Friday 30 August 2019 - MCC 342-4 - Gents 288-7 - Drawn
MCC batting first on a flat track on a warm and sunny day put on 114 in 20 overs before losing their first wicket (Hebron 54) and reached lunch on 198-2 after 34 overs having lost De Silva (84). After a pleasant lunch-hour, MCC, continued as before, with T Ulyott (107) dominating. When he departed, on 284-3 from 47 overs, Fernandes (42*) and Wagstaff (43 from 14 balls) gilded the lily, as it were, with another 58 runs from the last 4 overs before the declaration on 342-4 from 51 overs. All the Gents bowlers toiled valiantly for little reward.
The Gents reply did not begin well, 10-2, with both openers gone. Johnny Basett-Graham and Ryan Vickery (28) combined to put on 105 for the third wicket, but the asking rate was now up to 9 an over. 3 quick wickets fell in a mini collapse, and skipper Andrew Kennedy joined Bassett-Graham with the total 155-6, with the latter by now on 99*, with the required rate nearing 12 an over. The pair, added 109 in 10 overs before an Bassett-Graham succumbed to a catch in the deep for a magnificent 182 from 112 balls (28x4 5x6). At 264-7 with 79 still required from 6 overs, Kennedy (43*) and Columbus Everett (5*) negotiated the remaining overs to hold on for an honourable draw, finshing on 288-7. Thanks to Colchester CC for hosting the game.
Thursday 8 August 2019 - Gents of Suffolk 191-9 - Gents 195-4 - Won by 6 wickets
The Suffolk Gents won the toss and batted, accumulating 92 runs in 17 overs before losing a wicket. Lunch was taken with the score on 127-1 with the opposition seemingly in a strong position. Whatever was in the excellent lunch provided by Halstead CC, it had opposing effects on the Suffolk batting and the Essex bowling. Tom Sebright-King (15-7-34-2) had the well-set Whitaker (62) caught behind off the first ball after lunch, and in his next over bowled the number 3.
By now skipper Paul Garwood was bowling from the pavilion end, and produced an in inspired spell taking 4-14 in four overs. The Suffolk Gents had lost 6 wickets for 27 to slip to 154-7 off 37 overs, and the wily spin duo had also stifled the the scoring rate, seemingly delaying a declaration. Opening bowler Sam Lees (10-1-49-2) was recalled to try and wrap up the innings, and he duly bowled the next 2 batsmen. The Suffolk Gents somewhat suprisingly chose to declare short of 200 on 191-9 from 52 overs. Garwood's figures were 11-2-28-4.
Needing to probably score around 6 an over for victory, compared to the first innings rate of less than 4, the Essex Gents began positively, posting 25 off the first 3 overs, but stuttered to 51-3 after 10 overs. However, Khalifa Cele (72*), steadied the situation and then with support from Harry Parkes (30) and Sam Lees (36*) accelerated to claim the victory by 6 wickets with 6 overs to spare.
Monday 29 July 2019 - Frinton-on-Sea 291-5 - Gents 294-3 - Won by 7 wickets
On a fine sunny day Frinton batted first. After an early wicket, Michael Comber dominated for the hosts, hitting 101 out of 136 and then retiring after 24 overs. The Gents bowlers mostly were able to prevent Frinton from running riot as Machada (53) and Baker (57*) scored the bulk of the runs from thereon with Jason McNally claiming 2-34 and Scott Simmons 2-46 before the declaration came after 50 overs on 291-6.
This left the Gents 40 overs back, and Etinder Bopara took charge from the start, sharing stands of 57 with Carl Lees (8), 94 with Sagar Joshi (43) and 79 with Charlie Thompson (37*). When Bopara was dismissed for an excellent 137 from 96 balls (18x4 6x6), 62 were needed from 8 overs. The in form Ollie Hills took charge and hit 45 off 26 balls to take the Gents to a satisfying victory with 4 balls left.
Friday 26 July 2019 - Colchester & EE 185 all out - Gents 189-5 - Won by 5 wickets
A good bowling and fielding performance by the Gents saw them work steadily through the host's batting (Hawthorn 3-33, Mayes 2-19, with one wicket each for three others plus 2 run-outs). Colchester's skipper, Bassett-Graham, top scored with 60 as Colchester were bowled out for 185 in 46 overs.
After the early loss of Gaisford, veterans Chris Wheeler (28) and Arthur Wormington (45) combined to put on 83 for the second wicket before a minor collapse to 93-4. On a warm sunny afternoon in front of an growing crowd of spectators, ostensibly attending the boundary Beer Festival, a remarkable partnership of 92 in 8 overs between Steve Ashman (6) and Ollie Hills (a brutal unbeaten 84 in 31 balls) tied the scores, whereupon Chadders found the boundary to claim the win by 5 wickets with 10 overs in hand.
Overall an enjoyable day for the Gents, with Colchester excellent hosts.
Tuesday 2nd October 2018 - Gents 263-7 - Cross Arrows 213-9 - Won by 50 runs
On a cloudy but bright early October morning the Gents, having lost the toss, were invited bat to bat first in a 40 over match against Cross Arrows on the the Nursery Ground at Lords. Shrugging off the loss of an early wicket, skipper Julian Russell (44) and Paul Rafferty (71) took advantage of the short boundaries to add 60 for the second wicket in 10 overs. Harry Parkes(59) joined Rafferty in a stand of 65 to take the score to 143-3 from 23 overs. The hosts' spinners managed to restrict the scoring rate somewhat for a few overs before Parkes and Adam Robinson (49) started to accelerate in the last 10 overs. They shared a partnership of 101 before being parted by Collins (3-40) in a triple wicket maiden to leave the score on 244-6 with 2 overs left. Sagar Joshi took 17 off 6 balls as the innings closed on 263-7.
Hawthorn (6-2-12-1) and Joshi (8-2-28-2) quickly had the opposition reply in dire straits at 1-2 and 14-3. Hatton (7-0-44-1) and Stephens (6-1-20-2) then weighed in with a wicket apiece to leave Cross Arrows struggling on 67-5. A smart direct hit run out from long-off by Parkes made it 124-6. Mel Hussain (94) resisted with the lower middle order but the asking rate went from 12 an over from 10 left to 15 an over with 5 left. Victory was all but assured before Simmons (8-0-54-2) bowled Hussain with 2 overs left, but the last pair managed to avoid the indignity of the the Cross Arrows being bowled out.
Ultimately a comfortable victory and a satisfying conclusion to the Gents' 2018 season.
Sunday 17th June 2018 - ET Mess (in lieu of Eton Ramblers CC) 204 all out - Gents 295-6 - Won by 91 runs
The lack of appearance of the Ramblers and a rather grey sky didn't diminish the enjoyment of the day. A scratch team was cobbled together to face the Gents led by two Etonians Eddie Ashton and Theo Tritton. The Gents got off to a fine start with Jack Wagstaff (60) and Tom Philippe (154 not out) putting on 101 for the 2nd wicket; some glorious batting by both, particularly drives through the covers, kept the scoreboard ticking along at over 7 an over. After a full hour for lunch sitting outside the pavilion, play resumed in the 20th over at 167 for 2. Small cameos by Will Devitt (28) and Archie Wilkinson (26) enabled the captain to declare at 3.30pm on 295 for 6 off 39 overs.
Tristan Squier, in his first outing of the season, took the first 4 wickets, moving the ball significantly through the air and off the hard dry pitch. Giles Mallinson took over from his father and bowled 13 consecutive overs with his highly effective leg breaks; despite brothers Theo and Felix Tritton putting on 84 for the 9th wicket, Giles spun the ball beautifully off the pitch, eventually taking 4-97 off his 13.2 overs. The ET Mess side eventually succumbing to 204 all out in 36.2 overs. Victory for the Gents by 91 runs. It had been a good match enjoyed by all. Many thanks to all who took part at short notice. The Gents flag flew proudly high above the pavilion throughout the day, in the gentle breeze. We look forward seeing the Ramblers back next year.
Christopher Wilkinson
HONORARY PRESIDENTS REPORT - 2017 SEASON
Of fourteen matches two had to be cancelled, two were abandoned owing to rain, four lost, two won and four drawn. There were fine victories against Felsted Robins and Loughton and three of the draws saw the Gents in a dominant position. We lost to Framlingham and Felsted Schools, Colchester & EE and suffered a humiliating defeat
against MCC. The draw at Frinton featured over five hundred runs with the Gents only seven runs short of victory, with three wickets left. As usual our sincere thanks go to all match managers for their fine effort to raise a team and any member willing to take
responsibility for running a match should get in touch. It is good to see an encouraging list of prospective new members who must pay the modest entrance fee and annual subscription in order to feature in the Blue Book as a full member. The Club finances
remain satisfactory and there is a good stock of ties, caps, shirts and sweaters. We hope for a full fixture list in 2018 and yet another year of enjoyable Gents cricket.
Mike Gordon, President
Friday 7th August 2015 - Gents of Essex 229-7 Loughton 231-6 - Loss
With the drop out of two players, including your correspondent, as a result of injuries suffered whilst playing for Essex Over 50’s the previous day, Gents fielded only ten players at Loughton. Even that was an improvement on Loughton who played with 9 men until lunch!
The bowling and fielding of Loughton’s young side was very impressive and Gents were in a sorry state at 47 for 4 with both Paul Keaney and Mel Hussain back in the hutch. The younger generation, Paul’s son Liam and Billy Wright of Buckhurst Hill, then launched a recovery and saw us through to lunch. They extended their partnership to 118 before Wright was caught for 38. Liam continued his one man show and completed an excellent century with solid support from Rob Newman (15no).The declaration came at 229 for 7 when Liam was out for 108.
A visibly tired Liam was then entrusted with the new ball but could not perform to his usual high standard. N Ali (38), dealing almost exclusively in boundaries, gave Loughton a flying start before the spinners were summoned. Mark Wheeler removed Ali in his first over and followed up with a second victim. Harry Green removed Gooding for a duck and things suddenly looked better for Gents.
All the time N Shetty (59) had been accumulating sensibly. R Laird (43) increased the momentum before Tom Halsey removed Shetty. D Holdsworth (50) then played another enterprising innings but he and Laird fell in quick succession as Wheeler, Green and Halsey all took two wickets. Any hopes of a Gents win were extinguished by J Crowe (18no) who saw Loughton to 231 for 6 and victory by 4 wickets.
Many thanks to Loughton CC for hosting a day enjoyed by all, and for their generous hospitality.
Barry Clayden
Sunday 7th June 2015 - Eton Ramblers 345-6 dec. Gents of Essex 346-8 - Win
It was a delight that both teams had full complements of 11 players for the first time in years. Having lost the toss and seen the Ramblers gallop to 162-2 at lunch off 20 overs, things were not looking good for the Gents; this after two fine catches from our debutants Wayne Spear behind the stumps legside and a blistering catch from Alex Gilbert at gully, both off David Holme. An excellent extended lunch did not deter the Ramblers who accelerated their scoring rate further – some superb straight driving from Felix Hartley-Russell (110) and from George Cottrell (120), saw the Gents spending countless minutes looking for the ball in the long grass beyond the boundary rope ( I must have a word with my father-in-law about that !!) – and by 3.20pm the Ramblers declared at 345 for 6 off only 37 overs; it had been a gruelling session in the field (literally) for the Gents but in glorious June sunshine; it was a formidable total, but on a beautiful batting track had they given us too much time to get there ??
When the Gents were 24 for 2 our hopes seemed remote; Jack Wagstaff had other thoughts; his languid batting style ( as also witnessed when fielding) produced some exquisite drives and cuts through the offside. Together with the more aggressive Wayne Spear the Gents maintained 8 runs an over, with both batsmen passing 50 before tea; with Wayne falling to another superb running catch, James Hill came in and hit a sprightly 30 but the wickets kept falling; Jack continued fluently with another sumptuous cover drive to bring up his century (117) before falling to Nelian Ridley one handed at square leg; the Gents were still 60 short with 3 wickets remaining but importantly with 10 overs left. David Holme with some hearty blows and the captain more sedately steered the Gents towards the finishing line, despite facing some unothodox bowling actions. The Gents won with 17 balls to spare, with the Gents’ flag flying proudly above the newly refurbed pavilion.
It had been a magnificent day – 691 runs scored, 3 centuries, 87 fours and 17 sixes (450 runs in boundaries alone) only one maiden bowled in the whole day with some wonderful catches witnessed and all played in beautiful sunshine and in good spirit. Mike Gordon our ever tanned president (selling Gents ties and sweaters like a good East End trader) watched most of the match as did Patrick Rankin, who is one of the longest serving members of both the Gents and the Ramblers; both were delighted with the match - the willow had beaten the leather – but the true winner was the game of cricket itself.