Wizzy News 1 August 2024

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

Training on Friday evening

Just a quick reminder that the Under 5,6 and 7 age group have finished their training for the season. All other age groups will be training this evening but will make their own arrangements for the rest of season – please speak to your age group coaches for more details.

Senior End of Season Dinner

The Senior End of Season Dinner will be taking place on Friday 27 September at the The Sir Roger Tichborne pub in Alfold – please make a note in your diaries – details to follow…

ECB player and volunteer survey

The ECB ‘Have your say – 2024 ‘ survey has just gone live. The ECB are very keen to hear the views of players and volunteers as cricket evolves so if you have a few minutes please complete the survey and to ensure that your voice is heard. The survey is open till Monday 12 August.

Please click on the following link to be directed to the survey : https://ecb.tell-us-what-you-think.com/s3/CPS24

Honours Boards

Congratulations to all the players who feature on our Honours Boards this week

Date for your diary

Bank Holiday Monday 26th August is the annual village fete. If you are able to help with the BBQ on the day please get in touch

Upcoming Fixtures

A full house of games coming up again this next week – good luck to all our teams

First X1 are at home to West Chiltington on Saturday at 1pm
Second X1 are away to Hindu Unity away at 1 pm
Sunday X1 are playing the visiting Kenya Kongonis side at 1 pm on Sunday
Under 14’s are at home to Rudgwick on Sunday morning at 9:30
Under 14’s are competing in the Under 14 Shield Festival next week with games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday.
Our Under 13’s are competing in the Under 13 Bowl competition from Monday 12 August
Under 10’s have a game against West Chiltington away at 9:30 on Saturday morning

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 Crawley Eagles

They say there is no “i” in team – well not if your name is Hugo March…….what a man what a cricketer – but i’ll get to him later!
WG travelled to Crawley Eagles and with umpire Mattock worried about the road works he pitched his tent on the outfield Friday night just to be on the safe side – “you know I don’t like being late Dan”
A lost toss and WG were fielding (probably what I would have elected to do anyway – knowing how great we are at choreographing a run chase)
Eagles started slowly but despite never looking in the openers got them to 49 before Will Dixon got the breakthrough
Quick wickets followed with no. 3 getting cleaned up as well as two brilliantly taken slip catches from the skipper – Will Dixon had ripped through the top order with Eagles 61-4
Hugo bowled well (8 overs, 4 maidens for 14) – though a couple of drops meant he remained wicketless for his spell
In came Klein and immediately picked up wicket number 5
Joey picked up an LBW with one that was already on the way down when it hit him in front
Vickery bought himself on to take the pace off as well as speed up the over rate and managed to get one to turn to grab a wicket
A few missed run out chances later and Klein returned to collect another scalp in his first over back on
Will Dixon also returned to complete his 5-for with DJ taking a skier
JR closed the innings out with a wicket from his third ball and Eagles were 145 all out
The chase was on and unfortunately Eagles had a decent fast bowler that ripped through our top 3 – Crombie, SCS and a hungover Will Dixon all falling with only 21 on the board
No need to panic – we bat deep thinks the skipper
Oscar, Jr and DJ slowly rebuild and get WG to 100-5
DJ is joined by Klein – but after one lusty blow for 6 both are dismissed by Arif
Vickery and Joey came and went – both also to Arif (enjoying his day out by picking up 4-for)
That left Hugo and Dave as the last wicket – and WG still need 32 (at more than a run a ball)
Hugo then channelled his inner Ben Stokes (I said it when he was 6 that Hugo would one day be a good cricketer) and batting with Dave (playing the Jack Leech role from the famous Headingly chase) – needless to say they calmly set out building towards the 146 needed to win
They chipped away at the total – nerves shredded on the boundary, knowing it only needed one good ball or one loose shot for Eagles to win
But as the runs required got to single figures (9 needed from 10 or so balls) we started to believe
Hugo then hit a lovely boundary (hard to come by due to the size and slowness of the outfield) the reduce the required runs further
The final over – Hugo on strike and only 3 or 4 needed….could he secure the victory
YES HE COULD – what a man what a cricketer!!!!!
30 points in the bag and back to the pav for beers and BBQ – joining the 2^nd XI who had finished about 3 hours prior!!!

Please click here for the full scorecard

Dan Vickery – Captain

Second X1 vs Bosham

Funny old game, cricket… isn’t it. Some days everything goes to plan. Sometimes, err, not. Saturday on the Green was one of the former. A game we HAD to win against a side we’d beaten before with a GUN squad of all-stars eager to make an impression. Selection committee had to make some difficult calls. (to those who were left out of the XI – your generosity of word and deed was noted and welcomed. Thank you – you know who you are.) A throughly professional demolition of a team who have been flying in 3rd place in the league.

Good toss to lose – weather dry and warm, but the track showing a little moisture. They batted. A very tight first 15 overs saw them 66-6 – but to be honest we never bowled at our best, the warm day ensuring a slippery ball. Great buzz in the field, energy high, catches held. Ran fast and straight with little regard, Wolfie as tight as usual, Juan moving it miles off the seam, joshy hitting the top of off stump., Will Andrews sliding his in swingers off a great length. There was a temporary glitch when we lost it for 5 overs and bowled some tosh, but then normal service was resumed and the tail was cleared.

Bosham out for 142 in 27 overs.

Now. Regular readers of this column mat remember that the twos haven’t had a great record chasing smaller totals this year so no-one was getting too far ahead off the game. Fortunately Tarni and Watts’s opening meant we got off to a flyer – Tani all high elbow and graceful timing, Matt…. not so much. Both reached quick 50s at over a run a ball and life was suddenly all good again. Matt holed out to long on with 22 to get, Jack replacing him to knock off the final few.

Total chased in 17 overs. 30 points in the bag by 4.15pm. Sunny pints and burgers, whilst we waited on the 1s result. Great 60 point day out of the Green.

May there be many more.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Tim Palmer – Captain

Women’s Team vs Fernhurst and West Chiltington

VS Fernhurst
The women were back in action for the final league matches of the season. The first on Tuesday 23rd, hosting Fernhurst at home.

Wizzy won the toss and elected to field first. We were slow to get going, letting boundaries through on the first few balls and giving 12 away from the 1st over. Waking up, we started to pull back the run rate. Fizz saw the first pair off with a great over bowling both batters out for 2-4.

The oppo continued at a steady pace, and Wizzy managed 3 more wickets, bowled by Jilly, and caught and bowled and a run out for Bex. Fernhurst settled on a not too daunting 95 runs.

We knew Fernhurst have some good bowlers, bowling fast and with a full length. It soon became clear our batting wasn’t up to it. We put on a couple of decent spells, but conceded too many wickets, 10 in total, and finished on 45 runs. Not our best outing, and plenty to learn from.

Bowling: Fizz 2-12, Bex 2-13
Batting: net scores Bex 9, Jilly 5 (total Bex 24, Jilly 10)

VS WEST CHILTINGTON & THAKEHAM

On to a sunny Sunday afternoon and the return match against West Chilt, whom we’ve played a few times now. After Tuesday’s match we organised an extra nets session to face the bowling machine, and with that and having won the Women’s tournament a couple of weeks ago, we were feeling positive. Thanks to Tessa for stepping in to score, helped by veteran scorer Jen Jones, who also rallies the support for every home game. Thank you!

Wizzy won the toss and electing to field first set about the game with determination. Ann opened the bowling, and with a catch taken at mid-on took our first wicket. A great start! Nat and Jilly also bowled, followed by Hannah Williams who had her eye in and secured the 2nd wicket, bowled! Sarah was kept busy at deep square, partnering well with Nat at fine leg to stop boundaries on the leg side. Fluff kept wicket and did well to stop Hannah W’s pace bowling.

With two more wickets, one each for Hannah Vickery and Bex, both caught and bowled, Wizzy kept the oppo to a steady run rate. Hannah W’s third over was impressive. She bowled the oppo twice in quick succession, and though didn’t make a hattrick, ended up on 3-19. West Chilt landed on an achievable 115 runs.

Jilly and Sarah opened the batting attack, setting the tone with great shot placement and decent running. With two excellent 4s and a 6 from Sarah, the pair made a solid 31 runs. Next up Hannah W and Ann, who was clearly intent on running. Facing some tricky bowling, they made a solid contribution of 17 runs. Wizzy were matching the oppo’s run rate. Hannah V and Fluff were next in and didn’t disappoint. It was great to see strong calling and both making runs on wides and any over-throws. They added a haul of 28 runs between them. Final pair were Nat and Bex. With 82 on the board, we needed 34 to win. A couple of 6s, a 4 and some quick singles closed the gap.

With the final over to go, Wizzy needed just 2 runs to edge a win, but standing to lose 5 runs for a wicket it went to the wire. With their best bowler, and a slight outswing, the ball brushed the outside stump for a much-needed wicket for West Chilt. Wizzy were running everything but couldn’t make up the difference, snatching defeat from a real chance at victory and falling just two runs short of the target.

The match rolled into a splendid tea, enjoyed by an appreciative West Chilt and our faithful supporters. Thanks as ever to those who watched and cheered from the side, including the many Vickerys! Perhaps the most telling moment of where this this team is at, was at the ‘debrief’ in the pav after. Everyone was happy to talk about the things we can each do better moving forwards, discussing what we did well, and where we can improve. Keen to play as many matches as possible. We love our cricket and have developed into a competitive side, holding our own against some experienced teams this season. Mostly, we have a huge amount of fun. Lots to be proud of.

Bowling: Hannah Williams 3-19, Bex 1-9
Batting: net & total scores Sarah 18, Bex 21

Bex Samuelson – Captain

Under 16 vs Haywards Heath

We travelled away to Haywards Heath for the last league game of the year, trying to bounce back after an unfortunate result the week before against Steyning. We had a few of the lads return from their holidays and were restored to almost full strength, aided by our u17 Matt Richie playing for us.

We arrived and very promptly- I did the toss and lost and the oppo skipper sent us out to field on a good pitch and quick outfield. Opening our bowling was the ever reliable Dexter and Raff but Haywards Heath got off to a flyer, getting 40 off the first 3 overs. We changed the bowling to introduce spin and it came successful as Will got 2 wickets in his first overs and then Matt came on as well, picking up the key wicket of their skipper as well as few valuable wickets later on. I came on along with Seb Scrace and Archie came on afterwards from the other end. Seb bowled well and picked up a wicket (bowled), but started to appeal thinking it hit the pad. He was after 2 wickets from the same ball. Raff came on for his second spell and bowled brilliantly and picked up a wicket with a blinder behind the stumps from Nick, which unfortunately wasn’t on the video. We then wrapped up the innings with Matt, Dexter and Seb Scrace bowling at the end and restricted their batters nicely. Haywards Heath ended up with 130/8 off 20.

Onto the batting were a new opening batting partnership with Monty and Alex opening up, which didn’t last long as Alex got bowled 3rd ball trying to play the ball onto the leg side. In came Ed at 3 who played with good and positive intent, looking to score. Monty got unlucky hitting the ball cleanly but straight to their skipper at extra cover. I then came into the crease when we had lost 2 quick wickets for not many runs, needing a rebuild. The scoreboard ticked quite slowly and Ed was unfortunately run out from a direct hit which then brought Dexter to the crease. Dexter started off with a few nice shots but chipped the ball into the air from a shorter ball which stuck into the wicket, leaving a relatively simple catch for their skipper. In came Nick and spin was introduced from the oppo which got me going after a slow start to bring up my retirement and brought Matt into the crease. He saw them like an earth ball and got to 42 retired to add to his 3 wickets, not a bad day out. In came Will whose aim was to see out the innings and bring the game home. Nick, trying to hit the ball out of the ground, got bowled and Raff came in and played sensibly and maturely with Will to bring the game home, both getting 14 and 12 not outs. Wisborough Green 131/5 off 18.3 overs

A good finish to a good league season from us, apart from the two losses. Unfortunate to finish 3rd in the league as we could have reversed both losses but we move onto the festival in a few weeks time to try and carry on the good form we had to finish off the season.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Joe Reed – Captain

Under 14 vs Edenbridge

Wisborough travelled an hour to Edenbridge needing a win to keep our chances alive of winning the league.

A beautiful ground and a big outfield and a bit of a slope going across the pitch, a sunny day.

Wisborough bowled first and put in a really good performance in the field. Jackson and Eli both picking up a wicket each and then Buddy and Freddie came in and took four wickets between them and not going for many runs.

Edenbridge put on a total of 98 runs and we felt good about chasing that.

The innings got off to a tricky start after an early runout then Edenbridge started piling on the pressure by taking four quick wickets even with Jackson hitting two big fours. Then Freddie and Harry came in and started to build a strong partnership and steadied the ship. In the last five overs we upped the run rate and put Edenbridge under pressure. In the end a 60 run partnership got us over the line.

Please click here for the full scorecard

Harry Maggs (age 13)

Under 12 vs Horsham Trinity

Final league match for the under 12’s versus Horsham Trinity and what a match to conclude with.

Wizzy batters faced great bowling throughout their innings and the score was hard to come by. Despite this, all batters contributed fairly equally this week to the score, and with a few nice boundaries found and some wisely left wides, Wizzy innings closed 94 after the allotted 20 overs.

A very tight fielding job was required to ensure a final win. Once again, the bowling from this team stepped up. Hector taking the first wicket in the 3rd over followed by an unstoppable Buddy taking the next 4 wickets! 3 in over 7! On fire! 🔥

Lucy equally targeting the win collected 2 superb wickets in over 11, one a super catch from Freddie. Buddy bowled over 16 and another wicket fell ! What a 5-fer ! The job was not complete though and Trinity were within reach of the 94 statistically. Bobby Ayling was having nothing of it and took another wicket on his first ball, followed by Freddie taking the final wicket! Innings closed 88 all out in the final over of the game. What a result and totally deserved !

This team has been incredible this season. It’s been a real pleasure to watch all of them develop their cricketing skills and grow in confidence. Bowling and fielding particularly has become strong and the team spirit has always been the true spirit of cricket. Well done to everyone in the under 12s! 🤩

Please click here for the full scorecard

Darren Hunter and Suzana Braddock

Under 10 vs Rudgwick

Match report by Charlie Brown (Under 9 player)

WG Under 10’s played Rudgwick at home on a wonderful sunny morning. We won the toss and chose to field so we could chase a target. Bowling was on target and some were unlucky not to get more wickets with good balls beating the bat but not taking the bails off. Our fielding was full of energy with good backing up when throwing into the stumps.

We chased 248 and the batters started well, hitting a number of 4’s and some good running and calling. Peter reminded us that it’s important to slide in your bat when running into the danger zone. We won with 264 runs!

Player of the match – Freddie
Special mention- Leo for that tough catch
Highlight of the game-Edward on his first bowl got a wicket!

Thank you to Archie’s mum for the really nice biscuits, especially the jammy dodgers, and her delicious lemon cake

Big thanks to umpires, parents, players, brothers and sisters (including Darcey-the birthday girl) and Peter!

I felt very relaxed and important being Captain and can’t wait for our next match against West Chiltington.

Charlie Brown (age 9)