Henley crowned HCPCL champions

9/5/2009

HENLEY’S triumphant cricket club captain has set his sights on league domination.

Bjorn Mordt led his side to the Home Counties Premier Division 1 title with a two-wicket victory over outgoing champions High Wycombe.

Now, after waiting five years for the trophy to return to the Brakspear Ground, Mordt wants to see “an extra 10 per cent” from his players next season to assure their status as the team to beat.

The 31-year-old said: “By beating High Wycombe, it shows that we can beat the best teams. I want us to do the same again next season and push on and start to dominate the league.

“We won the title back in 2004, I don’t want to wait that long again. Our target should be to try and improve for next season.”


Henley needed seven points to clinch the title and, five were secured after Wycombe were bowled out, with spin king Carl Crowe returning with four wickets in his 21-over spell.

Mordt said: “I was shocked to win the toss, it was only the third toss I have won all season. I might have to change my choice to tails next year.

“The best way that I saw of doing it was bowling first, we have been quite effective doing it like that. Usually we can restrict a team to two or three runs an over. I am very lucky because we have six really good bowlers. I knew that we were a good enough bowling team to bowl them out and get the full five points.”

Mordt’s men bowled out Wycombe for 203, leaving Henley needing 150 runs in 55 overs to get the two batting points needed for the title.

Mordt said: “It was brilliant to win the match, get the 150 needed to win the title, and finish 35 points clear of second place.

“Afterwards, there was a feeling of getting the job done. We have been leading the pack right from week one, so the pressure has been on us to win the league.

“All of the players have contributed this season, it is difficult to single out anyone.Michael Roberts has scored 620-plus runs opening the batting, whereas last year he only hit 110.

“This shows how much he has improved. Dave Allaway is fantastic, he is our finisher, and is able to score a run a ball and Tom Lambert has played the last five weeks with a back injury, he has been playing through the pain barrier.

“We have 11 good players, and myself and Roberts have hit more than 550 runs this season and we have four bowlers that each took 20 plus wickets.”

Club president John Nelson said that he “felt numb” after his club knocked off the winning runs.

He said: “It is a huge achievement that makes me feel very proud to be associated with such a successful club. We are the best fielding side in the league, we have taken some outstanding and match-winning catches.

“I would like to pay a huge tribute to Bjorn, our captain, who has shown great leadership, getting the team to gel and getting the best out of the huge amount of talent that we have.”

Club chairman Paul Bradbury said: “It is the end to a wonderful season’s cricket. The team is as good as anyone else and thoroughly deserved to win the title.

“It has been a team effort, with everyone contributing. We have only had one century this season, but everyone has contributed at times with both bat and ball.

“In the second half of the season, Carl Crowe got 20 wickets and Chad Keegan has had some great contributions. There is a great team spirit, led by Bjorn, in the dressing room and out on the field.”

He added: “The season is not yet over, we are in the eight of the national Twenty20, which if we win we will be going to Derby for the finals.”