Westbourne Overwhelmed

Lodsworth CC v Westbourne CC
May 5th 2013 at Westbourne
 
Lodsworth CC 160 all out (James Turner113, Sam Dean 12, Paul Phillips 7: Kehargus13 overs 7 wickets for 25 runs)
Westbourne CC 61all out (Topping 17, Patel 16: Andy Long 10 overs 3 for 13, Dave Clark 11 overs 2 for 22, Paul Phillips 7 overs 2 for 13, James Turner 2 overs 2 for 4)
 
And so to Westbourne on the border between Sussex and Hampshire, a village recorded in the Doomsday book of 1086. After a hesitant start Lodsworth CC overwhelmed Westbourne CC to give new skipper Paul Phillips a resounding start to his tenure. The wicket at Westbourne could best be described as an ‘early season track’ – soft and fickle. Winning the toss the skipper elected to bat but wickets fell like ninepins. With only a dozen runs on the board four batsmen were back in the pavilion and as one wag remarked “we should be in the pub by five”. 
 
But what a strange game cricket is for with the prospect of an early bath the game was suddenly turned on its head. Newcomer James Turner, sourced by Chairman Alan Thompson, began to dominate the bowling. With a series of huge sixes that cleared the fence surrounding the Westbourne village ground he unnerved the bowlers and caused the fielders to be moved out to the boundary.
 
James went on to score 113 in a Lodsworth total of 160. His partnership with Councilor Phillips put on 100. Another new face, Sam Dean contributed 12 before both teams retired to the quaint pavilion for tea. Westbourne’s Greek bowler Kerhargus was the star for the opposition with an impressive 7 wickets for 25 off 13 overs.
 
The unexpected shift in the balance of the game put a spring in the step of the Lodsworth bowlers who gave an impressive display of line and length. Andy Long bowled 10 overs and claimed 3 wickets for 13 runs and Dave Clark recorded 11 overs with 2 wickets for 22 runs. The skipper got in on the act, having switched from medium fast to spin bowling and took 2 wickets for 13 runs off 7 overs
 
No less impressive was the Lodsworth fielding with three catches by vice-captain Dave Clark, a neat (disputed) catch by septuagenarian wicket keeper Bob Powell and a superb one-handed catch by James Turner who also cleaned up the tail of the opposition with 2 wickets for 4 runs off 2 overs as Westbourne tumbled to a total of 61 all out. The Lodsworth team was in high spirits as they retired to the aptly named village pub, the Cricketer’s Arms.
 
Bob Powell
Scribe

2012 Season Review

And so another season ends … The weather was ‘the worst in living memory’ and the fixture list was decimated. Of the 21 games arranged by John King, four home games and four away games were cancelled because of waterlogged grounds and two games against Loxwood CC and Elsted CC abandoned because of heavy rain although the game against Elsted could have been restarted after a heavy shower but the opposition were not enthusiastic.

The season as a whole fell short of the successful 2011 campaign. The miserable weather was a major factor but there was also the perennial challenge of renewing the playing strength. Jack and Harry Dimond who sparkled in 2010 and 2011 were both away at University for much of the season along with their Seaford College friends Alfie Bunker and Nick Bellion. Graham Braithwaite, another star in recent years, could only play on two occasions because of work commitments. Tom Atkins and Tom Davis played on one or two occasions, Tom Davis taking 4 for 20 against Loxwood CC. Every ambitious youngster with a passion for the game wants to move beyond school and village cricket to play university and league cricket. It highlights the fact that the village team has to constantly seek experienced batsmen and bowlers who have perhaps ‘retired’ prematurely and to ‘blood’ young players. John Clifford and James Hickey were unavailable for much of the season too.

One young man who displays immense talent with bat and ball is Finn Campbell. He is a superb all-round athlete and his bowling performance of 8 over 6 wickets for 32 runs against West Chiltington was hugely impressive. Charlie Dimond is another impressive young man although his first love appears to be hockey which he plays at junior County level. Another delightful newcomer was Henry Rydon as were Lee Coyne and Ollie Hunter-Fox. 2012 saw the debuts of Henry Cruikshank and Joel Phillips. In three or four years time this crop of young players nurtured at the nets by the Paul Phillips ‘Village Cricket Academy’ will form the backbone of the team, until they too move on for education or employment reasons to be replaced by another generation.

The core of the team is strong and revolves around Matt Hall, Andy Long, Paul Phillips, Andrew Wilson- Smith, Ollie King, Rob Collins, Fergus Cruikshank, Lee Ayres and the ever-improving Dave Clark. James Hickey was unable to play until the last few games of the season but had an amazing performance behind the stumps against Goodwood CC when he took five catches and a stumping catapulting him to top spot in the fielding averages. Veterans Pete Long and Bob Powell are reliable and indeed have been known to win games when batting at 10 and 11. One new player to join the club this year is Will Salaman and he is a hugely talented batsman and fielder.

Some of the notable performances this year were Andrew Wilson-Smith’s 63 against Graffham, Jack Dimond’s 56 against Bosham and Matt Hall’s 55 in the same game. 16-year old Tom Coyne also scored 54 in the Graffham game and Will Salaman hit 50 against Parham. Dave Clark was consistent all year with bat and ball with his best performance being 4 for 34 against Goodwood, and Andy Long was back in scintillating form with the ball taking 6 for 56 in the Parham game. Fergus Cruilshank’s 47 against The Matt Hall Xl was also notable.

The Annual Dinner and Awards has been arranged for the 5^th January 2013 at the Hollist Arms and over the next month skipper Matt Hall will be pouring over the averages and considering who will collect the silverware this year. As the team goes into hibernation we thank our supportive President Joe Clifford, Vice Presidents and Chairman Allan Thompson and the ‘tea ladies’ who are the unsung heroines of village cricket.

Bob Powell

Scribe

HICKEY ON HIGH FIVE

Goodwood CC v Lodsworth CC

At Goodwood

16^th September 2012

Goodwood CC 151 all out (M Geffen 36, M Beard 31, D Clarke 4 for 34)

Lodsworth CC 109 all out (J Hickey 40, M Hall 36, Y Yoda 4 for 14)

Goodwood CC win.

On the same day as the Goodwood Revival, Lodsworth were visitors to Goodwood CC. Lodsworth won the toss and decided to bowl. Dave Clarke along with Andy Long were the opening bowling attack, with Clarke getting amazing swing from his end causing problems for the batsmen. Geffen (36) took a liking to Long’s bowling quickly scoring to all parts of the boundary. He was dismissed after one too many tries to Matt Hall and caught by Long. Dave Clarke (4 for 34) at the other end continued to bowl with accuracy for his best figures of the season. Lodsworth continued to apply the pressure and James Hickey managed an impressive 5 catches whilst wicket keeping. Goodwood finished on 151 all out.

After an amazing air display during the tea break, consisting of a Lancaster Bomber and a couple of Hurricanes, the Lodsworth batsmen took to the crease. Dave Clarke, Paul Phillips, Fergus Cruickshank and Will Salaman offered little resistance resulting in 19 runs for 4 wickets. James Hickey (40) and Matt Hall (36) stemmed the flow of wickets and started to build a platform. After a partnership of 85, Hall was bowled by Yoda and Hickey followed in the following over. Andy Long (11) hit a couple of boundaries before being bowled and Lodsworth were all out for 109.

Man of the Match: James Hickey 

JOEL MAKES HIS DEBUT

The George Clifford Memorial Trophy Game

Lodsworth CC v Matt Hall XI

At Lodsworth

9^th September 2012

Lodsworth CC 160 for 6 (Fergus Cruickshank 47, Paul Phillips 24; A Calder 2 for 7 K Benjamin 2 for 18).

Matt Hall XI 161 for 7 (C Veriner 50, P Veriner 53, Matt Hall 21, Andy Long 2 for 24)

Matt Hall XI won.

On one of the hottest days of the year, the annual George Clifford Memorial Trophy game took place. Father and son combo Andy & Pete Long opened the Lodsworth innings, before Long Jnr was removed by Aaron Calder. Fergus Cruickshank (47) came to the crease and scored freely before he was dismissed three short of his half century. Youngsters Henry Cruickshank (6) and Joel Phillips (on his debut game - 3) played well before both were dismissed. Paul Phillips (21) and Will Salaman pushed the innings on to finish the Lodsworth innings for a respectable 160 for 6.

After an excellent tea, the Matt Hall Invitation XI embarked on the chase with Clifford Hall and John Clifford taking to the crease. Both were removed by Joe Clifford & Will Salaman respectively. It wasn’t long before the Matt Hall XI was in trouble at 14 for 4 wickets. Brothers Clive (50) & Paul Veriner (53) batted seamlessly together regaining control of the innings, placing the ball to all parts of the ground before both were retired not out. Matt Hall (21), Kevin Bills and Dave Webb completed the run chase for a Matt Hall XI win. A big thank you must go to Dave Clarke for doing the BBQ.

Man of the Match: Fergus Cruickshank

LONG GRABS SIX

Parham Park CC v Lodsworth CC

At Parham Park

2^nd September 2012

Lodsworth CC 197 for 9 (Will Salaman 50, Matt Hall 33, Andy Long 25)

Parham Park 193 for 7 (Andy Long 18 overs 56 runs 6 Wickets)

Match Drawn.

On a dark, damp & dreary day the Parham Park skipper won the toss and put Lodsworth in to bat. The Lodsworth team started the game as if it was a Twenty20 game, James Hickey was bowled with the third ball, Dave Clarke hit 23, Harry Dimond quickly hit 21 off 8 balls and Andrew Wilson-Smith 15. Within 8 overs, Lodsworth had managed to accumulate 84 runs with the loss of 4 wickets. Matt Hall (33) came to the crease to steady the innings with Will Salaman (50), and both stoutly put together a partnership of 90 runs. Parham’s close fielder Smith removed both Hall & Salaman with two stunning catches. Andy Long (25) managed some big shots before being caught behind and Lodsworth finished up with 197 for 9 off 34 overs.

With the visibility getting worse, a quick tea was consumed and Lodsworth took to the field. Both Parham’s opening batsmen placed the balls in gaps and looked for quick singles upsetting Lodsworth’s bowling rhythm. South African Smith (84) looked an excellent player, having hit centuries in the previous weeks games. He quickly got to 50 without offering any chances. It was only Andy Long (56 runs for 6 Wickets) who caused the home team any problems, before he had Smith caught at long off by a fantastic diving catch by Andrew Wilson-Smith. Wickets continued to fall but the opposition always looked ahead off the run rate.

The match came down to the last over of the game, with the home team requiring 9 runs. Andy Long bowled with a steely determination and it came down to the last delivery, with five runs needed for the win or four for the draw. The opposition’s players looked anxiously on from the club house, the last delivery was bowled and Parham’s batsman took a swipe but edged the ball straight to Lodsworth’s wicket keeper James Hickey. Parham Park finished on 193 for 7.

Man of the Match: Andy Long

A Fractious Encounter

Lodsworth CC v Walberton CC

August 26^th 2012 at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 173 for 5 (Will Salaman 47 not out, Dave Clark 42, Finn Campbell 23, Andy Long 21 not out; B Kemp 8 overs 3 for 34)

Walberton CC 156 for 5 (C Winter 46, J Bish 50; Matt Hall 9 overs 2 for 29, Andy Long 9 over 3 for 39)

Match drawn

One myth that should be reappraised is that Sunday cricket is by definition ‘friendly’. It can be, but frequently it is just as intense and fractious as its League counterpart. We want to win … not at all costs … but there is a residual glow after a successful encounter and a feeling of dismay when we loose particularly as a result of questionable umpiring decisions. Umpiring in village cricket is always going to be imperfect and in the ‘spirit of the game’ we should accept the officials’ decisions, but sometimes it takes a great effort not to retort. The two areas that cause the most friction are the LBW and the ‘caught behind’ and so it proved in the game against Walberton where a degree of acrimony crept into the game.

Lodsworth batted first and put up a gritty performance. Matt Hall was out LBW to a dubious decision but Dave Clark steadily compiled 42 runs and Will Salaman stroked some elegant boundary shots as he amassed 47 not out. Finn Campbell looked good and quickly put on 23 before being deceived by a ball that kicked up to head height ball and he was caught at slip. Andy Long showed some of his old fire with a quick 21 not out and Lodsworth went in for tea with 173 for 5. There were steady performances by Fergus Cruikshank and Rob Collins while B Kemp was the pick of the opposition bowlers with 8 overs 3 for 34.

After a feast from Jill King and Vikki Braithwaite and a special treat with magnificent cakes from Teggy Phillips, Walberton took the field. C Winter (46) and J Bish (50) showed some cultured batting but following successive confident appeals for LBW and a ‘bouncer’ by Finn Campbell, harsh words were exchanged between umpires, batsmen, bowler and fielders and one umpire left the field in high dudgeon.

Gradually Lodsworth gained the ascendency… Matt Hall bowled 9 overs 2 for 29 and Andy Long 9 overs 3 for 39. Will Salaman took two excellent catches and Andy Long also took two, while Lodsworth pressured the batsmen. By the close of play Walberton had scored 156 for 5, the match was declared a draw and differences of opinion were settled, as they should be, without malice, at the Holist Arms.

Man of the Match – Will Salaman

Scribe – Bob Powell

West Chiltington Blitz

West Chiltington CC v Lodsworth CC

August 19^th 2012 at West Chiltington

West Chiltington CC 225 all out in 40 overs (T Monday 111, J Tolson 34; Finn Campbell 8 overs 6 for 32, Andy Long 8 overs 2 for 50).

Lodsworth CC 96 all out (James Hickey 32, Graham Braithwaite 21; Wyatt 5 overs 2 for 31, Woodham 5 overs 2 for 19).

West Chiltington Won.

The West Chiltington skipper won the toss and elected to bat. Both openers Tolson (34) and Monday (111) scored freely with no real Lodsworth answer. Paul Phillips and James Hickey steadied the ship in the middle with the former making a breakthrough by bowling Tolson with the score on 152 for 1. R Laveryn (20) proved to be a stalwart by scoring in singles. Andy Long had the indestructible Monday caught on the boundary by Graham Braithwaite for 111. Finn Campbell’s mighty impressive final four overs for six wicket haul took the opposition’s innings from 206 for 4 to 225 all out.

After a splendid tea Lodsworth were quickly in disarray. West Chiltington have a couple of very good Australian expats. Will Salaman, Paul Phillips and Finn Campbell contributed a total of just 24 runs. Lodsworth wilted under sustained pressure from the oppositions fast bowling attack with Graham Braithwaite (21) and James Hickey (32) the only batsmen offering any resistance before Lodsworth were bowled out for 96 in a heavy defeat.

Man of the Match: Finn Campbell

Scribe Matt Hall