Week 17 (18/8/07): Much Hadham (Away - HECL) - WON

With the weather looking somewhat dubious and following Much Hadhams' batting performance the week before Ashdon wanted to bowl.

Ashdon did lose the toss, but Hadham elected to bat and Ashdon took to the field. Their openers looked initially assured and played some expansive shots but with 8.5 overs gone and Hadham on 42 without loss Phil Salt found the edge and Trevor Clarke snaffled up the chance.

A bowling change as it so often does started a tumble of wickets and with only 20 more runs on the board Much Hadham were all out for 62. Great bowling performances from Rob Pinnington (4 - 2 - 6 - 3) and Graham Ford (9.4 - 0 - 29 - 4) virtually sealed Hadhams' relegation fate.

Not wanting to mess with the normal batting order, Graham Ford and Jamie went out to bat. With 47 runs on the board after just 6.5 overs Ashdon looked like they were on their way to a comfortable 10 wicket win, but Graham Ford (22) helped a catch back to mid off and Ashdon lost their only wicket.

With Mike Furze (8*) and Jamie Millership (32*) ending up not out and seeing the team home Ashdon closed in on promotion, and following Monday's news that Woodford Wells' game had been abandoned due to rain it left Ashdon needing just 9 points from their final 2 games to be certain of promotion.

Week 16 (11/8/07): Roding Valley (Home - HECL) - WON

On another hot August Saturday a crunch tie between 1st and 3rd gave Ashdon a much needed and vital win.

Again Ashdon were inserted by the opposition after they won the toss, and again as so many times this season a successful and strong opening partnership by Jamie Millership (33) and Graham Ford (49) provided a great base for the rest of the Ashdon innings. Further cameo performances by Mike Furze (19), Rob Pinnington (21) and Phil Salt (31) built the score well but the damage was done at number 5 with a fantastically resilient innings by Stuart Sutherland (76). The formidable score of 252 was posted at tea and Ashdon took to the field with the momentum on their side.

Following the previous weeks fielding performance Ashdon tightened up their act and with some good bowling wickets tumbled constantly throughout the Roding Valley innings. Phil Salt was the pick of the bowlers with 8 overs, 1 maiden, 20 runs for 3 wickets, and was helped admirably by Rob Pinnington (7 - 0 - 19 - 2) , Charlie Segar (5 - 0 - 18 - 1) , Mike Furze (5 - 0 - 21 - 1) and Sam Gardiner (5 - 0 - 21 - 1).

Roding Valley lost their final wicket with the score at just 148, 104 runs short of the Ashdon total. A convincing and comfortable win for Ashdon leaves them at the top of the table still, just a few victories away from promotion.

Week 15 (4/8/07): High Roding II (Home - HECL) - LOST

A top of the table clash on a warm sticky August afternoon, a real summer afternoon for a change.

Having won the toss High Roding decided to bowl first. Ashdon looked good to start and had 34 on the board before the first wicket of Graham Ford (23) fell. A quick tumble of wickets left Ashdon reeling at 41 for 3 with Will Stuart and Rob Pinnington both departing without scores. This brought Will Mallett to the crease to join Jamie Millership and following a great partnership the next wicket wasn't to fall until Ashdon reached a much healthier 135.

Jamie was finally back in the pavilion 6 short of his half century and Will followed shortly after for a great 76. It was then left to cameos by Andy Pinnington (36*) and Phil Salt (26*) to post a score, and that they did when Ashdon finished on 230 for 5, somewhat short of a good total but it was defendable never the less.

With some good early bowling from Ashdon things looked promising Steve Salt ending with figures of 10 over 3 maidens 1 wicket for 31 runs was the pick of the Ashdon bowlers. Good bowling from Phil Salt (9 - 1 - 45 - 2)  and Will Mallett (6 - 1 - 37 - 1) looked encouraging too, but unfortunately the fielding lacked the quality required and with just 1.2 overs remaining High Roding crept over the Ashdon score for the loss of just 6 wickets.

Fortunately Ashdon had opened a slim lead and the bonus points earned during the loss were enough to keep them at the top of the table.

Week 14 (28/7/07): Essendon (Away - HECL) - WON

A visit to one of Ashdons bogey grounds for this weeks game and had it not been for winning the toss it could well have been again.

Following some 'interesting' batting displays there in the past having won the toss the only sensible option for the skipper was to insert the home side. His decision was spot on, with a track that behaved nastily it was all that Essendon could to to keep the ball away from the stumps and with just 25 on the board off 20 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. The combination of Phil (10 - 3 - 13 - 4) and Steve Salt (10 - 6 - 11 - 1) broke the back of the Essendon innings and following some dogged resistance from the lower order the managed to get to 113 all out.

Following the first innings Ashdon never expected it to be easy but with some good performances from Stuart Sutherland (27*) and Will Mallett (30) with bat Ashdon managed to creep over the line for the loss of 7 wickets.

At the end of the game a very tense skipper was elated to have won the game even if it was the most convincing display this season, it keeps Ashdon at the tope of the league.

Week 13 (21/7/07): Elsenham (Home - HECL) - NO RESULT - RAIN

The rainy weather returned and halted the game 3/4 of the way through with the game poised in an interesting position.

Ashdon had won the toss and decided to bat first, with another good opening stand by Jamie Millership (73) and Graham Ford (20) Ashdon looked well placed, but after just 33 overs the heavens opened and the players retreated to the changing rooms to escape the rain. An early tea was taken to limit the effect the rain might have on the match.

Ashdon resumed on 167 for 3 after the break and without losing any further wickets progressed to and formidable target of 230 of 40 overs leaving Rob Pinnington on 51 not out and Stuart Sutherland 25 not out.

In reply Elsenham managed to face just 19 overs for the score of 82 for the loss of just 1 wicket. Elsenham needed 150 off 21 overs which would have been a fascinating game for sure, but yet again the weather intervened and despite a number of attempts to get out and play again the pitch was never going to dry out enough for it to be safe to play.

Week 12 (14/7/07): Stansted II (Away - HECL) - WON

An important game for Ashdon away at Stansted a win was vital to stay at the top of the league and to continue the pursuit of promotion. Ashdon won the toss again and elected to bat.

With Jamie Millership missing (shoulder) it was down to Stuart Sutherland and Graham Ford to open the innings and within a short amount of time Ashdon had seen both batsmen go for low scores bringing Rob Pinnington (79) and Mike Furze (87) to the crease with the score at just 17 for 2. a splendid partnership ensued and sensible contributions from both batsmen ensured a solid base for the rest of the Ashdon innings with the partnership finally being broken with 180 runs on the board. Further cameos from Andy Pinnington (24) and Phil Salt (22) ensured a fantastic 272 for 9 was posted for Stansted to chase!

Again the old heads of Steve Salt and Graham Ford made scoring for Stansted difficult and they never seemed to recover from a slow start and lost wickets constantly through the innings eventually falling well short of the Ashdon total for 174 all out.

Another convincing display by the Ashdon boys ensures they stay at the top of the table.

Week 11 (7/7/07): South Loughton II (Home - HECL) - WON

Finally some sun, could it be summer has arrived? Ashdon welcomed South Loughton to Walton's Park to begin the second half of the season.

Winning the toss brought the usual decision from the skipper as Ashdon elected to bat first. It again proved the right decision with the top five of the Ashdon order getting some runs under the belt, another strong innings by Graham Ford (74) proved the solid base for a confident batting display. A small collapse of the middle order was halted by a sound innings of 18* by Joe O'Gorman and Ashdon set South Loughton the formidable but achievable target of 245.

As we have seen so many times before the eternally precise bowling of Steve Salt (10 - 4 - 13 - 1) and Graham Ford (10 - 0 - 32 - 1) tied down the top order for South Loughton and with just 50 off their first 20 overs getting anywhere near was always going to be difficult. Dogged resistance by Waqas was the only consolation for Loughton and with tight bowling by Phil Salt (10 - 3- 31 - 0) and some great fielding from the Ashdon boys South Loughton never troubled the target finishing up on 196 for 9.

Another convincing display by Ashdon keeps us at the top of the table and following some pleasing results in the rest of the league we open a gap between us and High Roding in second place.

Week 10 (30/6/07): Mole Hill Green (Home - HECL) - WON

More terrible weather almost put pay to another Saturday game, fortunately it held off long enough for us to get an abbreviated match in!

Once the covers were peeled back it exposed a slightly damp but well prepared strip, after much deliberation it was decided a twenty20 match was the order of the day, to try to avoid the worst of the forecast weather. Mole Hill Green won the toss and decided to bowl.

Ashdon pleased about being inserted proceeded to put 122 for 7 on the board with good contributions from Rob Pinnington (32) Charlie Segar (24) and Neil Davies (18) the total was set.

Despite only having 10 players Ashdon performed magnificently in the field, and once Phil Salt (4 - 0 - 19 - 1) and Rob Pinnington (4 - 1- 18 - 2) had removed 3 of the top order batsmen, Steve Salt (4 - 1 - 5 - 3) and Joe O'Gorman (2 - 0 - 15 - 2) performed excellently to wrap up the Mole Hill Green innings for just 95.

Leaving Ashdon victorious in the shortened game, lookout for the new table probably to be revealed on Monday!

Week 9 (23/6/07): Woodford Wells IV (Away - HECL) - NO RESULT - RAIN

As the rain pelted down around the country Ashdon formed a great base to an innings thanks to a great opening partnership from Jamie Millership and Graham Ford. The innings faltered somewhat and a few wickets fell, and then without warning, the heavens opened.

With puddles growing on the outfield and the wicket looking more like a pond it was decided it was probably best to knock the game on the head.

Disappointing as the game promised so much! Ashdon reached just over 150 to get 3 bonus points.

Week 8 (16/6/07): Much Hadham (Home - HECL) - WON BY DEFAULT

A phone call from the opposition skipper on Thursday night to call the game off due to lack of players returned Ashdon to winning ways without having to swing the bat in anger!

Just as well really, the weather would have affected the game anyway!

Week 7 (9/6/07): Roding Valley (Away - HECL) - LOST

Another road trip for the boys from Ashdon and not a particularly scenic venue for our sixth game of the league campaign, and that is most definitely putting it nicely!

After inspecting the wicket and taking advice from the 'seasoned' players in the squad Rob Pinnington decided to take to the field in the hope that the wicket would aid his bowlers. In reality the toss was about all that went right for Ashdon. High Roding attacked from the off and were 130 of 15 overs. It was amazing in fact that Ashdon limited the home side to just 253, proving the track wasn't as helpful as first thought.

Again as has been the case in every game so far this season the top 3 batsmen (Jamie Millership (39), Graham Ford (31) and Mike Furze (41)) started the innings well and at 130 for 3 Ashdon looked well placed.

But again like the Elsenham game a collapse ensued with Ashdon falling way short on 194 for 9 off their 45 overs. Another dissapointing demise leaves Ashdon in 3rd place and with back to back losses. Let's hope the return to our home ground brings better results.

Week 6 (2/6/07): High Roding (Away - HECL) - LOST

A scorching hot day saw Ashdon put out just about the strongest side they have been able to field thus far. Unfortunately it didn't pay off.

Batting first Ashdon managed just 160 runs, 6 of the top order batsmen failed to capitalise on their starts and but for a wagging tail Mitchell Noakes (20*) and Roy Bartram (7*) The total could have been a lot lower.

In reply early fielding mistakes proved costly with an unconvincing 88* from A. Denney seeing High Roding home. Had Ashdon held on to catches the result may have been different, though 160 was never going to be a big enough total to defend on a wicket that batting friendly.

Week 5 (26/5/07): Essendon (Home - HECL) - WON

For the first time in the league season Ashdon had to take to the field first, and a great battle ensued. Again a tight opening spell by Steve Salt and Graham Ford kept Essendon tied down. Then it came to Rob Pinnington and Will Mallett and they continued the good work and finally short spells from Neil Davies and Joe O'Gorman limited Essendon to 193 for 9.

Ashdon proved they were just as good at chasing when again strong batting performances from Jamie Millership (64), Graham Ford (38) and Mike Furze (53) let Rob Pinnington and Will Mallett walk in victorious with the pleasure of hitting the winning runs.

Ashdon finishing on 194 - 3 Roll on brilliantly.

Mike Furze with an extravagant swoosh.

Week 4 (19/5/07): Elsenham (Away - HECL) - WON

Again batting first Ashdon looked for a similar performance to the previous weeks and early on this looked like it would be the case. But at 96 for 2 Ashdon collapsed, losing the next 8 wickets for just 16 runs. Ending up on just 112.

Looking slightly dejected at tea time, Ashdon felt like they had blown the chances they had of continuing their un-beaten run.

Sticking with the same opening bowlers as the previous week (Graham Ford (10 - 3 - 16 - 2) and Steve Salt (10 - 5 - 8 - 1)) worked a treat for Ashdon and after 20 overs Elsenham had just 29 runs for 3 wickets. With Elsenham on the ropes and well behind the run rate great spells from Charlie Segar (7 - 1 - 16 - 3) and Rob Pinnington (6.4 - 1 - 12 - 4) finished them off. With Elsenham finishing on just 61 all out Ashdon pulled a great victory out of the bag and continued their unbeaten run.

Will Mallett gets 'done by the bounce' looking for the pull shot.

Week 3 (12/5/07): Stansted I (Home - HECL) - WON

A partnership of 97 between Mike Furze (62) and Jamie Millership (71) provided a great launch pad for another for large first innings score of 286 for 9. With decent contributions from Rob Pinnington (35) and Stuart Sutherland (55), Ashdon posted another formidable target.

When Ashdon took to the field and early wickets feel Stansted felt the pressure. The tight opening spell by Steve Salt (10 - 6 - 19 -2) and Graham Ford (10 - 1 - 33 - 4) decimated the Stansted batting line, the rest of the bowlers used mopped up the rest of the batsman to leave the opposition all out for just 151. Another convincing victory.

Rob Pinnington in mid flow during a brisk 54.

Week 2 (5/5/07): South Loughton (Away - HECL) - WON

A trip down to Loughton for the first game of the season, following the return of a number of players, Ashdon fielded a good side.

Batting first Ashdon put 284 on the board for the loss of just 6 wickets with good innings from Jamie Millership (54), Graham Ford (34), Mike Furze (85) and Rob Pinnington (54).

As so often happens the psychological barrier of 250 affected Loughton's run chase, and they never looked like they were in contention.

Ashdon start of the league campaign with a well deserved victory, the first at South Loughton for 5 years.

Graham Ford hitting a large six in an innings of 41.

Week 1 (28/4/07): Great Chesterford (Home - Friendly) - LOST

A disappointing start to the season, after struggling to raise a full strength side during the week the 11 members of the Ashdon side battled valiantly but came up short against Chestefords.