A great tea later, Tim Keleher and Neeraj made a circumspect start, but with score on 8 both fell to tentative shots. Big brother Jamie and the sprightly Rohan Ghosh had no such inhibitions, cracking 94 in 16 overs and scattering the field to all corners. When Rohan was bowled, Ledger made his brief one ball appearance and Marshall did a ‘four and out’ job. Suddenly we were 110/5. Into this supposed ‘crisis’ strides Darren (Doctor Cool) Cotterell. He calmly presses the accelerator and with Jamie finishes off the match 9 overs later. Darren lit up the late September gloom with nine blistering boundaries on his way to an unbeaten 30 ball innings of 46.

Jamie, however, won the greatest applause on return to the pavilion, unbeaten on 64. But it was more the acknowledgement of a fine season with the bat, for a record 1097 runs, and how they were made - 3 consecutive hundreds and 7 fifties, for a record 162 fours, for his electric fielding. But most of all, for the sheer spirit and enjoyment with which he played that rubbed off on all his team-mates. A true hero and deserved Cricketer of the Year.

Jon Pickles took two quick wickets with the new ball, but Hogben and Hargroves put together 50 in good time and were just beginning to look dangerous when Sumaer Amar bowled Hargroves for 34. With Matt and Neeraj also starring with the ball, claiming two wickets apiece, Hogben’s continuing resistance ultimately proved futile as Weekenders were all out with four overs remaining.

Left with only 31 overs to bat and with the light fading, skipper Keleher, David Behar and Nayar led the charge. At 146/3 in the 29th over, requiring just 6 to win, the game appeared to be in the bag. But collapses are also a KCC speciality. Stringer couldn’t believe his luck as wickets tumbled to him as hurried batsmen hastened to the crease unaccustomed to the gloom. It was left to last man Jason Moores, coming in with 2 to win off the final ball, to stoutly defend and eschew any risk of an unthinkable defeat. (Scribbled in our scorebook was “We are sincerely sorry. Please come back again”. Of course we will, Alleyn. One innings slow does not a fixture lose!)

Then high drama followed. Kacper and Darraji bowled with fire to reduce Hawley to 22/5. Tea was taken at 37/5 with Paul returning figures of 4/14 off his 10 overs. We were going to win this one easily, we thought. But, as so often happens, this proved a false dawn. Hawley’s secret weapon came into play – the irresistible strawberry cream scones and chocolate cakes! This is not to detract from the magnificent fight-back by Graham Freakes and Sam Bendall who battered the now bedraggled bowling and fielding in a 157 match-winning stand. It was fitting that Graham got to his hundred with an enormous straight six and so finish the match.

The evening party was splendid and lots of money raised for Cancer Research. The sumptuousness of the Indian banquet prepared by Tom Clay continues to amaze.

Despite a strong batting line up on paper, KCC never got going. Gore held up an end while Matten (1), Parthasarathi (20) and Marshall (0, out shouldering arms to his first ball from Amir) each disappointed. Elias provided the only firm resistance with a strong hitting 43 from just 45 balls faced but Amir and Davidson cleaned up the tail to lead Deutsche to a comfortable 53 run victory. Next year, next year.

Kensington fared no better. We started well enough despite the loss of two early wickets, with Neeraj playing himself in. Skipper Nath at no. 4 (his customary position when captain) needlessly ran out Neeraj; then watched helplessly as wickets tumbled at the other end. 32/6, soon became 35/8. Boe Pahari, for some unknown reason at no.10, battled for 15 overs to stave off defeat but ran out of partners.

We started disastrously, losing four wickets with just 32 on the board, including those of guest Shiv Datt who looked promising, and Matt for a duck. Worse was to follow as Kensington quickly subsided to 84/8 and another 17 overs still to play. But Elias, batting at no.10, brought a measure of respectability to the innings. He powered his way to a quick 59 in just 66 balls, including 12 fours, a new record score for that batting position. Kacper needed to face only 6 balls in support during an exhilarating 54 run last-wicket stand, which, tantalisingly, ended 19 balls from safety when Elias holed out at deep fine leg. Beaten, but unbowed as Kensington spirits were lifted.

Our reply started brilliantly, Ledger and Ghosh putting on 99 in 16 overs for the 1st wicket. Rohan carved 14 fours in his 61 from just 51 balls. Keleher kept up the pace with 77 from 54 balls including a hooked six after daring a hot-headed Dowler to drop another ball half way down if he fancied to! But 3 wickets to the leg-spinner P.Drake made our chase more desperate. Despite a workmanlike 28 from Nayar and a clubbing 25 from Jimpy, the run rate edged further away. Foster provided the coup de grace with 3 wickets in 5 balls and Lucy was run out to finish the game.

John Sears and Bill Bowry shared a fine opening stand of 96. When both were out within an over of each other we needed to score at little over 5 an over. But Vinoo took 13 balls to get off the mark and when he was bowled for 6 we needed 6.6 an over in the last ten. Jai was runout in a horrible mix-up with San and Shray got a first-baller. San slogged (!) his way to a quick-fire 33 and Boe chipped in with a run-a-ball 20. But we fell short by 7 runs in a very exciting finish.

The chase began badly as Bowry fell early. But Rohan Ghosh (who had put in a “sickie” to play in this mid-week game) and Jamie Keleher kept the run rate ticking over. Rohan began to find his feet and started to dominate the bowling. With support from Keleher and then Ledger, he elegantly stroked his way past his fifty and when Ledger departed at 189/3 we required 32 in 6 overs to complete a great chase. Ghosh, on 91, first reached his hundred (made in 79 balls faced) with a pulled four, and then guided KCC to victory with 2 balls to spare. His unbeaten 117 was paced beautifully and was laced with 16 wristy fours and two well-timed sixes (one off Jawed). The best innings of the year and a great win.

B.Windus opened the bowling with Hurst, the former particularly frugal, two spells returning no wickets but 11 overs bowled for just 7 runs. David Behar compiled a patient 31 but Bowry (12) and frequent flyer Ravi Mantha (3) failed at the top. Marshall spanked a quick 37, including a six over the hedge and onto the A3 somewhere, but couldn’t keep it going. Gore slow off the blocks was run out, Nayar stumped off a heave, and suddenly it was down to Ledger to marshall the tail for the 101 runs still required. Rangam thrashed a quick 16 and out, and we were still in with a shout. And then, despite 200 years or so of cricketing experience between them, Blumberg and Ledger contrived to be at the same end at the same time. Michael was not in a sacrificing mood so Ledger had to go, and with him any hope of victory. The attempted draw fared no better and Merrow won by 30 runs with 5 overs remaining.

An outstanding performance in the field put KCC on top with Old Actonians collapsing to 128/6 with 15 overs remaining. But a seventh wicket stand of 69 put OA back on top needing only 11 runs off the last 2 overs with opener Ali still at the crease. A tight over from Elias Hussain left OA needing 7 off the last over. Behar was called upon and cometh the hour cometh the man. With his second ball Behar had opener Ali (going for a six) stumped for an outstanding 101. Two balls later Moores took a brilliant running outfield catch to leave OA no chance as Behar conceded only 1 run in that final over to cap off a great team effort.

To defend this small total KCC had to bowl well and indeed hopes were raised when Sunil Amar and Omer Khan both struck with the score a mere 10. Kane and Pearce then set about the bowling adding a quick 80 runs before Jai Singh removed Kane. However, a well set Pearce then let fly with a flurry of boundaries ending just 6 short of his century as Royal Household won comfortably with 8 overs to spare. The wonder of it all, in retrospect, was why Omer (8-4-19-1) was never brought back into the attack.

Old Redingensians were never in the hunt, but they made a decent attempt to get the runs with first Grimsdale and then Camidge batting fluently. But the wicket remained a batting paradise and the home team comfortably drew the match.

The Pelicans were never in the hunt despite a heroic effort from opener Nicholls who single-handedly laid into the Kensington attack. But there was little support at the other end and wickets fell at regular intervals. Still, with rain clouds looming, there was every chance a KCC victory would be thwarted. The local custom for the umpire to suspend play whenever a train rumbled past added to the frustration (“Can’t hear the snick, yer see”). Then the unfortunate Brendan Ryan fell heavily whilst fielding and dislocated a shoulder. However, the Pelican sub very gallantly and very splendidly caught Nicholls off Elias. Neeraj soon polished off the tail to complete a win well in time for us to have an extra few pints at the Nags Head.

A bright start by Tim Keleher (the newly-arrived Aussie brother of Jamie) and David Behar had 47 on the board in 10 overs and all seemed well. But, as is often the case, the middle order suddenly caved in – Jamie, Jimpy, John B and Farrukh lost their wickets cheaply. Only Ed Rees tried to arrest the slide hitting two sixes in the process. Matt remained undefeated at the end contemplating what might have been if only we had those two extra players to support him!

Windsor Great Park were never in the hunt as all the KCC bowlers contributed to bowl them out for 125. Farrukh Hasan and Jai Singh were the pick of the bowlers as a great team effort took KCC to a 123 run victory in what is one of the best fixtures of the season at this picturesque ground. As usual, all players enjoyed the after-match BBQ in a game that is always played in a good spirit.

On a day that was interrupted by intermittent rain we were very lucky to even have a game and it was a good toss to win. All credit to Dr Geoff Parks their captain who agreed to continue playing in the drizzle. Neeraj Nayar and Ram Vajpeyi put on 68 for the first wicket. Neeraj and David Rees then fell in successive overs. Waqar Siraj’s arrival heralded a run-spree; he raced to his 50 in 46 balls, with Ram in solid support. But we then lost 45 minutes to rain and, on resumption, another 10 minutes looking for the ball in the bushes. The urgency for quick runs became paramount and Waqar made up lost time with many well-timed 4’s and 6’s. On Ram’s dismissal, the declaration was imminent as skipper Sunil Amar was keen to give JCHT enough time to go for the runs. Waqar continued to whack.

And in all this excitement Sunil forgot to check the scorebook to see how much Waqar was on (claims he did look but Waqar’s score was not added up!). At 5.04 pm Sunil declared the innings and led the applause for the returning batsmen. Young Shray, a lover of statistics, went to audit the scorebook and, with horror, shouted “Dad, do you know what you have done!” Dad – No! Shray: “You declared when Waqar was on 98 not out.” Dad: “Oops! Sorry Waqar, how can I make it up to you, thank goodness you don’t drink, otherwise I would be bankrupt.” Humble pie, Sunil. Humble pie!

For the record: This was Waqar’s highest score – ever. i.e. he has never scored a century. (Fortunately, says Sunil deepening the hole he was already in, Waqs is young and ambitious and there are at least 25 games to go and several seasons ahead to achieve this feat!) Oh, the match itself petered out to a draw as openers Eames and Parks easily put on 96 before both fell, leaving not enough overs to bowl out the rest.

A fiery opening spell downwind from Ed Rees gave KCC a chance of knocking off the wickets but a heavy downpour put an end to the match with KCC well on top as North Holmwood were left cold and wet on 69/4.

With only 140 to win, the Acorns made a comfortable start, J.Raveney and Thompson putting on 90 for the first wicket in 20 overs. Matt bowled Thompson but Raveney was retired on reaching fifty so as to give others a chance to feast! Jason managed a consolation wicket before the winning run. The rain, ever threatening, finally descended but not until we were in the pub!

We had to get off to a good start if we were to chase at 6 an over. In the event Ghosh was out first ball and then Nath dug in as if his life depended on it. As a result when he was out at 62 some 18 overs had been bowled rendering a run chase academic (180 off 21). Singh fell for 40 and Ledger for 45 including two huge sixes while the rest just laid down their bats in awe of the veteran left arm spinner Hatch who finished with figures of 13-2-47-6, 8 runs of which were struck by Blumberg in the last over. We had saved the match but with little honour.

Perhaps he was right as, after tea, the wicket continued to play well. Jon Pickles apart (he took his customary two early wickets), the rest of the bowlers dished out “hit me” stuff, to which of course T.Walder and Grimsdale duly obliged. A good catch by Jason off Vivek Rattan ended the partnership and a couple of gifted runouts swung the match back. When T.Walder departed, well caught at slip by Jai, A.Walder (his brother?) took up the sword and smote mightily. But there was too much to do and when he was bowled by a Pickles in-ducker the tail was exposed. We scented victory, denied as the overs ran out.

The Kensington batting was a sad story to relate, unless you are addicted to tales of horror! Hassan chose to attack the first ball he faced off the spinner Schofield and was stumped by yards. Matt got an early nick to slips, Sarwar, Amit Patel and San were clueless against some flighted spin. Dougie tried to blast his way out of trouble, only to be caught in the deep. 60/6 and nowhere to hide from the embarrassment! John Behar and Elias struck a few defiant blows but the end came swiftly.

KCC reached 40 at tea having lost Nath for a duck. Marshall and Bowry proceeded cautiously to post a fifty partnership, but with the score on 61 both were dismissed, followed almost immediately by out-of-form Gore. Jai and Hassan repaired the damage somewhat. Then a loose shot by Hassan and a senseless call from Waqar which left Jai stranded in mid-pitch brought an abrupt halt to KCC ambitions. Waqar and Doug were bowled in the same over, and Elias soon got his pads in front of a straight one. John B and last man Jason negotiated six overs to save the game.

We got off to an awful start losing our top 3 batsmen with only 30 on the board. A middle order comeback from Nayar and Siraj was not enough as KCC ended their innings on 201/9 as Mark Jefferson was unable to bat. Poor fellow, he had earlier been felled, whilst bowling, by a vicious Taylor drive that almost blew his head off. We really thought we had a serious injury on our hands as Mark was rushed to hospital. Fortunately, no lasting damage and Mark is right as rain. In future, Mark, please wear a helmet when you bowl!

Despite an impressive knock from newcomer Steve McLean and some gritty determination from Sachin Date and the Mighty Wah after the big guns had contrived to get out cheaply, KCC were never sufficiently up with the required run rate to chase down the target. It was left to Elias (18) to take some revenge for the damage done to his statistics earlier in the day by clubbing a few boundaries towards the end, but by then it was sadly a case of saving face.

The Pilgrims made slow progress as Farrukh Hasan and John Sears gave nothing away. Tea was taken after 18 overs with the score 44/1, Farrukh’s six overs costing a mere 10 runs. But Buckland continued steadfast putting on 53 for the third wicket with Stevens. With 20 overs left the Pilgrims required 91 to win with 8 wickets in hand. San then turned to Matt and Jai to check the scoring and each responded with a wicket in successive overs. The turning point came when Buckland was needlessly runout by a fine throw-in by Marshall. Pilgrims were now on the back foot as they slumped to 161/8 with still 4 overs to go. No alarms though as they safely secured the draw. Honours were deservedly shared at the end – particularly in the bar.

Happily, with a point to prove, KCC performed much better in the field. Tight bowling from John Behar and Sarwar Chowdari, in particular, made it difficult for Churchill’s batsmen, whilst sharp KCC fielding helped to keep up the pressure. New recruit William Bowry was especially outstanding, catching three out of Churchill’s top four batsmen; one left the field shaking his head in disbelief when his bludgeoning pull shot was outrageously caught at (very) short midwicket. Bizarrely, as wickets continued to fall, Churchill’s innings became an almost identical replica of KCC’s: although one batsman scored a well-made 65, the next highest score was just 13. When Churchill’s number 11 came out to bat with 13 still needed, KCC were confident of pulling off a great escape. Calm, cool-headed batting, however, saw Churchill home to an exciting last gasp victory.

KCC reply stuttered from the beginning. In the second over Nayar was cruelly runout at the non-striker’s end off a fierce Marshall straight drive that tipped the bowler’s fingers en route to the stumps. Although Matt provided impetus to the innings all the others became bogged down against the tight bowling of Jason Gymer and Roger Clarke. The required run rate kept rising as each batsman contrived to get out in an undignified way! Despite a few lusty swishes by Elias at the death KCC surrendered meekly with 12 overs still left.

A traditional shaky start from KCC left the game in the balance at 54/3 but Keleher and Cotterell put on an unbroken stand of 95 to ease KCC to their first victory of the season with 17 overs to spare.

In reply, Richmond’s run-rate was kept in check by a great spell of opening bowling from Aussies Paul Kacper and new recruit John Sears. However, when the final 20 overs started, Richmond were still strong favourites, with less than 100 to score, and 8 wickets in hand. Change bowlers Sunil Amar, Michael Blumberg, and Omar Khan, kept up the good work, but even so with 3 overs to go Richmond needed only 14 more runs, with their opening batsman still at the crease on 99 not out. Looking for a quick single for his century, however, he was controversially adjudged run out by a superb direct hit by Paul Kacper, and suddenly it looked as if KCC might yet save the game. Six were needed off the final over. Despite KCC’s best efforts, Richmond got home with two balls to spare.

The Checkendon batsmen struggled against some accurate pace from Paul Kacper and Jai Singh, the latter being near unplayable taking out 3 top order batsmen at a cost of 5 runs. But it was Jason Moores with his dibbly-dobblies that undid the middle order in a fine six over spell. At 77/7 Checkendon sought a draw and were well on their way to achieving this until the untried Hassan was called upon. KCC discovered a bowler as Hassan ripped out the middle stump with a magnificent in-swinger. A stubborn ninth wicket stand led by David Manning took Checkendon within six overs to safety. But then San unleashed KCC’s secret weapon – Vinoo’s high-tossed donkey-drops! Manning blocked/padded/left the first five invitations to smash the ball out of sight, but could not resist the last as he swung mightily, and missed. The ball landed on his toe, directly in front of the stumps! Umpire Kannan had no hesitation in raising his finger. Kacper cleaned up the last wicket next over to secure a comfortable victory.

Chris Ledger (tour manager), Sunil Amar, Michael Blumberg,, Sarwar Chowdari, Rohan Ghosh, San Gore, Farrukh Hasan, Elias Hussain, Jamie Keleher, Ravi Mantha, Kavitha Mantha (scorer), Neeraj Nayar and Ravi Kannan (umpire).

We only barely made an eleven, and were nine players for our first match played against the XL Club of Spain. Jamie hit a terrific 81 ably supported by Chris (41). The Mighty Wah weighed in with 26 at the end to set up a target of 205. But such was our woeful fielding (Jamie excepted as he hared around everywhere) we lost by 7 wickets and 6 overs to go.