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2008 English Season.
June 21st Vs Sanford
- Rained off
June 28th vs north devon-
Boys lost(i was on holiday)
July 5th vs Sidmouth
- Rained off
July 12th vs Budleigh
salterton
After a month of not playing any cricket
i was getting extremely frustrated, it had rained all week and as our
captain was away,
i was back in
charge.
I recieved a phonecall saturday morning
telling me that there was almost no point in travelling even though
it was a sunny
saturday. there outfield was full of puddles.I
decided we would travell anyway.
We arrived to see 15 or so lads scooping
water in buckets (they had been doin this since 9am.Our lads helped
out and after
chatting to there captain we just decided we
would start as late as poss (we just wanted a game)
4pm 29overs
aside I won the toss and decided to field. phil bowled amazingly with
figures of 8 overs 5wickets for 6 runs.
Unfortunity others were expensive they reached
123.
This target i thought was very getable.our
batting was rubbish however, jake runout for 0 without facing and only
3 people
getting in double figures(rest 0
or 1) we fell 13 runs short but still picked up 6 points(same as being
rained off)
I got 2
wickets
July 19th vs Plympton
Captain again and fine weather, but
we were playing a team who is the most dominant in the league.
Once again i won the toss and chose to
field, We started well with myself and ben beating the bat and
creating
chances(however no wickets fell),Plympton batted
well through the middle overs and were on track for 300+. Thats when
things started to come back to us with jake
and myself taking quick wickets. Plympton declared with 4 overs
to go 244/9
My figures
11.5 overs 49 for 3
We batted well for a start and were looking
good 50-0 and a lossing draw an easy task.A sudden colapse and i was
walking
to the middle (batting
9)with us 7 down and still 26overs to bat.
This was by far my best innings i played
all season facing 66balls for 20runs playing only 1 attacking shot.
i was finally out
lbw with 2 overs
to go.luckly phil(no 11 batt) lasted to get a losing draw and 10 vital
points.
This was the only time in the whole season
that plympton didnt win outright.
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Saturday 24th May
What a great summers day in one
of the most beautiful cricket grounds in devon.we were playing exmouth
away,we had
heard that there team wasnt strong but like always we were ready to
under achieve.
On a flat batting track right next
to the freezing cold sea exmouth batted 1st.we bowled quite well and
after a long day in the
field had them all out for 189, a below par score
we believed.
But we couldnt put any partnerships together
and ended up being bowled out for 135 with a few overs left, a disappointing
day and as the rest of my team fully know now I HATE LOSING.
My figures were 14 overs 3 - 67
Saturday 31st May
Headed off to exeter, a strong side usually
but felt we would do ok as rain had been falling all week helping out
for a low
scoring game. we won the toss and put them into bat thinking eary wickets
vital. What a surprise we got when their openers
started smashing our bowlers around, they were soon 60-0 off 9 overs.
it may have been a turning point when a snared a low
diving catch to my right at 2nd slip(maybe the best catch ive
ever taken.We changed bowlers at both ends and myself and gilly
put the squeeze on,gilly 6 wickets, we reduced exeters score to
144 all out.
We walked off the field in a positive way and
were sniffing our 1st win. However wickets fell and it wasnt till the
8th wicket
partnership that helped us survive until the rain came.the game ended
in a draw with us reaching 108-8.
My bowling figures 11 1-36
Saturday 7th June vs plympton totally
rained off
Saturday14th June vs south devon
As our tom(our captain) was away i was
put in charge of the team for the next few weeks.This was the start
of my game lifting
and it was over due.
After winning the toss on a day were rain was
everywere i found it a hard decision but i put them into bat.
We started well and it doesnt show how good
my figures were finishing up with 1-20 off 10 overs(at the end of my
1st spell i
had 1-9 off 8overs).A dropped catch didnt help.Rain they then put
on a good partnership until rain interviened. we had early
tea and i wasnt wanting to go back out.but they play on anything
over here.the game was shortend to 44 overs with south
devon reaching 179, a score i thought was above par.
Once again wickets fell with only ben(opening bat) scoring
any runs and trouble was looming.this was until george went into
bat at 7. from there the game was won with both of them reaching
50.
A huge relief and an awesome feeling felt by all
our boys.i was on cloud nine with my 1st win.
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Saturday,
10th May, 2008.
Hi
lads
Unfortunitly
not a great start for us on the weekend against a promoted Budleigh,
although more good than bad points.
It was a
beautiful sunny Devon day after raining during most of the week. Our
captain got off to a good start and we were out in the field. It was
almost a better start for me with my first ball being spooned to cover,
opps dropped. I couldnt believe it.
From there it was a frustrating day in the field with numerous catches
being spilled. All our bowlers bowled very well with little faith when
the ball went in the air.
Our ground
fielding was great and we eventually restricted Budleigh to 230/4. Not
all that bad considering. I ended up with 1/45 off 15 overs. Quite happy
since I bowled 8 out of the last 16 overs.
Oh yeah
the bloke that was dropped off my 1st ball made 80 something (UNLUCKY)
Our batting
started off positively with Charcol scoring 68 and Keish scoring 30?
but when they departed the breaks went on for us with the aim a losing
draw. We managed that with 8 wickets down finishing on around 170.
I was 11 not out at the end.
I
really hate this winning/losing draw and it was extremely frustrating
to just pat back lollypops.
Anyway
tomorrows a new day, we are playing away at Sidmouth, they are a very
good side and finished above us in 3rd last season. it will be very
tough for us.The weather isnt looking the brightest either.
But
it is apparently 1 of the nicest places to play in devon, right by the
sea. CAN'T WAIT
Cheers
Steve
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Thursday, 1st May, 2008.
Hi guys.
Well its that time of year over here in England,
with the occasional bit of sunshine peaking through
the grumpy grey English skys. Yes its cricket season again.
First of all i'd just like to say well done
to both teams this season, some good results produced, unlucky with
the weather the last couple of weekends.
The season kicks off over here this weekend
playing our first league match against Budleigh, they are a team promoted
from last year, so it will be an interesting match.
There has been a change in guard in our 2nds
team, with a young up and coming cricketer taking the reigns this season.
It will be a hard and frustrating season with youth team outlook.
I haven't been upto much, just working, drinking
and coaching the colts for the past few months, they have so much talent
comming through this club it's really unbelieveable.
Due to working Sundays I've missed winter trainings
and only had a couple pre season hit outs leading up to this Saturday.
Feeling good and into a nice rythem (as good as i can get it anyway).
So will email next week to let you all no the
result, hopefully a few poles to start off
Cheers
Steve
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2007
English Season.
Steve in action at the bowling
crease. Back
row (L-R) Terry Stevens, Chris Barr,
Paul (PD)
Thompson, Hasantha
Fernado, Calum (monkey) Whittaker.
Front
row (L-R)Steve Mattock, Dave (The Vain)
Burke and James (Misty, Sliver Back,
Harvey)
Nicholls.
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Tuesday,
11th September, 2007.
Hi guys.
Well two weeks ago was the last
league game of the season and we were hoping to finish the season at
home with a win against Sidmouth who were one spot ahead of us in 3rd
place.
It was an overcast day with the
sun trying to break through the clouds, we had an average team but were
ready to put everything we had into finishing the season on a high.
We had added incentive with the
inspirational captain Dave Watson standing down as captain after this
game. I had a little more incentive as I was only two wickets up on
my nearest rival for most wickets in the division (he was playing for
sidmouth in to).
We won the toss and after a few
words in the changing room walked out on our home ground (Peverall Park)
for maybe the last time ready for a huge effort in the field. However
sidmouth were a good side and we were a little bit expensive early on,
although I picked up three wickets I had been hit for the biggest six
since arriving in England (out of the ground, straight over my head
& the trees & into the next field). I hadn't bowled badly but
this batsman played extremly well. After his wicket runs dried
up and we were well on top having them 129-9. Unfortunitly they reached
179 all out with me taking a catch on the last ball of there innings.
Going into the break we were confident
that we would win, but knew we still had to bat well. After losing
2 early wickets we had what should have been a match winning partnership
between jake & andy. Not the case however, we put to much pressure
on ourselves and with there tight bowling lost wickets quickly resulting
in a losing draw. I top scored in the bottom 6 with 7runs off 8 balls
before a skidding ankle high ball hit me dead infront of my stumps.(easiest
decision for any umpire)
A NOT SO GOOD END OF THE SEASON FOR US.
The club on the otherhand had a
great season with 4 out of 5 teams being promoted.
I finished with 33 wicket for the
season, 5 clear of 2nd place getter. Also averaged just over 20 with
the bat.
This Saturday just gone saw our
presentation night, it was so much fun, loads of food, drink, friends
and other great people.
I recieved 3 awards including best 2nd team bowler, 2nd team player
of the year and joint club player of the year. An achievment I am sure
i'll never forget.
Summary of this season for
me is that Plymouth cricket club is a great place to not just play cricket
but live cricket, make huge amount of great mates and enjoy some of
the best times in my life. I can't wait till next season & will
be keeping a close eye on how Man-Fox gets on, GOOD LUCK BOYS.
Just like to finish with a big
thank to Plymouth cricket club for an enjoyable season.
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Thursday,
30th August, 2007.
Hi guys
Well its been a couple of weeks
but that is due to the week befores game being rained off.
Last weekend however was
a great English summers day and we travelled to Exmouth cricket ground,
situated right next to a sandy beach.
The biggest cricket crowd was watching
since I started and yes boys there was some bikini action.
Anyway back to the game, well we had a very depleated team this week
as we strenghtend our other teams so they would win and be promoted
for next season.
We lost the toss and on a stinking
hot day were sent out to field. We fielded well and if some of us had
taken our catching chances. We bowled them out for 168. Not a bad day
for me with my knee strapped up takeing 3 wickets and two catches.
At lunch we were extremley confident
of an outright win and at 80-0 looked to be cruising to victory, oh
how a game can change. We were bowled out for 130ish with myself left
spitting tacks at the other end of the pitch watching 5 wickets fall
around me, I finished on 11* after facing 24 balls.
I was not a happy man back in the shed & my english teammates didn't
care that we had lost.
Went for a swim with some of the
lads after and a smile slowly reappeared back on my face.
Our other 3 teams all won and are promoted in next years comp. What
a great club
til next week
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Tuesday
14th August, 2007.
Hi JR, got this weeks update for you.
Well after a week of great sunshine
it was a cracking day for cricket, we were playing bottom of the table
Paighton. I was looking to get more than a handful of wickets all going
to plan. Unfortunitly things don't always workout like that.
They won the toss and put us into
bat, the first few overs went well and after scoring 300+ last week
were looking to do the same.
How a game can change, next thing
you know I'm walking out to the wicket (batting number 8) and we're
86-6 after 17 overs. All I could think about was I need more runs on
the board if I'm gona get loads of wickets, crap.
After a slow start keith and I
started to create a good partnership. It only got better from there,
we both reached 50 and achieved a new club record for the 7th wicket
(130).
We both lost our wicket in the same over (Keith 60 & myself
56). We finished on 225 after 50 overs.
I was so happy going into the break, my 1st 50 for the club and the
perfect time to achieve it.
We started well with the ball as Phil
nabbed the 1st wicket, I followed with 1 soon after.
I then fell in a heap when my knee went out from underneath me
as I was bowling, I continued to bowl a few more overs picking up 1
more wicket. My knee was swelling up so I was replaced at the bowling
crease.
We ended bowling them out for 190
odd.
A great win going into our fines
night.
Can't tell you much about fines
night as it gets quite hard to remember when you are under the influence.
They love getting us overseas players hammered. WHAT A GREAT TIME.
til next week,
Steve.
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Thursday,
9th August, 2007.
Hi
JR
Sorry the results have been delayed.
We played Plymton two weeks ago
and only managed to get half a game in before the rain came in.
We were in a little trouble tho as the oppostion reached 203-8dec on
a bowler friendly wicket. I managed to pick up 3-50, they had some good
bats, best thing was I got the wicket of KOB XPOM Andy Walter, although
I had him caught behind when he was on 2, cheat didn't walk.
After the game myself & two
other of us Plymouth guys played drinking games with the opposition
captain(bad move), we left the grounds covered in mud from head to foot
after falling over (highly intoxicated at this time). Got a taxi back
to our clubrooms and were refused to be served (dont know why?). I can
tell you it was a very hard day for me pulling pints at work that sunday.
Last week
Well we played Barton 2nds
(Hayden Morgan plays for their 1sts) we batted extremely well scoring
319 off our 50 overs, I didnt need to bat. It was on a good wicket but
we thought we had the game won. Unfortunitly things didn't go our way
and Barton to their credit played well reaching 250odd for 5, this giving
us a winning draw. This is the crapiest rule ever and I walked of the
park in an absolute sulk, we were the better team, we scored more runs.
JUST NOT FAIR!!!
My figures were 2-46, not that great but two wickets anyway.
This week its Paighton, so
hoping for a true result saturday.
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Sunday,
29th July, 2007.
Hi JR, couple of games to fill you in
on.
Not good news last week as we were
beaten by a better side on the day.
They won the toss and we were in
all sorts of trouble at 56-6 on a flat deck, but after putting on a
67 run partnership between Keith and I we reached a score that we had
a chance to defend 165-9. I managed to score 27 before kicking the ball
onto my stumps-doh.
It wasnt to be and although
the boys bowled well we lost by 8 wickets, George and I getting 1 wicket
each.
The week before we travelled
to North Devon(weakest side in the comp) expecting an easy win.
We won the toss and had them 2 down for 1 run, they managed to score
173-4, first time I hadn't claimed a wicket.
During this game I dropped
2 catches in the slips(1 sitter & 1 diving to my right). There were
so many occasions were the ball dropped into the smallest gaps, things
just didnt go our way.
We batted well with some
good partnerships and proved it was a good batting surface reaching
thier score losing only 3 wickets.
The best ground I've played
at so far, with great scenery and beatiful club house, also after the
game jumped the wall and went for a dip in the sea.
Great place for cricket,
aye Mahes.
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Tuesday,
10th July, 2007.
Not good news this week as after
finally getting a full game of cricket in, we ended up getting beaten(by
a better side on the day).
After winning the toss we decided
to put Exeter into bat, we started off well and after a few close shaves
and a dropped catch(sitter) I finally managed to get there aussie overseas
player out.
I was glad to see him go as he had been scoring loads of runs for them.
We kept applying pressure with
John bowling spin 7-31 off 15 overs, but they hit out well in the final
overs posting 174 on a low/slow wicket.
My stats were demolished after
8 overs 1-20 ended up 13 overs 1-55, dont bowl half vollys they get
smashed.
We never really got in the game
as wickets fell at regular intervals and were finally bowled out for
114.
Hope a better result for next week
at North Devon.
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Wednesday,
27th June, 2007.
Hi
guys sorry for the lateness of this result.
Last week was rained out, have
found the crap English summer for two weeks with rain.
Although I got to watch the All
Blacks get out of jail against the Springboks.
The game two weeks ago was a good
one for us with a comfortable win. We won the toss and on a damp pitch
we decided to bowl. I had some personal motivation to bowl to the best
I could.
I believe I bowled well and finished
with figures of 12 overs 4-36. They were dismissed for 116.
We then chased down the score losing only 4 wickets in doing so.
A WIN BY 6 WICKETS.
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Wednesday,
13th June, 2007.
Hi guys.
Well as I said I would be sending you
a winning result, here goes.
Our Captain finally won a toss and we
bowled first. We had them on the ropes at 34-2 after 15 overs but some
poor bowling/fielding let them off the hook.
They managed to scrape through to 176
all out.
YES I FINALLY GOT MY 5 WICKET BAG 5-47
OFF 14 OVERS
We then batted well for a start
anyway and didn't loose our first wicket until we reached 99.
A great start, but I've found out man-fox isnt the only team to calapse,
we eventually won the match 8 wickets down, with me doing a Myles Sayer
0 not out.
So fourth on the table, not a bad
start and I'm finally getting more wickets.
Bring on some hard fast tracks,
Poms don't like short balls.
Steve.
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Wednesday,
6th June, 2007.
Hi guys
Well great news this week. WE KICKED
ASS!!!!
We played away to Barton who were ahead
of us on the table. It is aslo Haydn Morgans club as well. He plays
in their top side and although the team isn't going to well, ive been
reading his results and he is bowling well. Hope he comes back to Man-Fox
again.
Unfortunitly we didn't stay long after
the game so I didn't catch up with him.
We lost the toss and were put into bat,
lost an early wicket of our captain/my flatmate for a duck.
As it happens that was the only time Barton were in the game, as Phil.
S (other opener) played his way to his 1st league 100 and setting
us up with a big total of 230.
It was 1 way traffic from then on as
we had them all out for 76. Using only myself & Phil. B.
For the 1st time since I've been here I managed to find some pace in
the low wicket and took 4-42 off 12 overs with three dropped catches
& a plum lbw turned down. Although my figures look expensive 8 boundaries
were hit, 4 of them through a vacant 3rd man. Phil. B had 5-29
off 13overs.
Bowled the best since being here, just
hope to get rewarded better in the future.
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Thursday,
31st May, 2007.
Hi guys
Played our top opposition on saturday
and were beaten easy, after being 98 for 2 we were all out for 116.
Reminded me of a man-fox collapse really. I was the only one caught
(2) as everyone got bowled or lbw. Got 1 wicket for stuff all.
LOST BY 5 WICKETS.
ALSO the picture of me and the boys are
at a charity competition called C.L.I.C.
Its to raise money for cancer prevention I think?. It was set up by
ANDY WALTERs family after his brother died of cancer and it is played
between 6-8 clubs.
Yes it is the same ANDY WALTER from KOB
(aka the run out king) he scores runs over here tho.
We won the comp, mind you we had a strong
team, Chris Barr plays high grade in aussie, Hasantha has played test
match cricket for Sri Lanka (could be in the 20/20 world cup side) and
Dave is the first team captain. He picked up 9 wickets on saturday and
is a very descent bowler/bat.
Will look forward to emailing you next
week with a winning result.
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Email
Saturday, 26th May, 2007.
Hi Folks
First real game of the season for me
was three weeks ago, it was an away game played at Exeter.
After traveling around and getting lost a bit we arrived at the ground,
won the toss and bowled first.
I opened the bowling and had a wicket
1st ball(not a bad start aye) we had them in trouble but they scraped
through to 109 all out, my figures were 9 overs 3 for 25.
We started batting and were off to a
good start but a middle order collapse had us in trouble but I got us
through with our number 11 with a patient 12*.
My Captain/flatmate was a nervous wreck,
but although my batting always looks ugly it can still get a few runs
sometimes.
A WIN BY 1 WICKET.
2nd game was alot easier although I only
picked up 1 wicket they never looked like beating us. they batted 1st
and were all out in the last over for around 140ish.
Our openers both batted well and both
reached 50.
A WIN BY 7 WICKETS.
Last weeks game played away in south
Devon, the pitch was rubbish for the first 15 overs with only a handfull
of balls getting higher than ankle height, we got put into bat and were
72-7 when I went out to the crease (30 of those were extras) I batted
22 overs and had two little partnerships which had us getting to a little
more respectable score when I was a muppet and left a ball which came
back in and cleaned out my stumps, 21 runs now have an average, but
a 33 average is ok.
They were chasing 137 to win and again I
got a wicket with my 1st ball but should have spelled me after that.
Got a little hammered, they were crusing until one of our boys got 3
wicket for 4 runs but it was all over.
A LOSS BY 3 WICKETS.
Playing heaps of cricket over here, 3
games a week and two training's is full on. Played in the evening league
last night, 16 overs a side. Played as a wicketkeeper-batsman and got
2 catches, look out mike smith I loved keeping so we have to fight for
that spot if I come back.
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Stevies
Day 1.
Email from Friday,
4th May, 2007.
Well
finally over in England and after a little hick up which included getting
the wrong day for the english guys to pick me up, so had to catch a
train down arrived in plymouth(my cricketing destination) at midday
english time.
Once picked up from the train station
i was taken to the cricket ground were i ended up playing a full game
starting at 1.30pm.
Well considering only having slept for
2-3 hours in a 35ish hour period i actually played ok, getting 3 wickets
and two decent catches at first slip. oh and also a duck but just trying
to keep my form for when i get back. I REALLY WANT THAT DUCK CUP
SO I HOPE TIM IS TAKING GOOD CARE OF IT.
The grade over here is just like man-fox
really so hoping to perform well.
Went out last night and got pissed.
This place is a like Foxton too.
Dam it time to get to training
signing off
lataz.
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