Heyford's 1999 Season in the Northants Alliance County League

The 1998 season was finished and Heyford's late charge kept them well clear of the relegation zone in the Northants Alliance County League Division one. Over the close season the leagues were re-structured and a new premier league was created. As Heyford had finished in a position to be in the premier league along with most Division One clubs and some new entrants to the Alliance. This was until new leagues rules stated that clubs competing in the premier league were to have a 2nd eleven. Consequently Heyford stayed in Division one and were determined to prove themselves.

The season started slowly, rain and wet weather was the victorious in many of our early matches, in the first match Heyford suffered a defeat at the hands of Wicken C.C, Heyford were put in but no of the batsman really got going in this match as Heyford battled to 106 with useful contributions from Simon Legge 30 and Julian Rice 29 n.o. Wicken overcame the total with just two wickets down. Heyford bounced back the following weekend with a tight victory over Badby C.C with Alex Kirkbride enjoying the extra spin with 6 wickets and Gary Ellingham picking up 3. Captain Simon Legge 74 n.o scored with the bat especially in the tight closing stages.

The following week Heyford travelled to Dean, top-order batsmen Phil Cowley 45 and Matt Baker 35 got Heyford of to a cracking start with a third wicket stand of 85 before a disastrous 8 wicket batting collapse. Dean held on for Victory, Dave Payne, Alex Kirkbride and Gary Ellingham picked up 2 wickets apiece. The next 3 matches were rained off.

After a long rest Heyford were against early league leaders Sharnbrook C.C. Sharnbrook batted first and posted a total in excess of 200. Heyford placed pressure on the league leaders with a solid half-century from in-form Matt Baker 60, Julian Rice, Simon Hepher and Chris Peck all played some nice shots before Sharnbrook just edged to victory.

With the rain finally passing our next opponents were Loddington, also near the top of the league. Loddington batted first and faced Chris Peck, Heyford's opening bowler had no wickets this season and then proceeded to take a 9-wicket haul to leave Heyford with a double figure target of only 94. A solid start from Phil Cowley 29 with help from a quick-fire knock from Julian Rice and solid batting in the middle order. Heyford cruised to victory with overs to spare and wickets in hand.

The next opponents were Weldon C.C. despite taking a wicket in the first over, Weldon posted a big target and Heyford failed to hold out for the draw, Ali Hepher 34 performed with the bat with support from Simon Legge 25 and Julian Rice 26.

Heyford's poor form against Wicken continued as Heyford struggled to a losing draw, Chris Peck took 4 wickets as Wicken totalled 166. Simon Legge 39 and Phil Cowley 26 batted well for a half-century first wicket stand but the middle order failed to build on the start and it was left to the tail end to hold out for the draw at 134 for 9.

After narrowly losing against Dean CC earlier in the season Heyford got revenge at their home ground. Dean batted first and the opening bowlers bowled excellently, Chris Peck took 5 for 56 and Dave Payne took 3 for 21 of 18 overs with an amazing 11 maidens. Dean were dismissed for 89. Heyford went out positively and knocked off the total in just 17.4 overs, Phil Cowley 23 and Matt Baker 51 n.o (including 10 fours) saw Heyford to victory.

Fellow strugglers Long Buckby C.C were the home side in closely fought contest, the Long Buckby openers performed well and provided a challenging target of 184. Tight bowling gave Buckby the winning draw despite some huge sixes form Chris Peck 24 (3 x 4, 2 x 6) and an unbeaten half-century from the reliable captain Legge (61 n.o).

Bottom placed Barton Seagrave C.C were our opponents on a hot summers day, moral was low as the set a target well in excess of 229. A seemingly unassailable total within 42 overs but opening batsmen Simon Legge and Phil Cowley scored an unbeaten 232 partnership (An Alliance record), Legge scoring 138no including 21 fours and 3 sixes. Cowley 85no including 13 fours and one beautifully timed straight six was just short of his century.

Second place Kislingbury Temperance soon dampened the celebrations as Heyford were beaten convincingly after 8 wickets went down scoring only 11 runs. This was disappointing as batsmen Legge 31, Baker 47 and Rice 29 had done the hard work. Kislingbury knocked off the target of 131 quite easily despite a tight spell from Gary Ellingham

Heyford did the double over Badby C.C, Simon Legge 123no scored another unbeaten century and was backed up by a solid innings from Nick Inwood37no, they were just 2 runs short of century stand. The opening bowlers Dave Payne 3 for 40 and Chris Peck 7 for 55� destroyed the Badby order as Heyford eased to victory not to mention 3 excellent catches from Nick Clarke.

The most enthralling match of the season was against the strong Great Bowden C.C. The pitch was terrible and Heyford struggled to dismal total of 73. Then inspired spells from the opening bowlers Dave Payne 5 for 34 and Chris Peck 4 for 32 and not to mention an excellent run-out from youngster Thomas Whittaker which proved to be a turning point. Bowden with one wicket remaining and only one run behind the Heyford total tension was almost unbearable when Dave Payne took his 5th wicket as the last batsmen was caught leg before to the jubilation of the Heyord boys. Heyford were winners by one run and amazingly both teams faced exactly 29.2 overs.

Heyford warm up before the match

Heyford had another chance to do the double, this time Loddington C.C. Heyford posted a reasonable score of 136 on a difficult pitch, Julian Rice capitalised on missed chances to score 71 including 10 fours and 2 sixes. Chris Peck was again firing as he picked up 6 for 26 and spin-bowler Kirkbride picked up 3 for 15, Loddington were dismissed for just 70.

Heyford seemed to be on a roll and were moving up the table, but the form ran out too early. Guilsborough C.C defended their total of 187 well despite 3 wickets for Ellingham and Kirkbride and Heyford batted out for a draw as none of the batsmen shined.�

League leaders Sharnbrook came to Heyford knowing that a victory with give them the title, Chris Peck finished up with 4 for 62 as the opposition were held to 166. In reply Heyford were undone by Sharnbrook's left-arm quick bowler as he clean bowled the first 7 Heyford batsmen as there was no way back.

Weldon both performed well against weakened Heyford side, it was a gutsy effort from the Heyford batsmen and resistance cam form Nick Clarke 32. Weldon came out with an attacking frame of mind and despite two wickets apiece for the two youngest players on the Heyford team. Sadly the season finished on a sour note as Heyford finished with two losses.

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