Chingford hold on for draw in season opener

Jesters CC 247-5 (Cannon 63*, Smyth 56, M Harris 44 retired hurt)

Chingford 160-9

Match drawn

The opening fixture of the 2025 season saw a ‘strong/medium’ Jesters XI take on Chingford Cricket Club in the sun-soaked borough of Waltham Forest. The words ‘drama’ and ‘Jesters’ have always been synonymous, and this fixture did little to break this connection.

The team comprised two debutants, Imran Ali and Joe Cannon, alongside some experienced and seasoned Jesters campaigners. The fixture saw the return to playing action of Max Harris and saw Mathew Williamson emerge from cricketing hibernation to take the keeping gloves.`

As usual, players gathered around the cut strip and gave their advice to the skipper. “Bowl first” was the talk from all the players. Up went the coin and rather unusually “Tails for Wales” came up trumps and the Jesters skipper, with multiple voices chirping in his head said, “We’ll have a bat”.

The sun was shining gloriously as Nick Mumby and Max Harris strode to the crease. A few questionable looks were shot towards the skipper when Nick wore a snorting short ball full on the grill in the second over. However, the score was ticking along with a series of lovely cover drives from Max and some flamboyant ariel cut shots from Nick. The assembled crowds were just starting to get comfortable when a short ball kept low and skidded on and led to a top edge sailing into the hands of Mid-wicket. 33-1 and Nick back in the pavilion for an entertaining 14.

This dismissal brought together the Harris brothers. Could this be a day the Harris family would remember? Louis found the boundary twice in quick succession and then stood at the other end to admire a fabulous over of cricket. The young quick who had pinned on the lid earlier was cranking through the gears and cam tearing in. Max lent on one through the off side effortlessly and sent it skipping across the outfield to the rope. Next ball was shorter and Max swivelled and sent the ball arching over mid-wicket for a two bounce four. Next ball was back of a length and outside off and Max crunched it through point for four more. There was now visible tension on the face of the young bowler. In he came again with his effort ball, short, spitting up towards the Max’s face. In a flash Max swivelled and sent a hook shot towering way over the high netting protecting the houses…over the garden and crashing into the house itself. It was a fabulous shot and a strong contender for the Michael Myers big hitting award!

The score had raced to 61-1 when Louis was undone by a classic floaty, dipping full toss on leg stump which he was a ‘fraction’ early on and sent straight to the grateful hands of mid-wicket via the back of his bat.

Rowan Clapp joined Max, who was was now well in the groove having prepared for his cricketing return with a full facial treatment day at a spa. Runs continued to flow until suddenly disaster struck. Whilst on 44*, and with a half-century within his grasp, Max pushed off for a single and heard a terrible ‘pop’. He’d ruptured his Achilles tendon and was carried from the field of play and rushed to A&E where he would spend the next 6hrs. His return to cricket ruined by another very serious injury whilst batting. All of the Jesters wish him a speedy recovery and we hope to welcome him back next season.

With the skipper escorting his brother to the hospital, Adnan Mohammed came to the crease to bring a sense of calm and to heavily reduce the run-rate. Rowan played some eye-catching shots and looked in full control before being bowled. Adnan’s obdurate innings of 9 off 40 balls helped the spectators catch up on early team news for the Liverpool Spurs game.

After Adnan was caught, Matt Williamson reminded the cricketing world of his talents with assured timing and intelligent shot selection before his cameo came to an end by missing a straight one. Jesters were 166-5 at this point and the innings was in the balance. At the crease were debutant Joe Cannon and the very rarely clothed, Jake Smyth. After some early running between the wickets which resembled DJ and Shorbs in their prime, both set about dismantling the Chingford attack. Powerful pull shots, delicate late cuts and crunching drives propelled both players to much deserved fifties and took the Jesters total to a very respectable 247-5 when the skipper signalled the declaration. Joe finishing on 63* and Jake 56*.

After a lovely tea, the Jesters started their pursuit of the ten wickets which would bring victory. Taking the new ball, both Jagdish and Jake caused the Chingford top order consistent problems. Both found a lovely rhythm and Chingford found themselves 32-4 with two wickets apiece for Jake and Jagdish. Jake dismissed their opener with a magic ball which swung in, seamed away and clipped the top of off stump.

New recruit Imran Ali and seasoned Jester Andy Mortimer then took over and continued to apply sustained pressure on the Chingford batters. Imran was finding some lovely late away swing and it seemed wickets would continue to fall at regular intervals. Andy received a stern warning for bowling a high full toss, and this seemed to galvanise him as he adjusted his length and was rewarded with a wicket immediately.

Adnan Mohammed and Nick Mumby were then brought into the attack as the Jesters changed approach and tested the remaining Chingford batters with spin. Both bowled a tight, accurate line and caused problems throughout. Chances were coming, but sadly a few of them literally slipped through our fingers.

Eventually both Adnan and Nick struck and took two wickets each. Nick was particularly pleased to dismiss a player who he was desperately trying to show was not winding him up!

With Chingford nine down and nowhere near the formidable Jesters total, it was all about whether we could take the last wicket. Jake took over from Adnan and Nick continued to create chances…they continued to be shelled and the unthinkable began to seem possible…Chingford might actually see this out!

The last over saw Nick draw their young number 10 into a tentative prod forward. The ball looped up and a desperate dive forward from the balletic Mortimer fielding close in on the offside had everyone dreaming of an incredible finale! Sadly the ball just dropped short and the rest of the over was seen off without further drama. Chingford finished on 160-9 and the match was drawn.

Jesters would like to thank Chingford CC for a very warm welcome and for their part in a fabulous game of cricket. We wish them well for the rest of the season.

Jesters XI: L Harris (c), Mumby, M Harris, Clapp, Mohammed, Cannon, Williamson, Smyth, Mortimer, Ali