Ivanhoe v Aldenham - Sat 6th June 2009

Putting a touch of Dutch into Aldenham's game!

Ivanhoe 57 All Out, Aldenham 63-1 (Aldenham Win by 9 Wickets)

After a week of uncertain weather word was spread early Saturday morning that the game with Ivanhoe was to go ahead - to the surprise of many people. When we arrived at the venue we were welcomed by what looked to be a good pitch that would offer a bit of extra pace and bounce to the 'Quickies' in the Aldenham line Up.

This was to be the case as Both Charlie and Sen were getting that little bit extra out of the track, Sen getting extra bounce causing the batsmen all kinds of problems and Charlie shaping the new ball both ways and getting good carry through to the keeper who had to be on his toes even though he'd only had a couple of hours sleep!

The Ivanhoe innings never really got going as the Aldenham opening pair were taking wickets with good regularity not giving the batsmen any easy chances to score runs. Sen Finishing with 2-11 off his 7 overs including 3 maidens. Newly named (By Chris) Charlie 'The Mouth' finished with destructive bowling figures of 5-16 from 10 overs with 2 Maidens - helped along the way by 2 very good catches at Slip by Chris Munroe.

Following Sen's opening Spell was a pumped up Danny Morgan, steaming in taking 1-13 off 4 quite hostile overs bowling at a good pace making life uncomfortable for the home sides batsmen beating the edge on numerous occasions.

When Charlie surrendered his end there was a surprise bowling change (None more shocked than the bowler himself!) as Colin threw the ball the club new boy for an over (or two as it ended). After a couple of deliveries the nerves began to settle and Dave ended on 2-6 from 1.4 overs thus wrapping up a superb all-round performance from Aldenham in the field dismissing the Hosts for 57 in just over 20 overs.

After a short break for tea came the run chase –

Opening pair Mayuren and Chris showed positive intent from the start scoring at a good rate with some good positive running. Mayuren was then offered a full-ish delivery that had him caught in two minds whether to block or drive and unluckily chipped one back to the bowler on 9.

This brought Nick Hale to the crease to join Chris attempt to carry the early momentum started by the openers, and this they did. Some great running between Chris and Nick added the rarity of some 3's onto the scorecard and even a run 4(That we then discovered had gone over the rope with the fielders not telling the batsmen ujntil they'd run all 4!)

Chris was in devastating form with the bat jumping on any deliveries that were slightly off line or length finishing in a Crowd pleasing 40 not out ending the game with a big six down the ground. Nick contributing well finishing on 9 not out and the job had been done, Aldenham had finished a fine performance with what ended up being a very comfortable run chase with to 63 coming up in 9.5 overs.

Man Of The Match -

This is a close one I think, There were some great performances in the field but also equally with the bat. I think the fair option would be to award the Man Of The Match for this game to Chris Munroe (2 catches and 40 N.o) and Charlie Munroe (5-16). Two Great performances

What else Happened?!

1) An extra notch in the drops column for Itty and Sen - Although one was a fair bit harder than the other (I'm saying no more!)

2) Charlie being named 'The Mouth' by Chris - That one could stick

3) Sen almost decapitating Dave with his Stunt Kite

Dave Fane