Match Reports
Cam Prevail In Close Fought Contest
After a couple of disappointing results as well as a cancelled fixture Cam 2nd’s had found themselves slipping down the league table in recent weeks, as promotion looked a realistic target, Cam captain Tom Hancock was now reiterating the importance of a win to insure that Cam remained a Gloucestershire County League side for next season. Although an away trip to Tormarton stood in Cam’s way and they weren’t prepared to roll over easily in what proved to be a brilliant, nail biting match played in superb spirit.
Tormarton won the toss and without any hesitation elected to field. Looking like a sensible decision the ball was sticking on the damp wicket, however Cam opening pair Tom Hancock and Ryan Chandler set to work and both fired to 21 and 20 respectively in little to no time. Although the slow wicket proved to get the better of both batsmen who were caught after playing early. Ed Paddock followed suit wasting minimal deliveries and departed the scene for a duck. This brought Cam wicket keeper George Parrott to the crease. Looking to the steady the ship somewhat Parrott and Will Payne ticked along steadily in an attempt to use the full 45 overs. Unfortunately for the away side Payne was also caught on 13 with Hardik Shah continuing the trend departing for 8. Seasoned veteran Steve Rice entered the fray and runs began to dry for the away side with the slow outfield proving seemingly difficult for the batsmen.
After a period of time at the crease however Parrott began to push on, finding the boundary on a more frequent basis before being adjudged LBW, an important 35 to the Cam total which now left the tail order to use the remaining overs. Rice was also dismissed LBW for 29, although the remaining batsmen could only manage 9 runs between them Cam were relatively happy with their total.
After analysing the wicket throughout the first innings, Hancock decided that slow bowling was the best form of attack, with the Cam Captain and Hardik Shah opening the bowling for the away side. Both bowlers started their spells fantastically with very few runs coming from the pair, Tormarton looked to be struggling on the tricky wicket although Hancock was the one to be aggrieved after multiple catches went down off of his bowling. Tormarton’s first 3 batsmen managed 31 runs between them as the overs looked to disappear for the home team. With Cam on top Ben Spiers was sent to the crease and made his intentions clear from the get go, looking to find boundaries at every opportunity.
After a valiant effort from Spiers, Tormarton now found themselves within touching distance of the required total. Hancock called upon Rice to bowl the 45th over, knowing that only boundaries would suffice for Tormarton Spiers looked to attack Rice. Needing two boundaries off the final two deliveries Hanock was sent diving with an excellent stop in the deep, meaning Rice only needed to bowl a legal delivery and Cam were victorious, he succeeded in doing so despite Spiers still hitting a six Cam prevailed, winning by a single run.
Notable bowling mentions include Hancock’s 9-4-8-1 and Will Hayward’s 9-1-31-3.
An excellent, close thought affair and importantly meaning Cam spring board back up the league table into third place. This was among a handful of nail biting matches for Cam 2nd team this campaign which fortunately they have left victorious in.
Malpass Stars as Cam Conquer Charfield
It was a wet start to the day as Cam 2nd XI hosted local rivals and fellow promotion competitors Charfield CC at Everlands. Last week’s result was disappointing for Cam at Cirencester and bouncing back with a win was of key importance if Cam are to be successful in their bid for promotion.
Cam Captain Tom Hancock won the toss and elected to field first with the hope that the damp wicket would dry out as the day progressed. Will Hayward and Steve Rice opened the bowling for Cam and it didn’t take long for Hayward to strike, dismissing Charfield wicket keeper Andrew Nash for a duck. Hayward continued to apply pressure to the away sides batsmen as he took a further 2 wickets in his 9 over spell, finishing with figures of 9-3-27-3. Ryan Western then joined the party claiming the wicket of opener Tom Godsell, an excellent away swinging delivery taken behind the stumps from wicket keeper George Parrott. Cam looked dominant at this stage but with Mike Colborn and Andrew Platts beginning to find their feet Hancock knew the importance of maintaining the standards already set. As the tide was beginning to turn the Cam captain called upon the ever reliable youngster Will Payne for a breakthrough and Payne obliged, claiming the important wicket of Colbourn for 44 after a tidy catch in the deep from Ryan Western.
After this, wickets started to fall on a more regular basis as Cam all-rounder Ryan Malpass had the away side in knots, claiming the wickets of both Platts and Niddrie. In only 2 deliveries Malpass had dragged Cam back into a dominant position. The Charfield tail order provided some resilience with Newman, Bourns and Walwin contributing 45 runs to the Charfield total but a run out from Hancock saw the away side all out for 177. After a good team display Cam bowlers finished in relatively good spirits with Rice finishing with figures of 9-5-16-1, Western 9-1-37-2, Wilcox 3-0-27-0, Hancock 5.3-0-31-0, Payne 6-2-14-1 and Malpass 3-0-23-2.
Cam in general were pleased with their performance and knew that 178 to win was more than doable on a renowned batting track. After tea Ryan Malpass and Ryan Chandler took to the crease for the home side and soon set about work with both finding the boundary in little to no time. Charfield soon found a wicket however as Chandler was dismissed for 10 and the wickets of both Ed Paddock and Matt Hillier followed in the very same over, both out for ducks as Mike Colbourn finished the over with a treble wicket maiden. As a Cam collapse looked on the cards, Hancock joined Malpass at the crease with the aim of providing some resistance and letting a free flowing Malpass continue to play his strokes. The plan prevailed as Malpass raced to an impressive 50 much to the relief of the Cam side. The pair continued to kick on until Malpass was dismissed for an effortless 66. Hancock joined him in the clubhouse after departing just shy of his half century also as Newman had him out for 44.
With plenty of work still left to do for the home side Ryan Western could only manage 6 after a brilliant take from George Eskins, Will Payne departed also for a duck which left Steve Rice and George Parrott to see the home side through. As Parrott looked to attack the spinners Charfield brought Colborn back to the attack as Cam closed in on the required total, despite 15 overs remaining in the innings. Fortunately for the home side Parrott’s and Rice’s resilience proved effective as they found singles regularly. With one run to win the game Parrott saw off Colbourn’s best efforts, finding a single at third man as Cam earned a deserved victory against their local rivals.
Another brilliant performance from Cam saw them leap frog Charlton Kings and Charfield back into second positon as promotion once more looks an achievable goal. Cam host Oaskey next week as the 2nd XI look to cement their position in the promotions spots further.
Report: Ryan Malpass
Cam Bounce Back – Chalford CC versus Cam CC 2nd XI
The previous game against Charlton Kings had been a bitter pill to swallow for the Cam players after putting in a good display yet ultimately losing the match, but with some important players available once more Cam bounced back in brilliant fashion.
Chalford won the toss and elected to field which made sense given the amount of the rain during the week, however Cam opening batsmen Steve Rice and Jim Seal set to work, Seal regularly found the boundary and shot to 47 in next to no time before being caught by Chalford’s Ashley Townsend just shy of his half century. It was a recurring theme for the Cam top order as Rice (10), Ryan Malpass (32) and George Parrott (15) were all caught after playing too early on the slow wicket. In-form Cam captain Tom Hancock arrived at the crease on the back of a half century and looked to continue in the same vain, backed up by Cam youngster Will Payne both batsmen kept the away sides score ticking over. Hancock begun to slow but once again fired his way to an impressive half century leaving Cam in a solid position.
After Joe Stallard had Payne out for an impressive 28, seasoned campaigner Ryan Chandler joined Hancock in the middle and looked to find the boundary from the get go. Both batsmen finished not out as Hancock’s 59 and Chandlers contribution of 18 left Cam 217/5.
Cam were in good spirits after a solid batting display given the conditions and opener Ollie Mears fancied his chances. Mears found the break through and had Chalford captain Josh Fielding out for a duck. Wickets were falling but opening batsmen Justin Webster proved resilient finding his half century as Cam became frustrated, until Webster pulled a half-tracker from Hancock into the deep where Ryan Chandler was waiting, pulling off an incredible diving catch and somehow remaining inside the boundary.
Cam could taste victory but sloppy fielding gave the home side hope, Marcus Tudor’s dropped catch not only left himself injured but meant Weager and Stallard begun to build a partnership much to Hancock’s dismay. Mears however was not finished as the 17 year old caught Weager from Hancock’s bowling and then clean bowled Stallard. Thanks to Mears’s good work Cam found themselves with a relative cushion bowling at the Chalford tail who ultimately could only provide 14 runs between their last 5 bastmen. Wilcox took the final wicket as Mears once again took a catch in the field leaving the home side all out for 153.
In the end it proved to be a comfortable win for Cam and the victory leaves them sitting 2nd in the league table. An all-round excellent performance left Mears with figures of 9-1-39-4, Hayward 9-2-21-1, Rice 9-4-12-0, Hancock 9-0-46-2, Payne 3-0-31-0 and Wilcox 2.4-1-2-3.
Report: George Parrott
Cam CC 2nd XI Vs Charlton Kings CC 2nd XI
After a nail biting victory last week, Cam invited Charlton Kings 2nd’s to Everlands in a battle between 3rd and 4th in Gloucestershire County Division 7.
Cam captain Tom Hancock won the toss and once again chose to bat first on the ever reliable home wicket. Cam got off to a steady start with openers Steve Rice and Sam Buck at the crease, although it didn’t take long for the away side to strike as Buck departed for 10. With the absence of a few vital players George Parrott was promoted to 3 as he and Rice looked to build a partnership. Cam found the boundary on a regular basis before excellent bowling from Charlton King’s youngster Brad Edwards had Rice out for 9. Parrott followed not long after with a quick fire 24. As Cam’s innings looked to be in trouble, up stepped Matt Hillier and Tom Hancock who both found half centuries with relative ease. As the pair looked to have steadied the ship, it wasn’t long after that good work from Charlton Kings left Hillier and Hancock departing the scene for 58 and 54 respectively. Another notable contribution came from youngster Will Payne, who added a further 18 runs to the Cam total, including a brilliant shot which sent the ball back over the head of the away sides opening bowler for 4. Cam saw out the final overs and finished the innings on 210/6.
Cam knew that their bowling and fielding would have to be on point with the wicket favouring the batsmen. Kings opening batsman Graeme Werry confirmed this as he raced to an excellent 94, despite Cam’s best efforts the experienced away team captain regularly found the boundary. It was another Cam youngster who finally had Werry out, this time George Thomas had his man after an excellent catch in the deep from Hardik Shah. Unfortunately the damage had already been done and contributions from Ed Cutler (69) and John Watkins (27) meant the away side reached Cam’s total with relative ease.
A disappointing result for Cam leaves them 4th in the league. Although the club can take pride in what looks to be a successful and thriving youth section, as Cam fielded 3 players under the age of 18 and who more than held their own in division 7.
Next up for the 2nd team is an away trip to Chalford who sit 8th in the league as Cam look to get back on track and back in the promotion chase.
Report: George Parrott
Arcadians NineElms CC 1st XI versus Cam CC 2nd XI
After a disappointing result last week, Cam bounced back in what proved to be a nail biting game away to Arcadians NineElms 1st XI. Cam Captain Tom Hancock won the toss and elected to bat first, which after the fall of both Stu Newman (0) and Jake Parrott (3) early on looked to be the incorrect decision. Wickets fell at regular intervals on an erratic wicket with Malpass (11) and Hancock (4) departing the scene. Matt Hillier and Ryan Western tried to provide some resistance for the away side before Hillier was caught on 28. Western followed not long after with a superb reaction catch in the slips. Steve Rice aimed to see out the remaining overs contributing 23, with the Cam tail order adding a further 24 runs finishing on 129/9.
After a disappointing batting display, Cam took spirit from what had been an inconsistent wicket with Arcadians opener Sean Curwen (36) providing the only notable score for the home team. Hancock rotated the bowling attack on a regular basis which proved effective, opening bowler Ollie Mears taking 4 wickets in his 9 overs, as well as help from Rice (9-0-33-3). Hancock (9-1-13-1) continued his fine bowling form, pinning the home side down and once again finishing with decent figures. Wilcox (7-1-22-1) also bowled respectably and may in fact argue the scorebook didn’t do his bowling justice.
Despite Cam’s hard fought efforts in the field the home side had scrambled within touching distance of the required score. With Arcadians only needing 8 runs in the final over and Cam needing only the one wicket to win the game, Hancock turned to an injured Ali Longden, bowling off a 3 pace run up. Arcadians were chipping away at the score needing 3 runs to win with 3 balls remaining, the result looked certain to go the home side’s way. However the very next ball Longden struck, an excellent in-swinging delivery was clipped off the pads from the Arcadians number 11, which sent Cam wicket keeper George Parrott diving down the leg side, taking the catch and all-important final wicket for Cam.
The result leaves Cam third in the Gloucestershire County League Division 7 and just outside the promotion positions. Cam face Charlton Kings 2nd XI at home next in what could prove to be a massive game with both sides gunning for promotion.
Report: George Parrott
Match Report – Cam 2’s victorious for the 3rd game running
Cam travelled to Whitminster in hope after last weeks good win against Down Hatherley. After losing the toss Cam were inserted and by the 24 overs mark it looked a good toss to lose. Cam had moved swiftly onto 92 for the loss of 2 wickets. Stuart Newman hitting a brisk 39 and James Seal with a nice 26, which included the biggest 6 that has been seen by a number of players for a long time.
After a mini Cam collapse which was started by Jake Parrott, it also saw Tom Hancock, Matt Hillier, Chris Wilcox and Will Hayward in the hut only accumulating 11 runs between them. It saw Cam on the ropes at 123 for 8. A partnership of 55 between George Parrott (32 not out) and Marcus Tudor (25 not out) meant Cam accumulated 185 in their 45 overs, only 8 down.
The momentum had swung in Cam’s favour, good bowling by Ollie Mears (9-2-24-2) and Will Hayward (6-0-17-1) had meant Whitminster were 3 down for 34. At this stage the game was finely poised and after a little recovery the vital run out of Ghadiali meant the pendulum had firmly swung in Cam’s favour. Though McGoldrick (46) had put up resistance for sometime, wickets were falling at regular intervals. Hancock (9-1-19-4) and Rice (8.5-3-25-1) doing the damage and with the final wicket being a run out Cam were victorious and wining their third game in a row and not losing in 4, must breed confidence and next week at home for Tormaton they must looking towards the top and not the bottom for the rest of the season.
Match Report – Oaksey CC XI vs Cam CC 2nd XI
Cam were invited to bat by their hosts, this became a good decision by the newly promoted side as Ryan Malpass (7) and Tom Hancock (8) were back in the pavilion with Cam requiring another rebuild for a second week in a row being at 20-2. Once again Steve Rice (24) and Matt Hillier(46) collaborated after an hour delay due to rain, thus reducing the game to 41 overs per side. The two moved the score closer to the 100 mark. But when both departed in a couple of overs, it led to a collapse with only Will Hayward (21) and Hardik Shah (14) the only batsmen to get into double figures for the visitors. Phillip Cassrels (8-1-13-4) and Matthew Denney (4.4-2-29-3) doing the damage and bowling Cam out for 145 in 38.4 overs. Cam could have regretted not using their allotted overs and getting the extra batting point for 150.
Oaksey’s innings started with a bang, Ollie Mears (8-2-16-1) getting the early wicket of Bye. Cook (17) and Lane (18) formed a little partnership but the scoreboard wasn’t ticking over. Cam bowling tight lines, with fielders backing up their bowlers. When Cook was then caught by Malpass off of the bowling of Will Hayward (8-1-19-1), who bowled a great spell and should have picked up a couple more wickets, it sparked a collapse that even Cam have sometimes been capable of. Steve Rice (9-1-18-2) picked up Lawrence and Cassrels but the carnage was being done at the other end by Hancock (7.2-3-15-6), who picked up career best figures and his first 6 for. Oaksey were bowled out for 89 in the 36th over meaning Cam had picked up their first win of the season and it was throughly deserved with the bowling and fielding performance. Cam collected 19 points and now return back to Everlands next weekend to play Down Hatherley.
Match Report – Charfield CC 2nd XI vs Cam CC 2nd XI
Having taken the short journey over the hill, Cam won the toss and elected to bowl first. Charfield had moved to 70-2 at 22 overs with patient batting. Then both openers, Tom Godsell and Tom Morris were both caught off of the bowling of Ryan Rice (2-24), special credit to youngster Zak Fernandes, who was making his County League bow. After drinks wickets fell at regular intervals as Hancock (4-41) dismissed the watchful May (22) and the patient Niddrie (39). The turning point of the innings was when Colborn (38) was ran out by Ollie Mears, as he was looking to accelerate the innings to get Charfield up to the magic 200. Cam restricted their opponents to 172 as they bowled them out in the 40th over. This proved to be important later on in the game.
After tea Cam’s innings got off to the worst start, Colborn had Hancock out first ball by bowling an excellent in-swinging yorker which had Hancock plumb in front and in the same over Ryan Rice was bowled also for a duck. Steve Rice and Matt Hillier then took their time to settle things down. Just before drinks Hillier departed for 19 and then after drinks S Rice was caught off the bowling of Niddrie for 15. Hardik Shah came and went, at this stage Cam were struggling to even reach 100 in their allotted overs, with 5 of their batsmen already in the pavilion. Then came the partnership which started to change the mood out in the middle. Brothers Jake Parrott (43) and George Parrott (36) started hitting boundaries and turning 1s into 2s and 2s into 3s. The momentum was certainly swinging towards Cam. But when May had the wicket of J Parrott the pendulum swung again into Charfield’s favour. Still needing 30 runs from the final 5 overs, new man Olly Kinsey struck a wonderful 4 and a monstrous 6 over cover to bring the runs required down to 15 from the final 3 overs. Ollie Mears came in and whipped the ball of his legs a number of times to then be run out on the penultimate ball of the innings with Cam needing 2 to win or 1 to tie off of the final ball. Colborn had the ball in his hands, Andy Casse the new batsmen, the ball was bowled, Casse blocked and the ball scuttled a matter of yards from the keeper, Kinsey running to the danger end, Platts seemed to have the ball in his hands to then fumble and allowing Cam to get the run and the tie. On reflection as both sides were on top at certain points and a tie seemed to be a fair result. Cam coming away with 13 points and Charifeld with 12.
Next week Cam travel away again to a newly promoted side, Oaksey. Still searching for their first win of the season but will feel positive that the win isn’t far away.
Match Report – Cam 2nd XI vs Cirencester 2nd XI
The second XI opened their campaign at home to Cirencester 2s, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, Cam were 1-1 after 3 overs as Sam Buck was dismissed early. Bringing Ryan Rice to the crease to join Tom Hancock a steady partnership grew and after 20 overs Cam had reached 88-1, at this point Hancock had passed his 50. Then before the drinks break Rice departed for 19 and Tom Viney was out for a duck on his debut. Matt Hiller joined and a little recovery was made before Hancock was trapped LBW for 59 and Jake Parrott was in and out for a swift 11. Hiller and Hardik Shah combined well to rattle the score along to 200. Hiller crunching cover drives and smashing a 6 over ‘The Shed’. Shah was not to be left in Hiller’s shadow and joined in with a few hearty blows of his own. Hiller departed before the close for 34. Shah finished with 43 not out and George Parrott finishing with 9 not out. Cam posting a very competitive 221 for 6 in their 45 overs.
Cirencester innings started briskly with boundaries flowing with ease and before Cam could really get a grip on the game the score had already flown to 70 off of 10 overs. Hancock picked up 2 wickets in 3 balls to dismiss both openers but the damaged had been done. Will Hayward and Shah both picking up wickets and the visitors chased down their target with 7 overs to spare and 6 wickets in hand.
Cam picked up 7 points from the game and will go to Charfield next week thinking if they played like that and can take their chances with the ball they can register their first win of the season.