Runs drought as batting crumbles By Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo

A Morden Corinthians batting collapse started from the very first ball of the day, and despite every effort to reverse the dire loss of the first wicket, the torment of the downfall continued alarmingly throughout the lineup.

Against the leafy, tree lined backdrop of Box Hill, the impressive Friends Provident ground proved to be a harsh hunting ground for Corinthians. The Reigate Priory V’s opening bowlers extracted enough vigor and lift, out of a relatively soft pitch, to trouble the batsmen into playing a plethora of poor defensive shots. These blunders produced a series of gifted catches, easily snapped up by the Reigate fielders.

At the end of the struggle with the bat, Morden Corinthians amassed a disappointing 73 all out. The extras column was fourth top scorer. A depressing score and performance that left each team member bewildered. However, after tea a rejuvenated and inspired Corinthians side went out to field with a positive attitude to save the match, having also to battle with the rain and a very wet outfield. Unsurprisingly, it was an early shower – the most exhilarating part of the day – Reigate went on to win by nine wickets.


ALSO WORTHY OF A MENTION

Batting:
Brief respite, as Tony Hammond and Steve Vickery contributed a 25-run partnership in 61 balls, out of a total innings of 135 balls faced by the team
Shinny Golden Duck award goes to Viv Sharma

Bowling:
Imran Ahmad’s solitary wicket

Catches:
Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo’s running 5 yards to collect


FOR THE RECORD
Match: Reigate Priory V v Morden Corinthians. Date: 26 July 2003
Toss: Lost, Reigate elected to field Match format: Timed
Pitch: firm-to-soft and flat Weather: Cloudy, showers, with intermittent sunshine
Result: Morden Corinthians lost MCCC match captain: Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo


Team/batting order:
Viv Sharma, Barek Chowdhury, Brian Douglass, Imran Ahmad, Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo, Keith Pilgrim Jess Sharling, Steve Vickery (keeper)Tony, Hammond, Asim Sibtain, Graham Pinkney.

It’s out of our hands… By Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo

Murmurs of ‘catches win matches’ haunted Morden Corinthians players after they were left rueing a closely contested affair, losing by one wicket against a stubborn Chertsey IV eleven.

Put in to bat on a pitch which offered little incentive to the bowlers, MCCC had a shaky start as batsmen were trying to find their timing and touch. The visitors faltered as a result, losing the first wicket for just 21 runs.

Brian Douglass, recovered the innings with a robust 35, powerfully punishing the loose ball, before feathering a very feint edge to the keeper. Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo stepped up to build the innings further, forging a useful 48-run partnership with Jess Sharling (17 runs). Together they took the score to 136, before Jess fell to a quicker ball that whipped the bails off on middle-and-leg.

Then with the score at 154, Steve was snared with a similar ball, closing his account with a vigorously executed 40. A quick fall of wickets then ensued, culminating in Corinthians being bowled out for 176.

In the field, Corinthians seized the initiative early on as opening bowler Jim Patel claimed the wickets of the two opening batsmen for a total of only three runs. Jim added another two scalps to his tally as wickets continued to tumble fairly cheaply. However, it was a pivotal partnership between Chertsey’s batsmen Eagles (No. 3) and Avery (No. 7) that tilted the game in Chertsey’s favour. Eventually, they were both dismissed in the latter stages of the innings. Corinthians fought hard to turn things around but Chertsey was able to make the required seven runs in the remaining two overs.

Crucially, it was some five dropped catches that let Corinthians down in the field, allowing Chertsey to snatch a well-worked victory. MCCC, however, can take heart from the fact it has had the upper hand on the home side, winning previous encounters consecutively over the past three, possibly four, seasons.


ALSO WORTHY OF A MENTION
Catches:
Jim Patel’s amazing six-touch juggling spectacle
Brian Douglass (Keeper) one low take behind
Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo called for a lofted ball in front the batsman, avoiding colliding with two other team mates who were also moving in.

Bowling:
Other wicket takers: Jess Sharling (1); Vic Luis (2); Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo (1)
Graham Pinkney bowled a tidy 6-over spell of 19 runs


FOR THE RECORD
Match: Chertsey IV v Morden Corinthians. Date: 19 July 2003
Toss: Lost, Chertsey elected to field Match format: Timed
Pitch: good batting strip Weather: Sunny, hot
Result: Morden Corinthians lost MCCC match captain: Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo

Team/batting order:
Viv Sharma, Richard Spencer, Brian Douglass, Keith Pilgrim, Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo, Jess Sharling,
Tony Hammond, Jim Patel, Vic Luis, Graham Pinkney, Mitel Patel.

Saturday 12 July 2003 - MCCC frustrated by Natwest Bank - Draw

Another scorcha of a day, and after winning the toss I thought it would be best for us to go and have a bat first. We got off to a sold start with Richard Spencer and Steve O'Neil opening the Corinthians innings. Both were hitting some classic straight drives. The scoreboard was on 40 before the first wicket went down with Richard out. Edgar Luis went in at number three but continued his sparse season with the bat, out cheaply on an ill-judged LBW decision. It looked like an inside edge on to pad. Steve O'Neil was then despatched and MCCC were reeling on 70-3. Majid Rafiq at his usual number 4 slot with Imran in at 5 put on 163 for the fouth wicket to take the total to 233 before the declaration came.

A mix up on the rules resulted in a loss of 10 minutes extra bowling at Natwest. Although it had cooled down, bowling turned out to be heavy work. Natwest started clocking up runs very easily of the the pace attack combination of Jess Sharling and Vic Luis. First change was Tony Hammond who got in the groove quickly, frustrating the batsman with his nagging line and length, with both Natwest Batters playing and missing. Tony Hammond got the first break but then there were lots of half chances not taken. Tashfin shafique bowled a good line but at least two good chances went down behind the stumps. A brief burst of hope came when Edgar took quick wickets but by this time MCCC ran out of time and the game ended up in draw.

All in all a good batting performance but we should have got the Natwest boys out.
Team:Imran Ahmad (Captain), Tony Hammond, Steve O'Neil, Majid Rafiq, Edgar Luis, Vic Luis, Jess Sharling, Ali Herat, Tashfin Shafique, Jamal Tarafdar, Richard Spencer

Old Manhattans wobble to MCCC go close - Saturday 5th July 2003

On a cloudy and humid day the toss was lost and MCCC were asked to bat first. Opening was Andy Fletcher and Viv Sharma. In the middle of the fourth over there was a mix up on a run call which led to Andy Fletcher being run out. Next in was Steve O'Neil, who started off promisingly but was out to a great diving one handed catch at second slip. Everyone thought it bisected the slips.

A bowling change from Old Manhattans led to Viv Sharma seeing his off stump being dislodged. Jess Sharling was promoted to number four and played a typical cameo innings in a no nonsense style. He top scored with 24, aptly assisted by Ash at number 5. Ash was next out before the skipper came in at number 6.I felt a bit out of sorts but scrapped 14 before getting out to some dodgy spinner, nicking it to first slip. It was a crap shot and you can tell i've not played for a while!!

The tail briefly wagged with some petulant hitting from Gareth Jones and Tony Hammond, the latter of whom remained not out. MCCC finished on a modest 109 runs all out. It was a disappointing performance with the bat on a decent wicket.

I set a 6/3 offside/onside field hoping that we wouldn't bowl our usual leg side rubbish! Jess opened the attack and immediatly struck, bowling the opening batsman round the legs. Steve O'Neil was at the other end, started off a bit wayward but tighted later on. A sharp throw from Jess led to a run out. JESS SHARLING WAS ON FIRE TODAY! A difficult catch at by Ash in the covers meant all of sudden 109 was looking a difficult total to chase before. Jess swapped ends and Big G came on to try and tie down one end. A strong partnership by Manhattans then saw them to almost safety before
a couple of more wickets went down with Graham claiming both wickets with a great catch off a loopingcatch safely to Gareth Jones who was guesting for MCCC on this day. The end was not far for MCCC. They eased passed 109 with 3 wickets to spare.

A great spirited performance in the field by the Corinthians. Everyone gave their best and I mean everyone. We went down all guns blazing!!!! Man corinthians man of the match had to be Jess Sharling - what an all round performance by the big bad grand daddy!!! A big thanks for everyones efforts.

Team: Imran Ahmad (Captain), Andy Fletcher, Graham Pinkney, Viv Sharma, Ash Patel,
Keith Pilgrim, Jess Sharling, Gareth Jones (MCCC guest), Tony Hammond, Ali Herat

Morden Corinthians topples Bank of England June 30, 2003

The Movers & Shakers…By Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo
Morden Corinthians’ Heinrich Keyter cashed in a superb five-wicket haul for just 35 runs at the Bank of England, putting his team in a strong position.

The Corinthians opening fast bowler ripped through the Bank’s batting lineup in a disciplined nine overs spell. Vic Luis snatched two wickets for 21, while Tony Hammond – 10 overs for 40 runs – skittled out the three remaining batsmen, dismissing the home team for 144.

But this match culminated in a rollercoaster finish, as Bank’s IV eleven opening bowlers claimed two early wickets cheaply. Brian Douglass then struck a solid 44, taking the score to 82 before being caught very deep at mid-off.

With a little good fortune, Bank hit back with four quick wickets for only six runs, putting pressure on the Corinthians tail end, to set up a close finish.

Bank did extremely well to bring victory within its reach, but Morden Corinthians was now favourite, having two wickets in hand and plenty of overs remaining. Joe Nell and Tony Hammond anchored the innings, with Tony sealing the match, hitting a four through mid-wicket, and giving Corinthians three successive wins in two weeks.

ALSO WORTHY OF A MENTION
Catches:
Heinrich Keyter’s knee-height take at short square leg
Steve Vickery (Keeper) taking two behind

Batting:
Graham Pinkney moved up from the tail of the batting order to the opening slot, scoring purposeful 16.
Richard Spencer, 22 runs
Jono Pettit, 27 runs
-More-
Bowling:
Both Joe Nell and Jono Pettit bowled tightly and economically

Match: Bank of England IV v Morden Corinthians. Date: 27 June 2003
Toss: Lost, B of E elected to bat Match format: Declaration
Pitch: good batting strip Weather: Sunny, hot
Result: Morden Corinthians win MCCC match captain: Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo

Team/batting order:
Viv Sharma, Graham Pinkney, Brian Douglass, Richard Spencer, Jono Pettit, Heinrich Keyter,
Steve O’Neil Ramsadeo (Capt.), Joe Nell, Vic Luis, Tony Hammond, Steve Vickery.

-Ends-

Sunday June 29th v HINDHEAD
WINNING THE TOSS, I DECIDED TO BAT ON A VERY WARM AND HUMID DAY,
SAM COPE AND STEVE HERAT OPENING THE BATTING, SLOWLY BUT COMFORTABLY SCORING RUNS, STEVE H FINALLY FALLING IN THE 8TH OVER
BEING CAUGHT BEHIND OFF THE GLOVE(14) 22-1,SAM BEINGBOWLED(18)
39-2 STARTING A MINI COLLAPSE KEITH PILGRIM(0) G/DUCK MAJID (0)
SAVING THE HATTRICK 39-4, ALLY HERAT (2), THEN BRIAN OUT TO A GREAT CATCH IN THE COVERS AFTER A POWERFUL DRIVE (STINGING THE FIELDERS HANDS) (19) 53-6, CHARLIE COWBURN AND DAVID O'BRIEN PUSHING THE TOTAL ALONG TO 85 BEFORE CHARLIE GOT OUT TO ANOTHER VERY GOOD CATCH THIS TIME AT DEEP LONG ON (14) 85-7, JIM PATEL (0) 98-9,
DAVID O'BRIEN THE FALLING TO THE SLOWER BALL(52) 133-8, THEN A FINAL WICKET STAND OF 33 BY TONY (12) AND GRAHAM PINKNEY (15 N/O) SETTING
A TOTAL OF 167 TO WIN.

OPENING THE BOWLING CHARLIE AND SAM KEPT TIGHT LINES AND WERE VERY UNLUCKY NOT TO GET AN EARLY BREAKTHROUGH, PATIENCE PAID OFF WITH SAM TAKING THE OPENING WICKET, WITHIN AN OVER TWO WICKETS DOWN ,TONY TAKING A CATCH CLOSE IN, BATSMEN 2 & 4 MAKING TOO MANY RUNS, STEADYING THE INNINGS, 2 QUICK WICKETS BY MAJID CAUSING WHAT SEEMED TO BE A COLLAPSE, DAVID O'BRIEN GETTING HIS OWN BACK BOWLING NO 2 BAT WITH THE SLOWER BALL THUS SETTING UP A CLOSE FINNISH, MAJID THEN SAM TAKING A WICKET A PIECE NEEDING 12 RUNS FROM 3 OVERS STUBBORN BATTING GIVING HINDHEAD A DESERVED WIN.
BOWLING OV MDN RUN WKT
SAM 11.2 1 44 4
CHARLIE 10 1 42 0
DAVID 6 0 27 1
MAJID 6 0 36 3
JIM 2 0 12 0

THANKYOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR EFFORT