20/12/2018

Hounslow Rocks Quiz

These Hounslow borough born/ bred ROCK MUSIC LEGENDS have sold a few records around the world over the last few decades.












And 12th man, having been born, just down the road, in Surrey.....


Who are they all?

🎸🎸Lets Rock 🎸🎸


25/11/2018

HLers were out in Richmond for the Magdalen CC Meal and Awards Night last week. Swainy the players choice for Player of the Season, missing just one game all summer, and for 327 runs and 21 wickets. Ian wins the Champers Moment for his hat-trick v Marlow. Imran wins the Catching Cup with his 11 catches. Can't recall who won the Duck Trophy.

Next up; the Magdalen CC AGM, Champagne Charlies, Jan 2019. Mags will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2019, having been established in Mortlake back in 1944, so 2019 is gonna be a big one, with various events being currently touted (and hopefully organised). 

click here for all the Magdalen CC player stats

04/11/2018

This wicket needs a good rolling.,.....




(Swarkestone Hall Pavilion, 1968)

18/09/2018

Hambledon and the end of the 2018 season

The umpire has called over for the Hounslow Leisure 2018 season. It's been another great one, the weather has been fantastic, and we've had some really good games, a couple going to the last ball, and many going into the last over. We lost the first 4, won the next 9, and then lost the last 5, so that's P18, W9, L9. Next game, May 2019.

Race for 2018 top run scorers and wicket takers...

The last game provided some excitement in terms of final top run scorers and wicket takers. Prior to the game, Kieran was leading the runs on 278, Swainy on 274. Swainy failed to make the 5 required to put any pressure on Kieran. Having scored his 18, Kieran was looking rather happy. But few had thoughts about Wendel (not himself, however), who was 74 runs behind Kieran coming into this game. Once Wendel had scored 93, he became top run scorer, and finished up with 303 runs for the season, when caught on 99, 7 ahead of Kieran. Bowling had Paul and Bicky both on 14 wickets going into this game. Chris took 2 in his first spell. Paul then took 2 in 2 balls, and in his last over had Neil catch one, to finish up 17/16 to Paul. So, Wendel tops the runs, Paul the wickets, and Steve the fielding with 10 catches and 5 stumpings. Well done to Kieran and Chris though, in both their first, and come back seasons respectively.

Hambledon CC v Hounslow Leisure CC, Ridge Meadows, 15/9/2018. Match Report.

With our original hosts dropping out midweek, thanks to a spot on t'internet, we were able to hastily fix up a new game against Hambledon CC, down in the wonderful Meon Valley, Hampshire. The weather was hot, and the home team very welcoming. Hambledon, a mix of ages, but including a few first teamers, chose to bat first in a 40/40 over game. Hambledon started well, going at 7 an over, until we made the first break through at 54 with a Steve/ Bicky stumping. Their young guys batted well and it was 129 before the next wicket fell, but a mean spell in the middle overs from Parky, Ian, Kieran and Wendel reduced the run rate considerably, as regular wickets fell. Paul was on a hatrick at one point. A few big hits in the last over added 17, Hambeldon finishing up on 219/8.

At tea, we felt we were in with a real chance. Suddenly, at 98/8 (23 overs) in reply, it wasn't looking so great. However, Wendel was on fantastic form, but needed support from the other end, which only Parky and Bicky were able to provide. Once Wendel was caught, on 99, with the score on 150, with 5 overs remaining, the game was effectively over. Bicky scored a patient 42 ball 9, Wendel a 66 ball 99, with 9 4's and 5 6's. 3 wickets for Paul, 2 each for Bicky and Kieran. We bowled well. Fielding was a bit hit and miss at times, but unfortunately our strong batting line up didn't quite fire today. Had Wendel had more support, the Hambledon score may well have been achievable....HL 163/10, 36.4overs.


HLCC 15/9/18: SteveM, Neil, Paul, Knobby, Adam, Bicky, Kieran, Swainy, Jim, Ian, Parky, Wendel.

Cricket in Hambledon

Hambledon, Hampshire. They've been playing cricket there, on Broadhalfpenny Down since the 1750's. Hambledon CC actually play at Ridge Meadow, about a mile away and have been on their current ground since the 1840's. The famous Bat and Ball pub, where the first rules of cricket were formulated is opposite the original ground (where the Hambledon Club played an All England Team 51 times) and is a cricket museum where you can eat and drink beer and read about and look at all sorts of cricket artefacts. Well worth a visit, which is exactly what we did for a few lively hours after the game....

11/09/2018


Runs and Wickets for Alistair and Jimmy

30/04/2018

2018 Match Reports

Change of venue and opposition for Saturday, 1 pm start.


August news from Magdalen CC...recent Sunday wins v Spelthorne, Chudleigh Ales, Raynes Park Former Pupils and a loss to Pheonix... We were saved by our tailenders big time in both the Raynes Park and Spelthorne games. . And the sun has now set on Magdalens first home season at Kempton Cricket Club....Just 3 more away games to go; Taplow, Aldershot and Morden.


28/8 v Navigators. Lost on last ball in low scoring thriller...With just 12 required from the last 4 overs, Navigators needed the last ball of the innings to score the 2 runs needed (with 1 wicket remaining) for the win. HL put into bat first up, runs from Swainy, Kieran and a 30no from Paul set Navigators just 111 for victory. Despite 3 wickets from Bicky and 2 from Paul, and tight bowling from Swainy and Ian, it proved a few too short. A fair bit of support this evening (Mike, Don, Knobby, and others...), the crowd were entertained, albeit in a losing cause. Thanks to Richmond for helping out. The week that 2 of our number tied the knot. Not to each other, however. Best wishes to both Wendel and Hardeep, and the new wives...

HLCC and friends, August 2018

23/8 v GSK. GSK 161/5 from 18 overs. 2 wkts for Bicky, 1 for bday boy Ian, caught Bicky. Wendels 38no, Swainys 28 and Bickys 21 not enough as we fell 20 runs short, GSK the better team in all departments this evening. HL 141/5. 1all for the season.

16/8. V Chelmbridge. Busy week for many, with lots of unavailability for both sides, so an 8 aside 16 over game was agreed on a cloudy evening in Esher. CH posted a formidable 152/1, with a few retirements. HL's response got off to a bad start with the early losses of Neil, Swainy and Paul, all victims to the spin of Matt. Stevie P held firm with a 34no, supported by Rick (19), HL finishing short by 57 runs, 6 down. Mike C playing his first HL game of the season, but last ever, kept well behind the stumps, 57 also being the age difference in years between him and Liv, very probably an HL record. 2 nil to CH this season.

9/8 v Phoenix. No play at Lords, no play at Spelthorne....

News from Magdalen CC. 9 more games played since the last mention, with 7 wins v Windsor GP, West Wycombe, Marlow, BA and the 3 tour games. We've even had one rained off (how did that happen?) Imran leads the runs with 459, Hooky the wickets with 28. And still 7 games left....

31/7. Old Californians. Our 9 game winning run ends this eve as old foes OCCC soundly beat HL by 6 wickets. Only Kieran, Neil and extras made double figures as HL were bowled out on the last ball of the innings for 83. Ian bowled well for his 3 wickets and took a mid off direct throw run out, but 83 just wasn't enough and it was all over in the 14th over, OC's just 4 down. Played in a great spirit, we ended their winning streak last year and they us this year. 1all for the season.

26/7 v GSK. Hottest day of the heatwave today. Always a tough game v GSK, but we know that if we hang on in there, things will come our way. And that was indeed the case this evening as HL won the toss and chose to bat. We felt we needed 180 min, but by the midway mark we were just 70, despite Kieran hitting 20 from 1 over. Then 100 after 15. Enter Wendel, who blasted a quick fire 41, including 5 6's and 2 lost balls for HL to finish up on a rather satisfying 172/7 from the 20. Confidence was high, but as expected GSK came at us hard and took 21 from the first over and then were 48 from the first 5. A great catch from Paul at deep mid off made the break through. At the 10 over mark they were 102, but already 4 down. That man Wendel again who bowled 4 overs for just 7 runs and took 2 wickets in 2 balls. The run rate slowed right down and GSK needed 40 from the last 2 which, alas, proved too much for GSK and gave HL a whopping 31 runs win! Where as we scored 72 from the last 5 overs, GSK scored just 15. Our 9th win on the run. (HL 172/7, GSK 131/9. Wendel 41, Keiran 44, Swain 3/28, Wendel 2/7, Paul 2/22, Kieran 2 catches). Good to see Hitesh play his first HL game in a few years, Jim his first of the season, Liv stepping in late and saving a few on the boundary, and Alex and Knobby spectating.

GSK July 2018

Magdalen CC Tour of South Devon July 2018! 

3 games in Totnes, Payhembury and Bridford. Hotel in Torquay. Blazing sunshine, wonderful scenery, good cricket, pints of cider, bottles of rum, and 3 well fought wins for the Magdalen Tourists. Hooky (still yet to play for Leisure) takes 4 for 0 from 6 overs on the Sunday. Neil scores runs every day, Adam doesn't, Alex wins the pitch and putt Saturday morning, Knobby the crabbing comp Sunday morning.



17/7 Staefa 153/2, HLCC 154/5, 18.5 overs. Neil28no, Ian22, Steve22no. 2nil to HL this season.

12/7. HLCC 156/8, Superstars 102ao, 15 overs. Alex32, Swainy 3 wickets..

News in today of the new album due from legendary space rockers Hawkwind, out in September...Who decided on this cover?!  Main man, and Feltham lad as it happens, Dave Brock playing quite an impressive shot here me thinks. Apparently, its an acoustic album of classic oldies, featuring Brocks old mate Eric Clapton and arranged by Mike Batt, of Wombles fame...



5/7 v Harrow. A win off the last ball! With Harrow needing 13 from the last over, then 2 from the last ball, and with a new batsman, it took a stumping for HL to win by 1 run. All very exciting on a scorching evening in Sunbury. HL batted first and were 4 down within the first 4 overs. Somehow we were 80 from 10, but finished up on just 137 from the 20, Swainy top scorerer with 34no. Harrow were 81 from 10 and looked in control. A few tight Swainy overs (9 from 4) pegged it back, Harrow needing 35 from the last 5, and then 13 from the last over. A couple of wides, a spilt catch that went for 4, 4 byes, a strange piece of fieling between Steve and Swain for 2, then a wicket meant we all had to sweat on the last ball. No run and a stumping sealing the win. 2 wickets each for Wendel and Kieran. 2nil to HL this season.



27/6 v Thames Water. The annual game v TW is eagerly anticipated these days. We share our home pitch, many of the lads know each other from Ashford CC and TW lay on a fantastic cricket tea after the game. HL opted to bat and got off to a flying start with both Karthik and Neil retiring on the 25. No-one else was able to post double figures, but once we were 8 down our openers were able to come back in with Neil hitting a few boundaries in the last over for HL to finish up on a decent 150/8. TW responded well initially, but key wickets regularly fell and HL were comfortably in control by the 10th over, TW finishing up 30 short on 120/7. Neil 47no, Karthik 26no, and 2 wickets each for Paul and Rick. We were beaten within 11 overs last year, so good to even up the score this time around.

19/6. On the bill this evening, new oppo Kingston Taxes. KT selected the bat option and, apart from one chap who passed the 30 retirement threshold, they posted a return of just 84/7. Not a large demand and defeat was easily evaded as HL claimed the full amount 38 balls before the 20 over deadline. A big score would have beckoned had rebated first and perhaps best that we were given the opportunity for an early finish (gave a few of us a little more prep time for the big Wendel stag fly away just a few hours later). Bicky and Parky earning the credits with 30's with the bat and 2 wickets each with the ball. HowsVat?

Magdalen CC, since the last mention, have had Sunday wins v Park Hill, Old Hors, Ham and Petersham and Englefield Green, and a loss to Byfleet. Waseem and Imran lead the runs, with 200+ each, and Swainy and Imran the wickets, with 12 each. Steve already has 10 wicket keeping dismissals. I think that's now played 8, won 5, with another 18  to play.

Magdalen in Magdalen (2015).
Spot the 1 player who hasnt played for HL?

12/6. Victory v Olds Cals gave HL our 200th all time win! Chris B opened up the bowling and took 2 wickets in 2 balls in his first over, both out swingers well caught by Wendel at slip. His hatrick ball only just missed the bat. That put OCs on the back foot and apart from opener Parker with 50, their innings never really got going, courtesy of good all round bowling from Chris, Swainy, Ian, Paul, Rick and Wendel, OC's finishing up on just 123/6. In response, Paul 32no, Chris 26 and Wendel 38no saw us home with 8 wickets and 22 balls to spare. We always have good games and they do go both ways, but HL the better team this evening.   

7/6. New team and new venue for HL. Staefa openers were 45 from the first 4. Retire at the end of the over once reaching 25, and regular wickets kept the home team just in check finishing up 153/6. 2 wickets each for Chris and Kieran. A rather strong top order of Waz, Wendel, Neil, Kieran, Swainy and then Alex duly did the biz, with Chris and Steve hitting the winning runs with just 2 balls to spare. Wendel hit one over the pavilion before being well caught the next ball. Waz got hit on the head by a rapid bouncer, but carried on for team for 29no. And then went off to AE (early JB award contender). Kieran smacked a quickfire 38no and Swainy a solid 28no. Enjoyable close game, we meet again at home in July.

31/5 v Harrow. Forecast was for rain and lightning all day and evening. As there hadn't been any by 4pm (sun all day), the game was deemed on. Just as Harrow were about to bowl the first ball, the heavens opened, and we all darted for cover. But just for 10 minutes and not enough to damage the wicket at Roxbourne Park anymore than it already is. The sun didnt come out again and the rest of the game was played in rather dull, but humid, conditions. HL scored a sound 145/4 from the agreed 18 overs. Waseem with 61, Keiran 27, Swainy 25. Harrow got off to a good start, but early 2 wickets from Ian in 2 balls, and 1 from Chris, stalled the response. Some chap scored 60 odd, but it wasn't enough as Harrow fell 23 short. And a pint in the Pinner Arms to celebrate our first win of the season.



24/5 v Pheonix. A grey, damp but warm evening in Sunbury, on the first day of the English Test Summer (v Pakistan at Lords, and England batted like it was a 2020). PHEO won the toss and, of course, batted first, gettng off to a flyer (we dropped the opener early), then being pegged back mid innings. A late flurry saw PHEO finish up on 152/6. (2 each for Wendel and Paul). HL seem to raise their game when playing the Pheonix, but 2 wickets lost in the first over wasn't the best of starts needed in our pursuit of 7.5 runs an over. Neil steadied the ship with 38, Waseem with 25. Wendel was run out with a direct throw, to the joy of the fielding team, for 12. With 49 needed from the last 5, Paul hit 3 6's for a quickfire 28 before being stumped with 15 needed from the last over. Alas, it was 8 too many as HL finished up on 145/8. An exciting game, we came close, but fell just short yet again, a couple of misfields perhaps being the key moments.

Press Release. Mike Childs has finally hung up his wicketing keeping gloves after 40 years of playing for Hounslow cricket teams. A regular for HL, he was a very nimble keeper, fair umpire, steady bat, fantastic team man and real purveyor of the game, Mike will be missed mid week by his team mates, and oppositions alike. He played for PS93 for many years but started playing for HL in the late 90's. Unfortunately, the stats weren't maintained that well back in the day, but he has well over 150 keeping dismissals for HL, including a very high stumping to catching ratio. Highest score of 41 for us, but we never, ever saw him bowl. Mike retired from LBH about 10 years ago. He still plays Sundays for Seven Sports with his son, has played the odd game for Magdalen, and here is hoping he will still pop along to watch when other commitments allow, including his many days a summer spent at Lords watching Middlesex and England. Cheers Mike, great effort, well played!


V Chelmbridge. When its 6pm on a cloudy evening in mid May and you only have 5 players present, then plan b needs to come into operation. Accept there wasnt a plan b as we desperately put a batting order together. HL put into bat for the sake of getting the game started and a chance for the other 6 to navigate the accident on Walton Bridge before it was time to field. Aided by a slightly tricky wicket and good bowling from Chelmbridge, HL plodded to a disappointing 106/2 off the 20, with our big hitting middle order waiting patiently in the pavilion. 20 off 2 in response suggested the game was going to be over quickly. However, wickets and good bowling from Swainy, Hitesh and Roy, somehow took the game to the end of the19th over before defeat was sealed, Chelm 107/5. 33no for Swainy, 29no for Rick, 2 wickets each for Roy and Paul. A great catch from Karthik. Another narrow defeat, we need to score a few more runs, and score them quicker, if we want to win any this season.

Next up, 16/5, Chelmbridge, Chepsom, Chesher..I'm not sure what they call themselves these days, perhaps plain old CWoA, but a battle on West End Rec, Hersham v Vallis & Co, beckons this next Wednesday....

Magdalen CC's season is up and running. The first game in mid April became a 20/20 thrashing at the hands of Burtons rampant Esher. The 2nd game v Sonning got cancelled due to an unprepared pitch. The third game v Cookham Dean was played in sub zero temperatures but we managed a win as the red kites circled. Last week, Warfield desperately hung on for a draw. And this Sunday, Park Hill at Ruxley Lane. Yet to play at our new home pitch at Kempton CC. Imran already in the runs, averaging 99. And Imran and Swainy leading the wickets with 4 each.

10/5 v Richmond Yorkers. Sunny evening for our first game of the season at Spelthorne. HL into bat, finishing up on a below par 130/7. 65 off the first 10, but just 11 from the last 4 including a maiden. 30 from Swainy, 24 from Wendel, 23 from Adam and, helpfully, 40 from extras (we do 2 runs for a wide/ no ball, no extra ball). Richmonds openers proved difficult to dislodge, a couple of dropped catches allowing them both to retire on 50. Coincidentally, Richmond were also 65 from 10 and also needed 19 from the last 4. Just 5 required from the last over, crossing the line with 2 balls to spare, 3 down (2 wickets Wendel). A very close game indeed. 1 more run than last week, but still lost in the last over. HL 130/7, Rich 133/3 19.4 overs.

1/5 v Hounslow Navigators. The sun came out, but Leisure lost in the last over. Leisure got to a respectable 129 from the 20, after a slow start, thanks to Kerians knock of 41no. Navigators had an even slower start, and needed 80 from their last 7 overs. Some big hitting and a few dropped catches saw Navigators home with 5 balls to spare. HL 129/5, Nav 130/6 (19.1 overs)


30/4. Its cold, wet, windy... Must mean the start of the mid week season. Less than 24 hours away from the first clash of the season; the traditional annual cricket season opener v the Hounslow Navigators. Kempton CC, 5pm start. Forecast better for tomorrow, and hopefully the covers have been on.

03/04/2018

2018 Hounslow Leisure CC Fixtures

Confirmed fixtures for 2018....

Tues 01-May A 5.00 Navigators
Thurs 10-May H 5.30 Richmond
Wed 16-May A 5.30 Chessington
Thurs 24-May H 5.30 Pheonix
Thurs 31-May A 5.45 Harrow
Thurs 07-Jun A 5.45 Staefa
Tues 12-Jun A 5.45 Old Californians
Wed 20-Jun A 5.45 Kingston Taxes
Wed 27-Jun H 5.45 Thames Water
Thurs 05-Jul H 5.45 Harrow
Thurs 12-Jul H 5.45 Superstars
Tues 17-Jul H 5.45 Staefa
Thurs 26-Jul A 5.45 GSK
Tues 31-Jul A 5.45 Old Californians
Thurs 09-Aug H 5.45 Pheonix
Wed 15-Aug A 5.30 Chessington
Thurs 23-Aug A 5.30 GSK
Tues 28-Aug H 5.00 Navigators
Sat 08-Sep A 11.00 Hatfield Heath




And, the Magdalen CC Sunday fixtures....click here for magdalen.play-cricket.



06/02/2018

The 20/18 20/20 season is less than 100 days away, with the first game confirmed v Navigators for Tues 1st May. Last game confirmed for Hatfield Heath CC on Sat 8th September, and with a few in between...Will put up the fixtures once all is confirmed. Magdalen CC have some Lords Indoor School nets coming up, just before their first game on 15th April at Esher CC.

The fixture list from 1995. 25 games and all those 2 game weeks! Exhausting just looking at this list. Harrow Planners are the only team we still play. A couple of other in-house teams we played back then; Planners and Property, both better than Leisure, but are they still going? Nope. Hounslow CC? Strange that there is not a Hounslow Cricket Club anymore, don't know what happened there for it to fold and the pitch go to seed? Do not put these dates in your 2018 diary, these are dates from 24 seasons ago.

31/01/2018

I know its not Leisure, but a little anecdote from the days when I played for Surrey... SCCC, (Surrey County Council Cricket)... The summer of '88 I found myself playing mid week 20 over cricket for the County Treasurers team in the County Council inter-departmental cricket league. For a few years all the games were at Wray Park, the Fire Brigade HQ in Reigate That year we played Architects, Information Services, Trading Standards, Social Services, Transport Planning Unit and the Fire Brigade. It was all well organised back then, the league administrator producing regular newsletters and league tables.

Other teams joined the league; Reigate Police, Runnymede BC, Manor (Heartlands) Hospital, Youth Services, and we were playing various grounds around; Gibraltar Rec, Court Rec, and Manor Hospital in Ewell/ Epsom, Reigate Priory Park, Worcester Parks Wandgas, Tattenham Way, Chertsey Park, Whiteley Village and some pitch in Laleham.

We did ok in 1990, beating the champions

I was soon skippering and did so right up until our last ever game in August '98. We knew it was time to call it a day, people were moving on, and new players were hard to find. Plus we hadn't won a game in maybe 3 years. But as it happens, we did win that last game, v Social Services, down on Kingswood Rec, I cant really remember how we did it, but it was big news back in the office the next day. I'm not sure the league lasted much longer, maybe only another season or two after we dropped out.



'96 wasn't such a great year for the team

Didn't like losing to IT. Manor hit big and bowled fast. Transport were good but quite serious. A couple of Runnymede got well pssd off when we picked up some guy in the park just before the game and he ended up beating them more or less single handed. Social Services had a few characters, and I was always a bit nervous when playing Reigate Police. Fire Brigade were strong and took us for 200+ one time, back in the day when often 100 was a winning score. Carting the team kit bag around with the pads with buckles, communal boxes and bats with no middle was always a drag but had to be done. The score books are long gone, so no stats, just the odd newsletter for reference. Anyway, a minor bit of history. Happy days, and good games played with some great mates. And 30 years later, still doing it...


28/01/2018


He said Captain, I said Wot?