We started on the subject of Belhus Cricket Week but then strayed into the subject of the alleged match fixing allegations surrounding certain members of the Pakistani Cricket team. Ralph has some very interesting opinions on the matter.
Bank Holiday Monday saw the Belhus team take on Old Dartfodians as part of Belhus celebrations of 50 years of cricket.
EAST Thurrock deservedly emerged victorious from a somewhat uninspiring Bank Holiday fixture against Waltham Forest at Cricklefield to go second in the Ryman One North.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Grays Athletic, Andy Swallow has defended his actions in standing up to a Tilbury fan who was allegedly accosting and intimidating elderly and vulnerable fans.
The penalty came when Aaron Waters lost possession to Harry Baker just inside his own half, Baker ran at speed though the Thurrock midfield and was only stopped inside the penalty area by Rob Swaine illegally, there was little protest from the Thurrock players when referee Mr Phil Knight pointed to the spot.
Another defeat for Thurrock and an outstanding display for Grays in a busy Bank Holiday for the local teams.
GRAYS Ath will make the rest of the league sit up with a stylish 3-1 victory against local rivals Tilbury Town. In an exciting first half, Grays dominated the game playing football that made you double-check what league they were in.
Over 40 clubs in the borough have come and gone in the past 50 years, but Belhus Cricket Club exists today by reason of its strong emphasis on youth cricket. Today’s 1st X1 bears the fruit of this emphasis and the team currently comprises no less than eight teenagers – fine talents who have progressed through our youth academy.
Belhus started their cricket week to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary by challenging their 1988 first eleven. Consequently, the invited guests proceeded to smash the ball to all parts of the North Stifford village green. Openers Terry Lambert and Tony Lincoln were particularly severe on the hosts bowling attack as these to put on 169 for the first wicket.
The Hammers put together this comprehensive victory over their near neighbours Ipswich to keep their momentum going as they look to secure their passage through to the end of season Elite League play-offs.
Grays v Tilbury local derby should be a cracker as all the team do battle on Bank Holiday Monday.
The first half was a fierce encounter with tackles flying in all over the place, and it ultimately saw Aveley’s Wayne Semanshia and Danny Slatter booked, with Danny Glozier also in the referee’s notepad early on.
THREE second half goals ensured passage for Rocks to a home tie in the FA Cup with either Leighton or Heybridge, but this wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory.
After five games Thurrock are still looking for their first win, just three points from a possible fifteen sees them lying dangerously close to the relegation zone. It may still be very early in the season but both Chairman Tommy South and Manager Hakan Hayrettin believe its going to be a long hard slog to get them moving up the table.
Looks like a long season for Thurrock as they succumb to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bishops Stortford. Elsewhere, Rooks and Dockers triumph in the FA Cup.
The road to Wembley begins this weekend with The Rocks playing host to The Abbey and The Dockers travelling over to Uxbridge.
Thurrock CC miserable season may have taken a positive turn right at the last, with a surprise win at fourth placed Hornchurch Athletic on Saturday. Hanging on the precipice of relegation, Thurrock knew they needed victories rather than bonus points in their last two matches and delivered 20 of them at the first attempt.
A GOAL in each half proved enough for East Thurrock to move into the top four of the Ryman One North in a sometimes feisty encounter at Rookery Hill on Tuesday evening.
Thurrock recorded their third draw in four games, some might suggest that’s eight points dropped, going behind in all three games and conceding some poor goals due to defensive errors its not the start that most Fleet fans were hoping for.
Rob Swaine gets sent off again but Fleet somehow they manage to scrape a draw.
Both sides could have nicked it with Andy Howells being the Miller’ saviour with a last ditch dive blocking Liam Friend’s goal bound shot after the ball broke loose to Friend from a free kick.
Thurrock however stepped up the pace and Nathan Farrell, Chris Banks went over fors score’s before Stubbs added another for the visitors. Ben Stanley and Luke Crowhurst added a further try each with Burns adding one conversion to seal a very worthwhile run out.
On an overcast day at Mopsies Park, Stanford-le-hope CC secured their safety in Division 2 of the Sheppard Neame Essex League with a fine team performance against a struggling Basildon team.
Ishmael had already played for Grays in the 2008-09 season, producing a number of outstanding performances in the latter half of the season to keep Grays in the division.
