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Season 2013- Promotion chase success - Adam Somerfield
Coming into the Season on the back of a disappointing 2012. The 1st XI were looking to bounce back immediately and win promotion in Division Two to find their way back up into Division One. Changes in the Ranks for the season included, Newly appointed Captain George Chudley, after a successful stint as 2nd XI skipper and past Sunday Team skipper for it was time to step up as 1st XI Captain.
New but old overseas, Returning for his third stint at the club. Australian All-Rounder Adam Somerfield returned to strengthen the batting line up and lead the bowling attack. But most importantly and for the club moving forward, Help coach and develop the younger players coming through to further strengthen the club for the future.
The 1st XI had arguably the best squad in the league, but games aren’t played on paper and each and every single player understood it wasn’t going to be an easy task to win promotion.
The first 7 games saw the 1st XI gain 6 wins against Rushden 2nds, Brigstock, Northampton Saints 2nds, Long Buckby, Irchester and Thrapston. Had it not of been for a late shower of rain against Stony Stratford 2nds it could well of been 7 wins from 7 games but the 1st XI had to settle for a draw.
Weeks 8 and 9, As the League started to take shape, we were up against two of the league’s top teams in East Haddon and Rothwell they saw the realization of how tough the year was going to be and nothing but our best was going to be good enough.
Away to East Haddon Isham won the toss and elected to field first, having East Haddon 2/50 at the 25 over mark, a little drizzle along with some complacency set in and mistakes were made and the quality of East Haddon's batting took full advantage setting a very respectable total of 270/6. But, that said we had full confidence in our batting group to chase the total down. However, some mistakes from a few players at the top of the order meant that we were under pressure come the end of the innings. A Great innings from opener Tim Robinson gave us a fighting chance but when he and a couple more wickets fell Isham found themselves having to fight tooth and nail to hold out for a draw. This could turn out to be very vital come the end of the year. Not our best performance, a little wakeup call and an opportunity to bounce back the following week against top of the league Rothwell.
Week 9, Isham v Rothwell. Isham batting first, on a perfect day for cricket, a nice quick flat wicket saw a contest that would prove that these two were the best teams in the league. Isham playing smart positive cricket to post a respectable total of 205/5, Led by Simon Court with 78 not out and well supported by Captain George Chudley with 35 not Out. As it is with all big games, tough competitive cricket meant it was always going to be hard work for the bowlers. They tried hard and gave everything they could but Rothwell who were blown away at the start with the loss of early wickets and never in the chase, fought hard to hold out for a draw. Both teams went away looking forward to the next time they would do battle.
Weeks 10/11. Saw a more than convincing win against a bottom of the league and struggling Earls Barton. Amassing 304/7 with Robinson, Reid, Court and Somerfield passing 50. Some shots were played by the Earls Barton players, but the score was too far out of reach and were finally dismissed for 151.
Last week before the half way mark, saw Isham come up against a strong and determined Overstone Park line up. Lead by their Skipper Sam Shelford the visitors making 224/10 before another hiccup from the Isham lads saw them have to settle for what was a disappointing draw 190/8. Having been in a strong match winning position at 2/160 with 16 over’s left. A middle order collapse, poor shot selection and poor execution from a couple guys that were in, meant we cost ourselves some valuable points. Hoping this wouldn’t cost us come the end of the season.
With all that solid cricket having been played, we were only half way through. 7 wins and 4 draws. Sitting in 3rd position. Well placed to attack the second half of the season. It was now we had to lift our game a touch more.
Like the first 6 games, Isham back playing their hard no fear attacking cricket. Racked up 6 very convincing wins against Rushden 2nds, Brigstock, Stony Stratford 2nds, Northampton Saints 2nds, Long Buckby and Irchester. Unfortunately losing the toss in 5 of these games and having to bat 2nd meant Isham missed out on a few opportunities to gain extra points. But some standout performances to mention Chris Harrison a brilliant 95 not out against Rushden 2nds and Ryan Conyard 62 to see us chase down a tough total in 240. Solid starts from Opener Chris Perkins, with scores of 30, 15*, 46*, 29*and 64. Damien Conyard forced his way into the 1st XI with solid performances in the 2nds to take 15 wickets in these 6 games, including a 5/32 against Long Buckby. Elliott James, having played so well against Northampton Saints 2nds fell agonisingly short of his first 1st XI 50 with 48. Tim Robinson with a couple quick fire 50’s and Simon Court with a typical unorthodox hard hitting innings of 78 not out opening up against Irchester. Meant the 1st team were still sitting in 3rd spot, having played 17 games with 13 wins and 4 draws.
Week 18, a much talked about game. Thrapston away. Mother Nature not looking her finest that day saw Isham bat first on a soft wet and tricky wicket. Managed to get to 205/5 dec after 45 over’s. Then it rained, with Thrapstons covers not up to scratch and no groundsman to be seen unfortunately meant to the disappointment of the players the game to be called off, hands were shaken. With all other games taken place with results, meant Isham slipped a little a drift from the top 2 promotion spots.
With 4 games to go, 4 wins was a must! All the players starting to feel the pressure, slight anger and frustration setting in. Somerfield reassuring everyone to have faith. All we can control is what we do; we go out there and play our cricket, enjoy it and let the results take care of itself.
Weeks 19 and 20. They are all big games at this time of the season, but they don’t get much bigger than playing against those sitting just in front of you. It’s a chance for players to soak up the pressure and step up. Play a match winning and season defining innings for the club. It was two big weeks, firstly East Haddon coming to our stomping ground, the Isham fortress, Orlingbury Road, where Isham play hard, fair and have plenty of success. Batting first Isham amassing 245/9, great team effort against a good opposition, Led by Tim Robinson, who once again got so close yet so far away from the holy grail that is a league 100 falling for 94, well supported by Ben Reid 44, and Simon Court 43. Then for us to come out and bowl and field the way we did. With a little hiccup of a drop chance, but we were to strong and bowled East Haddon out for 143. A statement was made!
One week later, Rothwell away. Isham once again batting first. On a tricky and difficult wicket to score runs, made 217/9. A brilliant and match defining opening partnership between Robinson and Perkins setting us up. Rothwell once again losing early wickets, and at the half way mark a decision was clearly made that the target was out of reach and they would settled for a draw. Well bowled to Chris Long, who with 4 wickets in quick succession put a bit of life in what was a pretty dull afternoon in the field.
With a comprehensive win Round 21 against Earls Barton, Isham sitting 5 points behind 2nd Place East Haddon. A 30 point win away to Overstone Park the only option now. Batting first on that last day of the season, putting in a strong performance making 241/9 on a wicket that offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers. Chris Perkins capping off a great second half with a well made 47, hopefully bigger and better things to come from Perky. Chris Harrison also showing glimpses of his best, powerful drives, flicks and Pulls saw him make a well compiled 34, Not his greatest season with the bat, but has learnt a lot an along with his great efforts behind the stumps, expect big things from Chris next year. Then came the moment, Isham took to the field knowing 10 wickets was a must to give themselves a chance at promotion. A small personal milestone was also on the cards, Aussie overseas sitting on 96 wickets for the year had an opportunity to do what no one had ever done in the 15 odd years of NCL County history, take 100 wickets! Sure enough Isham lifted and produced a fantastic bowling and fielding performance and Somerfield taking the final wicket to bring up his 100th wicket for the season. But, they still needed the cricket gods to answer their prayers; Celebrations had nowhere near begun, as Isham heard that East Haddon also had batted first against Northampton Saints 2nds. Only 10 East Haddon wickets stood in the way of promotion for Isham. An hour and a half later, that felt like eternity. Reminiscing on a great year, the lads still waiting in their whites, a cold beer in hand had the result come through. East Haddon failing to take 10 wickets. PROMOTION. And so the celebrations begun. A fantastic end to a fantastic Season. Many thanks to all the supporters who came out each week; everyone is a part of this special season.
Setting out at the start of the Season, Promotion was the goal. What was achieved?
So much more…
The 1st Team finished undefeated, with 16 wins, 5 draws and a wash out.
Finished 2nd in the league, Promotion achieved.
4 lads making over 450 runs for the season, 2 of which made over 700 Runs
6 players averaging over 30.
All in all, a fantastic season. One the Club can truly be proud of, and look forward to 2014 with excitement. It’s not going to be easy, Division One has a lot of strong clubs, Its going to be tough, but Isham are up for the challenge.
Bring on 2014!!
- Adam.
1ST XI STATS
Season Results:
Rushden 2nds 102/10 Defeated by Isham 106/3
(Long 4/18, Somerfield 3/22, Somerfield 30 not out, Court 29 not out)
Brigstock 123/10 Defeated by Isham 124/6
(Somerfield 5/16, Conyard.R 2/21, Reid 23, Robinson 22)
Stony Stratford 2nds 227/8 Draw Isham 169/4
(Somerfield 7/37, Robinson 81, Chudley 29 not out)
Northampton Saints 2nds 173/10 Defeated by Isham 174/3
(Somerfield 4/16, Harrison 3/46, Robinson 80, Somerfield 55 not out)
Long Buckby 122/10 Defeated by Isham 123/3
(Conyard.R 4/18, Somerfield 4/31, Court 35 not out, Harrison 23)
Isham 240/8 decDefeated Irchester 75/10
(Somerfield 103, Harrison 39, Somerfield 9/27)
Isham 252/6 Defeated Thrapston 79/10
(Somerfield 108, Chudley 38 Not Out, Somerfield 6/23, Law 2/21)
East Haddon 270/5 Draw Isham 218/9
(Law 2/32, Robinson 75, Court 32)
Isham 205/5 Draw Rothwell 137/8
(Court 78, Chudley 35 not out, Somerfield 4/22, Law 3/41)
Isham 304/7dec Defeated Earls Barton 151/10
(Court 71 not out, Reid 61, Robinson 58, Somerfield 58, Somerfield 7/76, Law 2/20)
Overstone Park 224/10 Draw Isham 190/8
(Law 5/51, Somerfield 3/48, Somerfield 51, Harrison 45)
Rushden 2nds 240/10 Defeated by Isham 241/4
(Somerfield 4/51, Law 2/37, Long 2/39, Harrison 95 not out, Conyard.R 62, Perkins 30)
Brigstock 28/10 Defeated by Isham 29/2
(Somerfield 7/9, Conyard.D 3/2, Perkins 15 Not out)
Stony Stratford 2nds 117/10 Defeated by Isham 121/2
(Somerfield 3/17, Law 3/31, Conyard.D 2/36, Robinson 52, Perkins 46 not out)
Northampton Saints 2nds 116/10 Defeated by Isham 119/3
(Somerfield 5/34, Conyard.D 3/35, James 48, Somerfield 46 not out)
Long Buckby 91/10 Defeated by Isham 93/0
(Conyard.D 5/32, Somerfield 4/40, Robinson 55 not out, Perkins 29 not out)
Irchester 156/10 Defeated by Isham 160/2
(Somerfield 5/68, Law 2/29, Conyard.D 2/36, Court 78 Not out, Perkins 64)
Isham 205/5 dec Abandoned No Result Thrapston
(Somerfield 73, Court 42)
Isham 245/9 Defeated East Haddon 143/10
(Robinson 94, Harrison 44, Reid 43, Somerfield 6/41, Law 3/37)
Isham 217/9 Draw Rothwell 148/8
(Robinson 54, Perkins 34, Long 4/37, Somerfield 4/43)
Earls Barton 118/10 Defeated by Isham 120/2
(Somerfield 5/25, Law 3/16, Robinson 53, Harrison 27 not out)
Isham 240/9 DefeatedOverstone Park 126/10
(Somerfield 91, Perkins 47, Harrison 34, Somerfield 4/30, Conyard.D 2/27, Harrison 2/10)
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© Isham CC 2013 |
