Welcome to this week’s Wizzy News – our regular newsletter about news and events at Wisborough Green Cricket club. If you missed last week’s edition please click here

Lots to report on again with some fantastic pics this week

The Green

We always receive such positive comments about our fantastic Green from other clubs and its a useful reminder how privileged we are to be able to play on such a scenic ground.

Many thanks to Mark Bamford, one of the Horsham parents who sent us the video below of the Green before the under 14 game against Horsham a couple of Sundays ago.

The game of cricket

Every now and then an interesting event crops up in a game of cricket. In the Under 13 girls game against West Chiltington on Tuesday evening, one of the Wisborough Green batters was injured and a runner had to be called upon. Having a runner makes a game a lot more interesting to watch because there is a lot of confusion amongst the batters as to who actually runs. It’s not a situation that happens often its good for the players to experience it first hand. .

The rules around having a runner may seem complicated – but when cricket enthusiast and former MCC President Stephen Fry explains them, they are a lot easier to understand. Please click on the link below for his brief Youtube video on the subject ..

Honours Boards

Congratulations to all the players who feature on this week’s Honours Board. Great to see 7 First X1 players being recognised this week.

Kit now in stock

The Club kit shop is open again for business with lots of fantastic new items this season along with bright new colour options! Please click here to go directly to the online store

Note. Senior men and women’s playing shirts are sponsored and will be provided to fully paid up playing members.

Our ‘Ordering Kit ‘ web page has lots of additional information on local stores to purchase kit from and some useful videos on how to choose the right junior bat, how to choose the right bat size and how much you should spend on a junior bat. We have also included details of helmet sizes and a pads size guide.

Junior cricket camps over half term

A number of one day camps are being run by GoCricket at neigbouring clubs for boys and girls aged 6 -14 over the half term break next week. Please click here for more info

Junior age group information

Just a reminder that we have a lot of useful information for each of our age groups on our Juniors web page. Please click here for more info

RunWisborough – 9 June

The countdown to the very popular RunWisborough event has begun – only 2 weeks to go. The event is attracts fun runners from far and wide and many fun runners from the local community as well, so if you would like to take part please click here and sign up for the 5km run, 10km run and colour run for the children

As with all events of this nature there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and the race organisers are looking for help with marshalling and a number of other activities on the day. If you are able to help in any way please contact Michelle on tel 07540 546638

Presidents Day – Sunday 23rd June – a date for your diary

We are all looking forward to our annual Presidents Day on Sunday 23 June. Presidents Day is a celebration of cricket for all players, coaches, helpers and families involved in the club.

Further details about the day will follow in next week’s Wizzy News … 

Upcoming Fixtures

Lots of games coming up this next week

• First X1 are at home to Crawley Eagles Second X1 on Saturday afternoon at 1pm
• Second X1 are away to Bosham Second X1 on Saturday at 1 pm
• Our Women’s team are up against Chiddingfold on the Green on Wednesday at 6pm
• Under 14’s have a home game against Edenbridge on Sunday morning
• Under 12’s have a home game against Horsham on Saturday morning and a friendly against West Chiltington away on Bank Holiday Monday

Please click here for all of our age group fixtures on the ECB’s Playcricket website. Fixtures are also listed in our official Fixture card, copies of which available in the Pavilion. You can also download an electronic copy of the fixture card by clicking here.

Team selections for this week

Match Reports

First X1 vs Horsham Trinity First X1

That was one hell of a game of cricket – it had everything: a sticky wicket, well built innings, run outs, non run outs, huge sixes, great bowling, dropped catches and brilliant catches!!  Whilst a great spectacle for the neutral it was pretty hairy to be part of. Ultimately the game boiled down to three or four key moments and in those moments the team stepped up…… 

Not for the first time this season I found myself on the wrong end of the toss, and we were stuck into bat with conditions ideal for bowling. Still, DJ and I got us off to a solid start, building a decent opening stand before I forgot to move my feet and was bowled by the excellent Turner. This bought Tarni to the crease and after a flourishing drive was also bowled by Turner. This was the first key moment of the match, going from 35 for 0 to 45 for 2 in a few overs, how we responded was going to be key. In walks Tommy (59) and along with DJ they saw off the openers, at which point the Trinity bowling got much weaker and the guys were able to take advantage. We were pushing on nicely when DJ got run out for 44 – with Tommy trying to run three to the short third man boundary (great knock DJ).  In walked Kaleb (Ash Perry), still carrying some of his pre-hibernation load. The tuck shop opened and Kaleb was hungry – feasting on full tosses and long hops. From a solid base of 114 for 2 off 24 overs he smashed 33 off around 10 balls to help accelerate WG to 171 for 4 off 30 overs. This was another key moment, one in which WG were pushing forward and Trinity lost concentration in the field, dropping catches and miss fielding. JR and Joey followed in Kalebs footsteps, with the latter in particular striking some lovely boundaries. WG finished on 240 for 7 with what was one of the best examples of how to build a team score. We won the two critical periods of that innings and as a result were happy with the total we posted, on a pitch that always had something in it for the bowlers. 

Tea involved a brisk walk to the local shop for a sarnie – SCL pls bring back mandatory teas, hitting 18 and standing at slip is enough exercise for me!! 

WG then took to the field and started strongly. Junior and Hugo bowling well and both picking up good wickets. However, this bought talented keeper batsmen Jones as well as the Turner, opening bowler turned pinch hitter, to the crease. Joey and Sizz came into the attack, the former bowling nicely with the latter a still working off the pre season rust. Whilst the Trinity pair didn’t get hold of everything, the ball did disappear (literally) a fair few times, and they were well up with the required run rate at 91 off 14 overs. Another critical moment in the match, when they Trinity were really accelerating and WG were trying to hold things together. Joey delivered, as DJ said, “probably one of the best spells of bowling that will not get the credit it deserves”, recording 1 wicket for 44 runs off his 7 overs. Picking up the first of two key wickets – the destructive Turner with a brilliant slow ball (think Harmison to Michael Clarke). With no.3 Jones being joined by captain Gandy and later Smallwood they carried on with the big hitting – taking Trinity to 172 for 4 off 26 overs (68 needed off 14 overs). This was the final critical moment of the game, with DJ and Joey in particular helping to keep spirits high and Juan Vorster putting in the yards around the outfield WG heads didn’t drop and nor did our concentration. Sizz returned for a second spell and picked up the key wicket of Turner (82) with his first ball, a lovely caught behind by DJ. What followed was an exhibition of catching to take the last 5 wickets for just 25 runs and Trinity were all out for 202. WG win by 37 runs – largely thanks to keeping our concentration and players stepping up in key moments, both bowlers getting key wickets and fielders taking great catches (Alex Martin with a spectacular one-handed grab and Juan with a boundary catch to saviour). All bowlers were in the wickets, Sizz and Joey with the crucial ones, Junior and Hugo three each and Ash “Kaleb” Perry getting two. 

Probably one of the best team performances I have had the pleasure to be a part of. 

Credit also goes to the Trinity who, despite snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, were very gracious after what was an excellent game of cricket. 

Phew…….

Please click here for the full scorecard

Dan Vickery – Captain and Club Captain

Second X1 vs Horsham Trinity Second X1

The mighty Second team hosted Horsham Trinity 2s, as the club had ye old fashioned double header. Showers were forecast throughout the day but there was thankfully not one single drop of rain.

The troops assembled from around the land, and a mixture of youth, experience and Franky were lining up to put on a show.

Farmer won the toss, and what was a slightly damp wicket decided to have a bowl.

Franky ambled up the hill in his normal swaying style, and took slightly longer than normal to find his lines and lengths while Phil Maggs a tad shocked he had been asked to take the first down the hill. (He admitted after the game that maybe trying to replicate Mark Woods shear pace was not the correct move, but the adrenaline took over), but with the new ball in hand struggled a little to find his line and lengths.

Franky did however strike as Phil took a good catch, and the 2s had the breakthrough they were looking for. Enter ‘Wolfie’ Finger, a man known for being on BBQ Duty on Friday nights, but the apron was off and it didn’t take long for him to bring the heat making the Trin batsmen play every ball, he bowled with great accuracy and was rewarded by removing the number 3. He was actually the pick of the bowlers with a fine 7 overs, 26 runs but sadly only 1 wicket in return. The fielding didn’t help- their chance to be grilled later in this report ….

The Trinity opener continued after his lifeline and with the number 4 started to smash the ball to all parts, especially on the leg side. It was all looking too easy, but the drinks break tends to do funny things. And it was the opening batsmen who decided to take a second run only for Jackson McCullagh to swoop around and throw the ball to Wattsy who whipped the bails off. It just shows what a pocket full of Haribo’s can do. The 2s back in the game 110-3, and the danger man gone. Joshy removed the number 5 LBW, much to the astonished look upon his face.

Farmer had also entered the attack, well sort of as the first few overs were beyond village. Sadly though one chance was created, which was put down and was quite costly. But this seemed to spark life into him. The next 4 overs created chances and two of the middle order were bowled, and The Green were back into it. Harry Maggs came on and bowled well and was eventually rewarded with the main wicket of Matt Ray who batted very well for a fine 62.

Trinity finished on a score of 212 with Jackson coming on for the last few overs bowling well and Ollie Stott taking two carbon copy catches. On another day with some better fielding this could have been 150, which would have been a lot simpler task for the WG Batsmen.

Cue a wonderful Tea with little flags that told you what item you were tucking into, supplied by the one and only Jenny Jones. Marvellous to have Teas back on the Green!

The time had come for Wattsy and Mighty Mick Hollands, to open up the batting. With the game plan for Watts to give it a whack and Mick coming off his fine 50 in the last Sunday game to anchor the innings, and this plan had started well. A frantic first over saw Wattsy dropped twice, but he soon start to target the leg side and launched some almighty 6s. While Mick played his game, with a lovely straight bat, the scored raced to 25 before Mick could only snick one to a great catch in first slip.

Stotty and Wattsy were in and it was all power on show and they took it to the Trin bowlers. Matt in particular fond of cow corner continued to bludgeon the ball to all parts, while Stotty went about his work. Sadly the only real ball that kept low was the undoing of Mr Stott and at 88/2, in strode Captain Farmer knowing that he and Wattsy would have to bat deep. Watts had other ideas – new bowler and 2 straight 6s. Sadly his style of play was undone with one final swing across the line. The middle stump was slammed, and the green were in a spot of bother.

Both Maggs came and went- both batting well but Trin had a stranglehold on the Green. Farmer didn’t know if to stick or twist and going onto 32 got a good ball from Trin’s Rogers, who was swinging and nipping the ball about, he went to play a straight drive only for it to nip past his bat, a loud appeal and before Farmer could get his bearings the dreaded quick fire Klein had the finger up (3 Reds I hear you say?!?). 145/7, the tail wagged with Wolfie and Dave McCullagh hitting some boundaries but sadly The Green could only manage 166. Rogers the pick of the Trin bowlers ended with 4 wickets.

Great effort from the Green, some great fielding (and not so great). But Team spirit continued throughout and this will in the long term turn those close games into winning ones. MOM will have to go to Wolfie, the man said he occasionally bowled and occasionally batted but showed signs of being a lethal weapon in weeks to come.

One of the highlights of the aftermath/pre match beers was the poor Trin batsmen given out LBW, was then getting a coaching de-brief from Kleiny. When its not your day, its not your day.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Jonny Farmer – Captain

Under 13 Girls vs West Chiltington

On a grey and drizzly Tuesday the Wisborough under 13 Girls team arrived at West Chiltington for their second game of the season. After winning the toss Captain Jo elected to bat first.

Olivia and Anaya led the charge. The super straight bowling of the opposition led to the unfortunate fall of our first wicket sending Becca out to bat. Loud and clear communication between our second partnership saw runs and byes added to our total. We ended our innings with 66/4 with Captain Jo our highest run scorer for the second week running.

A quick turnaround saw us head out into the field. Despite the rain and cold weather the girls kept the energy in the field. A brilliant keeping debut from Becca saw only 2 byes get past her. Romilly also shone with the ball in hand taking 1 for 5 and not bowling a single extra. West Chiltington chased down the total ending on 68/3.

Despite the loss spirts were high as cricket was the winner along with 4 player awards from the opposition. Batter – Anaya, Bowler – Jo, Player- Becca,  Fielder – Eva.

Well done girls

Please click here for the full scorecard

Katie Waters – Girls Under 13 Coach

Under 12 vs Roffey

What a game to report for the under 12s this week! Hungry for a first win of the season, it was time to go into battle in our 3rd game versus Roffey. Josh Braddock’s turn at the helm this week started by winning the toss. We elected to bowl and had everything to play for ahead.

Wisborough started with some solid bowling again with some superb moments during the innings.

Stand out bowling from Eli Foster who bowled 3 overs, 1 maiden, took 2 wickets and conceded only 6 runs!
Captain Josh bowled 3 overs, took 2 wickets and only 11 runs conceded.
Hector Dawson also on form during his 3 overs with a wicket, a maiden and only 3 runs conceded.
Great contributions also by Freddie Brookfield and Henry Nicholls who bagged a wicket each.

Special mention to newcomer Jayden Marshall who bowled his very first over for the club and only conceded 3 runs. A great debut – well done Jayden.

Fielding was again much tighter with a real team ethic forming. Great performance behind the stumps again by Max Vasadi.

Roffey ended their innings on 71 for 7 after their allotted 20 overs

Thanks to U12s supporters and parents for an amazing morning spread at the changeover – especially some quintessential English cucumber sandwiches from our Women’s team member and U12s “scoreboarder” Nadia Pettett.

Roffey knew it was going to be a big ask to defend their score and they came out with all guns blazing bowling and fielding well in response.

Freddie, Josh, Hector and Max all faced a lively Roffey attack. They defended for the first 49 runs but full credit has to be given to the girls who bossed the batting. Eli Foster came in and steadied the ship facing the determined bowlers by keeping the scoreboard ticking over with sensible singles with Olivia Church before they opened up , hitting boundaries at will to secure our first victory of the season.

A fantastic team performance but special mention to the girls for their batting contributions.

Onwards to a bigger challenge next Saturday when we face Horsham. Bring it on !

Please click here for the full scorecard

Darren Hunter

Under 10 vs Barns Green

The under 10’s travelled to Barns Green for their very first game of the season. The weather wasn’t quite playing ball with the prospect of rain but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits – the players were as full of energy as they usually are and keen to play.

With only a few weeks of training under their belts this would be a big test for the players in their first game.

Barns Green had 9 players – we had 7 so the plan was to adopt one of their players so we each had 8. Our players gave a warm Wisborough welcome to Dylan – he was one of us for the game. (Thank you Dylan – it’s never easy playing for the opposition but you certainly enjoyed bowling to your younger brother ..)

Skipper for the day Arnau Caballero won the toss and elected to field first.

There was some good bowling from all our the players and a fantastic ball from Leo hitting middle stump, taking his first wicket for the club. Nice to see short runups ( no need to have a long runup) – we just need to focus on bowling straight and minimising those wides.

Great wicketkeeping by Archie Morgan who did a good job behind the stumps keeping the byes to a minimum.

Excellent captaincy from Arnau who moved the players around the field intelligently to stem the runs

Barns Green ended on 290 after their allotted 16 overs.

After a quick drink and too many biscuits, it was Wisborough’s chance to bat

The innings got off to a good start with Leo and Oliver at the crease first. Leo hit a fantastic four in his first knock for the club – it’s clear to see that he has been practicing all winter.

Archie and Caleb came in next and kept the scoreboard ticking over. Lovely to see Caleb hitting the ball cleanly. Its only a matter of time before he hits his first four…

Dylan and Reuben followed taking some good singles between them.

A fantastic flurry of runs with Arnau and Will finishing off the innings well with some good running between the wickets.

Although we fell a bit short of target it was the sort of game where the result didn’t matter – cricket was the winner. All in all a very good introduction to the game and judging by the smiles on their faces at the end of the game our players are hungry to play more cricket. They are going on a fantastic cricketing journey and its great to be part of it .

Congratulations to Leo Roberts for being selected as player of the match by Barns Green and to our skipper Arnau Caballero for being nominated as player of the match by the Wisborough Green players for his excellent captaincy.

As always lots to work on – particularly on the bowling front. Bowling is a difficult skill to master and the players have come a along way in a short space of time but we need to keep on practising our bowling and focus on accuracy

Thanks to the parents for their unwavering support and to Mike Newell for his efforts doing some analysis on the game. We are hoping that the Playcricket app will be working for the next game so we can produce the wagon wheels.

Thank you to Barns Green for your warm hospitality and a great game played in the right spirit – we look forward to our next game against you in a few weeks time

Looking forward to our next game against Slinfold away on Saturday 1 June …

Spotted on the Green

Spotted on X

Every week cricketers up and down the country share their stories and pics from their cricket matches on X (formerly Twitter). This one didn’t disappoint ..

Spotted out and about

Map of the UK according to Americans

Map of America according to us Brits

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 🏏😊

Cheers

Wizzy