15th April

Brentwood Victorians - 303-5
Navestock - 222-6
Victorians won by 81 runs
35 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

The Victorians won their first game of the season in style with a comprehensive win away at Navestock. With temperatures reaching mid 70's, skipper Dave Balroop won the toss and elected to bat.

Openers Keith 'Mac' McIntyre and Shane Surujbally made a steady start before McIntyre was bowled with the score on 30. The ageless Ash Patel replaced McIntyre but was quickly out to a plumb lbw. Mick Pinkney joined Surujbally and the pair added a partnership of 71 off 10 overs before Pinkney was bowled for 39 by Sargaent. Surujbally was next out with the score on 134 after a fine display of power hitting. His most memorable shot was a falling down slog sweep to bring up his 50. Surujbally made a fine 65. Richard Walford joined Dave Balroop and the partnership added 89 for the 5th wicket, Walford out for a correct 29. Balroop, meanwhile, was despatching the Navestock bowling to all corners of the ground on his way to an impressive 118 not out. Balroop's second 50 came off only 21 balls. Des Alford added 21 off 21 balls as the Victorians posted an imposing target of 303.

In reply, Navestock struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Bob O'Brien struggled with line and length but Joff Fernhead bowled well and finished with 2 wickets off his 7 overs for 32 runs. Rob Benton, and the dangerous Ken Hobbs, also bowled well to keep the required scoring rate at an impossible 16 per over. Benton finished with 1 wicket and Hobbs with 2, including the Navestock opener Moule who scored a fine 50. Skipper Balroop then mixed up the bowling which saw Pinkney, McIntyre and Walford bowling tight spells. Balroop, however, failed to live up to his own publicity as he finished wicketless after his 3 overs for 22 runs. Navestock batsman Scott not out on 71 as the Navestock reply closed 81 runs short of the target.

This was a good win for the Victorians which proved the worth of the winter nets. They look forward to welcoming Navestock to the OCG for the return fixture later in the season.

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22nd April

Willow Herbs - 139-9
Victorians - 141-8
Victorians won by 2 wickets
40 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

The Victorians welcomed Willow Herbs to the OCG on a balmy April day for their first home game of the season. Skipper Trevor Coote lost the toss, despite offering best of three, and the Victorians were in the field.

Dave Balroop opened the bowling and claimed a wicket with his 3rd ball bowling Willow Herbs opener Cornwall for a duck. Balroop repeated the feat with the 3rd ball of his second over by bowling Teagle leaving Willow Herbs rocking with the score 10 for 2. Willow Herbs staged a mini recovery adding 40 for the 3rd wicket, thanks in part to some abject Victorian's fielding. 4 catches were put down. Joff Fernhead bowled opener Harris to break the partnership with a juicy long hop. Wellman added a combative 36 before being caught on the boundary by Richard Walford. He was unfortunate to find a Victorian who could catch! Wickets continued to fall and Willow Herbs found run scoring difficult off a disciplined Victorian's attack. Bob O'Brien was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3 wickets for 24 runs off his 8 overs. Fernhead 34 for 2 off 8, Mick Pinkney 30 for 1 off 8, and Richard Stroud 25 for 0 off his 8 overs. Willow Herbs finished on 139 thanks to skipper Jones who ended 36 not out. The perpetual Ash Patel fielded well, actually throwing the ball straight on 2 notable occasions. This was to cost the timeless Patel a jug in the bar after the game. Keeper Des Alford again kept well with the highlight being his part in the run out of Fitzer from a wayward throw from Pinkney.

Des Alford losing his wicket vs Willowherbs

The Victorians probably should have won this game at a canter but good Willow Herbs bowling, coupled with some undisciplined batting, made the game closer than it should have been. The immortal Patel was first out playing across the line and was bowled by Douglas with score on 24. Alford followed shortly after adding only 4 to the total. Roger Mahadeo and Shane Surujbally briefly threatened to end the game early but were out for 15 and 14 respectively. Pinkney and Walford also had brief innings. Skipper Coote played the crucial anchor role scoring a vital 28. Balroop was dropped twice on his way to 26. Fernhead joined Stroud and the pair saw the Victorians home in the 38th over.

Next week the Victorians welcome Great Baddow to the OCG and will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

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6th May

Victorians - 185 all out
Horndon-on-the-Hill - 186-2
Horndon won by 8 wickets

Report by Ash Patel

Brentwood captain Dave Balroop won the toss and elected to bat. Shane and Des opened the innings and started aggressively at run a ball before Des was out in the 4th over for 10. Donks followed quite quickly for 4 but Shane and Ash took the score to 53 before Shane was out for 25. The skipper joined Ash for a 65 run partnership and when Ash was out for 38 the skipper & his brother in law Sunil put on a half century partnership. When Dave (49) and Sunil (25) were out in the 36th over the Vics tail did not wag and were all out for 185. Horndon started steadily but Jof took an early wicket with the score on 34. Essex under 15 Osbourne (71) joined Canavon (78) and milked the bowling around the park in the next 20 overs and the game was all but over despite a late wicket from Bobby O'Brian.

Vics showed good early season form in beating Navestock and Willow Herbs but this was a real trashing by a young and talented Horndon side.

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20th May

Victorians - 201-9
Hertford - 151-8
Victorians won by 50 runs
40 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

The Victorians returned to winning ways as they welcomed Hertford to the OCG for a conference fixture.

Skipper Trevor Coote won the toss and chose to bat. The Victorians were strengthened by the inclusion of overseas player Alston Bobb. Shane Surujbally was first wicket down as he was smartly caught and bowled by Ray. Bobb joined Ash Patel and the pair added 81 for the 2nd wicket. Bobb was dropped 4th ball at mid off. This was to prove a match changing error! Patel made an entertaining 34. Roger Mahadeo joined Bobb and added 49 in a 4th wicket partnership. Mick Pinkney and Des Alford failed to offer Bobb any support as they both lost their wickets cheaply. Joff Fernhead batted unselfishly as he kept Bobb on strike. Bobb was finally run out in the last over finishing on 112. 201 was a competitive score on a wicket that kept low.

Hertford started their reply in a confident way as openers Bensford, 47, and Hillary, 31, helped Hertford to 95-2 off 20 overs. Bob O'Brien bowled well conceding 30 runs off his 8 overs. Rob Benton took the first 4 wickets to fall as Hertford struggled to cope with his unique style of inswinging bowling. Hertford struggled to keep up with the required run rate thanks to accurate Victorians bowling. Mac McIntyre 20-2, Fernhead 24-1, and Bobb 19-0, helped the Victorians to a comfortable victory. Keeper Alford had one fine stumping but really should have further stumpings and run outs. Fernhead had the innings most outstanding moment with a run out from a direct throw from the boundary.

This was a good performance against a strong looking Hertford side. Overseas player Bobb is certainly enjoying the Brentwood wicket by scoring 2 centuries over the weekend. His debut jug will wait for another match! Next week the Victorians entertain Leigh-on-Sea.

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3rd June

Victorians - 263-7
Woodford Wells - 293-7
Match Drawn

Report by Ash Patel

Last year Vics beat the Wells by 3 wickets in a superb game of cricket and the watching Wells president was so impressed that he invited the Vics to be the opposition in his annual Presidents game. He made sure the Wells would not get beaten again by having the Wells 1st XI captain Will Rogers and 3 overseas players of 1st XI standard in his team.

Vics let Wells bat first on a very sunny, hot day and Wells were soon in trouble at 5-2 as Dave Balroob took two quick wickets but this would be the end of Vics success in the field as the Wells batsmen took advantage a superb batting pitch, a fast outfield, indifferent bowling and poor fielding. Wells skipper retired on 101 and the two overseas Aussies got half centuries. Pick of the bowlers were Balroop 2-31 and Walford 3-45.

7.3 per over was gettable if the Vics big guns fired on all cylinders. Patel and Surujbally opened the innings and the boundaries were flowing immediately, particularly from Patel hitting 7 fours and a six in his 36. Shane was out for 14 to a pull shot when it should have been a four but Vics openers got the innings off to a good start scoring at six per over. Roger went for 18 then Balroop and Walford put on a nice little partnership and with the run rate being maintains at six an over Vics had a chance. Walford was needlessly run out attempting a 2nd run and when Balroop was out in the 33rd over with the score on 202 the game was all but over. Vics tried admirably to get the Wells total of 293 but ended up 30 runs short on 263 with a flurry of shots from Jof who scored an unbeaten 33.

The president was happy enough with the Vics performance and invited them back next year.

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10th June

City Boys - 113 all out
Victorians - 117-2
Victorians won by 8 wickets

Report by Mick Pinkney

Thanks to Fixture Secretary Steve O'Brien who managed to arrange a fixture Friday evening after scheduled opponents Little Waltham cried off. City Boys were the replacement opponents, however their own description of 'strong' was a little wide of the mark.

Good tight bowling from openers Joff Fernhead and Chris 'Big Bird' Jolly restricted City Boys to only 12 from the first 10 overs. Fernhead made the initial breakthrough and was to finish with 2 wickets. Debutant Ben Sach bowled a good line and was unlucky to only take one wicket. Mac McIntyre took 2 wickets but the pick of the bowlers was Alston Bobb who took 4 wickets for 19 runs. City Boys would have been bowled out for less than 100 if catches had been held.

Shane Surujbally and Roger Mahadeo opened the innings for the Victorians and the pair put on 87 for the first wicket. Mahadeo was his usual elegant best but missed a straight ball from Imran and was bowled for 38. Surujbally, meanwhile, was showing signs of returning to his belligerent best as he despatched the ball with aplomb to all corners of the ground. Surujbally was to finish unbeaten on 72 as the Victorians reached the City Boys total in only 23 overs.

Next week the Victorians travel to South Weald with the expectation of a more competitive fixture.

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17th June

Victorians - 150-8
South Weald - 130 all out
Victorians won by 20 runs
40 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

South Weald selected this fixture to mark the 50th anniversary of Bob Stroud being a playing member. The Victorians were honoured to be the chosen opposition. It was certainly a family affair as South Weald included three members of the Stroud family while the Victorians included former South Weald player Richard Stroud. Skipper Trevor Coote lost the toss and the Victorians were invited to bat.

The South Weald skipper, Pickton, appeared to have made the right decision as the Victorians struggled with the bat. Ash Patel was bowled by a long hop from Pickton with the score on 10. Pickton then bowled Shane Surujbally, 18, leaving the Victorians struggling on 37 for 2. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Roger Mahadeo, Trevor Coote and Mick Pinkney all failed to reach double figures. Coote realising the importance of the occasion as he was sharply caught at square leg off Bob Stroud's first ball. Keith Mcintyre added some stability to the innings as he was eventually bowled after a fine, jug avoiding, 45. Richard Stroud added 13 and Joff Fernhead struggled to an 18 ball duck! At 113 for 8 off 36 overs it was looking unlikely that the Victorians were going to post a competitive total. Rob Benton joined Bob O'Brien and the pair added 37 off the last 4 overs. O'Brien was to finish 20 not out and Benton 17 not out as the pair made light of the difficult conditions.

After an excellent tea, Fernhead gave the Victorians the perfect start as he bowled former Brentwood player Michael Davey for a golden duck. Fernhead was to dismiss the other South Weald opener Chambers in an excellent opening spell. Chris Jolly produced his best spell of the year as he took the next 3 wickets to fall. Pat Stroud batted South Weald back into the game but he was bowled off O'Brien's first ball. O'Brien was then to make a claim for catch of the season after a diving catch to dismiss Pickton. James Stroud added a quick 31 before being caught at cow corner by Pinkney off Jolly. Jolly then deservedly bowled Bob Stroud to secure a fine 5 wicket haul, 5 for 24, as South Weald were bowled out for 130. This was an excellent bowling and fielding performance by the Victorians.

Next week the Victorians welcome Woodham Mortimer to the OCG.

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8th July

Great & Little Warley - 166
Victorians - 144-9
Great & Little Warley won by 22 runs

Report by Ash Patel

Victorians played hosts to Warley who had not won a match all season so as the Vics had 12 players and Warley had 10 the Vics offered their best batsman Richard Walford to Warley to even things up a bit. Warley won the toss and elected to bat in a 40 over game.

Warley scored quite freely early on but Jolly got lucky when Kent league batsman Stiller who scored a league hundred the day before went to pull a short ball and got a bottom edge with the ball rolling into the stumps. Walford and new batsman Huxtable continued to score freely until the introduction on Rob Benton. Benton's slow looping leg cutters or is it leg spin? got him 3 wickets and he ended a fine spell, 3-29 in his 8 over's. Meanwhile Bob O'Brian was a little expensive at the other end and Walford continued to dominate the bowling. Chris Jolly came back to finish with excellent figures of 1-21 in his 8 overs. Walford scored a fine 54 and was run out in the 25th over from a brilliant pick-up and throw by Shane Surujbally. The scoring rate now slowed down dramatically and wickets continued to tumble including a brilliant one handed catch at mid-wicket by Rob Benton. Warley scored just 30 in the next 15 overs and ended on166,

Vics needed a steady start but never got it due to Stiller (8-4-11-2) & Mead (7-1-25-1) bowling a good line and length. Not only that but they also picked up wickets, so by the 10th over Vics were struggling on 26-3. With young Olli Walker and the experienced Richard Stroud at the crease the scoring ground to a halt as Vics progressed to 51 of 23 overs when Olli was run out over a mix up in calling. The innings needed some impetus and it got it when Ash Patel started putting the Warley fielders under pressure with his brand of batting style and running. It also bought Richard Stroud to life and the runs flowed as they put on 57 before Stroud (37) missed a straight one. With 57 required off 48 balls Patel (21) lost his marbles and got stumped charging down the wicket. Vics run chase now tailed off to leave them on 144-9.

Lost by 22 runs because of the skippers decision to give Warley their best batsman. Sack the skipper.

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15th July

Victorians - 277-6
Herongate - 262 all out
Victorians won by 15 runs
40 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

Last weeks stand in skipper, Ash Patel, was indeed sacked as the Victorians welcomed back skipper Trevor Coote. On a hot and humid day Coote won the toss and chose to bat. Openers Dave Balroop and Mac McIntyre made a watchful start as Herongate bowled tightly. MacIntyre made a fine 22. Balroop, making a rare appearance, was joined by Alston Bobb and the tempo off the game changed. Balroop eventually out after scoring an excellent 63. Mick Pinkney then scored a scratchy 14. Bobb was caught on the boundary for 64 after a fine display of power hitting. The scoring rate continued to climb as Shane Surujbally ensured that the Victorians set a competitive total. Surujbally (75) was caught off the penultimate ball of the innings which allowed Joff Fernhead to add to his own record of 19 balls faced without scoring. Richard Stroud remained unbeaten (13).

On most grounds 277 would be a winning total but at Herongate it was probably only a par score. Opening bowlers Fernhead and Stroud restricted the Herongate run rate but failed to make a breakthrough. In form Rob Benton broke the opening partnership by bowling Hemmings behind his legs. Palmer joined Ben Holmes, who has recently joined Brentwood to play league cricket, and the pair put on a century partnership. Palmer eventually fell thanks to a fine catch by Jolly off the bowling of Bobb. Holmes was eventually bowled by Jolly after scoring an excellent 118. Ash Patel briefly threatened to break the Victorian record for the most balls bowled in an over but his 11 ball over was not quite good enough! Once Patel was replaced wickets started to fall as the required run rate increased to 10 an over. Bobb, who was having an outstanding match, took 2 wickets in consecutive balls but narrowly missed his hat trick. In the next over Bobb ran out Channah thanks to an exocet like throw from the boundary. 28 were needed off the last 2 overs and Herongate were looking likely victors with Manesh Luthra at the crease. Luthra was run out thanks to some smart work by keeper McIntyre. With 16 needed off the last over it was fitting that Bobb took the last wicket to finish with outstanding figures of 4 wickets for18 runs.

After the disappointment of the previous week it was back to winning ways for the Victorians. Next week Little Waltham will be visitors to the OCG.

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22nd July

Little Waltham - 160 all out
Victorians - 193-2
Victorians won by 8 wickets
40 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

The Victorians travelled to Little Waltham unaware that history was about to be made. The day started with Trevor Coote making an early bid to win the coveted Teddy of the Year award. Arriving late at the OCG, and without transport, he was lucky that Ash Patel had not been made aware of the late switch to play the game away. In his absence, Shane Surujbally lost the toss and the Victorians were in the field.

The Victorians made a dream start as Chris Jolly, bowling at great pace, found the edge of Little Waltham opener D Cayle's bat with his third ball and keeper Des Alford took a comfortable catch. Joff Fernhead also took an early wicket by bowling J Sample. The opening bowlers were replaced by Mick Pinkney and Bob O'Brien who both bowled good economical spells without taking any wickets. Pinkney was unlucky as he had J Cayle dropped twice. This was to prove costly as Cayle went on to make a competitive century. Richard Stroud replaced O'Brien and was to have instant success. Stroud had Little Waltham skipper Williams plumb LBW and then bowled Parry next ball. Was this to be the first hat-trick in the Victorians 18 year history? Despite a loud appeal from Stroud the first hat-trick was going to wait a bit longer. Fernhead returned to the attack and found J Cayle's edge allowing Coote, the best slip fielder in the club, to take a juggling slip catch. Fernhead then bowled Miles next ball. So, for the second time in the innings a Victorian was on the verge of taking a hat-trick. All the Victorians took close fielding positions as they welcomed incoming batsman J Smith to the crease. Fernhead bowled a length ball which Smith chipped to Stroud at silly mid off. Loud celebrations followed as Joff Fernhead became the first Victorian to take a hat-trick. Jolly returned to take the last 2 wickets. This was an excellent bowling performance by the Victorians. Fernhead, 4 for 18, Jolly, 3 for 22, and Stroud, 3 for 23, all returned impressive figures.

With a required run rate of 4 an over, the Victorians got off to an powerful start as Surujbally and Roger Mahadeo put on 59 for the first wicket. With a run rate of 6 an over Surujbally was joined by Ash Patel. With Patel playing the supporting role, the pair added 96 for the second wicket. Surujbally was in dominant form as he blitzed his way to a spectacular century. Surujbally celebrated his century twice as Patel was run out when Surujbally was on 99. Patel was on planet Dagobah as Surujbally called him through for a quick single. As Surujbally celebrated, Patel was ambling down the wicket and was comfortably run out. Surujbally made his century next over to finish unbeaten on 101. His hundred included 15 fours and 4 sixes, one of which went through the pavilions reinforced glass window!

This was an excellent performance by the Victorians as they won with 11 overs to spare. After the match the Victorians returned to the OCG where they celebrated Joff Fernhead's hat-trick in style.

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5th August

Navestock - 152-8
Victorians - 153-1
Victorians won by 9 wickets
40 over game

Report by Mick Pinkney

Skipper Trevor Coote lost the toss, on the hottest day of the year, and the Victorians were in the field.

The Victorians opened with debutant Will Ashby. Ashby, and fellow opening bowler Joff Fernhead, bowled with control and pace and the Navestock openers struggled. Dan O'Shaunessey replaced Ashby and immediately made a breakthrough. O'Shaunessey took his 2nd wicket having the dangerous Bull caught behind. Rob Benton took the wicket of Scott who had battled for a combative 35. Meanwhile only Hawtree was offering any resistance until he was well caught by O'Shaunessey off the bowling of Mick Pinkney. The Navestock innings meandered to a close with all Victorian bowlers finishing with excellent figures. Ashby, 0-22 , Fernhead 1-20, O'Shaunessey 3-30, McIntyre 1-17, Benton 1-31, and Pinkney 1-24.152 seemed a well below par score on a good batting track.

Trevor Coote, fresh from his first net in ten years, elected to open the batting with the peerless Ash Patel. The pair reached 44 in only the 6th over, thanks, in part, to some wayward Navestock bowling. Patel inexpicably missed a straight one with the score on 45. Coote was joined by Roger Mahadeo and the result became a foregone conclusion as they seemingly scored runs at will. Coote was to retire hot, sorry hurt, after reaching his 50. Shane Surujbally then hit a quickfire 22 as Mahadeo finished on 41 not out. The Victorians won by 9 wickets reaching the target in 29 overs.

Next week the Victorians welcome Hornchurch to the OCG.

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12th August

Victorians - 182-9 declared
Theydon Bois - 185-4
Theydon Bois won by 6 wickets

Report by Mick Pinkney

For the second time this season, the Victorians were indebted to Fixture Secretary Steve O'Brien who managed to arrange an away game at Theydon Bois. The game was only arranged late Saturday morning. Trevor Coote won only his second toss of the season and chose to bat.

Openers Shane Surujbally and Mac McIntyre looked untroubled as they added 47 for the 1st wicket. The Victorians then lost 5 wickets for 22 runs and they were in deep trouble at 69 for 5. Des Alford scored a quick 13 but chipped Hyde's first ball to mid-on. Mick Pinkney came to the crease with the score on 87. Pinkney curbed his normally aggressive game as he was determined not to give away his wicket. Partnerships were formed with Joff Fernhead, Rob Benton and Chris Jolly, which managed to increase the score to 182 when the declaration was made. Pinkney was to finish on 47 not out.

Despite a good opening spell from Chris Jolly, Theydon Bois were rarely troubled as they set about chasing a below par score. Rob Benton briefly gave the Victorians hope as he took 2 quick wickets but Hyde joined Marnoch and the pair put together a hundred partnership for the 4th wicket. Marnoch was finally out LBW to Surujbally who was given a rare bowling opportunity. Hyde was to finish 77 not out as Theydon Bois eased to victory.

Next week the Victorians host Raphaels at the OCG.

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