Author: Patrick Kerry

Colne travelled to Kelvedon on 6^th July, aiming to kick off a productive month against some of the weaker teams in the league.  With Jack Holdgate back in the side and making an immediate impact (to the outside structure of the clubhouse) the second surprise of the day was the hosts’ secondary pitch with it’s Lords-like slope making it tricky for fielders at one end to see their team-mates at the other!

Kelvedon batted first and for a short while looked like they might replicate the reverse fixture opening partnership, but Paul Bromley broke through with a couple of lbw’s and eventually finished with figures of 4-47 from his 13 overs.  No other partnership really developed for the hosts, thanks to astute use of the bowlers with Jon Dawes taking his first wicket for the club, Ian Doyle & Luke Booty both picking up one each, and the ever-canny Russell Dawes taking 2-9 from his 4 overs.

So chasing 143 to win, Colne set off at the usual pace with Daryl Sleeman and Pat Kerry picking off the bad balls and making it to 70 without loss before Pat attempted one drive too many to Kelvedon’s most threatening bowler, Jeremy Manning, and was bowled for 44.  Daryl followed soon after, brilliantly caught for 39.  With Tom Bosworth, Jack Holdgate, and Gavin Sleeman all departing relatively cheaply, nerves were starting to show, especially as Manning still had 4 overs to bowl.  However, Ian Doyle and Russ Dawes applied themselves with utmost patience to pick off the remaining 32 runs required and a much-needed 5-wicket win.

In only their second home game of the season Earls Colne welcomed Kelvedon.
After winning the toss, Colne skipper Daryl Sleeman decided to bowl and Gary Pushman opened the bowling on his debut with Paul Bromley. Kelvedon openers Martin Pope(65) and Peter Rice(94) did not let either settle, pouncing on anything short and were sitting at 130 at drinks with Colne looking at a potential chase of around 300! After drinks Daryl Sleeman and Luke Booty slowed the run rate down and the wickets started to fall with Luke Booty taking 4 wickets for only 35 runs and with a tighter fielding performance managed to restrict Kelvedon to 206 for 6 off their 40 overs.
Knowing that they need to bat sensibly Daryl Sleeman and Pat Kerry walked out to start the Colne innings. Pat Kerry took off at his usual pace scoring a quick 24 and then George Gibbins looked set before being bowled by J. Manning, who eventually finished with figures of 2-57.  This brought Russell Dawes to the crease and with Daryl Sleeman, set about rotating the strike and putting the bad balls away to the fence. Daryl made it to 112 before being bowled whilst Russell carried his bat for 58 sharing a partnership of 113 before Gavin Sleeman (4 n.o.) came in and finished the game off in 34 overs 
A very impressive win and all round performance from Colne and with morale high and 2 wins on the bounce, and the skipper convinced that Colne will now start to push up the table

After a few weeks off due to rain Earls Colne made the trip to neighbours Eight Ash green. Captain Daryl Sleeman finally won a toss and elected to bat first on a interesting wicket. 
After a cautious start and losing both openers and a quick fire 24 from Sam Holdgate, colne rebuilt with the middle.order in Ian Doyle (33) and new player Dave Moon(24)teasing the opposition bowlers and taking all the runs that were on offer. Earls Colne finished on 185 for 6 with all batsman adding to the score but none making it to 50.
After tea Earls Colne were quietly optimistic but knew they would need to be tight in the field. The team pulled out the best 16 overs of bowling and fielding for a long time and after 26 overs eight ash green where 36 for 0 and facing a real uphill battle to reach the 185 target. As the pressure grew Dave Moon and Ian Doyle kept it tight and took regular wickets and then the secret weapon Russel Dawes who was back from injury bowled a spell of 4 overs 14 runs for 3 wickets and Colne knew that they had got the win in the bag. Eight Ash Green finishing on 160 for 6 
A great win for Colne and an all round team performance leaving the club very happy

Earls Colne made the long trip down to sunny Harwich with only 9 players. After being inserted into bat Colne made the usual brisk start with openers Daryl Sleeman and Pat Kerry getting off to a quick start with Pat attacking from the off. He finally fell on 54 and Daryl made 46. The incoming batsman all getting under 10 with only Tom Bosworth making it to double figures as S Harrington ripped through our batting and finished with figures of 5 wickets for 21 runs, to leave Colne 168 all out 
After a fantastic tea laid on by Harwich, we took to the field with mammoth task of restricting the opposition with only 9 players. Harwich got off to a good.start with N. Steven’s (20) and A. Double(70) hitting the 2 opening bowlers out the attack. Luke Booty and Paul Bromley slowed down the rate and then Steve Wilsher and Ian Doyle came on and took 3 wickets between them and took the game into the 34th over when Harwich hit the winning runs.
A hard day’s cricket for Colne but well fought

The fixture against West Bergholt on 1st June was called off late on due to the persistent rain

Short report this, as it’s a horror story…

Witham III’s at home and we kept them to a respectable score of 157-8, with the wickets shared between Jack Holdgate, Daryl Sleeman, and Paul Bromley.

However, the batting ‘perfect storm’ of the top 3 not getting going, excellent line & length bowling with a hint of swing, and the customary collapse all led to all out for not very much at all…..34. With 8 batsmen bowled or lbw, it’s time to get the bowling machine out.

A week off, and then off to the seaside at Harwich on 1st June. Things can only get better !

Earls Colne travelled to West Mersea on Saturday 11^th May to play their opponents 2^nd XI on yet another damp and rain-threatened day. With a weakened opposition, only Graham Pryke from the hosts side was able to offer continued resistance carrying his bat through their innings for 70 not out.  For Colne, the familiar problems persisted of not taking all the opponents wickets, but the bright spots were Jack Holdgate taking all the wickets to fall and finishing with figures of 3-27, the return of Luke Booty to the attack, and Harry Porcher bowling a tight line, so that 7 maiden overs were sent down in total.  West Mersea finished on 91-3 after the agreed shortened innings of 35 overs.

Following an excellent tea, skipper Daryl Sleeman and Tom Bosworth set about the target with rapidity, reaching 92-0 in less than 10 overs, with Daryl reaching 56 and Tom 34.   The skipper was relieved after the previous week’s setback and stated that with a far larger pool of players to pick from, and Wednesday evening nets’ attendance on the up, it was starting to look difficult whom to leave out for the next game, Saturday 18^th at home to Witham.

Earls Colne travelled to Maldon on Saturday 4^th May to play their opponents 4^th XI.  Pleasant surprise awaited them in that the main ground with it’s excellent wicket and covers were available for use; unpleasant surprise for both sides was that the rain showers were never far away, so seven balls into the Colne innings, the first rain break was taken.  However, with the available covers, both teams were determined to see a full game through.

Colne followed a path familiar from last season, with the opening pair of Daryl Sleeman and Pat Kerry making rapid progress to 70-0 within 10 overs.  Pat was then bowled by the first change bowler immediately for 27, and soon followed by Daryl, caught for 36.  Russell Dawes and Ian Doyle kept the innings together, falling for 22 and 25 respectively, but the real bonus was Paul Bromley’s 20, showing signs that with five players making good starts, there is real potential for the season.

After tea taken during another rain break, Colne took to the field to defend a slender total of 165.  Against an opening pair intent on immediate attack and an outfield that was rapidly drying, none of the Colne bowlers were able to make an impact, except Paul Bromley whose accuracy soon tired the patience of Richard Buckby, well stumped by keeper Ian Doyle for 44.  With some catches missed, Colne struggled to take any further wickets, with the other opening batsman, Matthew Shinn, fresh from playing for Maldon’s 1^st XI the previous week, accelerating on to reach his century with the winning runs.

So a tough lesson, but some encouraging progress and some areas for Colne to work on before next week’s match at West Mersea.

With Storm Hannah approaching and arctic winds picking up, Earls Colne lost the toss and were made to bowl in our first and only friendly before the season against Writtle.
Some tight bowling from Daryl Sleeman and Harry Porcher kept the scoring slow and bagged a couple of early wickets. The first change brought about the change in run rate and Bosman (68*) and Alan (52*) started scoring with ease. Jack Holdgate got 2 more wickets but was expensive throughout his 8 overs and then Pat Kerry and Gavin Sleeman were the only other two to get a wicket. Writtle finishing on 289 for 6
After warming up with a cup of tea Earls Colne started the chase. Pat Kerry departing early for 4, that brought Colin Holdgate to the crease and with Daryl Sleeman steadied the ship and started to increase the run rate. Daryl then retired on 53 to give other batsman a chance. Colin went on to get 23 before cutting a full toss to cover. A few wickets fell bring Ian Doyle (25*) on his debut to the crease and he again steadied the ship and coached and batted sensibly with the tail to ensure we batted out our full 40 overs finishing on 148 for 7.
Well done all involved apart from weather it was a very enjoyable game and will set us up well for the season ahead.

After a fantastic run chase against Kelvedon,  Colne turned up at Boxteds not knowing what to expect. Jack strolled out and lost the toss and we were made to field on a very flat and dry wicket. With Mo stuck in traffic the Sleeman brothers opened the bowling. The Boxted openers played aggressive but sensible cricket and made it through to the first drinks break with no wicket falling. One making 89 and the other 49 before getting out. After some good running from the oppo batsmen and frustrating fielding from ourselves, plus an injury to the younger Sleeman brother Boxted made it to tea with Earls Colne needing 224 to win.

Quietly optimistic after last week’s run chase, Colne’s opening batsman walked out to the crease. But 4 overs later the optimism had been dampened as the captains golden duck and Sam’s short stay at the crease meant Colne were 10 for 2 wickets. Daryl Sleeman continued scoring freely allowing Pat Kerry to get his eye back in from his unbeaten century the previous week. Daryl departed on 46 after once again middling a ball straight to the fielder. Pat continued his good batting form but regularly lost partners the other end before being bowled round his legs for 38. Russ Dawes enjoyed some time out in the middle and started to regain his batting form before being caught off the edge to be the last wicket for 40 runs. Colne had managed 168 in reply.

Special mentions go to Luke Booty for his bowling and drastically improved batting and Harry Porcher for hitting his first boundary in men’s cricket !