F&HCC Match Report 16/08/2025
Insipid Fives Hammered at Hutton – Victories Elsewhere
Saturday saw a return to the Overs format of cricket as we enter the final straight of the season. Fives First XI found themselves at Hutton for a mid-table clash without three regulars for various reasons. The change from whites into coloured kit obviously didn’t suit us!
Before we get into the weeds of a desperately poor performance it is well worth reiterating that the side had, prior to Saturday, achieved above and beyond expectations and they have credit in the bank. That credit won’t last long unless standards improve from this weeks effort that should have seen an even contest between two well matched sides. It turned out to be extremely one-sided and crossed the boundary into an embarrassment.
Batting first we lost wickets at regular intervals, the vast majority to errant shots, and floundered our way to a miserable 143 all out in 34.3 overs. On a challenging, two-paced wicket with anything short popping alarmingly, there was a lack of any conceivable effort to master the conditions and play accordingly. Nobody saw fit to dig in and drag us up towards a competitive total of 200-220. In fairness, Hutton fielded superbly with outstanding catches from both Murray and Debenham, just as they did at The Paddock earlier in the season. On that occasion, Feroze and Nipo dug us out of a hole but there was to be no miracle reprieve this time around.
Bilal top scored with 32, with his innings including three fabulous straight sixes off spinner Gandhi, but even he perished to a shot that he must have regretted the moment he was bowled attempting a slog-sweep. One doesn’t wish to be unkind to a side that had won three Time matches on the bounce and have produced some wonderful winning cricket, but this was not an effort worthy of any First XI, never mind one playing Premier Division cricket. Some of the dismissals were disappointingly predictable. One three occasions the scorers combined to correctly predict a batsman would be out caught playing an overly aggressive shot to the wrong ball within the next 2 overs. If two aging has-beens can read the room, the far more talented batsman in the middle should be able to control their natural tendencies given the match situation.
Alas, the ‘laissez-faire’ attitude carried over into the bowling and fielding. Openers Murray and Doran scored at will, aided by a combined five dropped catches. The one player to emerge with a degree of credit was Aayan Jasani, a late call up from the 2nd XI. Aayan fielded like his life depended on it and when called upon to bowl was a good as anyone, including claiming the opening wicket by deceiving an advancing Matt Doran to have him comprehensively stumped. Kaumal grabbed a late wicket and was economical but Australian overseas Tom Murray dealt heavy damage to everybody else.
A final word on this debacle. One hundred percent effort and application at any level should be a given. It’s definitely required at First XI level and is non-negotiable in the Prem. If that’s too demanding for some then you should be playing at a lower level. The details need not be reproduced here but those of us sat watching, be they the Club Chairman, Team Manager and supporters were embarrassed by quite a lot of what they witnessed on Saturday. In the coming weeks when decisions are being made about who the club wish to retain for the 2026 campaign players probably don’t want them reflecting on another performance of this standard and general attitude.
We move on to far better news!
The Second XI maintained their run of form with a home victory against Wickford at The Paddock. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat only for Akbar Khan to remove their top order in a spell of 4-51. Akbar was supported by young Owen Humphrey who bowled a very tidy spell of 0-19 in 5 economical overs and Shahrukh Irfan (0-39 in 8 overs). Our bowlers maintained good control throughout, taking wickets every time a partnership was building to restrict Wickford to an under par 225-8. Mohammed Adams, Sahib Sungeen and James McKay all chipped in with wickets.
After Terry Ballard fell for a rapid 17 our second wicket pair of Rohan Qureshi (40) and Pete Kilpatrick (62) saw us control the game and when Rohan was dismissed Nikunj Agarwal (54) joined Pete to take us within sight of the win. Owen duly obliged with a maximum to conclude proceedings after James McKay had hammered 25 from 16 balls.
The Third XI have endured a season of strife but recorded a very timely win away at Benfleet to boost their survival hopes. The home side won the toss and batted and looked well set at 3 wickets down approaching the 200 mark but Aarmir Ali (4-21) destroyed their middle order and tail to limit the chase to 204 to win. Abhijit Pawar (3-22) and Himanshu Dadra (2-42) were amongst the wickets but special mention to Sarabjit Singh for a highly impressive spell of 8 overs 0-18.
After the early loss of Rajat Parolia, Anand Khandelwal (91) and Himanshu Dadra (66) took us within touching distance of the win and despite late wickets falling Fives got over the line by a margin of 4 wickets.
The Fourth XI also kept their end up with a home win against Aztecs 3rd XI. Having decided to bat first, the clubs leading run scorer this season, Gary Edwards, set to work with 58. Others chipped in including Jayden Davis-Edwards (30), Zahid Gul (24) and Ben Britton (35) as we posted 210 in our 40 overs.
A really good team effort ensured Aztecs never looked likely to put pressure on the total with the entire bowling group producing excellent figures and economy. Nikhil Patel led the way with 4-21 but the entire attack deserve credit including Wasif Ghory (2-19), Ben Britton (1-17), Tahir Mughal (1-20) and Evan Britton, who took a wicket to conclude proceedings with just his second delivery.
After a good set of results, the First XI aside, our teams look well set to achieve their promotion and survival goals with 3 fixtures remaining. The First XI will head to Hornchurch looking to maintain a mid-table position. Defeats last Saturday for Billericay and Buckhurst Hill have ensured relegation is not remotely on the agenda for our leading group but a strong finish is required not to waste the positivity built up in the last 9 Time matches.
The Second XI have now broken into the promotion places at the expense of Colchester who lost to new league leaders Frenford. Only a handful of points separate the top three sides so likely that 3 wins are needed to secure First Division cricket next season for Rohan’s team. A home fixture to struggling South Woodford is a must win this weekend at The Paddock.
The Third XI have moved up and out the drop-zone with a 9-point safety net to 9th placed Wickford. This week they have a challenging fixture against promotion chasing Harold Wood.
The Fourth XI also are on the move in a vertical direction as they overtook Chingford to claim 7th spot in the league table with 17 points grace upon the bottom two sides. Our side takes on Buckhurst Hill in a mid-table clash this weekend.
For those interested, the First XI Premier divisional title now looks as if it’ll be won by either Colchester or current champions Chelmsford. Wanstead had a dreadful weekend losing badly to Hornchurch in the league on Saturday and then being very heavily defeated in Cornwall on Sunday as they suffered a chastening defeat to Penzance CC in the National Cup semi-final. They remain in the National T20 competition as it enters to national rounds. Relegation from the Prem looks to be any two from three after bottom of the table Hadleigh beat Billericay and Buckhurst Hill lost to Chelmsford. Subject to any league rulings (potentially applicable to Epping) replacing them will be Epping and Loughton who have already secured the top two places in First XI Division One with 3 games still to play.
Have a good week. Here’s looking forward to a 5 hour round trip being worth the effort this coming weekend! Andy