TEAM NEWS

Nepotists v Barnes (1:00pm, Mon, 02 May 2011)

Team
Steve Werren   (Aus)
Carl Hoar         (Eng)
Qasim Syed      (Pak)  Debut
Nehal Kirmani  (Aus)
Chris Ellegard   (NZ)
Tim Hardy        (Eng)
Kiat Thoo         (NZ)
Dale Atkinson   (Aus)
Shahna Kahn    (Pak)  Debut
Nilesh Naidu     (NZ)
James Culley     (NZ)  Debut

Well this is it gents. All systems go for our first hit out of the season; and what a strong international line-up we have for our first game, which includes 3 debutants - although we may have to do something about the infiltration of Kiwi's over the last couple of years. There has been a huge response to recruitment with 25 possible new players making contact through the 'Gumtree' website and various other sources - although only 12 actually made it to nets. I have heard spasmodically from a few of the other 13, so do get in touch if you are still interested.

To those people who haven't made the team this week, we will endeavour to get you a game in one of the upcoming matches. It is unusual to have such a high availability for the first match of the season (let alone any match), particularly on a bank holiday weekend. The team selected is made up of regulars from last year (who will hopefully once again be regulars this year), plus preferential selection this week is given to some of the new guys who have attended at least 2 net sessions. We also have a guest appearance from Nehal who is moving on to bigger things after his apprenticeship with the Nepo's last season. Don't forget guys, you do need to reply to my availability email to be considered for selection - I make no assumptions.

But as the season drags on, and inevitably people start travelling, and suffering from bigger hang-over's, dying, being abducted by aliens and having their brain implanted into a duck (most common cause for non appearance); never fear, we will soon be back to our usual desperate situation of only just getting the bare 11 out on the park.

I'll be driving from Wembley, then heading via Acton, Shepherds Bush, and then past Hammersmith tube station around 12:30pm-ish if anybody wants a lift to the ground. So get in contact if you want to jump in the van as I drive past.

Remember, it's a Monday game this week with a 1pm kickoff. If we could have everybody there by 12:30pm please.
 
Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Harrow St Mary's (1:30pm, Sun, 08 May 2011)

Team
Steve Werren        (Aus)
Carl Hoar              (Eng)
Chris Ellegard        (NZ)
Merwin Fernando  (NZ)  Debut
Nilesh Naidu          (NZ)
Andrew Nisbet      (Aus)  Debut
Kiat Thoo              (NZ)
Nilesh Thacker      (Ind)   Debut
Tim Hardy             (Eng)
James Cully           (Aus)
Ed Greening          (Wal)  Debut

Well, what a difference a week makes. From last week having a plethora of players available for selection, and everyone getting back on the email promptly, things were looking good for a nice easy season for the skipper. However, 7 days is a long time in Nepo years, and this week were are struggling to get 11 on the park (only 10 at this stage); and with the usual unanswered personal emails, text messages and phone calls being the order of the day, things are pretty well back to normal - I battle on! It seems as though my earlier plea for 'response clemency' has fallen on deaf ears.

So, with 5 of our star players from last week unavailable for the game against Harrow St Mary's on Sun (Qasim Syed, Dale Atkinson, Nehal Kirmani, James Culley & Shahna Khan), this week is another opportunity to give 4 new Nepo recruits a game. As I said we are still 1 player short at the moment, so if anyone wants a hit, get back to me.

Typically, the direct tube line to to the ground is out of action this weekend (Bakerloo Line), so an alternate plan has been devised (see 'Directions' link below). Game starts at 1:30pm this week.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Hampton Wick (2pm, Sun, 15 May 2011)

Team
Steve Werren         (Aus)
Carl Hoar               (Eng)
Qasim Syed            (Pak)
Nilesh Thacker       (Ind)
Chris Ellegard         (NZ)
Josh Prior               (Eng)  Debut
Jim Eaton                (Eng)  Debut
Kiat Thoo               (NZ)
Tim Hardy              (Eng)
Andrew Nisbet       (Aus)
Nilesh Naidu           (NZ)

The Nepo's go into this Sun game against Hampton Wick with probably their strongest batting line up of the season. We also have our 9th debutant for 2011. Game starts at 2pm.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Northwood (2pm, Sun, 22 May 2011)

Team
Steve Werren        (Aus)
Carl Hoar              (Eng)
Nilesh Thacker      (Ind)
Merwin Fernando  (NZ)
Chris Ellegard        (NZ)
Kiat Thoo              (NZ)
Joshua Prior          (Eng)
Andrew Nisbet      (Aus)
Shahna Kahn         (Ind)
James Culley         (NZ)
Ed Green              (Wal)

With five of the players from last week's momentous win against Hampton Wick out this week (Carl Hoar, Qasim Syed, Tim Hardy, Nilesh Naidu & Jim Eaton. All batsmen of course!), it is a good opportunity to get some of the other players in for a hit out against Northwood. To those players who missed selection this week, sorry guys, but I am trying to share around the available slots each week with what is now considered the regular (and most available) team, so that everybody who is not regularly available gets the occasional game.

This is our only 'Time' game of the season (yuk), and I'll be doing my best to try and convince the oppo skipper to make it a limited overs match.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Highgate (2pm, Mon, 30 May 2011)

Team
Steve Werren        (Aus)
Carl Hoar              (Eng)
Nilesh Thacker      (Ind)
Merwin Fernando  (NZ)
Jim Eaton              (Eng)
Stephen Cocking   (Eng)
Josh Prior              (Eng)
Shahna Kahn         (Ind)
Chris Robson        (Eng)  Debut
Nilesh Naidu         (NZ)
Ed Greening          (Wal)

Don't forget it's a Mon game this week, 2pm start. Yummy Thai food waiting to be devoured at tea!

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v South Hampstead (2pm, Sun, 05 May 2011)

Team
Steve Werren        (Aus)
Carl Hoar              (Eng)
Nehal Kirmani       (Aus)
Merwin Fernando  (NZ)
Nilesh Thacker      (Ind)
Chris Ellegard        (NZ)
Joshua Prior          (Eng)
Tim Hardy             (Eng)
Shahna Kahn         (Ind)
Nilesh Naidu         (NZ)
Ed Greening          (Wal)

Nehal has signed up for this Sunday's game to see if he can continue his not out innings of 147 from the same fixture last year (match report from 2010), and also to redeem himself from the Barnes calamity. Unfortunately Sparrow has decided not to fly in from Downunder for the game. Something to do with the £900 airfare & living off the dried fruit glued onto his Bent Banani range of outrageous shirts.

Could we have all the players at the ground by 1.30pm please this week, as we have started late every game late so far, when the oppo have all been ready to go from 2pm. They're starting to give us dirty looks, so lets keep them happy. (Those from the past probably can't believe they heard me just say that).

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Ealing Wanderers (2pm, Sun, 12 Jun 2011)

Team
Steve Werren        (Aus)
Chris Ellegard        (NZ)
Merwin Fernando  (NZ)
Joshua Prior          (Eng)
Shahna Kahn         (Ind)
Tim Hardy             (Eng)
Kiat Thoo              (NZ)
Nathan Coleman    (NZ)
Andrew Nisbet      (Aus)
Nilesh Naidu          (NZ)
Ed Greening           (Wal)

Big Nathan has signed up to terrorise the oppo this week. Unfortunately I couldn't convince Stocker to renew his partnership with Mr Coleman from last year - wonder why? Anyway, last week I think was probably the first time in Nepotists history where we actually started a match early (by 2 min). Consequently we are in danger of losing our quirky reputation, so could we please have everybody at the ground 30 mins late this week.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Teddington (1:30pm, Sun, 19 Jun 2011)

Team
Steve Werren        (Aus)
Carl Hoar              (Eng)
Nilesh Thacker      (Ind)
Merwin Fernando  (NZ)
Chris Ellegard        (NZ)
Shahna Kahn         (Ind)
Kiat Thoo              (NZ)
Philip Challinor      (Eng)
Tim Hardy             (Eng)
James Culley          (NZ)
Ed Greening           (Wal)

There has been a change of start time for Sun game. It is now 1.30pm (instead of 2pm). The Teddington skipper asked to could move it forward as they have some guys coaching juniors in the morning who are playing that afternoon; so less time for them to hang around waiting for the kick-off. I agreed, on the condition that they finally let us beat them, which we've never done in the last 5 attempts. One draw in a 'Time' game back in 2003 is the best result we've ever had against Teddington (and we were lucky then). Maybe this year will be ours - we'll see!

1pm arrival at the ground thanks gents.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Old Manorians (2pm, Sun, 26 Jun 2011)

Team
Steve Werren         (Aus)
Carl Hoar               (Eng)
Nilesh Thacker       (Ind)
Merwin Fernando   (NZ)
Tim Hardy              (Eng)
Mick Stout             (Eng)  Debut
Chris Ellegard         (NZ)
Jim Eaton               (Eng)
Joshua Prior           (Eng)
Shahna Kahn          (Ind)
Nilesh Naidu          (NZ)

With the weather forecast to be 28 degrees on Sun, we finally, I repeat finally, might get a decent day to play cricket, instead of all these crappy days we've had to date. Also, if anyone is interested, perhaps this week after the game we could head down to my local curry house (Karahi King), where I pick up my regular take away on Sunday nights after cricket (BYO). It's only a couple of minutes from the ground & right next to North Wembley Station.

Unbelievably the restaurant staff there believe all the stories I tell them about my cricket prowess and can't understand why I'm not playing International cricket. Those who attended last year's curry will remember my version of the game that day, and how I only scored 148 runs (my lowest score of the season of course), and also got 7 wickets bowling, then stuck on the keeping gear and produced 3 magnificent stumpings - so basically I got the whole team out! I had a quiet game that week. Can I top that this year? Let me know if you're up for it.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here

To the 2011 Nepos (and anyone other Nepo's)
If you are interested in the annual Nepo Golf Tour to Devon in July, you will need to put your hand up fairly soon (ie) within the week, as the bookings for accommodation etc, are almost complete. There is no cricket match scheduled for that weekend, so a good chance to see if those leg side swipes every Sunday have lowered your handicap.

The full tour goes for 5 days (4 nights) from 14 - 18 Jul, but myself and Nilesh are heading down in Bombers Dale's van from Central London on the Thu afternoon (4 hour drive), arriving in Devon early evening, playing golf on Fri, Sat, Sun, then heading back to London on Sun after golf (ie) 3 nights, 14 - 17 July. It really is a great opportunity to meet all the Nepo Legends and see them in full flight, and also an easy way to get down there and back.

Below is the original email from Stoney Robinson sent earlier in the season with all the details. Let me know if you're keen.
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From: Mark Robinson <markrobinson2000@btinternet.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:38:06 +0000
Subject: 2011 Nepotist CC NAGA Golf Tour - Time to Plan Your Summer!

Dear Fellow Nepotists,

The 2011 NAGA Golf Tour is only 5 months away so its time to start planning for another sensational long, long weekend in Devon! Key information is:

Dates: Thursday 14th to Monday 18th July
Venue: Mildmay Colours Inn (Holbeton Hilton)
Golf Itinerary: In the hands of Mr Rik – details to be confirmed but latest outline as follows:

Thurs: Teignmouth
Fri:     Thurlestone
Sat:     Launceston
Sun:    Bigbury
Mon:  Burnham & Berrow

So a real mixture of old and new venues with favourites Thurlestone and Bigbury well in the mix.

It promises to be another great event so I need to know of your availability. We need to inform the Mildmay shortly as to numbers as we will need to block book a specific number of rooms. We don’t have costs yet, but they should be similar to last year with added inflation! Full tourists last year paid £350-380 for all accommodation, meals, golf for five days and four nights. Please provide me with the nights you will be staying and the Golf Days you will be attending.

Stoney
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Nepotists v Ealing Wanderers (2pm, Sun, 03 Jul 2011)

Team
Steve Werren         (Aus)
Carl Hoar               (Eng)
Merwin Fernando   (NZ)
Joshua Prior           (Eng)
Shahna Kahn          (Ind)
Jim Eaton               (Eng)
Chris Ellegard         (NZ)
Tim Hardy              (Eng)
Kiat Thoo              (NZ)
Nilesh Naidu          (NZ)
Bomber Dale         (Aus)

So we're all set for our hopefully World Record equally game (7 consecutive wins); and with Bomber Dale playing, you'd have to think it was a shoe-in. Weather forecast is for 24 degrees, so could be another good one after last week's scorcher. There has been a big response with availability this week, so those people who missed out, don't worry, believe me, it's a rare occasion.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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Nepotists v Northfields (1:15pm, Sun, 10 Jul 2011)

Team
Steve Werren         (Aus)
Carl Hoar               (Eng)
Merwin Fernando   (NZ)
Shahna Kahn          (Ind)
Phillip Challinor       (Eng)
Nilesh Naidu           (NZ)
Danyal Ahmad        (Pak)
Moz Neeem            (Pak)
James Culley           (NZ)
Ed Greening            (Wal)
Rick Andrew          (Eng)

With mass unavailability for this week's game against Northfields, including all 3 opening bowlers and 4 of the regular top order batsmen, two Nepo Legends have come in to save the day in the form of Philip Challinor for his second game of the season, and Mr Rik. Conditions attached for Mr Rik appearance include no umpiring and no attempting runs unless the ball goes for 4 or 6.

Also having their first games of the season are 'Fingers' Ahmad (only man I know who bats without gloves), and his mate Moz. So should be all set up to celebrate my birthday on Sun with a win, win, win, (or possibly a loss, loss, loss). Anyway, one of the two.

The match has been changed to a 1:15pm start (not 2pm), so implant that in your brain, and please be at the ground around 12:45pm. See you all on Sun.

Directions
Full directions & maps, click here
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