A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts

Welcome to Palm Tree Cricket Club.

LATEST INFORMATION

BAD SASTARD: 2000

Statto here has been home sick for a couple of days, and to relieve the boredom (and yet depress himself thoroughly) he has entered the scores from Y2K on this very site. It wasn't one of Statto's better seasons, but the longer standing amongst you might enjoy a trawl through them and see a few old names and memorable matches.

CHANGE OF OPPO

I've amended the Chip story to reflect the fact that we're now playing the Olympians of Hainault CC, and not Hampstead CC. Not sure what the mix up was, but we've still got a fixture so no worries.

RETURN OF THE KING

Long-standing Palm Tree Captain CHIP HAMER returns to action this Sunday for the first time since June. Chip, who had an operation to fix ongoing problems with his knee, has been training hard and long set his mind on a September return.

He returns to take over a rather good looking team in the form of:

Hamer
Wood
Binder
Stockill
Hemsley
Watson
Tennison
Tanner
Pheiffer
Rolston
Tossell

against Hainault Olympians CC.

BOWLED: OVER & OUT

Palm Tree salvaged a lot of pride from otherwise a washout of torrential proportions. Winning the toss, they inserted ACME and (wait for it) bowled them out! Admittedly there was only one ball left of the innings, but it's been so long since it happened that the captain stood slightly confused wondering why the umpires were walking off the pitch.

A fighting, big hitting (and admittedly rather fortunate) innings of 96 by Taylor was all that held the Trees at bay as, at the the other end, the bowlers chipped away at the ACME line up. Taylor was dropped twice, the last chance coming when he had only 30, and no other batsman passed 12. But excellent bowling from PHEIFFER and KING (2 wickets apiece) and from STOCKILL and RUSSELL (3 each) saw ACME dismissed for 159.

Unfortunately, we never got to see if Palm Tree could chase down 160, since at tea a nearby Highgate Woods tree got hit by lightning, preceding a downpour of biblical proportions.

CATCHY

Palm Tree reversed their poor form of late with a "winning draw" (i.e. a draw) against the OLD CAMDENIANS today. Setting 216 to win with an awesome partnership of 150+ between RYAN SCLANDERS (71) and the unbeaten ROB HEMSLEY (67*) who scored his 300th run of the seaon, the Trees were ultimate foiled by the stubbornness of the OC's lower order, but not before recent incompetence in the field was erased from the memory by a stunning run out from DAVE WATSON and three fine catches from SEAN BINDER, with nothing at all (technically) being put down.

The Trees should take much confidence from this performance heading into their next 40 over game, against ACME for the last home fixture of the season.

24.08.08

HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE

HQ CC prompted some ‘highly questionable’ batting from Palm Tree yesterday as they beat us by 5 wickets with more than 10 overs to spare. Choosing to bat first on the usual, capricious Highgate wicket, the Trees had eased their way to a slow but solid 60 for 1 at drinks before the usual depressing procession of wickets brought our second successive score of sub-130. Sean BINDER’s excellent 38 and three separate 11s were the only double-figure contributions as Palm Tree succumbed in the last over for 122.

Two wickets in two balls from opening bowler Stockill gave the Trees hope of a miracle win, but a stand of 80 between two of HQ’s up and coming young players ground their way towards the target and, despite them both being out before the end, it was all too little, too late.

Again a decent enough effort in the field (four dropped catches didn’t help, though, hard as they were) was rendered futile by some wasteful batting. Palm Tree need to find a way to add an extra 50 runs to their totals, and they need to do it fast. Win/Loss stands at a miserable 3/10.

18.08.08


SO NEAR, AND YET SO BLOODY AWFUL

Palm Tree blew their chance to build some winning momentum by losing to HIGHGATE TAVERNERS by one wicket with three balls to spare.

Reduced to ten men through various unfortunate circumstances (though grateful to loan-player Terry who tried to prop up the batting order at 11 and plugged a gap in the field) Palm Tree were always struggling for runs, especially after Bill Wood (17) and Rob Hemsley (22) had succumbed to aerial shots. Indeed only Jon Tennison's dedicated 36 showed the way against slow bowling on a slow pitch. When Palm Tree were eventually out for 128 in the last over, it never looked enough.

But a spirited bowling performance, let by Richard KING (1-13) and Ruan PHEIFFER (2-30) started a long squeeze, with excellent support work from Rob HEMSLEY (a miserly 8-3-12-1) and Adam ROLSTON (2-14). The removal of Starkings for a well made 48 swung the game towards the visiting Trees, but in the end 129 proved indefensible, as the last wicket pair scrapped their way past the finishing line.

This week the Captain puts his head in a blender, and then the team take on HQ at (our) HQ. If that makes sense.

11.08.08

HALLELUJAH!

Palm Tree pulled one back to avoid going 9-2 down as they beat HAMPSTEAD CC by 4 wickets in a soggy encounter at Highgate Woods.

Asked to bowl first, PTCC restricted Hampstead to 140 for 9, as Ruan PHEIFFER (2-30), Adam ROLSTON (2-24) and Dave TOSSELL (2-14) all turned in excellent performances, although in the field 5 catches went down.

In response a 42-run opening partnership between Bill WOOD (33) and Jonty TENNISON brought the target down into double figures and allowed the Trees to chip away at it through the showers. Hats off to Hampstead who didn't complain about the increasing inclemency, and to Dave WATSON who kept his eyes on the prize despite a tendency to launch his bat into orbit, scoring the winning runs as he chucked his willow at backward square leg.

Palm Tree will cling to the possibility that they could still level their 8-3 win-loss ratio as we approach the last few games of the season.

3.8.08

MELTDOWN

No, I'm not talking about the weather, though some of these stats might be like being drenched in cold water, which would be welcome today.

Yesterday's batting feast has put a respectable sheen on Palm Tree's stats, but the sad fact is that our batting has not fired this year. These are the top performances:

D. Stockill 88*
K Kottam 76
R Hemsley 58
S Binder 53
D Stockill 51
R Hemsley 50
S Russell 49
D Watson 36
B Wood 35
C Hamer 33*

For a team packed with former centurions, it's a bit disappointing. Let's see if we can make those stats a bit shinier by the end of the season.

28.07.08

THE PENN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE TREE

PALM TREE just lost out to PENN & TYLERS GREEN in a thrilling encounter out in Buckinghamshire.

Losing a crucial toss, Palm Tree found themselves in the field for the hottest afternoon of the season, and it told in an occasionally haphazard fielding and bowling performance, though there were standout turns from RICHARD KING (2-29) and newbie JOE EWEN (2-28), the latter bowling with real pace and hostility.

But those fielding errors were to cost the Trees dear as they tried to chase 249 to win. Despite an opening partnership of 88 between SEAN BINDER (53) and SPEEDY RUSSELL (49), the Trees steadily lost wickets, and in the end ROB HEMSLEY's 50 was the only other significant contribution as they lost by 17 runs.

28.07.08

PALM TREE V BLACK ROSE NEWS!

Bleh.

BLACK COCONUT GREEN

Palm Tree take on Black Rose later today at Highgate Woods, in the second clash of the 'world famous'* BLACK COCONUT CUP. By beating the Trees earlier this year, The Rose hang onto the trophy, but it's all the play for as The Trees aim to avoid losing the double.

Not playing? Come down and watch us anyway. It should be a doozy. And team news suggests that leg spinner extraordinaire Rommel will be 'turning' out for The Rose.

* S Russell, 2008

20.07.08

A FEW GOOD MEN

Palm Tree are obviously not the only side to be struggling for numbers this season. Our match tomorrow has just been called off because the OC TRADITIONALISTS could only find 7 players, and our own efforts to supplement their numbers came to nothing.

Instead we turn to the return of the BLACK ROSE next week - we cannot stress enough how important it is for all good Palm Tree members to make themselves available for this clash, and to help us turn out a side that can stop the Rose doing the double over us this year. LET BILL KNOW ASAP. And if you don't get in the side, why not come down and give us some vocal support - we all know that this game is the one we really want to win.

12.07.08

WET OUT OF JAIL FREE

Palm Tree had a soggy escape yesterday as the inclement weather finally claimed its own victory 5 overs into the home team’s reply.

Earlier, The CHARLATANS had been inserted, and got off to a flyer, their big hitting leftie Pete in particular getting under some loose Tree bowling and sending over the short boundary for a succession of sixes. After his dismissal, Palm Tree’s usual nemesis Paul RICKETS took up the challenge, hitting 66 as he guided the south London side to a formidable 199 from their 35 overs, only Richard KING and Rob HEMSLEY really stemming the flow of runs, with SPEEDY nipping in with 2-37.

In reply, Hemsley and Jon TENNISON slithered about for a few overs before the steady downpours finally took their toll and drove the players off with 10 on the board, leaving us no chance to check out the batting talents of new arrivals Hashim RAZA and Jonathan SPEAK. They will no doubt get their chance.

7.7.08


'BRIDGE TOO FAR

The annual Cambridge Fixture (this time at Caius College) ended in less than festival spirits as Millfields trounced Palm Tree by 60 runs.

Having inserted Millfields, the Trees would have been happy at several stages during the day. At 88 for 7, with new boy Graham CLINTON amonst the wickets the Millfields team looked sunk. But even Rob HEMSLEY's remarkable four-catch haul could not shift Rob MILLER, who patted back straight ones and latched onto bad balls with such effect that he made it to 66 before he was snaffled by David Wood behind the stumps, having led his team to 169 all out.

But Palm Tree would still have been happy at tea, when they had reached 42 without loss in response. But a chronic lack of specialist batsmen finally told as the Millfields bowlers, getting handy swing and some seam movement off the pacey strip, started to eat away at the batting. Dave Wood was removed by a remarkable one handed effort at extra cover, whilst similar inspiration saw off Rob H for a duck. With Rob gone, it was maybe only a matter of time, especially when Clinton and Ben Tanner's promising partnership was ended by an ill-judged second run. After that all the Trees had to celebrate was a sprightly last wicket stand between Dave TOSSELL (14*) and his partner Helen as DT smashed the ball about to take us past 100 and onto a tiny knoll of dignity.

Next week Palm Tree face old foes the Charlatans. It would be nice if some batsmen would make themselves available. Oh go on, you know you want to.

29.06.08

IAN BREAKWELL MEMORIAL FIXTURE II

Palm Tree Past & Present (PTPPCC?) soundly beat "Heritage" - a team of Ian's old cricketing foes and personal friends - as they celebrated the life and cricket of Mr Breakwell last night. A host of old friends gathered together to play a good natured 20-overs-a-side match in Ian's honour, with cricketing glory going to old Tree Don EWING (3-3), golfing Tree Jay BHATTACHARJEE (28*) and Heritage's Martin BOWDEN (32, 2-8), as PTPPCC won by 5 wickets. In the mid innings break, Felicity Sparrow, Ian's wife, scattered Ian's ashes on the hallowed Highgate turf as part of a deeply moving ceremony.

Many thanks to all, players or otherwise, who attended, and especially to Nick K, Dave T and Steve H for the arrangements.

The scorecard can be found on this site in the club library (link at bottom of this page)

26.06.08

IAN BREAKWELL MEMORIAL FIXTURE

As discussed at the 2007 Palm Tree AGM, a special 20-20 fixture has been arranged as a memorial to Ian Breakwell, a long-term Palm Tree player who died in 2005.

The game will take place at Highgate Woods this Wednesday, June 25, starting at 6.30pm. Before the game, Ian's widow, Felicity, will scatter Ian's ashes on the pitch.

The two teams will be Palm Tree Past & Present (from members who played with Ian), against an amalgam of Acme, Charlatans and Occasionals, all long-term PTCC adversaries.

Most of you won't remember Ian, who retired in 1999. He played for Palm Tree for nearly a quarter of a century, and long held the record for number of wickets taken in a season
(a record recently beaten by Speedy Russell). As bowler, batsman and fielder he had a unique style, and for those of who played with him, his individualities are deeply
woven into the Palm Tree fabric. The only photo I have of Ian in action (provided by Felicity) is in the website photo gallery; it will raise a fond smile in certain quarters.

If any of you fancy turning up to watch, and perhaps even umpire (??), all will be welcome. After the game, we will adjourn to the Wrestlers, where the landlord remembers
Ian well, having been landlord at his Stoke Newington local. Those of you who are actually playing: don't forget!

PTCC Eleven-plus, in alphabetical order
Jay Bhattarcharjee (usual provisos apply)
Paul Bonaventura
Robert David (Palm Tree veteran)
Trevor David (Palm Tree veteran)
Eddie Edwards (Palm Tree veteran, one of the first wicket-keepers)
Don Ewing (Palm Tree veteran)
Steve Horigan
Nick Kimberley (Palm Tree has-been)
Charlie Lambie
Angus McDonagh (Palm Tree veteran and, I believe, the team's first centurion)
Carlos Rache (Palm Tree veteran)
Tim Rushforth (Palm Tree veteran, former captain)
Speedy Russell
Jonty Tarbuck (friend of Ian's)
Dave Tossell

Nick K. 24.06.08




14.03.06

Statistics and scorecards for Palm Tree matches all the way back to April 2001 are now available on this site.

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Palm Tree are based in Highgate Woods - one of the nicest grounds you could imagine existing in a public park in London - and the crowds of Sunday picknickers are treated to our own brand of spirited cricket. If you live in the area, and play (or have played) the game and fancy joining a fun local team, drop by the scorebox on one of our home fixtures (see Fixtures) and ask for Bill or Chip.

SR

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