RESULT - Stevenage lost by 82 runs
It what was skipper Richard Burling's last Herts League match, his team produced a better performance than of late, but again it was a case of what might have been had they taken their chances.
There was little to play for, for either side, but in a more encouraging team performance than previous weeks, the club will be encouraged with the displays of youngsters Rhys Stewart and Chris Whitworth.
As it was Stevenage 3rds finished mid table in division eight after being promoted last year. Andy Gould excelled with the ball returning 5 for 51 from 15 overs and David (Popeye) Smith the other retireree (if thats in a dictionary I'll be amazed)
top-scored with 27.
RESULT - Stevenage lost by 6 wickets
Stevenage 3rds have been in mid table for several weeks and with nothing to play for their batsmen again showed little appetite for a fight on a difficult wicket.
Richard Sullivan top scored with 28, but him apart, too many batsmen couldn't cope with the accuracy of the visitors bowling.
RESULT - Stevenage lost by over 100 runs
Stevenage came up against a 2nd XI batsmen demoted to find some form; which he did with avengence. Walters cracked 161 not out and apart from being headed over the boundary by Kevin Fisher (who presumably thought he flicking on a near post corner) when in the 90s it was a chanceless innings.
The only support he received was a chancy 60 from a middle order batter, but it was more than enough to take the game from Stevenage. Stevenage's wicket takers were Fisher (56 for 2), Sagniar (56 for 1) and Zargar (71 for 2). Stevenage's reply was a poor one, undermined again by the loss of early wickets and with only Adil Zargar, Ben Leet and
Simon Jones making it into double figures the defeat was huge. That meant that enjoyment had to be found wherever possible and the experienced Burling (8no) chose to enter into a bit of baiting of the Welwyn bowlers and close in fielders about the 1st XI result.
RESULT - Stevenage lost by 5 wickets
A disasterous batting performance from Stevenage meant a heavy defeat, although some face was saved by claiming 5 opposition wickets before the winning target of 67 was reached. Only Richard Burling with an unbeaten 32 was worthy of calling an innings and the only
other double figure contributions were a 13 from Tony Start and 11 from Kevin (The One Man Pressure Group) Fisher who found himself at the heady heights of 9 in the batting order. Apart from a runout Stevenage's 5 wickets came from their left arm spinners. Ben Leet, with 1 wicket from his 1.5 overs and
Rhys Stewart (13yrs old) who took 3 wickets for 20 runs in his 5 overs.
RESULT - Stevenage Won by 40 runs
Stevenage 3rds bounced back from the previous week's thrashing, with a solid team performance and 2 outstanding individual performances to register their 7th win of the season. Ian Gane led the way with an aggressive 96, initially supported by Laurie Brown.
They added 56 for the first wicket and then in partnership with Adil (Borat) Zargar, Gane was part of an 82 run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Stevenage eventually reached a more than a respectable total, (236), despite the needless loss of late wickets.
Allenbury's started their innings in a very aggressive manner, reaching a hundred for the loss of only one wicket, but thanks to some astute field placements by skipper Richard Burling they restricted the batsmen to ten runs off the next ten overs. This panicked the home batters and with bowlers Zargar and Ben Leet
bowling more accurately, supported by some excellent catches from Phil Maguire and Dave Stressing, (who dived full length to take a stunning catch at silly point), Stevenage won with more than two overs to spare. Normally the man of the match award is fairly straighforward, but Ian Gane's 96 and Adil Zargar's 45 runs and 5 wickets
for 56 from 15.4 overs were difficult to split. Therefore, an arbitary judgement has been made prompted by the fact that Borat's Television Programme is on Channel 4 at 21:30 on Friday 13th August. NB: If you intend to watch it, set the video, 'cause you should be at the BBQ evening at the cricket club.
RESULT - Stevenage Lost by 9 wickets
Stevenage suffered a heavy defeat to league title favourites Northchurch, who have not lost a league game since Stevenage 3rds beat them mid way through last season. Stevenage were lucky enough to bat first
but while Richard Burling (21), Simon Jones (21), Ricky Gill, (24) and Mike Davenport (31) got starts none of them pushed for the big score the wicket and lightening fast outfield demanded. In reply Northchurch didn't mess around racing past the
target of 139 with 9 wickets in hand after only 16 overs, being equally harsh on each of the 7 bowlers tried.
RESULT - Stevenage Won by 10 runs
Stevenage 3rds pulled off a remarkable win on a poor wicket and against a side obviously much stronger than their lowly league position. Stevenage batted first and again Ricky Gill performed well, making 65 and with it a good case for his eventual
return to the higher Stevenage sides. The next highest contribution came from Ben Leet who scored 27 runs. But the middle order in general did not fire, which included Ian Gane suffering the ignomany of being adjudged by the Stevenage umpire, Ian Wilson, as being caught behind off his first ball
Mention of Ian Wilson in this context introduces an important aside because it was requested that the following fact does not pass un-recognised. The 24th July 2004 is the first ever occasion that Ian Wilson having been available to play for Stevenage has not been picked for any of Stevenage's sides. This is a fact that was reportedly
weighing heavily on Wilson's mind on Friday 23rd July 2004 as he sat at Lord's watching England vs West Indies in the company of Gane. So much so that Gane claims his enjoyment of the cricket was considerably degraded by the regular utterences of disbelief and disappointment from Wilson about the situation he was coming to terms with.
Leading Gane to comment of Wilson, "that not only did he put a downer on my Friday, he wrecked my Saturday as well".
The man of the match performance was claimed by Ben Leet who followed his handy innings with seven wickets from 17 overs, including four victims for wicket keeper Dave Smith.
Leet was pushed very close by Ricky Gill whose hard hitting innings had set the visiting side a respectable total and was followed by two wickets, the last of which comprised a remarkable diving catch off his own bowling to secure the victory with 9 overs to spare.
RESULT - Stevenage Won by 17 runs
The much heralded return of Ricky (Sea Monster) Gill was celebrated with a third eleven victory. Stevenage batted first and Gill made 94 out of a total of 208 all out. He received
useful support from Richard Burling (25), Phil Maguire (24) and Ben Leet (20). Stevenage's effort in the field was based the foundation of Kevin Fisher's marathon spell of 24.3 overs, 5 wickets for 71 runs. Fisher was
well supported by Gill in the slips, who took 2 catches and also by Gill with the ball as he took 2 wickets for 12 from 5 overs to complete a very good allround performance. Ben Leet was the other successful bowler proving the spin
bowling foil to Fisher's and Gill's seamers, returning figures of 3 for 93 in his first game back from holiday. Other notable performances were in the field from Ollie Cooley (14) and 12yr old Rhys Stewart, who took a splendid diving catch at mid-wicket.
RESULT - Stevenage Lost by 3 wickets
Stevenage batted first and their innings was about to die before it had even completed the first half dozen overs of its
existence, with Andy Armstrong, Dave Thompson and Laurie Brown all having been removed with the score on 5. Two wickets a few dozen runs later and it became obvious that medical attention was
desperately needed so Adil "the dog" Zargar strode to the crease and set about resuscitating the Stevenage innings with a powerful 53 and friendly wicket side manner.
Having done half the job almost singlehandly, Adil "Borat" Zargar made a good effort at completing it with the ball in his hand taking 3 wickets for 42 from 15 overs. He received good support from
Andy Gould who finished with 13/4/26/3 and one wicket for Kevin Fisher but Wormley eventually won the game with 3 wickets in hand 1 over to spare.
RESULT - Stevenage Won by 43 runs
Stevenage's fourth win of the season was achieved by an all round team performance.
The foundation was the opening stand of 100 between Richard Burling (78) and 14 year old Laurie Brown (56). Brown, (younger brother of Brown and youngest son of Brown) batted very well and it was his first fifty in adult cricket.
All the home sides top seven batsmen reached double figures but it was the introduction of Dave Bullock that allowed Stevenage to charge to victory. He ripped through Bayfords middle order with 5 for 35 off 10 overs.
RESULT - Stevenage Lost by 3 wickets
On a dreadful wicket Stevenage were put into bat and three of their top 4 batsmen were dismissed for ducks and the 4th for 1 run.
From such a position Stevenage had little expectation but were grateful for a immense innings from Richard Sullivan who crashed 79 runs batting at 5 in the order. Apart from Sullivan's runs only
stand in Captain Simon Jones managed to make double figures, scoring 12 much needed runs. The innings came to its swift conclusion in the 35th over but 127 runs had managed to be posted. The Northwood Town innings
followed a similar pattern to that of Stevenage's, with wickets falling regularly and only one batsman standing out. Stevenage eventually managed to take 7 wickets, Ian Hamilton with 2 for 37 runs, Richard Hamilton with 4 for 38 runs and
Kevin Fisher with 1 for 34 runs, but an innings of 87no from Button proved to be enough to take Northwood Town to victory.
RESULT - Match Drawn
A great game saw Stevenage have the best of the draw against visitors from Potters Bar, with four overs being lost in the visitors innings proving vital for the visitors.
Stevenage's batsmen managed a big total thanks initially to Ian Gane's classical innings of 61 to continue his rich vein of form with the bat. Gane was well supported by Mark Sinclair (36) and Simon Jones (39). The latter of who
was in turn well supported in a last wicket partnership of 40 runs by Kevin Fisher (9n.o) who has yet to be dismissed in league cricket this season and remains unsure as to what he must do to earn a promotion from the number 11 position. In the field
Stevenage benefited from Ian Gane showing off in front of his son; who incidently did a sterling job as a sub fielder for much of the Potters Bar innings; as he took 3 wickets for 15 runs in 6 overs and similarly good spells of bowling from Ian Hamilton 1 for 21 from
7 overs and Mark Sinclair 3 for 37 from 12. In fact it was probably only the absence of an experienced spinner, such as Ben Leet or Steve Cooley that meant that Stevenage were unable to complete a victory.
RESULT - Stevenage Won by 7 wickets
A resounding win for the 3rd XI was completed at a rapid rate against Boxmoor over on Shepallbury Park. Boxmoor batted first and were taken apart by the Stevenage bowlers.
Ian Hamilton returned the utterly incredible figures of 9/8/1/1 and his son Richard the nearly as impressive analysis of 8/4/7/2. They were well support by Kevin Fisher who was also miserly returning
14/7/17/2 and although Ben Leet took the most wickets (4) he chose to purchase his wickets with some of the worst deliveries he has ever had the misfortune to bowl, going for 3.52 runs an over when the average run rate from
his teammates overs was 0.81 runs an over. Stevenage's batsmen were in the kind of hurry normally associated with people ..... , ....well people in a real hurry, as Ian Gane (17) and Tony Start (27) smashed the first
4 overs for 44 runs to make the victory inevitable.
RESULT - Stevenage Won by 8 wickets
A good win for the 3rd XI in the absence of skipper Richard Burling. Stand in skipper Steve Cooley found himself in the field first up and his
bowlers raised their game for him. Kevin Fisher (1 for 28) and Cooley himself (1 for 27) took the early wickets along with a run out. Then Cooley pulled a masterstroke;
proving once again that the line between genius and madness is a thin one; by turning to Ian Gane to bowl in tandem with Ben Leet. Leet took 3 for 35 continuing his good start to the
season, but his performance was bettered by that of Gane. Gane returned the outstanding figures of 9/4/8/4, no doubt having benefited from his good attendence at Winter nets
Stevenage's batting was never stretched in reply and although the early loss of Gane was a blow, there was a stylish unbeaten 60 from Dylan Slater and good support from Dave Stressing
who made 47.
RESULT - 29th May - Stevenage Lost by 3 wickets
On a below par and over used wicket Stevenage were unlucky to come up against a good bowling attack and suffered a defeat as a result.
The batting was largely blown away apart from a valuable 29 from Dave Stressing, doubtless worth a 50 in most other circumstances, and 12 from Dylan Slater, which enabled
the 100 run mark to be reached. With such an lean total to defend the Stevenage bowlers aquited themselves manfully. The left arm spinners Steve Cooley and Ben Leet
picked up 3 wickets each and Ian Hamilton took the other wicket to fall.but North Enfield crept to victory with 3 wickets in hand.
RESULT - 22nd May - Stevenage Won by 120 runs
A convincing win for the 3rds salvaged an otherwise disappointing Saturday for the club. Skipper Richard Burling led the way opening the batting
and scoring 80, with great support from Phil Maguire (78) guiding the total to 217. The two innings were contrasts with Burling's a marathon effort including only 6 fours and Maguire's a sprint
in comparision including 11 boundaries. With such an imposing total to defend the Stevenage bowlers enjoyed themselves and non more so than Steve Cooley, who returned the superb figures of 20/7/47/7. Cooley was
ably supported by fellow left arm spinner Ben Leet who picked up 2 wickets from his 10 overs.
RESULT - Stevenage Lost by 7 wickets
A rusty and ultimately disappointing start to the 3rd XIs new season in their new division saw them slide to a 7 wicket defeat.
Dave Thompson (53), Andy Burroughes (48) and Ben Leet (46) all made significant contributions as Stevenage scored at a rapid rate against the visitors bowling. But unfortunately four other batsmen got nought
and the home sides innings fizzled out at 180 with 10 overs still left to bowl which proved the decisive factor in the final reckoning.
The visitors eventually winning comfortably with ten overs and seven wickets to spare, but considering those 10 overs wouldn't have been on offer if the Stevenage innings had gone the distance, the game could have
been a lot closer.
RESULT - Rained Off
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M O M - Andy Gould
28th August - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs Watford 2nd XI
M O M - Richard Sullivan
21st August - Welwyn Garden City vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Richard Burling
14th August - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs Hoddesdon
M O M - Kevin Fisher - (for some runs, a couple of catches and for singlehandedly taking on a ruthless media empire and winning)
7th August - Allenburys vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Adil (Borat) Zargar
31st July - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs Northchurch 2nd XI
M O M - Mike Davenport
24th July - Sandridge 2nd XI vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Ben Leet
17th July - Redbourn 2nd XI vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Kev Fisher and Ricky Gill
10th July - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs Wormley
M O M - Adil Zargar
3rd July - Bayford and Hertford vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Laurie Brown
26th June - Northwood Town 2nds vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Richard Sullivan
19th June - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs Potters Bar
M O M - Ian Gane
12th June - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs Boxmoor
M O M - The Hamiltons
5th June Old Haberdashers 2nd XI vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Ian Gane
29th May North Enfield vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Dave Stressing
22nd May Hatfield Hyde 2nd XI vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
M O M - Steve Cooley
15th May - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs London Colny 2nd XI
M O M - Dave Thompson
1st May - STEVENAGE 3rd XI vs County Hall 2nd XI
M O M -
- vs STEVENAGE 3rd XI
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