Aythorpe win the 2011/12 Indoor League and gain promotion
Apr 24th
With 1467 runs Aythorpe really set the standards for this season’s indoor league. The squad of 7 main players which consistently made a team mixed with players of teenaged years and early 30’s made the perfect combination.
After early games it soon became clear that the Gravatt/Giggs partnership opening the batting was always a match winning one, 6 consecutive retirements from Milbank, these two have made 600 runs between them.
The mid order of Blackman and Clarke always entertained with Blackman usually running someone out and Clarke retiring in one over which is also adds to the record books being the quickest retirement since records began.
A lower order of Hyams, Gravatt and Ford often had the luxury of having retired men on the balcony meant they had to sacrifice their wickets most weeks and they showed their maturity by doing this without complaint. Although Sam Gravatt did feature as an opener for a few games scoring well before his Dad stole the spot back off him.
Aythorpe batted first all weeks apart from the first and won a few games by a hundred runs. With the ball Andy Clarke bowled 3 untouchable overs each week without fail. At the other end, Ford was bowling tight overs himself.
The first 6 overs usually left the opposition needing too many from the last 6. So Milbank, Blackman and the Gravatt’s got all the wickets bowling the final 6 most games. Paul Gravatt enjoyed mopping up a few tails and managed two hat trick balls over the season. Rob Hyams wore the gloves and kept well putting pressure on batsmen when needed.
So a great season for Aythorpe with some memorable performances from everyone and season which sees them win their Division and gain promotion for next season.
The averages were:
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Average | |
| Clarke | 23 | 113 | 4 | 4.9 | 28.25 | |
| Milbank | 24.2 | 166 | 12 | 6.82 | 13.83 | |
| Ford | 30 | 231 | 5 | 7.7 | 46.2 | |
| Blackman | 18.5 | 1 | 157 | 7 | 8.35 | 22.42 |
| Gravatt P | 9.2 | 89 | 6 | 9.53 | 14.8 | |
| Hyams | 5.1 | 52 | 1 | 10.1 | 52 | |
| Gravatt S | 22.2 | 260 | 11 | 11.64 | 23.63 |
| Innings’ | Runs | Not outs | Average | Highest score | |
| Gravatt P | 11 | 302 | 4 | 43.14 | 54* |
| Milbank | 10 | 298 | 3 | 42.57 | 55* |
| Blackman | 13 | 351 | 3 | 35.1 | 47* |
| Clarke | 10 | 198 | 3 | 28.28 | 48* |
| Gravatt S | 10 | 122 | 2 | 15.25 | 39* |
| Hyams | 8 | 78 | 1 | 9.75 | 24 |
| Ford | 11 | 53 | 4.8 | 13 |
| Catches | Stumpings | |
| Hyams | 6 | 2 |
| Blackman | 6 | 1 |
| Milbank | 6 | |
| Clarke | 6 | |
| Gravatt P | 4 | |
| Gravatt S | 2 | |
| Ford | 1 |
RACE NIGHT – 5th May 2012 – 7.30pm in the Pavilion
Mar 31st
Timings: 7.30pm for a 8.00 pm start
Price: Free entry but if you want food (fish/sausage and chips) pay for it on the night
Venue: Aythorpe Roding Cricket Club
As ever your support would be greatly appreciated and we look forward to seeing you there.
Please could you email Liam Rosewell on sueliamrosewell@hotmail.com or mail him at 17 Fitzwalter Road, Little Dunmow, Essex to book your place as soon as possible.
ARCC bag another win against OCs – 26/2/2012
Feb 27th
Batting first for a record 11th consecutive game Aythorpe set a new record. Playing bottom of the table Old Chelmsfordians meant ARCC had nothing to fear. However when Milbank was uncharacteristically caught out in the first over things weren’t going to plan. So the script was set for Blackers to come in and rescue the innings. However he read the script like a blind man and just batted a shed load of dot balls. At the metaphorical other end Gratty was going well and declared.This brought Sam Gravatt down the stairs and was looking good.
Back to the game and the captains running did not improve but this time ran himself out. With the score on just 53 this left Ford and Hyams with a mountain to climb.
OCs could sniff an upset and were bowling well.
With less than 2 overs to go Aythorpe needed PG back in. Ford unselfishly ran himself out to bring the two quickest men in Aythorpe together for a final over finale. This was great to watch with unprecedented running with a third run attempted off the last ball. Gravatt finished on a good 32 and Hyams’ 21not out.
Giggs struck in the first over with a stunning caught and bowled which he had no right to take.
Ford then showed how much he has matured as a bowler this year with a great second over going for just 5 runs.
Milbank struck again in the third over finding a thick edge which was a difficult catch for Hyams but he took it well.
Ford’s second started well but a 6 meant he had to come off.
Giggs finished his spell with great figures of 2-12.
The two Sam’s were on and Sam jnr was unlucky to get taken off after two. The batsmen were gambling though with big swings and it seemed the luck was against the youngster today.
A good catch snapped up (literally – he did croc it) by Gravatt snr rewarded Blackman with a wicket in his third to give him a career best of 1-12.
OCs needed 30+ from the last 2 overs and Paul G took the penultimate one. OCs managed to run a 2. 3 dot balls though meant they needed 22 off the last over. So as long as AJ could bowl 6 balls that weren’t wides or no balls it would be near impossible for the KEGS old boys.
He showed his maturity though bowling 6 solid balls which were too good to go for any boundaries so the battle was won.
The win means that Aythorpe need just 4 more points to be crowned champions. Better still if Writtle lose next week they would be champions without even playing which would be the height of irony.
P Gravatt 32
G Milbank 2 for 12
ARCC unbeaten run continues against Tillingham – 15/1/12
Jan 31st
The toss was lost and Aythorpe were inserted by Tillingham. Gravatt and Bridger opened the innings, PG tried to land the ball into the viewing gallery and the ball dropped down to square leg who licked his lips and took the catch. Soon after Bridger paid the price too after forgetting how cold that ball still was and was caught. This joined Clarke and Blackman together and AC was determined to add another theory about the cold ball. The theory that if you just smack it the temperature has no influence. And with his first two balls going for 6 this seems a fair point. The pair soon retired with Blackers using the side walls and Clarkie carrying on his fine form from last week with another flurry of boundaries. Clarke did what he could in the last to finish on a smart 51not out.
Tillingham had a target of 133 and Blackers made ARCC history being the first ever player to bowl a wicket maiden indoors for them. No one has even bowled a maiden yet so for him to bowl a wicket maiden was quite incredible. An impressive over with some balls beating both the bat and the gloves.
Ford then struck in his second over with a smart catch from Matt Bridger behind the stumps. Another impressive spell from Ford who thrived on the chance to open the bowling. AJ finished with impressive figures of 1-16 and is becoming a hard man to get off that mat.
Then the ball was thrown to Paul Gravatt who was on a hat trick. Unfortunately an inside edge foiled the hat trick. He was determined to get another go though and a few balls later he struck again hitting middle stump. And number 6 had no chance with Gravatt in the sort of mood that he was, wanting to prove all critics that last week was not lucky. So 6 was bowled too to give him a second chance of a hat trick.
A very close run out finished the match with a lightning throw from man of the moment Andy Clarke. Unfortunately this on top of a great innings of 51 not out was not enough to get man of the match again. Tillingham finished on 85.
- A Clarke 51 no
- S Blackman 38
- P Gravatt 2 for 15
- S Blackman 2 for 23
Winter Nets 2012
Jan 10th
Indoor nets have now started at Writtle Cricket Centre, they are every Monday evening between 8 & 9, until the 2nd of April, cost £5. If you wish to attend contact Gratty on 07860 780770.
Indoor League – ARCC Batting Stats to date 21/12/11
Dec 21st
Batting:
Giggsy: 5 innings, 180 runs, 3 not outs; average of 90, highest score 55*
Paul Gravatt: 6 innings, 166 runs (is this more than outdoors?), 4 not outs; average 83, highest score 54*
Blackers: 7 innings, 155 runs, 3 not outs; average 38.75, highest score 32
S Gravatt: 6 innings, 97 runs, 2 not outs; average 24.25, highest score 43*
A Clarke: 6 innings, 1 didn’t get to riverside in time to bat so that’s going down as a nought!, 82 runs, 1 not out; average 13.6, highest score 48*
R Hyams: 4 innings, 44 runs; average 11, highest score 24
ARCC triumph against Springfield again – 4/12/11
Dec 17th
Another toss won meant that ARCC could once again bat first. Clarke improved his lateness to be there in time to bat number 3 this week.
Gravatt senior took his place back as opener to teach his son a tough lesson.
Giggs still can’t stop scoring with three 6’s this week.
Paul Gravatt showed more 3’s than a tricycle shop in his innings to end up on a career best of 54 not out.
Impressive sportsmanship from Sam G though who walked instantly after the faintest of nicks that definitely would not have been seen by the umpires.
AJ Ford used his opportunity to bat some overs in there well and played some nice shots which will give him confidence for future weeks.
Soon Gravatt and Giggs were reunited and with slick batting in the last 3 overs took Aythorpe up to 152.
A great first over from AJ going for just 3 made it impossible for Springfield to get anywhere near the target. Giggsy at the other end was turning it too much for the Boswell boys and was unlucky to just take 1 wicket which was a thanks to a smart catch including a good call from A Clarke.
Springfield finished with 2 wickets in hand. Clarke and AJ were unlucky not to strike and Sam Gravatt was victim of his captain experimenting. 2 good run outs at the bowlers end made it 3 and Paul Gravatt showed that a long hop is not always a bad ball by bowling 3 or 4 on the trot and picking up a wicket from the final one.
With another great innings and the best bowling figures Giggs can only blame the umpire for him not securing a hat trick of man of the match awards.
For a classy knock of 54 unbeaten Paul Gravatt takes the metaphorical champagne this week.
P Gravatt 54 no, G Milbank 42
ARCC vanquish Old Chelmsfordians 27/11/11
Dec 1st
Old Chelmsfordians decided to bowl first after winning the toss.
The main men of previous games Sam Gravatt and Giggsy Milbank took to the stage and Sam G was looking good but unlucky to get a good yorker which he failed to spot and paid the price for being too aggressive and learned how cruel mistress that hall can be sometimes.
Gratty senior came in with the chance to reclaim himself as the better batsman out of him and his son. The outdoor captain was looking good before getting caught and bowled.
At 64-2 Giggs and Blackman were a good pair to have but Giggs soon retired and with Clarkey yet to arrive, time wasting was needed by AJ. He was unfortunate though with another good yorker so Giggs came back and carried on batting like the trojan that he is. No chances, just constant runs showing his experience in there.
In the penultimate over Blackman pulled his groin and got run out. Impressively this made him even slower than usual which no one thought was possible. OCs didn’t like it but Gratty swapped to run the last over with lone man Giggs which got them up to 123.
With only 5 and an injured Blackers it looked best for the big man to keep which again OCs did not like. Clarkey arrived just in time to bowl the first over and 5 dots was exactly what the doctor ordered. Giggsy then struck in his first over finding an edge which was well taken by the poorman’s Alec Stewart. Very well walked by the OCs batsman should also be added.
Gratty jnr then came on and was clearly nervous about something as it was a bad day in the office for the young scholar, this meant that AJ got thrown the ball and did not disappoint. A fantastic spell of 3 overs for just 12 runs won the game for Aythorpe. He put the breaks on and made the batsmen chase after the other bowlers. He was unlucky not to get himself a wicket and left OCs with a big task from the last few overs.
It was still possible with one over left but the senior pro AC made sure they did not get close bowling a pressure last over very tightly.
This week but for the first time in ARCC history Graham Milbank gets man of the match in consecutive games, with another big not out, 55 this week he is the man to get out in there.
G Milbank 55 no
G Milbank 3 overs 3 for 22
ARCC thrash Great Baddow – 13 November 2011
Nov 21st
After more drop outs than a 22yard line Aythorpe finally managed to get 6 people to Riverside thanks to some quick work from officially the most popular boy in Springfield Sam Gravatt who has more contacts than an opticians.
Blackers lost the toss but was happy to be inserted by Great Baddow who came to the game still searching for a victory in this seasons competition, and about 40 minutes later they were no better off.
This was thanks to another great batting performance by the outdoor champions.
Sam Gravatt stepped up to the plate and was excited about opening. The youngster used his trademark late cut again and was treated to a double up once Blackers came in and again ran a 2 which has become standard for the man who is now being described as some sort of fast twitch muscle fibres machine. Giggsy carried on his impressive form and showed his experience in the indoor game once again getting his team off to a quick start to put minimal pressure on the middle order batsman. Andy Clarke took full advantage of this by missing a ball that must have turned sideways.
The 5th Sam of the squad entered the arena and quickly followed orders to make way for Giggs and Gravatt to return. These two finished with some quick scoring to take Aythorpe up to 135 with Gravatt jnr hitting a career best of 43 not out to give his captain a batting order headache for next game with rumours of a Gravatt snr return.
Aythorpe went out to field more confident than a lion chasing a 3 legged zebra. And apart from the 6 Baddow batsmen they didn’t disappoint anyone.
Giggs and Clarke bowled purposefully taking 3 wickets between them for just for just 17 runs. A good catch from Giggs via the roof off his own bowling plus a stumping gave him 2 well deserved wickets after setting field positions which were more precise than an ordinance survey map reference.
The 2 teen aged Sam’s then joined in partnership and shared the last 3 wickets. Sam Gravatt finished with remarkable figures of 2 for 2 from just 3 balls. One wicket was a remarkable catch from Clarkey who’d taken the gloves and had to move almost yards to make enough ground to make the dismissal. It was a great catch and although the lap of honour seemed unnecessary it just shows how much this venue means to a man who has played at the most famous cricket grounds in the country.
A fantastic win for the in form team by over 100 runs which must be a record of some sort.
The next game is not till the 27th due to the international break and with Paul Gravatt available it could be a difficult week of selection for Blackman and even more difficult if players don’t reply to text messages!!!
S Gravatt 43 no, G Milbank 35 no
S Gravatt .3 overs 2 for 2
ARCC beat Springfield – 6 November 2011
Nov 21st
The usual crowd of Mum’s Dad’s and girlfriends arrived at Riverside wanting to see fireworks and they didn’t leave dissappointed. Blackers won the toss (Again) so batted and tried to send Clarke in to open but once again he refused like a tired horse at Bechers Brook.
Giggs and Gravatt went out instead and raced Aythorpe into a match winning position and once again showed that there is no reason they shouldn’t open every week scoring very quickly with great running to put Aythorpe on 50+ after just 4 overs. The 2 G’s kept hitting the walls and even when they didn’t they backed up and got runs.
Giggs and Gravatt went out instead and raced Aythorpe into a match winning position and once again showed that there is no reason they shouldn’t open every week scoring very quickly with great running to put Aythorpe on 50+ after just 4 overs. The 2 G’s kept hitting the walls and even when they didn’t they backed up and got runs.
Sam Gravatt joined SB quickly after with giggs retiring and the youngster simply refused to waste any balls getting his eye in. Still buzzing from his circle of support the Grammar School hero did not face a single dot ball and sacraficed his innings running himself out late on finishing on 23.
Aythorpe finished on a new personal best of 158 and with just three 6’s in that this shows how valuable those side walls can be when used properly and anyone who gets caught trying to hit a 6 is just an idiot (I’m clearly gonna regret saying that in future weeks!).
The bowling went without reward from Clarke and Millbank who didn’t get the luck they deserved from a few edges. Some sharp fielding led to some run outs though and it was Blackman who made the first real break through finding the inside edge and a smart diving catch from Hyams. Gratty jnr picked up the final wicket cleaned bowled to finish off a great performance.
G Milbank 27, P Gravatt 27