This
Sunday (July 11th) Kings play host to their oldest opponents,
Pyestock CC. Over the years the friendly rivalry between the two
clubs has become legendary and as both clubs have had very few
changes in personnel over the years the players of both sides
have come to know each other well. The matches between the two
sides are always one of the major events of the season and the
tension and banter always builds up the closer the game comes.
The origins of the matches between Kings and Pyestock date back
to the foundation of Kings. Pyestock were former opponents of
Stanwell CC from which the vast majority of the founder members
of King originated. The first fixture between the side was played
back in 1994 Kings, since when Kings have usually had the better
results.
The first match on 21st August 1994 was played at Pyestock's ground
and Kings found themselves in trouble against the usual accurate
bowling of Neil Butler. It took a rear guard action from Rob Young
(25) and Roy Cordell (25) to drag Kings to 117-9 at tea. However
Pyestock never really threatened the total and the game finished
in a draw with Pyestock on 61-8, Paul Bygrave take 3-11. Match
drawn
No suitable dates could be arranged in 1995 and so the two sides
did not clash. Then on the 16th July 1996 Pyestock recorded their
only win to date over Kings. Once again played at Pyestock, Kings
batted first again and once again found themselves in trouble.
A battling partnership between Owen Mears and Scott Hart rescued
the situation, with Mears famously having to retire hurt on 48
when being struck on the ankle. Despite having posted a score
of 143-6 Kings went on to lose as Pyestock ran out winners by
4 wickets, the late Chris Andrews taking 3-42. Kings lost by 4
wickets
Since then Kings have held the upper hand, and never more so than
in 1997. On the 4th May Kings welcomed Pyestock to their new home
at Hayes CC. On a glorious afternoon Kings batted first and in
a superb display of batting prowess posted 239-2 dec. Openers
Dave Perry, scoring a brilliant 115, and Martin Foster, with 85,
setting at the time a club record opening stand of 215 in the
process. In reply Pyestock were blown away by some excellent bowling
by Paul Bygrave who returned figures of 5-15, but despite capturing
9 wickets Kings could not claim the one wicket that would have
given them a deserved victory. Match drawn
Both games in 1998 were canceled due to bad weather. Come 1998
and the excitement was there again. At Pyestock Kings were dismissed
for a paltry 98, with Dave Miah making 31. However an inspired
spell of bowling by Nick Tighe demolished Pyestock for just 48,
Kings opening bowler taken a club record 7-15, including the club's
first hat-trick in the process. Kings won by 50 runs.
The return game at Sunbury Village on 11th July saw Kings batting
first again. This time there was no batting scares as Kings rattled
up 162-5 with Phil 'Gateaux' Murphy making 59. Pyestock in reply
were rolled over for 88, with Richard 'Caribbean's Sones taking
3-23. Kings won by 74 runs.
The game of 7th May 2000 saw the game at Pyestock switched from
the plateau pitch to the flat 'car park' pitch. The game was to
become famous for Mike 'Monty' Ensor chasing a ball to the boundary
and then dislocating his shoulder - he has been amusing us ever
since! However before that Pyestock had batted first and been
dismissed for 127, with Si Pipe taking 5-13 and Nick 3-30. Despite
a few alarms in our reply we got home by 5 wickets as Dave Miah
made 40. Kings won by 5 wickets.
The return at the Village on 16th July saw Pyestock batting first
again but once again Kings bowlers were too good for them and
with Pete 'Gollum' Adams taking 3-13 Kings were set just 104 to
win. This Kings did with ease, losing just the two wickets in
the chase, Dave Miller making 31, and Dave Perry 30. Kings won
by 8 wickets.
There was just one game in 2001, and that was played at the Village.
In a overwhelming performance Kings skittle Pyestock for just
89, Pete Adams, Si, Nick and Paul Bygrave all taking two wickets
a piece. Once again Kings lost just two wickets with Dave Perry
leading the side home with an unbeaten 36. Kings won by 8 wickets
In 2002 we went back to Pyestock and in a commanding performance
put 191-6 on the board, with Steve Smith making his maiden half
century, exactly 50 not out. Yet again though the final wickets
eluded Kings and despite reducing them to 87-8, Si taking 3-21,
we were held to a draw.
Back at the village on 14th July, Pyestock thought they had finally
claimed that elusive victory when with an inspired piece of bowling
by Neil Butler, Kings were skittle for just 104, Steve Smith top
scoring with 20. But if Pyestock thought the win was in the bag
they could not have been more wrong. Once again Nick proved to
be the nemesis of Pyestock with an even better bowling performance
that saw him take 6-24, and supported by Simon's 3-16, which saw
Pyestock dismissed for 76. Kings won by 28 runs. Low scoring it
may have been but it was a fantastic game!
So to last year. At Pyestock on 1st June, an inspired knock of
77 by Richie Evans helped Kings to a creditable 164-5. Once again
though Pyestock's undoing came in the shape of Nick, who with
another great spell of bowling took 5-20, which helped roll over
the hosts for just 55. Kings won by 109 runs.
Then on the hottest day of year so far Pyestock came to Spelthorne.
Under a baking sun Stewart 'Sticky' Edwards had a field day in
creaming the ball to all parts of the ground and as Pyestock wilted
'Sticky' went on to record a new record high score for the club
with 122. Kings declared at 222-4, but on a belter of a track
Kings made little impact with the ball and an unbeaten knock from
Paul Heath in the total of 165-4 secured Pyestock a draw. This
is Pyestock's highest ever score against Kings, to date of course.
This season saw an out of sorts Kings invited Pyestock to bat
first, a bludgeoning 81 not out from Neil Butler helped Pyestock
post a very healthy 163-6, despite Gordon Young's 3-40 and some
fine bowling by Middlesex Colt Joe Miah (2-14). In reply some
inspired bowling from young Chris Heath (how he has developed
over the years!) saw Kings reduced to 10-4, but the wise heads
of Richie Evans (27) and the dogged Dave Miah, with an unbeaten
48 saw Kings safely to a draw.
So with but a few days to go to the second game this season the
past seems to set the scene for another exciting game, Pyestock
will be undoubtedly be looking to put and end to the 11 match
run without a win, stretching back nearly eight years. You can
be sure that they will be determined as ever to put one over their
old rivals but they can be sure Kings will not be surrendering
they record that easily!
Played: 13 Kings Won: 7 Matches Drawn: 5 Kings Lost: 1
21/08/94: Kings 117-9 Pyestock 61-8 Match Drawn
16/07/96: Kings 143-6 Pyestock 144-6 Lost by 4 wickets
04/05/97: Kings 239-4 Pyestock 67-9 Match Drawn
03/05/98: Match Canceled - Rain
12/07/98: Match Canceled - Rain
02/05/99: Kings 98 Pyestock 48 Won by 50 runs
11/07/99: Kings 162-5 Pyestock 88 Won by 74 runs
07/05/00: Kings 129-5 Pyestock 127 Won by 5 wickets
16/07/00: Kings 106-2 Pyestock 103 Won by 8 wickets
15/07/01: Kings 90-2 Pyestock 89 Won by 8 wickets
02/06/02: Kings 191-6 Pyestock 87-8 Match Drawn
14/07/02: Kings 104 Pyestock 76 Won by 28 runs
01/06/03: Kings 164-5 Pyestock 55 Won by 109 runs
13/07/03: Kings 222-4 Pyestock 165-4 Match Drawn
30/05/04 Kings 125-6 Pyestock 163-6 Match Drawn
