CRICKET
Sat 1st XI, Chenies & Latimer, home, 1.30pm start
Sat 2nd XI, Kidmore End II, away, 1.30pm start
Sun 1st XI, Tiddington, away, 1.30pm start
Sun 2nd XI, Chiswick & Latymer II, home, 2pm start

SOFTBALL
Thursday 29th, Thames Valley Outlaws, away, 7pm start

The Saturday 2's finally found themselves having the better of an opposition for the first time in weeks but were still unable to clinch victory despite a quite remarkable start to NPL Teddington's innings. Being put into bat first, Chalfont made steady progress before losing Kevin Braithwaite (22) when the score was on 47. James Mallinder (82no) then joined Simon Seabrook (57) and instantly helped up the tempo of the innings as a partnership of 88 helped lay a good foundation for setting a challenging total. Adil Irfan (17) and Tony Hewston (27no) added further impetus to the scoring and Chalfont finally finished on 224 for 3 off 52 overs for their highest score of the season.

NPL's reply was on the back foot right from the start as Asif Raza took two wickets with the first two balls of the innings followed by another with the fourth ball! When Raza took another wicket over, the visitors found themselves scoreless for the loss 4 wickets off 3 overs! Matters could have been even worse as the first of four dropped chances went to ground in the 6th over. The 5th wicket did fall when Raza produced the magic again in the 15th over. A stubborn 6th wicket partnership held Chalfont at bay for 24 overs despite several bowling changes. Raza made the breakthrough and soon followed it up with another wicket but NPL frustratingly held out for a draw to finish on 129 for 7. Raza finished with superb figures of 19-12-33-7.

Chalfont Park Phoenix have taken their league record to 9 wins from 10 games with victories away to Waifs and Strays last week and a huge win in a top of the table clash with Thames Valley Outlaws last night.

Down by 3 after two innings against the Outlaws, the Phoenix started to claw themselves back into the game with some excellent defensive work twice shutting out the opposition and some excellent base hitting and then a home run by Mark Wardman. However seven runs in the last two innings saw the Outlaws four runs ahead going into the bottom of the seventh. A walk by Lovelace and then a homer from Paine closed the gap to one run, base hits from Wardman and Sternick meant that we had the winning runs on base and it was then left to Tony Hewston to hit the winning runs in.

A big victory with the return match this coming Thursday.

HAWAIIAN XMAS AT CPSA

Takes place at the club from 7pm on Saturday 24th July. There will be food, sand, numerous cocktails and dancing. Tickets are £5 and include food. They are available now from behind the bar at the club or call Caroline on 07887 675310 or email carolinechipperfield@
hotmail.com.

Ah the sound of a madman on the phone on Sunday afternoon. It must be the 2XI begging for more players since theirs have been told there is no game. Eventually Phil Noot, Matt Woods and a reluctant Bubloo were coerced into playing.
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And so it was that the jolly team drove jauntily down the big, wide road to Braywood.

"What a lovely ground," they said to each other.

"And it has a bar," said another.

"It's closed!" wailed Alky Malky.

"Hello skipper," said back-to-back winning skipper Bucket Hands who has been too lazy/drunk/ill to file reports.

"Oh hello," replied a portly old gent, Bucket Hands thinking 'this is a good sign'. "We're quite strong today. Our first team doesn't have a game, so we have a few of them playing."

Bucket Hand's face fell so far a shovel was needed by the little pixies to pick it up again.

"That's fine," he replied, "our ones don't have a game either. You can find them in Chalfont having a net."

"No, no, no," the portly one insisted, "we'll make a game of it."

And so they did, by bringing out their finest batsmen and putting Chalfont merrily to the sword by making 295-6 before declaring. Bowling figures would usually follow here, but unfortunately the little goblin used to do the scoring for Braywood got his little wires crossed. All we know for certain is that Rainman bowled a double wicket maiden and some Braywood batsmen got all uppity with the nice Mister Umpire who gave two LBWs. Even The Arm took a wicket in his one over.

"This is jolly," said the opposition.

"Isn't it?" said no-one.

Dressed all in their fluffiest whites, the 2XI went out to bat, only to return at quick, regular intervals. Rainman run out by RT Noot, RT Noot run out by Bucket Hands.

But, oh dear, oh dear. Chalfont looked like they might get a draw if they hung round for another 19 overs Mr Opposition Captain! Whatever shall they do?

Oh what a lovely idea, bring on one of your first eleven to bowl at the tail.

94 all out, a mere 201 behind.

"What a good game," said one of the Braying-wood.

"**** off *******," said someone sotto voce.

And they all got back in their cars and drove home to have beer without stopping to improve the coffers of Braywood.

THE END

Chalfont were the visitors to Stoke Green this week for an important fixture with the home side in 4th place and Chalfont close behind in 5th place. Points are becoming crucial at this stage of the season in a very tight league.

Chalfont won the toss and elected to bat first on a green wicket. Either through lack of bowling options or general cunning Stoke Green started the innings with 2 spinners using the new ball. The Chalfont top order strode out to the wicket in positive mood, unfortunately they forgot to take their bats with them, and at 40 for 5 the game looked over. Raff Moughal came to the rescue with an excellent innings of 43, well supported by Rahul Punj (31) and Saqib Ahmed (18) to bring respectability to a final total of 160 (46 overs). Generally though it was a bad day for the batsmen with a below par total to defend.

Tea - peanuts.

It didn't get much better after tea. One of their overseas players, hang on I thought you were only allowed one, smoted 96. I dropped him when he had 15 (well done). Game over - 162 for 2 (30 overs).

Enough said.

Chalfont 7 points. Stoke Green 20 points.