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Newlands 2nds v Chigwell and Hainault
35 over Maccabi League Sunday 25 August 2002

Newlands 2nds 234 for 7 (35 overs)
Chigwell and Hainault 177 all out (33.4 overs)

Newlands 2nds won by 57 runs

Newlands' Derrick Sheldon and Dan Kritzas took the starring roles as their side ensured that Chigwell and Hainault's Division 3 title ambitions were left as a distant dream. The duo dominated their side's batting and bowling performance in sunny conditions in Edwarebury Park, and saw their home by a comfortable margin.

Newlands won the toss and elected to bat on an easy paced wicket which demonstrated some occasional erratic bounce. Kravetz (10) and Sheldon's 50 partnership provided a solid foundation for the innings and following Kravetz's dismissal Julian Wood (21) came to the wicket to compound Chigwell's agony with some lusty blows. Then Sheldon was joined by Kritzas at around the time Chigwell's shortage of one bowler for this match became evident. Kritzas particularly took advantage of this and hit a rapid 47 runs including 2 sixes. However Sheldon was out next having compiled 76 runs and, as it turned out, he created an unassailable position for his side. Watts came and went, for 10 runs, and then Benny Wolpe came to the wicket and continued in the style of his hard-hitting team mates with a rapid 31 runs including one six. Relief only came for Chigwell with the expiry of the 35 overs and the 234 runs always appeared an unlikely target.

Chigwell's bowling figures were never going to look hugely impressive in the face of this onslaught and in overall terms the four mainstream bowlers did well with Danny Myers the least expensive off a full spell, taking 1 for 32, his 20th wicket of the season. Stuart Kaye (1 for 34) bowled to similar effect and Richard Allen (1 for 41) and Kevin Sinclair (1 for 46) provided a good first change attack although both came in for some punishment from Newlands' match-winning duo. Unfortunately it was the trio making up the 'fifth' bowler that came in for most punishment as they conceded 77 runs from the combined 7 overs, although Howard Berlin (2 for 37) and Elliott Solarz (1 for 22) both took wickets as Chigwell's catching skills, which had let them down earlier in the innings, returned later on.

Chigwell, already under pressure from the large total, started poorly and quickly lost Gold, Engelsman and Danny Myers. Thus, at 6 for 3, Richard Allen and Kevin Sinclair came together for what became an impressive 85 run partnership. Although the scoring was always behind the required rate, it did improve as the partnership went on and while they stayed together there was a glimmer of hope. But Allen (39) was stumped going down the wicket to R. Reiff, and his replacement Solarz (6) was out shortly afterwards. Michael Carson came in to partner Sinclair and hopes were raised again as Carson struck 5 boundaries in his innings of 36. Sinclair (38) was next out, finding the fielder yet again on what had been a frustrating afternoon for him in that regard. Although Carson powered on until last out, supported by the tail-enders, it was never enough and Chigwell's innings ended some 57 runs short of victory, and their title hopes ended too.

As alluded to earlier, Newlands' bowling was again the preserve of Sheldon and Kritzas, both taking four wickets apiece. Sheldon conceded just 18 runs from his spell, and Kritzas was only marginally behind in conceding 24. R. Reiff (1 for 32) and B. Wolpe (1 for 27) were also wicket takers but in the main it was a two-man show as it had been for much of the afternoon.

So the winter beckons with both teams taking solace from their seasons, ending 2nd and 3rd in the third division of the Maccabi League, and no doubt looking forward to their meetings again next year, and for two players above all the others this will be a day to remember as winter draws in.