The weekend belonged to Kiwi King Ben Henderson who played 2 days of superb cricket. The Saturday 1st XI started the day without captain Ian Antonio and frontline fast bowler Anand Desai and also missing the presence of Nick Turnbull. Despite this, they started well having the opposition at 60 for 4 with stand in captain Tom Bennett delighted with the performance. West End Esher battled back with Toby Passant smashing his way to 42 not out with Wyett supporting valiantly with 35. West End managed to creep up to 215 off there 40 overs with Ben Henderson being the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 25 off 8. His figures really did not tell the truth as he beat the edge of the West End Batsmen on so many occasions.
LDCC set about there challenge with Downey and Oldham opening. Things did’nt look great when Oldham fell second ball, nicking behind to the keeper off Loveridge’s bowling. Up stepped former 1st XI skipper Gareth Plunkett who did not dissapoint. A more mature Plunkett with the bat than previous seasons. Plunkett and Downey then batted superbly for a 50 partnership until Downey was given out in controversial circumstances LBW. Plunkett then went on to smash his way to an unbeaten 118 which included 23 fours and 2 sixes with Ormerod supporting with a flashy 15. LDCC chased the score down with ease with 4 wickets to spare and 7 overs remaining.
Skipper Bennett said after the game : “It was a great performance. We started very well, and then WEECC got on top of us and got away a bit. We were a bit dissappointed we let them get to 215 but the way the guys especially Dave Downey and Gareth Plunkett batted was great to see. We can’t wait for the Battersea Ironsides fixture in the cup next week. With a fully fit team, I predict we will do well”
Sunday saw the Sunday 1st XI in action in the Surrey Trust Development league opening fixture, with two dropouts on the evening and morning of the game, it was difficult to even get an 11. Captain Turnbull was livid. LDCC were also without oversea’s Henderson who cannot play in the Development league due to Oversea’s rulings. In the end LDCC made easy work of it and never let Malden Wanderers get going as they posted a modest 133 for 9 off 40 overs. LDCC started terribly with normally reliant Turnbull falling second ball for 1 LBW. 3 for 2 and Antonio and Mikey Hall entered the crease. The two batted insanely well notching up a 133 run partnership with Hall scoring 71 off 105 balls and Antonio playing a Paul Collingwood-esque innings with a 45 off 90 balls to wrap up the first victory for the Trust side. Turnbull was unavailable for comment as he was seen loading up his kit straight after the game to get home so he could watch television with his Dad.
The Sunday 2s played Woodmansterne away and won well by 5 wickets with Ben Henderson stealing the show with a 5 for 20 off 10 overs with the ball and then a maiden fifty with the bat. Supported well by Danny Cheema (28), John Parkins (18) and Tom Rogers (20*).
Henderson said after the game : “Super chuffed with the fifty, it was a surreal feeling and I dedicate it to my Dad. He is a top bloke and knows how to party.Super pleased with my 5 for. My first in Ditton colours. Also nice to have a better batting average than Nick Turnbull thus far. Hopefully I can back it up with some more scores”
Ditton are in action against Battersea Ironsides @ home next saturday, 1.30 pm start and then again on Sunday against Wimbledon Park @ home again with a 2pm start.