BEGGARS IN WHITE - THE 2008 WEST XI CC WEB SITE

WEST XI WORLD TOUR (CONT.)

Photo - West XI at the Marsa Sports Club, Malta - April 2008

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WEST ELEVEN CRICKET CLUB
FOUNDED 1986 - COLOURS: MAROON/PALE YELLOW

West Eleven Cricket Club play in and around the London area (and more recently abroad) and was founded in the belief that, although cricket matches exist to be won, the enjoyment of both the game and the occasion are also of fundamental importance and that wherever possible all members who wish to do so shall be given the opportunity to demonstrate the extent of their abilities on the pitch.

CONTACTS

Captain: Chris Wright - Chris.Wright@teceris.co.uk

Fixture Secretary: Phil Hill - phillip.hill@usaa.com

Secretary/Treasurer: Steve Bignell - steviebnotout@aol.com

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BELEAGURED BEGGARS UNDER FIRE - See YNS site

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ABBEY RECREATION GROUND, MORDEN Sun August 31

WEST XI 164-4 beat CUDDINGTON CASUALS 158-9 by 6 runs

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In a highly enjoyable contest West XI just edged out a youthful Cuddington Casuals outfit as the gloom descended and the storm clouds gathered. It was amazing that the match went its full distance, early morning rain being followed by a heavy shower at 1.30 pm, but the amiable groundsman transferred the contest from Nursery Road to the adjacent Abbey ground in Morden Road, where the excellent pitch held up remarkably well.

Put in to bat, the visitors were soon in trouble with the ball seaming about on a lively wicket in humid conditions. Duran bowled Norcott and Rowan Allerton and Rennie was caught at slip - tantalisingly one short of his 1000 runs for the club - to leave the Beggars struggling at 20-3 in the 10th over. Once again it was Bhatt and Wright who rebuilt the innings, slowly at first (59-3 after 20 overs) before Wrighty began to give it the big bat and Neep continued his fine recent form. They added 71 in 16 overs before Chris holed out for 43, but debutante Chris Boden showed his credentials with some superb leg-side strokes to make 37 not out in an unbeaten stand of 77 for the fifth wicket in just 10 overs, Neep finishing on 60 not out to add to his 63 against Captain's Select.

Cuddington scored at a more even pace throughout their innings but were always just behind the required run rate. McGirr had J.Sattaur caught behind early on but Broers and Firth looked like making a good stand until the former miscued Neep into the safe hands of Bender at mid-on for 21. Chris Wright then turned the match with a superb spell of 4-18. Sporting a natty black shirt (his white one having become saturated in the steamy atmosphere) and lumbering in from a minimal run-up, he combined with 'keeper Bignell to out first Sandys (the latter's 100th catch for the club) and then the dangerous Barlow to a low diving catch, then pinned top-scorer Firth (40) leg before and bowled D.Sattaur for a blob. The contest looked over when Neep run out P.Sattaur with a direct hit and only one stump to aim at, but A.Sattaur and Amerasinghe rallied with a ninth-wicket stand that took their side within reach of victory. Steve Rennie fronted up for the penultimate over and bowled Amerasinghe with his slower ball (his 50th wicket for Westies). The Beggars then held their nerve in Neep's death over to win by six runs.

This was a solid team effort with everyone contributing and a top fielding performance by only ten men, the Allertons (especially Rowan) being outstanding yet again. Fortunately, the predicted rain had held off all afternoon, a huge deluge and thunderstorm arriving about 30 minutes after the end of the game.

SCOREBOARD

WEST XI
Norcott 0, Rennie 8, R.Allerton 2, Bhatt 60*, Wright 43, Boden 37*, K.Allerton, Bignell, Bender, McGirr, Mann-Short, Extras 14
TOTAL 164-4 (35 overs - Inns. closed)

FoW: 11,13,16,87

Bowling: Daran 2-11, Amerasinghe 1-23, D.Sattaur 0-43, A.Sattaur 0-22, P.Sattaur 0-39, Mills 1-19

CUDDINGTON CASUALS
J.Sattaur 0, Broers 21, Firth 40, Sandys 0, Barlow 13, Mills 11, D.Sattaur 0, A.Sattaur 35*, P.Sattaur 3, Amerasinghe 7, Daran 2*, Extras 26
TOTAL 158-9 (35 overs - Inns. closed)

FoW: not recorded

Bowling: McGirr 1-20, R.Allerton 0-25, Bhatt 1-30, Boden 1-50, Wright 4-18, Rennie 1-6

Catches: Bignell 3, Bender

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Gentlemen of West London CC 20th Anniversary 20/Twenty tournament
Old Tenisonians CC Motspur Park Sunday 24 August

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With the scores level at 140, Neepam Bhatt bowled Richard Gilkes with the last ball of the final game, the trophy being shared between The Gents and the Barbarian Beggars Invitational XI.

With no official fixture this weekend five West XI players (Wright, Bignell, Bhatt, Bender and Laing) were joined by guests and surplus Gents for the three-cornered contest that also included Dhruv Patel's talented young PF Close XI. Dhruv's team were beaten by the other two sides (Neep scoring 41 of the first 43 runs, before retiring at 50) as the Beggars comfortably chased down 84 in 15 overs to set up the final with the Gents 1st XI.

Bhatt (44) and Wright (36) were the main contributors to an impressive total of 140-8, which appeared well out the reach of The Gents as they slumped to 50-5 at the halfway point, David Bender taking an incredible one-handed catch, and still needed 36 from the last three overs with only 3 wickets left, but some clean hitting from Hemin Patel and Richard Gilkes set up a winning position until Neep's excellent final delivery.

It was a highly enjoyable day's cricket and special thanks to Andy Burman for arranging everything in his usual efficient manner.

STATISTICAL NOTE: As only five members were present, this cannot be regarded as an official West XI fixture. However, if we can get a team together the club will be hopefully invited back next season for the Bank Holiday weekend.

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Hampstead Heath Extension Sunday Aug 17

WEST XI 188-6 lost to Captain's Select XI 189-5 by five wickets

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Excellent knocks by Robson (78) and Richardson (65*) saw the CSE recover from a disastrous start, the pair posting a match-winning partnership of 139 to overcome West XI with an over to spare. The Beggars themselves had also fought back from an equally bad opening to their innings with Neepam Bhatt (63), Chris Wright (58) and Steve Rennie (31*) instrumental in the recovery to an impressive total of 188-6 on a slow track.

Such rebuilding was necessary after West XI's prolific scorers all failed for once as they slumped to 37-4 in the 10th over. Norcott and Bapu were yorked by the tall, blond Robson, whilst Dane and Rowan Allerton were smartly caught behind off the more erratic Richardson. Neepam Bhatt has had a moderate season so far, but batted with much aplomb to dominate a stand of 76 in 15 overs with Wright. Chris then took over the attack to put up a further 73 with Steve Rennie for the sixth wicket in just 8 overs. Crucially, only two runs came from the last over - bowled by the veteran Gray - the previous ten having produced 80.

With the wicket and light deteriorating, the target of 189 looked beyond CSE, even more so when they lost three wickets for one run to leave them struggling at 11-3. Daney picked up Neville with a class caught and bowled off his toes, then bowled Ewer, the steady McGirr dismissing Low in-between. Richardson and Robson began tentatively, then began to hit out against spinners Bhatt and Bignell. There were run out chances and catches dropped in the outfield, but the batsmen rode their luck. Poor Wrighty - statistically the most frugal of West XI bowlers this year - was brutally hammered for 44 in three overs! Rowan Allerton bowled arguably his best spell of the summer, but with no luck at all, Neep also bowling well with little reward. Finally the two combined twice to dismiss Robson and McDonald with fine boundary catches, but sadly it all came too late to influence the result.

SCORECARD

WEST XI
Bapu 10, Norcott 3, Dane 1, Bhatt 63, R.Allerton 4, Wright 58, Rennie 31*, Bender 1*, Bignell, K.Allerton, McGirr, Extras 17
TOTAL 188-6 (35 overs - Inns. closed)

FoW: 12,13,27,37,113,186

Bowling: Neville 0-24, Robson 2-19, Richardson 2-43, McDonald 1-29, Low 0-38, Nusdedt 0-13, Vardavas 0-15, Grey 1-2

CAPTAIN'S SELECT
Ewer 2, Neville 7, Low 1, Robson 78, Richardson 65*, McDonald 17, Nusdedt 5*, Golding, Henderson, Vardavas, Gray, Extras 14
TOTAL 189-5 (34 overs)

FoW: 10,11,11,150,178

Bowling: Dane 2-20, McGirr 1-24, Bhatt 1-31, Bignell 0-20, R.Allerton 1-43, Wright 0-44

Catches: Dane, R.Allerton, Bhatt

NB. One milestone which slipped under the radar last week was that Prabhu Bapu actually preceded Phil Walton to 1000 runs for the club in his innings against Acme. Well done to both of them.

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Berkhamsted CC Sun 10 Aug

WEST XI 186-8 beat Acme 102 all out by 84 runs

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West XI continued their excellent run of results at Berkhamsted (only two defeats in eight seasons at this venue) with a comfortable 84-run victory over a sluggish Acme outfit in difficult conditions, the match being frequently interrupted by squally showers and consequently became somewhat uninspiring.

The Beggars' batting never quite reached the heights of their previous two innings on this excellent wicket, though a total of 186 proved more than enough. Bignell and Bapu provided a steady start of 39 in 10 overs before the latter was caught on the boundary, bowler Prest being warned by umpire McGirr for over-exuberant appealing. Chris Dane continued his excellent form with a stylish 35 before being bowled by a corker from Black, Allerton and Wright then upping the run rate. Rowan struck a couple of mighty blows over the leg side before holing out on the boundary, then Wrighty struck three consecutive sixes and ran himself out for 46. Phil Walton then made enough good hits at the death to become the 17th West Eleven batsman to score 1000 runs.

A heavy shower during the tea interval probably put paid to any real chance Acme had of winning. Their batting was lethargic, with only the giant Jacot showing any urgency until he followed opener Thompson by miscueing Dane to Bhatt at cover. Frugal bowling by Hill and McGirr (only 29 scored from their combined 14 overs) ended the match as a contest, the batsmen barely able to hit the ball off the square, although there was a nasty moment for the spikeless McGirr when he slipped and landed heavily on his backside, causing a minor earth tremor in the Hertfordshire region! He had the consolation of Johnson caught at slip by Dave Bender, plus the wicket of Early - another fine running catch by the omnipresent Dane. Dave Laing then cleaned up the tail in his fashion to become the club's leading wicket-taker for 2008 and go top of the bowling averages.

SCOREBOARD

WEST XI
Bapu 28, Bignell 18, Dane 35, Wright 46, R.Allerton 11, Bhatt 2, Walton 17*, Bender 6, Hill 1, McGirr 0*, Laing, Extras 22
TOTAL 186-8 (35 overs - Inns. closed)

FoW: 39,87,94,115,123,157,176,180

Bowling: Mayana 0-37, Prest 1-21, Bowden 0-10, Powley 1-31, Black 1-20, Thompson 1-33, Jacot 2-29

ACME
Johnson 7, Thompson 0, Jacot 28, Lynch 24, Powley 1, Early 1, Bowden 25*, Black 2, Prest 0, Mayana 1, Mann-Short, Extras 13
TOTAL 102 all out (32 overs)

FoW: 1,37,39,44,51,86,99,101,102

Bowling: R.Allerton 0-15, Dane 2-27, McGirr 2-13, Hill 1-16, Wright 1-10, Laing 2-13, Bhatt 0-1

Catches: Bhatt 2, Bender, Dane

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Nursery Road, Morden Sunday 3 August

West XI 144 all out lost to CAMRA 148-2 by 8 wickets

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A powerful CAMRA side enjoyed a comfortable victory in gloomy, damp conditions at Nursery Road - a former Urban Associates venue - where West XI's last match had been in May 1996, their eight-man team clinging on for a creditable draw with Kevin Allerton and Milton Jolin at the wicket.

After having to make do with ten for the past two fixtures, The Beggars were amazingly able to muster fourteen players for this contest, including hard man John McGirr, who umpired the whole of the CAMRA innings in his shirtsleeves despite the persistent rain! CAMRA are a strong side, peppered with quality colonials who should be playing at a higher level and in all honesty this was something of a mismatch, few players emerging with their reputations enhanced, with the exception of Chris Dane, who produced another quality innings of 58.

The visitors were not helped by much non-cerebral cricket, most notably when, after Taylor had been bowled by the ferocious Lombard, Bapu attempted an expansive pull to the very next ball and dollied up a catch to mid-wicket. Daney was quickly into his stride with three boundaries but poor Chris Wright received a savage blow just above the heart from Lombard, dropping his bat on the stumps in the process. Umpire and fielders were sympathetic, but it was a legitimate delivery and he had to go. Walton (13) helped settle the innings until playing over a full toss, but the day only looked profitable when Dane and Bhatt were in partnership adding 52 for the fifth wicket in 10 overs with some excellent strokeplay until Neep was brilliantly caught behind by 'keeper Scott off the returning Lombard, who then saw the middle order wilt before him, including the bizarre dismissal of Rennie, thrown out by the 'keeper standing well back as the batsman lingered too far down the pitch. Daney then holed out to long-on for the second week running, but sensible batting by the tail in the last eight overs advanced the total to a more respectable, though below par, 144.

The weather having brightened somewhat when West XI's were batting, deteriorated again with most of the CAMRA innings played out in continuous drizzle. Despite the run out of Gabriel after some smart work from Rowan Allerton, South Africans Scott and Lombard proceded to butcher the Beggar bowlers to the tune of 116 in 19 overs, helped by the conditions and some sloppy fielding. Seven bowlers were tried until Dave Laing induced Scott to hole out to the safe hands of Rowan at long off for an impressive 65. Lombard (67*) then polished off the match with three boundaries from the next three balls, victory coming with more than 10 overs to spare.

SCOREBOARD

WEST XI
Bapu 4, Taylor 5, Dane 58, Wright 6, Walton 13, Bhatt 22, Rennie 1, R.Allerton 0, K.Allerton 1, Bender 10, Hill 5, Laing (dnb), Extras 19
TOTAL 144 all out (34.2 overs)

FoW: 9,9,30,60,112,120,120,122,134,144

Bowling: Lombard 5-21, Carter 0-17, F.Richards 1-21, S.Richards 1-28, Everett 0-26, Marcus 1-13, Keith 0-10, Mark 0-0

CAMRA
Gabriel 8, Scott 65, Lombard 67*, Mike 0*, Extras 8
TOTAL 148-2 (24.5 overs)

FoW: 20,136

Bowling: Taylor 0-15, Hill 0-13, Wright 0-18, Dane 0-31, Bhatt 0-20, R.Allerton 0-24, Laing 1-23

Catches: R.Allerton
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Berkhamsted CC Sun July 27

WESTS XI 210-4 beat London Saints 133 all out by 77 runs

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A career-best 79 from Steve Rennie, plus an impressive 47 from Chris Dane and four wickets from unsettled spinner Dave Laing ensured West XI continued their excellent record at Berkhamsted with a comprehensive win over the Hampshire boys in stifling conditions.

Making the most of a rare opportunity to open the innings, grizzled white-haired veteran Rennie took advantage of some loose early bowling to impose himself on the match, timing the ball perfectly, particularly through the covers, as he put up 91 for the first wicket with Justin Norcott in the first 19 overs. The impetus was carried on by in-form Chris Dane, who added 45 in 7 overs in tandem with Dave Bender (12) for the 3rd wicket, before holing out at long-on. Chris Wright and Rowan Allerton carried on the good work with 37 from the last three overs as the Beggars almost duplicated their previous week's score of 211.

Despite a three-game absence, Chris Dane is a man right on top of his game at the moment, bowling another worthy spell that culminated in the vital wicket of Mayhew, caught at slip by Bender, who lated bloodied himself head-butting the ground attempting another catch! Meanwhile, another short but hostile spell from Wrighty had seen off Yogeswaran and the aggressive Cotton (27), before Dave Laing ripped through the Saints' middle order with 4-26, including the dangerous Nanton for 12, Daney then topping a fine all-round display with a brilliant running catch at mid-on to out Quinn Senior. Only Shokla with 41 showed any real resistance, playing some excellent shots before being the last man out to Bender's only ball of the innings.

SCOREBOARD

WEST XI
Norcott 15, Rennie 79, Dane 47, Bender 12, R.Allerton 16*, Wright 16*, K.Allerton, Bignell, McGirr, Laing, Mann-Short, Extras 27
TOTAL 210-4 (35 overs Inns. closed)

FoW: 91,125,170,173

Bowling: F.Quinn 0-20, Loomes 0-29, Nanton 0-34, Thomas 1-31, Yogeswaran 0-22, J.Quinn 2-48, Pearce 1-22

LONDON SAINTS
Yogeswaran 2, Cotton 27, T.Mayhew 8, Barber 9, Shokla 41, Pearce 4, Nanton 12, J.Quinn 1, Thomas 0, Loomes 0, F.Quinn 1*, Extras 28
TOTAL 133 all out (30.1 overs)

FoW: 38,40,55,64 - not recorded

Bowling; McGirr 0-13, Dane 1-28, Wright 2-6, Bignell 1-28, Laing 4-26, R.Allerton 0-15, Bender 1-0

Catches: Bender, Norcott, Bignell, Wright, Dane K.Allerton

BEGGARS IN WHITE - THE 2008 WEST XI CC WEB SITE

WEST XI WORLD TOUR (CONT.)

RESULTS/FIXTURES 2008

STATS 2008

CRICKET SITES