Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club

With last weekend's loss to Fives, Wanstead A team have also lost any chance of winning top spot in Division 1 of the indoor league. They remain safe in mid-table, nevertheless.

The B team, in Division 2, retain an outside chance of winning that league, but only if leaders Walthamstow falter badly.

Did you see the bottom right of the home page?

Check the summary of forthcoming fixtures. The season is just 6 weeks away.

Do you need to sign up as a Junior Heron this season?

Even if you were a member last year, you need to register again, please.

Registration for names E - K is tonight, 10 March at 7 pm.

Check this page for details. Thanks.

http://tinyurl.com/juniors-register-here

Friday 26 February: A packed clubhouse attended the annual general meeting.

Amid much controversy and with raging (and occasionally rabid) debate, the AGM proceeded.

No shoe was thrown at any committee member.

Having lost the toss yet again, due to skipper Joe Palmer's known inadequacies at this discipline, Wanstead were put in to field by Chingford B.

A good bowling performance from the Herons was compromised by an ordinary fielding display, which enabled Chingford to reach 130 off their 12 overs. Jahansher Akbar, on debut, and Rehan Hassan were the pick of the bowlers, but their efforts were hampered by several dropped catches.

Wanstead's batting reply struggled from the outset, losing a wicket in each over until they limped to 35 for 5 from 5 overs. A humbling defeat looked imminent until the amazing 'last man stand' of 86 from Jahansher (Sher-e-Woodford) meant that Wanstead were able to get to the last over needing 15.

A very unexpected victory looked possible but proved too much, with the Herons ending on 118.

Other batting performances of "note" were from Nikunj Velani, the second highest scorer with 7 before he left a straight one, and Sahir Akbar's 5 from two innings after an injury to Rehan prevented him from batting.

The Herons cricketers met this afternoon at Nutter Lane to review last year, discuss the forthcoming season, and elect skippers for 2010.

After heated arguments and numerous ballots and re-runs, puffs of white smoke eventually arose from the chimney as bells rang across the parish.

Next years captains and vice-captains are

Anjali Bamrah and Melanie Leach (Women's XI)
Arfan Akram and Chris Murray (1st XI)
Jon Cade and Joe Palmer Jr (2nd XI)
Martin Pluck and Duncan Southcott (3rd XI)
Ron Fitzgerald and Sahir Akbar (4th XI)
Simon Osborn and Sanjay Batra (5th XI)
Len Enoch and Danny Mead/Chris Ley (6th XI)
Stephen Ramdial and Joe Palmer Jr (Sunday XI).

The club will deploy electronic voting machines for all elections henceforth.

Trevor Hebden reports that work is nearly complete on the new nets at Overton Drive.

Many thanks to those who have worked to plan this development and to the ECB and Lords Taverners for their funding.

Indoor Season, Game 9:

Once again, JP showed his leadership skills and the usefulness of repeated practice with his success at the toss.

The fast, aggressive new ball attack of Jon Cade & Sahir Akbar made full use of the shiny new orange ball. Milan Patel, returning after injury, Adnan Akram & Joe Palmer all bowled well to limit South Woodford to 131-4 off their 12 overs. The Herons' fielding was inspired by watching the Pakistan team, apart from Milan's one handed catch.

The Herons' running between the wickets was also reminiscent of Pakistan, with two early run-outs leaving them 31-2 off two overs. The ship was steadied by the return of Milan Patel and, in particular, the ability of Sahir to manipulate the ball around (Sahir paid the author to write that), both batsmen retiring undefeated. Adnan (19*) and Jonny Cade (9*) then saw the Herons home with four wickets and 4 balls to spare.

6 wins & 3 Losses with 2 games remaining.

The Herons returned to winning ways in the indoor league this morning, Saturday 30th January, against Harold Wood.

Losing the toss because skipper JP Jr had not been practicing this skill, Wanstead were put into bat and amassed 140-5, after having struggled through the first 8 overs. Superb batting from Arfan, with 61, and Adnan, with 20*, enabled Wanstead to reach a competitive total.

Good bowling from Sahir Akbar, Jon Cade, Christian Burgess and Adnan meant that Harold Wood ended up 20 runs short, even with the now customary Wanstead comical fielding.

This victory leaves Wanstead firmly in the Champions League places with 3 games to play.

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Click through that logo to reach your Amazon account, and every purchase counts towards your club.

It all adds up.