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
Presidents Day
President’s Day 2022 was a historic one for girls cricket in Wisborough Green.
The match between Wisborough Green Ravenclaws and Wisborough Green Hufflepuffs was the perfect showcase for the talent and skills developed under the excellent leadership of coaches Sarah Meurer and Peter Klein, and the pairs game did not disappoint.
Ravenclaws batted first. Fizz and Bella provided a solid foundation for their team with some nicely timed shots and a six from Fizz, who contributed 25 runs in total. Tilly and Honor continued the rapid scoring but under pressure from some excellent bowling, particularly from Jas. Likewise, Olivia B and Eliza put the next Ravenclaws pair under plenty of pressure with four economical overs, but Olivia F was able to play some good strokes. Next in, Joanna and Aoife kept the scoreboard ticking over before Margot and Lucy, followed by Scarlett and Sybella, added some useful runs to the total. The target for Hufflepuffs to beat was 259.
Brooke and Mia matched the Ravenclaws openers with the quality of their batting, putting on 36 with a series of 4s and one 6 for Brooke. The next pair continued the good work and Harriett top scored with a spectacular 40. The next pair also scored well with a number of neat shots while Lottie kept the run rate within range of the Ravenclaws’ total with some good fielding, including a series of well-taken catches. Eva S kept the runs flowing when she came on, as did Eva T and Lola, but wickets began to tumble and the Hufflepuffs’ comfortable lead started to slip away.
In the end it could not have been closer, with the Hufflepuffs scoring 257 and falling short of the Ravenclaws by just two runs. The closeness of the result reflected the enthusiasm with which the game was played by all those involved, and it is clear that the future of girls cricket in Wisborough Green could not be brighter.
Hamish Laing
Thanks to Chris Marshall for all these great pics
Presidents day continued…..
A good crowd gathered for lunch and were privileged to see the girl’s game being played on the green and witness the fun and enthusiasm as well as good cricket being played. A real pleasure. Over lunch there was a good chance to mingle with players and club officials past and present as well as stalwart supporters of the club and the Century Club.
The weather was set fair and the bbq with some splendid salads was a relaxed way to get the cricket underway. It was great to see two ex-presidents in attendance (one playing) and to receive notes of support and apologies from other vice presidents who could not attend. Wine had been provided for the guests’ enjoyment and judging by the depleted President’s wine cellar they were clearly enjoyed.
The president and chair offered a few words and really summarised how Wisborough Green cricket was still thriving after nearly 300 years. Tributes were paid to Sarah Meurer for a tremendous work getting girls and ladies cricket started and to the committee and grounds team for their sterling work behind the scenes to make sure the club continued to thrive. Special mention and a toast were made to three club stalwarts Ken Vickery, Jeanne Eames and David Horsman who sadly passed away since last President’s Day. Their collective contribution to the club had been immense and it was a reminder to all how the efforts of others allowed cricket to flourish on the green.
With representatives of the future of Wisborough Green, some current stars and some players who represented the past of Wisborough Green, Tarni had created two well matched sides. Special thanks to Gavin Clark from driving all the way from Gloucester and Andy Beattie for stepping in to play his first game of cricket for 12 years. Tarni won the important toss and decided to bat, no doubt with an eye on the fact that there were still desserts to be consumed and the fact that he decided to bat low down the order probably gives an indication where his priorities lay. Sadly, this meant SCS had to stop drinking wine and think about the bowling attack and field settings.
Joey opened from the Ken Vickery end bowling well to the hard-hitting opening pair of Matt Watts and Richard Wilson with the raw pace and late swing of George Nichols bowling up the hill. It was Nicholls who struck first when his variations of slower balls bamboozled Matt into an injudicious swipe which resulted in his middle stump being pegged back. A couple of balls later there was a chance to snare Richard at deep long on but perhaps Andy’s hands are a little softer these days with all his office work and the chance went begging. NSP was the next man to fall – it was great to see him back on the green – but in his own words he got an absolute beauty of a ball and snicked off behind the stumps.
Dan Vickery – all top hand for a change- looked in control as Rich started to dispatch the ball to all parts of the boundary with an array of attacking shots – and the Sussex junior showed how the ramp shot should be played, a shock to anyone who was taught cricket more than 20 years ago. He retired having made 50 and Gavin, younger brother of our new star Ash Clark strode to the wicket. The skipper immediately brought Ash on to bowl to see how the brotherly duel would unfold. On this occasion Gavin was the victor carrying his bat for a well made 50 including a 6 off his brothers bowling and retiring in the last over. However, Ash did pick up the wicket of senior captain Dan.
After a rapid start the run rate was pegged back as ex Berkshire and Horsham and Sussex Over 50s bowler, Tim Dodd, showed the virtue of a good line and length and Andy Spiers reminded us all of how sadly he is missed by the club with a fine spell of bowling. At the same time the president’s bowling attack was enhanced by the arrival of the self-proclaimed L.E.G.E.N.D Ben Thatcher. He was immediately handed the ball and was back into his old rhythm straight away. Tim Dodd was delighted as he could sit and recover for the remainder of the innings. Mick Holland batted well until chancing a second run to the best fielder in the match, JCS, and was run out convincingly.
Chris Marshall and a one ball knock from Martin Hopkins left the score on 189 after the allotted 35 overs.
A very leisurely tea then took place alongside the century club draw, which had 5 new members signed up on the day and then the President’s team went out to bat. Neil Trestrail who is scoring a bucket of runs in overs 60 county cricket opened with DJ. Oscar Warmington opened up the attack and whilst Neil showed us all his ability to drive anything over pitched and was particularly strong off his toes, DJ was undone by an Oscar special swinging in between bat and pad and knocking back the stumps.
Ash joined Neil and after a couple of glorious shots was out LBW to Matt Watts’ ball of the day. Andy Spiers and then Neil steadied the ship and built a nice 50 partnership fending off the tight bowling of NSP who was still suffering 3 days later, until Neil played a fierce drive and was snaffled by Dan for a caught and bowled for 40. Andy Beattie came and went still trying to remember how he used to bat, and Joey then joined Andy at 74 for 4. He made a rapid 30 before being undone by a combination of Richard Mellor’s Basset Allsorts and psychological warfare. George Nicholls then continued the attack before with the score on 140 Andy Spiers lost his wicket to the fiery short-pitched bowling of Gavin and holed out to Chris Marshall.
The President’s ship needed steadying and Tim Dodd set about doing just that. He and George took the score to 165 before George fell to Hoppo’s first ball – after taking of his keeping pads. Harry Hunter joined Tim with the score on 165 for 7 and the game was getting tight. Just as SCS was starting to relax Tim was bowled by Oscar so the LEGEND went out to do what LEGENDs do and…………………… get bowled by Hoppo for 1. Score 174 for 9.
Harry was there and SCS went out to join him with the match poised like a Hollywood script and the chirping from the fielding side rising like a dawn chorus. A few quick singles and a four meant that there were four needed with 5 balls to go and Hoppo with figures of 2 for 8 off his first three overs bowling it. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and as the field pressed in to stop the runs Harry hit a fine cut to the boundary to seal the match. Brenda, who watched to the end was pleased to note that it was a Karn- Smith award winner who had hit the winning runs.
Special thanks to Peter Mattock for umpiring from both ends all day and to Peter Klein for fielding for both teams but never quite in the position he was asked to. Also, to Darren Hunter for stepping in in the field to rest tired legs. Thanks also to Jenny, Mark and Tim for organising the catering and the bbq and all those who contributed to the lunch and the teas.
It was good fun; a good game and bragging rights of various sorts were claimed over a drink in the bar. As always a game of cricket created new cricketing stories which will be embellished and enhanced over time and will be discussed over the next meetings of the players.
Up the Green
Steve Calder Smith – President
Century Club Draw
The latest Century Club draw took place at Presidents Day
Congratulations to the winners :
- Craig Vit – £250
- Caroline Calder Smith – £150
- Tony Garner – £100
- Frank Vickery – £75
- Nick Ractliff – £50
Cheques will be in the post to you shortly.
If you would like to find out how the Century Club works and stand a chance of winning some great prizes please click on the following link : http://www.wisboroughgreencc.co.uk/century-club/
Honours Boards
Congratulations to all those who made it onto our Honours boards this week
The game of cricket
This week we are covering off situations where players damage the pitch. Spectators often see umpires ‘having a word ‘ with players often wondering what is being said. Please click on the link below to find out more about this in another informative video by Stephen Fry.
Match reports
First X1 vs Findon
Wisborough 1s were back on home soil, with yet again more changes after the disappointing defeat at Worthing. But with Glasto/Holidays and Exams over, the team were fresh and looking forward to hosting Findon 2s.
Captain Farmer lost the toss, and Wisborough were asked to field on what looked like a fantastic cricketing pitch. Will Dixon was thrown the new ball and started from the Ken Vickery end with great zip and control. Jamie Self started up the dreaded hill with a nice breeze to deal with and some trenches, and it was Jamie that drew the first mistake as the Findon Captain could only edge to Farmer waiting at slip, 16/1.
It wasn’t long before the other opening batsmen slashed at another off Will and Farmer was again waiting at slip to pouch another. 28/2. It felt like The Green were on top but Findon were finding a way to put pressure back on The Green with the odd boundary. Will bagged his second with a slow motion catch into the wind to Ash Clark who held it well albeit his pinky took a battering. 45/3, Wisborough’s first mini session.
It was then the combination of Findons 4 & 5 that made The Green really work, with one of the batters only really having a leg side hoik,- the other playing more classically. James Newman and Oscar were tasked with stemming the storm, but runs could only flow with Oscar creating the only real chance and ‘not so safe hands’ Farmer put it down.
Newman didn’t bowl with his normal control and was sent to the Cricks for an early pint. Captain Farmer had to make a big call and bring himself on along with the best Ragg (Eddie), after Farmer’s first over went for 14. It was not looking good !
With the score on 150 Eddie made the vital breakthrough. Much like Will he hit his line and lengths and drew the batter into the mistake, the catch taken by Jimmer (James Newman) . It was then that The Green took control for the next 10 overs and managed to slow the rate down – Farmer bowling with a lot more control and in tandem with Eddie creating pressure. Eddie got two further wickets and the score had moved on to 167/6. Eddie finished with a credible 3 for 38 off 7.
The Findon no 5 John Cox batted pretty much throughout and started to put away the bad balls away ending on 97, as Jamie came back on and removed him before he could get to three figures. The tail wagged for Findon as the innings ended on 246/8. Self and Eddie both with 3 wickets and Will with 2. It was certainly a good batting surface and a great shame that the same could not be said of the outfield.
Tea was taken, a special thanks to Trish Dixon for saving the day with a late extra few sandwiches. More to follow on this subject ….
Wisborough were fed, fuelled and ready to chase down the score and it was El Presidente (Steve) and the Ferret (James Newman) that were tasked to get us off to a good start, and that they did. With Jimmer putting anything over the boundary and SCS just working it around nicely. The only real scare was when Jimmer skied one off Sophie Whittington and the Wicket keeper confidentially calling the ball, managed to drop it with a big pair of gloves on. Jimmer did not let them forget this and powered his way to 77, before finally falling for a great innings with the score on 131.
Ash and Steve then made cricket look very easy, just ticking the score along, not giving any chances until a long hop excited Ash and he could only drag it onto his stumps. 177/2. Rich Wilson like a coiled spring ran into the middle and straight away timed the ball beautifully, Steve could only top edge a sweep and fell for another fine 44.
Jnr (James Rainford) now plying his trade as a batsmen hit a quick 15 and the end was in site,224/4. Cometh the man as Rob Knight quoted aloud Farmer to go in and try and kick on after last week, but the approach of hitting the leather out of it from ball one did not work as he fell to a slog across the line with 20 still needed. It was Rich Wilson and Jamie Self that did this with ease, and the Green chased the score with 7 overs to spare. Rich finishing on 30 and Jamie 8 not out.
M(achine) of the match was a close call. James Newman in particular would normally get the award for his 77 and two catches, but as it’s the Presidents weekend we shall don the cap to him for a well played supporting roll, and fielding that at times almost took his head off, putting his body on the line.
DOD – James Rainford. Tasked with bringing a tray/loaf load of Sandwiches, decided to turn up with one single pizza cut into about 8 slices for 26 hungry cricketers and officials.
Onto West Chilt at Home
Jonny Farmer
Click here for the full scorecard
Second X1 vs Middleton
An enthusiastic WGCC 2nd XI are victorious against Middleton 3rd XI
- The 2nd XI team arrive early on a glorious sunny, clear, afternoon to get some fielding and bowling practice in ahead of the game which was wise as The Green lost the toss and were invited to field
- Ran Dawson takes a wicket with the first ball of the match with a corking delivery moving off the pitch and hitting the top of off-stump. The perfect start.
- Ollie Warmington and Ran then continue to pin down the batsmen with good line and length keeping the run rate down despite a lightening outfield
- Ran and Ollie are both rightly rewarded with wickets leaving the opposition with 57 for 3 after their 6-over spells
- The mighty Frank Vickery then trundled down the hill to effectively remove the middle order in short order. A magnificent spell of bowling with figures of 4 for 16 off 6 overs.
- Ollie shows great presence in the field with an outstanding run out from distance with a bullet throw over the stumps leaving the batsman stranded
- Josh Dixon completes the destruction of Middleton (who have 10 men) with the final wicket caught ably by Harry Hunter behind the wicket. The score finishes at 106 all out after 23.3 overs. A terrific fielding performance by all of the WGCC Team.
- After the tea break the Dawsons stride out to open the batting for the Green and unfortunately Tom soon returns with what looks like a harsh LBW decision against him
- Ran is in imperious form and starts to time any bad bowl elegantly to the boundary complemented by some hard one-hand hitting by Dan Vickery. The scoreboard is racing ahead when Dan nicks one behind after a quick 23 with the score at 43 for 2.
- Tarni comes out to join Ran and has the pleasure of watching Ran strike the ball to all corners of the ground. Ran reaches his well-deserved 50 and soon afterwards The Green won the match scoring the required 107 runs in just 11.1 overs
- Excellent effort by an enthusiastic and high-performing team who were having fun on the cricket field.
Tarnie Dixon
Click here for the full scorecard
Under 14’s vs Steyning
This week’s match report has been written by under 14 player Rafferty Finn
There were clouds in the sky on a chilly Sunday morning at Steyning .
Joe Reed lost the toss but got the outcome he wanted when Steyning decided to have a bat.
Wizzy’s opening bowlers didn’t get off to a great start, conceding quite a few runs. The Steyning openers built a solid partnership, frustrating our bowlers, both going onto retirement. Jackson McCullagh, playing up from the U12s was the pick of our bowlers, taking our first two wickets. Whilst new batters struggled, with their highest score from number 3 to number 9 being 11, they reached a solid total of 169 thanks to the many extras bowled by the Wisborough Green players. Seb Scrase and Charlie Long each took a wicket and great fielding from Rafferty Finn gave Alex Greaves a runout.
We went into bat knowing a big run rate was needed. Dexter McCullen did well to soak up the quick opening bowlers but then lost his wicket. Joe Reed hit an excellent power show of an innings hitting 48 retired off six overs. This gave us a good base for the rest of the team but the wickets started to fall. Xander Boyce and Rafferty Finn built a decent partnership but both batsmen fell, going for 15 and 19. There were some good efforts from the tail end including Jackson McCullum, Seb Screase, Lachlan Rae and Edward Crowther, but in the end Wisborough were bowled out 9 runs short.
Rafferty Finn
Click here for the full scorecard
Under 12’s vs Barns Green
Our last league game of the season saw WG travel to Barns Green on a perfect morning for cricket.
Having won the toss Barns Green put us into bat.
Buddy E and George R went in at 1&2 respectively and after a nervy first few balls soon found their rhythm against some accurate and quick bowling.
It was intelligent batting from both: defending when necessary but taking full advantage of any loose bowling and George retired not out after only 6 overs.
Unfortunately last weeks star partnership of Harry R and Jackson didn’t fair quite as well as the Barns Green bowling attack stepped up a gear and it was two quick exits for 3 then 4 as Buddy continued to build his score.
Joe A was up next and scored two quick boundaries as Buddy got to his first retired not out of the season finishing on a fantastic 27.
Barns Green had held back some strong bowlers so our lower order struggled to add to the score despite defending very well and when the 20 overs were up Wisborough had got to a respectable (but chase-able) total of 107.
Jackson made a good start to our bowling attack with a wicket in the first over but some strong batting and too many extras meant that at the half way point Barns Green had reached 63 and the Wizzy nerves were kicking in…..
Step forward Joe Aspidin!!
An absolutely fantastic spell of bowling from Joe turned the game on its head. He took 4 for 6 from only 3 overs and all of a sudden the game was WG’s to lose.
Barns Green’s number 7 looked for a minute like he might win it for them with some boundaries down the slope but a smart run out from Harry R ended their hopes and we bowled them out for 97.
Another great team performance from everyone involved especially in the second half of our fielding. Well captained by Jackson who had to make some difficult decisions on bowling selection to keep us in it at the end.
Dave McCullagh
Click here for the full scorecard
Team selections
Please click here for the Senior team selections for Saturday
Date for your dairy
Next Sunday is our long awaited Ladies Day on the Green which will feature our under 11 & Under 15 Girls teams and our Ladies team in an all day tournament . Details to follow in next week’s Wizzy News.
….and finally – spotted out and about
That’s it for this week.
Thanks again to all our sponsors for their support . Please see offer from Savills below.
If there is anything we need to know – you know where to find us !
Have a great cricketing week
#UptheGreen
Cheers
Wizzy
