The Vine are clearly worried about Bickley repeating their victory of the opening game of the season tomorrow because they've now added Ben Compton to the top four that has scored 2,024 runs this season. The Hartley top five at their height was exceptional but has this one has to rival that as the strongest in the Kent League let alone one that is playing in the second tier:
Nick Compton (England - FC average 40.42) Ben Compton (Kent - FC average 45.21) Evert Bekker (511 runs at 56.78 in KL this season) Luke Schlemmer (Kwa Zulu Natal - FC average 37.20) Brad Hope (Tasmania - FC average 47.45)
Put it this way: I'd be glad to be keeping
Their keeper is Harry Houillon who was part of the emergency Kent team that played a match during the pandemic when the whole of the 1st XI caught covid. He's no mug with the bat either and they also have Chris Vernon (13 fifties and 4 tons for the 1st XI) and Harry Bevan-Thomas who is ex-Bunbury and hit 54 off 42 balls last week. Just when you thought you were through them......
Good luck AA...you need an umpire like Big Al who only does short games, then you might have a chance! ;-}
Big Al's a good lad but now you mention that, I do recall that he umpired Bickley three years ago when they were 60 all out against Hayes!
The Vine are clearly worried about Bickley repeating their victory of the opening game of the season tomorrow because they've now added Ben Compton to the top four that has scored 2,024 runs this season. The Hartley top five at their height was exceptional but has this one has to rival that as the strongest in the Kent League let alone one that is playing in the second tier:
Nick Compton (England - FC average 40.42) Ben Compton (Kent - FC average 45.21) Evert Bekker (511 runs at 56.78 in KL this season) Luke Schlemmer (Kwa Zulu Natal - FC average 37.20) Brad Hope (Tasmania - FC average 47.45)
Put it this way: I'd be glad to be keeping
Their keeper is Harry Houillon who was part of the emergency Kent team that played a match during the pandemic when the whole of the 1st XI caught covid. He's no mug with the bat either and they also have Chris Vernon (13 fifties and 4 tons for the 1st XI) and Harry Bevan-Thomas who is ex-Bunbury and hit 54 off 42 balls last week. Just when you thought you were through them......
I mean against them. I mean what am I talking about I can get these guys out sure. Ez. They wouldn't put me exactly wherever they wanted, it'd be a parade of appeals, slow trudges off, dressing-room panic. You really can type anything on the internet eh
The Vine are clearly worried about Bickley repeating their victory of the opening game of the season tomorrow because they've now added Ben Compton to the top four that has scored 2,024 runs this season. The Hartley top five at their height was exceptional but has this one has to rival that as the strongest in the Kent League let alone one that is playing in the second tier:
Nick Compton (England - FC average 40.42) Ben Compton (Kent - FC average 45.21) Evert Bekker (511 runs at 56.78 in KL this season) Luke Schlemmer (Kwa Zulu Natal - FC average 37.20) Brad Hope (Tasmania - FC average 47.45)
And so to the game itself.
Bickley won the toss and opted to bowl. Evert Bekker was cleaned up by Aussie Sam Geyer early but then in came, to join Ben Compton, Luke Schlemmer (how this guy isn't a pro I'll never know) and he immediately started to show his class. Those two took the score to 88 before Compton fell for 35. In came his cousin and ex-England opener, Nick, who was batting with a fair amount of fluency before he had to retire hurt when on 39 and with Schlemmer having made 79 and the Tasmanian Brad Hope on 83, the Vine were set to post a 300 plus score. Good bowling, backed by superb fielding, enabled Bickley to restrict the batters and to eventually dismiss the Vine for 274 with a ball of their entitlement of 50 overs to go.
So, Bickley had to chase the very same score of 275 that they achieved in that opening game of the season. With the score on 152-3 off 30, thanks in the main to 39 from Ranjit Singh and a 50 from Saf Imtiaz, the target of 123 off 20 overs definitely looked within their capabilities. But, steadily, they lost their way and with the score on 205-7 and 70 required off the final 6 overs, it was, effectively, game over.
Well not quite. Seb (Naylor) had been watching the first 8 balls following his arrival at the crease from the other end was clearly enough for him to work out the pace of the track because he hit his first ball for 6 over cover. He carried on in that vein but Bickley still needed 28 off the final 2 overs. A no ball/single meant Seb would now be facing the bowler, Hope and he successfully hit him for 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 & 1 with that final single enabling him to be on strike with 12 required off the final over. First ball he tried to pump Tom Richards for a maximum over midwicket but sadly didn't get enough on it. Out caught for 46 off 19 balls. Bickley managed a run-a-ball 5 for the remaining balls of the innings but it was the Vine who came out on top by the margin of half a dozen runs.
Two fantastic games of cricket between these two sides. The Vine will walk the Championship and if Bickley can keep as many of their small squad together for the rest of the season then they have a decent chance of returning to the Premier League with them. If.
Given the captaincy for a one-off basis, basically morphed into an amalgamation of Mike Brearley, Jim Laker and Michael Bevan, then got literally 100% in the cricket round of the pub quiz my team won. That last bit isn't exaggerated, the rest might be
Dartford 1’s finally got their act together vs Leeds & Broomfield yesterday - early days of the season Darts got pumped by them in the away match, losing by over 200 hundred runs, having been bowled out for 60’ish chasing a big total - Darts have been on a terrible run, but yesterday they fielded first, bowled very tight, and very well at Hesketh Park - restricted them to 206 - Darts got there with 2 overs to spare
I also had the pleasure of meeting Martin McCague yesterday - former Kent and England player - whose son plays for Leeds and Broomfield - lovely bloke, but I don’t think he enjoys a Kent fan telling him how much he enjoyed watching him play 😂
His son is a really nice lad, as we’re all all the Leeds and Broomfield team - I had a great chat with them
They were shocked how bad Hesketh Park outfield is, even more so when I told them it was a new outfield
Company who did the new outfield a bunch of crooks - it’s awful
Given the captaincy for a one-off basis, basically morphed into an amalgamation of Mike Brearley, Jim Laker and Michael Bevan, then got literally 100% in the cricket round of the pub quiz my team won. That last bit isn't exaggerated, the rest might be
You also morphed into the calm-headed, analytical, empathetic, rarely excitable guy who sits next to me at The Valley (which is exactly what the role of cricket captain requires) - rather than the fumin', ragin', the-whole-world's-against-me mad bloke at extra cover. Real Jekyll and Hyde stuff. Absolutely loved it!
The Vine are clearly worried about Bickley repeating their victory of the opening game of the season tomorrow because they've now added Ben Compton to the top four that has scored 2,024 runs this season. The Hartley top five at their height was exceptional but has this one has to rival that as the strongest in the Kent League let alone one that is playing in the second tier:
Nick Compton (England - FC average 40.42) Ben Compton (Kent - FC average 45.21) Evert Bekker (511 runs at 56.78 in KL this season) Luke Schlemmer (Kwa Zulu Natal - FC average 37.20) Brad Hope (Tasmania - FC average 47.45)
And so to the game itself.
Bickley won the toss and opted to bowl. Evert Bekker was cleaned up by Aussie Sam Geyer early but then in came, to join Ben Compton, Luke Schlemmer (how this guy isn't a pro I'll never know) and he immediately started to show his class. Those two took the score to 88 before Compton fell for 35. In came his cousin and ex-England opener, Nick, who was batting with a fair amount of fluency before he had to retire hurt when on 39 and with Schlemmer having made 79 and the Tasmanian Brad Hope on 83, the Vine were set to post a 300 plus score. Good bowling, backed by superb fielding, enabled Bickley to restrict the batters and to eventually dismiss the Vine for 274 with a ball of their entitlement of 50 overs to go.
So, Bickley had to chase the very same score of 275 that they achieved in that opening game of the season. With the score on 152-3 off 30, thanks in the main to 39 from Ranjit Singh and a 50 from Saf Imtiaz, the target of 123 off 20 overs definitely looked within their capabilities. But, steadily, they lost their way and with the score on 205-7 and 70 required off the final 6 overs, it was, effectively, game over.
Well not quite. Seb (Naylor) had been watching the first 8 balls following his arrival at the crease from the other end was clearly enough for him to work out the pace of the track because he hit his first ball for 6 over cover. He carried on in that vein but Bickley still needed 28 off the final 2 overs. A no ball/single meant Seb would now be facing the bowler, Hope and he successfully hit him for 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 & 1 with that final single enabling him to be on strike with 12 required off the final over. First ball he tried to pump Tom Richards for a maximum over midwicket but sadly didn't get enough on it. Out caught for 46 off 19 balls. Bickley managed a run-a-ball 5 for the remaining balls of the innings but it was the Vine who came out on top by the margin of half a dozen runs.
Two fantastic games of cricket between these two sides. The Vine will walk the Championship and if Bickley can keep as many of their small squad together for the rest of the season then they have a decent chance of returning to the Premier League with them. If.
Ah shame, but well batted Seb. 46 off 19 is epic, should clearly be batting higher. And if he could keep out of Mr Amor's ear about joining Bickley, that'd be grand too ;-)
The Vine are clearly worried about Bickley repeating their victory of the opening game of the season tomorrow because they've now added Ben Compton to the top four that has scored 2,024 runs this season. The Hartley top five at their height was exceptional but has this one has to rival that as the strongest in the Kent League let alone one that is playing in the second tier:
Nick Compton (England - FC average 40.42) Ben Compton (Kent - FC average 45.21) Evert Bekker (511 runs at 56.78 in KL this season) Luke Schlemmer (Kwa Zulu Natal - FC average 37.20) Brad Hope (Tasmania - FC average 47.45)
And so to the game itself.
Bickley won the toss and opted to bowl. Evert Bekker was cleaned up by Aussie Sam Geyer early but then in came, to join Ben Compton, Luke Schlemmer (how this guy isn't a pro I'll never know) and he immediately started to show his class. Those two took the score to 88 before Compton fell for 35. In came his cousin and ex-England opener, Nick, who was batting with a fair amount of fluency before he had to retire hurt when on 39 and with Schlemmer having made 79 and the Tasmanian Brad Hope on 83, the Vine were set to post a 300 plus score. Good bowling, backed by superb fielding, enabled Bickley to restrict the batters and to eventually dismiss the Vine for 274 with a ball of their entitlement of 50 overs to go.
So, Bickley had to chase the very same score of 275 that they achieved in that opening game of the season. With the score on 152-3 off 30, thanks in the main to 39 from Ranjit Singh and a 50 from Saf Imtiaz, the target of 123 off 20 overs definitely looked within their capabilities. But, steadily, they lost their way and with the score on 205-7 and 70 required off the final 6 overs, it was, effectively, game over.
Well not quite. Seb (Naylor) had been watching the first 8 balls following his arrival at the crease from the other end was clearly enough for him to work out the pace of the track because he hit his first ball for 6 over cover. He carried on in that vein but Bickley still needed 28 off the final 2 overs. A no ball/single meant Seb would now be facing the bowler, Hope and he successfully hit him for 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 & 1 with that final single enabling him to be on strike with 12 required off the final over. First ball he tried to pump Tom Richards for a maximum over midwicket but sadly didn't get enough on it. Out caught for 46 off 19 balls. Bickley managed a run-a-ball 5 for the remaining balls of the innings but it was the Vine who came out on top by the margin of half a dozen runs.
Two fantastic games of cricket between these two sides. The Vine will walk the Championship and if Bickley can keep as many of their small squad together for the rest of the season then they have a decent chance of returning to the Premier League with them. If.
Ah shame, but well batted Seb. 46 off 19 is epic, should clearly be batting higher. And if he could keep out of Mr Amor's ear about joining Bickley, that'd be grand too ;-)
Seb also works with Tom Rameaux so he might try and attempt an Ardilles/Villa double swoop!
In all seriousness, although his keeping remains of top quality, Seb has totally lost confidence in his batting so much so that, although he loves coaching cricket (does so for Colfes, Bickley, OEs, the Kent Regional Pathway and MCC Foundation) and other sports too, he's fallen out of love, with playing. Saturday was just one of those situations where he had clarity of his role with nothing to lose and that allowed him to free his arms.
Another sport has, however, massively taken his interest and one which sits more comfortably with his mindset, specifically that ability to get over a mistake or a bit of bad luck immediately - golf (this has also had a massive influence on his ability to hit the cricket ball). Two years ago he played his first round of golf, is currently playing off 3 and in a couple of weeks time he will miss his first game, apart from for broken thumbs, in the four years he's been at Bickley to play in a 36 hole competition. He might still carry on with cricket next term, especially if things change for him in the course of the rest of the season and possibly only when needed, but his passion, from the perspective of playing sport is concerned, is golf right now.
Interesting stuff @Addick Addict. Such a shame when someone so talented falls out of love with playing, but it's great to hear Seb loves the coaching side. Does he also look after the women's softball at OEs? (in which case we know each other from the recent festivals - just not by name!)
Interesting stuff @Addick Addict. Such a shame when someone so talented falls out of love with playing, but it's great to hear Seb loves the coaching side. Does he also look after the women's softball at OEs? (in which case we know each other from the recent festivals - just not by name!)
Funny you should say that because he has been coaching OEs for the last three winters and that has meant him being involved in building the girls/women's cricket there. This photo is Seb with them at a recent festival.
The Vine are clearly worried about Bickley repeating their victory of the opening game of the season tomorrow because they've now added Ben Compton to the top four that has scored 2,024 runs this season. The Hartley top five at their height was exceptional but has this one has to rival that as the strongest in the Kent League let alone one that is playing in the second tier:
Nick Compton (England - FC average 40.42) Ben Compton (Kent - FC average 45.21) Evert Bekker (511 runs at 56.78 in KL this season) Luke Schlemmer (Kwa Zulu Natal - FC average 37.20) Brad Hope (Tasmania - FC average 47.45)
And so to the game itself.
Bickley won the toss and opted to bowl. Evert Bekker was cleaned up by Aussie Sam Geyer early but then in came, to join Ben Compton, Luke Schlemmer (how this guy isn't a pro I'll never know) and he immediately started to show his class. Those two took the score to 88 before Compton fell for 35. In came his cousin and ex-England opener, Nick, who was batting with a fair amount of fluency before he had to retire hurt when on 39 and with Schlemmer having made 79 and the Tasmanian Brad Hope on 83, the Vine were set to post a 300 plus score. Good bowling, backed by superb fielding, enabled Bickley to restrict the batters and to eventually dismiss the Vine for 274 with a ball of their entitlement of 50 overs to go.
So, Bickley had to chase the very same score of 275 that they achieved in that opening game of the season. With the score on 152-3 off 30, thanks in the main to 39 from Ranjit Singh and a 50 from Saf Imtiaz, the target of 123 off 20 overs definitely looked within their capabilities. But, steadily, they lost their way and with the score on 205-7 and 70 required off the final 6 overs, it was, effectively, game over.
Well not quite. Seb (Naylor) had been watching the first 8 balls following his arrival at the crease from the other end was clearly enough for him to work out the pace of the track because he hit his first ball for 6 over cover. He carried on in that vein but Bickley still needed 28 off the final 2 overs. A no ball/single meant Seb would now be facing the bowler, Hope and he successfully hit him for 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 & 1 with that final single enabling him to be on strike with 12 required off the final over. First ball he tried to pump Tom Richards for a maximum over midwicket but sadly didn't get enough on it. Out caught for 46 off 19 balls. Bickley managed a run-a-ball 5 for the remaining balls of the innings but it was the Vine who came out on top by the margin of half a dozen runs.
Two fantastic games of cricket between these two sides. The Vine will walk the Championship and if Bickley can keep as many of their small squad together for the rest of the season then they have a decent chance of returning to the Premier League with them. If.
Ah shame, but well batted Seb. 46 off 19 is epic, should clearly be batting higher. And if he could keep out of Mr Amor's ear about joining Bickley, that'd be grand too ;-)
Seb also works with Tom Rameaux so he might try and attempt an Ardilles/Villa double swoop!
In all seriousness, although his keeping remains of top quality, Seb has totally lost confidence in his batting so much so that, although he loves coaching cricket (does so for Colfes, Bickley, OEs, the Kent Regional Pathway and MCC Foundation) and other sports too, he's fallen out of love, with playing. Saturday was just one of those situations where he had clarity of his role with nothing to lose and that allowed him to free his arms.
Another sport has, however, massively taken his interest and one which sits more comfortably with his mindset, specifically that ability to get over a mistake or a bit of bad luck immediately - golf (this has also had a massive influence on his ability to hit the cricket ball). Two years ago he played his first round of golf, is currently playing off 3 and in a couple of weeks time he will miss his first game, apart from for broken thumbs, in the four years he's been at Bickley to play in a 36 hole competition. He might still carry on with cricket next term, especially if things change for him in the course of the rest of the season and possibly only when needed, but his passion, from the perspective of playing sport is concerned, is golf right now.
Get him down to Colfes in Div 5, scoring runs for fun, and he'll soon fall back in love with it. Go onnnnnnnnnn.
Proud Dad moment yesterday, my 10 year lad played for Bexleyheath U15Bs yesterday Vs Dartford. His team got walloped, but he scored a credible 12 before getting a dodgy LBW decision. Some of the lads on both sides were almost twice his size! Love watching him play
Interesting stuff @Addick Addict. Such a shame when someone so talented falls out of love with playing, but it's great to hear Seb loves the coaching side. Does he also look after the women's softball at OEs? (in which case we know each other from the recent festivals - just not by name!)
Funny you should say that because he has been coaching OEs for the last three winters and that has meant him being involved in building the girls/women's cricket there. This photo is Seb with them at a recent festival.
No photo came through sadly, but I'm sure it was Seb as he mentioned he worked at Colfe's too.
Interesting stuff @Addick Addict. Such a shame when someone so talented falls out of love with playing, but it's great to hear Seb loves the coaching side. Does he also look after the women's softball at OEs? (in which case we know each other from the recent festivals - just not by name!)
Funny you should say that because he has been coaching OEs for the last three winters and that has meant him being involved in building the girls/women's cricket there. This photo is Seb with them at a recent festival.
No photo came through sadly, but I'm sure it was Seb as he mentioned he worked at Colfe's too.
Not sure why the photo isn't available to be viewed but I have just spoken to Seb (surprisingly he's just got in from playing golf all day) and he does, indeed, remember talking to you.
Anyone know why Littlebourne's Tony Beer has been expelled from the Kent Cricket League?!
Level 4 offence, which can be "threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence. Spitting would be included here.". It appears from scorecards that on 21st June, in a match versus Walmer, he was "Retired out 3". That suggest to me, and I have no knowledge if this was what happened, that he may have been upset by the umpire giving (his possible relative?) Harry Beer out LBW, and was thus hit with a L4 offence and asked by his captain to leave the pitch. His subsequent ban takes him to the end of this season.
His is the third Level 4 in the KCL this season I believe...one of which now has a ban that runs until May 22nd 2026!
Anyone know why Littlebourne's Tony Beer has been expelled from the Kent Cricket League?!
Level 4 offence, which can be "threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence. Spitting would be included here.". It appears from scorecards that on 21st June, in a match versus Walmer, he was "Retired out 3". That suggest to me, and I have no knowledge if this was what happened, that he may have been upset by the umpire giving (his possible relative?) Harry Beer out LBW, and was thus hit with a L4 offence and asked by his captain to leave the pitch. His subsequent ban takes him to the end of this season.
His is the third Level 4 in the KCL this season I believe...one of which now has a ban that runs until May 22nd 2026!
Beer's ban is well beyond end of season though. When you click on the "Suspended bans" tab that gives that little extra bit more detail, Beer is listed as "expelled from the KCL". That has got to be something a bit more surely? Would be very intrigued to know the story.
Anyone know why Littlebourne's Tony Beer has been expelled from the Kent Cricket League?!
Level 4 offence, which can be "threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence. Spitting would be included here.". It appears from scorecards that on 21st June, in a match versus Walmer, he was "Retired out 3". That suggest to me, and I have no knowledge if this was what happened, that he may have been upset by the umpire giving (his possible relative?) Harry Beer out LBW, and was thus hit with a L4 offence and asked by his captain to leave the pitch. His subsequent ban takes him to the end of this season.
His is the third Level 4 in the KCL this season I believe...one of which now has a ban that runs until May 22nd 2026!
Beer's ban is well beyond end of season though. When you click on the "Suspended bans" tab that gives that little extra bit more detail, Beer is listed as "expelled from the KCL". That has got to be something a bit more surely? Would be very intrigued to know the story.
Frankly if someone commits a level 4 offence their club should throw them out first anyway. The Kent League suspension means he can't play anywhere else (in Kent that is)
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Bickley won the toss and opted to bowl. Evert Bekker was cleaned up by Aussie Sam Geyer early but then in came, to join Ben Compton, Luke Schlemmer (how this guy isn't a pro I'll never know) and he immediately started to show his class. Those two took the score to 88 before Compton fell for 35. In came his cousin and ex-England opener, Nick, who was batting with a fair amount of fluency before he had to retire hurt when on 39 and with Schlemmer having made 79 and the Tasmanian Brad Hope on 83, the Vine were set to post a 300 plus score. Good bowling, backed by superb fielding, enabled Bickley to restrict the batters and to eventually dismiss the Vine for 274 with a ball of their entitlement of 50 overs to go.
So, Bickley had to chase the very same score of 275 that they achieved in that opening game of the season. With the score on 152-3 off 30, thanks in the main to 39 from Ranjit Singh and a 50 from Saf Imtiaz, the target of 123 off 20 overs definitely looked within their capabilities. But, steadily, they lost their way and with the score on 205-7 and 70 required off the final 6 overs, it was, effectively, game over.
Well not quite. Seb (Naylor) had been watching the first 8 balls following his arrival at the crease from the other end was clearly enough for him to work out the pace of the track because he hit his first ball for 6 over cover. He carried on in that vein but Bickley still needed 28 off the final 2 overs. A no ball/single meant Seb would now be facing the bowler, Hope and he successfully hit him for 6, 4, 4, 2, 4 & 1 with that final single enabling him to be on strike with 12 required off the final over. First ball he tried to pump Tom Richards for a maximum over midwicket but sadly didn't get enough on it. Out caught for 46 off 19 balls. Bickley managed a run-a-ball 5 for the remaining balls of the innings but it was the Vine who came out on top by the margin of half a dozen runs.
Two fantastic games of cricket between these two sides. The Vine will walk the Championship and if Bickley can keep as many of their small squad together for the rest of the season then they have a decent chance of returning to the Premier League with them. If.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Martin McCague yesterday - former Kent and England player - whose son plays for Leeds and Broomfield - lovely bloke, but I don’t think he enjoys a Kent fan telling him how much he enjoyed watching him play 😂
His son is a really nice lad, as we’re all all the Leeds and Broomfield team - I had a great chat with them
They were shocked how bad Hesketh Park outfield is, even more so when I told them it was a new outfield
Company who did the new outfield a bunch of crooks - it’s awful
In all seriousness, although his keeping remains of top quality, Seb has totally lost confidence in his batting so much so that, although he loves coaching cricket (does so for Colfes, Bickley, OEs, the Kent Regional Pathway and MCC Foundation) and other sports too, he's fallen out of love, with playing. Saturday was just one of those situations where he had clarity of his role with nothing to lose and that allowed him to free his arms.
Another sport has, however, massively taken his interest and one which sits more comfortably with his mindset, specifically that ability to get over a mistake or a bit of bad luck immediately - golf (this has also had a massive influence on his ability to hit the cricket ball). Two years ago he played his first round of golf, is currently playing off 3 and in a couple of weeks time he will miss his first game, apart from for broken thumbs, in the four years he's been at Bickley to play in a 36 hole competition. He might still carry on with cricket next term, especially if things change for him in the course of the rest of the season and possibly only when needed, but his passion, from the perspective of playing sport is concerned, is golf right now.
His is the third Level 4 in the KCL this season I believe...one of which now has a ban that runs until May 22nd 2026!