Egham Roses CC

Go well, Matt, from all of us.

“Your infectious personality and hard work behind the scenes will be a very hard act to follow. You will be sorely missed.

I wish you well in your travels, and look forward to you wearing the Egham Roses shirt again in the not-too-distant future.”

To quote our Chair, CJ Marks:

“Matt, you have exemplified what the Roses are all about on the field through your superb leadership skills, engaging and supporting both new and old players.”

This year, Matt’s efforts helped ensure our ground share with @eghamcricket couldn’t have gone any better. The many new players he introduced ‘got’ the Roses ethos, and settled in brilliantly.

On the field, he is our leading run scorer. Off it, he not only twists arms, he makes cricket teas.

Last season, we struggled for players. We only managed to play seven games. Off the field, Matt helped twist arms to ensure we managed to get teams together to fulfil those matches. On the field, he helped us win all those games.

More significantly, this will be the last match for our captain, Matt Whitehorn, before he leaves for Canada.

Matt’s impact as skipper over the past two seasons cannot be underestimated.

Firstly, what always happens when we name a team early? Yes, someone drops out. Adam Dix is replaced in the XII by Callum Shearer.

Callum made his Roses debut in last season’s visit to Ventnor. He will be hoping this year’s trip goes better.

Go well, Callum.

Roses name a squad of twelve for this Sunday’s last match of the season - a much anticipated visit to @ventnorcricket on the Isle of Wight.

The match - weather permitting - should involve a couple of significant events. A 🧵:

In reply, Whitehorn (3-9), the cheery Andrew Tippell (2-13) and Stuart Palmer (2-22) helped dismiss Pirbright for 101.

Roses visit the Isle of Wight for their final match of the season next Sunday, returning to Ventnor CC.

Roses visited Pirbright for their penultimate match this season, and won by 140 runs.

Batting first, Dan Hirst (retired 54 no), Matt Whitehorn (46, maintaining his record of jug avoidance), Phill Milnes (38), and Matt Knight (27 no) helped Roses to 241-7 from 35 overs.

Roses’ XI for tomorrow’s visit to Pirbright, featuring Dan Hirst as this week’s cover star.

Will the rain hold off? How hungover will most of the side be after the Egham CC awards night? Do McDonald’s deliver nuggets as far as Pirbright? We’ll find out tomorrow…

Royals initially struggled in reply, but a good fourth-wicket partnership was key to seeing them home with three overs to spare. Simper (2-37) and Andrew Tippell (2-39) did most of the damage, on a day when key decisions didn’t go Roses’ way.

Roses visit Pirbright next Sunday.

Roses lost by five wickets in their ‘home’ game against Windsor Royals today.

Put into bat, Roses were dismissed for 217 from their 35 overs. Ben Simper (62), Dan Fewster (47), Will Slater (32) and Matt Whitehorn (23) were the top scorers.🧵

Thirdly, the match sees the return of Royals’ biryani - definitely something to look forward to.

Finally, fingers will be crossed that Sunday will stay dry, otherwise the perennially angry Andrew Tippell will be positively incandescent. (Has he noticed the typo in his name?)

Secondly, we welcome back some old friends to the team: Richard Swain, James Hirst (in ‘batting only’ mode) and Chair CJ Marks, seen here with skipper Matt Whitehorn in their other career as Staines’ top Only Fools and Horses tribute act.

Much to talk about with this week’s team news.

Firstly, Egham CC is unavailable, so we are playing at Staines and Laleham. But change is good, and should be embraced, innit? 🧵

Roses are looking for a ground to host our opponents on Sunday 31 August. Somewhere near-ish either Egham or Windsor would be ideal. If you’re able to assist, please slide into our DMs for a chat!

Roses lost by six wickets at home against TVR this afternoon. Captain Matt Whitehorn’s 64 was the anchor of the hosts’ 175 from 35 overs, supported by Matt Knight (26) and Dan Fewster (24). But in the field, only Lucy Hall (4-26) had an answer to the visitors’ batting.

Roses’ XI for Sunday’s match against Thames Valley Ramblers.

Cover star is Ben Simper, proudly showing off the damage he did to the sightscreen through hitting a recent six. What sort of example is that to young players?!

Lack of availability during the holiday season is a seemingly impossible problem to solve. Players naturally have many more demands on their time than, say, fifty years ago. It’s ironic that the weather for many of these matches has been particularly good this season!

This is in no way a criticism of those teams. Roses have had similar issues on several occasions in recent seasons. Whilst our partnership with Egham CC has helped massively, we still found ourselves struggling for players for a number of those cancelled matches.

Neither Pirbright (10 August) or Hampstead (17 August) could raise teams for our home games with them. Wilkinson Way kindly stepped into the breach on the first date.

Firstly, our 6 July visit to first-time opponents Alderwood was cancelled, as our hosts couldn’t raise a team.

The weather put paid to us hosting Eversley two weeks later.

A lack of Roses players scuppered our third visit to Hampshire, at Wield on 6 August.

The observant Roses follower may have noticed a few matches which we said were forthcoming this season, but then didn’t update on.

Unfortunately availability in grassroots cricket can be a challenge in the holiday season, and this year was no exception.

A short 🧵:

Simper (55) and captain and tea provider Matt Whitehorn (33) made the most significant contributions with the bat earlier in the innings.

Roses host Hampstead next, on Sunday 17.

In reply, Roses looked to be cruising at 106-3, but a very traditional middle order collapse left them 146-9. Matt Knight (fresh from three slices of Cuthbert the Caterpillar at tea) and Hall provided the necessary Zen-like calm to see Roses home.

A thrilling match against first-time opponents Wilkinson Way this afternoon. Batting first, our opponents were restricted to 156-8 from their 35 overs, with two wickets apiece for Matt Knight and Lucy Hall, and some parsimonious bowling from Ben Simper and Andrew Tippell.

Roses’ XI against Wilkinson Way this Sunday. Go well, Lady and Gentlemen!

Now sorted - we play Wilkinson Way on Sunday. Team news to follow later.

Due to our scheduled opponents not being able to raise a team, we are looking for a home fixture this coming Sunday, 10 August.

We play at Egham CC, with tea and a bar, and will be weak standard. A 1.00 start and 35 overs would be ideal.

Please DM if interested-thank you.