Each week that passes without cricket we are taking a look back at games against our would be opponents. This week our cancelled league fixtures against Ansty, Broadbridge Heath and Warnham.
27 JUNE 2020 | Ansty, Broadbridge Heath and Warnham
Ansty (away)
We used to play Ansty’s Sunday 2nd XI between 2009 and 2012. Half abandoned due to rain so we’ll look at our first league meeting at their’s last season. They had already beaten us at the Rec when we travelled to their place in July. We weren’t safe from the drop yet and they weren’t going up either so maybe more for us to play for.
In a rain reduced game of 31 overs, we batted first and Morne and Charlie D put on 130 for the first wicket in extremely testing conditions; however, we didn’t make the most of a good start as we finished on 174-5 at tea. On a sticky wicket it was hard to know if 174 was a good score or not but we were confident. Whilst Sam Palser, batting at three was there, Sty had a chance but once Toby T had stumped him off Charlie, the job got harder. Jack Palser and Harry Freeman gave them a chance but in the end they finished 11 runs short of our target and we had claimed a valuable victory, Reuben Taylor bowling the final over to see us home, most notable for a sublime one handed pluck by Charlie D on the long-off boundary. Hugh, back in Mid Sussex, was the pick of our bowlers claiming 2-23 off his six overs including an very tight penulimate over when the pressure was on.
WCTCC 1st XI: Louw, Davies, R.Taylor*, Batchelor, Lucking, Alf Reeves, Goring, T.Taylor, Holden, Trevelyan-Clark and Warmisham
Broadbridge Heath (home)
The 3rds were scheduled to play BBH 2s at Abingworth in late May so we’ve already looked at one previous home game against Heath (last season). So we’re going right back to the 2001 season which was our first season as a merged club and a Sunday home game. Heath batted first and made a par score against the Sunday XI in those days – 200-7. Wickets shared around but the pick of our bowlers was Tom Jenkins. In his only game for the club, he picked up 4-27 off 8 overs before presumably being transferred to Horsham or Preston Nomads. In reply, James Hussey’s boys knocked off the runs for the loss of six wickets. The captain made an unbeaten 30 and Bob Llewellyn (67), his par Sunday score of more than 50.
WCTCC Sunday XI: Llewellyn, Mustchin, Knowles, Fillingham+, J.Brown, Hussey*, Groom, Jenkins plus 3 Unknowns
Warnham (home)
For the last opponent this Saturday, we’ll go back to the last match of 2009 when a certain M.Armstrong needed all ten wickets for 100 in the season. As it was Sunday match of course, this would have been a little unfair on the oppo! Anyway it nearly went to plan! We batted first after Denton won the toss. JD opened with Budgen. Ollie became the first of several batters to be dismissed for single figure scores as was the way in many Sunday games in those days – Bob «the wall» was one of these after a 41 ball 8. The innings was largely rescued by the aforementioned Aussie who wallopped a run a ball unbeaten ton before we finally posted 242-9 in our 40 overs. After tea, Andy Canrell opened the batting for the visitors – he used to be able to bat a bit but normally at seven or eight for them. However bar Michael Parker the keeper who made a spirited unbeaten 56, the other ten batters didn’t really dent the scorebook. And so to the bowling. Al Reeves opened with Mick and did as instructed – bowled economically but didn’t bag any wickets so the other opening bowler had a chance for ten. Mick bowled both openers before grabbing numbers 4,5 and 6 to LBWs and a caught behind be keeper Goring. So it was still on… except Denton could hear the rumblings from the pavilion and promptly withdrew the snarling Aussie from the attack. The damage had been done. Bob grabbed three quick wickets and Mick as ever had the last word when he ran out their last man. Only ten men and dismissed for 96 runs. Having been West Sussex’s whipping boys since before merger but especially since, the Sunday XI finally had some bite to back up poor old Bob Llewellyn. In 2008, we had won just three and lost eleven matches; a year later with Mick (and Dave turning out occasionally), we won eight and lost six.
WCTCC Sunday XI: Denton*, Budgen, Llewellyn, Ward, Goring+, Armstrong, P.Bowen-Davies, Al Reeves, W.Hasler, J.Hasler and Gee.
28 JUNE 2020 | Aldershot and Wisborough Green
In honour of our former leader and general all round club legend, we play against his two former sides every year for a trophy. This year, we were due to be at his penultimate club, Wisborough Green. We’ve also played the Wiz a lot on Sundays and usually lost so we’ll focus on the two Shot’s games that have happened. In 2018, we hosted the first event which is scheduled on the Sunday closest to Tim’s birthday – think he would have been 55 or 56 this year? In 2018, we beat both teams in T20s before retiring to the bar to discuss «Monday type things» in his favourite environment. Last year, the Wiz cried off so we made the journey north alone to darkest Hampshire where Tim had spent his youth as a colt before becoming an all round mega star at home and in Seth Efrica. Just two sides meant it was a longer match although Aldershot appeared to be a side in decline being bottom of their league. Add to that, a few late nights for many of their XI and the game eventually became a little one sided. We batted first and included our two Brighton belles – both Jarv and Gillespie wanted to come back and play in honour of the big man. (Tom Chambers was unable to make it). Jarv and Morne opened - the Seth Efrican making one of his few failures. Captain JE-M marched in at 3 but when he and Alfie Batchelor were both back in the hutch, it was left to the Premier League boys Hugo and Jarv to rebuild the innings. Tim perished on 49 but Hugo managed one better reaching exactly 50. Reuben and Sean Healy helped push our score up to a respectable 179-9 off the 40 overs. In reply, the alcoholic haze kicked in as various Shots’ batters tried to focus on missiles being served up by Jake (3-11) and Baguette Phil (2-10). Healy had a bowl too but it was left to the sinister figures of Lucking (2-24) and Howgate (3-4) to deliver the hammer blows. (Sinister my friends is Latin for left-handed but can of course also mean «threatening, portending evil or even ominous»). So our hosts were blown away for just 70 in the 24th over. We looked at various pictures of a young Monday on the wall, had a few sherbets and headed home.
Other matches on 27th/28th June:
2003: 1xt XI won at Findon 3s (B.Chambers 5-21)
2004: Sunday XI drew at home to Salfords (G.Brown 67, Hussey 60 & 3-27)
2008: 1st XI lost at home to Felbridge (N.Miller 49 & Chaloner 2-31); 2nd XI won at Clymping 2s (Al Reeves 4-74 & 109*, Evans 50*); U14s beat Barns Green at home (J.Hasler 4-24, Wyatt 3-12; Glover and Aviss retired) and the U13s won at Broadbridge Heath U14s (Chambers 36; B.Miller 2-9); The U10s lost at Lindfield.
2009: 1st XI lost at Broadbridge Heath; 2nd XI beat the same club (Al Reeves 5-30 & I.Jeffries 81); U14s won at Wisborough Green (Chambers, Glynne Jones and B.Miller all ret. B.Hasler 4-20, Chambers 3-3); U10s beat Ansty (Lee 21; Harry Jones 5-6). Sunday side suffered annual defeat at Fittleworth (P.Hasler 44, J.Hodgson 2-33); U13s overcame Goring (Tavares and T.Glover ret.); The U16s won at Ansty U15s (J.Hodgson 29, Bowen-Davies 20*)
2011: U13s beat Littlehampton (Scott 41, Fritche 40) & U9s lost at Horsham (Cope 3-19 & Coole 29)
2012: U13s won at Southwater (Miller & Lee ret.)
2013: U13s lost at Horsham (Taylor ret, Abbott 20) and the U11s won at Steyning (T.Taylor and Lucking ret.
2014: 1st beat Southwater at home (Howgate 53, JE-M 52; Armstrong 4-49); 3rds lost against St Andrews at Amberley
2015: 1sts lost at Littlehampton (Howgate 4-69 and Chaloner 40*); 2nds got hammered at home by St Matthias 1sts (Davies 4-51); 3rds lost at Amberley also against Littlehampton (Graham-Watson 3-50). U14s won comfortably at Wisborough Green (Moir and Fisher both took 3 wickets); The U10s lost at home to Roffey (Bates 4-5). The Sunday XI overcame Amberley at the Rec (JE-M 103 ret. Taylor 4-23) and the U12s won at Ardingly (Rydon 25)
2016: The U9s lost at Broadbridge Heath (Alun Jones 20 & Clarke 3-13)
2017: The U13s lost at East Grinstead (Duxbury 21, DT-C 20)
2018: The U16s lost at Preston Nomads U18s (Thornton 3-28 and Tatchell 26*) but the U13s won at Southwater (A.Trees and S.Grayson ret. Skirrow 4-10)
20 JUNE 2020 | Goring, Rustington and Southwater
Goring (home)
After just one season in Division Two last term, the seasiders’ 1st XI returns to Division 3 West. Quite a few games at colts level and against their other adult sides. In 2017, the 1st XI actually played their 2nds and won both games convincingly in Div 5 West. Having jumped two divisions in another restructure, we then played their 1s a year later. They went up as champions that season and exacted revenge by beating the 1sts home and away quite easily. Our featured game at the Rec is between the two 2nd XIs in 2018 and was another close match which we just shaded.
Goring won the toss against Goring and put them into bat. All their top six reached double figures but no one managed a half century as for once, Malcolm couldn’t exert control and it was left to the express pace of Martin, Chaloner, Batchelor and Josh Reeves to limit their scoring; Alfie Reeves grabbed a wicket at the end too. Phil Martin, in his first season with us, was the pick of our bowlers with 2-32 from his nine. Goring (the town) reached 199-6 off their 40 leaving us needing exactly five an over for victory. After tea and the early loss of opener Capel, Luke Tolson and Charlie Reeves (21) put on 54 for the second wicket before Tolson was bowled for 38. However 67-2 soon became 103 for 5 with us still needing 100 odd runs to win. Captain Goring and Josh Reeves (33*) then put on another 50 run partnership as the game became more interesting again before Matt swung once too many and was caught for 65. Despite the further loss of Batchelor and Chaloner, Josh held his nerve and with Phil Martin there to calm the nerves, these two saw us over the line with three and a half overs remaining. We finished in mid table that year with Goring 2nds narrowly avoiding the drop again.
WCTCC 2nd XI: C.Reeves, Capel, L.Tolson, Goring*+, A.Reeves, J.Tolson, J.Reeves, Batchelor, Chaloner, Martin and Fitzgerald.
Rustington (away)
Always traditionally a fun game after the Reeves twins were loaned there a few years ago to play with their cousins. Chaloner took 6-29 in an Invitation League Division Three 1st XI game in 2009 but we’re going to scrutinise a 3rd XI game on the coast on the opening day of the 2015 season against their 2s. Division 8 of the West Sussex Invitation League prior to the pyramid structure.
We had quite a strong side out that day presumably as Partridge Green had conceded their game to our 2s… Rusty won the toss and strangely, for so early in the season, elected to bat. They must have fancied their chances of bowling us out. In the event, the opposite occurred. Extras top scored with 21 and only three batters made double figures in their 100-9 off the 40 overs. Andy Cantrell bowled 8 overs taking 1-4, Liam Richman 1-16 off his seven with Dave Bundock and Charlie Davies bowling ten overs between them taking 4-22. After the break, we set off like a train with Ben Hasler (30) and Bundock (37) again the main contributors as we got home in the 24th over with six wickets to spare. Despite this victory, the 3rds managed only two more that year and were relegated. Rustington 2s heading in the opposite direction.
WCTCC 3rd XI: B.Hasler, Peters+, L.Tolson, Bundock, J.Reeves, Davies, Cantrell, S.Hodgson*, Richman, A.Reeves and G.Lucas.
Southwater (away)
Our near neighbours have featured on our adult and kids’ fixture schedule for many years. We have a great record at colts’ level but less good at adult. One of the few success at their old ground was in 2008 when the 1st XIs clashed in an Invitation League Division 2 contest in mid May.
We were put into bat by our hosts and Brian Chambers hit his last ton for us making 105 opening. He was ably supported by Neil Miller and Matt Hennings who both made half centuries. We had amassed 272-7 off 47 overs when James Chaloner was dismissed for 26 and Miller decided we had enough for a declaration. After tea, young Will Chambers, opening with Chaloner, bagged three Southwater wickets but going at nearly seven from his five overs. Stephen Hodgson restored some normality to our figures with 1-27 from his eight before man of the match Brian (3-18) took over from Chaloner and grabbed three of his own from his seven. The home side were eventually dismissed for 151 with one of their side not batting due to injury. A massive 121 run victory set us up nicely for the season.
WCTCC 1st XI: B.Chambers, Denton, Llewellyn, Miller*, Hennings, Bullock, Chaloner, Fitzgerald, Hardisty+, Hodgson and W.Chambers
21 JUNE 2020 | Bury & West Burton
Quite a few defeats down the years against our second Sunday scheduled game usually on the Bury turf. Only one or two home matches. We have a heavy reverse and a big victory so nether very thrilling. We‘ll give you detail of both. Back in 2004, the two villages visited us for a Sunday match. Peter and Simon Jones opened that batting and were two of nine batsmen not to reach double figures. Extras top with 40, Chaloner made 39 and Chris Mutschin, 11 before being run out. We’d made 112-9 when our 40 overs ran out. In reply, B&WB knocked off the runs in the 27th over with just the openers back in the hutch.
WCTCC Sunday XI: S.Jones, P.Jones+, Llewellyn, E.Jones, Hasler, Hussey*, Chaloner, Mustchin, Godfrey, Tuppen and Dolly
In 2009 after a few more defeats on Sundays at their place, we won two very one sided games in Invitation League Div 3. Mick was in his first year with us (watching the Aussies lose the Ashes again) and the opposition batted first. Their account was ended in the 16th over after Chaloner and Armstrong had gone through their batting like a knife through butter. They made 65 all out with Mick taking 6-19 off 7.5 overs and Walt, 2-34 off his 8. In reply, we knocked off the runs with no loss of wicket – JD 23* and Miller 35*
WCTCC 1st XI: Denton, Miller, S.Pulling+, Fitzgerald, C.Pulling, Hennings, Ashley, Armstrong, Hodgson, Chaloner* & T.Chambers
Other matches on 20th/21st June:
2003 - 1st XI won at Crawley Eagles 3rds by 7 wickets (Cleaver 4-58, Chaloner 6-14)
2008 - 1st XI won at Scaynes Hill by one wicket (Llewellyn 69, Chaloner 4-56, W.Chambers 3-51) ; 2nd XI lost at home to the same club by 10 wickets; U13s won at Barns Green U14s by 13 runs
2009 - 1st XI beat Bury at home by ten wickets. (Chaloner 2-34, Armstrong 6-19) ; 2nd XI won at Worthing 4ths by 64 runs; U14s beat Steyning by 86 runs (20 over game!). Sunday side lost at Wisborough Green by 6 wickets and U12s beat the same club by 24 runs
2010 - Sunday side lose at home to Wisborough Green again, the U12s lost at the same club earlier in the day and the U16s lost at home to Southwater
2013 - U11s beat Southwater at home ; U9s won at Pulborough but the U13s lost at home to Roffey
2014 - 1st XI lost at Ram by one wicket; 2nd XI lost at home to Findon 3rds, 3rd XI lost at Broadwater 2nds; The U14s beat Roffey at the Rec (L.Tolson 43, R.Taylor 32 ; Alfie Reeves 4-3)
2015 - 1st XI beat Arundel at home by 4 wickets, The 2nd XI won at Barns Green 1st XI, The 3rd XI lost at Felbridge, The U10s defeated Lindfield at the Rec. The Sunday side won at Wisborough Green but the U12s lost to the same club.
2016 - The U11s crashed at home to Roffey
2017 - The U11s lost at home to Horsham, the U16s lost at Hurstpierpoint but the U13s beat Horsham Trinity at the Rec,
2018 - The U15s were dismissed for just 24 in a hammering at St James and the U13s lost at Roffey
13 JUNE 2020 | Pagham and Tilgate
Pagham (home)
No matches at all between the sides at all until 2017 when Pags 2s were in Div 5 West with a load of other 2nd XIs plus our 1s, Crawley 1s and Broadwater 1s. A year later and we were in Div 3 West with their 1s. Two big home wins in 2018 so we’ll start with their first 1st XI visit to the Rec that season.
It was our second home game after the Findon match was rained off the week before. Jarvis the master of toss losses was at it again and they put us in. The backbone of our innings was the 89 run stand between the two East Sussex boys – van Noort and Richie «Tennis Playing» Harrison – who put on 89 for the sixth wicket. 232 in the 45th was certainly a target we could defend with our formidable bowling attack and so it proved. After tea, Jake and Frank were keen to impress and get the speed gun in their first home game of the season. Mithelesh (Frank) took 2-19 off his seven before Charlie D came on and snared 3-15 off 6. Although Hugh took some tap, van Noort, Lucking and a Frank run out saw us get home comfortably by 97 runs. We were off and running in a challenging league
WCTCC 1st XI: Jarvis*, Haggart, Howgate, Davies, van Noort, Trevelyan-Clark, Harrison+, J.Hodgson, Lucking, Rawat, Warmisham
Pagham (away)
Looking at the matches at their’s, we can see two thumping defeats at Nyetimber Lane for our 1s against their 1s in 2018 and 19 so we’ll look at the low-scoring 1st XI win against their 2s instead in 2017 which makes for better reading!
Jarvis lost the toss again and we were put into bat in mid August. Only our overseas Mani («Money») Deep Singh with 31 made it past 16 as extras top scored with 36. So we were in serious danger of only our second defeat of the season at half way with a total of 147 all out. However we bowled sensibly and with control. Once Jarvis had turned to his spinners, we quickly broke the back of their batting. Money took 3-37 off his nine and Lucking an amazing 4-6 off 5.3 overs. Jake, Reuben and, in one of his last games for us, Reece Collins-Powell all took one wicket each.
WCTCC 1st XI: Jarvis*+, C.Reeves, JE-M, R.Taylor, Singh, Wood, Haggart, van Noort, J.Hodgson, Lucking, Collins-Powell
Tilgate (home)
Only played these guys in Division 10W last year after they formed so there’s only one home match to inspect. The visitors won the toss and batted in late June. Another warm day at Abingworth. Stand in captain Stephen Hodgson employed six bowlers in the usual mix of youth plus Matt Luckhurst and himself. Opener Matt the pick with 2-18 from his nine, ably supported by Josh Metters 2-43 and Jack Shaw 2-52. Tilgate finished on 208-8 after their 40 overs. Newman (28) and Luckhurst (39) put on 62 for the first wicket but we were soon 106-6 and fast running out of overs too. In the end we were 39 runs short, seven wickets down.
WCTCC 3rd XI: Newman, Luckhurst, Sopp+, Trees, Lucas, Woodage, Kuchhadia, S.Hodgson, Shaw, R.Grayson, Metters
Other matches on 13th June:
2007 – U13s (79-6) beat Worthing (78-5) at home
2009 – 1st XI (220-6) drew at Brighton Insurance (264-6) ; 2nd XI (88 a/o) lost at home to Clayton & Belgrave Adelaide (89-2); The U14s (114-8) won at Southwater (110 a/o) ; The U10s beat Steyning at home
2010 – The Sunday XI (167-9) lost at home to the Fleet Street Strollers (197-7); The U16s (135-9) won at Capel (131-5)
2011 – The U13s (105 a/o) lost at Barns Green (140-7)
2015 – The 1st XI (149-2) won at Horsham Trinity (145 a/o) ; The 2nd X (112-4) beat Worthing 3rds (110 a/o) at the Rec; The 3rds (58 a/o) lost at home to West Wittering 2nd XI (61-5) ; The U14s (60-0) won at Southwater (54 a/o) ; The U10s lost at Horsham
2016 – The U9s lost at home to Horsham Trinity
2017 – The Boys U11s lost at East Grinstead
2018 – The U16s (73-9) won at St Peter’s U18s (72-6); The Boys U13s (189-3) beat Three Bridges (115-4) at home
2019 – Armada Tour match at Wargrave rained off so we went to the pub
14 June 2020 | Fleet Street Strollers
The Sunday fixtures would only have started in mid June this season and our first opposition are actually our oldest fixturer. The fixture brings back many memories. It dates back to the long hot summer of 1976. Terry Jacks’ «Season In the Sun» and all that. (Look it up, kids). West Chilt CC’s then Chairman – John Marshall - who lived in Thakeham, worked for the London Evening Standard. The Strollers were formed by employees of the paper and brought a side down to the Rec to take us on for the John Marshall Cup. This will be the first year we believe that this hasn’t happened since 1976 (excluding washouts).
In the first year, we posted a massive 144-7 (declared?) and they proceeded to be bowled out for just 55. However the lads improved not least because they started filling the side with Aussies, Safas and Kiwis. By the time the merged club came along, we were getting summarily thrashed every year followed by plenty of shandies. (They were hacks after all). Of course, our merged club started with a small membership and no kids or women sides. Sunday matches in those days were generally our late Welshman Bob Llewellyn making 70 odd and the rest of us making 50 between us if we were lucky. Then we started the colts section in 2005 with an Under 12 team containing Jake Hodgson and in 2009, we tried our hand at that complicated thing, recruiting some foreigners to assist us on the field. Our first were two contrasting Aussies. Mick «I’m having another leaving do» Armstrong and big hitting Dave Boomerang Robinson. One largely stayed for ten years whilst the other went and came back and went and came back on several occasions.
For the big Strollers game, we’ll go back to 2009 when Mick and Dave first arrived. And our oldest fixture which had become a formality for the away side suddenly became a contest as although Dave was still asleep in bed, Mick, who even then would have played seven days a week if he could, played a stormer. The Strollers batted first and made 269-6 off just 35 overs (they couldn’t get to us early so games were usually truncated to leave time for socialising afterwards). So just 7.7 runs per over required and in the days before T20s too. Mick the pick of our attack with 3-36 off his seven overs. After tea, we were soon up against it. 17-4 in fact with Peter B-D, Goring, Craig Pulling and Paul Ackland all gone. Mick batting at four found a willing ally in Ed «rugby player» Rydon and the par put on 142 runs before Ed (48) - who didn’t run much due to too many rugby injuries – was bowled (swinging once too many) by the wily slow arm of Simon Broadbeck. Our first Safa at the club, Mr Shaun Tavares from KwaZulu Natal then made 25 valuable runs in a partnership of 98 with our belligerent Aussie. We were 257-6 needing just 13 to win. However the scorebook tells us that this was the last action as despite three big sixes in the last over and a marvellous 0* from Hasler Snr, we were done. (Mick loved the Strollers game and played as often as he could in the fixture even when he moved up to London). We look forward to seeing them again in 2021 and of course Mick himself again one day.
6 JUNE 2020 | Slinfold, Arundel and Steyning
Slinfold (home)
We have only just started playing the Rams regularly in the league in recent years after a few friendlies before that often pre season. For our chosen match, we go back to mid July in 2017 when the 2nd XIs clashed at the Rec; after winning the toss and bowling them out cheaply, we came home with a comfortable nine wicket win in Division Six (West).
The Reeves twins opened the bowling for us and although Charlie had one of his off days with the ball going at nearly five an over, Josh was precisely the opposite picking up 3-29 off his eleven. However the real potency came from another dream Chilt spin combo. The ageless Fitz replaced Charlie and bagged 4-31 off his ten whilst at the other end, even younger than he is today Ben Lucking took 3-7 off his six. Dave Kinner made exactly 50 batting at number 3 for Slinfold as the visitors were all out for just 112 in the 34th over. After tea, despite the loss of Callum (15), Charlie again (25*) and Reg (59*) ensured a comfortable victory was achieved after only nineteen overs. We finished in mid table that season whilst Slinfold narrowly avoided the drop.
WCTCC 2nd XI: C.Reeves, Wyatt, Emmett, Fitzgerald, J.Reeves, A.Miller, D.Abbott, Lucking, Davies, Goring*+, Harrison
Arundel (away)
Similar to Slinfold, the Swifts were much higher than us in the league for much of our history meaning, it was traditionally just friendlies between us. However unlike Slinfold, their 1s have dropped quite a bit and now play our 2s in Div 6W this season. Our classic game at Waterwoods Plain was back in 2015 where we find Tim Monday’s side visiting for an Invitation League Division One match.
The home side were asked to bat by our wily captain and we did well to pull it back after openers Joe Bain and Joel Crook put on a century stand. Despite being 119-0, Arundel didn’t quite go on to the threatened big score declaring on 200-5. Monday and Howgate were the most economical of our bowlers, once again taking pace off the ball. After tea, an identical situation for us as Jarv (65) and Eddie Miller (77) put on 126 before Jarvis perished. Eddie was last out for us with the score on 191 as JE-M and Howgate saw the 1s home with seven wickets to spare and a couple of overs remaining. A perfectly paced response!
WCTCC 1st XI: Jarvis, E.Miller, Wyatt, JE-M, Howgate, Monday*, A.Rydon+, A.Miller, B.Miller, J.Hodgson, J.Carter
Steyning (home)
Following relegation again from Div 5 West, Steyning 2s rejoin our 2s in Div 6 just as their 1st XI departs our 1st XI league for Division Four. Not a great deal of games to look at down the years (and very few victories for us too!). Our two biggest wins have come at their place in the aformentioned « Lucking match» two years ago plus a win at Partridge Green over their 3rds again by our 1sts in 2002. For our classic home match, we’ll go back to another Div 6 West 2nd XI tustle in 2017 when it all came down to the last over in a 45 over a side match… It was the opening 2nd XI league game of the season at the Rec which is always an auspicious affair of course and the sun was shining in mid May. Goring won the toss and elected to bat. However not for the first time, the 2s struggled to post a big score. Only half century stands between Ben Lucking (43) and Alfie Reeves (18) & Lucking and former 2s VC Neil North (70* - his highest for the club) helped pushed us over 200. 202-7 off our 45 overs. In reply, Steyning lost three wickets with the score on 65 and were 90-6 at one stage. Chaloner bowling typically miserly taking 1-19 off nine overs at one end. Supporting him were Josh Reeves (1-46) and Danny Abbott (3-38) off their nine. After Danny and Neil North disposed of the eighth and ninth wickets, Steyning still needed quite a bit (I forget! Ten?) off the last over bowled by Neil. Number 10 and 11 were in. You could cut the tension with a chainsaw (which no doubt Neil had in the back of his vehicle). As is customary in the 2s, one or two of our side were less nimble in the field than others and the Steyning boys located these fielders perfectly. The visitors had won. Neil was particularly frustrated having helped considerably posting our score and bowling the last over. Shame we can’t take them on again at the Rec this year but we hope to be able to at least visit them later.
Scorecard
WCTCC 2nd XI: Goring*, Killner+, Chaloner, J.Reeves, Lucking, Fitzgerald, Alf Reeves, North, D.Abbott, Al Reeves, Cantrell
Other notable matches played on this day:
2004 – Sunday XI (176-6) drew at Barns Green (146-4)
2009 – 1st XI (118 a/o) lost at home to Dome Mission (185 a/o); 2nd XI (326-2) drew at Selsey 2nd XI (135-6); The U14s (94-8) won at Pulborough (55 a/o); The U10s (255) won at Cuckfield (215).
2010 – Sunday XI (155-0) beat Ansty 2nd Sunday XI (152 a/o); The U12s (128-2) won at Billingshurst (83-4)
2015 – 1st XI (287-8) draw at home to Broadwater (136-6); 2nd XI (139 a/o) lost at Lancing Manor 1st XI (192 a/o) ; 3rd XI (152 a/o) lost at Goring 3rds (153-5); The U10s (277-6) beat East Grinstead (255-8) at home
2016 – The U9s (233-7) lost at home to Southwater (262-3)
2018 – The U16s (90-7) lost to Steyning U18s (172-3) at home; The U13s (50-2) won at Ifield (47 a/o)
Our selected game is the U12s win at Billinghurst in 2010. (Match report by coach Neil Miller showing that our kids have been strong for a number of years now).
"The morning started off with a grey sky at the Jim Burrows ground in Billingshurst, but fortunately the boys did not take any notice of the weather and put in another performance to be very proud of as we made it two from two.
Put into bat on a very dry wicket, openers Bailey Crouch (26 ret) and Wes Scott (25 ret) started off slowly but sensibly, pushing the score along to a steady 47 from the first 10 overs, ably supported by Eddy Miller (25 ret) and Tom Good a swashbuckling 29 retired. Unfortunately, we lost two wickets in the last over as we tried to finish off the innings but still ending on our highest total of the season so far of 128-2 from our 20 overs. Good bowling figures from Will Crombie opening the bowling for the opposition (4-0-16-1).
In reply, Billingshurst kept up with the run rate in the early overs, Crombie batted well (22) along with Hollander (25 ret). Our opening bowlers Peter Purcell (4-1-13-1) and Zac Cisotti (4-1-9-1) bowled a good line and length and helped to peg them back. They were well supported by Euan Abercromby and Henry Menzies-Smith as Billingshurst began to struggle to get the runs needed, ending on a very respectable total of 83-4 from 20 overs, but never threatening our total.
Another fantastic performance from our boys; excellent in all departments, especially in the field where we supported each other really well. In particular, Bailey and Wes fielding together as a pair to not only stop 4 runs, but also to get the ball into the wicketkeeper quickly preventing a near certain 3.....well done boys....again!!!"
30 MAY 2020 | Henfield, Aldwick and Broadbridge Heath
Henfield (away)
Another enjoyable 1st XI fixture in recent years as again, many of our Steyning school kids know players in the oppo side. We’ve played the Roosters 19 times down the merged club years first as Sunday friendlies but more recently, in league games for all our sides. The classic match took place on the Common back in July 2016. We were playing our only season to date in a tough county wide league at places like Hellingly, Seaford and Rye (which is frankly nearly in France). Tim Monday was captain of ours ide and it’s another Monday cunning plan involving very few bowlers…
Monday lost the toss and Henfield asked us to bat first. They must have known the challenges ahead as, after a standard good opening stand that season – on this occasion between Sanchit (57) and TvN (22) of 80, we only marginally managed to double our score; JE-M (28) and valuable lower order runs from Neil North (15) getting us up to 165 all out. After tea, and this is where Monday’s captaincy shone, he decided as the pitch was so slow that he’d take all the pace off the ball and just bowl himself and Charlie D. Jake and Northy were cast into the field. Charlie bowled 23 and the captain 23.3 overs - interrupted when his son ran out one of his school mates George Stewart to ensure we’d won by just four runs. Reuben had run out an opener earlier whilst the old man and the yoof grabbed four wickets each. This is precisely the type of captaincy that we can expect from Monday’s evil sidekick James Howgate when cricket finally resumes…
WCTCC: Sanchit Batra+, Tim van Noort, Jack Elliott-Monday, Eddie Miller, Reuben Taylor, Ed Killner, Charlie Davies, Jake Hodgson, Neil North, Jonathan van Noort, Tim Monday
Aldwick (home)
Like Eastergate whom we featured earlier, Aldwick 1st XI used to play our 1s back in the day and now play the 2nd XI. Ed White used to captain them and has now joined us to help Callum and his merry men. Our classic match was the first game of the season in 2011 when the 2nds took their 2nds at the Rec.
Aldwick won the toss and asked us to bat. How kind. The backbone of our innings was 93 runs from opener Charlie Reeves aided in a useful second wicket stand by Bob Llewellyn (45) before father (43*) and son (37*) Hodgson punctured further holes in the visitors morale. This allowed captain Glover to declare on 273-7 after 45 overs. After tea, only the lower middle order offered any resistance to a blistering Chilt attack – Jake and Al Reeves taking three wickets each as Martin was able to use seven bowlers to unlock their batting. Aldwick were all out for 122 as we recorded our highest ever victory against them – 151 runs.
WCTCC 2nd XI: Charlie Reeves, Liam Richman+, Rob Llewellyn, Craig Pulling, Matt Goring, Stephen Hodgson, Matt hennings, Al Reeves, Jake Hodgson, Martin Glover
Broadbridge Heath (home)
Traditionally Sunday opponents, we again have started to encounter the boys more recently in the league. Our featured game was the last match of the season at Thakeham last summer when the 3s entertained their 2s.
Jon Denton captained the side in the absence of Capel with Al Newman taking the gloves. JD won the toss and chose to bat on another hot day at Abingworth. Good mates Charlie Woodage and Benji Jackson overcame the early loss of Newman to grab the initiative and score quickly around the large outfield on the Meadow. They had put on 76 when Woodage (44) was run out. Alex Tatchell and Jackson put on 57 for the fourth wicket before Benji perished after making a well earned half century – Alex had made 46 of them in an an entertaining knock! We eventually reached 215-6 off our 40 overs. After tea, Denton used no less than eight bowlers and although their top order threatened briefly, we kept taking wickets to slow the run rate and ensure we won comfortably by 39 runs. Sophie Grayson took 2-27 from her seven overs and was the pick of a fine bowling effort as we ended our season at Thakeham with a win.
Other notable matches on 30th May: 'Club XI overcomes Northbrook (IOW) in midweek thriller' Scorecard
23 MAY 2020 | Findon, Crawley and Ifield
Findon (home)
We’ve played Findon 34 times in adult matches since our first season as a merged club in 2001. That’s more than any other opponent. We’ve only recently become acquainted at 1st XI level however. They have always been a senior Sussex League side of some repute whilst until recently, little West Chilt floundered around several leagues and divisions below. After the Sussex Leagues were merged and a promotion or two, our 1st XI found themselves in Div 3 (West) playing the might of Steyning, Worthing and Findon. As we’ve mostly played Findon at the Long Furlong down the years, the home matches have been few and far between. For our classic match, we’ll go back to 2018 for a 2nd XI run fest at the Rec.
Captain Goring won the toss and being a pugnacious chap, elected to bat. Cal opening with Simon Capel and struck 39 before everyone else tucked in. Reg (24), Gus James in a rare adult outing for us (also 24) and the captain (88) struck the ball to all parts before Frank Rawat with a half century and Josh Reeves (24) flayed a flagging oppo attack. 302-9 off 48 overs and Goring was able to make a rare declaration. After tea, Chaloner quickly disposed of their top three before Findon’s Jon Flowers and keeper Rogers took their time sensibly and accummulated steadily. Opening bowler Hodgson was brought back to dispose of Rogers but although four more Findon wickets fell in quick succession, Flower found an able ally in Gary Howell and they were both able to block out for a draw. 204-8 and whilst the 2s were disappointed, there were more than five hundred runs for the Chilt faithful to enjoy. This appears to be our first classic match not featuring our Charlie Davies…
WCTCC 2nd XI: Simon Capel, Callum Wyatt, Luke Emmett, Matt Goring*, Gus James, Toby Taylor+, Ollie Holden, Mithelesh Rawat, James Chaloner, Josh Reeves, Stephen Hodgson
Crawley (away)
Usually home wins prevail in this fixture. For our classic game at Southgate, we’ll go back to the 2s visit on the last match of the season in 2016. We needed a miracle in third to overhaul Crawley Eagles in second place which in the event, never happened. Crawley 2s finished bottom of the league that season despite the upset that unfurled that day. We won the toss and Mr Goring put them in. A real team performance with the ball and barring Danny Abbott, everyone bagged at least one wicket. All bowlers were economical doing their job for the team with Andy Cantrell grabbing 3-20 from his ten overs. Crawley were all out for 118 in the 45th over and we were well on top at halfway.
After tea however, we could only manage three double figure individual scores with the captain top scoring with just 23. We were still 16 runs short when #11 Cantrell was bowled and were all out for just 102. So light on runs not for the first time and whilst the pitch may have played a part, we would have seen how it played bowling first!
WCTCC 2nd XI: Ben Hasler, Gabriel Peck, Callum Wyatt+, Matt Goring*, Carl Room, Ben Miller, Alfie Reeves, Reece Collins-Powell, Dan Abbott, Phil Abbott, Andy Cantrell.
Ifield (home)
We’ve played these guys 23 times as a merged club and for our classic home game, we’ll go back to a 2004 1st XI game against their 3rds! Shows how times have changed ! This was a massacre by the bowlers and the batting for once matched them. No idea who won the toss but our visitors batted first. Four bowlers grabbed braces – Jim and Malcolm will be names that people will recognise, Tony Kelly and Rupert Cleaver maybe less so to many. Jim was rapid in those days (it says here) and so was Cleaver. Malc bowled at the same speed he does now and TK was a swing bowler in the mould of Al Reeves. Mike Ford and Brian Chambers took the other two and Ifield were all out for just 89 in the 33rd over. The scorecard says it took 0 overs to get the 90 runs but since Chambers got 60 of our reply and Mike Ford just 18, it may not have been much more than that… Crowd pleaser Andy Price made a rare 1st XI appearance that day.
WCTCC: Brian Chambers, Mike Ford, Bob Llewellyn, Neil Miller, David Hardisty+, Malcolm Fitzgerald*, Ned Brown, Andy Price, Tony Kelly, Jim Gee and Rupert Cleaver.
Other notable matches on 23rd May: '1st XI overcome old rivals West Blatchington in low-scoring thriller.' Scorecard
16 MAY 2020 | Littlehampton, Eastergate and Ram
Littlehampton, Clapham and Patching (away)
This is becoming boring I know but Littlehampton IS a big cricket club and one again one that we could only have dreamed of playing in the noughties. We made do with the odd friendly either side of the merger and colts games in the SJCF. They then dropped out of the County League and came up against us first in 2013 in the old Invitation First Division. And we’ve remained with them or above them ever since as the Sussex Cricket League pyramid structure came into shape. In the four seasons we’ve played them in the league on the coast, we’ve only managed one draw as they’ve generally put runs on the board and bowled us out.
So the game we will focus on was the first league visit from the 1s back in 2013 when we managed to avoid defeat. The home side won the toss and batted as they always tend to do at their’s. First opener Nathan Perry (88) and then Chris Heberlein (90*) held their innings together. Mick, Charlie D and JC with a brace of wickets each – Charlie Reeves and Scott Pulling with a couple of catches each too. After tea, three partnerships of note ensured a draw for us – keeper Thomas Chambers made an unbeaten half century which was the prime reason we held firm. Tommo was aided by Charlie R (32), Mick (30) and Chaloner again (36). History makers!
WCTCC: Charlie Reeves, Callum Wyatt, Mick Armstrong, Tom Chambers+, Jack Elliott-Monday, James Chaloner, Scott Pulling, Iain Haggart, James Howgate, Ben Miller and Charlie Davies.
Eastergate (home)
Eastergate 1sts used to play our 1st XI but now plays in 6W with the 2s. For our repeat home game, we’ll go back to early August in 2012. We finished top of Invitation League Div 2 that season and they were bottom. Asked to bat by our visitors, we managed 251-6 declared off 44 overs. Mick got an unbeaten ton whilst Howgate made a typically busy 65 before being run out. Chaloner accummulated 37 steady runs opening the batting too before he took over with the ball after tea taking 6-50. Jack Stannard top scored for ‘Gate with just 29 as they were skittled for just 78. The ubiquitous Mick bagged 3-11 from his 5.5 overs.
WCTCC: Jack Elliott-Monday, James Chaloner, Callum Wyatt, Mick Armstrong, Ben Hasler, Ollie Budgen, James Howgate*, Tom Chambers+, Matthew Goring, Jake Hodgson, Malcolm Fitzgerald.
Ram (away)
Always a popular opponent especially for the 1s and 2s when we played in that park next to the big cinema in Crawley. Not because we can grab some popcorn and see a movie afterwards but due to their legendary hospitality following the match. Their pavilion is a high class Indian restaurant!
(We need to ensure that when the 3s visit Tilgate to play their 3s, that our kids and parents follow Mr Capel back to the restaurant bacause they’ve said we’re welcome to visit…) FYI Rama or Ram is a major deity of Hinduism and many of the Ram guys ‘ families emanate from Gudjerati province. Their teams are always tough opponents and for our featured game, we’ll go back to 2015 when Tim Monday took his brave 1st XI up for an Invitation League Division 1 match.
Monday won the toss and asked our hosts to bat. Two of the half a dozen Patels on show held us up – Kartik and Nitesh making an unbeaten 50 and 43 respecively in their 191-9 off 49 overs. The captain took 3-49 off 15 typically miserly overs whilst Howgate grabbed 3-13 off just four. After tea, Howgate (24) again and Mick (40) set off in quick pursuit of the target. After our top 4 had been dismissed, it was left to JE-M (57*) and Alex Rydon (18*) to see us home to our first win on their patch.
WCTCC: James Howgate, Mick Armstrong, Ben Hasler, Callum Wyatt, Jack Elliott-Monday, Alex Rydon+, Josh Reeves, Liam Richman, Matt Goring, Tim Monday* and Alfie Reeves.
Other notable matches on 16th May: 'Will Chambers and Neil Miller shine as a Club XI batters Hurstpierpoint’s Sunday side'. Scorecard
9 MAY 2020 | Broadwater, Steyning and Billingshurst
Broadwater (home)
Only really one season to focus on against the Worthing side and that was in 2017. The league had reorganised that year and we found ourselves in a Division 5 (West) playing lots of weaker 2nd XIs and really only having one decent (1st XI) opponents, old rivals Broadwater. To cap it all, we also lost our former leader Tim Monday mid season tragically in early July against Middleton 2s. The whole club was shaken. At the end, it came down to us and Broadwater vying for the one promotion spot up for grabs. In the event, we lost just one game all season up at Southgate against Crawley 1st XI but beat Broadwater home and away to secure promotion and win it for Tim. The home game came first against Broadwater on the 24th June.
In front of a large Rec crowd including quite a few away supporters, captain Jarvis lost the toss again and we were asked to bat. He and Tom Chambers set off immediately putting the visitors on the back foot striking boundaries and rotating the strike where they could. Tommo was out top scoring with 46 and the toal on 71. In a typical Chilt batting display, wickets then fell semi regularly but we managed to post a reasonably competitive 200-9 off our maximum 53 overs. James Iago bowled more than half the visitor’s overs. Charlie Davies chipped in with a useful 26 batting with the tail. After tea, the result could have been nip and tuck especially whilst Aussie keeper Sage Cook was still at the crease. Reuben and Jake bagged both openers whilst one of our most popular overseas players ManiDeep Singh (Money) snared another. However the hero of the day not for the first time was TvN. In a crucial match, van Noort bowled with extra pace, bounce and typical hostility and the Broadwater batsmen had no answers. 13 overs 7 maidens 7 wickets for 17 runs was one of the finest bowling performances ever seen at the Rec and it was TvN’s best ever too. We had won comfortably in the end by 63 runs and never looked back that season effectively clinching promotion in the penultimate match at their ground in August.
WCTCC: Tom Chambers+, Tim Jarvis*, Jack Elliott-Monday, Reuben Taylor, Hugo Gillespie, Tim van Noort, Iain Haggart, Charlie Davies, Manideep Singh, Jake Hodgson and Tim Monday.
Steyning II (away)
Down the years, a visit to the cricket ground in the town where so many of our kids are schooled means that this is a special fixture for many kids and parents. Like Findon, it was only recently that our 1st XIs started playing each other even if the 2s started a couple of years earlier. Not got a brilliant record there either but one game does stick in the memory particularly in the mind of Benjamin Lucking. Ironically he was never schooled at Steyning Grammar School (SGS) but maybe the likes of JEM, Tom Chambers and Reuben have been trying too hard to impress. The 1st XI got well beaten last year in the last league game of the season but that didn’t stop Steyning from being relegated after Findon came back from the dead. The Lucking influenced low-scoring thriller took place the year before on the 18th August 2018.
Reuben was captain for the day at the Memorial Playing Fields in the continuing absence of Jarvis - he contrived to lose the toss and the 1sts were asked to bat. 2-2 became 65-8 and we were getting blown away at the hands of some reasonable bowling. Jack Manvell and Isaac Tidley picked up seven of the Chilt wickets. The crucial partnership was between Lucking and Frank Rawat who put on 59 for the ninth wicket. In a low scoring game, this was vital. We were soon all out for just 126 and Steyning were clearly in the driving seat at tea. Ben’s 56 was not far off half our score and without him, we’d have no doubt been soundly beaten. But wait, think of Headingley 1981 and we soon realised that a strong start for us in their innings could see them panic. Frank, in perhaps his finest game for us in his year as our overseas, quickly took four of the top five batters. They were soon 63-6 but unlike us, there was no Ben Lucking to come. Reuben bowled beautifully to compliment Frank’s aggression and took 3-12 from 8.1 overs. Another former SGS pupil Alex Miller bowled top scorer Alex Hunt and Hugo bagged two for himself. Steyning sank to just 80 all out when Reuben bowled last man Andy Isaacs with the first ball of the 31st over. Another amazing match in a long series of amazing matches from our kids. Ollie Holden, Tommo and Frank were the oldest players on display again as the only question at the end as usual was who was driving everyone home?
WCTCC: Tom Chambers, Reuben Taylor*, Hugo Gillespie, Callum Wyatt, Alfie Reeves, Will Farnes, Ben Lucking, Toby Taylor+, Alex Miller, Mithelesh Rawat, Ollie Holden.
Billingshurst III (home)
Quite a few matches against our bigger neighbours down the years. The 1st Xis are yet to meet but we’ve played their other sides and regularly at colts’ games too. The flashback is in 2007 when our 2s entertained their 3s in our first season with a 2nd XI. After five straight defeats, we had thrashed Pulborough 4ths in our last home game (aided by one or two 1st XI players on a league break) and were looking to make it two from two at the Rec Billy batted first – no idea who won the toss – and helped by four wickets from captain Martin Glover, we restricted our visitors to 158 all out. Two wickets each for Fitz and Will Chambers. Chilt old boy Mark Tuppen made 26 as captain on his return to the Rec. In reply after tea, despite losing keeper Greg Brown for a duck, Fitz (30) again, Bob Llewellyn with a typical 57* and then Sam Aviss with an unbeaten 37 saw us home. Both Goring boys made ducks!
WCTCC 2nd XI: Greg Brown+, Malcolm Fitzgerald, Rob Llewellyn, Neil Moulton, Sam Aviss, Sean Goring, Matt Goring, Jack Glover, Will Chambers, Jim Gee and Martin Glover.
Other notable matches on 9th May: Sunday side beat Cuckfield in 2010, a clean sweep for our league sides and a victory for the U14s at East Grinstead in 2015. 1st XI scorecard in win at Pulborough.
2 MAY 2020 | Arundel Grasshoppers and Tilgate
Arundel Grasshoppers (away)
We play the Castle away once every four years so this season would have been only our fifth visit as a merged club. We’re actually unbeaten on their ground since merger - the previous four matches have seen two victories and two washouts. When the games at the Castle come up, 300 people suddenly make themselves available! The two victories were in the most recent matches in 2016 and 2012. For our classic game, we’ll look at the most recent match in 2016.
Hodgson took a familiar Chilt mix of old lags and youth to the Duke of Norfolk’s patch in a pre-season friendly at the end of April. We won the toss and decided to bat first. Our top three batsmen’s ages put together would have been a similar figure to our final total of 171-9 off 37 overs. Peter Jones (73 years, not runs) and Denton perished early leaving the ever athletic Fitz (21 runs, not years) and Mick (61) to rebuild. Chaloner and J.Reeves nicked and struck a few towards the end to get us to 170 odd which is usually competitive at the Castle. After tea, we set about their batsmen. I say batsmen but actually what I mean was one batsman - Bill Corefield who struck 84 out of their eventual total of 138 a/o in 32 overs. Mick and Josh took five of the ten wickets to fall. So it’s such a shame that this year we have had our third cancellation out of the five possible matches we could have played there. This was incidentally one of the last games Liam Richman played for us. He’s now plying his trade over at Bolney after several years with us, not least captaining our 3s for several years.
WCTCC: Peter Jones, Jonathan Denton, Malcolm Fitzgerald, Mick Armstrong, Bruce Fryer+, Ben Lucking, Alfie Reeves, James Chaloner, Josh Reeves, Liam Richman, Stephen Hodgson*
Tilgate (away)
The Crawley side only came into existence last season and it was an away win apiece in Div 10 NW. So we have a choice of just one match when we delve back into the archives… The 3rds travelled to the Park on the last day of August in the last league game of 2019. We couldn’t go up but could deny their hosts promotion. Simon Capel had a reasonably strong side out and as it was August and we’d had a reasonably dry summer, the pitch was in reasonable nick. Simon lost the toss and we were asked to field. We used seven bowlers in all and standard 3s, everyone bar debutant Matt Avery was under 21. Although the wily Jack Shaw captured 4-26 off his five overs polishing off the tail, the relentless Harriet again stood out with 2-29 off her nine. Neverthless Tilgate still managed 197 all out off 39 overs and as with all our men’s league sides, that can often be a challenging target for us. Game on. Ross opened with Ollie Holden and whilst the youngster perished early, the positively elderly Holden (78) held the majority of our reply together masterfully. The captain chipped in with a typical contribution (43) before Trees (16), Archie G-W (24), Tatchell and Shaw brought the points back to Thakeham. This denied our hosts promotion and if this season ever sees any action, they will be one of our main challengers again as we both seek to leave Division 10.
WCTCC: Ollie Holden, Ross Lucas, Simon Capel*, Adam Trees, Archie Graham-Watson, Alex Tatchell, Jack Shaw, Matt Avery, Josh Metters, Harriet Thornton, Chris Seaton
Other notable games on the 2nd May: U14s tie with Cuckfield at West Chilt (2009): 'Ben Miller‘s side ties a thriller at the Rec.' Scorecard
25 APRIL 2020 | Southwater and Ferring
Southwater (away)
Our near neighbours were one of many local sides that we looked up to in the early years post merger. They were a strong Invitation League outfit who eventually made it in into the old County League structure ; however, like many others, they have descended as we climbed above them in the rankings. They have a wonderful new home but after a few lean years, their 1st XI currently sits in Div 5 West. For our classic encounter, we only needed to go back 12 months to the first ever match at their new ground - every other encounter up the road has resulted in a thrashing for us (or the game was abandoned with us about to get a thrashing!)
In 2019, skipper for the day Cal lost the toss and our Club XI were asked to field on a windy but dry day. Hugh soon caused problems on a bouncy track, first breaking Matt Lacey's finger with and then followed that by nicking off Nick Baker who had been a significant thorn in our side in previous years. Theo bowled beautifully and picked up 3-12 from his five overs and with everyone else chipping in, Southwater subsided to just 106 all out after 30 overs. Whilst that appeared inadequate, you never know how good a pitch it is until both sides have batted. In the event, their total was comfortably within our grasp. Morne, on debut, opened with Alfie and although the wily South African perished just short of his fifty and Holden got a quacker, Alfie and Toby Taylor ensured there were no further alarms as we won by eight wickets. The game was also remarkable for one particular catch from Ollie Holden, his first for WCTCC in his second season.
WCTCC: Morne Louw+, Alfie Reeves, Ollie Holden, Toby Taylor+, Will Farnes, Charlie Davies, Ben Lucking, Callum Wyatt*, Malcolm Fitzgerald, Hugh Warmisham, Theo Trevellyan-Clark. (ML and TT both kept)
Ferring (away) We’ve only played the boys on the coast a couple of times with both matches resulting in comfortable home wins for us at the Rec. (They’re a friendly side that don’t play in the league). So it would have been our first ever visit to Sea Lane. For our classic match, we’re going to choose the more recent of the previous two fixtures played at the Rec on 25th August 2013. Our Sunday 2nd XI in a rare outing captained by Mick Armstrong.
Ferring lost the toss and elected to field. We opened with Jake and Tom Wilkinson. Wilko perished early on but Shakey went on to make a characteristically quickfire 52 with ten fours off 33 balls. Only two other scores of note - the Aussie captain made an unbeaten 119 (and didn’t retire which these days is a big fine on a Sunday) and Bruce compiled an unbeaten 51. We reached 254 off our allocated 40 overs which looked more than competitive at that stage. Following tea, we used no less than eight bowlers and frankly, never looked like losing once we had disposed of their number three who made 70 and their number eight who hit a few lusty blows in his 46 before Wilko got him out. The pick of our bowlers was our versatile young barman and groundsman, Mr J.Gee who took 4-34 off his eight overs. Ferring were all out for 217 with an over to spare and we’d won by 37 runs.
WCTCC: Tom Wilkinson, Jake Hodgson, Charlie Davies, Mick Armstrong*, Iain Haggart, Aran Kay, Charlie Williams, Bruce Fryer+, Charlie Reeves, Gabriel Peck, Alfie Reeves
Other matches on the 25th April down the years: Portslade (Away) in 2015: 'Another batting collapse sees us vanquished on the coast' Scorecard
18 APRIL 2020 | West Wittering
There was a period in the mid teens (2010-2014) where West Wittering 1st XI and our 2s were both climbing the leagues steadily together. In those days, (current Chairman) Stephen Hodgson and vice captain Al Reeves managed the side. Even then, we tended to have a stronger bowling attack than batting. For our classic match at Millennium Meadow, we go back to 2013 and a rare match report from the captain:
Having lost the toss West Chiltington were invited to bat first. Ben Hasler and the ever youthful David Hardisty (playing his first game of the season for the 2nd XI) opened the batting and made a solid start against a reasonably hostile West Wittering bowling attack. Runs off the bat proved difficult to come by but wayward bowling allowed the scoreboard to tick over. Hasler was the first to perish, strangled down the legside by keeper Hackshaw. Jack Elliott-Monday (JEM) joined Hardisty and it was soon apparent that JEM’s recent good form hadn’t deserted him; he was soon producing an array of crisp cover drives and deft glances, which allowed the score rate to pick up. At the other end, David was starting to find his touch and was now matching Jack run for run. Wittering however kept bowling with hostility and with the introduction of Straight, some accuracy as well. JEM eventually placed a well struck shot into the hands of an opposition fielder and was out for 28. Soon after, Hardisty was bowled by Straight for a top score of 37. The only other batsman to make an impact was Scott Pulling who dispatched anything too short or too full to the boundary. He was eventually out for 22 very important runs. These three innings eventually proved to be crucial in what seemed, at the time, to be an under par score. In addition to some good bowling, Wittering fielded brilliantly and when Chilt were eventually all out in the 49th over for 165, there was a sense that it was perhaps 50 runs or more short of a competitive target.
A few choice words of encouragement at an impromptu team meeting in the middle at the start of their innings seemed to have an effect. We spoke about bowling accurately, fielding with enthusiasm and taking catches when they came our way. And so, when Wittering were 3 wickets down after 4 overs with only 1 run on the board, there was a sense that perhaps 165 was a competitive score! David Bowen Davies (DBD) and Reece Collins-Powell (RCP) bowled beautifully. Both were accurate in line and on the spot with their length. DBD's first wicket was a very well taken catch in slips by Matt “the quiet man” Goring and his second quickly followed when their no 3 played all around an inswinging yorker. RCP bowling from the other end gave the batsmen a different set of problems and soon also had two wickets to his name. After both had completed their permitted overs, they were replaced by Gabriel (Peck) and JEM. There is always a concern whether new bowlers can maintain the good work and intensity that had gone on before. The answer was an emphatic, yes they could and they most certainly did. Both also took wickets and at drinks, the score was 50 for 5 and once play resumed, the score very quickly became 76 for 8. Mitch Hackshaw, the Wittering keeper, had come to the crease just before the break and showed clear intention that he thought the game was still there for the taking. He played some excellent shots and was the only batsman to make any impact on the bowling. With runs and overs to spare, Charlie Davies was brought into the attack and after 1.5 overs, had taken the final two wickets with Hackshaw, the last man out, stumped by the deft hand of Hardisty for 59. (There was no doubt that a stumping had taken place as all three stumps lay completely flattened on the floor and the bails were caught by the square leg umpire as they flew through the air). West Wittering were eventually all out for 117 and I know we are all looking forward to the return match later in the summer. This was an excellent game that brought out the best of all involved. and with comments like “I think this was perhaps the best game of cricket I have played in” together with the following compliment from their umpire “your first four bowlers produced some of the best bowling I’ve seen for many years”, are always nice to hear and offers reassure that West Chiltington and Thakeham is moving in the right direction. Well done to all involved.
WCTCC: David Hardisty+, Ben Hasler, Jack Elliott-Monday, Jack Carter, Scott Pulling, David Bowen-Davies, Matthew Goring, Gabriel Peck, Reece Collins-Powell, Stephen Hodgson*, Charlie Davies
Other games on the 18th April down the years: Middleton-on-Sea (Away) 2015. 'Big Sean Heather ton downs Chilt'. Scorecard
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