'Graveney in record breaking season !'
Congratulations to all players who contributed to this seasons record 10 wins.
Here are the completed averages. The most recently added are in red .....Mick

Career Summary (Batting, Bowling and Caches ordered by most appearances, 20 minimum)
Batting 2009    Bowling 2009
Individual Bowling Accumulated  (All 110 Graveney players who have bowled, 1990-2009 listed alphabetically)
Top Wicket Takers (minimum of 10 wickets)  Top Bowling Averages  (minimum of 10 wickets)
Top Strike Rates  (i.e. Overs per wicket, minimum of 10 wickets)  Top Economy Rates  (Runs per over)
Individual Bowling Per Season  (Total wickets and averages each season since 1990)
Catches  Partnerships
Individual Batting Accumulated (All 162 Graveney players 1990-2009 listed alphabetically)
Individual Batting Per Season (Total runs and averages each season since 1990)
Top Career Run Scorers. (200 or more runs)  Top Batting Averages (Average 10 or more from at least 10 innings)

'Paul Jeffels takes Player of the Season and Batting Awards'
It was an extremely close finish for Man of the Match votes totals cast during the season. Well done Bear !
Paul also took the Batting Award for the best average from a minimum of 10 innings.

Cumulative Man of the Match awards
Paul Jeffels (22)
Nick Goodburn (21)
Pradeep Jain  (21)
Rob Davies (20)

Appearances and Batting milestones passed during 2009 season
Rob Davies 3,000 runs
Nick Goodburn 2,500 runs and a PB of 81 not out
Barry Gray 1,500 runs and 100 games
Paul Fanning 1,500 runs, fifty games and first century
Richard Hussey 1,500 runs
Paul Jeffels 1,000 runs and PB of 117 not out
Tim Eveleigh 400 runs and first fifty for the club
John Howard first fifty for the club
Jez Skidmore 75 games and Innings and 800 runs
Mick Masters 75 games
Dave Moody 50 games, PB of 30 not out
Raghu Kankate 50 innings
Bruce Graham first fifty for the club in debut season

John O'D has played 249 innings and needs 10 more runs to reach 3,000 runs for the club

'Graveney fail to Slay the Dragons in excellent Contest'
Saturday 26th September
Graveney restricted a good Dragons side to 200-6 in 40 overs following their best collective bowling and fielding display of the season.
Man of the match Pradeep Jain returned excellent figures of 8-3-16-1 and was well supported by all other bowlers,
 with Tim Bunn picking up 2-18 from his 6 overs. After an excellent tea laid on by Dave Moody, Graveney lost Rob and Barry early on.
Nick cut and pulled a quickfire 19 before Howard Hamilton played his usual assortment of shots in making 25,
Bruce Graham made a patient 23, Pradeep a hard hitting 22, and Jez Skidmore added a quick 18.
Despite Martin Nieri’s best efforts to keep Graveney on track, his departure for 22 saw Graveney fall 25 short with 3.5 overs left.
In truth despite 7 people getting starts the fact that no-one went on to make a telling score ultimately proved to be Graveney’s downfall.

'Graveney fall just short in Run Chase at Tadworth'
Saturday 19th September
Graveney played at Tadworth for the second time in 3 weekends following the cancellation by Woldingham.
Tadworth scored one less than 2 weeks ago, posting 239 in 40 overs. Graveney debutant Kanal Kankate (11 year old son of Raghu) 
bowled well and picked up a wicket. In reply, with the initial run rate at a run a ball, skipper for the day Paul Jeffels (64), Nick Goodburn (39),
and man of the match Raghu Kankate (a rapid 71) kept Graveney in touch, but following Raghu holing out late it was too tall
an ask for the incoming batsmen despite a good 27 not out from Barry Gray.
Graveney finished a creditable 223-4 just 16 short.

'Graveney's Batting not up to the Task'
Saturday 12th September
Brockham scored 187 for 9 (Bruce Graham 2-14, Jez Skidmore 2-28).
Graveney in reply failed to perform with the bat and were 44 - 6 before a good partnership
of  58 between Barry Gray (38) and Dave Moody (18) took the score to 102.
So it remained with 4 wickets falling at that score !

'Graveney's winning streak comes to an end at Tadworth'
Saturday 5th September
Tadworth scored an impressive 240 - 5 which proved beyond Graveney who mustered just 146 all out to lose by 94 runs.
Howard Hamilton took the MOM award scoring 46 and his partnership of 79 for the 7th wicket with Tim Eveleigh was a new club record for the 7th wicket.
beating the previous best of 59* set by John OD and Gareth Best at Oakwood Hill back in 1997!
Match Report by Richard Hussey.

'Graveney winning streak reaches 6 in a row'
Saturday 29th August
Graveney scored 209 - 4 with Rob Davies top scoring on 92. In reply Old Manhattans were all out for 153 with
Bruce Graham taking 6-17, a seasons best bowling performance and worthy of the Man of the Match award.
Match Report by Paul Fanning.

'Graveney achieve 5th win in a row but only just!'
Saturday 22nd August
Graveney set a good target of 205 - 6 against Old Dorkinians thanks mainly to a maiden century from skipper Paul Fanning (102).
He received support from Barry Gray (22), Paul Jeffels (19) and Nick Goodburn (19) but after his dismissal the innings failed to prosper further.
 Despite an excellent opening spell from Jay Vibert (3-16), Old Dorkinian were determined to chase the target with significant contributions
from Lower (107*) and Gange (51). Cometh the moment, cometh the man and Barry Gray bowled an unplayable double wicket maiden
to secure a Graveney victory by just 2 runs ! Match Report by Jay Vibert.  
Pictures from Nick Goodburn
 

'Graveney chalk up 4th win in a row with an emphatic
99 run victory over Holly Bush Tavern'
Saturday 15th August
Graveney set an impressive target of 191 - 6 with good partnerships of 96 between Paul Fanning (56) and Jez Skidmore (36)
and then 64 between Tin Eveleigh (50 not out) and Dave Moody (13 not out).
This was Tim's maiden 50 and included 2 sixes and 7 fours. Holly Bush Tavern were quickly in trouble at 30-4 and were eventually dismissed for 92.
Bowling honours fell to Kev McGill with 3-12 ably supported by Jay Vibert and Paul Jeffels both returning 2-33.
Match Report by John O'Driscoll. 

'Graveney Beat Burgh Heath to Continue Winning Run'
Saturday 8th August
Good knocks by Nick Goodburn (77 not out) and Paul Jeffels (61) saw Graveney recover from the loss of 3 early wickets to
eventually post 196-6 at Burgh Heath. In reply, Graveney's bowlers shared the wickets around, ending up comfortable winners by 85 runs,
with Burgh Heath, who never really got going, ending on 111-9. Match Report by Nick Goodburn.

'Graveney Secure 6 Wicket Win at Oakwood Hill'

Graveney secured their first victory at Oakwood Hill since September 2003, with a six wicket played out in constant drizzle.
Graveney's bowlers restricted their hosts to 164-7 off their 30 overs including an impressive 1-20 from 6 overs from Dave Price
playing his first game of the season. In reply Graveney reached their total in the 29th over thanks in the main to debutant Bruce Graham's 65 not out,
including 4 sixes, and some able support from skipper Nick Goodburn (25) and Jez Skidmore (30).
(Averages have been updated, match report to follow)

'Graveney in emphatic win after poor start against Occasional Wanderers'

Batting first Graveney were 8 for 3 early on but good partnerships between John Howard (60) and Jez Skidmore  (21) of 71
and John Howard and Mick Masters (20) of 61 saw Graveney set a respectable target of 159-8 from their  40 over allotment .
Occasional Wanderers were in trouble from the start as wickets tumbled, Ali Newman returned the best figures with 3 for 10.
All seven bowlers took wickets with chairman John O'D taking the last two in successive balls. One of those was that of Pradeep Jain
and this event became the champagne moment for John and the moment of disgrace for Pradeep.
Occasional Wanderers totalled just 78 to lose by 81 runs.
Man of the match was unanimously awarded to John Howard for his fine 60.

 

'Ten Man Graveney Fall short in Run Chase at Falconhurst'

Set a target of 215-9 in a 35 overs game, ten man Graveney fell short making 189-8 from their allotted overs.
Barry Gray returned his best figures so far this season with 3-25.
Man of the Match Rob Davies top scored with 72 and Richard Hussey made 57 before running himself out. Down the order only Dave Moody made a healthy contribution with a career best 30 not out for Graveney.
Match Report from Jez Skidmore.

Kenny Doyle Memorial Shield 2009

A bonus match report from John O'Driscoll.

Bedfordshire Tour 2009

The results were: - Graveney 328 - 5, Blunham 263 all out. Win by 65 runs
Graveney 187 - 9, Ampthill 188-7. Loss by 7 wickets
Southill Park 308 - 7, Graveney 126, Loss by 182 runs.

The third wicket partnership of 162 at Blunham between Paul Jeffels and Paul Fanning was a club record for the third wicket beating the previous best of 147 set last season by Richard Hussey and Nick Goodburn at Abinger.
In fact I believe the Graveney total in that game of 328 for 5 may well be a club record total !

The game at Blunham was the 300th match since full records have been kept and the 90th win.  ...... Mick

Bear century not quite enough for 10 man Graveney
Saturday 27th June

10 man Graveney came close to winning at Blindley Heath , ending on 192-7 in reply to Blindley Heath's 202-5 declared. Kev McGill grabbed another 3 wickets when Blindley Heath batted (with opener Neil Birchett grabbing yet another century against us!). In reply, an unbeaten 115 from Paul Jeffels brought Graveney within reach, but ultimately Graveney were just unable to reach the required total before time ran out. Match Report from John O'D.

Strong Graveney held to a draw as Chelsfield shut-up shop
Saturday 20th June

Graveney set a impressive target of 246 - 7 with Rob Davies top scoring with 76. There was an unbeaten 51 from Paul Jeffels and useful contributions of 44 from Richard Hussey (including three sixes) and 29 runs from Nick Goodburn. Chelsfield never seriously set about the chase and the game ended in a draw with Graveney taking just four wickets. The highlights of Graveney's fielding performance were provided by man of the match Paul Jeffels with a direct hit run out and a spectacular catch. Match Report from Paul Jeffels.

Graveney in Well Deserved Victory against Bounders
Saturday 13th June

With Abinger Hammer crying off, Nick Goodburn arranged a fixture against fellow strolling side Bounders at Dunsfold in Surrey.
Bounders set a target of 141 all out in a 35 overs game with Kevin McGill taking 3-11 and Oli Jago 2-1 to clean up the tail.
In reply skipper for the day Paul Jeffels hit 42 runs and Richard Hussey as excellent 52 including three sixes. Graveney passed the target with five wickets to spare. Match Report from Richard Hussey.

Graveney in Pathetic Fielding Display at Leigh
Saturday 6th June

A pathetic fielding display by Graveney led to a humiliating ten-wicket defeat at the hands of Leigh. The Green Caps dropped no less than eight catches – several of them straightforward. This was after setting a respectable target of 198 with contributions of 40 from the in form Nick Goodburn, 36 from Paul Jeffels and 23 from debutant Martin Nieri. Martin was awarded man of the match for an impressive all round display on debut. Leigh cruised to victory making 200 with still seven overs to spare. Match Report from Jez Skidmore. 

Last ball defeat sees Graveney suffer first loss of 2009.
Saturday 30th May

Graveney fell to a last ball defeat at Town Malling  in an excellently contested game. Batting first despite their long tail, Graveney mustered 187-7 from 40 overs, thanks in the main to a fine 81 not out from man of the match Nick Goodburn. In reply Town Malling got away to a decent start aided by some sloppy fielding and spilled chances. Despite improved fielding, two run outs and the best efforts of Kevin McGill (3-34) and Tim Eveleigh (0-24) at the death, Malling struck the winning run from the very last ball of the final 20 overs to win by 3 wickets. Match Report from Nick Goodburn.

Graveney Reclaim the Kenny Doyle Memorial Shield at Newdigate
Monday 25th May

Despite the forecast of thundery rain, Graveney continued their unbeaten start to the season, reclaiming the Kenny Doyle memorial shield courtesy of a 27 run win at Newdigate. Batting first, skipper Paul Fanning survived a few edges and a missed catch to fire a quick 75. The main support came from Nick Goodburn (27), before Tim Bunn (19) and Tim Eveleigh (17 not out) added valuable runs at the end, enabling Graveney to post 197. After tea Newdigate set off at a good rate before OD's terrific catch at slip got rid of the dangerous looking Ruki. A toe injury to Jay Vibert meant Graveney were a little short on bowling, but good spells from Tim Bunn (1-17), Dancing Bear (2-38) and Rob Davies (3-29) kept Graveney in the hunt, along with man of the match, Tim Eveleigh, who picked up 4-42 in 10 overs. Despite a good knock from Paul Betchworth, a few dropped catches and a late flourish from Don Jones (17), Newdigate were eventually bowled out for 170.
Match Report from John O'D to follow.

Graveney Draw Nail Biter at Wonersh
Saturday 23rd May

Graveney and Wonersh fought out a close encounter which ended in a draw when Wonersh failed to hit a six off the last ball. Batting first on a slow pitch, Graveney lost wickets at regular intervals despite patient application from Rob Davies (24). We were indebted to a new club record 10th wicket partnership of 42 between Tim Bunn and Chris Pullen which enabled us to reach a competitive target of 146 all out. When Wonersh replied Graveney took early wickets through Pradeep Jain and Raghu Kankate before the Wonersh No. 3 threatened to take the game away from us. Some fine restrictive bowling from Tim Bunn and Jez Skidmore in the midst of the innings kept the run chase in check before man of the match Pradeep knocked over the stumps of the lower middle order to end with 5 wickets and prevent Wonersh getting home. Match Report from Rob Davies.

Nat-West game cancelled due to non-availability

Graveney were unable to field a full side so no game this week.

Graveney Win Close Fought Encounter against Town Malling at Whyteleafe

With Whyteleafe cancelling, Nick's arranging of use of their ground was rewarded with a close and thoroughly enjoyable match against Town Malling.
Electing to bat first Town Malling scored 160-6 in 42 overs, Jay Vibert taking 4-32 from 11 overs, backed up by good spells from Barry Gray
 and guest Martin Horrocks.  Graveney lost both openers with just 4 on the board, before Richard Hussey (33) and Nick Goodburn (11) steadied the ship against an impressive opening attack. For once the Graveney middle order fired, with man of the match, Howard Hamilton
changing the impetus of the innings with a quick fire 22 from 14 balls before comically getting himself dropped but run out. 
John Howard (42) almost saw it home with help from Martin Horrocks (11), leaving Jez Skidmore to fire 9 not out and secure the win
in the penultimate over for a 3 wicket win in Paul Fanning's first match as skipper.
Match Report  by Nick Goodburn.

Congratulations to Paul Fanning on becoming Club Captain!

Following the AGM Nick Goodburn has stood down as club captain (to focus on his batting).
The only other change to club officers is that Paul Jeffels has taken on the post of Social Secretary.
I was pleased to become the first recipient of the new Clubman of The Year Award for building and maintaining this website !
It was also decided at the AGM that the batting and bowling awards will be awarded to the player with the best averages
 rather than the leading wicket taker or run scorer (subject to a minimum of 10 innings or fifty overs bowled).
Also the Player of the season can now also take the batting and/or bowling award.

Graveney Start Season With Hard Earned Draw

The season got underway at Newdigate who set a target of 201 all out. Paul Fanning took 3-13 and Don Jones 3-21, including son Craig for a golden duck.
In reply Graveney could only muster 127 - 9 but the last pair of Tim Bunn and Dave Moody held out for five overs for a creditable draw.
Match Report by Tim Bunn.

Headlines from 2008