2024 SEASON

Details of pre season nets, and summer fixtures to follow. Keep up to date with the latest at:

Hounslow Leisure play cricket

Magdalen play cricket

Hounslow Leisure Facebook Group

Hounslow Leisure Facebook Page

2023 SEASON

Welcome to the 2023 Season. 

Outdoor nets start in April and the first midweek evening game is on Thursday 11th May v Feltham Falcons at Spelthone Sports Club. 

Check out the Hounslow Leisure website for all the 2023 fixtures, results and stats

Find us on Facebook

2022 SEASON- A celebration of 30 years of HOUNSLOW LEISURE CC

From the Housnlow Leisure Faccebook page celebrating our 30th Anniversary

The 2021 season is over and out. All the results, scores and stats are on the hounslow leisure play-cricket website. We had several weeks of outdoor nets in the spring, then played 15 midweek T20's, winning 9. The inaugural 2021 Spelthorne Super League was a success, albeit HL losing in the final by 9 runs to a strong Brentford (GPG) team. Our September Saturday game at Hambledon was a great day, despite losing by 63 runs. Next year we celebrate 30 years of Hounslow Leisure, our first game having been played on Boston Manor Park v Harrow Planners, June 1992. 

New for 2021. Introducing the inaugural Spelthorne T20 Super League. 3 teams (Brentford GPG, Staefa and Hounslow Leisure) playing each other twice in the group stage, with the top two teams progressing to the final, to be played late July.

2021 Season!

A summer of evening 20 over cricket beckons, with our first game v Richmond Yorkers booked in 

for 530pm TUESDAY 11th MAY at Kempton.

Evening games booked every week throughout the summer, CLICK HERE for the 2021 fixtures

Check out the HOUNSLOW LEISURE CC PLAY CRICKET WEBSITE for all the latest 2021 news, fixtures, results and player stats.

Outdoor evening nets every Wednesday in April. 

Magdalen CC start up on Sunday18th April with a friendly Sunday afternoon game v Esher CC, with Sunday games booked up until the end of September and a tour to Dorset in July.

hounslowleisure.play-cricket

You can find the 2020 results, stats and averages, plus lots more if you look around, including the results of 474 games played since 1992, on the recently re-activated Hounslow Leisure Play Cricket site. 

Click here:  hounslowleisure.play-cricket

Its fair to say that 2020 has been an unusual kind of year. HLCC were lucky to get some 2020 cricket in July and August, playing 8 games and winning all 8. Here's hoping that 2021 brings better things... 

September Mini Tour, Hambledon and West Wycombe

19/9, Hounslow Leisure v Hambledon CC. 

Day 1 of the Hounslow Leisure/ Magdalen September mini tour found the Leisure meeting up at the famous and historic Bat and Ball pub in Clanfield, in preparation for the 40 over and 1pm start v Hambledon at Ridge Meadow. The weather was looking great, 21 degrees, albeit a little breezy. Hambledon batted first. They got off to a solid start, 70 off the first 10 overs, helped by a few byes that kept going for 4. It took until the 15 over to get the first wicket, a run out with the score on 81. 60 runs and 13 overs later, the 2nd fell with a direct throw run out from Jamie. Tight bowling from Dylan wrestled the run rate down to about 5. We were keen to keep it to around 200 and a flurry of wickets from Jamie (2) and Swainy (3) at the end, had Hambledon finish up on 205/7. Amazing to witness the IPL style wickets and bails light up and flash as each batter was bowled. 

At the break we felt confident, a good batting line up, chasing just 5 an over. It all started well. However, by the 15 over we were 75/3, having lost Waseem, Umair and Wendel. Imran (44) was going really well but was next to go as he fell to a major run out cock up with Swainy. Dyaln (28) kept it ticking over until he became the 7th wicket in the 33rd over with the score on 149. Too much left to do for the tail and we were all out in the 38th over for 167. We had it in our grasp, the teams were very even we felt, but the home team used their 250 years of experience of bowling and fielding on that ground to squeeze the last bit of life out of the HL, our only defeat of the 2020 season. 

20/9, Magdalen v West Wycombe. 

Day 2, just a mere 80 miles away had 9 of the Saturday team met up on the Sunday at the fabulous West Wycomble Cricket Club ground for Magdalen CC, where we won by 100 runs, thanks to 80's from both Imran and Wendel and 4 wickets from Terry. 

 

C-20 Match Reports

That's it folks, no more midweek 2020 cricket for 2020. We played 8 and won all 8 games. Well done to all the players, and thanks to our oppositions for being good sports. You can read all the match reports below. HL were quite strong this year, and we didn't get to play all the teams we usually would have in this truncated season, but an unbeaten T20 season it is. 

It's not quite all over as there is still one more HL game, a 40/40 on Saturday 19th v Hambledon CC. And Magdalen CC still have games every Sunday throughout September including Taplow, West Wycombe and Morden, and perhaps a game the first weekend of October.

2020 Season Match Reports:

3/9 v Richmond Yorkers, 

An early start was required and impressively all 22 players took to the field for the 5pm start. It was warm but very overcast, and rain wasn't really forecast. However, 10 mins into the game, it started raining, getting heavier, and we had to come off for 20 valuable minutes. Back on and we decided to continue with the 14 8 ball over format. Mike had fallen first over, but Swainy, Sunny, Jamie and Neil all went well, Sunny and Jamie retiring on their 25's. Rick was bowled for a golden, but Umair, Chris and Paul continued to knock it around for HL to finish up on 152/6. Richmond were going to find the chase difficult, and was the case as Ian, Jamie, Chris and Sunny bowled tightly and all took wickets, Sunny on a hatrick at one point.. At the half way mark, Richmond were 37/5. The sodden ball proved difficult to both bowl and bat with and Richmond limped to 71/6 off the allocated overs, the last couple being bowled in very murky conditions. The game finished about 7.45pm, just as the 10 large pizzas turned up. Spectator watch: Wendel and Imran.

27/8 v Richmond Yorkers. RAINED OFF. 

20/8 v Staefa. 

Just 48 hours since our last game, the team were gathered at Spelthorne Sports Club for another t20, this time v Staefa. Into bat, and 20 overs later with retired 30's from Steve, Swainy, Kieran and Alex, HL finished up on a healthy 180/3.  Chris (3 wickets) and Ian (2 wickets) ripped through their top order, leaving Staefa reeelng at 67/7 from the first 10 overs. The 2nd 10 overs were much better for Staefa as they scored 83 more runs with the loss of just 1 wicket, but too late as they fell 29 short. HL were always on top, but a good game on a warm evening. The sun dropped for the last few overs, signalling the need for earlier starts from hereon. Another 2 catches for Paul, and Swainy moves to 99 wickets for HL.

18/8 v Brentford. 

HL batted first. Kieran was out early but Jamie, Chris, Mike, Swainy and Wendel knocked it around on the fast outfield for their retired 30's, HL finishing up on 188/6 from the 20 overs, including 28 boundaries. In response, Paul caught their dangerous opener first over off Chris and from thereon wickets fell on a regular basis. Chris picked up 2 wickets and a catch, Umair picked up 3 wickets and 2 catches, Paul took 2 catches and a direct 30 yard run out of the oppos skipper, which took everybody rather by surprise, not least the batter. Mike took his maiden wicket, Jamie bowled one with his first ball, Steve took a stumping and Wendel caught one off Waseem, to wrap up the game by 80 odd runs with an over remaining. A satisfying game in that everyone contributed. Chris needed 1 run to reach the 2000 runs milestone, which he duly did after the previous weeks run out duck. A milestone that Steve achieved a couple of weeks ago. Spectator watch: Jim. Tonights win makes it 6 from 6.. 

11/8 v OCCC. 

2nd visit to Ruxley Lane this season on a scorching hot evening. Lost the toss and OCs put themselves into bat. Jamie and Swainy kept it tight for the first 5 overs, picking up a wicket each including one off Swainy caught by keeper Steve in his grill, drawing blood and resulting in Steve passing the gloves to Kieran. Must be the seasons leading contender for the JBM Award. Some confusion as to whether it was out or not, but the laws were consulted and the wicket given. OCs were struggling at 36 from 10 overs. Arthur and Ian bowled some good overs but poor fielding and several dropped catches allowed OCs to post what seemed a half decent 122/4 from their 20 overs. In response, Steve felt fit enough to open, and with Arthur (42no) got off to a positive start. Keiran came in and knocked off a rapid 50, hitting 5 rather large 6's. With just 4 needed, Umair hit the winning runs with a whopping 6.2 overs and 8 wickets remaining. HLs youth policy, with 3 players under 20, paying dividends this evening.

6/8, v Brentford Supporters

HL opted to bat first on the grass on a very warm evening in Sunbury. The oppo looked keen despite Brentford FCs defeat in the Championship play off final two evenings beforehand. Steve was lucky not to be out LBW first ball of the game, but Kieran, Mike and Neil got to retire (25, end of over). A flurry of wickets towards the end had HL finish on 133/4. In response, Brentford were ahead of the 'R' rate at 10 overs with a couple of batters going well. With wickets falling (3 for Paul, 2 for Rick), Br were requiring 18 off the last over and the return of their big hitter. A few 2's and a massive 6 meant they needed 6 off the last ball to win. Wendel duly bowled a dot ball. A nail bitter and a close win by 5 runs for HL, Brentford 128/8. The undefeated run continues. Spectator watch: Great to see Hardeep, Don, Alex, Claire and Liv showing their support. We meet Brentford again in a fortnight.

28/7, v OCCC

On a warm evening in Ewell, HL lost the toss and were put out into the field. We took two early wickets but a couple of good partnerships took the OCCC score to a competitive 136/5. Bicky took 2 wickets, the first with his first ball of the season. HL got off to a steady response with Kieran and Waz opening. Wickets started falling and in came Wendel at no 6 with 85 needed off 12 overs. A prompt 50 left us needing just 20 runs but with only 2 wickets remaining. Overs weren't the issue as Ian and Jamie finished it off with 20 balls remaining, 137/8. 

23/7, v Staefa.

Again HL opted to bat first, posting 163/5 from the 20, with 30's from Kieran and Swainy. Its fair to say that extras contributed well to the total. In response Staefa made 136 for 8, with Ian taking 3 wickets and Paul 2. Their opener Hitesh made 70 odd but not enough to chase down the HL score, with HL winning by 27 runs.

Swainy called for the 3rd Umpire. We obliged. Out!

14/7, v Richmond Yorkers.

At last, the C-20 season has commenced! It looked a real possibility that in 2020, there would be no 2020 cricket, but after much faffing around by the Gov and ECB, the go ahead was given last week for recreational cricket to resume, and thus HL wasted no time in arranging our first socially distancing fixture of the season, having already lost out on 9 games to the pesky virus. 

HL 'Social Distancing 2020' CC

HL opted to bat first in this 20 over affair on the astro at Spelthorne Sports Club. Steve, Kieran, Hitesh and Mike all scored their 30's, HL finishing up on 151/3 from the 20. Richmond scraped to 102/5 in response, with 2 wickets from Ian and 2 catches from Paul, HL finishing up victors by 49 runs. A good start to the season in which everyone contributed. 

Magdalen CC had their first game on the weekend just gone, losing out in a closely fought game in Dulwich v the Ploughmans CC, a team that originate from the Plough Pub in Norwood Green (a long story!). Runs for Immy and wickets for Paul. Magdalen CC get to go on tour next weekend with games v Ferndown Wayfarers and Hambledon. Its great to be back and between both Leisure and Magdalen, we have the potential for 22+ games to play before the end of September, having lost out on 21 in total.

Fixtures for 2020

DAY	DATE	OPPO
Tues	14/07/2020	Richmond	WIN	H
Thurs	23/07/2020	Staefa	WIN	H
Tues	28/07/2020	Old Cals	WIN	A
Thurs	06/08/2020	Brentford	WIN	H
Tues	11/08/2020	Old Cals	WIN	A
Tues	18/08/2020	Brentford	WIN	H
Thurs	20/08/2020	Staefa	WIN	H
Thurs	27/08/2020	Richmond	RAIN	H
Thurs	03/09/2020	Richmond	WIN	A
Sat	19/09/2020	Hambledon	1230pm	A

Virus stops play.

ALL TIME HLCC STATS

Who knows when our next game will be, so here are some ALL time HLCC stats.

1992 to 2019, Played 413, won 215, lost 181, tied 12, no result 4, drawn 1.

Top 15 Run scorers and Wicket takers:

2020 Fixtures

Hounslow Leisure Cricket Club
2020 Fixtures 2020

Thurs	14-May	H	5.30	Richmond
Thurs	21-May	H	5.30	Brentford
Thurs	28-May	H	5.45	Pheonix
Thurs	04-Jun	A	5.45	GSK
Tues	09-Jun	A	5.45	Old Californians
Tues	16-Jun	H	5.45	Superstars
Thurs	25-Jun	H	5.45	tbc
Thurs	02-Jul	A	5.45	Staefa
Thurs	09-Jul	A	5.45	Harrow
Thurs	23-Jul	H	5.45	Staefa
Tues	28-Jul	A	5.45	Old Californians
Thurs	06-Aug	H	5.45	Brentford
Thurs	13-Aug	H	5.45	Westminster
Thurs	20-Aug	A	5.30	GSK
Thurs	27-Aug	H	5.15	Richmond
Thurs	03-Sep	H	5.00	Richmond
Sat	19-Sep	A	1.00	Hambledon

Whozat?

The Doctor and a match winning performance. Click here.

Richmond Green

Richmond Green is a rather pleasant and historic 12 acre green, behind the High Street and not far from the River Thames. Surrounded by mature leafy trees, expensive town houses, historic buildings and a couple of pubs it has been a venue for cricket matches for over 300 years. Indeed, the first known recorded game was between Surrey and Middlesex, way back in 1730 (Surrey won...), although there is a reference to cricket taking place there in 1666. A few years later, in July 1743, it is recorded that Richmond and Kingston lost to London there.

Fast forward a mere 260 years and Hounslow Leisure played Richmond Teachers five times on the Green, winning 3. Always a Friday evening T20 affair, and often watched by fair few as they enjoyed an end of week drink in the summer sun.

Despite the glorious surrounds, the wicket was poor and changing facilities were around the back of a tree. The Green has paths that cut across in all directions, and play would often be stopped as oblivious pedestrians walked too close to play. Elsewhere, others would be milling about, minding their own business as balls hit for 4 and 6 whizzed by. I wonder how many bystanders have been hurt over the years, we were certainly fearful the day Wendel hit a rather brutal 60 odd, including a few 6's over the trees. These paths were relaid a few years ago, creating a raised curb. Deemed too dangerous by the Teachers for fear of tripping or a nasty ball rebounding, games were moved to nearby Old Deer Park, until the Teachers team disappeared without trace a couple of years later. Despite the historic Cricketers Pub overlooking the square, we tended to retire to the Sun Inn for post match refreshments. Cricket is still played on the green, the Cricketers and Princes Head pubs have teams. Thanks to the internet for some of the info above.

February trivia. Can you name this 'Gang of Four', from the world of politics and music? Taken at a 1987 WWF charity event....

January seems to be the month for many cricket teams to have their AGM's and Hounslow Leisure CC and Magdalen CC have been no exception.

Skippering duties for HL to be shared between Swainy, Ian, Wendel and Paul. A full mid week fixture list beckons. Ian won the bowling cup for top wickets, Wendel the batting cup for top runs. Swainy the combined JB Memorial and Champagne Moment *.

Imran is Magdalen Sunday skipper for a second year, and the tour is planned for Bournemouth. Subs to be reduced to just £5 for under 25's, to try to encourage a few younger players (perhaps a couple of fast opening bowlers?). Midweek evening cricket nets are being booked for March/ April soon to be confirmed. Steve won the coverted Player of the Season Trophy for all round keeping and batting performances.

Just after 8.20pm this evening, for just 1 brief second, the time will be 20.20.20 02.02.2020.

* The JBM Award. Originates from when Jim was knocked over fetching a ball that had just been hit for 6 in to a dual carriage way and awarded each year for 'play, going beyond the call of duty'. Swainy wins this one, combined with the champers moment.

Whilst Swainy was skippering his first game for HL, early in the game broke his finger attempting a catch, exited the game, taking our best batter to drive, visiting 2 hospitals, only then for HL to go on to suffer our worst defeat of the season (by 120 runs), and him then missing the next 6 games.

Its 2020...

The 2020 fixtures for 2020 will be posted here soon...However, the first game is confirmed for Thursday 14th May, v Richmond Yorkers.

The HLCC AGM is on the 24th January and the Magdalen CC AGM is the 31st January.

Girls Aloud, showing off their bowling skills at The Oval 2020 finals day, several years back. (I had the joy of witnessing this performance, albeit from the opposite side of the ground). Surrey lost in the semis, and Somerset beat Lancashire in the final.

Click here to listen to Call the Shots by Girls Aloud

12/12. Lab hit hard in the box. Con 365, Lab 203.

JC loses his stumps to the swinging yorker. Played with too straight a bat, unsure if and when to leave, and struggled to pick up the floater...

Overall the team failed to occupy the middle. They couldn't deal with the overhead conditions and the swing was more than expected. The team now face the corridors of uncertainty.

The selectors searching for a new skipper and a new era, in good time for the next fixture in 2024. We will be needing a better contest.

n-n-nineteen not out

1984, England v The West Indies...

Captain Gower averages just n-n-nineteen..

West Indies win the test series 5 nil.

"They fought the most disastrous series in Test history."

listen here to n-n-n-ninteen not out

The Commentators (Rory Bremner and Paul Hardcastle, 1985)

2019 all over, roll on 2020

The sun has set on the Hounslow Leisure 2019 season. Played 15, won 9, tied 1, lost 5. We had 7 games called off (rain and oppo), but managed to rearrange a few of them. Its been another successful season, winning more than we lost, but its gone by all too quickly. Ian topped the wickets with 15 (pipping Chris in the last game), Wendel the runs with 251 (a little lower from the heady heights of 675 runs in 2006), Ian the catches with 7 (how did that happen?) and Steve keeping dismissals with 9, inc 6 stumpings (our only keeper...). Ian played all 15, and Steve and Paul 14 games. Looking forward to next season, its going to be a great year for 2020 cricket!

All time HLCC results (1992 to 2019): Played 413, won 215, lost 181, tied 13, and 4 no results. In May we played our 400th game, v Harrow, the team we've played most and for longest (45 times since 1992).

Magdalen CC, our Sunday team (i.e. most of the team are HLers), finished up this week. Played 22, won 12, drew 1, lost 9. The season started off very promising with a win v Esher way back in April, and finished up with a rain affected game in West Wycombe and a last game rain cancellation v Morden, the last week of September. Ian topped the bowling with 24 wickets. Runs, all very exciting; Wendel 553, Wasim 556, but new skipper Imran topping with 569. The tour to Southsea, and the 75th Anniversary weekend in August and Hookys garden party being highlights. Curry and Awards Night in November and the AGM in January. And nets next spring. Pop in here during the winter where there will be the occasional random piece and news of the 2020 fixtures will be posted in the spring.

"People ask me if I'm going to be still doing this next year. Tbh, don't have a clue, I don't have 2020 vision..."

Hambledon 2019

14/9. V Hambledon @ Ridge Meadow. Last game of the HL season. 40 over match. The sun was shining and the temp 23 degrees, but a very similar result to last year in that Hambledon batted first, scored 220/7 and bowled us out for 161, with 6 overs remaining (last year; 219/8 and 163). Imran took 3 wickets, Jamie 2, and Ian the 1 needed to top the wicket takers for the year with 15. Wendel took a blinding catch at slip to dismiss a key batter, as did Paul at mid off. At tea time we felt reasonably confident, but needed 2 or 3 guys to get 50's. 28 from Paul opening gave us a decent enough start. Imran stroked it around for a fluent 67 until bowled and Wendel didn't quite get going, caught on the boundary for 16. At the 20 over mark we were there with the run rate. However, wickets fell regularly, the last 7 for 28 runs, including Alex stumped for a golden, having left the goose at home. Thanks to Hambledon for the game and the hospitality. For afters, beer and grub in the famous Bat and Ball pub.

Cick here for the HCC v HLCC 2019 score sheet.

2019 Match Reports, (cont...)

5/9. V Richmond Yorkers. RY 109/6, HL 112/5. 2 wickets from Matt in the first over put RY on the back foot straight away. 2 more from Paul restricted RY to 109 from the 16 overs. In response 25's from Swainy and Kieran and 20 from James and 13 from Matt sealed victory with 14 balls to spare. A direct throw run out from Swainy and a catch and stumping for Steve.

29/8. V Richmond Yorkers. Our local rivals sporting new kit for our first meet of 2019, the seasons opening game having been rained off. HL put into bat and a flourishing start from Paul and Swainy as both hit 30's reaching 75 at the half way mark. The 2nd half of the innings returned just 51 runs, just Matt scoring double figures with 18, as HL ended up on 126/6 from the 18 overs. Yorkers started well, but lost their dangerous opener early, bowled to a Bicky mystery ball. No 3 batted well but was shambolically run out, the start of the Yorkers collapse as they lost 9 wickets for 27 runs. Their skipper, and Stokes look alike, also called Ben, and last man Lewis, couldn't quite replicate the heroics of Headingley, their skipper last man bowled for HL to win by 34 runs. A good game, HL played well, finishing up just as the pizza was delivered. Swainy 3 wickets for 15, Wendel 2 for 2, Parky 3 for 3. and 2 catches for Parky. Just as we thought that was it for midweek, another game has been arranged for next week.

Magdalen, Captains XI v Presidents XI

Mags@75. The dinner in Esher was most entertaining, and the game was a close finish between the Presidents XI and the Captains XI. A special weekend indeed, with past, present, and future players and partners coming together in the spirit of Magdalen! We played a 2 innings game, 20 and 15 overs, the teams were well matched, an absolute scorcher of an afternoon, with the Presidents XI winning by a small margin. And, on the same day that Ben Stokes took on the Aussies at Headingley, and won....

Captains XI v Presidents XI August 2019

Click here to hear Magdalen(e) as performed by GONG

Magdalen CC @ 75

Big weekend for Magdalen CC coming up this Bank Holiday. The 75th Anniversary Dinner Saturday, and the Presidents XI game, made up of current and past players, on Sunday at Kempton.

Magdalen CC was formed in 1944, by the social club of St Mary Magdalen in Mortlake, Despite not having its own ground, the team has kept it going for 75 years, using various grounds around SW London as its home. Kempton CC being the current home pitch. We survived the Up Pompey! Tour this summer, playing the historic Hambledon CC on the Sunday. There are stats for over 1000 games, going back 47 years on the play cricket site. Les Thomlinson, in the pic below, took over 1500 wickets in a 40 year career for the club. Alex, still playing, has scored over 15000 runs for Magdalen CC in his 36 years.

The forecast is great for Sunday, and the bar will be open...

Magdalen CC, 2019

2019 Match reports (cont)

22/8. Best laid plans end in defeat for HL. Third time we have met GSK this year, having been on the end of a drubbing the previous two times. HL batted first, 142 off our 18 overs, thanks to a Wendel 82, but not much from anyone else. We could have scored a few more in the final overs, but 142 felt a reasonably decent score at half time. Unfortunately that didn’t take into account their number 4, who scored a 100 as GSK completed the task with 16 balls remaining. We took two early wickets, and then that was more or less it, as said number 4 rode his luck and hit big. Another broken finger, this time on the oppo side, making it one from each game this season. 3 defeats from 3 games v GlaxoSmithkline, it’s a hard pill to swallow.

15/8. Superstars, cancelled. Train strikes and the rain beat us the first time in June, oppo player numbers this rescheduled game.

13/8. Its been 6 years since we last played Westminster Planners up at Wandsworth Common. However, they were happy to travel out to the wild west (Kempton) for a resumption of hostilities. Unfortunately, the trains had their say, several of the oppo were delayed and some improvisation was required to get the game started, which it finally did at 630pm.  HL batted first, posting 113/7 from the 18 overs. Swainy17, Chris18, Wendel23, and Paul30no. In response, 7 bowlers were used, and in the fading light Westminster needed 14 off the last over, eventually falling short by 12 runs, 7 down, at 845pm, far too late for a mid August game. 2 stumpings for Steve off 1 Wendel over, and a wicket a piece for Swainy, Chris and Paul. A good game, HL just on top throughout the Westminster innings. Great see Ian, Davinder and Ash spectating...

8/8. Hounslow v Brentford. aka Leisure v Griffin Park Supporters. Our first ever game ends in last ball win...  GPS openers got off to a flyer, 45 from the first 5. Fortunately for us, both had to retire on 25, but they came back at the end as the wickets tumbled, Ibby picking up 4 for 14, and Parky 2 for 22. 126 for the win was going to be tough going this evening. Chris played the steady openers role retiring on 25, Ibby a quick fire 20 (2*6, 2*4).  Paul, Jim, Steve chipped in with valuable runs. Needing 20 off the last 5 overs, GPS then bowled 2 maidens to put the pressure back onto HL. With 1 ball to go, the scores were level. Parky on strike kept his cool to hit the winning runs. A low scoring thriller, HL just edged it, but played with the right spirit and hopefully more games next season. GPS 125/8, HL 129/6.

Barney Bubbles

Barney Bubbles, graphic designer, the originator of many an amazing iconic record cover; Hawkwind, Ian Dury/ The Blockheads, The Damned, Elvis Costello,.. Designed the NME music paper header. The list goes on. Hounslow born, (ok, Whitton). Died far too young. And he designed a cricket poster, which gets him a mention here...Barney Bubbles (wiki)

2019 Match Reports and News

31/7. LBH Annual Mayors Match. Players from Leisure and Navigators, with Councillors making up the mixed teams, Wycombe House Cricket Club. High scoring 20 over match. The Mayors charities the winners.

30/7. Old Californians. Cancelled. Rain.

24/7. A very hot late July evening in Spelthorne found HL hosting local rivals Staefa, the return fixture. HL batted first and runs from Ibby, Steve and Kieron got us off to a good start. Later runs from Wendel (29no) and Parky (20) had HL finishing up on a decent 152/7. Jim was run out with a direct throw having not faced a ball and Doc went for a golden.  In response, HL took a wicket with our first ball, a repeat of the our previous meet. Staefa found it hard to score runs against tight bowling, finishing up all out for 109. 3 wickets for Chris, 2 for Ian and 2 run outs.

16/7. Winning the toss and being 38/5 in the 6th over wasn't quite the plan. However, Paul (42) and Kieron (37) steadied the ship, HL finishing up on a credible 137, all out, in the 20th over. Phoenix were already 3 down for 27 by the 4th over. HL bowled and fielded well and at 10 over mark Phoenix were on just 62. A couple of expensive overs and 2 well set chaps who got 50's took it to the last over where Phoenix needed just 3 runs. Defeat for HL was sealed with 2 balls remaining. An exciting close game, very hot, and defeat was disappointing after all our efforts.

14/7. Warm, but slightly cloudy day in NW London, with a few supporters out to watch. Oppo won toss and batted first, one opener got a 50 and a few other chaps chipped in, including their keeper who got a few at the end, finishing up 241/8. A below par score, but the team bowled well and 3 wickets each for Chris and Liam. In response, not the best of starts, 86/4 at one stage. One of their chaps taking a blinding catch to dismiss skipper Eoin at deep point. However, Ben (84no) and Jos (59) built a partnership, but the run rate continued to increase, leaving 15 needed off the last over. Frantic hitting and running, 2 needed off the last ball, but Mark was run out going for the 2nd, for the game to be tied. Super over required, Ben and Jos out there again, hitting a six, and a deflected off the bat bonus 4 to post 15. New kid Jofra tasked to bowl; a wide and a 6 meant oppo needed 2 off the last ball. A great throw in from Jason meant a run out and the super over was also tied. However, by virtue of scoring more boundaries, the team were declared the winners.

What a game, it ebbed and flowed throughout the day, with many pivotal moments. Perhaps the best limited overs game ever? A World Cup final, in England, at Lords, and England World Cup Winners! A fantastic tournament, and some amazing fielding, batting, bowling displays by some seriously top players. Well played NZ. Apart from a little wobble in the group stage, England were the best all round team at the tournament and deserved winners....(NZ 241/8, 50 overs, ENG 241ao, 50 overs. Tie. Super over; 15 a piece, Tie.)

11/7. The scorecard doesn't make happy reading. GSK 200/5, HL 70/8. Stand in skipper Swainy carted off to A&E with a broken hand before he had a chance to bowl allowed GSK to add 80 in the last 5 overs. With 2 top batters, including Wendel, missing in action, and morale down, HL lost by 130 runs. Jim got 2 wickets, and only Alex and Jim made double figures batting, just.   

4/7. GSK have done an Old Trafford and turned the wicket 90 degrees. Almost works, but a short boundary behind the bowler into the tennis courts, which GSK made good use of. The first few overs went well for HL, 3 wickets for 30. Then 2 guys let rip, 100 run partnership and both retiring once they got to 50. We did take 9 wickets, but went for 170 in the process. In response we were 90 from 9 overs, above the rrr, but already 5 down. The last 10 overs yielded just 44 runs as we lost by 36 runs. Wickets from Chris (3), Ian and Swainy (2), Kieran the only one with runs with his 53no. First defeat of the season, and back there again next week for more pills, thrills and broken fingers…

3/7. Harrow, cancelled by oppo.

27/6. The Water pressure was low in Spelthorne this evening as Thames Water CC dripped to 105/6 from their 20 overs. HL made heavy weather of the chase, leaving it to the last over for Phil to hit the winning runs. 2 wickets from Chris and runs from , Neil30no, Alex25no, Swainy21no, Phil14no. Arguably an evening where a much better game would have been had had we won the toss and batted first.

19/6 v Superstars. Rain and train strikes. Cancelled. Click here for the Superstars CC website

11/6 v Old Californians. Heavy rains the previous 24 hours couldn't dampen the excitement of the first clash of the season between HL and OC's. The groundsman had done well to ensure the game went ahead with both teams undefeated in 2019. HL batted first, lost Paul in the first over, but Steve (17) and Swainy (37) battled on with a 59 run partnership. Wendel entered the scene in the 11th over, hitting a solid 56no, with 22 coming from one over, including 3 big 6’s for HL to finish up a respectable 140/5 from  the 20 overs. We counted at least 7 dropped catches, including Wendel twice. By now it had become quite murky, and with some light drizzle, but tight bowling from Ian (2/21) and Chris (2/14) had OCs at 69/4 from 13. A direct throw by Swainy from mid off left their skipper stranded yards out, effectively the end as OC's fell short by a whopping 30 runs, HL's bowling and fielding, and that one over from Wendel, the difference this evening.

6/6 v Staefa. Our local oppo were on the back foot from the word go, losing a wicket first ball of the evening. With 4 wickets for 1 run from Adrian and 3 from Ian, it wasn't looking so good for the home side at 57/7 from 10 overs. An opportunity to use 9 bowlers had Staefa posting a mildly competitive 122/9 from the 20. HL knocked the total off with 15 balls remaining, 5 down, with Adrian 36 and Jim 28no the run scorers. A very similar score line to the week before. Phil somehow managed to go to the wrong ground, 15 miles away, but somehow got to the game having just missed 3 overs.

30/5 v Harrow. New location and mostly a new team. Harrow batted first. 50 from 10 became 129/7 from the 20overs. HL bowled well, Bicky on a hattrick with his 2 wickets. Apart from one batter who scored 51, Harrow didn't seem to totally endorse the 2020 concept, failing to take quick singles and rotating the strike. With our line up, the target seemed below par and this was fortunately the case as runs flowed from Swainy28, Immy30, Alex25no and Jim20, winning with 14 balls to spare. West Harrow Rec seems very similar to Roxbourne Park, fantastic to see HL veteran Phil back after 8 years away and to see Immy and Parky making guest appearances. The Kingsfield Arms the chosen establishment to celebrate the win and, as it happens, our 400th game. 45 times we have now played Harrow, since 1992. We currently top the leader board 23/20.

And on the same day as England beat SA, opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup in England. 10 teams all play each other, semis and then final on Sunday 14th July. An ODI every day for the next 5 weeks...

22/5 v Chelmbridge. Cancelled.

16/5 v Phoenix. HL 99 all out, Phoenix 99 all out. Incredible scenes, reminiscent of SA and AUS in the ‘99 World Cup semi as the game finished as a tie! HL chose to bat, confident with our very strong top 6 of Waz, Keiron, Swainy, Wendel, Neil and Adrian. However, from 86/3 at the 10 over stage we slipped to 99 all out in the 17th over, losing our last 7 wickets for just 3 runs as Sanjeev, their spin bowler and 50th birthday boy, took 5 wickets for 1 run. (Only Kieron30, Waseem26, Wendel18 with runs)

In response, Phoenix got off to a positive start, but with tight bowling from Ian, Adrian and Paul, the runs dried up as wickets regularly fell, with only 47 on the board at the half way stage. Scroll on a few overs and with 18 balls left, 3 runs needed, and with 3 wickets remaining, and with very little hope, on came Kieron to bowl. 15 balls later including a bowled, a caught and to finish a Jontyesque run out from Paul, the match was tied with 3 balls remaining…. The start of my 25th season with HL, this great game never ceases to amaze me, cricket was the winner this evening.

9/5 v Richmond. Cancelled RAIN!

2019 HLCC FIXTURES, and RESULTS

				V	@
Thurs	9-May	H		Richmond	CANCELLED
Thurs	16-May	H	TIE	Phoenix	Spelthorne
Wed	22-May	A		Chelmbridge	CANCELLED
Thurs	30-May	A	WON	Harrow	Harrow
Thurs	6-Jun	A	WON	Staefa	Laleham
Tues	11-Jun	A	WON	Old Cals	Ewell
Wed	19-Jun	A		Superstars	CANCELLED
Thurs	27-Jun	H	WON	TWater	Spelthorne
Wed	3-Jul	A		Harrow	CANCELLED
Thurs	4-Jul	A	LOST	GSK	Northfields
Thurs	11-Jul	A	LOST	GSK	Northfields
Tues	16-Jul	H	LOST	Phoenix	Spelthorne
Wed	24-Jul	H	WON	Staefa	Spelthorne
Tues	30-Jul	A		Old Cals	CANCELLED
Thur	08-Aug	H	WON	Brentford	Spelthorne
Tues	13-Aug	A	WON	Westminster	Kempton
Thurs	15-Aug	A		Superstars	CANCELLED
Thurs	22-Aug	A	LOST	GSK	Northfields
Thurs	29-Aug	H	WON	Richmond	Spelthorne
Thurs	5-Sep	H	WON	Richmond	Spelthorne
Sat	7-Sep	A		Hatfield Hth	CANCELLED
Sat	14-Sep	A	LOST	Hambledon	Hambledon

Magdalen CC 2019 Fixtures

Its just not cricket

Click here to listen to It's Just Not Cricket - Duckworth Lewis Method

Hounslow Leisure Cricket Club have scorecards dating from 1992. We did play games before then, but nobody remembers and any scorecards have long disappeared. Scorecards from 92 to 97 are a bit random, we have 41 but maybe 50 games missing. From 98, we have almost a complete record. Scorecards for 398 games in total. So perhaps we have played near on 500 games? 2019 therefore marks our 28th season and mid May will see us play our 400th recorded game (last season we recorded our 200th win). First ever recorded game was v Harrow, at Boston Manor 2/6/92. (KWS was at number 1 in the hit parade that week, with Please Don't Go). We lost, but took it well and will be playing Harrow for the 45th time in 2019.

100 NOT OUT! Turns out that HL played our 100th game at Spelthorne Sports Club last season. First game was v PS93 back in 2003. We've now played 101 games there, having won 60, plus 5 tied games. At a conservative guess that's at least 3000 pints behind the bar, but in total 27,508 runs and 1,182 wickets. There's been 6 tons, 3 hatricks and just 1 smashed windscreen. 2019 sees a new artificial wicket at the ground and, as it happens, 10 years of this Blog.

296 Staines Road West, TW15 1RY

First winter net going well....

Winter 2019 Updates....

25/1/19 MAGDALEN CC AGM, Champagne Charlies, Charing Cross. Waseem resigns, Imran Khan voted the new MAGS skipper for 2019! Steve and Swainy Vice Skippers. 75th Anniversary celebrations; a slap up meal and Presidents XI game B/H August. No Lords nets this year, somewhere else, tbc, for a change....

The UP POMPEY! Tour 2019; Selsey, Ferring and Hambledon, July 2019. See Tour Manager Knobby for more info. Other Sunday fixtures coming together, as are the HOUNSLOW LEISURE fixtures with most mid weeks now confirmed. Looks like Chelmbridge will be our 400th game. Will post when more is confirmed, but first game Thurs 9/5 v Richmond Yorkers confirmed. And last game, v Hambledon CC, Sat 15/9/19...

Help find Magdalen CC opening batter from '71 to '74, Hugh Grant (not that one), who held the record for most runs in a season from 1971 for 43 years (876), until Wendel surpassed it with his season of 3 double hundreds in 2014. Still holds the record for highest opening partnership, 242 v Motley, 1971. A fine bat by all accounts..., but who was he, and where is he now..?

Cricket on VHS..anyone have a video player?

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 🎸🎸