2003 RESULTS & REPORTS

Flamstead (106 all out, Eyres 4-8) beat LILLEY (80 all out, Horner 18) by 26 runs

Lilley produced a champagne bowling finish to the season only to be un-done by a babysham batting debacle which saw them bundled out on a decent track for just 80.

Lilley were put in the field and lined with a weaker bowling attack than has been the case on many other Sundays this year.  None-the-less, the pressure was on straight away, with Ashby bagging wickets with consecutive balls and Gareth Tompkins bowling his socks off at the other end to finish with 2-21 from 12 overs.  GT should have had a lot more and had at least two chances put down off his bowling.

Ashby was replaced after seven overs by Taz Qureshi, bowling leg spin this week after a week behind the stumps.  Taz picked up two more wickets to add to his decent season's tally, although he was expensive, going for 44 runs in nine overs.

Steve Eyres, hot off his 5 wicket haul last week, polished off a fine end to the season with the ball, bagging 4 wickets in 19 deliveries to skittle Flamstead for just 106 on a good track.

Lilley's batting got off to a stinker, Doug Tomsett dragging on for just 4 and Steve Eyres followed soon after, also for four.  Ashby and Brad Tompkins temporarily steadied the ship, taking Lilley to 32-2, before the skipper became the second of what be five wickets for bowler Wilkinson, who bagged 5-20 from 15 miserly overs.  Younger brother Gareth departed for a duck, but Phil Horner (18) and Brad looked to be guiding Lilley home with a good partnership.  Tompkins' departure with the Lilley score on 52 though to a ball which flew up out of nowhere was the turning point, Horner following soon after and despite some fine strokes from Stew Collinson (11) and one from Mik Carman (4), Lilley crumbled to 80 all out, 27 runs shy of victory.

Not the best finish to the season, but it has been an absolutely brilliant summer all in all.  The weather has been fabulous and I've had a full and quality eleven almost every week, which has been great.  Thank you everyone who has played and helped me out this year, notably Mik Carman (Vice) and Steve Eyres (Vice Vice) who have helped a lot behind the scenes.
 

LILLEY (182-7, Tomsett 61) beat Houghton Conquest (147 all out, Eyres 5-32) by 35 runs

Lilley returned to winning ways at Bedfordshire Police Headquarters in Kempston with a hard fought victory over Houghton Conquest.

Lilley won the toss and batted on a green but hard track and looked to be coasting along at 62 for no wicket with Tomsett and Brad Tompkins going along nicely.  That was until Tompkins was quite ludicrously given out leg before to a ball which struck him nearer his waist than his knee for a well made 24.  Harsh luck and the worst decision I've seen this year!  Skipper Ashby than thrashed a quick-fire 30, including four 4's and two dropped chances, before his luck ran out - one lusty blow too many!  With the score on 106-2 though in the 23rd over, Lilley were well placed.

Tim Perry made a good start, moving to 15, before being bowled off the inside edge.  Evergreen Dougy Tomsett continued on his merry way at the other end though, registering another fine half century.  By the time he was done by a 'grubber' for 61, he'd hit ten boundaries and taken Lilley to 143-4.  Gareth Tompkins followed shortly after for 11, brilliantly caught by Saint and Eyres followed suit in holing out for 19, again caught at long off by Saint.  Taz was the only other wicket to fall, caught and bowled by a very enthusiastic Belafonte, before Joel Mellor dropped anchor to sour up the Lilley run rate in time for the forty over mark, finishing on 5 not out.  Lilley wound up 182-7 off 40 overs.

Perry & Ashby started very tidily with the new ball for Lilley, restricting the home side to 7-1 from the first eight overs, Ashby picking up Carter for 4.  Gareth Tompkins replaced Ashby and continued the good work, producing booming inswing and good pace.  He yorked the other opener and went on to bag 3-21 from ten quick, tidy overs off the reel, a very impressive effort from the young man.  Dave Carman meanwhile didn't have such an enjoyable experience at the other end and despite some early promise and a dropped catch by Collinson off his bowling, he was eventually sent to graze on the outfield having bowled 4 overs for 32 - still, it only took Doug six balls to concede that last week! 

Carman was replaced by big Stevie Eyres.  Eyres rewarded his Captain by bowling his socks off to take an impressive 5-32, a spell so good that it kept Tim Perry from coming back to complete his overs!  Stevo obliterated the middle and lower order, bagging five wickets in 32 balls for 13 runs.  His wickets came bowled (2), caught and bowled, a fine catch in the covers by Gareth Tompkins and a steepler from Doug Tomsett.  Ashby returned to clean bowl the number ten to wrap up a 35 run win for the mighty, mighty Lilley.

Taz Qureshi made a very good account of himself behind the stumps for the second time on a very difficult track and with good pace coming through to him from Perry, Tompkins and Ashby.  Another string to add to his bow, along with his medium pace and leg spin!
 

Eddlesborough (231-5, Ashby 3-39) beat LILLEY (123 all out, Ashby 33) by 108 runs.

Lilley got a good spanking on their first trip to Eddlesborough this afternoon as the Lilley support bowling was found wanting.

Returning skipper James Ashby lost the toss as Lilley were forced to field in scorching temperatures.  Lilley started well, Ashby removing the two openers with yorkers and Gareth Tompkins ripping out Hacking with a lovely off cutter.  The home team at 64-3 were on the ropes, and Thorne, batting at three, survived a huuuuuuge LBW appeal when he was on nought.  Thorne it was who proved to be a real thorn in the side of Lilley.  He and Aussie Case put on 125 for the 4th wicket to steer Eddlesborough out of trouble.  'Deadly' Doug Tomsett returned for Lilley and was asked to bowl by Ashby.  His resulting figures: 1 over 0 maidens 0 wickets for 30 runs were harsh as Tim Perry did drop two skiers off him at deep mid wicket, but still a bowling return to forget...

Ashby returned and immediately took his 50th wicket of the season, bowling Case for 61.  Eyres soon added the lucky Thorne, although he had plundered 115 by that point and Lilley were on the ropes.

The eventual score of 231 was probably 40 too many on a fair track, but the chase was on.

The run chase got off to a pants start.  Brad Tompkins was bowled off an inside edge for 2 in the second over.  Ashby and Tomsett then put on 38 for the third wicket, Ashby making 33 of those before he was caught behind.  Gareth Tompkins followed for nought and when Doug was bowled for 30 with the score 77-4, Lilley were up against it.  Phil Horner made 1 before holing out and he was followed by Tim Perry, who was so furious at the umpire not giving a wide that he swiped at the next ball and was caught.  The umpire's later reasoning of 'I couldn't be bothered' met a suitable response...

Eyres was next to go, still learning the fact that his feet can move forwards as well as sideways.  Another nought.  Unquestionably the biggest underachiever...he has all the ability in the world.  Needs to use it though.  Reminds me of Peter Rogers in the mid ninties...and look what happened to him.  Class these days.  Get in the back garden I say...

I digress...Joel Mellor...he was the next to go and here's a fella...another of the 'need to move the foot' brigade.  Another duck this time.  Joel has improved imeasureably in recent years, but most of his scoring shots are back foot...if he can only get that front foot forward, he'd be a top six batsman week in, week out.

Well then the fun begins...Joel is out, next man in, Stew Collinson.  It's at this point, I'm told he is breaking into someone's house as she has locked herself out.  Up the road.  Phone calls are made and somehow, he gets to the crease, all over the place!  He composes himself and makes 1, but the entertainer was Mik Carman at the other end, who made mincemeat of some fifth string bowling to register 26 not out with several lusty blows, including 2 sixes.  Lovely knock.

All in all, a defeat, but they were a good bunch of lads in the pub afterwards and thoroughly outplayed us on the day.  We'll be back next year though.  And with eleven.  Alas, we had but ten this week due to the late, late withdrawal of Taz...not impressed!
 

Lilley gained their first win this afternoon under Vice vice Captain Steve Eyres. In for Stewart Collinson, Dave Carmen and Phil Clarke this week was the return of Tim Perry, and the last minute saviour duo of Alec and Mark Crump.

Lilley lost the toss (yet again!) and were put into bat on a grassy wicket by Steppingley.

First out to the middle was Mik Carmen and Bradley Tomkins. Mik Carmen putting to the sword E. Peters towards his quickfire 16 in 13 minutes in which all of his runs were four 4’s. He unfortunately fell victim to him, caught after being bowled by a head high full toss, which wasn’t called a no ball by umpire Taz Qureshi. Next out to the middle was Gareth Tomkins to join his brother Bradley. Gareth and Bradley, immediately then went to town on some poor bowling again by E. Peters and there other opening bowler Hughes, dispatching them to all corners of the ground with some fantastic strokes in a good partnership of forty three. Gareth went to new bowler C. Brown’s first delivery in a lovely knock of 31 to leave Lilley 63-2 off of 10 overs and not looking in a bad position. Up at the crease next was captain Steve Eyres, who was hoping for another good knock after his 38 at Markyate last week. Eyres lasted three balls before being caught at mid off with a zero to his name. Tim Perry was next to join Bradley at the crease. With Bradley already cruising along nicely with a few runs, Tim then decided to join in on the action making a good partnership with Bradley for about 85 before Bradley was run out unfortunately on 49 whilst going for a quick single. Phil Horner was next out to the middle, only to be adjudged LBW by umpire Mik Carmen on his first ball bowled by young bowler Sargent. Joel Mellor then got out there to join Tim and hit 12 runs all down the leg side before giving catching practice to there captain K. Peters at mid wicket off of L.Peters bowling to then send in Craig Paddington. Next to go for Lilley was Tim Perry who played some stupendous strokes towards his 64 including one towering 6 straight back past bowler Whitfield before bowling him on his next ball leaving Lilley at 195-7 off 34 overs. Taz(1) was next in before also being bowled by Whitfield. Alec Crump was up next to join Craig before the latter was caught for 6. Mark Crump, then joined his father out at the middle only to go on his third delivery caught behind for naught to leave Lilley 203 all out off of 37.1 overs with Alec on 2 not out.

Due to the absence of Lilley’s opening bowling partnership of James Ashby and Phil Clarke, Lilley’s attack today was Tim Perry and Gareth Tomkins. First ball, Perry comes steaming in at opening batsmen C. Brown only for him to get a massive inside edge onto his stumps. Next over, Gareth gets Brown’s replacement Tate, which he edges to Taz at first slip leaving Steppingley at 5-2 off of 2 overs. Steppingley then went to put on 54 for the next wicket with Brown and Leigh-Brown at the crease hitting some streaky strokes in which the latter was dropped twice at mid on by Steve Eyres in the same over off of Gareth’s bowling. He finally went though on 36 after being bowled a straight one by Perry. Brown next went for 25 off of Tomkins bowling. Steve then brought himself and Taz into the bowling attack. Taz’s reward was getting Leigh-Brown’s replacement Hughes(12), caught at second slip by Mark Crump. Whitfield was the first of Eyres’ victims being caught for a duck. Steppingley put on 27 (including extras) for the next wicket with Miller and E. Peters at the crease before Eyres had Miller caught at point by Craig Paddington for 8, and then getting in his next over E.Peters caught behind by Mik Carmen for 5. Next in for Steppingley was one of there young bowlers Sargent who wasn’t much taller than the stumps! He made a quick 5 before being bowled by one of Taz’s leg spinners and then sent in their other young small bowler L. Peters. He joined his dad and captain K.Peters already out there who was trying to get the strike when he could and also guide his young players through there innings. Unfortunately K. Peters went for a single, but with his son not backing up, had him run out which left them all out for 137 off of 27 overs and Lilley to win by 66 runs.

Report By Joel Mellor

31.08.03

LILLEY (147 all out, Eyres 38) beat Markyate (99 all out, G Tompkins 3-4) by 48 runs

Lilley bounced back from the temporary disappointment of defeat at Bourne End with a convincing win over Markyate, their second of the season.

Skipper James Ashby was back in the side after missing the previous week with work commitments, and when he won the toss, he chose to bat.  Ashby himself and 'The Mouth Of The South' Mik Carman opened up and to good effect.  Ashby it was who struggled to come to terms with a two pace track whilst Carman played some beautiful strokes at the other end as Lilley raced to 46 without loss in the seventh over.   The skipper lobbed one back tamely to the bowler in the eighth over though and that began a steady procession of Lilley wickets.  Second to go was Carman, good value for his 26, before playing around a straight one.  You get the feeling if he could shore up that defence, he could be a powerful top order batsman.

Bradley T (7) played back to a grubber and was followed by Gareth T (4) who became the second caught and bowled victim, with Lilley slipping to 65-4.  That became 69-5 when Phil Clarke stepped across his stumps and was adjudged leg before wicket by umpire Carman (D). 

Now.  Key point in the match.  And I'm typing that in a Mark Nicholas voice.  Mmmm, yeah.  Phil Horner and Steve Eyres came together at the crease.  Oh wait a minute...images...anyway, they became partners...oooh no...that's not much better.  Anyway, with five down, the big man and Phil put on a nifty 41 for the sixth wicket, much needed.  Horner was done with a genuine good 'un and was immediately followed by Joel Mellor, the second golden duck of the afternoon, offering no significant stroke to a Smith off spinner.  With the decline in number of possible partners, Stevie Eyres decided to unleash.  His only previous innings of not was an imperious knock of 32 earlier on this term versus...you guessed it...Markyate.  Don't put dolly bowlers on against Eyres.  He hammered a six through cow corner which was adjudged 'four' and two balls later had another go, this time winning the umpire's six signal for his efforts.  A sharp single brought last week's form man Stew Collinson onto strike, only for him to become caught and bowled victim three and golden quacker three.  Cha-ching rings the fines pot.

Craig Paddington strode out and hit a genuine late cut for four first up.  By jove, he's got it.  Not to out-done by the young up-start, Eyres greeted the introduction of Hamilton's occasional leg breaks by spanking him for four, then three balls later, clubbing him viciously back past him straight towards the pavilion.  And the ball flew.  Straight through the window of the pavilion and into the bar.  Smashing stroke.  Pics to be on the website a tad later, worth a view!

Eyres (38) took one wild swipe too many at Hammy, and was bowled and by the time Dave Carman was cleaned up - in as a late replacement for Taz, who was stuck in Watford - Lilley had posted a reasonable 147, given the ropey track.

Lilley set about their bowling task very tidily. Ashby and the evergreen Philo Clarke bowled very tightly, restricting the home side to 9-0 off seven overs with six successive maidens between them.  Clarke it was with the early breakthroughs, Horner taking a good catch in the gulley to dismiss the dangerous Saunders.  Then came quite possibly catch of the season.  And Stew Collinson was the man.  Clarke induced a timid forward prod by Dimmock and Collinson made amends for his batty batting with a quite brilliant one handed wonder at forward silly point.  Brilliant.  Clarke (3-19 from 11 miserly overs) bagged a third, having the keeper Porter caught at second slip by Eyres.  With opener Patis getting a fearful bruising from some Ashby lifters, Markyate managed to haul themselves into a good position at 68-3 with plenty of overs to go.  Then the middle order crumbled.  Patis' luck finally ran out, bowled by Ashby, then Grant went, bowled Ashby and finally Smith went...bowled Ashby.  The skipper (3-37) and Clarke then went out to graze in the outfield, with Markyate 78-6 and Dave Carman's leg spin and Gareth Tompkins pace replacing them.  Tompkins it was who stole the show, bowling about as quick as I've seen him and mopping up the tail with 3-4 in three hostile overs, two bowled and one caught and bowled off his slower ball - apparently after a tip from older bro Bradley!

So Markyate all out for 99, a 48 run victory for Lilley.  Lilley are without their new ball pair of Ashby and Clarke next week for the trip to Steppingly, so it will need a big effort from the team to help Vice, vice Captain Eyres find his first victory as acting captain.

24.08.03

Lilley today suffered their first defeat in eight games since the end of the Hammond era against one of the toughest oppositions they have faced all season. Missing from the team before the match, was their leader and captain James Ashby who was instead enjoying the festivities at the Notting Hill carnival (apparently working) and also un-available was Pete Rogers, Neil Hanley and also were let down at the last minute by Tim Perry who was stuck in Bristol to leave Lilley with ten men. So off ten man Lilley went to Bourne End with the return of Phil Horner and Gareth and Bradley Tomkins.  Mik Carmen was behind the stumps to replace Rogers and also Steve Eyres who was captain for the day due to the absence of captain Ashby.

Arrived at Bourne End’s ground, which was strangely located below the A41, next to a roundabout, a McDonalds and also an industrial estate.  Lilley lost the toss and were put in to field.

Opening bowlers for Lilley was Gareth Tomkins and Phil Clarke who both generated a lot of swing early on.  Soon the reward was paying off as Tomkins took the early wicket of the opener Proctor for a duck caught at deep mid-off by Taz and Clarke bowling his replacement Hill for 4 leaving Bourne End at 22-2.  The new batsman Escuder then put Lilley to the sword with the other opener Goodinson, for a partnership of around forty before Clarke had the latter caught at first slip by Steve Eyres.  His replacement was Ashbu, who made a quick fire 25 before being bowled by Eyres on to replace the bowling of Tomkins.  Enter next Akhtar for Bourne End who apparently, so we were told before the match, that he has never played. Together with Escuder, they put on a partnership of about 60 which unfortunately included a dropped chance by Eyres off of Escuder, which was a shot, wellied back at him off of his bowling. Escuder went on to make his fifty by a Taz overthrow as Lilley’s heads went down and fielding became more sloppy as the match wore on. Meanwhile at the other end, Akhtar was playing some streaky shots on his way to his fifty in which Mik Carmen told him "you have more edges than a Pizza Hut pizza!" Finally Escuder went, run out on 86 with a good throw by Taz at deep point for Mik Carmen to knock off the bails with the batsman nowhere near his crease.  When tea finally arrived, Bourne End had amassed a total of 243-4 for Lilley to chase.

The two openers out to the middle for Lilley were Mik Carmen and Bradley Tomkins.  Sillitoe (more like silly surname) the opening bowler for Bourne End, bowled a lot of straight balls at Mik Carmen in his opening over only for Mik to belt a wideish delivery through the covers for 4.  Meanwhile, Bradley at the other end had the other opening bowler the medium pacer Hill who bowled him for 0 after only facing his third ball and was then replaced by his brother Gareth.  Sillitoe came back and got his revenge though on Mik with the fifth ball of his next over by bowling him with another straight one for him to be replaced by Steve Eyres.  Gareth was then run out trying to chase a quick single for only 4 leaving Lilley 8-3 off of 4 overs! Phil Clarke was next out to the middle to join Steve and both hit towering 6’s into cow corner whilst putting on a partnership of 15 before Eyres was caught at deep mid-off by the bowling of Hill leaving Lilley on 23-4.  Out to the middle next was Phil Horner who had to endure with Phil Clarke some short pitched bowling by Sparrow brought on to replace Sillitoe.  Both batsmen were hit in the process and Philo luckily managed to duck a high full toss/beamer which he didn’t see coming out of the trees behind the bowlers arm. Next to go was Philo(13) caught at short leg off the bowling of Sparrow. Next out to middle was Joel Mellor (0) who went second ball caught at silly mid-off by Escuder, also off of Sparrow’s bowling.  Taz replacing Mellor at the crease. At the other end bowling was Akhtar who came steaming in off a 25 yard run up only for him not to be that fast.  Certainly wasn’t Shoaib at any costs.  Next wicket fell to Phil Horner (12) caught also at short leg off the bowling of Sparrow to send in Stuart Collinson who is of course one of the sides of the triangle of doom. Taz (5) next went bowled by Akhtar to send in Craig Paddington another side of the triangle of doom. Now with Lilley at 56-8 and with these two giants at the crease you would have thought we would be happy if we manage to reach 60 all out. Not these two though! As if you haven’t heard in recent weeks, Craig and Stuart have been attending mid-season net coaching sessions to work on their batting technique. Last week there was promising signs that this was paying off due to Stuart hitting his first 4 for Lilley and also Craig showing some good stubborn defence with the bat in helping Lilley gain a more respectable total. Proctor the spinner was bought on to replace the short pitcher Sparrow to which Stuart hit him for four 4’s, pulling three of them. Craig at the other end however, faced Akhtar coming at a so-called fast pace to which he drove him for four straight back past him. Stuart and Craig, then topped up the Lilley total with a few singles here and there before Craig was bowled for 10 by one of the opening bowlers Hill who, was brought back on to replace Akhtar who they had both put to the sword earlier to leave Lilley 88 all out, and to lose by 155 runs. Stuart and Craig getting a partnership of 32 for the last wicket.

All in all Lilley’s fantastic undefeated run had to come to end after the Hammond era but I will quote as what was said in a previous match report from the Whitwell game before we last played Markyate, "expect Markyate to feel the wrath of the Lilley return!!"

Report by Joel 'Uri' Mellor

17.08.03

LILLEY (90 all out, P Clarke 21) beat United Counties Bus (68 all out, Ashby 6-17) by 22 runs

Well, we've seen some four hundred plus games, games punctuated by good batting and games dominated by the bat in Lilley fixtures this year.  This fixture in contrast was simply ludicrous!  From the moment Lilley arrived to find a) the home team didn't know where the dressing room was, b) tea would be after the game down the pub and c) that the wicket was greener than the outfield, it was obvious that this wasn't going to be a 'regular' Sunday...

United Counties Bus are exactly what they say on the tin.  A bus.  Well, a team of busmen anyway, as the team's senior pro proudly told me in the outfield, save the opening bowler who he scowled at and said "He's a taxi driver".  It was every inch a parks wicket, but with both Clarkes back to bolster the batting line up after the late withdrawal of the Tomkins twins, Lilley had to be confident of posting a challenging target when asked to bat by the home side in the 40 over game.

Eleven overs gone and Lilley were 38-7.  And no, you didn't mis-read that.  38-7.  Matt Clarke (4) was caught in a curious fielding position first up, very quickly followed by Hanley (1) who mis-timed one having been struck by one of the many mis-behaving balls early on.  Rogers (4) soon followed, bowled by the impressive Shah (and also having been peppered by the track of death) and then Eyres (3) got bowled.  Again.  When Ashby (12) followed, caught and bowled off a leading edge, the score was 28-5.  That soon became 38-6 as Mik Carman (5) was bowled and he was almost over-taken on his way back to the scoring area by Taz Qureshi, who feathered one behind first ball to make it 38-7.  38-7.  Now, just to spice up the images which are going through your mind, we're 38-7 with Phil Clarke at the crease....with Joel Mellor striding out to bat.  And Craig and Stew to come.  It's fair to say I wasn't brimming with confidence at this point....

Phil Clarke hasn't batted for a month, but you wouldn't know.  His last knock was a match winner at Kempston and his innings top score here of 21 may not sound a lot, but in the context of the game, it was a triple century!  Still, Philo joined the Lilley procession, another one bowled, leaving the away side a perilous 64-8, with the triangle of doom (Messrs Mellor, Paddington and Collinson) left to conjure up a miracle.  Their combined averages prior to this game were less than five.  Yes, combined!  But fortunately for Lilley, for Paddington and Collinson, the mid season net training reaped massive reward.  At the other end, Joel Mellor has probably been the biggest underachiever of the year.  Last season he seemed to turn the corner and was really coming on, but this term he has floundered.  Not so here though, as he dug in a produced what I would regard as his best knock to date.  Only 14 before he was bowled, but again on a minefield and in the situation Lilley were in, an absolute match winner.  Paddington hung around for six overs.  He didn't score anything, but so what?  He was a great foil for Joel.  After Mellor's demise, Collinson strode out to the wicket and promptly smashed his first four for Lilley through third man and finished four not out.  Not only has he now scored more runs than had innings (hoorah), he's scored more runs than Craig and has a better average!  Craig was the last man out and somehow Lilley had got up to a seemingly improbable 90 all out.

Big pressure then on Lilley's bowlers, particularly Ashby and Matt Clarke who opened up with early wickets needed.  It was looking very ominous as UCB made it to 17 without loss comfortably by the fifth over, but the sixth brought the breakthrough.  Matt Clarke didn't even appeal initially for the lbw which brought him his only wicket of the afternoon, but was suitably aroused by the efforts of Rogers and Ashby behind the wicket that he made a token gesture, only to see the umpire's finger raised.  Clarke admitted afterwards "That was never out.  I'm quite embarrassed actually". 

Despite the breakthrough, UCB continued on their merry way, riding their luck with edges and were 33-1 by the tenth over, well on target.  Ashby (6-17), who had been toothless until his sixth over, then bagged a double wicket maiden and went on to take six wickets in 27 balls, all bowled, as UCB crumbled under the pressure.  Phil Clarke bagged the final wicket, caught at slip by Ashby (who dropped one two overs previously off the same bowler) and UCB had completed their collapse from 49-3 to 68 all out.

A simply ludicrous game, but ultimately another 'W'.  Still unbeaten since Ken departed these shores, four wins on the spin and unbeaten in seven games now. 

11.08.03

LILLEY (126-9, Rogers 41) beat Ivanhoe (105 all out, Ashby 5-14) by 21 runs

On the day a new record high temperature in the UK was set in Kent, Lilley produced a sizzling display to see off Ivanhoe in Hertfordshire.

Having won the toss is extreme heat, Lilley opted to bat and make the opposition bake in the sun.  The plan started to fall apart at the seams early on though as Ashby edged behind in only the second over.  Centurion of last week Neil Hanley and the returning Peter Rogers looked to be setting themselves nicely before the former mis-hit a back foot stroke and was caught, with Lilley languishing at 29-2.  Brad Tompkins returned to some of the form of early season, but he was bowled by one which nipped back through the gate for 13. 

Younger brother Gareth continued his recent improvements with the bat to steady the Lilley ship, puting on 50 for the fourth wicket with Rogers.  Rogers battled hard in the heat, never really seeming to cut loose - a sure sign that the wicket was perhaps not the best for timing strokes.  His near two hour stint at the crease in the sweltering heat was finally ended for 41 in the twenty ninth over and partner Tompkins soon followed for 24, both bowled.  Bizarrely, an almighty storm then engulfed the ground, but play continued.  Mik Carman (4) and Steve Eyres (1) were both bowled in quick succession before Mellor (4) and Taz Qureshi (12 not out) boosted Lilley's score with some late hitting.  Mellor's demise preceded Collinson and Paddington, who continued their personal battle for love, money, fame, riches and indeed runs by each grabbing a run each (both more than the Captain, er-herm...).  Honours to Paddington this time round, his was a 'not out'.

With only 126 on the board, Lilley's bowlers were always going to be tested.  Gareth Tompkins and Ashby took the new ball and to good effect.  Ashby was hit between gulley and point for two fours in his first over by M. Parnell, but took revenge in his second.  A length ball jagged back in at the batsman and Rogers adjusted to go towards the leg side behind the stumps, however the ball cannoned into Parnell's glove and behind, where Rogers flung out his right hand to pouch the catch.  Fellow opener, left hander Evans, had spent three overs playing and missing at Tompkins so he can claim the assist for Ashby's second wicket, clean bowled for five.  Bridgman followed next ball, leg before and the skipper was robbed of a hat-trick as he struck L. Parnell plum in front with the hat-trick ball, only to be denied by the home umpire.  'Outside the line' he told me in the pub afterwards. 

Ashby and Tompkins ran out of puff in the heat, so after a brief flirt with the idea of Steve Eyres bowling a long stint, Lilley turned to their two spinners, Hanley and Taz Qureshi.  Hanley's first over of orthodox left arm finger spin was rusty, but despite some early tap, he bagged the important wicket of S. Parnell (and yes, there are a lot of Parnells in this team..), caught in the gulley by Eyres.  Hanley bagged his second by trapping Frey leg before, but the runs continued to flow.  L. Parnell had his second life off the bowling of Qureshi this time as he mis-hit an ugly drive to Mik Carman at mid off, only for the usually safe pair of hands to fumble and drop the chance. 

Hanley at the other end produced his best delivery of the day, bowling Patel with a pearler which clipped the top of off stump.  Taz then got his deserved first wicket, finally removing the stubborn resistance of L. Parnell, lbw, and possibly the fastest decision I've ever seen from umpire Dave Carman.  Or any umpire.  He accidentally likened Taz to 'Shawn Wayne, the aussie spinner', so naturally, the name stuck for the rest of the spell.  In all fairness, Qureshi bowled beautifully and could easily have had more wickets with his leg spin here.  Taz now has 20 wickets for the year, in reaching the milestone passing Ken Hammond who had just 18 before leaving for Canada.  "Ahh, but Ken has been gone for ages, Taz must have bowled more overs" I hear you cry...not so.  Eight less in fact.

Ashby brought himself back into the attack with Lilley still leaking runs, needing three more wickets to win, but with Ivanhoe needing just 26 runs for victory themselves.  The move reaped instant reward as he clean bowled his opposite number Phil...you guessed it...Parnell.  Qureshi (2-16) grabbed a deserved second as Kenchington dragged on for nought and Ashby (5-14 in 8.2 overs) completed his five wicket hall and wrapped up the match by clean bowling Christie, leaving Ivanhoe 21 runs short of victory and making it five wins in six for Lilley and unbeaten in six.  Indeed, the last time Lilley lost was mid-June, Ken's last game for the club.  Who'd have thought?

Onto next week and the Bus team.  United Counties Bus.  Tickets please.

27.07.03

LILLEY (259-5, Hanley 135*) beat Sandon Strollers (41 all out, Ashby 3-6) by 218 runs

Neil Hanley was drafted into the Lilley side this week with numbers very tight, but his debut was marked with the first Lilley century for two seasons and an awesome display of strokeplay which most sides would have found hard to handle.

Lilley lost the toss and were asked to bat by Sandon, whose own side were late in arriving.  Lilley turned up with nine men and were asked to set a total on a moist wicket with plenty of grass on.  Ashby & Eyres put on 34 for the first wicket before the latter tried to drive a bouncer and was predictably caught.  Brad Tompkins registered his first lilley duck, before Ashby followed for 39, bowled by a Green yorker.  With Lilley 59-3 and with nine men, things weren't looking rosey.  Gareth Tompkins (26) and new boy Neil Hanley put on 55 for the fourth wicket before the former was undone by another Green pearler.

Hanley and Tim Perry then set about the Sandon attack, smashing the ball to all parts, with Hanley in particular on fire.  He smashed 13 fours and 4 sixes en route to an awesome 135 not out on debut, comfortably the best ever Lilley batting performance on debut.  He and Perry (33) put on an astonishing 125 for the fifth wicket in just 16 overs as Lilley finished on 259-5, with Collinson making a cameo 4 not out to round off proceedings (including a moment of comedy when his first shot was lofted high into the air only to be dropped by two fielders who ran into each other!).

With the depleted Sandon side chasing 260 to win, Lilley were always in the box seats.  That situation was magnified when Ashby (3-6 from 5) and Perry (1-11 from 6) ripped into the early order batting and by the time Hanley's left arm and a run out had done their bit, Lilley had dismissed Sandon for just 41, leaving a winning margin of 218 runs.

Excellent!
 

20.07.03

LILLEY (199-5, Clarke 48 not out, Ashby 47) beat Kempston Sports (Taz 3-49) by five wickets

Lilley cruised to victory at sun kissed Kempston today, thanks to innings of 48 not out by Phil Clarke, 47 by in form skipper James Ashby and an unbeaten 35 by Cape Town Express Gareth Tompkins.

Lilley won the toss and chose to field on a greenish looking track.  Despite some lovely bowling from Ashby, Tompkins and Clarke early doors, Kempston managed to put on a hundred for the first wicket on a wicket which played very true.

With the seamers toiling, the skipper turned to Taz to bowl some of his leg spin.  The first ball produced the first wicket, and he went on to force two run outs and bag another two wickets to finish 3-49m an impressive return on a good track.  Taz is now level on wickets with Ken Hammond for the year, having bowled 15 overs less.  His economy rate of over five compared to Ken's 2 an over tells a different story however...

Kempston posted 198-5 from their 40 overs, a reasonable total on a fair track.  Lilley lost Eyres (5) early on, but Ashby and Gareth Tompkins settled down to put on 60 for the second wicket.  Tompkins played on for ten and Ashby's entertaining 47, including nine fours, was cut short by an Allbones yorker.  Taz's stay at the crease was as brief as a Craig Paddington love-making session and when Phil Horner, the birthday boy, was bamboozled by an Allbones slower delivery, Lilley were 101-5 at the halfway point.

Gareth Tompkins and Phil Clarke then formed an awesome partnership.  Clarke thrashed his way to a classy 48 not out, including eight fours, and was robbed of a half century only by Tompkins who was in form nothing short of stunning.  He whipped ten off three balls to win the match for Lilley and finished 36 not out..

Kempston skipper Allbones called Lilley 'one of the best sides we play against' and I'm happy to say we lived up to our billing, even without Hammond!
 

13.07.03

LILLEY (201 all out, Ashby 77) drew with Greenwood Park (115-7, Eyres 4-51)

Time games often hide the true course of a game of cricket, offering one side the opportunity of clinging on for a draw in a game in which they have been thoroughly outplayed.  The timed game came to Greenwood Park's rescue today however, as Lilley hit their straps at a scorching Chiswell Green.

GP won the toss (about the fifth in a row Ashby has lost...damn that call of heads...) and asked Lilley to bat on a greenish but hard track in the sweltering sun.  Peter Rogers and James Ashby compiled a useful opening stand of 90 last week at Pirton, so continued their opening partnership.  The home side's bowlers struggled early on, and Lilley were soon racing away at ten an over, Ashby's first scoring stroke being a square cut six.  By the time Rogers departed to a tired stroke for 33, Lilley were 107-1 in the 19th over and looking in good shape.  Ashby soon followed, but not before registering his second fifty of the season, 77, including eleven fours and one six.  Rob Hoar hit a punchy and entertaining 19 before falling to another tired looking stroke and once the Tompkins brothers both went for 4, Lilley had endured somewhat of a mid-innings flop.

Enter Phil Horner, the rock of the middle order.  It certainly wasn't his prettiest innings, full of planted front foot swat attempts, many of which were about as attractive as a pint of Evian to George Best, but it was an important cameo.  Eyres came in, smashed three mighty fours, then went in the usual fashion, Trent Bridge intent, Terence Trent D'arby execution.  Mellor gloved one behind, Taz walked across his stumps and was plum and Craig and Stew did their regular punch and judy act to wrap up proceedings....Craig's average of one and Stew's one run in six innings is starting to get ludicrous!  Nonetheless, Lilley had amassed 201, a challenging total to chase.

Ashby & Eyres opened the bowling for the first time since they skittled Guilden Morden several years ago and to good effect.  This time round it was the big northerner doing the major damage, bagging 4-51 in an impressive 13 over burst.  Ashby at the other end nabbed 2-23 from 13.  The support bowling too was good, Gareth Tompkins again very impressive with his pace.  Tompkins it was who nabbed the wicket of Meech, who had put up stubborn resistance.  He edged the ball to point where Joel Mellor took a spectacular catch low to his right, quite possibly a contender for catch of the season.  Lilley managed to bag seven wickets, but couldn't quite force the victory in the face of stubborn defensive batting.  Tompkins should have bagged another wicket late on, but Eyres muffed a sharp chance in the slips with the evening sun setting in front of him.

A good, winning draw nonetheless....

06.06.03

LILLEY (175-2, Rogers 52) beat Pirton (169-5, Ashby 2-27) by eight wickets

Doctor Block's retirement from village cricket has left Pirton a shell of their former selves.  Not that it would have mattered in this fixture.  Lilley romped home to an easy eight wicket win and totally outclassed the home side in all areas.

Ashby's bad run of tosses continued and Pirton amazingly, given their previous draw specialist status, chose to bat.  Lilley found it hard going early on, with Ashby tight at one end but leaking runs at the other.  Young Taz took the new ball on his birthday, but nerves got the better of him as wides and four balls reigned in his seven over spell for 32 runs.  The first wicket 'fell' when opener Bright pulled his calf muscle and had to retire hurt.  Impressive Gareth Tomkins (2-38) then made inroads, taking two wickets in quick succession before a quick piece of thinking by returning 'keeper Peter Rogers saw Gill stumped, caught standing on parade outside his crease.  Ashby (2-27) then returned to pick up two wickets and tighten the noose around Pirton's neck, leaving them on 169-5 from their session.

Mik Carman declared himself unwell during the interval, so James Ashby went out to open with Peter Rogers, who hasn't picked up a bat for nearly a year.  By the time Ashby was caught for 35, having hit 2 fours and 2 sixes, Lilley were 90-1 (the highest opening partnership of the year thus far) and well on the path to victory.  In form Brad Tomkins then put on 39 for the second wicket before Rogers fell for an excellent 52, including nine fours.  Rob Hoar then blazed 33 in double quick time, including five fours and he and Tomkins guided Lilley to an impressive eight wicket win with six overs to spare.

29.06.03

LILLEY (188-7, B Tomkin 74) beat Simmons (187 all out, B Tomkin 3-17, Taz 3-26) by 3 wickets

Lilley were struggling before the game, with only ten fit and available players, only to then additionally lose Stew Collinson through hungoverness!  With his options limited, skipper Ashby turned to 'Asian Sensation' Taz in the hope he could produce a couple of world class all rounders from his cupboard to bolster the side. 

Taz did indeed turn up with two players...the brothers Tomkin, Gareth (16 years old) and Bradley (17 years old), his South African relatives.  Taz gave the tactical assessment to his Captain ("I've seen them play in the garden and they look alright") and Dave 'Mr Chairman' Carman set the ball rolling with the following:

Dave: "How old are they?"
JA: "16 and 17 I think"
Dave: "Ah...I was just wondering about the helmet situation"
JA: <speechless>
Mik Carman: <Too rude to print>

In any case, Lilley eventually got to the ground, via a Carman inspired scenic route (and another ground).  Lilley lost the toss and were asked to field.  Ashby induced an edge from the bulky, and not entirely sweet smelling Singh at the top of the order, only for Eyres to fumble behind the diving Carman at first slip.  That was the first ball...and Singh set off immediately after, smashing 14 from the over and going on to hammer 58 runs in double quick time to send Lilley reeling.  A Tim Perry slower ball slipped past his defences though and Lilley could apply the brakes with Taz and 16 year old Gareth Tomkin.  Taz bowled with great maturity, probably his tidiest spell to date, and was rewarded with 3-26 in seven tight overs.  Tomkin at the other end bowled brilliantly given it was his first run out in the side and reeled off ten pacey overs to take 2-38.

Brother Brad then joined in the fun, nipping out the tail end to snaffle 3-17 with Tim Perry coming back into the attack to tidy up at the other end.  With 188 on the board however, Simmons looked favourites given Lilley's young and brittle batting line up.

Mik Carman opened with big Stevie Eyres in the absence of Doug Tomsett, Ken Hammond and any other candidate, but they were soon both smashing the ball to the boundary.  Carman was first to go, bowled for 16.  Enter Brad Tomkin, thrown in at the deep end after two years without a game.  Eyres always plays best when he gets his head down and concentrates, and that he did in compiling an impressive 28 before falling victim to probably the worst ball he'd faced.  He and Tomkin 'senior' had put on 49 by that time and the young Cape Town born all rounder was beginning to find his feet.  Another partnership of 49, this time with the skipper Ashby, took Lilley to 136-3 and in a position to push for victory. 

Brother Gareth and Phil Horner then too went cheaply and at 146-5, Lilley's fragile tail was almost exposed.  Tomkin kicked in though, racing onto 74 before eventually getting caught trying to lash out late out.  Nonetheless, his magnificent effort set up Lilley and Tim Perry struck a few lusty boundaries to take Lilley to the brink.  His dismissal brought Craig Paddington to the crease, who was dropped by wicket-keeper Orsler off his second ball, but fortunately scampered the run to bring Taz onto strike.  The Asian Sensation then finished off a good all-round performance by hitting the winning runs to seal a tight three wicket win for Lilley with 2.1 overs to spare.

22.06.03

Bamville (269-9, Black 106, Ashby 5-81) beat LILLEY (187-8, M Clarke 54, Hammond 45) by 82 runs

The final chapter of the Hammond Years was closed at pretty Bamville yesterday, unfortunately ending in defeat for the away side. 

Bamville won the toss and batted in warm, muggy conditions.  The ball was swinging around early on, particularly from the green end (the pitch is literally on the middle of a fairway between the tee and the green, with a local byelaw stating that on Sundays, that particular hole becomes common land, allowing the club to play).  Ashby picked up two early wickets and Phil Clarke another as Bamville slipped to 35-3, however that would all change soon.  Black and Platts came to the wicket and put on an astonishing 170 for the fourth wicket in double quick time.  Several catches went down as the two batsmen cut loose, with virtually every bowler getting hammered to all parts.  With Dave Carman going for 34 from 3 overs, Ashby brought himself back on to 'keep it tight', only to be despatched for four consecutive sixes back over his head by the impressive Black.  And then Taz dropped him the next ball...

Hammond was ironically the man to break the partnership, removing Platts caught and bowled for 53.  With the partnership broken, Lilley finally managed to claw the run rate back slightly, Black was bowled next over by Ashby and the paceman added two more wickets to complete a ten over spell of five for eighty one!!  Phil Clarke bagged another to give him 2-45 from 8 overs and Taz produced another fine run out to make up for the earlier dropped catch, however Bamville had registered an impressive 269-9 in their 40 overs.  Tomsett had to leave the field towards the end after a dropped catch had cracked him on the finger.  Matt Clarke took over the keeping duties.

Lilley lost Tomsett for 12 in reply, adjudged lbw by umpire Mellor, but Hammond and Matt Clarke then unloaded, puting on 96 for the second wicket.  Hammond was bowled for 45 having played a great knock in his last outing for Lilley.  Clarke at the other end did register his fifty with another flashing four, to add to several fine strokes all around the wicket, notably a powerful swept six early on.  Once Clarke was out, Lilley's slim chances of victory disappeared, although Ashby (25) and Phil Clarke (26 not out) both chipped in towards the end.

All in all, Bamville scored about 80 runs too many, but Lilley's batting was encouraging.

15.06.03

LILLEY (184 all out, Horner 39) beat Kimpton (65 all out, Hammond 5-28) by 119 runs

Ken Hammond (left) maybe in the twilight of his cricketing career in the UK, but he can still bowl a fine spell at decent pace.  The big man stormed in this afternoon to bag 5-28 in the Kimpton innings to help secure a much needed Lilley victory.

Kimpton won the toss and bizarrely elected to bowl in scorching conditions on a reasonable looking track (pictured below right).  Lilley performed well on a track which provided  more than it's fair share of surprises, with most batsmen either dismissed by 'one that popped' or lazy strokes against what was ultimately a mediocre bowling line up.  Most batsmen got starts, with Hammond (25), Mik Carman (13), Ashby (23), Clarke (19) and Eyres (11) all performing reasonably in the top order.  Phil Horner however continued his recent excellent form with another typical innings, 39 runs in all by the time he was last man out attempting to cash in with two overs remaining.  Horner is really performing superbly in the middle order this year, averaging in the mid to high thirties.  Horner and Asian Sensation Taz put on 36 for the last wicket, albeit against some bowling which would best be described as 'from the Nursery End'...namely, they were all still in nappies.  But if the ball is there, it's got to be hit, and I have certainly myself faced some equally ropey pensioners in village cricket!

With 184 posted on the board and with a fine attack of five seamers and a spinner in the attack, Lilley were always in the driving seat.  Ashby and Hammond, a bowling partnership which has performed so well over the years but was appearing for the last but one time, again did the magic.  Kimpton were soon 45-7 and staring down the barrel, Hammond particularly impressive with his 5-28.  The haul included the wickets of Coloumb and Cooke, who both has foolishly at points of the Lilley innings bowled bouncers at batsmen.  Cooke in particular was set up a treat, Hammond dropping a rib tickler in, then one which sent shudders through the slips as it hit his gut, followed by a quick yorker before castling him the next ball.  With younger batsmen approaching and the wicket looking as though it would take turn, Ashby turned to Dave Carman to wrap up proceedings, with the Asian Sensation (left) looking to go to a gay bar at the other end.  Despite some comedy bowling against some very small children (one was walked to the wicket in a buggy and helped into a baby walker to bat..), the two finished the job and helped bowl Kimpton out for a paltry 65, to give Lilley the win by 119 runs.

08.06.03

LILLEY (76-5, Horner 32 not out) drew with Knebworth Blues (125-8, Taz 5-31)

Moist.  A very moist Knebworth hosted what would become Lilley's third draw of the season ,  a game of two halves in every respect. 

Lilley took to the field having won the toss on a moist and very green track and the ball flew everywhere as the Knebworth openers chanced their arm against some tidy Lilley bowling.  By the time flashes of lightening and crashes of thunder had enveloped the ground, Knebworth had edged, slashed and cow-cornered their way to 62 for no wicket, with Woolley, the motor mouthed opener, registering a streaky fifty.  Then came the rain.  And what a shower.  After several visits to the wicket and blind judgements on how quickly the wicket may drain given a stiff breeze and a bit of sun, play resumed.  Ashby finally ended the miserable, edgey, streaky, uncomfortable stay of Lander for six, having him caught behind, before he made the decision to toss the ball to 17 year old 'Asian Sensation' Taz.  Woolley's luck ran out straight away as he slashed the ball to Ray Mahmood in the covers, then Cooke slashed the youngster to point were Paddinton took the catch.  Next was Wallis, lbw and plum in front, before Nash smacked the ball straight to Ashby at mid off to become Taz's fourth victim.  The young Lilley paceman bagged his first five wicket haul by clean bowling opposition skipper Shart for a big fat nothing.

Ashby returned to bag two more wickets as Knebworth closed on 125-8 to leave Lilley an improbable target of 126 to win in 90 minutes.

Eyres, Malik, Mellor and Ashby went early for Lilley in reply, slipping to 17-4 at one point.  However, Tomsett dug in, making a gritty 15 and Phil Horner executed several foul swoops on his way to an excellent unbeaten 32, with Phil Clarke chipping in with a tidy 6 not out to steer Lilley to safe waters and another draw.

Post match frivolities took place at the Lytton Arms, an excellent pub which delivered free sausage and chips to both teams, had a range of guest ales and even provided a bag pipe player in the toilets (pictured).  I'm serious.  He shall now be known as the bogpipe player.

01.06.03

Great Gaddesden (157 all out, Taz 3-28) beat LILLEY (87 all out, Ashby 32*) by 70 runs

Lilley limped into June on a muggy afternoon at Bridens Camp with a crushing 70 run defeat at the hands of Great Gaddesden.

The day started badly for Lilley with the entire convoy getting lost en route to what is surely the best hidden ground in England.  Worst hit were Steve Eyres, Taz and unfortunately the Captain, who spent some time negotiating dirt tracks on surrounding farms before eventually arriving 15 minutes late.

The upshot of it all was that Mik Carman had to step in and lose the toss for Lilley, who were very ungraciously sent in by an opposition who knew we were short.  Phil Clarke was promoted to opening bowler with Hammond in the absence of the missing Ashby and both bowled very tidily in an opening spell in which Gaddesden failed to impose themselves on a ropey track.  Hammond picked up an early wicket and Clarke followed with two of his own to turn the screws on the home side.  Ironically, it was only when Ashby brought himself on in place of a tired Hammond that the runs began to flow.  Ashby removed two batsmen before running into a middle order who played their strokes, had some luck and generally chanced their arm, aided by the fact Mik Carman had chronic back problems and had to leave the field and go home, unable to field, bat or bowl!  The introduction of Taz revived the innings as a contest, as the youngster bagged 3-28 in five eventful overs before Hammond and a good run out by Eyres wrapped up the innings.

It was a pleasure to see Deadly Doug Tomsett back at the top of the order, however the bearded one was having an off day.  He scored 17, but it's no exaggeration to say that 16 of those were fours nicked through the slips.  Mellor's part time foot movement saw him back in the pavilion next ball and it was left to Hammond and Ashby to drop anchor somewhat.  The former was done by a full toss and Eyres became the second golden duck of the innings moments later.  Horner, the rock last week, was a mere piece of gravel this week as he feathered the ball through to the wicket keeper to register another Lilley duck.  Phil Clarke provided brief resistance, but with his dismissal (totally mugged by a spinner!) for 6, Lilley had slipped from 30 for no wicket to 77 for 6.  The runs came from Ashby at the other end, 32 of them including a six and three fours, however he was left high and dry as the tail appeared and disappeared back to the pavilion with a whimper and three more ducks.  The only resistance came from Stew Collinson on the promise form his Captain that he would buy him a jug if he stayed until the end.  Alas, for the local pub and Stew, he departed just six overs from the end.  Paddington, who bowled an over of chucks including one no ball earlier on, registered another duck and is yet to score a run in 2003.  Much more of this form and he may be selected for England.  I can see it now...

"Although Paddington has a modest Village level record, we believe he has the technique and attitude to succeed at Test level.."  David Graveney

The slight problems being that he bats like a wheelchair bound rotting turnip and is scared of his own shadow.  Still, stranger things have happened.  No James, they clearly haven't.
 

25.05.03

LILLEY (119-7, Horner 36) drew with Eaton Bray (147-9, Ashby 3-23)

Phil Horner made a welcome return to the Lilley fold with a punchy 36 to guide Lilley towards safety against a useful Eaton Bray side.

Lilley won the toss and elected to bowl on a reasonable looking track and soon had Bray 1 for 2 after two early wickets for Ashby.  Jarrott and Flecknell then put on 90 for the second wicket and threatened to take the game away from the away side until Taz (2-29) had the latter well caught at point by Paddington.  The 'Asian Sensation' then took his second wicket, when Horner dived to take a magnificent catch in the gulley.  A combination of returning Ashby (3-23) and Hammond (2-34), and the deadly accurate Phil Clarke, who nabbed 2-44 off 13 overs, tightened the screws on the home side.

In reply, Lilley started brightly, with Ken Hammond opening and making 14 before departing the ground due to stomach problems.  His opening partner Mik Carman hit a breezy 19, but Ashby and Mellor went cheaply to set Lilley hearts fluttering.  Eyres hit his now customary towering six, then hit his batting partner Horner in the chest with a sickeningly well timed stroke, before departing for 10, but the two Phils, Clarke (14 not out) and Horner dug deep to put Lilley into a safe position.  Horner's departure, shortly followed by that of Dave Carman, mattered not as Taz and Philo saw Lilley to a comfortable draw.

Horner's knock, his first of the year, was made in Steve Eyres shoes as his own fell to pieces in the field!  Good knock though.  Swoops and sweeps.
 

18.05.03

LILLEY vs Kempston Sports - Match Cancelled

11.05.03

LILLEY (143 all out, Ashby 56, Eyres 32) beat Markyate (93 all out, Smith 49, Ashby 4-19) by 50 runs

Lilley recorded their first win of the 2003 campaign in fine style at Markyate with an impressive 50 run win.

During the week, skipper James Ashby had discussed with Stew Collinson the reason for the teams early season jitters.  The resulting theory was that we didn't have enough facial hair in the team, therefore Sultan 'Ray' Mahmood was recalled to the side and Collinson purchased a comedy beard, which would later become know as the Victory Beard.  Also in the team were young Taz, a new recruit and Rizvan 'Jake' Malik for his first Lilley outing of the season.

Lilley skipper Ashby won the toss and elected to bat on a very dry, dusty track at Markyate in the hope of exorcising some demons from last week's drubbing at Whitwell.  Ashby, batting at five, was more than a little jittery when he found himself at the crease in the third over with Lilley 7 for 3 after the early loses of Mellor, Carman and Mahmood to expansive strokes on a sluggish track.  Rizvan provided some temporary stability, but he too was a victim of a cavalier approach, wildly swinging at Smith's second delivery and being stumped some yards from safety leaving the score 35-4.  Phil Clarke then provided some support for the Captain, with Ken Hammond having not yet arrived at the ground, and held one end up while Ashby grafted his way into form, hitting several boundaries to keep the board ticking.  Clarke's departure for 4 though, followed almost immediately by Hammond for the same score, left Lilley staring down the barrel of defeat again.

Enter Steve Eyres, who managed to quell his natural desire to bludgeon the bowling to pieces, at least temporarily, to drop anchor.  Ashby continued to work away and registered the first Lilley half century of the season with another cracking boundary four.  At that point, the skipper fell into somewhat of a rut, but where his runs dried up, Eyres began flowing.  Two successive thunderous fours ruined the off spinner Smith's figures for the afternoon and Ashby's departure seven overs before the end was marked by another trademark Eyres six, a towering effort over the straight long boundary.  The Eyres show was finished in the 37th over, caught for 32 and Paddington and Collinson proved to be wickets two and three of Saunders hat-trick, Lilley finishing 143 all out.

The total was always likely to be too many for Markyate on a ropey track, but Ashby's fine early season form continued to compound matters, having Flitton brilliantly caught at square leg by Mellor with the third ball of the innings.  Ken Hammond chipped in with two more wickets and Ashby grabbed a second to leave the home side 12 for 4 in the seventh over.  Markyate dug in though and began finding the boundary with Lilley's first change coming into the attack.  Smith then lobbed the ball towards debutante Taz at deep mid off, but the youngster bottled going for the catch.  The batsmen seemed to be cruising through for the run, but Taz picked the ball up and hurled the ball at - and hit - middle stump at the strikers end to remove Porter, who had provided stubborn defence.

Phil Clarke had 'got a bit of tap' from Smith, so was relieved to add a wicket to his return when he had Woods well caught in the slips by Hammond.  At 87-6, Markyate still had a sniff of a chance, but that ended when Rizvan Jake Malik bowled a long hop which was tamely struck to Clarke in the covers, who took a good catch.  Ashby then returned to remove Boodle and Patis in successive balls and the wonderfully named Dumpleton fell to the same Rizvan/Clarke partnership to wrap up proceedings.

Good win and many, many beers had in the pub afterwards.  Maybe too many!!  But either way, I counted eight jugs bought in all....cricket is always the winner.   And here's to that victory beard

04.05.03

Whitwell (50 all out, Ashby 5-7) beat LILLEY (34 all out, Clarke 16) by 16 runs

I'm not really sure what else to say that the result doesn't...Lilley won the toss and fielded.  Bowled Whitwell out for 50, with Ashby taking 5 for 7 off 8 overs and Matt Clarke and Ken Hammond chipping in with 2 wickets apiece.  Lilley should have cruised to the total.  But a combination of a lively wicket, an experimental batting line up and hap-hazard stroke play left Lilley in a crumpled heap, 34 all out and with very sore pride!

The game was hampered by the track, with all bar one wicket falling bowled or lbw.  No excuses though, just a shoddy effort.  Expect Markyate next week to feel the wrath of the Lilley return!!

27.04.03

LILLEY (111 all out)  drew with Steeple Morden (106-8)

Lilley came away from Steeple Morden with a creditable draw having been put into bat by the home side and amassing a below par score.

The Lilley pre-match preparation was rocked with the late, late withdrawal of Rob Hoar who was exhausted having played a golf tournament in the morning.  Skipper Ashby rang Craig Paddington, who having seen a specialist in the week was fit to play, and he made up the eleven at the last minute.

Mik Carman, Joel Mellor and returning skipper Ashby all departed early with single figure scores and Steve Eyres, who travelled from London for the fixture, hammered a mighty straight six before trying one expansive shot too many.  At 55-4, it was left to old hands Doug Tomsett (49) and Kenny Hammond (23) to steady the ship, but when the former lobbed a dolly back to the bowler one shy of a half century, the wheels fell off.  The next five wickets fell for 23 runs, most embarrassingly when Ken Hammond ran Stew Collinson out with a call of "Yes...No....Shit!". 

Lilley's total of 111 and early dismissal meant that they had to take the field early, before tea.  Hammond sent Williams and Jarman packing before tea to leave Lilley with a sniff of a chance.  Immediately after the break, Bailey snicked the ball to the grateful Ashby at first slip and then Hammond bowled Harper to give him his fourth wicket.  Philo Clarke replaced Hammond at the field end and bowled the number three Birdsall in his second over.  It was a torrid afternoon for Clarke, who by this point had already dropped one in the covers and generally fielded like a girl!

S Bailey dug in for Morden and looked unmoveable, a village nurdler of epic proportions.  He eventually nicked Ashby to Tomsett and Short was bowled by Clarke to give Lilley a fighting chance, but Saich and Tidey stood firm for the home side.  With the pair starting to cut loose and look as though they would coast home, Hammond and Ashby came back into the attack.  Hammond took a while to find his mark, but when he did, the batsmen had no answer.  Saich was lucky to survive a brilliant effort from Steve Eyres in the slips and a caught and bowled effort off the Captain.  Ashby eventually bowled Tidey, but it was too little too late, and the last two balls were safely negotiated by a seven year old.  Hammond finished with 4-32 from 15 overs, Clarke with 2 for 24 from 8 overs and Ashby 2-18 from 19 overs.

All in all, a cracking start to the season.  A winning draw...Ken came out with a few corkers...he said to me having just run a three "Oh, I don't usually run 3's until three thirds of the way through the season" and when Ray Hayes fielded a ball he exclaimed "Oh yes Ray, goodly, goodly.  Wait a minute, is goodly a word?".

Deadly Doug Tomsett is unavailable next week, but Lilley legend Matt Clarke is.  Watch out Whitwell....