2017 Fixtures

WED	3-May	NAV	500	AWAY
THURS	11-May	RICH	530	AWAY
THURS	18-May	CWofA	530	HOME
THURS	25-May	HARR	530	AWAY
THURS	1-Jun	KINGTAX	545	HOME
TUES	6-Jun	OCCC	545	AWAY
WED	7-Jun	OLD ISLE	545	NAV A
THURS	15-Jun	PHEO	545	HOME
THURS	22-Jun	GSK	545	AWAY
TUES	27-Jun	WESTM	545	NAV A
THURS	29-Jun	TWATER	545	HOME
THURS	6-Jul	HARR	545	HOME
THURS	13-Jul	SUPER	545	HOME
WED	19-Jul	OLD ACT	545	NAV A
THURS	27-Jul	GSK	545	AWAY
TUES	1-Aug	OCCC	545	AWAY
THURS	10-Aug	PHEO	545	HOME
WED	16-Aug	CWofA	530	AWAY
THURS	24-Aug	RICH	500	HOME
TUES	29-Aug	MAYORS	500	NAV A
THURS	31-Aug	WAS XI	500	HOME
SAT	9-Sep	HHCC	1100	AWAY

Summary of results 1992 to 2016

2017 sees Hounslow Leisure Cricket Club celebrating 25 years of playing old foes LB Harrow and the Old Californians. Had we been playing Wandsworth in 2017, then they also would have been part of the party, but we were unable to arrange a fixture this year. Had we been playing Ealing this year, that would have been 20 years. However, Reg and MM aren't as young as they once were and this fixture seems to have now fizzled out....

Soldiers watching The Army v West Indies @ Aldershot,

August 1933. Three day game, check out the scorecard.

This Friday, 24/2, The Don finally leaves LBH, and HLCC have their AGM.

The Men in...Black...

When the Stranglers (and friends) played The Media, 1979. Read the match report here...

Match Report and Pics

Hugh C and Capt S take a quick single

2017 Dates

Hounslow Leisure AGM, St Margarets. Fri 24/2, 7pm

Hounslow Leisure first game confirmed Wednesday 3/5 @ Home v Navigators

Magdalen CC AGM, Champagne Charlies, Fri 20/1. 7pm

Magdalen CC Lords Indoor School Nets booked starting Monday 13/3, 8-9pm

Magdalen CC first game confirmed 23/4 v Sonning

Magdalen CC at Ashford CC, April 2012. Warm up prior to the first game of the season not going too well...and the day didn't get any better... Mags v Ashford scorecard April 2012

Who was the 'unsure' who scored the 160 for the oppo? The middle order of Jacques, Mike and Paul, all out in one over in response....

The Cricket E.P.

Check out this rare classic:

Cricket in the Jungle.(cover) by Percy Pavilion feat. Capt Sensible

2016 Season

Summer 2016. Hounslow Leisure CC played 15, won 8, lost 6, 1 tie. 5 lost to the weather. Waseem top scorer with 289 runs, Wendel 2nd with 212. Rick top wicket taker with 15, Paul, 2nd, with 13. Swainy top catcher with 6.

If your team fancies a mid week 2020 game v Hounslow Leisure CC, we will be looking for a couple of new fixtures next season, so give us a shout...

Magdalen CC Sundays finished last week. Waseem ended up top scorer also, with 835 runs, Imran 2nd with 791, Hooky, top wickets with 52, Ian, 2nd, with 23, and Waseem/ Imran top catchers with 10 each. Magdalen played 26, won 12, drew 6, lost 8.

Match Reports Summer 2016

Our last game, v Hatfield Heath CC was rained off, bringing 4 months of Hounslow Leisure cricket to an end for 2016. Highlights included wins against the toughest of oppositions Wandsworth, Old Californians and GSK, within the space of 7 days in July. Stats, and AGM to follow..

V GSK. 1/9/16. The last midweek game of the season found HL in Boston Manor for this 18/18 clash. The heroics of our previous game v GSK a month ago, however, couldn't be repeated as we lost our last 7 wickets for just 21 runs, folding to 89 all out, even missing out on 4 overs of batting. Paul (32) and Steve (24) scoring the bulk of the runs. Paul, Wendel and Swain picked up a wicket each, but GSK easily knocked off the total with 7.3 overs to spare.

Leisure players were out in force last night (30/8/16), either playing or spectating, at the annual Hounslow Navigators v Hounslow Mayors charity match, held at the Indian Gymkhana Club. The Navigators thought 149 was very gettable at half time, but hopes were soon dashed as we slipped to 11/5 within 5 overs. HLers Adam, Wendel, and Paul mustered 2 runs between them, but Steve showed some resistance with 25no at the end for the team to finish 50 short on 98, 8 down. Despite the result, and some dodgy umpiring decisions, the Mayors charities were up by £400 on the evening.

V Richmond Yorkers. 25/8/16. Hot and humid in Sunbury for our last home game of 2016. Scoring just 131 to post a score felt 20 or 30 too light and indeed proved to be the case. HL were 67 from the first 10, but unable to kick on in the 2nd 10, finishing up on 131/7. 25's from Noman, Steve and Extras, and Jim smacking a couple of handy 4's in the last over. Richmond were 82 from the first 10 and continued to knock it around, recording a rare win, with 15 balls to spare. Shafiq and Swain both bowled well for their 2 wickets each, but Richmond the better team on the evening.

V CWofA. 17/8/16. The away fixture at Chessington on a scorcher of an evening. Lovely setting, blue skies, 25 degrees. Just perfect for a game of cricket. Unfortunately, some bright spark next door chose tonight to have a bonfire. However, HL didnt mind a little smoke during the game as we blazed our way to 160/7 from the 20. 49 runs from Wendel, including a dot and 5 4's in his first 6 balls, and 2 rather large 6's. Swainy, who was well up and running with 21, went Ape, as he was run out, a result of a joke call from Wendel. Alex, Paul and Steve chipped in with quick runs at the end. In response, WofA were 65/3 from 10, but HL kept it tight in the field and with the ball, all the bowlers taking a wicket each. With 30 needed off the last over, and Chris Burton at the crease, an HL win was never in doubt. (CWofA 131/7)

V Ealing Engineers. With a full team of HLers at the ground early and raring to go, hopes of any repeat of the memorable epic clashes with Ealing of recent years were dashed when the oppo turned up an hour late with just 5 players. Rather disappointing but as the game must go on, a 15 over, 8 a side, 30 and retire game was finally started at 6.45pm. Highlights included an Alex 30, 2 wickets for Rick (Hardeep being one of them, stumped by Steve), 2 catches for Swain, including Paul, bowled by Leo, Noman catching Waseem. Don and Olivia played, and Mike umpired. We made the best of a frustrating situation and for the record, if it really counts, HL lost by 8 runs (120/4 v 112/6), the defeat sealed in the fading light, Paul bowling Wendel with 15 still needed from 11 balls.

V GSK. 2nd game this week and the BIG one. GSK are strong and very competitive (they have kit with their names on and do pre match knock ups) and HL haven't won this fixture very often in recent years. Tonight, with superb batting from Waseem and Adam, we did the business. GSK batted first, got off to a blistering start, 50 from the first 5. Wickets started falling, and as did the run rate. Despite a flurry of runs the last couple of overs, when we could have kept it to under 150, GSK finished up on 166/9. Still a good score, but could have been 200 odd at one point. Wendel took 3 wickets, Adam took 2 (off his first 2 balls), and Leo, Ian, Swain and Paul chipped in with 1 apiece. 2 catches and a stumping for Steve. We needed a solid start and Wendel (19) and Waseem (53no) duly obliged. Wendel fell, caught on the mid off boundary, having hit a massive 6 over the tennis courts the previous ball. Waseem batted extremely well but had to retire once he'd got his 50 (5 6's, 3 4's), only for Adam to take over the mantle with a forceful 53 (before he had to retire also), including  6 4's and 2 6's. 20 needed off the last 3, became 5 from 2. Steve and Alex (15no) there at the end, HL winning with 8 balls to spare. Jubilant scenes and pizza in the club house. Including the Windsor game last Sunday, in which most of us were involved, and HL beating Wandsworth last week, its been 4 wins from 4 in an almighty week of cricket.

V Old Californians. HL don't need motivation when playing OC's, but when the oppo mention before the game that they have won all their 10 games this season, then HL really have no option but to try to make it 10 from 11. Overnight and morning rain had threatened to spoil the game. Despite the new covers not being used, the rain stopped at lunch to give just enough time to reasonably dry out the wicket. OC's reckoned their best bet was to put us in. Leo was out for a golden, but Waseem (35) and the returning, and chomping, Wendel (78), his first HL innings in nearly 2 months, put on a tasty 127 partnership with plenty of boundarys, including an 18 from one Terry over. Paul then ran himself out without facing a ball, but Swainy (29no) and Burton (12no) kept the momentum going to post a competitive 163/4. OC's got off to a decent start, ahead of HL at 10 overs, with both openers getting 40's, despite easy drops from Waseem and Swainy. Rick took both out, and a third, for 3 for 30, after which the OC innings fell away. A catch and stumping from tonights keeper Waseem, and a couple of runs outs. Wendel had OC skipper Dan caught behind for a duck, Leo bowled Terry and Knobby caught one, for HL to finish up winners by 30 runs. A satisfying win indeed.

Breaking news. Sunday 31st, Magdalen bowl Windsor Great Park out for 45, and win before tea, by 6 wickets...4 wickets apiece for Ian and Hooky.

V Wandsworth Planners. Showers and sun on Wandsworth Park this evening as old rivals took the field for the 22nd time in 24 years. Despite a lively wicket and tight bowling from Ian, Wendel. Paul and Swain, the outfield was fast and the boundarys short as WP racked up, an under par, 141/5. 2 Wickets for Paul, and a stumping and catch for Nigel, guesting behind the stumps. Leo and Waseem opened up for HL and made a partnership of 95 before Waseem was bowled for 39. Leo scored the winning runs in the 16th over, and notched up his maiden Leisure 50 with a 4 in the process. Wandsworth a little under strength this evening, but a solid performance from the Leisure...Rick turned up half an hour late, having gone to the wrong venue...

Magdalen CC on Tour to Kings Lynn, Norfolk 2016. Sunshine, beer and cricket against 3 great oppositions, in fantastic settings, Thornham, Hockwold and Castle Rising.

V CWoA. An epic 3 hour game fought out in the scorching heat of Sunbury this evening ended in a tied result, with 117 runs a piece. HL batted first with Paul (39no) and Waseem (34no) the two main contributors (the other 9 scoring 21 between them, including goldens for Adam and Steve, skittled out by the Pathak boys, who took a combined 6 wickets for 25 from 7 overs). With 118 needed for victory, and 10 needed off the last over, CWoA, despite 2 wides, couldn't score the 1 run needed off the last ball to clinch victory, a tie being the appropriate result for the evening, taking into account Hounslow having 17 players on the pitch and also some scoreboard and last over rules confusion. 2 wickets for Swain. Thanks go out to the Navigators for making up the numbers, to Alex for not being able to count to 20, and to Will for bringing his Tower of Mayhem to Sunbury this evening...

News: Hounslow Navigators play the Hounslow Mayors XI, Tues 30 August, India Gymkhana, Isleworth.

V Chelsea Cobblers. New fixture, and new venue. South Park, Fulham. HL too strong this evening, as CC were reduced to 90/8 from the 20, and duly knocked the total off with over 6 overs to spare. 3 wickets for Swainy who looked almost quite fearsome on this uneven, poorly maintained LBHF recreation ground wicket. 3 wickets for Rick, who took the pace off, and 2 for Paul. A shaky 30/3 at one point, but sensibly knocked off by Adam (36no) and Swainy (19no) with plenty of drinking time to spare...

Blast from the past: June 2003 when Hounslow Leisure played Hounslow Homes in a one off at Trailfinders. Leisure won by 16 runs, Jonny Walker taking a couple of wickets, Robert scoring his all time high of 22, and aussie Rowan scoring a 50.

V Harrow Planners. Our 400th game ended in a 142 run defeat, our worse ever, as HL crumbled to a miserable 81ao in less than 15 overs, chasing a mammoth 223 set by Harrow. Limited Hounslow bowling resources and a fast outfield, but a fine 119no from opener K Patel, and 48 from Wiggan, enabled Harrow to post a rather competitive 223/2 from 20 overs, the highest score we've ever conceded in a 2020. A rate of 11 an over is no small task, a challenge we failed to rise to this evening,  Swainy (13), Alex (18) and extras the only ones to make double figures. Harrow now lead the honours board 19/18, having played 39 times since 1992 (1 tie and 1 abandoned game).

HLCC June 2016 

V Superstars. 10 years of playing Superstars ended in a low scoring, last over defeat this evening, with just a total of 215 runs scored. Batting first, facing tight bowling, HL mustered a rather light 107 runs for 8, Waseem (32) and Will (10) the only 2 to score double figures. A fine deep catch by SteveP dismissed the rampant Superstars opener with 46 on the board. With reduced bowling resources, HL did well to take it to the last over, Superstars needing 9 to win, and duly completed with a wide and 2 4's, with the loss of 7 wickets. A 2 wicket maiden for SteveM and 2 wickets each for Leo and SteveP.

V Ealing Engineers. Leo (23) and Waseem (42) in a 50 run opening partnership, with chip ins from Alex, Swainy (30no), SteveP and wides, helping HL to 177/3 from the 20. Always in control despite 95 runs off the last 10 overs, Ealing finishing up 36 runs short with 141/5 in response. 3 wickets for Paul.

V Pheonix. Cancelled...rain...

V Thames Water. HL won the toss and batted. 85 at the half way mark, finishing up on 137/7 from the 20, with a rather dismal 14 coming from the last 5. 25no's from Waseem, Alex and Wendel, HL had to be sharp to defend. 88 at the half way mark for TW, 4 overs from Rick for 7 runs squeezing the oppo. 20 needed off the last 2, TW finally falling 7 short, 8 down, for a HL win, in a very tight and tense game. 3 wickets each for Ian and Wendel. A few Ashford CC players on both sides this evening, all 22 players batted, and true HL sportsmanship shown as a key batter, caught on the boundary rope, literally, was recalled, and a 6 conceded.

V Old Californians. Cancelled - rain, wind, cold....

V Harrow Planners. At last... the season gets underway for proper. With no time to relax from his journey... Knobby... run out, for a golden duck, second ball of the innings. 1 for 1. 17 overs and a 149 run partnership with Noman (32) later, Imran was next to go, having scored 85, including 4 consecutive 6's in one poor chaps over, helping HL to 163/3 from the 20. Harrow wickets regularly fell, and despite a couple of quick fire 30's from the oppo, the total was never under any threat, Harrow all out for 120 in the 17th. 3 wickets for Rick, 2 each for Shafiq and Imran, and 1 each for Leo, Ian and Paul, 2 stumpings for Mike.

V CWoA. Cancelled. Morning/ lunchtime downpour.

V Elmbridge BC. Cancelled.

Sad news. Alan Smith, a previous Leisure player has recently passed away. Incredibly, he started playing cricket in his 60's, very tall and lean and was an immaculate opening bowler with his line and length, and would often bowl his 4 overs for not very many. Batting; very correct, but perhaps suited to the longer game. A gentleman, a wonderful artist (I visited his exhibition of paintings one time at Chiswick Town Hall), and a cricket lover. He last played for Leisure in 1998, a game on Lampton Park in his honour, by which time he had retired to the south coast.

V Hounslow Navigators. 2016 has started. Won toss, opted to bat. 135/1 from 18 overs (Waseem, Wendel, Lux 25no's). Navigators win with 6 balls remaining, 136/2, both for Noman, a catch from Knobby. Great to be back on a pleasant early May evening.

2016 is going to be...EPIC...

HP says "I'm well up for it, cant wait, its been a long winter. Done some training, got some new kit, including new boots."

Hounslow Leisures first game at home on Tuesday 3/5. Check out the fixtures below....

Magdalen CC starts next Sunday 17/4 v Ashford....

2016 World Cup T20 final. Eng v WI

Watch the last 4 balls here: Carlos hits 4 6's in the last over...

What a 2016 World Cup T20 tournament and final at Eden Gardens?! England's batting started poorly, then recovered somewhat, thanks to Roots 54 and Buttlers 36 to reach 155. England's bowling started tremendously, Gayle, Charles and Simmons out to Root and Willey for not very many, West Indies batting recovered, courtesy of Samuels 85no, then started to slip as wickets fell, until 19 needed off the last (Stokes) over...Enter Carlos Braithwaite. What a finish...Well done to the West Indies and to Captain Sammy.

Really enjoyed having the women's tournament running along side. West Indies women beat Australia in their final at the same ground earlier in the day, with similar scores and last over finish, albeit not needing a colossal 19 off it...

HLCC Fixtures 2016

DAY	DATE		START	OPPOSITION
TUES	03-May	H	5.00	Navigators
THURS	12-May	H	5.30	Elmbridge
WED	18-May	A	5.30	CWoA
THURS	26-May	A	5.30	Harrow
TUES	31-May	A	5.45	Old Californians
THURS	09-Jun	H	5.45	Thames Water
THURS	16-Jun	H	5.45	Pheonix
WED	22-Jun	H	5.45	Ealing
THURS	30-Jun	H	5.45	Superstars
THURS	07-Jul	H	5.45	Harrow
WED	13-Jul	A	5.45	ChelseaCobblers
WED	20-Jul	H	5.45	CWoA
THURS	28-Jul	A	5.45	Wandsworth
TUES	02-Aug	A	5.45	Old Californians
THURS	04-Aug	A	5.45	GSK
THURS	11-Aug	H	5.45	Ealing
WED	17-Aug	A	5.30	CWoA
THURS	25-Aug	H	5.00	Richmond
TUES	30-Aug	H	5.00	Navigators
THURS	01-Sep	A	5.00	GSK
SAT	10-Sep	A	11.00	Hatfield Heath

Laird's, the home of MCC.

 Methlick Cricket Club, Aberdeenshire...

Hobbs glove

Leisure v Magdalen

Hounslow Leisure played Magdalen CC 3 times in the noughties, two of which were abandoned due to thunder storms, both about 30 overs into the game. (Duckworth Lewis calculations suggested one a piece). The only completed game ended in a tie, Leisure needing 2 off the last ball to win.

As a few Magdalen players drifted away and with more Leisure players looking to play Sundays, this mid week fixture fizzled out before it really ever got going.

2016...

Hounslow Leisure Cricket Clubs Mid off season evening/ agm Friday 29th January, St Margarets, 7pm. First few HLCC 2016 fixtures booked - Hatfield Heath Sat 10/9, confirmed games v Phoenix, Wandsworth, CWofA, Harrow, Superstars, OC's, GSK, Ealing with.more to follow....Magdalen CC nets at Lords booked for March (24,31) and April (7,14), Magdalens first game v Ashford 17/4, and tour to Norfolk booked for July 22/23/24...

Fast and Loose

I doubt he kept up with the Test scores whilst rocking around the world, and the only reference I could find to anything Lemmy and cricket related is this... a few words from JJ Burnell, the Stranglers bass man....

"I first recall meeting Lemmy at about 3am when I answered a rather insistent knock on the door of the flat I shared with Wilko. My room was nearest to the front door and Wilko wasn’t in. He said he was a friend and could he just sit down for a while. He said he would let himself out. It was obvious the guy was totally wired. Over the next few years our paths crossed and he would always have an envious dig about us doing TOTP. We arranged a cricket match against the press one day and he was supposed to play. He turned up with a doctor’s note. He had a verruca.

A few years back I bumped into him backstage at Guilfest surrounded by one armed bandits and I said it didn’t look quite right that his beard and hair were all jet black but he replied that’s what was expected of him. Last summer we had the pleasure of playing with Motörhead at the Eden project. After we came off he came over to me and graciously said that they should have been supporting us! He was always gracious to me. A class act. A huge presence in the pantheon of rock.

Listen here to Fast and Loose Motorhead

The snapper behind the lens on many an excellent high def photo on this page, Steve, demonstrating the classic forward defensive stroke. Foot forward and,...pad.....and lbw...

August 2005. HL umpires Rick and Mike and batters Adam and Wendel, returning to the pavilion, having just posted a winning score of 196/2 from 20 overs. v Feltham Garrison. Wendel hitting 109no, including two 6's over the fence.

HL battled FGCC on 21 occasions, the last time in 2012, winning 10, We played 3 games in 94/5, losing all three horribly, and were dropped for a decade. Hostilities were resumed in 2004, We were a better side by then and we fought out some epics, mostly played at the MoD gaff in Feltham. Alas, they struggled for players the last couple of years and sadly folded and thus there ended our rivalries.

They once told me about a tour game they played and somehow lost. From the Barley Mow Pub in Wellington website:...

Seb Coe (not that one) of Sampford Arundel CC in Somerset, contributed 283 not out in his side's successful chase of 332 to beat touring team Feltham Garrison. The home team won by one wicket thanks to a last wicket stand of 107 between Coe, who hit 18 sixes and 40 fours, and the local pub landlord...

Incredible, they were never too mad on people called Sebastian...

Shekie goes to Bollywood

So, this is why our 2013 star player hasn't been around a great deal recently.

'My debut Bollywood song 'Oh Kuriye Batana', feat AD Boyz' by Shekie Ab

You can hear/ buy it on the net....

November Numbers

Wendel tops the Hounslow Leisure runs scored for 2015 with 308, ave 44, then Swainy with 242, ave 30.3, Paul tops the wickets taken with 26 at an average of 10.5, Ian follows up with 17 at 28.2. Ian and Swainy joint catchers with 6 each (can you believe it?), Steve with 7 stumpings, Mike with 3.

At the Magdalen AGM last week, Wendel remains skipper, with Ian and Steve (replacing Eddie) as vices. No awards were handed out last year, so Wendel was awarded the 2014 Player of the Season (for his 1096 runs, ave 122, 5 tons (inc 3 doubles), highest ever individual score (226) for Mags in 70 years of history,.. etc etc etc). Paul wins 2015 Player of the Season (for his 35 wickets at 9.5, 281 runs at 33 and 10 catches). Wendel wins the 2014 Catching Cup with 10, Paul wins 2015 Catching Cup, also with 10. Knobby wins the 2015 Duck trophy with 4, replacing Paul who won it in 2014, also with 4. Swainy won the 2014 Champers Moment, and Alex 2015 Champers Mo, for his ton at Imber Court, Magdalens first at their home pitch in 6 seasons of playing there.

Spot the HLer at the Mags AGM. Knobby at the bar, or the loo, or somewhere, at this point. All, but two, have played for HL...

2015 Season: Played 16, won 10, lost 6. Rained off: 3. It's still warm and sunny, but no more Leisure or Magdalen cricket for 2015. Stats, AGMs, fixtures to follow...

Hatfield Heath 2015

Hatfield Heath v Hounslow Leisure. 2 innings game of 20 and 30 overs each. HH 110/3 (20ov) and 217/4 (30ov), beat HL 84/7 (20ov) and 78/8 (18.4ov) by 165 runs.

A sorry story of 2 batting collapses in our worse defeat, ever..., only Paul with 30's in each innings showing any resistance as wickets tumbled, losing by a whopping 165 runs with 11.2 overs remaining,

A sunny, cloudless blue Essex sky met the Hounslow Leisure as we arrived for the 11am start. Rick was skip for the day and I don't know if we won the toss or not but we did well to keep HH in check in their first innings, with tight bowling and keen fielding on a sticky and slow wicket, keeping them to just 110. We failed to follow up that performance with the bat, when our turn, falling to 34/5 within 8 overs before Paul, Knobby and Rick dug deep and ground it out to the end of the 20 for a slightly less than half respectable 84.

The wicket by now was drier and HH, in their second innings, went hard from the start, running well, pushing the fielders, and cruised at 7/8 an over throughout the innings, 3 of their chaps retiring on 50. Paul took all 4 wickets. Adding the 26 run deficit, our chase was to be 243 from 30 overs. Not beyond the realms, but it did need Wendel, Swain, Waseem, Steve, Paul, Hardeep, Rick, Ian, Knobby all to fire 2020 mode. Sadly, none really did as HLs season ended on a whimper...all out for 78. It didn't help that due to a communication breakdown our 2 ringers didn't turn up. It would have made a difference. However, poor batting on the day, with 13 scores in single figures, including 5 ducks taking the blame for the defeat. Great hospitality, as always, from HH.

Sept 2015

Rick has just entered the exclusive HL 1000 runs/ 100 wickets club, joining Paul, Wendel, Don and Chris Bick. Indeed, both Rick and Paul, this season, reached the impressive milestone of 300 wickets each for HL. Looks like Paul is just about to reach the same milestone for Magdalen CC as he currently has 298, with still 3 Sunday games remaining.

HLers Steve, Wendel, Adam and Paul joined up with the Hounslow Navigators (LBH Officers) for the annual Mayors Charity game, v the Mayor of Hounslow XI, on a glorious sunny Sept afternoon in Chiswick today. Mixed batting contributions (2 ducks and 30 runs) in a poor 74 all out (from 17 overs) effort. Somehow we managed to take the Mayors XI to the last over. but ultimately lost by 2 wickets (4 wickets for Wendel, all bowled, and 2 for Paul, and blinding catches from WS and Steve). A few spectators, including Knobby and Hardeep, various Members, the Mayor and even the local MP. 

Been a few years since the Leisure played this venue. It was sort of our home pitch for a while (05 to 08), when it was run/ owned by Fullers. The scene of the infamous punch up v Three Bridges (we won, they didn't like it), where we smelt the Harrow leather, and also where Leisure tied v Magdalen CC (on 120 runs each) in our only completed game ever against each other. 

Match Reports: May to August 2015

Last 2 games v CWoA and v Hounslow Navigators. Both rained off. A late wet August ends an otherwise glorious season, weather and cricket wise.

v Richmond Yorkers. Another cloudy evening, we were happy to win the toss and bat. 148/7 was a good score from the 20, with 45no from Swain and 30's for Paul and Noman. Richmonds opener was run out with a direct throw from Swain early on and from thereon wickets tumbled regularly, including another run out, Richmond found scoring difficult, finishing up on 79/9. 2 wickets a piece for Rick and Paul, 2 catches for Ian and a champers moment with Knobby taking a low and fast caught and bowled.

v Ealing Engineers (Parkmen). Reg's Ealing came to Spelthorne this eve for our only meet of the year. And records were broken. Our highest ever total in a 20/20...221, for 2. Probably our highest ever opening partnership also, between Wendel and Swainy. Wendel retired on getting his 100 with a 6 in the 16th over when the score was on 181. Its fair to say we probably had the rub of the green, the wicket still dryish when we batted, and nicely juiced up thanks to the constant light drizzle by the time we came to bowl. Ian and Paul taking advantage of the conditions to knock out the top 5 (including Lux and Ragulan) in the first 10 overs. The light stated fading towards the end, but HL ended up winners by 47 runs.

v OCCC. Only the 2nd time ever we've managed to bowl the full 20 overs and not get a single wicket. Funnily enuf, the other time was at OC's, in 2011. Can't blame the wicket as we managed to lose 7 men chasing in a losing cause. Alex put down the only chance. As much as it pains me to say, OC are a fine 2020 example of how to turn 1's into 2's, waiting for the fielders fumble, or an extra 1 for the throw. They do it every time. They were 66 from 10, but managed to amass another 100 in the next 10 overs to reach 168/0. HL had a fine batting line up this eve, so were confident, welcoming back Wendel from a 5 week lay off. Paul pinched hit 19, Wendel smacked 55 and looked like he could get the 55 needed from the remaining 6 overs until he was stumped to a slow one. Noman, Swain, Chris and Alex failed to trouble the scorer too much. Shafiq hit 36, but we couldn't quite find the boundaries we needed as the light faded against some half decent 2020 bowling, HL falling 18 runs short. Actually, a very similar story to the June game. 2nil to OCs this season. Bah. 

v CWofA. 3rd meet of the season. 50no from Lux, 45 from Imran, 20's from Alex and Richard helped HL to a handy 174/3 from the 20. In response, 2 wickets a piece from Imran and Paul kept Chess in check. Despite HL loanees Ash, Noman, Shafiq scoring 100 between them for the oppo, Chess finished up 16 short on 158/7. 2-1 HL. Champers mo: Jims first over: 3 dropped catches...  

Magdalen CC Tour 2015 to Norfolk.....If you are awaiting match reports, you'll be awaiting a while. All 3 games called off - rain...However, the tour, as is usual, didn't pass without incident. We did manage to find a small village in the Broads called Magdalen. Wondering if they have a cricket team? We'd quite fancy a game....

V Wandsworth. An epic 3 hour battle was fought out on Wandsworth Park this evening, as HL beat old rivals Wandsworth on the very last ball of the match. With 1 ball left, the scores tied, a leg bye, frantically run by Jim and Adam, gave HL victory by the narrowest of margins.Wands batted first, a couple of their guys got 30's, their skipper caught by a juggling Hardeep in the short covers. Adam was on a hatrick, Rick got a couple, Farooq bowled fast without reward, Wands finishing up in 149/8. Lux (39) anchored the innings, Paul (26) hit a few silky 4's. Farooq and Ash looked good for a while, Imran caught behind by a snorter. With 31 required and 4 overs left, Adam (20) came in and with help from Jim at the end, duly scored the 11 runs need off the last over, for a famous win.

So, its 10 years to the week, when we almost lost Jim. Managing to get run over whilst playing a game of mid week cricket is quite impressive. Charlie says be careful when climbing over fences and running across dual carriage ways to go fetching cricket balls that have just been hit for 6. Jim, spun 5 foot in the air, very fortunately didn't land on his head. Rush hour traffic gridlock in Ealing ensued, awaiting the ambulance to take Jim away (to hossy). Some of the oppo on the day weren't the most gracious, but the game resumed an hour or so later. Miraculously, Jim returned after the game, battered and bruised, but patched up, and didn't play for several weeks. First game back, just as umpire, at square leg, he was hit in the head by the ball from a sweeping batter...Lucky Jim. That's why we have an annual award, given to the player who has suffered pain or injury, having gone above and beyond the call of (midweek 2020) duty...

v Elmbridge. Yet another very warm evening in Sunbury. A 107 opening partnership between Lux (38) and Swain, off just 10 overs was ended the ball after the latter scored his 50. Thoughts of 200+ soon disappeared as a collapse unfolded, HL losing 9 for 57 off the next 10, thanks to careless batting and a dry low wicket. Goldens for Ian and Jim, only Alex offered any resistance with 24. However 164 is still a respectable score and Elmbridge needed to bat well. Their top 3 managed double figures, but decent bowling only allowed Elm to stutter to 110/8 off their 20. 3 wickets for Ian, and wickets for Rick, Don, Swain, and reluctant bowlers Jim and Adam. Champers mo: Alex, backing up, getting in the way of a Rick on drive, stopping a certain 4 and receiving a nice forearm bruise in the process, Rick then out for a duck.   

Golden Boy...

v Harrow. Another hot hot evening welcomed our old foes Harrow to Spelthorne. Harrow opened up having won the toss. Again, Spelthorne was looking another 160 plus pitch today, but tight bowling from Hounslow contained Harrow to just 125/7 from the 20. Some controversy with a stumping, the batter refusing to walk. Hounslow can make a meal of chasing lowish scores and tonight we left it to the last over to claim victory, winning 4 down, with 4 balls remaining. 30's for Lux and Swain, 20 for Alex, 3 wickets for Rick, and 3 stumpings for Steve. Indeed, Steve stumped one off Paul, taking Paul to the magical number of 300 wickets for Hounslow, the first to do so. Ricks 3 gives him 297. Since 1992, Hounslow have played Harrow 38 times. We now stand at 18 wins each. (1 tie, 1 abandoned).

The Harrow lads, enjoying a drink, or two, after the match...

v CWoA. Spelthorne...Scorchio...The hottest day in 10 years, 36.7 degrees recorded at Heathrow today. Won the toss, and no hesitation in batting first. Only DMS Mansfields 49 helped HL finish up on a below par 128/5. We needed early wickets and Paul duly replied by bowling the top 3. Ian/ Rick chipped in with 2 each, to bowl friends CWoA out for just 88 in 17.5 overs, 40 runs short.

A pint and full moon on the hottest day in a decade, Spelthorne Sports Club, 1/7/15

v GSK. Ealing dropped out but we were able to find a replacement fixture v local opposition GSK. Always a tough game, HL took the field with just 10, with key drop outs for religious and work reasons. GSK batted first on this hot late June evening. Had the skip allowed it, heads may have started dropping when they were suddenly 52 from 5 overs. However, 20/20 is a fast moving game, the situation can often be recovered, and in a blink of an eye GSK were 83 for 7 from 12 overs. However, any thoughts of wrapping the innings up early were dismissed when 95 runs were put on in the last 8 overs, leaving GSK with a very respectable 178/9. As said many times on this 'ere blog, 9 an over is always a tough chase. Apart from DMS Mansfield with an effortless 65, (8*4, 4*6), the next highest score was just 13, HL falling short by 38 runs. There was a last wicket stand of 58 between DMS and Rick, in which the latter somehow manged to score none of them... To be asked by the oppo skipper to nominate their man of the match after a 40 run defeat is amusing, but it had to go to Pavan, who took a hatrick, Knobby, Ian, and Mike being his bunnies this evening. Don't see those very often, so the chap who scored 45 and took 4 wickets missed out. Infact, our Ragulan was on a hatrick, so in all 4 golden ducks this evening. Interesting game, tasty pizza and played in the true spirit. (GSK 178/9, HL 140/9, Rags 3/35, Paul 3/24, Immi 2/28, Richard 65, A catch and stumping for Mike). We meet again in August.

Other News.

The race for the first Leisure player to take 300 wickets is on. Paul stands at 296, Rick 292. Its fair to say that there are missing score sheets from the 90's for games Paul would have played, but stats are whats on paper so the above is how it is...

Magdalen Tour, one of the highlights of the summer calendar is almost upon us. HLers Knobby, Ian, Steve, Swainy, Hitesh, Wendel, Alex, Paul due to jump on the magic bus to Norfolk...Indeed, Knobby celebrates his 10th year of playing for Mags this weekend..

 Swainy, missing a straight one...

v Superstars. These guys really are superstars. They come from all over the SE, out of London on the train, and then walk half hour to the ground, to play us. So, of course, its always nice to beat them. Which we did this evening, reasonably easily. 59 from Shaf and 47 from Wendel got us to 161/3 from the 20. In response, Don picked up 2 wickets, All 11 of us could have bowled, but only room in the book for 9. Season Champers moment contender: Knobby with a direct throw run out of their opener, as SS limped to 130/6. Regular keeper Mike left to spectate as Imran took 2 catches.

Spot the ball...oouch...

v Thames Water. New oppo, despite having the same home pitch in common. HL into bat on a dry, hot evening with fast outfield. Knobby and Farooq retired at 25, Wendel got a golden, extras scored a few, HL finishing up, perhaps a few shy, on 142/5. Despite some master blasting from their opener, regular wickets fell. With the help of some good catching (Ian2) and maybe some generous umpiring, TW ended up 17 short, 9 down. 3 wickets for 4 runs from Paul, 2 from Swainy.

v Old Cals. 4 wickets from Imran for 12 runs pulled back OCs from 90 off 10 to 138/5 from 20. 7 an over should have been very doable this evening, A crazy run out first over perhaps set the tone, and alas, we were always just behind on the run rate throughout, despite a rare 20/20 half ton from Alex the goose, and 23 from Shaf, we fell 10 short, 8 wickets down. OCs bowled and caught well, even Terry, who got Imran, then Swainy for a golden, and then caught Alex...

v Harrow. The traffic was as awful as ever, but all felt good as a sun drenched Roxbourne Park welcomed a newish looking Hounslow team, with debutants Imran, Lux and Farooq, joining long time seen Mr Wuu for this one. Into bat, and 40's from Imran, Wendel, and 20's from Swain, Lux took us to a handy 166/5. HL felt confident, but were expecting Harrow to run us close. 9 overs later Harrow were 49/9, thanks to a mix of good bowling and school boy batting. Ian taking danger man Wiggin, bowled by a yorker, first ball of the innings, and finishing up with 3 wickets, a debut 2 for Farooq, 1 for Mr Wuu and 2 run outs. A last wicket partnership of 50 gave Harrow some respectability but still fell 70 short. A harrowing experience for the home side, but we meet again in July.

v CWofA Sunny, warm evening in Chessington. Lost toss. A dragons fury start from Chess, pegged back in the middle and then 50 runs in the last 3 overs took them to 179/5. At 9 an over, we were up against it, despite a Wendel flurry mid innings with 41 including 1 absolute massive rameses 6 (and 3 other wimpy ones), we fell 28 short. 20's from Adam, Chris and Ian, and 3 wickets from Paul. Good game.

v Elmbridge. Rain. Cancelled.

“It is not inconceivable that, by late July, Strauss will once again be describing KP as a Cricketer of Unbelievable Natural Talent, as he did last summer in the commentary box, albeit in the form of an acronym” ….From Cricinfo, May14th…

v Hounslow Navigators. First game of the season on a windy evening in Sunbury. Dropped catches loose matches and when their (already..) in form last man was dropped at point with just 3 runs needed, it was as good as all over. Good to be back, and everyone got a go.

April 2015

The cricket world cup finished up with both the hosts and best two teams competing in the final in Melbourne, Aus v NZ. Aus were the better team on the day...England were rubbish, Afghanistan almost beat Scotland...Anyway, its all kicking off today. The temperatures of the recent heat wave have dropped, but it ain't raining, so Magdalen meet Ashford for the seasons opener this afternoon. Mags and HL fixture cards are hot off the press, so ask me for a one if you see me...

2015

Greetings 2015. The 50/50 World Cup has started well for the hosts NZ and Aus and Englands Captain Morgan has just scored his 3rd ODI duck in succession. Looking forward to Afghanistan causing an upset. As for cricket in the northern hemisphere, the season is barely 2 months away...Magdalen have March/ April nets at Lords in prep for their first game on Sunday 19th April, v Ashford. Hounslow Leisures first mid week game will be Tues 5th May. Subject to change, but HL's fixtures are as follows:

TUES	05-May	HOME	LBH	5.00PM
THURS	14-May	Hersham	ELMBRIDGE	5.30PM
WED	20-May	Chssngtn	CHESS WofA	5.30PM
THURS	28-May	Rynrs Lne	HARROW	5.30PM
TUES	02-Jun	Ewell	OLD CALS	5.45PM
THURS	11-Jun	HOME	THAMES WAT	5.45PM
TUES	16-Jun	HOME	SUPERSTARS	5.45PM
THURS	25-Jun	Perivale	EALING	5.45PM
WED	01-Jul	HOME	CHESS WofA	5.45PM
THURS	09-Jul	HOME	HARROW	5.45PM
THURS	16-Jul	HOME	ELMBRIDGE	5.45PM
WED	22-Jul	Putney	WANDSWRTH	5.45PM
THURS	30-Jul	Nrthfields	GSK BEECH	5.45PM
TUES	04-Aug	Ewell	OLD CALS	5.45PM
TUES	11-Aug	HOME	EALING	5.30PM
THURS	20-Aug	HOME	RICHMOND	5.30PM
TUES	25-Aug	HOME	LBH	5.00PM
SAT	19-Sep	Htfield Hth	HHCC	11.00AM
Nets - LORDS - Thurs 26/3, 2/4, Tues 7/4, 14/4, 8-9PM
Fri/Sat/Sun 24/25/26 July - Magdalen Tour - Suffolk

Captain Morgan. Captain Cook. Magdalen have recently had Captains Hook and Scott. Anyone named Beefheart? Sensible? Here are the answers to the 2014 Spot the Ball Comp: