Welcome to this week’s Wizzy News – our weekly roundup of news and events at Wisborough Green Cricket Club. If you missed last week’s edition of Wizzy News, please click here

Tim Monday Memorial match

For those who didn’t know Tim Monday – he was our much loved former Captain who sadly passed away during a match between West Chiltington and Middleton on Saturday 8 July 2017. Please click here for our July 2017 Wizzy News article.

Affectionately described by some as a loveable rogue, Tim was always the centre of attention at our functions and wherever he went, laughter was sure to follow. He was an old fashioned cricketer who believed in developing the youth at the club and often helped coach the juniors on a Friday night. He also believed in playing the game in the right way, something which is deeply embedded in the DNA of our club. The following letter to the County Times in August 2015 which typified Tim was on display at West Chiltington :

Sportsmanship does exist

In an age when good sportmanship is often sacrificed in the interests of a ‘win at all costs’ strategy, it is a pleasure to report that the true spirit of cricket is alive and well on the village Green.

In the final match of the season between the two top teams in the West Sussex Invitation League Division 1, the outcome of which would determine who would be champions, Littlehampton, Clapham and Patching CC batted first against West Chiltington and Thakeham CC. When Littlehampton’s most prolific batsman was dismissed lbw, the West Chiltington Captain, Tim Monday, at slip, was convinced that the ball had struck the bat before the pad and immediately withdrew the appeal and recalled the batsman to the crease, thus disregarding the obvious advantage to his team had he ignored this conviction.

How gratifying it is to witness fair play in sport, something that is not always in evidence in the professional game.

For the record, the weather intervened, the match was abandoned as a draw, and West Chiltington were Champions.

David Stoner, West Sussex

For the last few years West Chiltington, Wisborough Green and Aldershot (the team Tim played for before joining Wisborough Green) have all hosted the annual Tim Monday Memorial match. This year it was the turn of West Chiltington to host Wisborough Green at West Chiltington.

Wisborough Green selected a number of up and coming stars for the game including four under 13 players, two under 15’s and an under 16 player, along with a few more experienced players. The team was skippered by 15 year old Will Dixon. It was the sort of Wisborough team that Tim would have selected himself.

The West Chiltington team included many of the players who played in the 2017 season with Tim and in Tim’s last game.

The game was played on the pitch that Tim last played on in 2017

Wisborough Green batted first and notched up an impressive 171 in their alloted 25 overs with some fantastic batting on display from Will Dixon, Oscar Warmington, Rafferty Finn, Xander Boyce, and George Redgrove in his very first senior game for the club.

See detailed match report below by skipper Will Dixon along with a link to the West Chiltington match report.

Wisborough Green got off to a great start with some good bowling from Harry Hunter and Oscar Warmington who also took two fantastic diving catches. Oscar also took the prized wicket of his former Sussex coach and former South African indoor cricket captain Tim Van Noordt. Archie Gray, playing in his first senior game also bagged two valuable wickets towards the end of the game.

West Chiltington managed to reach the total with only a few overs to spare in what was a very memorable day’s cricket.

A great game played in great spirit by both teams and the most fitting tribute to Tim who was no doubt looking down with an approving smile.

Thank you to West Chiltington for their generous hospitality and for hosting a great day of cricket in memory of a much loved player of both clubs and a special thank you to Tim Van Noordt for all his efforts in arranging the match.

As we left the ground it was very touching to see the West Chiltington players sitting on the pitch in a circle at the end that Tim last bowled from.

Please click here for the touching match report from West Chilts

Presidents Day

Sunday 3rd July is President Day – the day when the whole club comes together to celebrate the game of cricket and renew some old acquaintances.

Honours Boards

Congratulations to all those who made it onto our Honours boards this week

The game of cricket

This week’s topic is the use of a runner in the game. Please click on the link below for another informative video by Stephen Fry.

Match reports

First X1 vs Worthing

After a convincing win away at Rustington, it was a trip to Worthing 2s for the first team with a much changed side due to Glastonbury, holidays, poor planning and injuries. Only 4 names the same to be precise.

It was a typical day out in Worthing, with the sun threatening to come through the rain and clouds blanketing the cricket field.

Captain Farmer lost the toss and Worthing chose to bat.

With a new pair of Self and March opening, it was the Worthing pair of Harris & Beresford that pounced on anything short and punished it to the boundary, Tarnie shelling a wind affected catch early off Self.

The score raced to 30 in around 3 overs before March and Self started to hit their lines, the rate slowed and on about the 10th over Self removed Beresford. 42/1. Jack Sizzey Carter, fresh from his all inclusive holiday and new love interest, bowled with both accuracy and movement, and had Skipper Harris in all sorts. The batsmen were beaten by the turn – the next ball he shouldered his arms only for his off stump to be bent back 58/2.

Self finished his spell with 8 overs 28/1, Captain Farmer then bowled in tandem with JSC, and put down a difficult caught and bowled that another day might have stuck. Payne took advantage and with a slightly dodgy hamstring started to kick on and free his arms. Farmer snicked off the number 4 with Hoppo back behind the stumps taking it well, 91/3.

Jack also finished his spell with exactly the same figures as Jamie. Enter Robin Jacob and his slap happy approach, he amazingly had the knack of just landing the ball short of a fielder, but it was his intent that put the pressure back on WG. Payne also took a liking to young Rich Wilson’s spin, and 91/3 soon became 152 before Callum Price took a great low catch on the boundary to remove him for 60. Jacob then took charge and again didn’t clear the boundary but edged/clipped and fiddled his way to 61 aided by Hugos head height bowling and free hit giveaways, and Worthing’s total was 232. Jacob fell to Matt Watts with an unconventional boot/ onto stumps stumping from Hoppo (1 more than Dan V he claims) A score that should have been around 180/90 was in fact 232 (22 Wides and some not –so-sharp fielding did not help the cause,)

But with the BYO Tea approach the Green were trying to refuel and deploy the line up to knock the runs off and keep the momentum going. It was yet another opening pair with elder Statesmen SCS (Steve Calder Smith) fresh off some big scores for Sussex over 50/60s striding out with James Rainford (yes you read that correctly the opening bowler turn batsman) a weak right wing keeping out of his normal duties. It was the latter who took the attack to Worthing, caressing drives through the covers and getting us off to the desired start . It was 32 when Steve could only guide Jacob to slip, and Wilson soon fell after being adjudged LBW 33/2.

Tarnie entered to rebuild and he and Jnr did just that, getting the score up to 92 before Tarnie smoked a drive, only for a great stop caused confusion and he was run out. Martin Hopkins (Hoppo) came in and he and Jnr kicked the score on to 134 in around 25 overs, before Hoppo fell to a lucky catch behind.

Captain Farmer strode to the middle with a lot of work on his plate; he knew that he and Jnr had been there many times before and he looked to be positive, hitting the Spinne Hyde back over his head for a maximum. Sadly Jnr fell on 146 for a well-played 48. But with plenty left Farmer continued to work hard and kick on, sending the ball over the ropes and find the middle of his bat, but sadly a single lead to yet another Wisborough injury as he pulled up with a dodgy back/glute/hamstring/body malfunction. Self and Sizzey came and went and Farmer finally fell after a few late blows for a well-made 64 off 60 balls. Leaving Pricey and Hugo 2 overs to score 33 the innings came to an end on 199 all out.

A tight game in the end that Wisborough probably gave away in the last 10 overs of the first innings.

Onwards to 5 of the next 8 games being on home turf/meadow.

Several candidates for M(achine)otM – Sizzey and Self for their controlled bowling. But it was probably the skipper who deserves it for a fine 64, playing his way back into form for the run in. Let’s hope the National Health Service can pick up the Green for Findon at home and it will have 11 fine young, fit and eager men raring to go!

Jonny Farmer

Click here for the full scorecard

Second X1 vs Rudgwick

The Second X1 welcomed neighbours Rudgwick to the hallowed home turf on a warm summer’s day. Rudgwick had not played at Wisborough for many a year so it was good to welcome them back.

Rudgwick won the toss and elected to field fist

Openers DJ and Juan Vorster got the Green off to a brisk start with some quick running between the wickets . Juan in particular showed no mercy hitting out at every opportunity. The bowling was painfully slow and both batters needed to show much patience.

The first wicket fell with the score on 44 after 7 overs with DJ trying to force the pace. Ollie Stott joined Juan at the crease but Juan fell shortly thereafter after hitting a few good fours.

Richard Mellor joined Ollie and the pair seemed to be in the mood to go after the bowing. Ollie got into his stride with his new lighter bat hitting a number of fours along the ground – something his teammates hadn’t realised was still in the locker. Richard also looked to go after the bowling coming down the wicket to give the it some welly. He was lucky to be given a second chance after he skied one to the moon and was dropped.

The fielding was decidedly average at times and the batters took full advantage of the situation

Richard departed after being bowled and Tim Dodd joined Stotty at the crease. It didnt take long for him to start opening his shoulders, lofting them to great heights.

The Green were on 139 for 3 at drinks looking to post a big score.

Doddy and Stotty kept the scoreboard moving along nicely conserving their energy for the big hits rather than chasing the ones and twos. Doddy was unfortunately caught on the boundary going for a big one with the score on 175.

The run rate slowed down somewhat as a number of batters came and went – but Stotty kept the fireworks alive by peppering the ball to the boundary at every opportunity hitting some big sixes along the way

Ollie’s score moved from the eighties to the nervous nineties as he edged closer to the magic number. Everyone held their breath as he got closer and closer, and wisely took a couple of singles. On 99 he uncharacteristically swung and missed a straight ball, hitting his pads low down and the umpire had no option but to reluctantly give him his marching orders. A dissapointing end to a fabulous knock that included 12 fours and 5 sixes. The next hundred will be special Ollie !!

The innings came to and end after some good batting betwen Frank and Mark Brown edged the scoreboard on to 256 – a very competitive target for Rudgwick.

Another great Wisborough Tea which included a pizza and some great chocolate cakes – thanks to Frank for organising

The Green got off to a good start as Mark Brown had one of the opening batters trapped in front without scoring.

In stepped Matthew Barnett – Sports coach at Pennthorpe School keen to make his mark on the game on a ground where a number of his former pupils play.

Next to go was the Rudgwick skipper with a tentative shot straight to Mark Brown. Two down for 73- eight to go.

In came one of the opening bowlers and much to Juan Vorsters delight moved across his stumps to play the ball. Time for one of Juan’s special deliveries which he executed perfectly as the batter swung and missed a straight delivery onto his pads . Another one down in the same over. Only 7 to go.

Sussex under 16 ladies player Keira Lewzy was in next. It’s always good to see the ladies playing in league games and long overdue that the Wisborough Green ladies start playing for the team. It didn’t take long for the bowlers to recognise the talents of a well coached player, and Keira was unlucky to have been caught behind by keeper Maunder off a good delivery from Ollie Stott before she really got going. Rudgwick were on 78 for 4 and Wisborough were starting to smell blood.

Josh Driver, former rugby colleague of Frank’s came to the crease next, keen to claim the bragging rights. He and Matthew Barnett pushed the score onto 107 at the drinks break.

After drinks Josh Driver and Barnett kept the scoreboard ticking with Driver keen to give Barnett the strike at every oportunity.

Driver gave The Green a massive opportunity after skying a ball , only for it to be dropped after both DJ and Stotty tried to claim the catch and ran into each other. That was the real turning point in the game as Driver took good advantage of the Green’s misfortune. The Wisborough players heads dropped as they watched Driver and Barnett take the game away .

Barnett showed no mercy to the bowlers skying the ball over the rooftops relentlessly. Once he got to his hundred he opened his shoulders even more and four new balls had to be called for as they were lofted to Petworth and beyond.

Harry Hunter was called into action with the score on 241 and claimed Drivers wicket asthe ball clipped the top of his off stump , but it was only the consolation prize as the game had all but been won.

To rub salt into the wound Barnett hit a six off the last ball of the game to seal victory in the 37th over. He finished the day undefeated on 155 hitting thirteen fours and nine sixes. Full credit to Barnett who payed a faultless innings and sealed the victory for Rudgwick.

A very despondent Wisborough team walked off the pitch on a day that the result should really have gone the other way had it not been for an in form batter who was seeing the ball a size of a watermellon.

Perhaps we could suggest to Pennthorpe School that they should have a sports day on the afternoon of the return match….

Next week’s match against Middleton presents a great opportunity to play with a positive mindset and get back to winning ways…

Click here for the full scorecard

Tim Monday Memorial Match

Match report by Will Dixon – under 15

The Green visit West Chiltington on a hot, clear day – a wonderful setting to commemorate Tim Monday and his affiliation with both clubs.

WGCC packed with youthful talent and a few elder statesmen, are sent into bat by the oppo due to some later arrivals hotfooting it back from a home U14s match.

Due to some generous bowling, the Wiz openers Oscar Walmington and Will Dixon are able to hit quick runs with Oscar hitting a six over the bowler’s head. The boundaries continue and both batsmen retire on 30* after 9 overs. The run rate continues to tick over with the Wiz rarely losing wickets. On the 16th over we were 92 for 4 forcing Xander Boyce and Raf Finn into bat. Both batted beautifully hitting boundaries majestically to all parts of the ground giving the wayward balls the full treatment. Again, both batsmen are forced to retire after their dominant performance leaving the Green with a very handsome score of 171 off the 25 overs. Wiz were very pleased with this total considering the team was mostly made up of U16 year old players.

After some exquisite cuisine provided by West Chiltington in the period between innings the bowling attack for Wisborough were feeling deadly. Raf and Harry Hunter opened up the bowling seeking for the early wicket in which Harry provided us with in his first over. His spell continued to flourish with great consistency leaving him with 3 well deserved wickets. However, runs started to pile on throughout their innings due to some heavy swinging from the oppo leaving them 89 off the first 10 overs. This calls for Oscar to start his spell and supply some resistance collecting 3 wickets along the way but West Chilt were still on top of the run rate.

Towards the end of the innings, Archie Gray is put on for some specialist death bowling to restrict the run rate. Archie bowled very well getting his first 2 wickets for senior cricket again showing some excellent youth talent. However, after the 19th over the oppo got the runs after a well-played run chase with a great display of shots.

A great game played in great spirit by both teams and the most fitting tribute to Tim Monday who was no doubt looking down with a wide smile.

Many thanks to West Chiltington for their generous hospitality and for hosting a great day of cricket.

Will Dixon

Please click here for a great match report from West Chiltington

T20 vs Petworth

WGCC lose close T20 match against Petworth in last over.

• Batting first Wisborough Green start fast with some great striking from Richard Wilson, who quickly reached 37 before retiring, ably assisted by Ran Dawson.
• 3 wickets fell in the space of 4 overs fairly quickly before Tarni and Jnr rallied. Both eventually accelerating their scoring rate in the middle overs. Tarni getting 19 and Jnr falling one short of retirement with 34.
• Will Dixon, Hoppo and some help from the extras column meant Wisborough finished positively on 169-5

• Petworth got off to a strong start with their opener striking multiple boundaries and retiring in no time. The no. 3 continued the onslaught with more destructive hitting, also retiring, along with a series of extras.
• After trying a number of bowlers Josh Dixon was the one to help wrestle back some control picking up a wicket along with Ran Dwason
• Although the worst of the damage had been done, all bowlers then found dot balls easier to come by and battled to take the match in to a nervy last over; Petworth needing 4 to win.
• Will Dixon bowling 2 good balls to start allowing one scampered single. 3 from 4 balls. Another great ball and it looked certain to be another dot. However, the ball squirmed through the legs of our keeper, Sam, and stuck the helmet for 5 penalty runs. An unfortunate end, as he had kept well for rest of the innings.

A great fight back by the whole team with some good individual performances but just not quite good enough with the ball on the day.

James Rainford

Under 14’s vs West Chiltington

This week’s match report was written by Rafferty Finn – Under 14 player

Will Reed strode to the square for toss, hoping to have a bowl with there being a few clouds in the sky. We lost the toss and were put into bat.

George Redgrove and Otis Wibaut started things off with an excellent partnership but then Otis fell for a tidy 13 runs. Taking his place was Alex Greaves looking to keep a strong start. George played some brilliant shots then retired for an excellent 40. Alex also looking in great touch unfortunately got out for 40 going for big shots.

Will put on a needed cameo of 19 despite being injured. Xander Boyce finished things off hitting some good shots ending the innings on 18 not with Archie Gray on 2 not out. Wizzy Green set a strong total of 172.

Opening the bowling was Xander trying to find an early breakthrough and he succeeded taking a wicket on the 5th ball of the innings. Xander went on to get 2 more wickets with George Redgrove being extremely alert behind the stumps, stumping two batters by Xander and Dexter McCullen’s bowling.

Dexter did very well to back up a superb start, bowling 4 very economic overs. Alex found our next wicket with a sharp caught and bowled. Archie Gray did very well to break a strong partnership between the West Chilt batters, destroying the top of off stump.

Ben Gwilliam and Cosmo Witheridge bowled well and Rafferty Finn and Luc Trench fielded very well. West Chilt went on to win the game on the last over but it’s was a great effort from every Wisborough Green player.

Rafferty Finn

Click here for the full scorecard

Under 12’s vs Horsham

The 25th of June saw Wisborough Green test their mettle against the league leaders Horsham.

Winning the toss captain Olivia decided to field first.

The Horsham opening pair forged a good early partnership but were split when the bowling of Harry Richardson induced a false shot. Horsham had scored 45 from the opening five overs and looked on course for a high score. However fine spells of bowling from Bella and Hector taking two wickets each reeled the run rate back in and Wisborough were in the game.

The second half of the Horsham innings was controlled well by the Wisborough bowlers conceding fewer runs off the bat, Arden taking two wickets in an over to keep the run rate well in check. Horsham scored 130.

The Wisborough reply got off to a good start with Joe hitting some good boundaries. A partnership then developed between Jackson and Harry R that the Horsham coach described as the best partnership they had faced all season – high praise indeed. Both batters retired not out and had put Wisborough in contention. Despite the best efforts of the middle and lower order Wisborough fell nine runs short of the total.

A narrow loss against the most successful team in the division played in good spirit; a match where Wisborough produced a combative and energetic performance that they should all be proud of.

Phil Maggs

Click here for the full scorecard

Under 9’s vs West Chiltington

First off many thanks to Mark for ably looking after the team and umpiring the game and Nadia for scoring.

A great team performance away to a very good West Chiltington side showed how well the U9’s & U8’s group are progressing this season. It ended as a narrow defeat by just 12 runs but we were able to compete with both bat and ball and stay in the game right until the end.

Looking through the score sheets points of note :

Fielding – 7 wickets claimed
• Great opening bowling partnership for Wisborough with Bobby P and Sam applying huge pressure to the West Chiltington batting line up. Bobby P with an amazing 4 wicket haul including 3 bowled and 1 caught behind by Sam. Sam himself bowling the team’s first maiden over this season.
• William claims 2 wickets with accurate bowling 1 caught by Harry and 1 bowled
• Edward claims another wicket this season caught by Bobby A

Batting – just 2 wickets lost, well done all players proves our defence is getting better !
• Outstanding knock by Harry bagging 28 runs including 3 sixes – well done Harry
• Hugo backing up Harry in the final pair with 11 runs
• Well done to Charlie on his first game from the U8’s batting really well with a boundary

Darren Hunter

Senior Team selections

Please click here to view the senior team selections for the senior games this weekend

….and finally – spotted out and about

That’s it for this week.

If there is anything we need to know – you know where to find us !

Have a great cricketing week

#UptheGreen

Cheers

Wizzy