Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI vs Stothert & Pitt CC - 2nd XI

Result: Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI Won by 38 runs

Date:  Sat 2nd Jul 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: FAILAND & PORTBURY

Type:  League : Bristol & District Cricket Association - 2nd XI Division One

Toss:  2nd XI won the toss and decided to bat

Failand dig deep to go top

Failand went top of the league and deservedly so, but they made hard work of beating Stothert & Pitt and almost let them back in the game.

Matt Hildrew (45) and Charlie Jones (21) made good early runs, followed by Chris Smith (31) to lay a good base for the home side. Three quick wickets threatened to ruin their early gains leaving them at 142-6, but Sid Mistry (37*) and Jagath Arachchige (21*) put on an unbroken 58 partnership to guide Failand to 200-6 from the alloted overs. Only Mainwaring for the visitors made any impact with 4-42.

In reply, Mistry (1-29) and Mark Day restricted Stothert & Pitt early on to 39-2 from 17 overs, but an ill disciplined 5 overs costing 48 runs put the visitors back in the driving seat at 97-2 from 22 overs. Hildrew stepped up to take two crucial wickets and Sajjad (2-21) and Ahmed with a wicket started to rip through the middle order. It was left to Day to take the remaining three wickets to finish with figurs of 4-29 from his 12 overs, to guide his side to maximum points and top of the league.

Next week is Hanham at home, first versus second, so a vital game for Failand to show how far they've come this season and why they are promotion favourites.

Mark Day - 03/07/2011

http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/content/view.asp?id=10342759&cid=218&tid=14&referer=&fixture=&team=44207

Stapleton CC, Bristol - 3rd XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI

Result: Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI Won by 59 runs

Date:  Sat 25th Jun 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: King George V1. Playing Fields, Downend.

Type:  League : 2nd XI Division One

Toss:  Stapleton CC, Bristol - 3rd XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Failand bounce back with help from the Stand-Ins

With 15 regulars missing, Failand took the field with two debutants and four North Somerst XI players, but showed they had ability in adundance with a 59 run win.
Losing his 6th league toss of the year, Mark Day's Failand were put in on an uneven and damp pitch. At 47-4 it was looking grim for the visitors, but captain Day (38)and Roman Lagnado (100 not out) steadied the ship with a 79 run fifth wicket partnership. Lagnado batted superbly for 35 overs for his century and showed Failand what they've missed while he's been away. Good quick runs were scored by Ahmad (11) and Jamie Fear (16) at the end to project the score.
Stapleton started slowly in reply with good inroads from Steve Fear (1-36), Jamie Fear (1-26) and Day (1-20), leaving the home side on 99-3 from 33 overs, despite several catches put down. A late change of the bowling made the difference and debutant Sajjad with five wickets and Bob Andrews (1-20) wrapped up the tail end taking 7 wickets in 9 overs to grab full points.
A fantastic performance on a difficult pitch from a muddled together team showed why Failand will be up there at the end chasing promotion. Thanks to all who turned out and it's pleasing to know the club has such strength.
Man of the Match : Roman Lagnado for a superb batting display!

Mark Day - 25/06/2011

http://bdca.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11141715

Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI vs Old Down CC - 2nd XI

 Result: Old Down CC - 2nd XI Won by 6 wickets

Date:  Sat 11th Jun 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: FAILAND & PORTBURY

Type:  League : Bristol & District Cricket Association - 2nd XI Division One

Toss:  Old Down CC - 2nd XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Failand finally fall on the toss of a coin 

On a drying wicket, winning the toss was key and once Old Down had done this, and chosen to bowl, Failand knew they'd be up against it.

At 56-8, they were realising just how big a decision this was. Only Charlie Jones (11) and Dave Sherwin (10) offered resistance. Thankfully Dan Chapman (13), Jagath Arachchige (23) and Sam Buckley (31), the latter two with a 61 run 9th wicket partnership, managed to get a hold on the batting and propelled the score to 123, at least something to bowl at.

Unfortunately the pitch had settled down by now and was a good flat surface with little help for the bowlers. A dropped catch and actually bowling the opener but without the bails coming off meant that the luck was with the visitors, and an opening stand of 90 put paid to the good start Failand had intended. Again, Arachchige (1-13) and Buckley (3-37), heroes with the bat, were again at the forefront of the bowling as Failand managed 4 wickets before Old Down knocked off the runs.

A disappointing result but down to the toss, so something Failand must put behind them and move onto next week when they face Coalpit Heath in another top of the table clash.

Hampset CC - 2nd XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI 

Result: Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI Won by 4 wickets

Date:  Sat 4th Jun 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: Bloomfield Rise

Type:  League : Bristol & District Cricket Association - 2nd XI Division One

Toss:  Hampset CC - 2nd XI won the toss and decided to bat

Highlights: Hampset: Simon Nottingham (51, 9 fours) & Nick Lear (42, 6 fours) Failand & Portbury: Ivor Wilson (49*, 6 fours), Sam Gunarathne (13-2-37-3 & 30, 6 fours)

Failand make it 3 out of 3! 

Another confident win puts Failand clear at the top of the table, thanks to another good all round performance.

Failand lost the toss and were asked to bowl on a green, batting pitch where 220 was easily a par score. Jim Allen and Mark Day (1-49) started well and a wicket for captain Day in the second over soon had Hampset on the back foot. Despite a number of dropped catches, Failand managed to keep the home side at 4 an over before leading wicket taker Sam Gunarathne (3-36) started to peg the batsmen back. Sam was well supported by debutant Sam Buckley (1-36) and Olivie Burnside (2-25), as Hampset were restricted to just 192-7.

In response, Failand started at a canter scoring 52 from the first 10 overs, before Gunarathne (30) fell. Failand started to consolidate from there but at 127-3 with just 11 overs left, it looked like they had left it late to accelerate to the required total. Thanks to good batting by Olivier Burnside (34), with his new bat in tow, and some huge hitting from Liam Smith (30), the run rate increased, and together with opener Ivor Wilson (49 not out), steady throughout, Failand made sure they got the win they deserved to stay top of the table. 

Man of the match: Despite batting for 127 balls (sorry Ivor), Ivor Wilson showed great composure and concentration to see Failand through to a third straight win, holding up one end and supporting the middle order well when a flurry of wickets could have put Failand under a lot of pressue. A match winning knock and a shame that he just missed out on his 50!

http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11141668

University of Bristol Staff CC - 2nd XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI Result: Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI Won by 46 runs

Date:  Sat 21st May 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: Coombe Dingle Sports Ground

Type:  League : Bristol & District Cricket Association - 2nd XI Division One

Toss:  University of Bristol Staff CC - 2nd XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Highlights: Failand - S Gunarathne 6-24

FAILAND MAKE IT 2 OUT OF 2 

Failand made it 2 wins from 2 games with a commanding victory over University Staff.

Fialnd openers Dave Sherwin (32) and Matt Hildrew (47) put on 87 for the frist wicket from just 18 overs and it looked like there would be a large score on the board. Sam Gunrathne (33) helped push on the score, but 4 wickets fell for just 18 runs, and the early promise seemed to be a false hope. Faiz Khan then came to the wicket and played a key innings scoring 52 including 2 huge 6s to take Failand past the 200 mark, well supported by the lower order.

In reply, Staff put on 74 for their first wicket, before Hildrew took two quick wickets. Khan (1-32) started to turn on his spin, and was joined by spin twin Gunarathne and the home side started to struggle. Gunarathne bowled superbly and rippede throught the middle and lower order to finish with 6-24 from 9 overs and took the game away from Staff. Good fielding performances must be mentioned for Richard Deval and Leif Overment and this was indicitive of a good team spirit running through the team at the moment.

Although Failand made heavy weather of getting the wickets, this was another assured performance and they can take a great deal of confidence from another win and maximum points again. Roll on Phoenix next weekend!

http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11141753

Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI vs Thornbury CC, Glos - 3rd XI

Result: Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI Won by 22 runs

Date:  Sat 14th May 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: FAILAND & PORTBURY

Type:  League : Bristol & District Cricket Association - 2nd XI Division One

Scoring:  Standard

Toss:  Thornbury CC, Glos - 3rd XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Highlights: F&P CC - M Hildrew 99, S Gunarathne 4-18, F Khan 3-31, M Day 3-45 Thornbbury CC - C Blick 96 & 3-41

Failand stun Thornbury to grab victory in thrilling finish 

In a thrilling end to the match, Failand grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat to start their season off with a bang.

On a decent batting track, Thornbury won the toss and put the home side in. Early wickets pegged Failand back, but a good 66 partnership between Matt Hildrew (99) and Ivor Wilson (18) steadied the ship. Thornbury continued to restrict the home side and several batsmen threatened to get away, but were removed by some good bowling. Sam Gunarathne (18) and Faiz Khan (16) chipped in with some big hits, but the star of the show was Hildrew who batted superbly, almost carrying his bat, run out on the last ball of the innings going for his ton. Failand finished with a competitive 200-8 on a pitch which definitely had something for the bowlers.

In reply the visitors got off to a flying start with 50-0 off ten overs. Captain Mark Day (3-45) began to peg them back with some good bowling, but it was Thorbury's Colin Blick (96), who's seven 6s and nine 4s threatened to put the game beyond Failand. At 161-5 from just 22 overs, the game looked lost, but Failand's spinners started to break through. The key dismissal of Blick 4 runs short of his century, caught by Day off a skyer, turned the match on its head. Suddenly Failand looked lively, and Gunarathne (4-18) and Khan (3-31), who bowled 8 maidens on the trot between them, started to rip through the tail. Thornbury's last 4 wickets went for just 8 runs and Failand celebrated a fantastic victory!

The win showed true team spirit as Failand never gave up and the whole team contributed something. It was a reflection of the effort of everyone and if this can continue, Failand will be challenging for promotion at the end of the season.

http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11141665

Hanham CC - 2nd XI vs Failand & Portbury CC - 2nd XI 

Result: Abandoned

Date:  Sat 7th May 2011

Start Time: 14:00

Ground: Abbotts Rd

Type:  League : Bristol & District Cricket Association - 2nd XI Division One

Toss:  Hanham CC - 2nd XI won the toss and decided to bowl

Failand start slowly before the rain intervenes

With no less than 5 players making their 2XI debut for Failand, and only 4 regulars from last season, changes were aplenty for the visitors.

A slow but steady start saw Failand creeping to 51-1 off 20 overs, with new players Ivor Wilson (13) and Olivier Burnside (21) batting well and keeping out the accurate Hanham bowlers. Changes in the bowling attack then started to restict Failand and a loss of 4 wickets for just 10 runs, left them reeling on 61-5 and battling to avoid embarrassment.

Chris Smith (19), Adam Grey (14) and Neil Harrison (12) steadied the ship and a lofty 4 from skipper Mark Day off the last ball of the innings took Failand past the 125 mark to regain some respectability.

Fortunately the rain came at tea (as it did in the same fixture last season), and that was that. Failand should consider themselves lucky and this was definilty an escape from what could have been a seson starting defeat. Hopefully with a few of last seasons players back next week, a better performance against Thornbury at home will start their season off properly.

http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11141678

2nd XI league table

UP TO DATE 2ND XI LEAGUE TABLE (SENIOR DIVISION BRISTOL & DISTRICT LEAGUE)

New Captain!

Mark Day will take control of the 2nd XI once more with Charlie Jones as his vice captain.

2nd XI Captain’s report 2008 by Ijaz Shafi

This was a good season for the 2nd XI as we have returned to the division where we belong.

The game plan that I have tried to follow in the team this year is one of unity and teamwork. This may seem an obvious point for what is a team game. We had a very good team spirit, I guess winning helps.

I did my best to give everyone a fair game with the bat or ball. Everyone had a similar chance to turn, influence and even win matches. This was indeed the case in a few matches. This policy will continue for the next year.

The core of the team played exceptionally well with tremendous spirit throughout the season. Chris Smith, Mohammed Ahmed, Nadeem Ahmed, Bernard Raines, Taz Hussain all enjoyed their cricket and crucially all won a game at some stage, whether it was with bat, ball or both.

The season was also driven forward by the new players that came into the team. Tasawar Hussain, Rory Davidson, Tom Isom and Mohammed Mirza. These players will help the team further next year in the premier league. I was also impressed with few new youngster’s coming into the team like Jordan Batchelor and Henry Potter.

A special mention for vice captain Bernard Raines who was very helpful with his experience and is beginning to understand my ways of batting first after winning the toss. As we won most of our matches this way. Less pressure as we struggle chasing!!.

The aim for 2009 is to win the 2nd XI senior division. I feel we have some very talented cricketers and there will be some more new faces joining us next year. I felt we were short on a number of occasions and we should at least have a full team before a league game. This will be even more important next season.

There is always room for improvement and I am looking forward to the next season in the top division.

I would like to thank the senior management for all their hardwork and commitment to the club and special thanks to Paul Bachelor for keeping the ground to a great standard.

Great work and Good luck for next season!

25th November 2008

Congratulations!

Promotion for 2nd XI in 2008.

Back to the Senior (Top) Division, Bristol & District League, for 2009.

Below: Skipper Shafi strikes behind the stumps.

While Panther Smithie waits to pounce.

Promoted!
Congratulations to the 2nd XI - promoted with one game still left.

[ more to follow]

Batting 2008 (league games)
(to and including St Mary Redcliffe)

Chris Smith 390 runs at 62.00

Nadeem Ahmed 295 runs at 42.14
Babar Khan 256 runs at 32.00

Tasawae Hussain 154 runs at 19.25
Mohammed Ahmed 142 at 17.75
Jeff Astle 128 runs at 22.56
George Fellowes 112 runs at 56.00

Bernard Raines 90 runs at 45.00
Rory Davidson 84 runs at 42.00
Tom Isom 72 runs at 24.00
John Patterson 66 runs at 13.20


Bowling (wickets) 2008 (league games)
(to and including St Mary Redcliffe)

Nadeem Ahmed 17
Tasawae Hussain 17
Mohammed Ahmed 14
Tom Isom 10

Babar Khan 8
Bernard Raines 8
Matt Hildrew 7
Rory Davidson 6

The long and the short of it

[2nd XI win at Long Ashton - match report]

Scorecard: 2nd XI v Long Ashton (away) 12th July 2008

Pucklechurch abandoned at halfway

[match report here?]

Scorecard: 2nd XI v Pucklechurch (home) 5th July

Knowled over

[Big win over Knowle: match report here?]

Full scorecard at 2nd XI v Knowle (home) 28th June 2008

2nd XI go down at Old Down

[match report here?]

Full scorecard at: 2nd XI v Old Down (away) 21st June 2008

Home win against Phoenix
The 2nd XI notched up another win against Phoenix West Indies at Horse Race Lane to push them back up the table - still in contention.

[report here?]

Full scorecard is or will appear at 2nd XI v Phoenix West Indians (home) 14th June 2008 .

Nothing gained at Chipping Sodbury
Good run of success halted at Chipping Sodbury.

[Report here?]

Full scorecard is at 2nd XI v Chipping Sodbury (away) 7th June

Back on track as Chew Magna go down

[some report here?

Scorecard: 2nd XI v Chew Magna (home) 31st May 2008

Unbeaten run hits the buffers
It was 3 in a row but not 4 as the 2nd XI came up short against old rivals St Mary Reds despite a welcome return to the club by Paul Teasdale who notched 28 going in first.

[There must be more to say, surely? For example, pointing out that none of these 2nd XI scorecards are fully completed, missing breakdown of extras, catchers' names and numbers of 4s and 6s struck!]

Scorecard (as is) is at 2nd XI v St Mary Redcliffe (home) 24th May 2008

Thornbury thumped
It was 3 wins in a row for Ijaz's men as the 2nd XI went to Thornbury and returned with all the points.

Nadeem wiped out the home side's top order and Chris Smith scored another fifty. [Have you voted for the man most likely to top-score for the team this year? If not, see opposite.]

More details to follow but meanwhile scorecard is at 2nd XI v Thornbury (away) 17th May 2008 .

Fine win for 2nds at home against Long Ashton makes it maximum points for the second time!

[skipper's report here]

Scorecard is at 2nd XI v Long Ashton (home) 10th May 2008

Hi Guys

Here is the 2nd team v Long Ashton at home:

[see Selection page]

Please can you get to the home ground by 1.20pm latest.

Ijaz 07917 562040

2nds start 2008 with fine win away to Pucklechurch

[captain's log to be inserted here blow by blow]

Full scorecard is at 2nd XI v Pucklechurch (away) 3rd May 2008

New 2nd XI skipper



















Members at the AGM voted in Ijaz Shafi to captain the 2nd XI in the Bristol & District Leage Division 1 in 2008, taking over from last year's skipper Mark Day

2007 LEAGUE TABLE
For last year's table go to Final League Table 2007 (Senior Division)

2nd XI Season Report 2006
It has been a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding season. After 16 matches & 11 victories, we fully deserved our position of 3rd in the league. Having built upon the platform laid by my predecessor, not only have we become established in this division, but a team capable of mounting a serious challenge to the title next season.

The highlights included the annihilation of Bishopston, a gutsy win over Bedminster and relief in defeating Coalpit Heath to finish above them at the season’s finale. Congratulations to the following for their fine bowling performances throughout the season: Nadeem Ahmed, Jonas Williams, Mark Day, Bob Andrews, and Mohammed Ahmed. And both Bernard Raines and Robert McArthur for their all round contributions.
In terms of batting, Charlie Walker, Rufus Barrington, Baber Khan and Ian Simmons added flamboyancy and exciting strokeplay, while Lyndon, Henry Humphreys and Alex Chapman all offered some much needed backbone. It was also entertaining to see the big hitting from Mark Walker, Nadeem, Mohammed and eventually Ijaz Shafi.

I would also like to compliment all 1st team players on their excellent attitude and effort when selected to play for us. Paul Nice, Mark Henley and Tony Bamber all bowled tenaciously often without luck in trying circumstances. I am particularly pleased for Andrew Trineman who scored a fantastic hundred under huge pressure following his early season troubles.

Although the team was very similar to last season in terms of personnel, it was nice to see some new younger additions to the squad. It was this in particular which enabled us to field and catch well throughout the season (when we had a full complement of players). Tom Fuller, Tom Morley, Oliver Creese, Henry Potter and Rufus Barrington all played their first senior games for the club. Rufus in particular is a real find and I hope he plays more games in the future as he has a special talent.

I fully encourage players coming through from the juniors, and I hope we are viewed as a team that supports them and gives them the encouragement to shine. It would just be nice to see a few more coming through! On this point it was good to see Sid Mistry develop further into a good all round cricketer. I don’t think taking older players from the 3rd team is the way forward, although Phil Dungey in particular didn’t let anyone down with his performances when called upon to play for us, for which I am most grateful. I do apologise for my part in the Ivor Chivers debacle, but that situation should never have been allowed to happen.

However, with the positives come the negatives. The truly low point of the season came when we were defeated at home by bottom of the table Carsons, having started the game with 6 players. However, the manner in which the team responded was admirable, we won all our remaining games after this early July nightmare. Our batting at times let us down, although people generally chipped in with useful contributions.

Looking ahead to next season, I seriously suggest William Humphreys looks at his staff recruitment process for Saturdays at his Summer School. I truly wish him all the best and admire his entrepreneurial spirit, but when we are stretched for players at important stages of the season, we need all the help we can get. Having Saturday afternoon staff consisting of Failand & Portbury cricketers does us no favours whatsoever. I would really appreciate it if Will takes note of this point.

I have fully enjoyed leading the team and captaining all 37 players who represented us at various stages throughout the season (it is actually 38 as Ajas Khan is in fact 2 different people). Many, many thanks to all those senior players who supported me throughout the season (Ijaz, Lyndon, Bob Andrews and Henry Humphreys), and most of all to my dependable vice captain Bernard Raines. Not only did he perform well with bat & ball, but helped with selection in my absence and did the majority of the off field work.

Again a special mention must be made of Paul Nice. As Chairman of Selectors he had a torrid time speaking to dissatisfied captains like myself, but was always there at the end of the phone week in week out. He is a real asset to the club both on and off the field.

Thanks also to Paul Bachelor for continually churning out great batting tracks, long may it continue.

I feel most privileged to have captained the team and would love to have the same opportunity next season. Having discussed matters with Bernard at the seasons close, he feels that it is time for a new vice captain and we propose that Mark Day is given that responsibility.

Alastair McArthur

'You've got to make it tough. No freebies ... target him. Break a finger if you want. That'll stop him getting ten wickets'

Nasser Hussain on how to bowl to Muttiah Muralitharan
Posted by: Sleuth / 10:35 AM "

1st XI: "WIN AGAINST LODWAY
The season's 100% record was maintained with a good win at Horse Race Lane against Lodway, built on a fine 109 from John Bachelor.

[report here?]"

"You've got to make it tough. No freebies ... target him. Break a finger if you want. That'll stop him getting ten wickets"

Nasser Hussain on how to bowl to Muttiah Muralitharan

1st XI: "WIN AGAINST LODWAY
The season's 100% record was maintained with a good win at Horse Race Lane against Lodway, built on a fine 109 from John Bachelor.

[report here?]"

"You've got to make it tough. No freebies ... target him. Break a finger if you want. That'll stop him getting ten wickets"

Nasser Hussain on how to bowl to Muttiah Muralitharan

NOT QUITE THERE AGAINST BISHOPSTON - BUT A GOOD TRY
The 2nd XI went down narrowly against this high flying opposition butthe performance was good enough to have beaten many another side. Mohammed Ahmed was the star with 5 for 40 from 11 overs.

Full scoreboard is at: http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=10231083

"Confidence is very important but it can be knocked out of you - cricket's all about how well you come back"

Sir Viv Richards

Failand punish Cleeve and get season started
Nadeem Ahmed and Jonus Williams pulverised Cleeve’s top order with 4 wickets in rapid succession posting superb figures of 11-3-19-3 and 13-5-25-1 respectively. Nadeem bowled particularly well in the opening opening overs and was just too much for the Cleeve batsmen to handle.

Had catches been taken the opposition could have been out for a score of around 60. Instead Failand took a leaf out of England’s book and contrived to drop everything in sight, that is apart from keeper Ijaz Shafi who scooped three in his trusty mitts.

In fact Ijaz may have been the only man with his eyes still open after the next 20 overs during which 2 Cleeve batsmen blocked everything on the wickets and left everything else in an effort to post a respectable score.

Boring stuff indeed, but it highlighted the gaping one hole in an otherwise top class bowling attack – the lack of a slow bowler. On this showing we need one Bernard Raines bowling soon and speeding through maidens in the middle period of the innings.

The back up bowling was also excellent (Sid Mistry 6-2-17-2, Mohammed Ahmed 10-2-12-1) but the final wickets just would not come and Cleeve finished the innings just 7 down for 119 at quarter to five.

Apart from the tactical disadvantages not having a slow bowler creates, it also means that it takes us a massive amount of time to get through our overs. This in turn gives an advantage to the opposition batsmen who enjoy long breathers while they catch their breath and recompose themselves.

Furthermore, it seems to de-energise our own fielders as we seem to be unable to keep intensity levels up for the whole 45 over period. (It is worth noting that we are yet to take 10 wickets in a match and our fielding falls appart in the last 10.)

Batting second Failand always looked good for what was a well under par score and Alistair McArthur (29) got the innings off to a good start. Although there was a slight wobble at 60 odd for three, Henry Humphreys (25) and George Humphreys (26) battled through some testing swing bowling in helpful conditions to get very close to the target. (George then savagely ran out his elder brother by calling for a suicidal run.) Ultimately we won comfortably and looked to be a superior side playing some good cricket.

However, more runs are needed from the above three and some others if the batting is going to match the quality of the bowling. Victory must be the aim and there is no reason why this team can’t aim to win the league.

Full scorecard at http://fpcc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=10231123

Carsons next week.

2nds crash to Chipping Sodbury in first start

[a report here in a few lines, surely?]

What did these 2nd XI players actually do last year?
Want to know the truth? Then use Marvin's Microscope below. This is the information they tried to ban but read it exclusively here - £50 to anyone who can find it anywhere outside the http://www.cricketclubsbristol.co.uk/ domain.

The truth will out:

2nd XI LEAGUE PERFORMANCES 2005
BATTING
Alistair McArthur 4, 115*, 10, 55, 6, 22, 4, 43* (259 at 43.12)
Lyndon Prendergast 63, 17, 48, 5, 12, 48, 17, 3, 20, 50*, 51*, (344 at 38.22),
Waqas Ahmed 73, 3, 6, 38, 27, 10, (157 at 26.17)
Chris Smith 0, 5, 10*, 1, 7, 55, 48, 29, 26, 21, 20, 21*,(243 at 24.30)
George Humphreys 14, 37, 9*, (59 at 19.67)
Mohammed Ahmed 10, 15, 0, 0*, 13*, 23, 23, 24, 29, (137 at 19.57)
Paul Teasdale 16, 11, 21*, 5, 3* (56 at 18.67)
Arthur Vaughan 15, 22, 29, (56 at 18.67)
Bernard Raines 7, 18, 9, 12, 9, 17*, 11*, 8*, (91 at 18.20)
Henry Humphreys 13, 15*, 0, 29, 4, 3, 13, 17, 24, 28, (146 at 16.22)
Sid Mistry 0*, 3*, 5*, 5, (13 at 13.00)
John Parfitt 18, 2, (20 at 10.00)
Nadeem Ahmed 7, 2, 4, 0, 12*, 0, 29, (54 at 9.00)
Steve Pursey 1, 27, 7, 1, 1, 1*,(38 at 7.60)
Ijaz Shafi 2, 7, 13, 7, 15, 0, 16, 8, 0, (68 at 7.56)
Babar Khan 21, 0, 0, (21 at 7.00)
Dick Whittingon 7, Suneth Jayaskeria 27, Paul Nice 8, Weri Ranasinghe 10, Simon Bachelor 56, Jon Day 1*, 4*, Paul Duffy 17, Jonas Williams 1, 1*, Mark Day 0, 1*, 0, Ayiaz Ahmed 1, Neil Harrison 0, 4, Austen Norris 1, Phil Gay 48, Mark Walker 6, 13, Charlie Walker 5, 6, Tony Bamber 18,

BOWLING
Charlie Walker 9-1-18-3, 4.4-0-36-2, 7-0-25-2, (20.4-1-79-7 at 11.29 econ 3.87)
Waqas Ahmed 9-3-10-4, 5-1-17-1, 6-2-11-3, 7-0-31-3, 11-2-40-3, 9-0-64-1, 9-2-27-2, (56-10-200-17 at 11.76 econ 3.57)
Babar Khan 15-1-59-5, 14-0-45-2, 3-0-12-0, 8-1-27-5, (40-2-143-12=11.91 econ 3.58)
Paul Nice 14.3-1-66-5 at 13.20 econ 4.62)
Jonas Williams 10-1-31-1, 12-6-26-3, (22-7-57-4 at 14.25 econ 2.59)
Nadeem Ahmed 11-1-49-1, 4-0-20-0, 12.5-1-38-6, 7-4-21-3, 6-1-19-0, 11-1-54-2, (51.5-8-201-12), 14-0-58-3, 9-1-43-0, 15-1-34-4, (89.5-10-336-19 at 17.68 econ 3.74)
George Humphreys 11-0-33-2, 12-1-88-3, 8-0-41-3, (31-1-162-8 at 20.25 econ 5.23)
Tony Bamber 12.2-0-30-1, 12-3-32-2, (24.2-3-62-3 at 20.67 econ 2.54)
Bernard Raines 2-0-11-0, 12-0-65-2, 10-0-45-2, 2-0-5-0, 15-1-43-2, 10-0-63-3, 4-0-18-1, 14-3-45-4, (69-4-296-14 at 21.00 econ 4.29)
Paul Teasdale 5-0-21-1 at 21.00 econ 4.25)
Mark Day 8-2-40-1, 11-1-36-1, 13-3-47-0, 6-0-24-0, 11-4-25-5, (49-10-192-7 at 27.43 econ 3.92)
Sid Mistry 4-0-45-1, 2-0-25-0, 1-0-8-0, 9.5-2-44-3, 5-0-16-1, (21.5-2-138-5 at 27.60 econ 6.42)
Bob Andrews 3-0-31-0, 3-0-19-1, 12-0-34-2, 18-0-84-3 at 28.00 econ 4.67)Suneth Jayaskeria 5-0-42-1, 6-2-14-1 (11-2-56-2 at 28.00 econ 5.09)
Mohammed Ahmed 11-1-50-0, 6.1-0-27-1, 8-4-27-1, 12-1-30-1, 4-0-27-1, 4-0-13-0, 5-1-18-1, (50.1-7-192-5 at 38.40 econ 3.83)
Neil Harrison 5-0-27-0, 4-0-29-0, 4-0-21-2, (13-0-77-2 at 38.50 econ 5.92)
Jon Day 7-0-39-1, 2-0-24-0, 9-0-63-1 at 63.00 econ 7.00)
Steve Pursey 7-0-53-0, 1-0-8-0 (8-0-61-0)
Weri Ranasinghe 3-0-18-0, Ayiaz Ahmed 2-0-11-0, Austen Norris 2-0-18-0, Mark Walker 6-0-51-0, 3-0-12-0, (9-0-63-0), Phil Gay 2-0-12-0,

CATCHES
Ijaz Shafi 3 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 (11)
Henry Humphreys 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 (11)
Paul Teasdale 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 (5)
Bernard Raines 2 + 1 + 1 (4)
Dick Whittington 1 + 2 (3)
Sid Mistry 1 + 1 (2)
Chris Smith 1 + 1 (2)
Mohammed Ahmed 1 + 1 (2)
Nadeem Ahmed 2 Phil Gay 2 Waqas Ahmed 1 Arthur Vaughan 1 Suneth Jayaskeria 1 Charlie Walker 1 Mark Day 1 Neil Harrison 1 Jon Day 1 Mark Walker 1

STUMPINGS
Arthur Vaughan 2 Ijaz Ahmed 1

2nd XI Captain’s Report 2005
I said at the beginning of the year that the 2nd Xi would win the B&D Senior Division. Last season I had said that the 2nd Xi would be promoted and, sure enough, we had an extremely successful season culminating in promotion from the league below.

Although my prediction this year did not come true, this season was far from failure. We came 5th out of 10 in the top 2nd Xi league and we were ultimately flanked in the table by some of the biggest clubs in the Bristol area. This is no mean feat as we are a small club with no catchment area, and our first team struggled this year in the league below.

The great shame about this season was that we could have won the league. There’s no point asking “what if”, but, unlike last year, the team never quite gelled as a unit and consequently we struggled to pull together in difficult times on the field.

There were two major reasons for this. Firstly, a small number of the regular players just could not turn up to games in time for the start. I still do not know why this was and I never received a proper explanation.

The second reason for under achievement (perhaps a more understandable one) is that some of the players in the 1st and 2nd team squads seem to have a poor understanding of what it is to play in a team for a season. Inconsistent availability ultimately put pay to any thought of winning the league. Something is going wrong when players turn up at nets for the fist time at the end of May and then go berserk when they are not opening the bowling on the following Saturday.

Notwithstanding these points and the fact that we had few outstanding individuals this season, we generally won our games when 7 or 8 people in the team managed to contribute. Lyndon’s statistics show this to be the case. The exceptions were Alistair McArthur, Chris Smith and Lyndon Prendergast with the bat, and Waquas Ahmed, Nadeem Ahmed and Bernard with the ball.

I will not be continuing as captain next year as I feel that I have given all I can to the team. I have been on selection for 4 years now, 2 as Sunday captain and 2 as 2nd XI captain. A few of you might like to reflect how many players in this year’s 1st XI came through the ranks of the sides I captained.

My only disappointments in that time are the drop in my own form with the bat, and the fact that I was forced to drop Bernard Raines this season when availability was at its peak, a decision made much more painful by the fact that the dropped first teamer who took his place could not be bothered to play properly.

Next year’s captain will have a tough job as this is a very competitive league. The key to success is to keep a core element of around 7, 8 or 9 individuals playing the majority of the games. When things go well it is a great position to hold and, if you are the guy pulling the strings, the upside definitely outweighs the downside. It’s great fun being captain as long as you have a few guys offering you support along the way and I was lucky to have the support of a great vice captain in Bernard Raines.

It is my own view that there is far too much pressure on the captains at this club. I think that we should think very carefully about how to ease this burden. Now is the time to appoint a paid person to look after the club house on Saturdays, run the bar and close up shop when everyone has left. I can hear groans from most of you as I write this, but how many of you are prepared to stay behind every week and close the pavilion? Certainly very few in the 1st and 2nd teams are willing to do this.

I leave you with the transcript of our most famous win last season against the eventual league winners, Chipping Sodbury. If we had played just a few more of our other games with this spirit then I am sure that we would have won the league.

I am confident that the team can continue to perform well next year and there is no reason why another assault on the title cannot be planned and, this time, successfully executed.

Henry Humphreys




FAILAND STORM HOME: Sweet revenge for early season defeat!!
FAILAND & PORTBURY second eleven travelled to top of the table CHIPPING SODBURY and overcame both the elements and the opposition to avenge the early season defeat. In one of their best performances for many years a spectacular finish saw FAILAND come back from the dead to win by two wickets.

It wasn’t long before FAILAND were bowling and fielding in heavy drizzle and with a wet ball, but at least they were playing. With SODBURY reaching 87 for 1 with plenty of overs left a huge total seemed probable. A truly stupendous catch by young HAMED AHMED saw the dismissal of the dangerous M.GRAHAM as FAILAND fought hard to get back into the match.Despite WAQAS grabbing three quick wickets the star of the show was the old warhorse big BERNARD RAINES. In a prolonged spell BERNARD kept one end tied up but amazingly only ended with two for 43 from 15 excellent overs.

The bowling was now of the highest order as FAILAND only conceded 13 runs from the final four overs and this was to prove vital as SODBURY totalled 183 for 7. GEORGE HUMPHREYS did well to well to finish with 2 for 33 despite having to bowl off just a few paces due to the wet conditions.

Typically for a day in July the sun came out while the players were enjoying a sumptuous tea.

FAILAND’S innings started in brilliant sunshine and the drying wicket causing all sorts of problems for the openers. The batsmen struggled to 27 for 1 from 17 overs and any bookie would have given you long odds against a FAILAND victory.

LYNDON PRENDERGAST upped the tempo in this ‘friendly’ league match until controversionally given run out for 48 hard earned runs.Pinch hitter HAMED AHMED was thrown into the mix to crash a mammoth six and three fours in a quick fire 23 as FAILAND fought hard to get back into the match.

Man of the Match BIG BERNIE joined veteran CHRIS SMITH with FAILAND still requiring 44 runs from the final three overs. They chipped away with the former crashing a huge six and four to leave 14 runs required from the final over. FAILAND went one better than the boys at LORDS as CHRIS was caught for 29 off the first ball of the over which brought in the so far run-less NADEEM.

In a dramatic finale a single next ball saw NADEEM on strike and he proceeded to crash the next three balls to the boundary to leave the home side and their cock a hoop supporters somewhat shell shocked as FAILAND cruised home with two wickets and a ball to spare.

Lyndon Prendergast

Hanham youngsters put to the sword.

What a shame we lost the toss.....


The second team game was a much more drab affair than the 1st team humdinger and had a definite end of the season feel about it.

A very poor HANHAM side with a mixture of young and old had huge slices of luck as they scrambled to 135 all out.

Failand took the field with 9 men as our players seem incapable of getting to the ground in time. This has been a major problem all season and its the same players every week. This lets your team mates down and is an unhealthy arogant characterisitc!! Anyway...

NADEEM AHMED bowled with plenty of fire to end with 4 for 34 from his 15 overs. With PAUL TEASDALE absolutely outstanding in the field, the spin twins TONY BAMBER and BOB ANDREWS and 13-year-old CHARLIE WALKER all finished two wickets apiece.

FAILAND got off to a very slow start and soon lost PAUL TEASDALE but skipper HENRY HUMPHREYS joined LYNDON PRENDERGAST to add 62 runs before the former was caught for 28.

LYNDON stroked nine fours in an unbeaten 50 before retiring to rest some aching limbs. CHARLIE WALKER tried to finish the match in a hurry only to be dismissed with a sensational catch.

Veteran CHRIS SMITH has seen it all before as he steered his side to comfortable five-wicket victory with an unbeaten 21.

Hanham is a very nice ground and the 1st Xi should enjoy playing there next year. They also put on the best away tea of the season.

Directions for Hanham:

Abbots Road in Hanham.

Follow the link to Streetmap.co.uk

Or click on the following link:



REMEMBER THAT THE GAME STARTS AT 1.30PM!!! bE THERE BY 1!!!!!

SENSE AND RESPONSIBILITY see Failand to victory.

A strong Failand 2nd XI travelled to Bedminster with the feeling that a victory would keep them safe from relegation. Bedminster elected to bat on a pitch that looked safe enough and not too effected by the morning showers. Technique aside, the openers looked good both reaching 20 before B. Raines removed them both in consecutive overs. Bernard bowled with discipline and patience up the hill completing 10 overs while Nadeem bowled tidily down the hill. A good middle period saw Failand reduce the opposition to 52 for 4, mainly thanks to W. Ahmed who bowled with control and pace taking two important wickets. Drinks were taken at over 30 as G. Humphreys took a wicket with his first ball. He struck again 2 balls later with to put Failand in a strong position going into the last 10. B. Raines came back on to complete his spell picking up 2 more wickets finishing with very good figures. Failand fielded well and held their catches. H. Humphreys and P. Teasdale both taking 2 relatively easy catches, but catches none the less. With 9 wickets down Bedminster reached 188 at the end of the innings, a total that was very gettable in the eyes of our batsmen.

The light was poor and getting worse as A. Vaughan and M. Ahmed walked to the wicket to get the Failand innings under way. Mohamed hit the second and third balls of the innings for four and set us on our way. His pinch hitting style saw him reach 29 of 9 deliveries before he was caught. What followed was 20 overs of consolidation and patience by C. Smith and Arthur. Both were out having attempting to push the run rate up but they had given Failand the platform to take the game. H. Humphreys scored a brisk 24, pushing the scoring rate up, but Failand still needed 5.5 an over entering the last 15. W. Ahmed struck 10 in quick time before being caught in the deep. P. Teasdale and G. Humphreys were brought together needing almost 6 an over from the last 10 overs. Some sensible batting and quick running kept them on course and plenty of extras meant that Failand were almost home. Paul hit Bedminster’s opening bowler for two consecutive boundaries to take Failand to within 1 run. Ironically it was a wide that saw them home in the penultimate over.

Tight bowling and responsible batting gave Failand a deserved victory. Next week we will miss the old yet cool heads of C. Smith and B. Raines who are travelling to Alaska to take part in a bear wrestling competition. Let’s hope the younger members of the side will fill their sizeable shoes.

George Humphreys

Failand miss chances and lose again:

FAILAND & PORTBURY’S second eleven woes with the ball continued at home to runaway leaders BRISTOL PAKISTANIS and despite a spirited batting display the visitors came out on top of a high scoring match.

The FAILAND bowlers felt harshly treated by the umpires as the PAKISTAN batsmen raced along at five runs an over. A massive total looked probable until GEORGE HUMPHREYS and SYD MISTRY put in an excellent spell of bowling mid-innings to bring their side right back into the game.

Two dropped catches were to prove very costly as the last pair put on 46 runs to boost the final total to 292 all out with one ball remaining.

14-year-old SYD MISTRY proved the most economical bowler with 3 for 44 whilst GEORGE HUMPHREYS and NADEEM AHMED both claimed three wickets but at a high cost.

FAILAND lost wickets at regular intervals although LYNDON PRENDERGAST run out for 20 and MOHAMMED AHMED with 23 gave their side some early impetus.

The game looked up at 106 for 5 before a 60 run stand between WAQAS AHMED and GEORGE HUMPHREYS saw FAILAND well up with the run rate.

Two more run outs including NADEEM AHMED with two sixes and three fours in a hard hit 29 sealed FAILAND’S fate as they closed on 236 with seven overs remaining.

With three successive defeats FAILAND will hope for better things when local rivals PORTISHEAD come visiting this Saturday.

Lyndon Prendergast


Guys: A Couple of things.

1) We are still turning up to games too late. You owe it to your team mates to be there by 1.30 at the least and I just can’t understand why people are still arriving so late. In fact I take it personally.
2) We are losing these games in the field. We have to bowl straighter and get through our overs quicker so that we are not all knackered by the last 10.
3) Cricket is a team sport and games are one through collective efforts of the members. When you play you are playing for the team and not for yourself. If we focussed on this a bit more and fought right to the end in the field then we would have won the last three games. We did it with the bat against Chipping Sodbury, but we are failing to keep going for 45 overs with the ball.
4) If we get through the overs quicker and stay switched on then we will win this weekend.

Henry

2nds literally hand victory over to the Phoenix:

FAILAND & PORTBURY second eleven showed an appalling lack of control with the ball led to them snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against bottom of the table PHOENIX WEST INDIANS.

Batting first on a very unreliable surface the FAILAND batsmen fought hard, and took numerous blows to rack up a fine 202 all out.

WAQAS AHMED led the way with a six and five fours in a top score of 38.
He was ably supported by MOHAMMED AHMED with 23, ALISTAIR McARTHUR 22, CHRIS SMITH 21, TONY BAMBER 18 and 35 extras, but nobody could survive for long.

PHOENIX started with a flurry of boundaries before the AHMED brothers made inroads into the innings. Despite the mounting number of extras the home side slumped to 62 for, 100 for 6 and eventually to 142 for 8.

On such a poor surface a FAILAND win looked inevitable but with the bowling all over the place the batmen didn’t have to do anything as the extras continued to flow alarmingly.

With an astonishing 68 extras including 24 byes and 28 wides and 6 no balls being conceded, it was no wonder PHOENIX crept over the line in the last over.

WAQAS was the leading wicket taker grabbing three vital wickets, but until this area of their cricket improves dramatically any future wins will be hard to come by.
Next visitors to FAILAND are table topping BRISTOL PAKISTANIS.

Lyndon Prendergast