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24th April
Brentwood Victorians - 236 for 5
Willowherbs - 140 for 7
Match Drawn
Report by Shane Surujbally
The Victorians were home to Willowherbs. On losing the toss Willowherbs decided to put the Victorians in to bat.
R. Mahadeo and D. Alford opened the batting they were in fine form hitting the ball all over the park, eventually D. Alford fell for (43), which brought captain Shane Surujbally to the crease. R. Mahadeo shortly fell for (29). Shane was in fine form, this showed as the hard hitting carried on. Shane got to his half a century in 39 balls. He then fell shortly after that. M. Pinkney then came to the crease and made a steady (26). After the fall of his wicket this brought M. Donkin to the crease he made a quickfire 52. This showed that all the winter training paid off. Finally the Vic's declared on 236 for 5.
Willowherbs were frustrated by the accurate bowling from C. Jolly 1-22, J. Fernhead 1-15, B. O'Brien 2-52, S. Pinkney 2-26 and finally A. Patel 1-17. The game finally ended in a draw with Willowherbs on 140 for 7.
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8th May
Brentwood Victorians - 207 for 7
Willowherbs - 177 for 9
Victorians won by 30 runs
(Reduced to 43 overs)
Report by Shane Surujbally
Brentwood Victorians played host to Willowherbs on Sunday and on losing the toss were asked to bat. The innings started a bit shaky with the loss of a wicket in the second over. The ship was then steadied with Ash Patel and captain Shane Surujbally. By the 10th over the Vics had 60 on the board. Surujbally hit some massive blows but couldn't hold out any longer and was caught on the boundary. Keith McIntyre (11) and Mick Pinkney (43) held the middle order together. The Vics still had overs remaining to bat out. Bob O'Brien did just that with a magnificent 49 not out to his name. The Vics ended on 207 for 7.
In reply Willowherbs started slowly with the loss of early wickets as the Vics bowlers kept things under control. The pick of the bowlers was Jof Fernhead with figures of 4-31. Wickets started to fall quickly. There were some outstanding catching by McIntyre who was in the slips and took a one handed catch on the second attempt and Rob Benton who was fielding at deep extra cover who, with the ball was going over his head, managed to scoop the ball one handed. These two guys should be proud as the two catches will be a contender for catch of the season. Willowherbs ended on 177 for 9 and the Vics had one by 30 runs.
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15th May
Brentwood Victorians - 354 for 9
Herongate - 241 all out
Victorians won by 113 runs
(45 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
Brentwood Victorians were away to Herongate, which proved to be a run feast on the small pitch. Herongate won the toss and inserted the Vics. This was taken advantage of with captain Shane Surujbally and Des Alford putting on an opening stand of 161. Alford was out to a plum lbw for 45 but Surujbally then stepped up the tempo by hitting 4 sixes in an over, which carried him to a brilliant century in only 77 balls. Once Surujbally was out for 107 there was a slow patch in the innings. But Dave Balroop who was back for his first Vics game of the season was given strict instructions to push the scoring on, and that is exactly what he did. Balroop was serving up some mighty blows, but he was then brilliantly caught on the boundary just short of his century. Balroop's 95 came off only 48 balls. The Vics finally ended their marathon on 354-9.
Herongate started positively with the opening pair striking the ball firmly and cleanly. O'Neil was threatening a big score but Bob O'Brien, who was the pick of the bowlers, got his man. All the bowlers performed well. At one stage the game was in the balance but the Vics were up for the task. The bowling figures were reasonable with Chris Jolly 2 for 33, Jof Fernhead 1 for 59, Ash Patel 1 for 48, O'Brien a creditable 4 for 57, Balroop 1 for 32 and Keith McIntyre 1 for 7. There were another two outstanding catches. The first was by Patel who was fielding at square leg, the ball was flying and Patel dived forward and held a scooping catch just off the ground. The second was by Balroop who was fielding at cow corner when the ball was struck hard and Balroop had some ground to cover and took the ball just below his knees. Herongate ended on 241 all out.
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22nd May
Southend Trinity - 257 for 3
Brentwood Victorians - 215 for 6
Trinity won by 42 runs
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
On a cold day The Victorians were away to Southend Trinity and having won the toss Southend Trinity decided to bat first. They started slowly also losing an early wicket. But they seemed to pick the pace up with D. White and S. Hunt putting together a partnership of 154. It then became clear that Trinity made the right decision. Runs were flowing and the batsmen were finding the gaps. The Vic's bowlers struggled. The only wicket takers were Chris Jolly (1-50) and Jof Fernhead (2-64). In the end Trinity made a good total of 257-3.
The Vic's were positive at this point of successfully chasing this total. But it all started off in the worst possible way losing Des Alford in the 3rd over. Shane Surujbally didn't last long either and was dismissed for 11. This brought Keith McIntyre, an experienced batsman, to the crease. He managed to steady the situation with some good hitting of the ball. A lot of pressure was on Mac and Dave Balroop, but it wasn't to be as Balroop was caught out for 14. Meanwhile Mac continued at the other end to bring up a sensational hundred with over two hours at the crease. The only problem was that there was nobody there to help and stabilize at the other end. Dave Terrell got out on the last ball for 18 and Mac ended on 116 not out. The Vic's ended on 215-6.
It was a disappointing loss for the Vics. It didn't help that there were many dropped catches but on another day things could be different. Despite the loss there are many positives to be taken out of the game, for example the great century which Mac well deserved. The team sprits are still high in the camp and the Vics will bounce back with a bang.
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29th May
Hornchurch - 206 for 5
Brentwood Victorians - 208 for 5
Brentwood Victorians won by 5 wickets
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
The Vics were away to Hornchurch, who having won the toss elected to bat. As the outfield was a fast one runs were easy to come by. Hornchurch took advantage of this and began to open up. There were two dropped catches that didn't help matters. Some of the Vics bowlers found it hard work, but not Chris Jolly (1-23) and Dave Balroop (3-25). These two generated some pace, which at times was unplayable. Hornchurch kept attacking with some big hitting at the end. Eventually Hornchurch ended with 206-5.
After a disappointing game last week the Vics had a big task on their hands and it started off in the worst possible way with Des Alford getting bowled in the second over. This brought Roger Mahadeo to the crease to join Captain Shane Surujbally. It was hard going as the bowling was accurate and runs began to dry up, but Mahadeo and Surujbally kept pushing the singles. By the 10th over the total was 40. Surujbally decided to open up and played to his potential by cracking 3 fours in an over. This was the turning point. Surujbally got carried away and was stumped for 54. The run rate slowed down once again as The Vics lost two quick wickets. But this then brought Balroop to the crease. Balroop and Mahadeo started to build their innings. Balroop was the right man to come in at this situation. He played in a Caribbean fashion by hitting the ball in all directions and he was well backed up by Mahadeo. In no time Balroop brought up a very fine 50. Balroop got tempted and was caught for 58. Mahadeo carried The Vics home in the end with a fine knock of 82 not out, with 5 overs to spare. The Vics won by 5 wickets.
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5th June
Brentwood Victorians - 168-8
Leigh-On-Sea - 271-4
Leigh won by 103 runs
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
The Vics played host to Leigh-On-Sea and having won the toss they decided to bat. The Vics started well, taking an early wicket, and at that stage the Vics were on top. But Leigh had their secret weapon, 1st teamer Dean Waller. From then on it was his show. Waller stroked the ball all over the park. It was amazing that the Vics carried on with the same ball until the end as the ball was deposited to, and beyond, all corners of the ground. Waller ended up battering 163 of just 80 balls, which included 13 fours and 13 sixes. The Vics bowling attack took some hammering. It didn't help matters when their opening pair pulled up with injuries, which could see them out for a few weeks. The pick of the bowlers were two debutants Paul Trew 2-26 and Harry Jones 1-56. The innings was finally ended on 271-4.
The Vics started of in the worst possible way by losing two early wickets. This was a plan that did not work. Roger Mahadeo and Shane Surujbally steadied the innings. But wickets kept tumbling. With the injured pair not able to bat, Leigh kindly let Brentwood use a substitute batsmen in Tony Jones. Jones and Trew were the last men at the crease. Both hampered by some sort of injury of their own, they managed to play out the full 40 overs. Jones ended on 44 not out and Trew 21 not out. The Vics ended on 168-8.
The game was played in a very good sprit and Leigh-On-Sea showed how cricket should be played on Sundays. With teams playing like this you don't mind losing.
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12th June
Brentwood Victorians - 238-9
Southend Trinity - 283-4
Southend Trinity won by 45 runs
(35 over match)
Report by Roger Mahadeo
On a cloudy but surprisingly mild day, Southend Trinity won the toss and elected to bat.
The very first ball of the innings saw the Australian overseas player Clarke, hastily miss-hit the ball to cover, which was fatally put down. This proved to be, as it transpired the most costly drop of the innings, reminding the hosts of their previous battle the week before against Leigh-on-Sea. Clarke having escaped the humiliation of getting out on the first ball of the game proceeded to punish the fielding side relentlessly with a rampant display of shot selection to all corners of the ground. This was assisted by the Victorians helplessly supplying gaps in the field due to having only 10 men. The ball coming on to the bat meant the run-rate rocketed early on in this 35 over contest. With a change of bowlers, a wicket came in the first over of Dave Balroop's spell. Both Balroop and Chris Jolly restrained the run-rate, where at times Clarke and the newly arrived White were tested on their technique by some quality bowling. However, the restriction came to a halt by the batsmen gathering momentum with some hard-hitting and quick running between the wickets. Bob O'Brien was the first to break this dangerous looking partnership with his masterful spin, by dismissing White caught and bowled on 52. Despite this, Clarke continued his barrage of strokeplay, eventually ending up on 147 not out with the visitors total being 283 for 4.
With the required run rate at just over 8 runs an over, openers Roger Mahadeo and captain Shane Surujbally were undeterred by the task. Surujbally dispatched the ball on several occasions and looked in fine form before falling LBW to Anderson for 24. Balroop stepped up to the crease and immediately carried on where Surujbally left off. With disciplined shot-selection and clever running between the wickets, Mahadeo and Balroop maintained the required run-rate and dominated the bowling and exceeded what was required of them. Balroop frustrated bowlers at one end with a destructive selection of shots from his repertoire, whilst Mahadeo assisted at the other, by finding the gaps with exquisite timing. Eventually in the 23rd over with 96 needed, Mahadeo was caught behind on 75. The pressure mounted on Balroop to maintain the required run rate whilst allowing the new batsmen to settle in. This was something akin to Balroop's past heroics. However, responsibility soon increased with a major collapse of the batting line-up, resulting in three ducks. Then Balroop got caught whilst on 93, leaving Ash Patel who showed character by scoring 14 in quick fire fashion before falling victim to Clarke. Rob Benton also flurried but like Patel succumbed to Clarke's deceitful spin. The Victorians ended up on 238 all out in the 34th over, losing by 45 runs.
The brave performance displayed by the Victorians, drew in the small fan-base and mesmerised local passers-by. The competitive spirit and respect between the two sides was echoed in the clubhouse after the game.
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19th June
South Weald - 261-6
Brentwood Victorians - 271-6
Brentwood Victorians won by 10 runs
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
The Vics were away to a picturesque South Weald. Having won the toss the Vics decided to bat. It was the right choice as the day was going to be a very hot one.
Shane Surujbally and newly promoted opener Mick Pinkney started positively with 40 runs from the first 10 overs. It was hard work at one end because of the legend Bob Stroud who had figures of 8 overs for just 10 runs. Pinkney played some good shots but got carried away and was out for 24. In-form Roger Mahadeo came to the crease. Surujbally started to look good but was adjudged LBW to what he considered to be the worst decision ever! If there was another set of stumps then it could have been understandable!
Dave Balroop was the next man in. Both Balroop and Mahadeo took the bowling attack on with some magnificent hitting. In no time Mahadeo brought up a fine 50. Balroop was then caught at deep mid wicket for 32. The weather got the better of Mahadeo and was eventually caught on the boundary for 76. Chris Eaton and Ash Patel carried the score along with Eaton making 33. Patel used the force and was striking the ball cleanly to all parts of the ground. Patel went for 48. The Vics ended on 271 for 6.
South Weald lost an early wicket, but they begun rebuilding as some of the Vics bowlers took some stick. As it was very hot The Vics concentration levels had to be at their best. But there were some missed chances. With some persistent bowling the game was slowed down a little. Chris Jolly had figures of 1-20, Bob O'Brien 2-47 and Patel 2-26. The game was back in the balance but with a brilliant run out by Captain Shane Surujbally The Vics managed to swing the game. South Weald finally ended on 261-6. The Vics won by 10 runs.
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26th June
Brentwood Victorians - 147 all out
Rontay - 107-8
Brentwood Victorians won by 41 runs
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
The Vics played host to Rontay in which proved to be a low scoring game. After the Vics captain Shane Surujbally lost the toss for the eighth consecutive time Rontay decided to field. The Vics started off slowly scoring only 30 runs from the first ten overs. Mick Pinkney and Des Alford played very careful innings' as the Rontay bowlers bowled wicket to wicket. Eventually M. Pinkney fell for 14 and D. Alford soon followed having scored 10. The debutant for the Vics, Dave Moisan, showed some resistance scoring 21. Dave Balroop was next in. This gave some hope of posting a reasonable score. D. Balroop played a responsible innings and ended up with 40. Ash Patel came to the crease. The Vics were relying on him but he fell short of his crease to be run out. The Vics were finally all out for 147.
On that pitch it was not nearly enough. The Vics knew they had a lot of work to do to defend 147. Rontay started off well pushing quick singles. However, Chris Jolly bowled well with 8 overs for only 18 runs and Steve Pinkney bowled 7 overs for just 26 runs.
Rontay were looking quite comfortable but an inspired change of bowler brought Bob O'Brien on. O'Brien was straight on the button claiming his first wicket. Soon after another wicket fell with a direct hit from D. Moisan. Rontay slowly picked up the pace but Surujbally called upon D. Balroop to keep it tight and he managed exactly that managing four maidens from four overs. Rontay soon started to run out of time. Bob O'Brien took full advantage of this and bowled very accurately. Much to his delight wickets started to tumble. The Vics were heading to victory thanks to B. O'Brien who ended up with figures of 5 for 39 from 13 overs. Rontay ended up 107 for 8.
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3rd July
Brentwood Victorians - 181-9
Writtle - 155-4
Brentwood Victorians won by 26 runs
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
Having won the toss for the first time this season, Shane Surujbally decided to bat. Des Alford and Surujbally started off confidently. The bowling was very tidy meaning concentration levels of the batsmen had to be at their maximum. Runs were hard to come by and Alford finally fell for 16. Surujbally played a captain's innings but finally fell for a well-deserved 53. Roger Mahadeo and Ash Patel carried on the good work. Mahadeo fell for 26. Patel began putting pressure on the bowlers by playing one of his extravagant innings. Patel went for 36. The lower order contributed by taking the score to 181 for 9.
With the size of the boundaries and the slow outfield Surujbally was satisfied with this score.
The Vics carried on from where they left off last week. Chris Jolly made a good effort with the ball but was very unlucky not to pick up any wickets. Jolly ended with 10 overs for 38 runs. He was well supported at the other end by Steve Pinkney who displayed some accurate bowling and at times was unplayable. The pressure began to build for Writtle as Pinkney ended with figures of 12-16-2. Pinkney was by far the best bowler of the match. Dave Balroop and Bob O'Brien were the second change bowlers. They both did their jobs well by keeping the pressure on and picking up a wicket apiece. At the end of the 40th over Writtle ended on 155 for 4. The Vics won by 26 runs.
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10th July
Great and Little Warley 156-9
Brentwood Victorians 157-2
Brentwood Victorians won by 8 wickets
(40 over match)
Report by Shane Surujbally
The Vics were away to Great and Little Warley and, having lost the toss, the opposition decided to bat. It started off very well for them with 120 runs off the first 20 overs for the loss of no wickets. It was a hard day for our bowlers as it was a very hot day. Steve Pinkney bowled his heart out for no reward, and Joff Fernhead ended with 1 for 24.
The breakthrough came when Bob O'Brien was bowling. The ball was hit straight back at him and he flicked the ball with his boot onto the stumps. It was a very delicate move. O'Brien ended with 2 for 26. An inspired change brought Ash Patel into action. This suited Patel as the pitch was green with a lot of grip. Patel ended with 2 for 9. Deni Mistry was brought into the action by bowling with some good pace. Mistry ended with 2 for 30. G&L Warley ended on 156 for 9
The Vics started well but then lost an early wicket. Shane Surujbally And Keith McIntyre carried on building the partnership. Surujbally played a very careful innings but was then caught on the boundary by a brilliant catch for 27. Then came Dave Moison who looked in fine form. These two started putting the pressure on G&L Warley and the game was swinging in the Vics favour. McIntyre then brought up a well deserved 50 and soon followed Moison in just under a run a ball. McIntyre finally finished on 66 not out to bring up the victory for The Vics who won by 8 wickets.
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17th July
Brentwood Victorians - 385
Herongate - 315-2
Match Drawn
Report by David Terrell
On a day when four records were broken by the Victorians at the OCG you would have expected the home
team to be victorious but this was not the case.
Captain Shane Surujbally continued his dismal run with the coin and Herongate decided to put the Vics in to what was an extremely hot field.
Herongate, despite some good bowling, surged on to 315 with the loss of only 2 wickets, two of their players, Palmer and Luthra, scoring 112 and 111 respectively.
When the Vics came out to bat they knew it was going to be a tall order. Vice captain Ash Patel strolled out to the crease in the unfamiliar position of opening batsmen and proceeded to warrant his own decision to open by scoring a spectacular 114 being run out desperately diving for the crease. Even with the loss of this wicket the Vics looked to be on course for an unlikely victory, but some careless
batting, three amazing catches and a fine all round fielding display, the visitors pinned them back and
when Jolly and Terrell came in to bat at 10 and 11 the game was all but over.
But over an hour later they were still at the crease and although the win was out of reach they both
managed to attain their career best scores, Jolly 20 n.o. and Terrell 42 n.o. and at the same time setting a last wicket record partnership for the highest last wicket partnership of 67.
But once again this fixture produced some great cricket and like the game at Herongate about 600 runs
were scored on the day.
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31st July
Brentwood Victorians - 206-5 declared
Navestock - 196
Match Drawn
Report by David Terrell
On a cloudy day Captain Ash Patel won the toss and predictably decided to bat. The rain started almost immediately and openers Des Alford and Mick Pinkney batted through regardless.
Pinkney went on to score a respectable 32 and Patel and Mark Donkin both hit 50 thanks to some careless
fielding by the opposition. The Victorians declared on 206-5 after Captain, Patel, had reached his 50 n.o.
The home team felt this was enough runs and looked confident as they walked out to field. Steve Pinkney and Chris Jolly opened the bowling and although both bowled well failed to break the opening partnership.
O'Brien, Patel and McKintyre, in an all spin attack managed to keep them from surging ahead with some
accurate and clever bowling. At one point it looked as if Navestock could snatch the game but the Victorians bowled and fielded well the game ending in a draw, Navestock 10 runs short of their target.
This was a fair result on a damp day and the game was played in a friendly atmosphere with plenty of banter between the players and with neither team deserving to lose, a draw was a fair result.
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7th August
Chelmsford - 263-5 declared
Brentwood Victorians - 146 all out
Chelmsford won by 5 wickets
Report by Mick Pinkney
The Victorians travelled to a windswept Chelmer Park to face a strong Chelmsford side. Skipper Shane Surujbally again lost the toss and the Victorians were in the field. Opening bowlers Chris Jolly and Joff Fernhead bowled well without early success. Jolly bowled at great pace and regularly beat the batsman but, for the 4th week, was to finish wicket less. Fernhead was finding prodigious swing and made the breakthrough by bowling Bailey with the score on 21. This brought Chidley to the crease to join opener Drain and the scoring rate started to increase to over 6 an over as this pair put on a partnership of 90 for the 2nd wicket. Surujbally turned to Bob O'Brien who immediately made a double breakthrough by running out Chidley and bowling Drain in his first over. O'Brien was joined by veteran Mark Donkin and the pair started to exert some control with the scoring rate reducing to 3 an over. Thurston scored a patient unbeaten 70 with Chelmsford declaring on 263.
In reply the Victorians could not have made a worse start . Surujbally was bowled 3rd over for a duck and fellow opener Des Alford followed next over also for a duck leaving the Victorians reeling at 2-2. Mac McIntyre followed shortly after with the score on 16. Roger Mahadeo and Mick Pinkney put on a stand of 55 for the 4th wicket. Mahadeo was in dominant form finally being caught after an entertaining 59 which included 2 enormous sixes. Mahadeo had survived a string of legside LBW appeals during his innings. It was a shame that their skipper did not stop the dissent shown by this young Chelmsford side. Dave Balroop then joined Pinkney but a misunderstanding saw Pinkney needlessly run out. Pinkney batted for 46 minutes for an uncharacteristic defensive 10, which, by an amazing coincidence is the same number as the number of sandwiches provided by Chelmsford at tea. Only Donkin was to offer any further resistance with a typically flamboyant 44.
The Victorians lost to the better side. It is a shame that the game will be remembered for the quality of Chelmsford's behaviour rather than the quality of their cricket.
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14th August
Brentwood Victorians - 145-4
Rafhaels - 146-1
Rafhaels won by 9 wickets
Report by Mick Pinkney
For the second successive week the Victorians faced strong opposition. Skipper Shane Surujbally amazingly won the toss and chose to bat on a damp overcast day. Surujbally opened the innings with in-form Roger Mahadeo and the pair made a solid start against an accurate attack. Mahadeo fell for 26 with the score on 61. Dave Balroop joined Surujbally and the scoring rate started to increase. Balroop made a brisk 30. Craig Miller bowled Surujbally for an entertaining 57. Mick Pinkney and Phil Crooks contributed 10 and 9 respectively before Crooks was out with a plumb lbw. Ash Patel scored a brisk 10 before the rain came at 32 overs. An early tea was taken and the decision made to reduce the game to 32 overs leaving Rafhaels with a target of 146 to win.
Chris Jolly and Joff Fernhead started well but the occasional loose ball was punished at every opportunity. Jolly was again to finish wicketless. Fernhead took what was to be the only wicket thanks to an excellent catch by skipper Surujbally. Rafhael batsmen Coxon and Miller both made comfortable 50s as Rafhaels won with 3 overs to spare.
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21st August
Brentwood Victorians - 225-7
Club XI - 226-4
Club XI won by 6 wickets
Report by Ash Patel
On a lovely summers day the Vics played an inter-club 40 over match against a fairly strong club XI. For a change Shane won the toss and elected to bat on a wearing Brentwood track which should have offered assistance to spin bowlers. The Vics opened with Dave Balroop wanting to hit a century but unfortunately he and Des Alford both fell to Dave Barbone's accurate slow medium. The snarling, aggressive Kevin Bradford, his opening partner, was a little bit expensive, bowling too short and Surujbally took advantage with some typical Shane-type boundaries. His replacement Joe Surtees also struggled to match Barebone's immaculate line and length but at the other end Paul Webb's leg break bowling was causing a little discomfort to both Shane and Roger Mahadeo, however the Vics were well placed at 76-2 off 16 overs.
In Webb's 4th over Shane (35) tried to cart him out of the ground but only succeeded in skying the ball for an easy catch at gully. When Ash Patel played a defensive shot to the 1st ball he faced there was a strong appeal for a catch behind. Patel stood his ground not knowing if he got a touch to it and with Vics umpire Chris Jolly not sure either, it was given not out. It did not matter as Patel patted the next ball back to Webb for a simple caught and bowled. Mahadeo was using his feet well to Webb (8-1-42-3) and hit him straight on several occasions but eventually got stumped for 43. In the meantime Joff Fernhead was playing himself in and went on to play his best innings for a long time as he dispatched the club net bowlers Ken Lingwood, Paul Larner to all parts of the ground. Neil Webb kept him fairly quite and he was eventually bowled by the returning Dave Barbone (8-0-35-3) for 67. With steady contributions from Bob O'Brien, Harry Jones and James Woodward, the Vics were able to reach a respectable 225-7.
The club XI opened with the poached Victorian Alex Priddle and the in-form Paul Larner. The Vics were convinced that Priddle (33) edged his first ball from Harry Jones to the keeper but he stood his ground and went on to support Larner in a stand of 147 in 19 overs before he was stumped by Des of the bowling of Bobby O'Brien. In the meantime, Larner was particularly savage on anything short and cut and pulled with gay abandon on his way to a century as most of the Vics bowlers took stick and with the game as good as won he retired to allow others to bat. Ken Lingwood and Stuart Townson played with due care and attention and scored steadily before Lingwood tried to hit Patel out of the ground and got caught where cows normally eat grass. Joe Surtees also played one or two big shots until he skyed one back to the bowler. It was left to Townson (40*) to see the club XI to victory in the 33rd over.
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28th August
Brentwood Victorians - 167-7
Ardleigh Green - 170-5
Ardleigh Green won by 5 wickets
Report by Ash Patel
Another sunny day on which the Victorians failed to perform on the pitch yet again, beaten by 5 wickets.
Surujbally won the toss and elected to bat, opening with himself and the in-form Patel. Patel straight drove the first ball to the boundary but the next ball chased a wide out swinger and was caught behind. Surujbally and Mahadeo steadily took the score to 48 before Surujbally also edged to the keeper. A collapse ensued and Vics were in trouble 80 for 6 after 23 overs. Dave Tyrrell (36) and Harry Jones (31*) batted sensibly and skillfully to put on 75 runs to give the Vics something to bowl at. However the Vics opening pair of Chris Jolly and Bob O'Brien took some stick as Greens opening pair scored freely and it was only the introduction of off-spin pair Harry Jones and Ash Patel that put the brakes on and eventually weedled out a few wickets. Jones figures were 8-1-29-1 and Patel 8-1-23-3. The returning O'Brien and Jolly failed to make any further inroads into Greens batting and Vics lost their 7th game in a row.
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4th September
Brentwood Victorians - 275-7
Wickford - 219 all out
Victorians won by 56 runs
Report by Ash Patel
On a scorching hot September Sunday, stand-in captain Ash Patel was ecstatic at winning the toss and had no hesitation in batting first.
Alford went quickly in the 2nd over but Mark Donkin came in with intent and hit a quick fire 31. In the meantime Patel who was not getting much of the strike scratched around for an uncharacteristic 13. Mick Pinkney followed for a duck fairly quickly. Dave Balroop who had steadily played himself in was joined by Harry Jones and they put on 116 run partnership, with Balroop playing lovely cover drives, straight drives and pulls whilst Jones prodded and nudged it around for a well made 18. A mix up in calling saw the end of Jones but Balroop continued with his fine stroke play with Joff Feanhead joining in with some lusty hitting. Balroop was eventually out for 157, probably the finest Vics innings of the season.
Wickford needed to score at 8 an over from the off but were soon in trouble at 6 for 3 as they lost a wicket in each of the first 3 overs.
Steve Pinkney back from holidays took 2 of them and Bob O'Brien the other. Deller (32) and Dean (86) started rebuilding the Wickford inning but Pinkney got rid of the dangerous Deller thanks to a superb reaction catch by Mark Donkin in the gully. Pinkney went on to claim another wicket and bowled a fine comeback spell (8-1-35-4). When Dean was out to a superb caught and bowled by Fernhead in the 29th over Wickford faint hopes of a win ended. They were eventually all out for 219 with Bob O'Brien (4-56) picking up some cheep wickets near the end
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11th September
Brentwood Victorians - 188-4
Theydon Bois - 190-6
Theydon Bois won by 4 wickets
Report by Shane Surujbally
Captain Shane Surujbally hit a magnificent 82 on what seemed to be a very wet pitch, but it proved not to be enough.
Surujbally won the toss and decided to bat due to the missing tea lady. There was an early wicket when Roger Mahadeo went for just four. This brought in-form Dave Balroop to the crease. Balroop and Surujbally started to rebuild the partnership on what proved to be, literally, a sticky wicket. Balroop played a cameo innings and fell for 48. Surujbally carried on playing some difficult pull and hook shots. In the end time was very limited and Surujbally was bowled for a brilliant 82. Trevor Coote came to the crease and added 31 at the end of the innings. The Victorians ended on 188 for 4.
Theydon Bois took to the task very well considering the deterioration of the weather and the pitch. The Victorians bowlers found it difficult bowling on such a sliding outfield. Debutant Sam Zealey bowled very well with figures of 8 overs 23 runs 2 wickets. Youngster Harry Jones picked up two wickets and Bob O'Brien and Steve Pinkney picked up a wicket apiece. However, this wasn't enough as Theydon Bois won with 4 wickets in hand.
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18th September
Brentwood Victorians - 235-5
Leigh-on-Sea - 235-8
Match Tied
Report by Mick Pinkney
The Victorians welcomed a strong Leigh side to the OCG for the penultimate game of the season. Skipper Shane Surujbally again won the toss and chose to bat. Surujbally opened with Des Alford but was soon out with the score on 9. Roger Mahadeo then entered into an entertaining partnership of 63 with Alford, which ended when Alford attempted a suicidal 2nd run leaving him out of his crease by at least 2 yards. A nervous Mick Pinkney was next in facing a possible 3rd successive duck but his 8th ball faced was despatched to cow corner for a four and the pressure eased. Unfortunately Pinkney was then adjudged to be run out by umpire Ash Patel. Donkin scored a typically brisk 24. Dave Balroop then joined Mahadeo and the pair added 80 for the 5th wicket at a rate of 10 an over, which helped the Victorians post a competitive total. Mahadeo was finally out for 88 with Balroop finishing on 77 not out.
In reply, Leigh skipper Waller, who earlier in the season scored 160 off 80 balls against the Victorians, started with 3 successive 4's off Sam Zealey's first over. It is to Zealey's credit that he kept his composure and had Waller caught by the ageless Ash Patel in his 2nd over. Tight, economical bowling from Joff Fernhead, 8 overs for only 22 runs, probably made the Victorians favourites at the halfway stage but the Leigh batsman took a liking to bowling of Bob O'Brien who went for 58 off his eight overs. Dave Balroop took 4 wickets but was unable to dismiss the dangerous Elliott who was to finish 82 not out. 3 runs were required by Leigh off the last ball but they managed only 2 to leave the scores level.
The Victorians drew a game which they would have won comfortably had they not dropped five catches. It was, however, an excellent game of Sunday cricket with both sides playing their part in an entertaining game.
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25th September
Brentwood Victorians - 248-6
South Weald - 183 all out
Victorians won by 65 runs
Report by Shane Surujbally
On a nice hot day, which was the best way to end the season at the OCG, where the brothers shined, to win a very well played game.
The Vic's skipper Shane Surujbally lost the toss and was inserted by the South Weald captain. Openers Joff Fernhead and Sam Zealey found themselves in a role that they rarely take. But it proved to be a good gamble as there were 33 runs off 5 overs. Eventually Zealey got bowled. This then brought captain Surujbally to the crease. The way Surujbally was batting he was set for the duration of the game. Eventually Fernhead was caught for 37. This brought Dave Balroop to the crease and the brothers began to pile on the runs. Surujbally was hitting the ball to all parts of the park and following suit was Balroop. The run rate needed to be increased and Captain Surujbally played an expansive shot and was caught for a brilliant 96. Surujbally was gutted at falling 4 short of his hundred. Balroop eventually got run out on 69. The Vic's final score was 248-6.
Southweald made a very positive start; The Vic's bowlers took a battering as the away side opening partnership of 93. It was left to Zealey who made the breakthrough. Then there was another problem at the other end that needed the actions of Balroop. And within 2 balls Balroop managed to dislodge Richard Stroud's bails. Mick Pinkney had a reverse role and having the honors of bowling, and so he did with figures of 2 for 43, Zealey ended with 2 for 14, Fernhead with 1 for 21, Balroop with 1 for 4, Mark Donkin 2 for 12 and finally surprisingly Roger Mahadeo who ended with 1 for 21. South Weald were eventually bowled out for 183.
It is always a pleasure playing against South Weald, as the game is played in a very good sprit. It was a surprising win for The Vic`s as there were a few sore heads after the night before, as all The Vics team were celebrating Mac's 60th Birthday. So from all the Vic's Happy Birthday Mac. What a great way to end the season and hoping for more of the same next year.
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