Welcome to this week’s Wizzy News which includes some fantastic match reports and pics from the Memorial match between the Vickery X1 vs Spiers X1. The penultimate reflective paragraph of the Women’s match report against Fernhurst in bold is a must read.
Our final league games of the season are being played on Saturday so please do come along and support our teams if you can. Details of the fixtures are below.
Friday night training
Just a quick reminder that the under 10 and above age groups will be having their informal training sessions from 6 pm on Friday evening.
County cricket trials
Congratulation to Josh Braddock, Harry Maggs and Buddy Edwardes for their nominations to attend County Pathway trials next week. Joanna Nicholls, Lucy Ross-Hurst and Fizz Gadd will be attending their trials early in October along with Ellie Foster, Becca Foster and Olivia Church who have been training with us. We wish you the best of luck and hope it goes well. Fly that Wisborough flag with pride.
Honours Boards
Congratulations to all players who made it onto the Honours Board this week
Match reports – Memorial game
The inaugural Vickery XI vs Spiers XI very much lived up to its name – with legendary players on show, some big performances, a fabulous cricket tea and a brilliant crowd providing both amazing company and the buzz around The Green from the glory days. Not to mention the fall of a G.O.A.T.
The memorial match started in similar fashion to many of the previous years, with a beer being shared by the captains and players from both sides. With beers in hand, and a backdrop of Pete Klein redefining the LBW rule to fit the occasion of the day, the toss was won by Spiersy and he elected to take the field. The niceties were over and we then got the game under way – which was almost bang on time until we realised we didnt have bails, oh and wait…..where is the ball!!
Franky and Hugo took to the crease to kick things off and were faced with some solid bowling by Spiersy himself and the box of tricks that is Tommy Colbrans spin!! It was a solid start with the opening stand of 43 before Franky fell to a stunning one handed catch by Karly “Foxy” Clark off his own bowling! Hugo was joined by none other than Joshy Dixon at number 3 and they continued to build. Joshy having been working on his counting to six throughout the season manged to keep the strike for over 20 balls straight put together a nicely worked 7 before being bowled by George. In walks Ricky “the gun” Etheridge, he and Hugo taking the attack to the bowling and building a nice partnership. Hugo retired with a well compiled 54 bringing Vickery D to the crease. In between trying to get Ricky on strike there was one beautiful cover drive off an over pitched Farmer delivery – before he succumbed to another good catch from Foxy (sign this guy up!), with Farmer the lucky recipient of another one in his long Playcricket wickets column. This didnt stop Farms from dishing out a loud if uncreative send-off (fair play to him – a first team wicket has been hard to come by this season!).
Ricky soon then retired for a solidly struck fifty bringing club legends Sadler and Thatch together at the crease with the score on 142 for 3. The guys continued to compile runs at a decent rate before Sadler was adjudged LBW and Thatcher got a good one from swinger Tom Saunders. A flourish at the end of the innings led by DJ and supported by Nick “Leeroy” Lee meant that Vickery XI had built a strong total finishing on 229 from their 35 overs. Well bowled also to Charlie Spiers and Henry Nicholls who faced with some genuine cricket talent at the crease bowled very well – Henry in particular showing good control at such a young age.
Then – on to what was very much the highlight of the day – a combined Vickery / Spiers tea that very much lived up to the hype. Thank you to all those that contributed in particular Jo Spiers, Jenny Jones, Franky, Emma, Hannah, Sarah and our fabulous team of tea ladies. I can confirm it was a proper tea and sets a high benchmark for future fixtures!
It was then the Vickery XI’s turn to take to the field. It was great to see two Spiers’ taking guard – with Charlie and his Uncle Ali opening the batting. Both openers looked solid up against some really good opening bowling from Leeroy and Gavin “what a seam position” Fox. Ali was the first to go, getting a good one from Leeroy – bowled him! The early stalemate at the start of the innings continued with Tommy being very watchful. Both runs and wickets seemed hard to come by. Enter Hugo, bought into the attack to break the deadlock and duly delivered bowling Charlie Spiers for a solid 5 (deserved more runs from a good innings).
This bought George and Tommy together with the need to accelerate the innings. That didn’t really materialise with Vickery’s bowling tightly from both ends Frank in particular bowling well and very miserly. However, it was Dan that got the wicket with George skipping down and DJ doing the rest on a smart stumping. Having earlier survived being caught off a dubious no ball, George departed with 19 runs to his name. In walks Farmer to join Tommy who had been slowly accumulating runs at the other end. With the pressure starting to build, Farms couldn’t resist having a big heave at a juicy tossed up delivery, smashing the ball back at Vickery D for him to pouch the sharp chance – REDEMPTION was sweet!! It could have been a long off season if that was dropped or worse still sailed to the boundary – but you cant drop the chance to silence the GOAT!
Harry Hunter came in just as Tommy retired for a slow and steady (I mean chanceless) 50*. At this stage many thought the game was largely done with the score at 103-4 and running out of overs. But this would soon change, for in strode the Lord of Fittleworth CC and Captain of Spiersy XI – Andy! With a certain air of confidence, he began despatching it to all parts. Clearly in good touch he kept giving himself plenty of room to dispatch the ball to the boundary. Even Ben Thatcher, returning up he hill, struggled to fully control Spiersy’s aggression. Spiersy, taking a card straight out of Joshy’s book, farmed the strike and continued to hit some lusty blows. One of which was very well caught on the boundary by Jim Sadler who, lets just say, then “stepped” over the boundary (I hope you weren’t too sore the next day Jimbo). Andy retired for a very quick 50 – oh we could do with him on a Saturday!
This left Saunders, Foxy and Rich Nicholls to try and get to the total. First Saunders came unstuck to the ever consistent Joshy, leaving Foxy, who batted extremely well, and Rich, with several lusty blows getting their team up to nearly 200 with one over left. A short cameo from WIll Spiers got his team to the 200 mark as the 35 overs were completed. This concluded another eventful innings – one in which I am sure Malc would have been very proud of his sons, grandsons and even his son-in-law for his umpiring.
Whilst I could say the result was un-important, both teams had that competitive edge and represented themselves strongly. It was a great contest, one that represented many of the tussles Kenny and Malc will have had in the past, both together in the same team and more than likely against one another in previous memorial matches. It truly was a great tribute to both those men as well as others that we remember for how much they gave to Wisborough Green Sports. This fixture will live long in the memory as the start of a great tradition at Wisborough Green.
I am pleased to announce that we will have raised nearly £2,500 for Midhurst MacMillan – the amazing team there were such a great support to both men and their families. So a final thank you to all that helped make the day such a success – umpires, scrores, bar men and women, tea ladies (inc Frank), Jimma for nailing the BBQ, the girls selling raffle tickets and Nanny Chicken for buying them all!!!
Dan Vickery
Footnote : Please click here for Jonny Farmer’s video response to his dismissal by Dan Vickery
Thanks to everyone , and Tim March in particular , for some great pics of the day
Spot the difference …
First X1 vs Three Bridges
On Saturday Wisborough Green welcomed Three Bridges 2nd XI to the green. Unwelcome were the showers that were sprinkled through out the day.
Wisborough loss the toss and were put into bat only for a brief shower to liven up the wicket as the openers, Dan Vickery and Chris Douglas strode out.
It was difficult going to start with a wiley bowler from one end and a quicker younger bowler at the other. Dan Vickery was first to go for just 7. Jnr (James Rainford) elevated to 3 joined Chris at the crease. Even after the opening bowlers were seen off, scoring remained difficult and Chris was soon dismissed for 27.
Tom Dawson and Jnr would then build a partnership albeit another slow scoring one right up until the rain forced the game to stop. Tea was taken early as the rain hammered down. The new drainage would be put in to good use as was Ash Perry’s now legendary blowing skills. Having only lost 4 overs per side we were back out.
Just 2 wickets down with quick scorers still to come Wisborough seemed in a solid position and thoughts turned to upping the strike rate.
Wis had finally reached 100 after 30 overs just before Tom was called through for the single only for the stumps at his end to be thrown down. Quick scorer, Ash was out after 2 balls followed by Matt Ritchie which meant the only person scoring quickly was our scorer , Rob Knight.
DJ added some impetus and with just 7 overs to go helped junior move through the gears. Both players batting well, running quickly and finding the legside boundary. They would both see it to the end of the innings, Jnr reaching his maiden 1stXI 50, guiding the final ball expertly to the fine third man boundary for 4.
The target was revised to 168 and the players were straight back out to defend what felt like a very respectable score. Hugo March and Ash Perry were given the chance to open the bowling and take advantage of the seaming and spinning conditions. The Three Bridges batters had other ideas, batting positively and putting away any bad ball; the pitch now back to the road it has been in past weeks.
The bowling changes were rung but the strike rate couldn’t contrast the first innings more. Both openers reaching 50 smashing the ball to all parts.
Young standout, Matt Ritchie was the one to make the breakthrough trimming the top of the stumps, the score being 142.
With less than 25 runs to get Three Bridges stagnated, barely scoring a run an over and losing 3 more wickets. 2 for Joey, one more for Matt assisted by two smart catches taken by Jnr and one by Hugo.
Unfortunately the damage had been done and Three Bridges reached the total 4 wickets down.
Not the result we wanted, but having the worse of conditions and finding out after the game that 4 of their most effective players normally play in their 1st XI, Wisborough can hold their head high.
Please click here for the full scorecard
James Rainford
Second X1 vs Chippingdale
My suspicion is that there were many things that the 2nd XI would have wanted to do as we arrived in the back parts of Worthing as it hosed it down, grey clouds massed over our little corner of England on Saturday afternoon. Cricket was far from the mind of this correspondent and he didn’t mind telling everyone about it – not setting a great example to the younger members of the XI, or anyone else for that matter. Incredulously the oppo’s captain insisted that play must start, throwing around words such as “league protocol” and other such expressions that inevitably peaked the interest of our very own Peter Klein who had been drafted in as umpire and player for the day.
As we begrudgingly accepted that indeed cricket was to be played, Tarni regrettably lost the toss and we were sent in for a bat on a very wet wicket. It was pretty hard going – three early wickets falling as Steve Calder-Smith, Ran Dawson and Tim Palmer all playing shots that they probably wished they hadn’t. 15-3 in the 7th. Fortunately Tommy Colbran and Skipper Tarni steadied the ship building a solid partnership – both showing resilience in defence and flair in attack. They were made to work hard for their runs on a wet outfield and, what’s the word, “nagging” bowling from both ends. A fabulous 100 partnership ensued before Tarni chipped one to mid off for a agonising 46, and Colbran, controversially given out stumped by a clearly blind umpire (ahem, it may have been me…) for 61. George Nicholls provided the backbone for some late runs by WGCC limped to 159 after the 40, which I think we all felt was a little light at the time.
Tea time and the sun was out. Any lack of enthusiasm felt like weeks ago as we set to to work hard and defend our paltry total. What followed ebbed and flowed like the tide that washed on Worthing’s magnificent beach, merely a few hundred meters from where we were playing. Joshy and Ran opened up and persistent looked threatening, but we couldn’t quite get the breakthrough. Both beat the bat, but their runs flowed pretty regularly and it was starting to look like a disappointing afternoon.
It often takes a bit of magic to inspire a team. After his heroics with the bat, Colbran pounced on a sharp chance over his head and they were one down. A few quick wickets fell and we were back in it.
Joshy (2-34) rewarded for his toils with two beauties, both clipped to top of off stump. Colbran into he attack (3-25) – wicket as he lured the batter with a loopy one which beat him ends up. WGCC right back in it at 59-6 at drinks. Our tails were up. Tommy’s Mate Corben (TMC), unsuspectedly lured into his first ever cricket match having had the misfortune of breakfasting with Tommy that morning, was a terrier in the field all afternoon. George Redgrove extremely solid behind the stumps, we all fielded extremely well. Tarni snaffled a blinder, one handed diving to his left, as wickets fell regularly. Peter Klein also held a magnificent catch much to his relief as his credibility as a coach hung in the balance!
Then it turned again. Their late middle order got going a little. Runs started flowing. The rate became gettable, palms started to moisten. George Nicholls (2-33) pegged them back with a few wickets and the maths for the last 10 was pretty simple. We needed 3 wickets, they needed 55 ish. And who do you call upon in times like this? Yes, obviously, the wise head of Ran Dawson, who closed out his excellent spell with a miserly 1-28, and young Monty Palmer, (age 14) bowling the 31st/ 33rd/ 38th and 40th overs, keeping his nerve, bowling straight and full as his captain had requested, not conceding a boundary and being rewarded with his first senior wicket with the last ball of the match. Chippingdale ended on 148 – a nerve tingling victory, a very sweet reward on an afternoon that has its ups and downs – but more points in the bag for the mighty 2s.
Please click here for the full scorecard
Tim Palmer
Womens team vs Billingshurst
Two games to report on, in this final missive. For the penultimate league game, it was the turn of Billingshurst to host the local derby with Wisborough Green.
On a sunny Thursday evening, the week before last, Wizzy won the toss and elected to field. Keen to further improve our fielding, out came the chalk board for the team chat, marked up with fielding positions and showing tactics for left-handers and hard hitters. Hannah opened the bowling with a steady arm, and was joined in the attack by Nadia, Jill, Natalie, Jackie, Jen and Bex. Wizzy kept the oppo to a modest run rate for the first three pairs. Fielding was tight with great calling, and good backing up from Nadia and Suzana working together between deep cover and deep mid-wicket. However, the oppo’s final pair started to find gaps and added 47 runs between them, including extras. Overall, we gave away 28 in extras, and with just a wicket apiece for Natalie and Hannah, Billy set us a target of 116.
Onto the 2nd innings with Nadia and Jill opening the batting. Difficult to get going, with erratic bowling producing either dot balls or wides, runs were difficult to come by, but with the extras handed a score of 19 to our 2nd pair. With decent running between the wickets, Hannah and Suzana started to build with 15 and 5 runs respectively. A similar story for 3rd pair Jen and Jackie, who despite both being caught, added a net total of 18 runs bringing the Wizzy haul to 67.
All to play for, the final pair Bex and Natalie stepped in to chase down the target. Cutting and pulling to the boundary, they were giving it their best effort. With 13 needed from the last over, the crowd sensed a victory. But great bowling kept Natalie to dot balls in the final over, and sealed the victory with a wicket on the last ball. With the final pair adding 24 and 5 runs respectively, Wizzy landed on a worthy 304 runs.
Thanks to Billingshurst for a close match and a very fine tea, and to Trish for scoring. Stats analyst, Josh Braddock, issued wagon wheels to the batters (sadly not the chocolate ones) to demonstrate our ever-growing shot repertoire. Not a win this time, but improvement in all areas of the game.
Women’s team vs Fernhurst & Petworth
On to Sunday 20th August and the final league match in this year’s campaign, home against Fernhurst & Petworth. It was a packed day in the Wisborough Green cricketing calendar and the Women were first up onto the hallowed turf. Starting especially early to finish in time for the World Cup final, and with the crease still greasy with dew, Wizzy won the toss and elected to field. Special mention of Dolly, Blatch and Sophie Ragg stepping in for their league debuts.
Hannah opened the bowling, followed by Ann, Jen, Bex, Dolly and Tess. Attempting to spin, Bex made a break-through in the 4th over with a couple of wickets, bowled and caught, and bowled, leaving the oppo’s first pair on a net of 15 runs. The 2nd pair put on 41 runs, including extras. Third pair for the oppo were held to a net of 18 runs with no less than two wickets from Jen. Both were caught by Hannah, moving in from deep to mid-wicket. The first catch was outstanding, caught at a reach above and behind. Blatch was kept busy at fine leg, Ann and Dolly working well at long on and off, and a focussed Tess covered point. Sophie put in a solid performance at keeper, letting nothing past. The oppo’s strongest pair batted last, testing the bowlers, putting on 43 runs and finally landing a target of 116 to win.
Jen and Tess opened the batting for Wizzy, with sensible placing and Jen finding the boundary. 2nd pair Hannah and Blatch came to the crease, and a change of bowlers challenged their first two overs. Then a quick single put Hannah on strike, facing a slower bowler. Showing no mercy, she dispatched the ball round the park for an impressive six boundaries. Together with the earlier awesome catch, it was a WOTM performance. With the innings poised at 50 runs, chasing 116 was a hard ask for 4th pair Bex and Sophie. Under the watchful eye of Granny Ragg who’d arrived on the green just in time, they set about the task. Fast running (by Sophie), 4 x fours, and a first Wizzy six from Bex added a respectable haul of 41 runs between them, but it wasn’t enough and the game went to Fernhurst.
So, there we had our final match of the season, playing a small part in a memorable village day. For us, starting early with our league match, whilst getting updates from the U16’s semi-final as they battled against Chi. Then the Lionesses’ final. Fernhurst stayed to watch, joining an increasingly packed pav, and with the afternoon’s teams starting to arrive. Lunch made way for the Sunday Supplements XI vs Sussex Disability XI, and what a match that was.
Sport, for all teams, village to international, is made up of many individual moments which collectively build into an end result. People will have varying opinions on that, will focus on different aspects, factual, emotive. Amongst us amateurs we have the analysts, the self-appointed pundits, the leaders, the occasional joiners, the inspirational, the self-doubters, the determined, anxious and proud parents and grand-parents looking on, the tea makers, the beer drinkers, and the glorious barmy army. It all matters. There’s no right or wrong. What struck me at the end of the day, enjoying the last of the sun (and maybe a beer or two) outside the pav, is there really is a space for everyone.
Thanks as ever to Peter for your unwavering support, and umpiring, and again to Sarah Meurer for inspiring your mates to play and getting us to this point. We had no less than 25 different players representing Wizzy in the league this season, and held our own against teams with squads sometimes 3 x times the size. Onwards to the EOS dinner to celebrate …. 😊
Bex Samuelson
End of Season Dinner
Our End of Season dinner and awards will be held at the Sir Roger Tichborne Country Pub in Alfold on Friday 15th September. Tickets are limited so please book early. The awards evening is as always a great way to finish off the season . Please see details below
Upcoming Fixtures this week
- Our First X1 are away to Horsham at 12:30 on Saturday and our Second X1 are at home to Roffey at 1pm. Please click here for the teamsheets
Spotted at the England Women’s T20 international
Spotted out and about
That’s it for this week.
Have a great cricketing week 🏏😊
Cheers
Wizzy
