league runs) came of age and together with Cameron and Matty, we won an exciting game in the last over, having needed 40 off three overs.
We missed Ryan who finished the season with two consecutive fifties, each innings batting with fluency and purpose.
Bowling
In addition to his 169 runs, 9 catches and leading the side for all but 2 games, Robbo was our leading wicket taker with 24, Cameron 14, Harry and Joe 13 and Rhys 12.
A special mention to Jamie Carroll, who took his maiden 5 wicket haul against Great Totham. He only played 7 games and often looked our most potent seamer and rightly deserved his promotion to the first team.
The only other bowler to take his inaugural 5 wickets in an innings was Cameron. With his boy-band looks and 40 yard run-up and ‘Brett Lee’ like celebrations, he was instrumental in our victory at East Hanningfield.
Before the season started we thought our young bowlers would be challenged against a number of first team opposition. In the previous season, Harry Duncan, Cameron Brown, Rhys Chapman and Jamie Carroll had played 8 league games between them, this season 53! A testimony to their desire and willingness to step up and take responsibility. They all have a bright future and we are luck to have them at the club. In addition they bring vital energy and athleticism in the field.
The Future
2019 will be an exciting season. If we can keep the same squad of players, I have no doubt we will be challenging for promotion. Yes, it would be good for some of the young batters to challenge Nindi for highest run scorer. I warn you, he maintains a high level of fitness and will not be surrendering that title easily. In the later part of the season, there was a noticeable improvement in Matty’s keeping (plus 202 league runs). This is suck a pivotal position in any team and we look forward to Matty’s on-going development.
Our bowling looks balanced, if I had one wish….any left arm spinners available? Deano, any takers? It’s been a thoroughly enjoyable season and a huge credit to those who nurture our colts and third team. We are reaping the benefits.
AP
3rd XI 2018 Season Report
There was an air of excitement and anticipation as Great Waltham 3rd XI started their inaugural season in Division 10 of the T Rippon League. After last seasons ‘friendly’ success, where most of the team consisted of the U15’s age group, everyone involved was asking – could similar performances be emulated? Captain Harman hoped that the youthful looking team had similar success in a division that consisted of local rivals Beaulieu Park, Boreham, Broomfield and Galleywood.
The Green Caps first fixture was against Oaklands CC, a team originating from the Rising Sun Public House, New London Road, Chelmsford. With seven youngsters in the 3rd XI, a calm head would be needed. Anticipation turned into trepidation however, as the home side found themselves 15 for 5 after 8 overs, Gore, Elles, Eaglesham, De’ath and Barker had all returned to the clubhouse wondering what had hit them. Welcome to league cricket everyone! Webb, Reed and Harman steadied the ship and a score of 111 was reached – the first batting point of the season! Oaklands reached this total with 4 wickets to spare and all involved received a little reality check.
The first Waltham win came on the day of the W in May. A royal wedding at Windsor. A FA Cup final at Wembley but most enjoyably a Great Waltham 3rd XI win against Rayleigh 6ths. The team had a mature look to it. Chappie and Swanny were playing their first game of the season as the GCSE examinations ‘kicked in’. Swanny smashed a quick 82 runs and a total of 241 runs was reached. Jacob De’ath and Tom Gore took 7 wickets between them and comprehensive victory by 184 runs was had.
The next series of three games saw matches against Galleywood, Beaulieu Park and Bentley. All these sides presented different challenges with two defeats and one victory being achieved. The biggest disappointment of the season must have been the failure to chase down 128 runs scored by Bentley. On a hot summer day in Brentwood, Jacob De’ath carried his bat but no one else was able to occupy the crease for any length of time and the 3rd XI failed to bat 12.3 overs and lost by 12 runs.
In the middle of the season the Green Caps faced the two form sides of the division – Boreham and Broomfield. Apart from the Bs, these sides have many similarities. Both have established batting line ups. In the case of Boreham the surnames Money and Greenaway feature heavily and lots and lots of runs are scored by O’Riordan for Broomfield. Experience winning over youth but not for much longer!
At the half way stage of the season Great Waltham 3rd XI had played nine games having won three, lost five and lost one game to the weather. The side had seen lots of changes. Cameron Brown, Rhys Chapman and Harrison Elles were now regular starters in the 2nd XI. Gavin Reed was now batting in his rightful place and Dylan Tokley and Jacob Heaton from the U15’s had been performing well for Captain Harman.
With the England football team causing problems with selection against Oaklands the next three games saw wins on the bounce against South Woodham Ferrers, Rayleigh and Galleywood respectively. The team against Galleywood had a real youthful feel to it as the visitors to Church Road, Hatfield Peveral scored 157 for 7 from their 40 overs. The star of the show was Issac Elles (5-0 – 21-3) bowling a fearless five over spell of left arm spin up the hill, taking three wickets in the process and ripping the heart out of the Galleywood middle order. More evidence of the impressive Great Waltham Colts production line! Spencer and Gavalar had an opening partnership of over 100 and the Green Caps won by 8 wickets.
With the summer holidays now ‘kicking in’ a number of individual appearances helped the 3rd XI field a complete side – The Webb Family, Paul Richardson and Matthew Tokley to name but a few. The last three league games were against Boreham, Hornchurch and Broomfield. Tough games against the two B’s – both promoted and a walkover against Hornchurch as they couldn’t raise a side.
Thank you to all those individuals who represented the 3rd XI this season. The final statistics were played 18, won 8, lost 9 with 1 no result. This placed Great Waltham 3rd XI sixth in the division having been able to fulfil all their fixtures. A season that must be described as a success having facilitated a game of cricket for young and old alike. Well done to all and remember the futures bright, the futures green!
The 3rd XI Scribe.
2018 Sunday XI Season Review
The beginning of the 2018 season for the Sunday team was met with expectancy and promise as we looked to build on the successes of previous years. In short, my somewhat modest goals were as follows: to do the league double and claim successive Warsop Premier League titles; to dismantle all opposition in the village cup, thus making it through to the national final played at Lords; and finally but most importantly, for the young players in the team to build on their talent and make contributions as we progressed through the season. Unfortunately, the first and second proved to be just a shade out of reach. The third however, was easily fulfilled as the youngsters surpassed my expectations and excelled throughout the year making some telling contributions whenever called upon.
The first round of the national village cup 2018 saw Waltham drawn against semi-local opposition Abberton, for many of us being the first competitive cricket game of the season. The anticipation was increased by the rumours that Abberton was by all accounts a beautiful place to play cricket and to flat-track-bully Harris’ delight, a bit of a ‘road’. The former proved to be entirely accurate as we arrived to a superbly picturesque ground, complete with our own set of changing room French doors for added viewing pleasure. The sight was even worthy of making a feature on Dan Bloom's SnapChat, although he had to work fast as Simon’s under dressed shapely form soon filled the panorama, marring or enhancing the image at the viewers preference. This was unfortunately the highlight of the day as, despite skittling the hosts for a below par 142 and ourselves cruising to 79-1 in reply, we failed to capitalise and fell agonisingly short on 136 from our allotted 40 overs. Lessons learned? There are no roads in May and that structuring a run chase is just as important for low totals as it is for high ones. Lords will just have to wait until 2019!
As the reigning league champions of last year, we hoped to equal that accomplishment in 2018 and even with the loss of several key younger players to the rigours of the dreaded ‘Sunday Job’, I thought we stood a significant chance of doing so. This again was unfortunately not to be. The standard of play in the league had definitely increased and each week saw us going up against strong opposition who would’ve given any Waltham team a good run for their money. This being said, we acquitted ourselves well, finishing in 4th place and easily securing league survival with several games remaining. The team played an exciting brand of cricket, twice setting totals of 300+, ensuring that each and every game was hard fought and remained competitive to the end.
There were some outstanding performances with the bat this season, notably the match winning run a ball 103 for Josh Fitzwater against rivals Rayleigh, s stoic partnership of 89 between young guns Harrison Elles and Cameron Brown, with Cam scoring a superb 50, and an out of character truly destructive display from Matty Reed in a stylish victory over Woodham Mortimer. A special mention here has to be made for Rhys Chapman who frequently cemented his all-rounder status, scoring 235 runs at an average of 33.57, impressing everyone with the confidence in which he played. Another year, another dominant league season for Sam Harris. Like everyone else at the club, I’m struggling to come up with yet more superlative to describe his batting, so I’ll just leave you with the figures. 255 quick-time league runs at an average of 63.75. Not bad.
There were also some similarly excellent contributions with the ball. Jamie Carroll ripping through the top order on multiple occasions, returning with a season tally of 13 wickets, Ollie Devenish showing us how they do it in the big leagues with an exemplary spell of 3-21 and Joel Barker showing great skill and control, thoroughly deserving his 3-44. Another special mention must be made here for James Taylor. James is one of those players a captain needs in their team, someone who is willing(ish) to charge in whenever asked, regardless of the weather conditions or many beers were imbibed the night before. The old war horse had another outstanding year finishing miles ahead of everyone else with a haul of 23 wickets, coming at an average of just under 19.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Sunday team this year, whether that be as a player supporter, tea supplier or for anything else. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.
Ollie Fitzwater
Ladies XI End of Season Report 2018
This season the ladies continued to compete in the south division of the Beaumont Seymour Women’s Cricket League, a T20 league held on a Friday evening.
The ladies only had 8 matches this year due to one team conceding against them twice, however the ladies only suffered two defeats and finished their divisional campaign on a five game winning streak. The most memorable of these wins was when the ladies chased down top of the table OC’s 104 target with an over to spare, ending their unbeaten season.
This put the ladies in second place and through to the semi final play off with the north division. The game was held at the neutral ground of Mountnessing, against Colchester and East Essex. Despite restricting the north division winners to 115 the ladies were 9 runs short of their target at the end of the 20 overs.
The ladies squad saw a few changes this year and the management set a target of finishing mid table and working at development our newer players. To finish the season having made it to the semi finals again and narrowly miss out on a finals spot smashed all expectations for this squad. It just goes to show how much hard work the players have put in and the level of determination the team has.
There were seven players that made their debut for the ladies this season, they all contributed to the team but a few deserve a special mention. Firstly, a mother and daughter combo, Abi Camp joined the bowling attack while Annie made a difference with the bat. Secondly there was Georgia, who went from complete novice to natural leg spinner; she is definitely one to watch out for. Finally a special mention goes out to Lisa Webb who, after several years watching her boys, decided to get involved and threw herself into the game whole heartedly. She took her first catch and scored her first runs, even turning her arm over from time to time. Lisa also put her body on the line in the field, receiving a black eye one week for her efforts. Lisa also turned out for the 3’s this season alongside her husband and both her sons, quote likely, making it a first time the club was represented by a whole family in one team.
It was great to see our old faithful’s return again this season, regularly contributing with the bat were Frances and Becky, Zoe and Hermione were at the heart of the bowling attack and the all rounder’s Fran, Saba and Mary put in some great performances. The team wouldn’t be complete without the quick South African wit of Natasha, who took on whatever role was asked of her this season, from bowling to keeping and everything in between.
Thank you to all the ladies that turned out this season, every appearance has been a contributing factor to the success of the team!
A few more thank yous need to be handed out, firstly to Dave and JT for turning out every week to run training for the Ladies, your hard work is appreciated and has shone through in the teams success. Also to Teresa and Rachel for maintaining the reputation of having the best teas in the league by providing a top-notch chilli for our home games. A massive thank you to Janet for your continued support and for being there every home game to man, open up and run the bar.
Finally a special thank you goes to the vice captain, Becky, whose continued hard work behind the scenes makes the captains job much easier.
Mary Shaw