Welcome to another action packed Wizzy News this week where we celebrate a number of fantastic games including a last ball thriller and some outstanding individual performances again. If you missed last week’s edition please click here

Could you be a Life saver ?

This week we are starting Wizzy news off on a slightly more serious note. Our head of Women’s and Girls cricket Sarah Meurer shares an experience she had in Billingshurst last Monday that is well worth reading. Please click here to read her story.

Being considerate users of our facilities

We are very privileged to have fantastic facilities at the club and to play cricket in such an idyllic setting. As a club we recognise that we need to be good custodians of the facilities and to ensure that we are considerate to all other users of the Green. There are a few things that need our attention :

Use of Nets : We are delighted that so may of our youngsters are using the nets during the week to practice. There have however been a number of instances in recent weeks where the nets haven’t been put back after being used which has caused some aggravation. Could we therefore just remind everyone – particularly our youngsters – that the nets need to be put back after use ?

Litter : Litter is being left on the Green after Friday evening training and matches leaving the Green in a somewhat untidy state and others having to clean up the mess. Could we kindly request that everyone disposes of their litter in the bins located around the Green and we leave the Green free of litter for the next users ? It would be much appreciated.

Parking : Parking is limited around the Green and we would like to appeal to everyone to walk to the green if that is possible and where we have to park, that it is done considerately. Please also be mindful of the implication of your parking on the flow of traffic around the Green – we obviously want to avoid any unnecessary risks caused by the build-up of traffic. Parking is available at the Village Halls and at Songhurst Meadow.

Everyone’s co-operation would be greatly appreciated.

The game of cricket

Anyone involved with the game of cricket will be familiar with the term ‘LBW’ – one of the most controversial forms of dismissals in the game. Players do of course enjoy a good old shout for LBW – particularly from square and from the boundary .

The match rules for the Women’s game includes LBW as a form of dismissal for the first time this year and our ladies came face with the rule in their game against West Chiltington on Sunday which is why we thought it would be appropriate to highlight the rules around LBW this week.

In this week’s episode Stephen Fry expertly goes through the various criteria for an LBW to be given – please click on the Youtube link below for another Stephen Fry masterclass ..

Honours Boards

Congratulations to all the players who feature on this week’s Honours Board for the Seniors and a separate Honours Board for the Juniors.

RunWisborough – Sunday 9 June

RunWisborough is this Sunday – a fantastic showpiece of our beautiful village.

If you haven’t signed up yet please do so by clicking here for the 5km run, 10km run and colour run for the children

Please do come along and support the runners on the day and if you are able to help with marshalling or in any other way please contact Michelle on tel 07540 546638

Presidents Day – Sunday 23rd June

Presidents Day is only a few weeks away and we are all looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and enjoying an afternoon of cricket as a cricketing family.

If you missed our club President James Sadler’s invitation to President’s Day in last week’s Wizzy News please click here for all the details

Upcoming Fixtures

Lots of games coming up again this next week

• First X1 are at home to Worthing 2nd X1 on Saturday at 1pm
• Second X1 are away to Kiln Vale on Saturday at 1 pm
• Out T20 midweek team are up against Petworth on Tuesday evening at 6pm
• Under 14’s have an away game against Rudgwick on Sunday morning
• Under 12’s have an away game against Crawley Eagles on Saturday morning
• Under 10’s have their first game on home soil this week – a friendly against Lindfield

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

Great to see yet another week of strong availability. Unfortunately we again have people that miss out, many of whom very deserving being selected. We have a great run going in both teams and we look to keep that going this week with two strong sides – it’s great to have a buzz about the club so let’s stay positive and enjoy it!!

Dan Vickery – Club Captain

Match Reports

First X1 vs West Chiltington

Wisborough voyaged to West Chilt for the local village derby for an expected competitive game. The wicket at first sight looked fairly average compared to prior years at Chilt whereas it’s known for being one of the best. This view was expressed to their umpire who turned out to also be the groundsman, not a good start for the Green. Skipper Vickery lost the toss and they decided to bat.

JR (James Rainford) took the first over as per and took an early wicket with a sharp ball smashing middle stump, a great start. Will Dixon joined JR in the opening spell and both continued to bowl consistently and constantly troubled the Chilt batsmen. At the end of the opening spell at 12 overs the oppo were 47/3, a score that Wizz were very satisfied with.

Joey and Jack joined the attack as first and second change respectively. They continued to keep the oppo batsmen restrained through tight bowling and regularly beating the bat. In the middle overs, the standards dropped in the field and some sloppy mistakes allowed the oppo batsmen to raise the run rate. However, constant wickets by spinners Jack and Oscar caused an underlying pressure of bowling Chilt out. Oscar picked up 2 wickets with his surprisingly strong spin and JR came back for a masterclass in death bowling finishing with a fifer. This left the oppo with 202 off their 40 overs.

Newcomer Will Crombie opened the batting as he’s allowed to do whatever he wants after his hundred last weekend on debut. He was joined by the very experienced and very familiar SCS to open the batting together. This combination is what dreams are made of. They started very solid and sure but as time went on the run rate was increasing. Both players displaying brilliant looking shots all around the ground. They put on an opening stand of 107 off 19 overs, setting the team up very well for the rest of the innings. Steve ending on 41 and Will C with a quick 51, continuing his unreal run of form.

Will D came in at 3 and after another wicket was joined by skipper Dan Vickery. A decent partnership between these two kept Wisborough well in the game. Dan and Oscar were the last two in the Wizz innings and a mix of defensive and attacking shots from respective players allowed the total to be obtained in the 39th over. Dan Vickery with a lovely captain’s innings with 35 not out.

Well played everyone.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Will Dixon (player)

Second X1 vs Hindu Unity

Welcome to another match report sponsored by Carlsberg.

Disaster struck at the start of the day for the band of men, called Wizzy Twos. As Harry Hunter went full macho man and tried to push the sight screen (he has now learned it is not called a side screen), only for the site screen to win, and Harry ended up in A&E with a chipped bone and a nice boot to suit. (We do all wish you a speedy recovery Hazza)

So drama before a ball was bowled, and Tarnie sent the equivalent of the bat signal up into the sky, and super Wolfie Finger stepped in. Hindu Unity were very relaxed, and had three men at the ground at the 1pm start time, winning the toss they decided to bat. Wise choice.

Dave Griffiths and Raff Finn were tasked with the new cherry. One of the batsmen had a signed Brian Lara bat, but what followed next was the most un-Brian Lara innings I have ever seen. With a shimmy of the hips and a flail to the off side, the batsmen had all of two shots which the Wis cut out, and he didn’t know what to do. Luck however was on his side and Dave bowled a fantastic opening spell, creating chances that would just fall into the Green’s hands, or just brushed the inside edge of the bat and squirmed away. Raff made the break through the Green deserved, bowling the number one bat with the score on 41. Dave finished his spell with 7 overs for only 18 runs.

Super Sub Wolfie was brought into the attack, and Captain Farmer was slightly concerned as his first over was extremely rusty, as if he was giving away free burgers on a Friday and the chunkier batsmen were obliging. The faith however was restored, from the second over the rhythm was back and Dave caught the next man out on the boundary – funnily enough it was one of his two shots that was his downfall, and probably the only one he timed properly. 24 runs from 16 overs, not one for the purist.

The next wicket was down to a superb one-handed catch from Raff, not Wolfie’s best ball, the batsman tried to cart it away, but your Flying Finn took off and took a blinder in the covers – and at 72/3 the tide was turning.

The perfect time now for our very own Sussex Sharks player Joshua Dixon to come on. The number three from Hindu Unity was timing the ball well, and had put away the bad balls. But Joshie outfoxed him with the quicker one, and a leading edged flew (looped) back to Joshie. The Green fell silent for what felt like an eternity, and Joshie gobbled the chance up quicker than his tea, cue wild celebrations. Not only was it great bowling/fielding it was the danger man gone and the score on 77/4. The Green in the driving seat.

Wolfie then got his third – a wild slog from their skipper crashed into the stumps, 82/5. The Hindu number six, possibly normally their opener if he had turned up for the start, played some cracking shots over the covers and put a bit of late resistance up before Farmer removed him with a yorker, and then followed up two balls later with another Dixon catch, this time Tarnie having to outdo Joshie with a one-handed diving catch (also in slow slow mo).

With Captain Palmer having to arrange revision for his kids, you could feel the nervous energy – he was popping out of his house more than Dominic Cummings in prime Covid to check on his side’s progress. But never fear young Maggs is here, cleaning up the tail with ease and showing why targeting the stumps is so key, even if the legside batsmen connect with a few. Mopping up the last two wickets in just 7 balls. 158 all out, a much improved bowling and fielding performance by the Green from the their last home match against Horsham Trinity.

Again all the stats above will have to go down to our scoring sensation Suzana Braddock, more colouring-in pencils than Neil Buchanan. And the 2s are now even being live-scored on the world wide web, as she goes between the traditional book to a laptop. Superb work.

Another lovely tea provided by the Farm Shop even if it was all cheese and salads (yes Hindus can eat meat Daniel) Just not the cow variant, however, they target that particular area on a cricket ground…

So a well-fuelled Green and following a bit of a jig to the batting order, it was Matt Watts and Tarnie who entered to take down the 158 target. Watts took a bit more time this week but got into his work as soon as the family had safely moved his car, and smoked some big sixes, Tie ticked it over. At 80/0 off not many overs, victory was being murmured by the crowd/players. But cricket has a funny way of catching up with you, Watts miscued one and was caught on the boundary for another: a fine 50. Georgie Nicholls back on the Green was promoted to number three, in front of his family he timed the ball well, however was removed for just 4. And Hindu smelt blood.

Captain Farmer went full Boycott, with Tarnie timing the ball so well, Farmer could only pick out fielders and defend the good balls. But the partnership grew and the Green ticked over to 133/2, before Farmer was done trying to dispatch one over the site screen and missed it.

Mick Hollands joined Tarnie and batted well moving the score on to 150 with Tarnie really starting to tick. Sadly Mick couldn’t quite get over the line, but young Nick Reed, one our U15s, who kept wicket extremely well, was up for the challenge, avoiding a short ball first up he dispatched the second one without hesitation, and the Green roar was heard in Kirdford.

Another fantastic win, and a real team performance with every man contributing. 30 big points.
Umpire Klein had an excellent game, seeming to take his time on key decisions and keeping his cool under the loud Hindu appeals. Maybe he’s secretly been watching Dickie Bird Youtube tutorials, and they are paying off!

Up the Green

Please click here for the full scorecard

Stand in Skipper – J Farmer

Women’s team vs Chiddingfold and West Chiltington

Dear Gentle Reader

With the winter league behind us and winter nets completed, this author was excited to see the cut grass, ropes laid and the pav in full swing. We return for another season.

As fixtures were postponed several times due to rain, the Women had two league matches back-to-back. The first against an organised Chiddingfold, played at home last Wednesday evening. Chidders won the toss and put us in to field.

With a slow start to the bowling, we were soon getting our eye in. We’ve been focussing on field positions and backing up, and the hard work in training was paying off. We have also considerably improved our bowling consistency from last season, giving away far fewer extras. However, a decent spell from Hannah Vickery, a wicket from Natalie, and a throw in from square for a run-out, didn’t stop Chidders putting on a steady run rate and a challenging target of 124 runs to win.

On to batting with Sarah and Jo stepping up to open. It was noted that half the Chidders team were both youthful and useful bowlers, and our inexperience at facing a straighter fuller length was showing.

Chiddingfold managed an impressive eight wickets, keeping our total low as we settled on 54 runs.

Please click here for the full scorecard

vs West Chiltington

Onto a glorious sunny Sunday, away to West Chilt & Thakeham. Winning the toss we elected to field.

Again, our fielding was sharp, stopping boundaries and keeping the oppo to singles. Giving away a few more extras this match, we still celebrated a maiden over from Hannah Williams and our first LBW (totally plumb!) from Jen. Best bowling stats: Hannah-W 8-0 off 3 overs & Nadia 13-0 off 3 overs. West Chilt left us with a respectable target of 76 to win.

If feeling confident, this was soon put aside as it became a game of two halves. As with the first match, the fuller, straighter ball was proving tricky to defend. Although we put on more runs than the oppo, West Chilt got eight wickets and we finished on a total of 44 runs. Room for improvement in the nets as we go back to the bowling machine! Batting stats were 11 runs for Hannah-W and 16 for Bex.

As ever, if there’s a prize for best tea in the League, we’re top contenders! Even the oppo joined us for a post-match drink. It was great to be back playing matches outside, and the team should be proud of how much we’re improving, with regular training over the winter and on through the Summer. Plenty more to play for this season.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Bex Samuelson

Under 14 vs Horsham Trinity

U14’s WIN OFF LAST BALL IN THRILLING CHASE…..

A sunny and warm Sunday morning saw WG travel to top of the table Horsham Trinity for a league fixture.

WG were asked to field first on a good dry pitch.

Opening the bowling Harry and Olivia kept things tight with tidy spells putting the Trinity openers under pressure. Jackson and Hector followed and kept the pressure up with Hector taking a wicket. One of the Horsham Trinity openers retired with a solid knock bringing to the middle their big hitting middle order. Eli and Joe gave them food for thought bowling some testing deliveries to batters clearly trying to get on the front foot. 

Next up was the off spin of captain Buddy and the nagging lines of Josh Braddock who took a valuable wicket to keep the opposition in check. As the Horsham Trinity middle order threatened to change the game Buddy brought Harry and Hector back into the attack, both finishing with two wickets apiece. Horsham Trinity scored a respectable 123 in their 20 overs, but the feeling amongst the WG team was that at a fraction over a run a ball this was a chaseable target.

In addition to some fine bowling there was some very good fielding, Henry with a steepling catch and Will, at times patrolling almost the entire legside on his own, making some crucial boundary-stopping saves, also turning two’s into singles. In tight games these margins are often the difference.

Joe and Henry opened the batting knowing they had to be positive to prevent the run rate becoming too much to manage. Joe played very sensibly for his 18 giving the innings some much needed impetus. Jackson hit a couple of powerful fours before being struck by a fast beamer. With the innings teetering on the brink Bella strode to the crease and played with purpose timing her scoring to perfection, she retired on 30 knowing she had given the team a great chance for a victory. At the same time Buddy had amassed an impressive 18 before falling to an erratic spinner as he tried to up the run rate.

Olivia and Harry arrived in the middle with 28 runs still needed, and after a slow start they picked up a few boundaries to take the game into the final over. With the tension rising, both on the field and amongst the spectators, this close contest came down to the very final ball with a run needed for victory. A bye was run, the victory secured. Agony and ecstasy for the two teams, the WG players ran onto the pitch to celebrate and watching from the boundary a grandparent shed a tear of happiness.

Well done again to this team who continue to improve and show trust in each other as players.

A huge thanks to Suzana for scoring, Tom for umpiring and Bobby for the video footage, and to all the travelling parents who supported the team.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Phil Maggs and Dave McCullagh.

Under 13 girls vs Horsham

Wisborough Green girls continued their streak of rainy Tuesdays with a visit to Horsham. Not deterred by the lest than favourable conditions captain Lucy set her field and shared out the overs amongst the team seeing everyone take 2 overs.

Some great performances in the field including that on the boundary of Joanna and a beautiful caught and bowled from Romilly saw Horsham set an impressive target of 160 to win.

With dark clouds looming our chase began. Becca opened the batting and faced an impressive 30 balls, building a number of partnerships with great calling and running on the extras ever bosting our total. Lola had a short but sweet performance with the bat hitting her first ball for 4 before sadly getting bowled giving an impressive strike rate of 200.

All the girls gave the game their all but sadly fell short of the total with 84 runs at close of play, our highest total of the season. Despite the loss the performances in this game has set the tone for more great matches to come.

Due to the rain we didn’t have as many awards as usual however, the opposition team awarded player of the match to Becca Foster.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Katie Waters

Under 12 vs Horsham Trinity

The start of the 5th match of the season versus Horsham Trinity and our elected captain Eli Foster sadly under the weather, (get well quickly Eli!), saw Hector return for a 2nd week to lead the U12s and it was clear he was looking for the win from the team. Winning the toss, Wisborough decided to field.

The duo of Dawson and Braddock staved off the runs for the 1st 4 overs being ably backed up by some enthusiastic fielding. This was followed by an equally fantastic bowling partnership of Freddie and Olivia taking the first wicket on Olivia’s first ball, caught well by Freddie with an impressive leap into the air! Both would go on to take another wicket each, Freddies back to back in over 17… very exciting to watch! Jo Nicholls bowled extremely accurately and was rightfully rewarded with 2 wickets and a miserly 11 runs conceded in her 3 overs. Bobby Pettett took an unbelievable one handed catch whilst diving forward.

Bobby Ayling and Henry Nicholls also bowled good line and length to limit the scoring chances. Dawson and Braddock took the last 2 overs, Hector taking a wicket and Josh grabbed a good caught and bowled for a wicket maiden! The bowling accuracy and fielding energy in this team has noticeably ramped up in only 5 matches and Horsham Trinity were forced to conclude their innings 94 for 8 after the allotted 20 overs.

Batting opened with Josh and Freddie to a fierce onset of bowling from Horsham Trinity determined to defend their score. The bowling and fielding was tight with good pressure applied to the Wisborough team but our batters responded positively and were up to the task – another trait that is developing well in this squad. Batting shout out to Freddie Brookfield who retired 38 not out off 41 balls with 6 4’s, 3 scored in his final over. WOW!

Wisborough’s innings concluded with an electric final over batting partnership of Olivia and Callum, focussed on the win and they finalised the victory with Callum scoring a final boundary on the last ball. Final result 98 for 3 off 16 overs – job very well done!

This team is on full throttle so bring on the weekend versus Crawley!

Please click here for the full scorecard

Suzana Braddock and Tarnie Dixon

Under 10 vs Slinfold

Match report by Freddie Boxall – Captain of the team for the game

It was a sunny day, we were worried it was going to be cloudy but it turned out to be the perfect weather for cricket. The pitch was quite bouncy with a little slope towards the pavilion end. After a little practice and a team huddle lead by Freddie Boxall (today’s captain) the match got under way.

We lost the coin toss and Slinford chose to field first, so we batted. The first pair was Ollie and Leo, who did a great job and both had a great stance for batting. Next up was Seb and William, who were excellent with Seb hitting the first 4 of the match. Our 3rd pair was Archie and Caleb, followed up by Freddie and Arnau who all worked hard to get as many runs as they could. Unfortunately we lost a lot of wickets due to not making the right decisions on when to run and when not to. We finished on 218 runs.

After we finished batting, we had some squash and biscuits in the lovely new pavilion at Slinfold before heading back out for some catching practise ahead of our turn at fielding.

We did a great job at fielding with an excellent catch by Leo. Seb bowled a perfect ball to take a wicket, and we worked as a team to stump out another 2 players. Whilst we worked well as a team, we need to make sure we are running to catch balls (don’t be afraid of it!), and don’t being afraid to dive on the ground to stop boundaries.

Overall, we worked well as a team, there was a great team spirit and lots of encouragement for our team mates, but there is lots more work to be done! This was my first time being captain, and I found it great but also difficult. I had to think about who was bowling next, and set the field, but try and keep it simple. The biggest lesson I learnt was to stay calm and also make sure I was encouraging my team mates when things were going wrong. I loved being captain for the team, and can’t wait to hopefully get another chance. I am already excited about our next match!

Slinfold’s Player of the Match – Leo
Captain’s Players of the Match – Archie (for wicket keeping) and Oliver (for improvement with bowling)
Coaches Player of the Match – Freddie for his captaincy

Please click here for the full scorecard

Freddie Boxall (Captain for the game – age 10 )

Meet the team – pictured from left to right

Caleb : Demonstrating how he stops the ball when fielding. Caleb will do anything to help his team mates whether it’s batting, bowling or fielding. On top of all of that he plays with a smile on his face.

Will: Pictured practicing the big 6 he is going to hit into his front garden when he plays on the Green. He’s so pleased his mum and dad bought a house on the Green. No shortage of enthusiasm from Will in the game. His continued progress has meant that he is now playing for the A team at school. Fabulous stuff – well done Will

Seb: Will run his heart out for the team. Always keen to bat and showed off his batting skills by hitting a fantastic four in the game – his first four for the team. Also took his first wicket for team. Lots more to come from Seb

Oliver: Surprised himself after bowling extremely well and taking wickets in the game. He hasn’t found bowling easy but will look back and recognise that it was the game where it all came together. No greater honour than being voted by his fellow players as one of the players of the match for his bowling – and deservedly so

Leo : Still smiling after taking a magnificent catch and showing everyone how he caught the ball. Who would have thought that doing all those ‘catches win matches’ high catches at training would result in him taking such a fantastic catch in the match ?? Nominated as Player of the match by the oppo for the second time in two matches.

Freddie (Captain for the game) : Grinning from ear to ear and who can blame him. Led from the front from start to finish in the game – generated a lot of team spirit, was in total control of the team and was a fantastic example to all the other players on how to captain. Moved his field around intelligently and kept everyone on their toes.

Archie : Our wicketkeeper – perfect for the job. Commanding presence behind the stumps – full of enthusiasm and is getting better and better every week. It’s only a matter time before his batting takes off and he’ll be hitting fours all over the park. Nominated by his fellow players as a player of the match for his wicketkeeping.

Arnau : Developed his game over the winter and was nominated by his fellow players as player of the match last week.. Loving playing so much he asked to take a bat home so he can practice more. The smile on his face says it all.

The best news of all about the players ? This is only the start of their cricketing journey …

Spotted out and about

How good is cricket ? Click on the link below the image for the video ..

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