2023

Mon 28 Aug                                      Headley                                      Lost by 6 runs

They  184/10 in 37.5 overs   (Will Culhane 56, Dhru Mani 50, Fred Evans 2/16, Preetinder Singh 2/26, Amit Nayyar 2/32)

We     178/8 in 40 overs  (Nitin Chaturvedi 52, Preetinder Singh 43, Tabrez Khan 39, Amit Nayyar 19*, Grant Waller 2/21, Justin George 2/41)

---

2022

Sun 11 Sept                                      Headley                                      Won by 68 runs

We     217/6 in 36 overs   (Mark Roughley 68, Andy Stokes 64*, Ryan Hale 44, Steve Barton 3/27, Grant Waller 2/22)

They  149/10 in 29.4 overs  (Matt Higgins 38, Dom Roberts 32, Steve Barton 23, Alex Tharakan 3/27, David Steele 2/25, Andy Tapp 2/30, Saikat Barua 2/37)

Dogging near Dorking

By Andy Stokes

In this time of mourning KCC travelled to the beautiful Surrey Downs. The leafy lanes and idyllic charm of this Surrey enclave help make it the al fresco sex capital of Britain. Out of 222 outdoor sex sites known to police across the UK, Surrey has almost half, with Box Hill (I’m told), being particularly popular. It would be there that KCC would get their entertainment against the delightful Headley Cricket Club.

There was a call to cock suggested by David Steele early in the week and I’m pleased to say most of the KCC team gleefully answered this call and arrived at the charming Cock Inn at Headley, for pre match libations. Damage, Tapper, and I certainly gave David a startling welcome on his arrival. San attended and noted later that the magnificent Tilford Punchbowl Ale had a positive effect on our performance.

Hard on from pub to pitch and the team were all there alert and ready, which must have been a positive omen. We continued to rebel against the norm and started near on time, after a one-minute silence for our departed Queen was duly and dutifully observed.

I won the toss and on the wet surface was genuinely in two minds as to what to do, so after consulting WG Grace and, as always, batted first. When the in-form player Rakteem was out first ball caught off a full toss I was questioning my decision. Then, both Nitin (18) and Ryan (44) played watchfully on a very tricky surface stroking the bad ball mercilessly to the boundary (three 6’s and nine 4’s between them). Headley pulled it back with Grant Waller and Steve Barton bowling in the right areas, dismissing Ryan, Nitin and Sarwar in quick succession.

This meant the experienced big old guns of Roughley and Stokes were facing the challenge of rebuilding the innings and posting a competitive score. We did so with aplomb, sharing a 5th wicket partnership of 115 in just 99 balls. While I very much struggled to find my timing initially and was lucky when using all 4 sides of my bat, Mark showed extreme skill on the challenging wicket and displayed a masterclass of stroke-making, Roughley (68) trousers mercifully fixed, was truly a treat to watch.

KCC 217 for 6 off their 36 overs, skipper happy. Tea was splendid, skipper very happy.

My ebullience was dented when Tappy, who opened the bowling was well and truly smashed for several sixes by Matt Higgins (38) including the loss of my coveted MCC ball deep, deep into the woods. Saikat opening down the hill bowled as ever with great threat dismissing two of Headley’s top batsmen. Andy Tapp came back at the end of the match and took 2 very important wickets – one with his infamous “knuckle” delivery and one lollipop. His “knuckle” was smashed by the threatening Steve Barton to the boundary’s edge where David Steele took a good solid catch. The lollipop bowled the bemused Grant Waller.

With the ball this game was won by David and Alex’s spells in the middle of their innings. One of Alex 7-1-27-3, Steele 7-2-25-2 or Roughley (68) deserved the KCC Man of the Match accolade and Cobra, but if you weren’t there you don’t really know how Stokes burgled this match prize. Off the last ball of David’s spell, Gareth Barker swung hard and hit the ball to deep mid-on. Stokes moved at remarkable pace gathering speed like a crazed rhino charging an adversary, taking a low catch at full charge. At that point Newton’s ‘Second Law of Motion’ was demonstrated as Stokes was more than struggling to stop, heading straight for the boundary, his team in panic. A late steer prevented any error and it was at this point that Stokes passed the Headley vicar who was watching with numerous Vice Presidents. The Vicar looked suitably surprised and proclaimed “my money was on the ball.” A cricketing first for me, being sledged by the British clergy and it was this that clinched me the man of the match.

More remarkable agility was to come when Sunil Amar (4.4-0-29-1) took the last wicket, a truly magnificent caught and bowled, leaping like a wanton kid in pleasant spring Sunny plucked the ball one handed from the sky, to wrap up a good victory. Headley 149 all out.

On this day KCC displayed collectively on the field the very best that I have witnessed, demonstrated by the fact we took our catches and good catches all, by Nitin (2) Stokes, Ryan, Sunil and Steele. 1 leg bye, 1 no ball and 1 wide were the only extras, something unheard of and testament to both line and length bowling and the fine display behind the stumps by Rakteem and Roughley who shared the duties.

I thanked our hosts and The Johnnie Walker MoM was presented to their skipper Steve Barton for his efforts – 3 wickets and 23 runs.

Steve acknowledged the Queen’s great contribution to our nation, praised and stressed the importance of the spirit of cricket and the bond between our two teams. He complimented KCC on our Jackets, and kindly invited KCC to an all-day fixture in 2023, which we gratefully accepted. A trophy will be played for and invited suggestions (the Pickard-Amar cup, perhaps?).

The distinguished Sir Michael Pickard, Headleys’ president, (and previously CEO of the Happy Eater chain of roadside cafes started in the 70’s and sold to the Little Chef in the late 90’s) gave an excellent speech, that stressed the importance of friendship, community and support. Values that are extremely evident at our gracious hosts’ Headley C.C, and are very healthy within our own club. I trust we all will continue to work hard for one another in those respects long into the future.

Back to the Cock for a couple then a decent curry in Reigate’s Spice Guru rounded off the best of days.

Thank you to the team for all their efforts – Thank you to Headley CC, surely one of our best fixtures. We certainly really enjoyed it all, and everyone’s company.

Back to current events for the close; “We had her longer than we deserved”.

Long live the King

---

2021

Sun 12 Sept                                      Headley                                      Won by 77 runs

We     212/6 in 35 overs   (Praveen Lekhraj 55, Andy Stokes 49, Bernard van Vuuren 43*, Michael O’Riordan 2/30, Barney Cowie 2/35)

They  135/10 in 31.4 overs  (Michael O’Riordan 36, Grant Waller 23, Neeraj Nayar 4/24, Mark Roughley 2/25, Andy Tapp 2/28)

Kensington v Headley is always a great fixture, a beautiful setting deep in the Surrey hills. An unusually shaped ground with a very short square boundary one end and an extremely long straight boundary at the other, always throws up some challenges.

Preetinder won the toss and elected to bat first. Praveen Lekhraj batted beautifully for a stroke filled 55, coupled with a decent knock of 49 from Andy Stokes and a short blitzkrieg from Bernard and Preet to ensure a decent total of 212/6 off our 35 overs.

Now came the surprise! An opening attack of Adam Sumner bowling quickly and the slower paced Andy Tapp had the Headley openers floundering, desperately searching for the ball, as at one end it came flying past the nose and the other end literally had no bounce. Headley were 26/3 after the 10th over when Neeraj replaced Adam. He too extracted bounce and proved unplayable picking up 4 wickets as the batsmen could find no answer. After Neeraj’s 7-over spell Headley were 86/7 and the contest was effectively over. However, Michael O’Riordan embarked on a thrilling counterattack hitting 36, all in boundaries, mainly off the luckless Sunil. Mark Roughley chipped in with two tail end wickets and Stef had Michael caught behind to end the innings. A frustrated Headley batting line-up surrendered meekly for 135 unable to cope with the varied attack and a really decent spell of slow bowling.

---

2020

Sun 13 Sept                                      Headley                                      Won by 52 runs

We     235/7 in 40 overs   (Andy Stokes 98, Tim Keleher 53, Adam Sumner 18*, Extras 25, Grant Waller 3/36, Bobby Barton 2/13)

They  183/9 in 40 overs  (Andy Pickering 49*, Nick Tunnell 36, Steve Barton 25, Extras 32, Andy Stokes 2/2, Adam Sumner 2/22, Sunil Amar 2/37)

So, to one of our favourite rural fixtures, on a charming ground perched on Boxhill in the Surrey Downs against a great bunch of people. We play Headley in late summer when an early start is necessary and this year, for once, we all arrived on time. A one-o-clock start (well 1:10 actually) meant we could play a full 40 overs match.

Tim Keleher and Andy Stokes opened the innings for KCC and quickly got into their stride despite a sluggish wicket, going at 6 an over in the first 10 and striking 12 boundaries in the process. They continued on their merry way until Tim, just after reaching his fifty, holed out when the score was 109. Amit Shanker couldn’t quite get adjusted to the conditions and Shahzeb got his feet tangled in front as both departed cheaply. A few runs later in Bobby Barton’s first over another brace of wickets fell, those of Harsha who was beginning to look threatening, and Tim Russell out to a first-baller. (151/5). All this while Andy, on 60, stood bemusedly at the other end as we seemed to squander our great start. Nitin provided some support but was soon victim of the third LBW of the innings. Andy and Adam set about repairing the damage with 8 overs left and the running between the wickets got frenetic, perhaps too much for the tiring Andy for he was hopelessly run out (or more likely puffed out) two short of what would have been his maiden hundred for KCC. Adam and skipper Neeraj raced us to a competitive total of 235. Pick of the bowlers was Grant Waller who was unlucky not to get a better return than his 3/36.

After consuming our self-made teas, KCC made instant inroads into Headley as Adam picked up 2 wickets in his first two overs. Alex had success at the other end when Harsha snared a caught behind (29/3). Steve Barton struck a few lusty blows, but the wily Sunil deceived him in flight and trapped him LBW. Sunil went on to bowl Jamie Mottershead who had been showing stubborn resistance. Nitin bowled a restraining spell and managed to dismiss the dangerous Steve Winslett before he could get going. A brilliant run out by Alex and Headley were almost down and out at 110/7. However, all is not lost when Andy Pickering is at the crease, and with Nick Tunnell  launched a bold counterattack in a 73-run partnership at over a run per ball. But the required run rate proved too steep. Headley fell far short of the target but not before Stokoe picked up two wickets in his only over at the end. Could San turn those two wickets into runs to complete the maiden hundred? Think not, Andy.

Drinks all round to finish an excellent game with wonderfully friendly opponents. The two Andys were awarded the MoM Cobras for their batting displays and we already look forward to this fixture next summer.

---

2019

Sun 15 Sept                                      Headley                                      Won by 69 runs

We     242/7 in 35 overs   (Stefanos Nayar 62, Wajid Tahir 61*, Nitin Chaturvedi 50, Saikat Barua 23*, Nick Tunnell 2/45, Steve Winslet 2/53)

They  173/10 in 30.5 overs  (Andy Pickering 49, Conor Young 31, Taylor Young 21, Neeraj Nayar 4/23, Saikat Barua 2/20, Seethal Tharakan 2/43)

On a warm sunny day in mid-September, we travelled to Headley to play our annual game in a picturesque setting against one of our favourite oppositions. Starting late, and keeping in mind that the light would fade quickly later in the day, both the skippers agreed a 35 overs game. Saikat lost the toss and KCC were sent in to bat on what turned out to be a good track. Stefanos Nayar and Amit Shanker opened the batting for us and we were in trouble early as Amit was adjudged LBW the first ball he faced. Number 3 Nitin formed a steady and classy partnership of 99 with Stef in which the young Nayar was the aggressor. However, with some questionable calling and poor technique of running between the wickets, a run out seemed on the cards! Stef departed for a well-made 62, 48 of which came from boundaries! Next in, our Tim “Run-machine” Keleher but unfortunately, he played on for just 2 and then KCC experienced the inevitable middle order collapse as Preetinder (run out without even facing a ball!), Harsha (11) and Rohan (13) all departed without much contribution except Nitin who made a gutsy 50. So, in the space of 9 overs, from 104/2 we were reeling at 148/7. Wajid Tahir then joined by Saikat to repair the innings and to give it some respectability. After a shaky start, Wajid went bonkers on Headley bowlers and registered his fifty in just 27 balls. With perfect support from Saikat (23*), Wajid stayed unbeaten with a brutal 61 from 30 balls with 5 humongous sixes and 5 fours. An unbeaten partnership of 94 runs for the 8th wicket (the last five overs yielding 72 runs) took us to a very good total of 242/7 in 35 overs, a score that looked improbable half an hour earlier. Nick Tunnel and Steve Winslet were the pick of the Headley bowlers both claiming 2 wickets each.

After an excellent tea, Headley were in an early spot of bother as Saikat removed his opposite number James Midmer quickly. In came Headley’s premier batsman Conor Young who took to the bowling of an off-colour Rohan and some length balls from Saikat. He moved to 31 very quickly and Saikat turned to his slow bowlers Neeraj and Preetinder to stall the proceedings. This proved to be a masterstroke as Conor jumped out to drive the first ball he faced from Neeraj and was ably stumped by Harsha. Headley’s momentum was broken as the spinners gained ascendancy, The next five batsmen did not last long even though the opener Andy Pickering was going strong from one end. With some excellent catching from Stefanos and Saikat, veteran Neeraj (4/23) was formidable and ripped through Headley middle order. An earlier wayward Seethal returned but this time with more control and bagged 2 wickets and Wajid Tahir continued his excellent day with a wicket. Saikat returned and yorked Headley’s last man Bob Barton to end the innings and we won by a handsome margin of 69 runs; a satisfying win after successive losses against this fine opposition.

Andy Pickering was Headley’s top scorer with 49 and was awarded the JW Gold for his efforts, whereas Neeraj received the Cobra for his 4/23. This was a great day out in bright autumnal sunshine against a lovely bunch of people, and we look forward to seeing them again next year.

---

2018

Sun 16 Sept                                      Headley                                      Lost by 85 runs

They  242/10 in 35 overs   (Barney Cowie 50, Steve Barton 47, Jeff Haywood 39, Gus Noble 33, Sunil Amar 3/35, Neeraj Nayar 2/27)

We     157/8 in 35 overs  (Neeraj Nayar 54*, David Behar 39, Grant Waller 3/19, Bobby Barton 2/11)

The tail end of the summer brought KCC to Headley’s friendly home ground in Surrey. KCC High Command San was his usual quietly menacing pre-match self as skipper Saurav received a call the evening before the match informing him that as KCC had won 10 and lost 10 this season, “it would be important to finish well”.

To cope with this pressure, KCC fielded a team of 10 vets with an average age which was almost Bradman-esque, and no regular keeper. The eleventh was our secret weapon, Seethal, who was no doubt quaking in his boots at the prospect of facing his teammates at the following week’s all important Youths vs Vets game.

Headley elected to bat first and got off to a flying start, racing to 53/0 in six overs as the opening pair of Haywood and Cowie took advantage of the quick outfield and not-quite-so-quick fielding to flog any loose deliveries from new-ball bowlers Chetan Singh and Ian. The introduction of Seethal brought the scoring rate to a screeching halt, however, and it was small comfort to the batsmen that no one, not even, it seemed, Seethal (1/16), seemed to know exactly what he was doing, though one unplayable delivery followed another and all were legal. Seethal broke the 89-run opening partnership and with Saurav (1/35) supporting from the other end, the pair managed to claw KCC back to some form of respectability, though Headley were still dangerously poised at 105/2 when drinks were taken at 20 overs.

Chris Chunnilall (2/45) picked up after Seethal, but it was Sunil Amar’s (3/35) vintage swing and Neeraj Nayar’s (2/27) wily bowling at the death that allowed KCC to “restrict” Headley to 242 all out even though a 300+ target was a constant threat as the opposition batsmen went after the bowlers. David Behar had a baptism by fire with the wicketkeeping gloves – karma, perhaps, for all the times he has bowled? – but showed that he was a quick learner. We mostly held on to our catches, though the expressions of disbelief when Saurav caught his opposite number at midwicket betrayed our general expectations. For the opposition, Gus Noble chipped in with a quick-fire 33 and the dangerous-looking Stevie Barton clobbered 47 before his teammates conspired to run him out.

KCC’s reply got off to a textbook start. Textbook for the fielding side, that is, as we were soon reduced to 0-2 with both openers Amit Shanker and Chetan Malhotra finding themselves facing the better part of 35 overs in which to reflect on the weather, the drive out to the ground, the 35 overs they spent fielding, etc. Chris Ledger felt the pressure and perished relatively cheaply while trying to accelerate. It then fell to David Behar – who clearly showed that he had got his eye in while keeping wickets – and Neeraj (again!) to steady the innings, though the asking rate was already close to 12 an over. David fell for a well-made 39 and even though Saurav and Ian struck a few blows, the asking rate was too much for KCC’s tail as our objectives were swiftly revised – first, to ensure the margin of defeat was less than 100 (achieved!), then to ensure we were not bowled out (achieved!) and finally, make sure Neeraj did not run out of partners for his 54* (achieved!). For Headley, Grant Waller (3/19) and young Bobby Barton (2/11) were the pick of the bowlers, with Stevie Winslet also picking up a brace.

Post-match drinks were thoroughly enjoyable, as the father-and-son pair of Barton & Barton were awarded Headley’s MoM for their batting and bowling heroics respectively, while Sunil Amar was KCC’s, for reasons that need no further explanation on these pages.

---

2017

Sun 17 Sept                                      Headley                                      Lost by 45 runs

They  279/4 in 35 overs   (Steve Barton 87, Steve Winslet 86*, Jim Brooks 41, Barney Cowie 39, Wes Johnson 2/36)

We     234/3 in 35 overs  (Sid Chhibbar 110, Rohan Ghosh 61*, Preetinder Singh 22, Steve Miles 1/14)

Headley cricket ground lies in one of the most tranquil settings on the outskirts of London; a picturesque ground hidden amongst the tall trees with horse riders occasionally passing by.

Upon our early arrival we noticed a slight problem. Overnight rain had soaked the ground and without any covers to protect the pitch the game looked in jeopardy. As cricket lovers we do not let a bit of sludge and dampness get in our way. With a slight delay and with plenty of sawdust spread on the run-ups we were ready to play a reduced 35 overs game.

Headley were put into bat first and it seemed as if they were in the mood to play a bit of cricket, or perhaps just knew something about the weather forecast. Their opening pair started very aggressively pumping up their run rate and taking advantage of our strike bowlers slipping and sliding all over the show when running up to bowl. Skipper Saikat bowled exceptionally well considering the conditions to put both openers under some pressure at one end.

After three wickets fell we thought their big hitters were gone and we would have them stuttering. Unfortunately, we thought wrong as Steve Barton and Steve Winslet served up a lesson in brutal hitting – 16 sixes between them and losing 7 balls in the process! They amassed over 170 runs in just 83 balls. Although Gabriel managed a break-through, Headley finished on a solid 279 runs off their 35 overs. Astonishingly, 54 of them came in the last 3 overs, the hapless Ryan Konson bearing the brunt of the onslaught. The worst moment, however, was the sight of Saikat being felled by a hard return drive in the second last over, the ball crunching into his ankle on his follow-through. A badly bruised Saikat took no further part in the game.

We knew we had to start aggressively and take full advantage of the short boundaries that were on offer. Sid and Preet laid a solid platform of 81 in 16 overs before Preet got run out. At this stage we were on par with wickets in hand. Sid continued to play a blinder with an outstanding innings of 110 off just 84 balls to show that we too could hit a few into the trees. When Sid departed (156/2 in the 27th over) Rohan who had been giving excellent support took on the lead role. However, it began to drizzle steadily and the wet conditions continued to worsen making it difficult to pierce the field or to go aerial. Rohan and Stef tried valiantly but could not maintain the required momentum. The target proved beyond our reach on this day.

But who would have thought that on such a soggy pitch on such a soggy day over 500 runs would have been scored in such entertaining fashion. Long live village cricket. Well done to Headley and many thanks for being superb hosts.

---

2016

Sun 11 Sept                                      Headley                                      Won by 5 wkts

They  179/6 in 35 overs   (A.Hughes 55*, Mottershed 37, James Midmer 25, Ryan Konson 3/23)

We     182/5 in 28.3 overs  (Sid Chhibbar 68, Hammad Rishad 30, Wajid Tahir 25*, James Midmer 2/17)

KCC were forced to start in the field with only 8 players due to KCC’s resident Uber driver struggling to navigate that perennially difficult route to the ground.

It was no surprise that the Headley openers took full advantage of the situation in a game reduced to 35 overs, and got off to a flyer, their skipper James Midmer being particularly severe. However, Hammad bowled him with a beauty. The arrival of our 3 tardy players immediately changed the game as the run rate slowed thanks to the extra fielders and some excellent bowling from Ian Elliott who picked up a wicket off his first ball.

That allowed Ryan (one of the latecomers) to repay his teammates by bowling a devastating spell of in-swinging yorkers that had the Headley batsmen flummoxed, collecting 3/23 and leaving KCC a gettable 180 for victory off 35 overs. Hughes was Headley’s best batsman finishing on 55*.

Sid and San got KCC off to the perfect start putting on 100 for the 1st wicket before San was run out for 21. Sid was the main scorer of the innings and finished with a match-winning 68. Stefanos (18*) played the anchor role to some big hitting from Hammad (30 in 16 balls)) and Wajid (25* in 11 balls) as they took KCC to a comfortable victory with 6 overs to spare.

---

2015

Sun 13 Sept                                      Headley                                       Lost by 7 wkts

We    217/6 in 39 overs   (Nitin Chaturvedi 64*, Preetinder Singh 56, Chris Ledger 44, Oscar Jefferson 30, S.Winslett 2/51)

They  221/3 in 37.3 overs    (H.Storey 106, A.Hughes 64*, S.Barton 22*, Neeraj Nayar 2/56)

When Sunil promises he will be on time and decides to offer a ride to two others, it usually means the KCC skipper has to choose to bat as the Sunny Amar car is delayed due to large, ostentatious and unbelievable variety of reasons. This day was no different – as KCC went to bat after winning the toss. John Behar, fresh from his 80+ escapade from last weekend was tasked to go hit a few. Hit one he did, second ball of the first over, straight to Headley skipper’s waiting hands. KCC’s leading run scorer Chris Ledger took it upon himself to put some runs on the board. Unfortunately, he got out at 44 to one that he shouldn’t have played. Young Oscar showed the promise, better than his dad at this sprightly age, by scoring a brisk and lusty 30. At the other end, Khan and David Behar got themselves out and then the Nitin and Preetinder show began. Starting cautiously, they each scored half centuries with the pedal to the metal in the final overs. Skipper Khan declared at 217/6 off 39 overs, supported by the wisdom of more senior KCC folks. A decision that should have been referred upstairs…

Headley started steadily and when Preetinder got Dickinson caught with the team score on 49, a ray of hope emerged through the clouds – but left pretty soon. Storey and Hughes put up a 118 run partnership. A lot should be said about young Storey’s batting. He played each ball on its merit, despatching regular boundaries at will, watchfully placing shots in vacant areas, even eyeing field movements during overs and then using the new gaps. He didn’t give any chances and KCC’s bowlers had no answers to his 106 until Nayar got him with Gore taking a superbly judged catch in the deep. Those eyes aren’t so weak after all, eh! Hughes gave a dolly of a chance to Bernard who somehow, perhaps reminiscing of the house party the night before, dropped it!! Neeraj was kind enough not to say too much. In the end, Barton got his side home comfortably with 2 overs to spare. KCC were 30 odd short on the day, or maybe not. Credit to Neeraj for his tight bowling and 2 wickets which could have been 5, if the catches had been taken.

Drinks and pizza at the bar and friendly chats, KCC left the ground disappointed, but with a resolve to do better next year.

---

2014

Sun 25 May                                      Headley                                       Drawn

We    189/8 in 40 overs (Akhi Shailendra 49*, Sher Babi 28, Regan 25, Oscar Jefferson 22, Elburn 5/49)

They  102/7 in 35 overs    (Josh Pickering 31, A.Hughes 20, Eddy Barreto 3/17, Wajid Tahir 2/22)

We played an old-fashioned low scoring game, full of grit and fight at Headley. Calling tails, Rohan lost the toss and, reluctantly, Kensington batted first on a damp pitch. Almost immediately we lost a wicket when, in the second over, Bharat was bowled by the young quickie Elburn with the score on 1. At the other end, Sherbuland Babi shrugged off this early setback and launched his innings with flair befitting his wonderful Moghul name – hitting a straight six over the bowler’s head. And so we settled down, huddling together by the boundary’s edge in the relative warmth of the early May sun. But our peace was short lived when first San and then Sher were dismissed with the score on 52. This triggered a middle order collapse as numbers 4, 5 and 6 all fell cheaply, struggling to come to terms with the slow pitch. 58/6 in the 15th over. Akhi then marshalled a vintage rear guard action with a mixture of solid defence and calculated aggression in a series of partnerships with Regan, Oscar and Eddy, taking our total to a fighting 189. Unfortunately for Akhi, he missed out on a deserving fifty when he fell in the last over going for a slog. The standout performer for Headley was Elburn, who picked up 5/49 in 15 overs.

Headley started strong with their young openers playing some fine strokes to notch up 50 odd runs between the two of them. Hughes in particular looked dangerous, on the back of a hundred in a league game the previous day. But when he was dismissed with the score on 39/1, to a fine catch by Rohan in the covers, the Headley middle order collapsed to 84/6, much in the same manner as ours had earlier in the day. But as the Kensington fielders edged ever closer to the bat with each passing over, the Headley tail decided to batten down the hatches, surviving many a close shout along the way. Even San’s pie chucks failed to entice any lustful response and, when stumps were drawn after the 35th over, we were 3 wickets short of securing a win.

---

2013

Sun 26 May                                     Headley                                       Tied Draw

We    164/10 in 43 overs (Chris Ledger 45, Al Naser Regan 30, San Gore 20, Waller 3/30)

They  164/7 in 34 overs    (W.Midmer 71, J.Pickering 21, Murrell 21*, Saikat Barua 3/38, Neeraj Nayar 2/25)

This was village cricket at its finest, played in great spirit, in blazing sunshine and in front of several spectators atop Box Hill in Surrey – and what drama unfolded.

San won the toss but KCC started cautiously against a disciplined Headley attack. Neeraj and Furquan departed early leaving opener Chris and San to consolidate with a fifty run stand. Then, a mini collapse with both out plus debutant Saikat Barua inside two overs (89/5). Regan for once played responsibly (indulging in only one six) and first with new sponsor Pradeep Menon, then with Tridib Das helped the score get respectable. Pradeep showed that he was no mug with the bat hitting a six and 2 fours in his 17. Regan was seventh out for a well-made 30 but the last 3 wickets were blown away with only 2 runs added. In hindsight, this would prove crucial.

Headley also had a poor start with Saikat Barua taking his first wicket for the Club in his first over, his opening spell being 7-3-8-2. When the last 20 overs began Headley required 6.5 runs per over. Enter Will Midmer at no.5. With exquisite cover drives and late cuts he effortlessly found the boundaries through tight-set fields. The bowling was being shredded until Neeraj Nayar was brought on to bring a semblance of control, which he did superbly. Runs were squeezed and Neeraj eventually got his man, a frustrated Milmer out stumped for a graceful 71.

So, to the last dramatic over. Headley need 15 to win. Field is set and the ball is in the hand of the impressive Barua (inset). First ball, six over cover. Second ball, four through cover. Hmm…not so impressive, as roars of approval burst from the pavilion. Third ball, middle stump cartwheeled. The pavilion is hushed! Saikat then bowls a leg-side wide to which San at full stretch prevents a certain 5 and the loss of the match. Scrambled runs later, the last ball to bowl with 2 runs required. The batsman only manages one to level the score. A tie, everyone says, but a draw say the traditionalists pointing out that there were 3 more wickets to fall. But the game was anything but boring, as draws tend to be associated with. So it was agreed to call the result a TIED DRAW and a wonderful celebration began.

---

 2012

Sun 27 May                                     Headley                              Lost by 21 runs

They  247/5 in 32.4 overs     (Midmer 105*, MacDonald 79, Navneet Bali 3/40)

We    226/10 in 34.3 overs   (Regan 67, Rohan Ghosh 35, Bharat Gorasiya 34, Simmonds 7/56)

Our inaugural fixture at Headley’s charmingly bucolic ground was blessed by glorious hot sunshine, a very rare event in this year’s dismal summer.  Unsurprisingly, given the scorching conditions, Headley chose to bat first after winning the toss.  Manas Roy bowled a fine opening spell, dismissing one of the openers cheaply, but after the early wicket their 2nd wicket partnership plundered our bowling, putting on a rapid century partnership.  The ground’s extremely short boundaries allowed fast scoring, and having reached 247 after just 32 overs, Headley made a generous, and as it subsequently turned out, perfectly timed declaration.

In reply, after the early dismissal of classy opener Ramsagar, skipper Chris Ledger and Rohan Ghosh compiled a steady 50 run partnership, before a rapid clatter of wickets reduced KCC to a highly perilous 105/5.  Cometh the hour, cometh Al Naser Regan, who proceeded to launch an all out assault on the Headley bowling, smashing his way to a rapid fire 67 during an excellent and seemingly match-winning century partnership with Bharat Gorasiya.  At 211/5, with 6 overs to go to score just 37 for victory, Kensington were now clearly favourites, but after Regan and Gorasiya both fell in quick succession, the remaining KCC line-up collapsed like a house of cards, the last 5 wickets falling for the addition of just 15 more runs.  Headley’s Simmonds, who took 7 wickets for 56 runs, proved the main difference between the sides, and deservedly won the Man of the Match award on a day favourable to batsmen.  This was an exciting game, played in lovely surroundings, and in excellent spirit against friendly opponents, and we already much look forward to our return next year.

---