HWRCC SUNDAY XI vs CROSSBATS

Sunday team cut loose, footloose, in victory over Crossbats

WICK - 209-9 off 40 (Whinney and Maddoc Jones both making big 60s)

defeated

Crossbats - 150 odd all out (Junaid, GS, MJ, Imran picking up the wickets)

It's always great coming home after a day of cricket at the Wick, especially after a resounding victory. While you are still feeling the euphoria of what has just passed, there's also a bit of you that realises that the following day is monday (surprise surprise), which can get you down.... 'twas ever thus i hear you say.....

...but occasionally this feeling of anxiety ahead of the working week is reduced when you switch on the box for one final piece of relaxation. Sunday night was no exception.

Some people question whether Footloose is the greatest movie of all time. I don't. It captures the essence everything that is wrong with the world (still) and everything good and worth fighting for (being able to dance). The movie is about engaging people and belief in humanity (in an amongst all of the dancing, etc). BELIEF

Why do i bring this up in this match report? Because on sunday the Wick truly lived up to the lyrics of the footloose song, and duly "kicked off our Sunday shoes" in a resounding win over the Crossbats.

On a stinking hot and sticky afternoon, Jimmy C's XI decided to bat early and make the most of the conditions. Opening with Whinney and Chris Maddoc-Jones, the Wick made a sensational start. The runs were flowing so beautifully. In and amongst hitting boundaries, Chris and Whinney even had time to complete two - 4s (all run) in one over. It was exceptional stuff and was why, after 20 overs, we had reached 100 without loss and heading for a big score.

Chris MJ was cruelly run out on 67 after a fabulous knock, and whinney followed soon after trying to launch one into the skies (also 65 +). Imran came and went quickly and James MJ was also soon out caught after a few nice shots. Despite the loss of these wickets, Del Boy, Kempy, and Linter had plenty of fitness at the right time to push our score after 40 overs to 209 - perfect.

tea - TFC

Heading out to bowl, the Wick had more options than ever before. Graham Smith opened with Junaid and, in two great spells of bowling, had managed to remove the top 4 batsmen - Graham took two wickets in two balls, set up perfectly by Junaid the previous over. The wickets didn't stop there. As the Crossbats needed to up the run rate, Chris MJ was brought into the attack as a spin option. He took 3 wickets in a beautiful 7-over spell that effectively ended the match as a competition.

Imran, Jimmy C and Hirshy all chimed in with a couple at the end and it was game over by 6.30pm.

It was a great match played in a top spirit. The Crossbats are a great set of blokes, and i think this would be up there with one of the most enjoyable games we've played in all season.

On to Club day this Sunday

Wickman Junior

HWRCC 3rd XI vs WEST END ESHER

Clinical 3rd XI defeat West End Esher as AJ proves his quality

West End Esher - 144 all out of 48.2 overs

lost to

Hampton Wick - 145 for 2 off 26.2 overs

On a muggy and warm afternoon on the hallowed turf of Kingsfield, the 3rd XI took on a West End Esher side that some commentators had described earlier in the week as "doin' a bit" (don't ask me who they were....but i heard wispers on the grapvine). The boys were looking for a second successive win on the bounce in a final attempt to make a charge for promotion.

Making his debut as captain for a league match, Skipper Jimmy C lost the toss and was forced to bowl on the driest Kingsfield track of the season. The pace and bounce on the wicket were something else, and as Lownsy (a hung over Lownsy as well) and Johnny Hill starting ripping into the openers, it was clear that this pitch would do a bit for the bowlers.

Despite a fantastic opening spell from both bowlers, the boys couldn't get a break through. The batsmen played and missed at everything and edged everything over slips. The game of hit and miss actually got to the point whereby Jimmy C had only one fielder on the legside, 4 slips and a gully and a fly slip to cater for this. It still didn't work and somehow West End managed to reach 50 for none of 20 odd overs.

In a bid to shake things up a bit, Jimmy C brought himself and tun up into the attack. While they perhaps didn't bowl as well as the aforementioned pair, they managed to take 6 wickets between them for less than 30 runs to put the home side on the front foot. Jimmy, whose shouts of "come on" were apparently audible from the 1st team across the wall, took 3 for 8 (including a great caught and bowled). Tun Up, on the other hand, also took a cracking catch off his own bowling to get figures of 3 for 20 odd.

Despite the wickets, West End had managed to edge over 100 runs and, with a lack of bowling options, Hilly and Lownsy were brought back into the attack. Lowns had his best spell of bowling all season i reckon, and deservedly took two wickets after a marathon 16-over spell. Hilly, who bowled 17 overs, couldn't manage to get a breakthrough however, so it was time to throw the dice to get the tailenders out.

Enter AJ.

After advice from Clowns, Jimmy C threw AJ the ball. Bowling lively in-swingers, AJ picked up 2 for 8 to end West End's innings! It was apparently his first ever league wickets and thoroughly well deserved (despite ribbing from other players at the club).

Tea - ats. (Allegedly DBW was furious with Jimmy C for not taking the time to leave the outfield 4 overs before West End's innings had finished, because he needed to know when to put the potatoes in the oven for lunch. Jimmy C extends his apologies Dave....but there was a game of cricket on)

Chasing 145 for a win, the Wick never looked troubled. AJ, who opened the batting with Risso, added a huge amount of quality to the batting. In previous run chases, the 3rd XI have often been found wanting as the opening 5 or 6 often seem to lose their heads. AJ, on the other hand, never looked like getting out. Blocking the good balls and hitting the bad balls, he made a massive 85 + not out to see the boys cruise to victory in just 26 overs. Ably supported by Nathan and James MJ, who chipped in with the runs, it was game over and into the bar.

So, a good team performance all around and the 3's second win on the bounce. Hopefully this will continue as Lloydy comes back into the team and the boys make a final charge for promotion.

Talk to me

BELIEF

WICKMAN JUNIOR

Woodmansterne 2xi vs HWRCC 2xi - Match Report by Charles Wickens

A Tale of Two Sitters

Woodmansterne won the toss and inserted

HWRCC 169 from 44 (Hibberd 69) lost to Woodmansterne (170-8)

Sayce, Cole, Hibberd, High, Whinney, Delbert, Clark+, Kennedy, Runsworth, Donnelly, Iqbal

On an ultimately unsatisfying day for the Wick 2xi the team found itself in the game it has been craving all season and bungled an opportunity to win and to stay top. A collective batting collapse which saw the Wick throw away a promising position at drinks and almost subside for 135 was rescued by Runsworth and Donnelly before a totally defendable total was rendered useless by the sort of fielding nightmares that Charles Wickens hopes never to see again in a Wick game.

This is not to take anything away from the opposition. Woodmansterne played the conditions and the crucial passages of the match far better than the Wick xi and thoroughly deserved their win. The marvellous Movell in particular bowled us out with an intelligent spell of Bertie Basset bowling mixing quicker balls, held back off breaks and other bits and pieces before smashing 12 off an over (with three of the truest bits of timing) just when we had brought some pressure to bear in the dying moments of the match. Despite others scoring more in their reply, he surely ripped the game from us and would pick up their MOM if there was any justice.

Clark lost the toss and was not surprised to learn that the oppo skipper fancied chasing our total. The ground was a mark or two off completely picturesque but is to date the prettiest that this corresp can recall this year. Woodmansterne opened up with a youngster who bowled an intelligent spell to the right handers and never allowed Sayce to settle. Saycey’s game cost him £15. Deduce from that how many runs he added to the total if you will. At the other end a wily campaigner bowled a very tight spell of away swing. Indeed had the Woodies’ skipper positioned himself anywhere but first slip the Wick would have been deep in the doodoo as both Hibberd and Cole edged the sort of straightforward slip catches to him that my grandmother (you will remember she is extremely old, with terrible curvature of the spine and prone to dizziness from previous reports) would have pouched with little alarm, stuffed the cherry into her pinny pocket and offered high fives all round.

Surviving these chances H&C painfully rebuilt from overs 10 to 20ish with the majority of the runs going to an increasingly fluent Hibby. Coley began to find his form lofting an offy over mid off for a well struck boundary before inexplicably holing out to mid on. The time to consolidate was upon us and to make drinks but Charlie unfortunately didn’t take the time to play himself in before spooning one up in the air to gullyish. However at drinks with Hibberd and Whinney in situ and really not much going on of note and the Wick poised at 80ish for 3 from 25 the game was, if anything, tilted in our favour.

Brainless batting then undid us. Hibberd and Whinney having nudged the total along (Hibberd passing fifty) Whinney subsided in a way that Charles Wickens cannot remember. Just when the situation required caution Hibby then miscued one to be unluckily (but out nevertheless) caught at midwicket on the short boundary. The very next ball Delboy poked one to silly mid on. Clarky was undone by one that was held back, playing his shot far too early. Duncan played back to one that he should have played forward to and the pre-match much vaunted middle order had thrown away the position.

Runsworth (a good Dickensian name – Dickens would always include characters in his novels whose names were intended to convey something about their character [Mr Gradgrind in Hard Times for example is a particularly unflambouyant industrialist]) then put the game into perspective by scoring a valuable 20 supported by first Tommy D and then Iqqers to drag us to 169 which was probably 30 more than we could have expected but also 30 short of par.

There can be no excuses for this display. The track was perhaps a little puffy and two paced but most batsmen will be rueing injudicious shots and poor technique today, not reliving a snorter than they got an unfortunate touch to or magic catch in the ring. Just plain lack of craft and lack of playing themselves in Hibberd, Coley and Whinney excepted. We didn’t even manage to get to 47 overs which would have applied just that slight bit more pressure in the reply and shows the rapidity of our capitulation – 7 wickets falling in 19 overs.

Tea looked better than it was. 7. DBW is looking a better tea technician as the season progresses.

169 – while short of par – was definitely defendable and Charles Wickens is confident that we probably would have removed the Woodies for less than 100 in 30 overs had we not fielded like pillocks. The stand in skipper demanded an extras free performance and the bowlers at least delivered on this, no one overstepping the mark until late in the day.

Whinney bowled beautifully. He won’t be this unlucky again in a game of cricket. He was too quick, too spiteful, too much of a handful for any of the Woodies he bowled to with the new ball. We were already into them as Tommy D strangled one opener down the leg side, Clark taking a tumbling snaffle. Whinney thoroughly exposed the other opener (he rushed off down the other end and aimed a heave at T Dizzle to get back to the safety of the pavilion) and the number three – who scored 55 valuable runs – did not play him at all well. This was fire and brimstone stuff. And here one of the two sitters of the title was grassed and the seeds of our defeat were sown. When the number three had scored 10 of his runs he was undone by a bouncer and fenced a cut shot away to point. Mr Takethisninetyninetimesoutofahundred just… dropped it. It would have been easier to catch it. Really. Inexplicable.

Iqqers bowled a wonderful spell dispensing with the number five caught at slip brilliantly by Whinney. The boy has some reactions. “Hand Junaid” troubled all the bats and gave the skipper control for a brief period. Others would begin to build pressure but we leaked boundaries from leg side full tosses just when we didn’t need to almost always from the first ball of an over. Having given them 51 overs to chase our total down boundaries needed to be at a premium, but weren’t.

The fifth wicket partnership (the reprieved Patel and the young opening bowler) swung the match decisively in the Woodies’ favour. Again inexplicably the No 6 prodded one to cover which should have been taken but Mr Findawaytodropit did. This – to add to the first howler worth 45 – cost us another 25 priceless runs. And here the game was truly lost. We briefly got back into it as the No 3 holed out at long on from a Cole special, the No 6 feathered a returning Whinney behind and some panic set in to produce a run out that was so comprehensive that Clark even had time to fumble the throw before removing the bails.

The skipper gambled on keeping his quicks on in the post 7.30pm gloom but Movell, mentioned earlier, took us to the cleaners backing himself and his eye to finish the job with three coruscating fours in one T Dizz over. Junaid was brought back as he was the only bowler able to swing the thing with any consistency and defeated him next over but the damage had been done and it was too much of an ask to take the final two wickets with less than a boundary needed. One tight LBW aside there was nothing doing and Woods crept over the line.

Shame. Big shame. We should have won this game there is no doubt in Charles Wicken's mind. It is truly devastating to create the chances you need to win a game and see them squandered. There were other half chances many of which might have turned the game again – a close run out, a couple of “drops” – but we were the authors of our own failure here, no question.

And that is the tale of two sitters. A proud undefeated record stretching back to 2006 surrendered along, no doubt, with the lead in the championship and a handy buffer of points. As the Woodies said in the bar we’ve been dragged back into the pack. We simply must perform better next week.

MOM Iqqers for coming back at the death and almost turning them over.

[Here's a picture of Runsworth and some fantastic breasts - Ed]

Latest Colt...

Harris Stafford Doddy. A boy! Finally someone had a boy! Congratulations to Mrs and Mr D. Interestingly if you google Harris Stafford Doddy you get no exact matches. Same for Harris Doddy. So they seem to have done the impossible and chosen a combination of names that no one else has thought of which is splendid. However if you put it into google images you do get a picture of Ken Dodd. Which is reassuring.

Referrals

The era of referrals may just be beginning in Test Cruckitt. Today Indian skipper Anal Crumble asked for a Bhaji LBW appeal to be checked after it was first turned down. Genius or madness?

Wickman reckons the idea of being able to overturn really crummy decisions is appealing (see what he did there?) Remember Allan Donald getting Athers to glove one behind and not getting the finger? That would have been a great result surely? Er no it would have ruined one of the great rearguards but never mind.

How about Darren Pattinson? He's be logging it that his first test wicket would have been rescinded. We would have been robbed of one of the truly awful sights - a fuller than full full bunger LB that was missing the stumps. It could have denied DP a long and fulfilling Test career!

Actually Wickman would like a referral system in other parts of his life. How about being able to refer other critical decisions to an impartial third umpire with limitless technology and replays?

*Wickman arrives home*
Mrs W: Where the Devil have you been you useless good for nothing bar steward?
W: Er working late and then a couple of beers with *insert name of colleague* to talk them down from the ledge.
Mrs W: Rubbish! You are legless!
W: No no! It was only a few light ales!
Mrs W: I'm not having that you are drunk you silly little man!
*Wickman makes the sign for a replay - the third umpire gets on the walkie talkie to Mrs W*
Third Umpire (somone like Boutros Boutros Ghali could do a job with Mrs W - global diplomacy skills spanning military conflict, genocide and all the continents): I've reviewed cctv evidence from Hampton Wick station back to Wickman's scret lair and there was no swerving, no crafty urination in a front garden, no half eaten middle Eastern snacks discarded and no five minute attempt to banish hiccups while outside the front door. I must conclude he is telling the truth. Not out!
W: Yesssssssss. Back in the game
Mrs W: I can still sledge you, you useless... [Continues ad infinitum]

[Just the man for Mrs W; Boo Boo Ghali - Ed]

NEWSFLASH:Shane Warne reveals the secret to good bowling

For those of you struggling to get amongst the wickets this season, you can now rest easy. Finally, after numerous international reports, surveys, testing, etc, we can now reveal the secret to taking wickets.

Yes, Shane Warne himself has now given us the answer. In a recent thinkpiece in the Murdoch press, this is what Shane had to say on the matter (referring to Monty Panesar):

"When a bowler stands at the top of his mark, there is a simple question that should be in his mind: how am I going to get the batsman out? It sounds obvious, but watching the first Test between England and South Africa at Lord's last week, it did not seem clear to me that Monty Panesar was thinking along those lines."

Case closed. Thanks Captain obvious. I really like it how Shane keeps it simple. All we need to do is think: how can I get the batsman out? As much as i'd like to do a straw poll of some description to fellow bowlers from the Wick, i suspect that very few of us actually think of how to get a batsman out. Time to engage the melon I say.

As a side note, i'd like to point out that i'm not surprised that Monty has been struggling to take wickets. From the look of the photo attached, it seems that "Mont" is more interested in making love to the outfield. This is disturbing behaviour, and certainly not something that Darren "the future" Pattinson would ever do.

Think about it.

Want to be the next Darren Pattinson?

.....well, you could be if you apply yourself! Isn't that what it is all about? Of course it is.

Far from being the embarassment that some in the media predicted, Darren has acquitted himself amazingly well in the second test against South Africa that has just finished. Who will ever forget the rank full toss that produced his first ever test wicket? Certainly not me... and i've forgotten a hell of a lot in my time.

I guess my point about Darren is that there is hope for us all. Maybe one day we too will get our dream chance to represent our country (or someone else's). As more and more countries get involved with test cricket, and more and more people realise that they are not quite good enough to play for their own country, there will always be people willing to use some weak ancestral link to play at the top level. Remeber Geraint Jones, the Fijian-born Australian playing for.....oh.....seems to be a trend here.

But you could get there on merit. Who's to say who England will pick next? Will Junaid's 6 for 15 against Frimley have gone unnoticed from the powers that be at England HQ? Who's to say if the conditions are right, Tun Up won't be getting a call up from Geoff Miller. Perhaps Harry Copeland will come into the England team for Ambrose following a string of great performances.....who knows?

The best way to put yourself in contention is to get out there and play cricket. This Sunday (after Saturday) is as good a chance as any. Anyone fancying a game against the crossbats should contact Jimmy C, who guarantees that it will be "doin' a bit".

WICKMAN JUNIOR

BELIEF

Addiscombe win nail biter - 1xi Match Report

Upon arrival at Addiscombe CC at about 1230, the Wick 1XI were greeted by a beautiful, perfect summers day. The ground was a picture, set against high trees and bushes on the outer perimeters and a large club house adjacent to 3 high quality nets and a number of grass tennis courts.

The place was buzzing with activity - with the cricket game being the pick, but not the only Saturday afternoon activity taking place. There were afternoon classes and various sporting activities taking place in the generous clubhouse. As the day wore on the number of supporters increased to watch the unfolding drama on the cricket field. The players, of both sides duly responded and the game ended up being an absolute cracker. At the end, both players enjoyed numerous beers (drivers apart, who drank within their legal limits) and it was fantastic to have not only the opposition, but countless opposition supporters congratulate us on the quality of the match and our performance. You may have guessed by now, we lost... just... but the game gave me as much satisfaction as any this season. We finally had played 11 cricketers on a true surface, and whilst we had lost narrowly, we had performed admirably. A game truly befitting a 1st v 2nd clash.

Addiscombe won the toss and bowled. The deck was green but hard. Decent enough. There was a Lords-esque slope.

Lee and Hooper opend up, with Hooper taking the lead in the runs stakes. Some effortless straight drives and some burly legside flicks made batting look easy. Lee at the other end was untroubled, the left/right hand combe working well.

Hooper fell to a good yorker and Lee followed fairly soon after, having an uncharacteristic drive pouched by the keeper. Disappointing. Boney in particular looked elegant with Kam. Kam had driven the change bwoler over mid off for 4 first ball of the spell, and had also leathered one straight at short silly point, the guy taking it full on the elbow. Kam then decided he was Anton Du Beck, not for the first time this year, and was out.

Tottering at 67-3 Davies and Adam put on an excellent 50 partnership. With runs being shared and scored all around the field, things looked comfortable for both of them. Davies then allowd one to drift onto his boot, probably take the edge and was caught at slip off the slow left armer. Hibberd played as he does - it didnt pay off this week. AJ then got a very poor lbw decision and we were in trouble.

Neither Zam nor Whinney troubled the scorers. All the while Adam was compiling an excellent half century... scoring runs freely especially off his legs. It was a superb knock and a timely one given the fact we were playing against the best team in the league. When he fell it was left to Joey and Fordy to bullishly, and inteligently get us up to 180+. Their 25 partnershipp was characterised by some beefy hits, some comical running and some determined defence. It gave us momentum going into innings two.

Teas - very good. Two tables, individual plates laid out. Some pizza! fresh fruit. Normal sandwiches, but everything was there and there was plenty of it. 7/10.

We took the old ball. Zam and Kam. Kam got the breakthrough from an unlikely source -getting the skipper caught at mid wicket, afetr he had been placed there the ball previously. The catcher was Jackson. Heehee. Good catch too. The new ball was called for after 8 overs as nothing much was happening. Joey and Fordy immediately made inroads - Joey's 2 wickets in 2 balls giving the Wick te upper hand at 39-4.

The #5 couldn't get bat on Joey, and the #6 took a liking to Fordy. The score moved on slowly, but enough, until Joey then decided to get involved again, taking 2 more wickets in quick time - both caught at mid off. At 95-6 and drinks the Wick were on top.

We were then guily of some poor bowling - too many poor balls - full tosses and half trackers that allowed the pressure to be relieved somewhat. The number 8 - the keeper - scored an eventual 55*. Zam in particular was well under par, bowling like Zam of 2007, not Zam of 2008. Whinney bowled with pace and against a new bat he may have been able to skid through one of his yorkers.

Fordy eventually returned and got the breakthrough - slightly dubiously. At 7 down we were back in it. 7 became 8 with about 20 runs and 8 overs to go. It was nail biting stuff as the shadows fell across the deck and the distant raptor calls could be heard across the way. The 50+ strong crowd had gathered (WAGs n all) to watch the finale.

Addiscomebe got home in the penultimate over, scrambling their way to victory. They knew it was a great game, and they knew it was a great win. Some argy bargy was forgotten afterwards as we all shared a warm summers evening in a pcked clubhouse and slagged off most the the other oppo we'd played against this year. The game was close but Addiscombe deserved their win and duly edged it. They did win the toss, they were the home team and perhaps got the slight edge with regards to umpiring decisions (the crucial one was perhaps Zam having the match winner stone cold lbw). I am being a bit picky here. The game was superb, as were both sets of players. We lost but I loved every minute of it. Even Ali was delighted even though we lost.

Next week we'll be back. Fact

[Here's a picture of Alison looking... happy? - Ed]

Team selection - 19th July

1sts - away Vs Addiscombe meet 11.30am

In order of ..............(please send in your guesses)

Dan Lee, Matt Davies (c), Alex Jackson, Paul "Barry Scott" Hibberd, Richard Hooper, Joey Ewen, Shaun Whinney, AOM, Kam Raza, Zammack, David Ford

2s home vs Churt

Cole, Sayce, Fudge ©, Mackie +, Wright, High, Soppitt, Kennedy, Donnelley, O'Donnell, Webster

3s away vs Frimley away

Risman, Singh, Lloyd ©, Murray, Cameron, Copeland +, Powell, Unsworth, Iqbal, Hill, Lown

20+20+20 = WW

Fantasy week 10

Match Report – Byfleet 2nd XI vs. HWRCC 2nd XI - Classic Wick run chase makes it four wins on the trot for mighty 2’s!

Sayce, Mackie+, Fudge*, High, Wright, Soppitt, O’Donnell, Kennedy, Webster, Iqbal, Unsworth.

HWRCC won the toss and elected to bowl (ATS).

Byfleet 182 (52 overs) R. Oliver 54, E X Tras 46, O’Donnell 2-37 HWRCC 185-4 (42 overs) Sayce 52, Fudge 48

With the standings at the top of the table still tighter than an otter’s pocket, this game was the second of three must win games for the Wick against struggling oppo. This week saw an away match against second bottom Byfleet who had only managed one win this season. Easy pickings one might think for a Wick 2nd XI that can’t put a foot wrong with the bat this season and have a potentially destructive bowling line up; but thankfully a real game of cricket was made out of this mismatch.

The ten strong 2’s convoy arrived in a lovely little dead end street in Byfleet on a surprisingly sunny afternoon. Of course this wasn’t where the game was to be held, rather where captain Fudge’s chav nav had directed us. A swift U-turn was made and eventually we arrived at a picturesque ground with an absolute rug of an outfield and a strip that looked like a road. This must have been a lovely ground before the invention of the electricity pylon and the motorway, with the M25 a mere stone’s throw away and a huge great mass of cables running directly over the square.

The 2’s arrived for their pre-game warm up without any sign of the home team which brought much delight as we began limbering up and getting hands warm. However, you may have thought to yourselves whilst reading ’ten strong’…what the... why and who?! The missing member was Mr. Sayce who had opted to travel direct and as the oppo stumbled into the ground, sweepstakes were taken as to where Saycey was most likely to appear from; suggestions of zip wires and parachutes were chuckled at, however no-one had quite predicted he would stroll out of some old dear’s back garden…priceless (see above diagram – Can you spot him?!).

Eventually the toss was taken and captain Fudge called correctly again, enabling the wick to take to the field. Confidence was high and there was a real buzz about the fielding as Unsworth opened up with O’Donnell, on a slightly spongy and slow pitch. Unsworth bowled outrageously economically, with his first 5 overs being maidens, whilst O’Donnell looked quick and troubled the openers from the outset. O’Donnell was the first to get the breakthrough with a great piece of fast bowling, a short pitched front foot no ball that tucked up the bat, followed by a peach of an out-swinger that took off stump out of the ground. The other opener looked fairly competent, leaving everything outside off alone and blocking everything on the stumps; however he failed to up the scoring rate as the fielding remained tight.

Webster and Iqbal replaced Unsworth and O’Donnell to mix things up and probe for the second wicket with the Byfleet score looking more like a Brazil v Bognor Regis football score after 20 odd overs. This really was attritional cricket and the run rate never looked like getting above 2 an over at this stage. Webbo bowled well, beating the bat frequently and eventually picked up the wicket of the number 3 nicknamed ‘Goldy’ huu, who middled one to Sayce at point. Iqbal couldn’t quite control his lines though and was replaced after a brief cameo by Wrighty.

The Byfleet number 4 somehow managed to stay in, despite no obvious signs of cricketing ability and more bowling changes were made in the form of Kennedy and Soppitt. Both bowled some probing deliveries and eventually the number 4 came unstuck swinging wildly at a flighted delivery from Del boy and to the amazement of all watching, actually connected with it, spooning it to Webster who took a good catch at backward point. The Byfleet number 5 looked like he could actually bat abit, and hit some aggressive shots off both Del and Duncan, including one big six and some dubious looking reverse slog sweeps.

At the other end, the solid Oliver managed to bore his way to 50 through nurdling and nudging. The score started to creep up, and eventually O’Donnell was bought back on to calm things down which he did so, taking the wicket of Oliver caught and bowled and ending with figures of 2 for 37 off 11. Numbers 5 and 6 stayed put until the 52nd over before Mackie took an easy run out off the final ball. Byfleet ended on 182 for 5 off 52. A score that was, yet again, aided by the second highest innings of the infamous E. X. Tras who managed 46. This really is starting to become an issue in the 2’s, gifting the oppo 6 extra overs and 46 runs is making things unnecessarily hard for the batsmen and made the Byfleet score seem fairly respectable against a very good fielding performance. Mackie kept fantastically well behind the stumps, only conceding 6 byes off the numerous tricky deliveries that flew through! All in all though, the 2’s were confident coming off the field and thoughts turned towards the run chase ahead.

Teas – 7/10… On a material basis I reckon only a 6 or 6.5 but the tea lady was doin' a bit, it was confirmed that both Leggsy and Monkeyboy would LHB, hence the additional marks. Fresh melon, a good selection of sandwiches and cakes, oh and of course a mature, yet refreshingly tastey slice of MILF!!!!

The first highlight of the Wick innings occurred without a ball being bowled nor the batsmen even walking onto the field. With the 1’s absolutely destroying Byfleet back at the Wick, their downhearted team members found themselves back in time to watch the 2nd innings. This included their umpire, whom the opposition captain seemed set on sending out to umpire for our innings.

This really was not on, seeing as the Byfleet 2’s players had umpired their innings, it is only fair that the Wick players umpire their innings as well. Obviously this is not in the slightest to do with us wanting to cheat or be biased but more a matter of principle, something their skipper couldn’t quite grasp. The consistently annoying captain of the Byfleet 2’s insisted that he had even told Monkeyboy that he was going to umpire, to which Fudge replied, “I don’t care if you’ve told the Pope…he’s not umpiring this innings…FACT”. This nonsensical rave by their skip continued until eventually Sayce and Mackie took to the square; Del boy and Duncan donning the white jackets.

The Wick response began immediately; with Sayce playing some glorious strokes all around the ground and picking up singles with ease, mainly because he continued to find the field with shots that deserved more. Mackie kept the pace up at the other end with singles a plenty, but looked to be struggling for form a touch. The Byfleet bowling attack looked surprisingly good, although not threatening with pace or any great youth, it was on the spot and forced some good soft-handed shots from Sayce and Mackie to keep the new ball down. The Wick reached 67 off 21 overs before Mackie was bowled by one that looked to keep a little low. Captain Fudge joined Sayce in the middle and they continued to push the scoreboard along with ease, Sayce making his way to a chanceless 50 that combined solid defence and some incredibly well timed boundaries.

The opposition fielding appeared to be a mixed bag, with some young guns in the team that looked sharp, and some slightly older chaps who didn’t look quite so lively. However one thing that became apparent from the sideline was that their skipper wasn’t the most popular person on the field. He continuously moved the field around, against the wishes of other Byfleet players who even refused to move at one point. I can’t help but think he is one of the reasons why a reasonable cricketing side are struggling to stay up; Latvian maybe, but we have definitely played teams this season who are worse than Byfleet.

Fudge continued his incredible form and looked positive from the first ball, picking up quick run ones and twos and some textbook boundaries. Unfortunately Sayce couldn’t keep up with the quick running and got caught out trying to run a 3rd. Sayce ended on 52, a really classy knock that, had the field positions not been so negative, he would have easily picked up 70 odd off the same innings. High joined Fudge and showed some immediate intent, smashing the bowler back over his head off his first ball for 2 and then again for a boundary off his second ball. Fudge continues to play his shots and was dropped on the boundary for a nice 6 runs and another two times by the ageing field after middling some shots that would have required some sharp catches. Unfortunately the dream team of Fudge and High were only in the middle for 4 overs before Fudge was bowled playing on, by the tall Byfleet opener. Fudge ended on 48, another top knock that deserved to be converted to his third fifty in three weeks. Wrighty joined High for a single over before High was caught trying to apply some long handle to the slow leg spin of the skipper Zia.

By now the Wick had managed 153 off 38 overs and were 4 down. With only 5 overs left to chase the total of 183 required it was going to be a close one with 6 an over needed as Soppitt took to the crease. It can be said that there is no other man that you would want to be batting in this kind of situation than Del boy, with the bowling still tight, the runs were going to have to be achieved with some hard running and good calling. Together, Wrighty and Del boy edged ever closer to the winning score, the running was top notch and both played some fine shots to find the boundary on occasion which was only accessible behind square. The 40th over saw 11 runs from smashed off the Byfleet captain and with 2 overs left Del and Wrighty smote a further 13 off the 42nd over to take the Wick to a fine victory. Del finishing on 18 and Wrighty 16; both great innings under pressure!

This was a great result and, credit where credit is due, Byfleet really made a game of it and are a better side than their league position suggests and the rest of their team, bar the vertically challenged skipper, were a good bunch who were more than graceful in defeat.

This win sees the 2’s maintain their place at the top of the league, and for there continued positive approach to each and every game… nobody could argue that they don’t deserve to be there!!

Legs 11

HWRCC VS DEANDO RUXLEY

Wick fall just short in a tale of two pitches....

HWRCC - 8/116 - Whinney 39

lost to

DEANDO RUXLEY - 6/117 -

You may wonder why i've put a picture of John Candy up on the blog. Why indeed i hear you say...why indeed? Well - i like the bloke, and there isn't a day that passes that i don't think about him.

He was a quality actor. Remember Cool Runnings? Planes, Trains and Automobiles? And who could forget that old classic Uncle Buck. He was MADE for that role.

Sadly, as we all know, John has since left us for the man upstairs. The lure of food was simply too great for him and acting just got in the way of a good feed. What a great way to go out. And it brings me neatly on to DBW and teas.

Some at our club have questioned the state of the teas and DBW's work. So let me be the first to say: they're brilliant. Because at the halfway point of Sunday's dire match against Deando Ruxley CC (yes - that is their name), it was the only thing that got me going. It was worth the £10 match fee alone. Sunday was very much the case of cricket getting in the way of a good feed.

Tuna sandwiches - perfect.

Quiche - lovely stuff

muffins - give me 10

Biscuits - great value

If you think i'm alone in these sentiments, you'd be wrong. Whinney echoed these thoughts after the farcical 1's match on Sunday. He said it was effectively paying a fiver for DBW teas, tellingly adding: "it was still worth it".

Nuff said. On to the match.

On a very green track (which later turned out to be the wrong one), the Wick headed out to bat. To say that the ball didn't bounce would be the understatement of the century, akin to saying that Lenny Henry likes chubby women or Austrian Hanz Fritzel liked building underground bunkers.

Unfortunately, for Lloydy, opening the batting with Sisso, his match was over before it had begun. Facing a slow medium pacer, the ball hit the wicket and rolled along the ground to take out middle stump. Needless to say he was furious.

Skipper Jimmy C and the oppo then decided it was time to change pitches. A few choice words were exchanged between all parties and the "spirit of cricket" became a big issue. However, like Paul Collingwood at the Oval, this was overlooked. Lloydy was not recalled to the crease.

Not that it would have matted much. The Wick batted terribly. Only Whinney and Linter managed to get runnnss, leaving the Wick at 116 for 8 off 40 overs.

TEAS - 10/10

Heading out to bowl, we still felt we had enough of a total to defend. We didn't as it turned out. Despite Whinney's tremendous bowling and a superb catch from Sisso, we left ourselves about 20 runs short of getting a victory. The oppo made our total in the 2nd last over.

It disappointing end to one of the worst games of cricket i've played in. Save the sledging from Sisso, Lloydy and Whinney, i may have walked back into the clubhouse to polish off the leftovers from DBW's teas.

John Candy himself would have been proud. R.I.P big fella, loved your work

Wickman Junior

fantasy week 9

Fantasy week 8

2's move to the top

2ND XI - MATCH REPORT HWRCC 2ND XI (HOME) V's Caterham 2nd XI... HWRCC won the Toss and elected to try and bowl straight, however for the large part they failed. Caterham, 168 All Out (45 Extras) 51.1 overs Tea - 10/10 Company - 11/10 A. Risman is a pleasure to consume a Cheese and Ham ol'soft roll along side. HWRCC 172/2 (C. High 69*) 28.4 overs... Please click on link below for highlights of Charlies Innings.... http://www.stickcricket.com/gameallstarslog.php HWRCC = 20 Points. http://surreycountyleague.play-cricket.com/leaguetables/divisionTable.asp?id=2451&seasonID=9 WICK

Is Sunday the new Saturday?

Fancy a chance to play with the new David Gower of the Wick? Often wondered what it would be like to pad up with Sisso and Matty D? Have you ever wanted to feel genuine belief?

Well.....if you'd like to know more, why not put your name down for a Sunday match over the coming weeks. 40 overs a side and you either win or lose - simple. None of this "timed overs" nonsense which is ruining the game - FACT.

If you're batting is no good (first team, orrr.......) or you are struggling to hit the sticks consistently, make yourself known to Wick Skipper Jimmy C and he'll make sure you have a place (no promises) in the Sunday line up.

We are at home for the next few weeks so talk to him, and maybe you too will meet the new David Gower.

BELIEVE

We've got more than we normally do

HWRCC 1XI v Caterham, away MattyD taking guard. Wick 80-6, as per. Oppo keeper, being sarcastic: Your bowling attack must be good MattyD: We've got more than we normally do. We won AGAIN. We underperformed AGAIN. We're getting into very bad habits. The famous Wick collapse has returned, and whilst the twos and threes are consistently posting scores in excess of 160, if not up to 250, the ones currently seem incapabale to getting much beyond 120. Caterham won the toss on a windswept, if warm Council maintained track. The track was flat and didnt look like it would do much to me, other than turn square. Razzle felt it would do all sorts and wouldnt be easy to bat on. In the end we were both right. Caterham chose, as is the way, to bowl. Goldy and Sayce opened up. Sayce fell for a few, edging the impressive opener to the slips. Boney then joined Goldy, again doing what Boney does. Raza did the same, looking better every week yet still failing to pass 25. Goldy was busy compiling a diligent 31 before getting triggered, leaving the wick teetering at 60-4. The arrival of the 'Dobber from Hell' had prompted Davies to promote O'Donnell to 6 to hit it a bit large. It failed. Mackie soon fell as well, leaving the score close at 80-6. Davies and Tughral killed the game for a while as we were in danger of being completely shot out. As is always the case, its a game of two halves so if you can get some kind of score you are able to apply pressure. A few lusty blows moved the score to 100, before Davies fell middling one to square leg (the first non-length ball bowled by the Dobber in a spell that read 13-20-7). The Wick finally closed on 120, leaving us plenty of time, if not plenty of runs with which to win this game. Teas - loved 'em. Loads of sandwiches, and all the fillings we moist (I like moist). Tuna, Chicken Tikka, Ham, Agg, Cheese n Pickle. Little sausages, Spare Ribs! (rubbish quality, but a great effort none the less. Loads of chocy biscuits. Some crisps thrown in there too Then we had home made rice krispie cakes. Lashings of squash was also consumed. 8/10. No question. As it worked last week, we thought we'd do the same this week. Kammack and Zamran opened up. The score did move along at a fair lick. However, wickets fell at regular intervals. Mostly due to the fact Zammy had a spell over them. He rarely got it wrong, and when he got it right he picked up wickets. Ending up with 14-44-5. At the other end Fordy joined Kam and shared the wickets amongst them. Only a last wicket stand of 25 threatened to de-rail the wicks pursuit of top spot. Caterham 100 all out. We have to stop doing this to ourselves. We've had a number of nail biters in a row now. I suppose you could say its result cricket. Last year we drew almost everything. This year we just keep winning. Caterham can rightly feel they didnt get what they deserved from the game. The points difference did not reflect the performance difference between the two sides on the day. However, as commented at the close, the game reminded skipper Davies of the game versus Croydon MO last year. Croydon were top and unbeaten, the Wick were midtable. We lost narrowly in a game we should have won easily. We were left wondering how we hadn't won. Its funny how you earn you own luck. Having said that you dont win 8/9 with luck alone.

Oval Test Result to be Changed

Wickman, alive as ever to the back pages, sees that THAT Oval Test result is to be changed to a draw. A draw. Hmmmm. Funny kind of draw. And interesting for the future of the game. Imaine us 1-0 up against the Aussies going into a future Oval test - perhaps next year (yes, yes, the chances of us being 1-0 up do demand a certain skill of imagination beyond the normal day dreaming capability of most of us). Suddenly Vaughany takes umbrage at a decision and takes the England boys off on the 4th day afternoon. No resolution is reached over night. They stick to their guns on the Monday and by 6.00pm we're confirmed as Ashes winners. Genius.

Rather like Golby's infamous "Retired Hung Over" at the birthplace of cricket, Wickman reckons that in instances like these we should be more descriptive. Try "drawn after fit of pique" or "Retired National Character Hurt" or "Umpire Obstructs Match". Your suggestions please... oh did they get around to talking about Zimbabwe yet or is this a red herring...?

Wick lose the plot in Walton

Thames Ditton Vs Wick
Moore, Lloyd, Singh, Risman, Baynton-Williams, Tughral, Copeland, Cameron, Nicholls, Noor, Lown
Wick- 164 for 8 from 52 overs, Thames Ditton 166 for 5 from 41.3 overs

It all seemed so promising when selecting the side on Tuesday, with High retained at No3 and Tom B-W in for Crane who was holidaying with his parents at Butlins. All change a couple of days later as Fudgey yoinked Monkey Boy to the 2s leaving Lloydy pleading with Andy Mooray to dust off the pads to give us some extra batting at 7:30 on Friday.
This was a big game, make no mistake. With OTiffs pulling off another contentious win against TD the previous week, the top spots were wide open for the taking and the feeling in the Wick camp was buoyant.

Arriving at the recreation ground in Walton we were confronted with what looked like a smooth flat track, however on insertion of the car key it was discovered to be a similar consistency as a Baked Alaska. Crispy on the outside moist and squidgy underneath.
This was a bad toss to lose!

Moore and Lloyd opened up against their big quick bowler and the pitch began to yield its delights as the balls that weren’t fired down leg (but not quite wide enough to be called) fizzed past the ears from short of a length. The other opener was much the same though a lot slower and more tennisbally and in truth got away with murder as a result. The quicky thankfully struggled with line and length and the wick bats failed to score from the quick leg side wide ones and opted not to play the short ones going over the head so scoring was slow.
We both decided that he would be lethal if he could put it on a length which he eventually did with no small amount of away swing and Lloyd followed it like a sheep eventually edging it to 1st slip. Moore then fell playing at a wide-ish tennisball and managed to cut the ball at their shortest fielder at point.

2 overs later and Riso played the same stroke and joined him in the hutch with an uncharacteristic duck to his name.
Nathan and Tom at the crease and the runs began to come. Tom, smashed a 4 then shuffled across his stumps and missed a straight one for the easies LBW ever. “I was about to walk it was that plumb he said”.

Nathan and Zohak toiled away for a while until the former drove a filthy full toss back at the bowler and we were 65 for 5 of 20. Not good.

Harry and ZO’s partnership lasted 2 overs before Harry gave it too much bottom hand and was caught at silly mid off for his second duck tax of the season and brought Jimmy C to the crease. He and Zo batted intelligently (honest!)for what seemed like an age as the total crept up to the 100 mark but Zo, again presented with a rank full toss, decided to give it the treatment and picked out the fielder at cow who was camouflaged against a few of our guys getting throw downs.

Keith smashed us through to the 140 mark and some hint of a defendable score before he perished and brought in Muzzy for the last 5 overs. Jimmy ended on 45* doing his average a world of good and muzzy on a career best 15 as the Wick closed on 164. Not enough by about 25 but still defendable.

Teas-Not their ground and certainly make shift facilities so scores were skewed here. Full sized sandwiches in a number of varieties meant that to sample all varieties could only result in one consuming 5 full sandwiches.
Presentation was makeshift to say the least, Cakes- no, Rocky Robins- Yes, tea- hot, Squash- Strong. Score-3 (ruined by the facilities as the fillings were great!)

Their innings got off to an interesting start as the wick bowlers again struggled to bowl at the stumps but gave the batsmen enough to think about. The vertically challenged one in particular struggling with the movement of Lown and the other seemingly in possession of a nice cover drive until he failed to pick Dom’s slower ball and Dom’s slower ball found itself nestled between left and right nut. The Bat did the bum shuffle back into his crease and lay prostrate, feet in crease, body on a length for a good 10 minutes.

Why is it that when one gets clattered in the nuts, the only thing people can do is ask “You ok mate?”. “Of course im not alright! I have just been neutered by a cricket ball and im currently trying to swallow my testicles back to where they belong!” Would be a natural response. Thou most settle for a mild whimper.

The opener left the field walking like someone had substituted the talc in his jock strap for deep heat and play continued.
Ticking over at 4 an over Tom B-W came into the attack and struck in his second over having remembered to bowl at the stumps bringing in a fellow SHC hockey boy. The banter started mild but the poor lad was totally undone when Lloyd noticed the chaps father on the boundary with the camera and brought this to his attention. Next ball from B-W was promptly gloved to Copeland and he was back in the hutch faster than you could say Alice Band.

. The humour then continued as the opening bat (retired hurt) limped back with a runner and then promptly tried to run a single. Very Odd!

Jimmy C brought some liveliness to the proceedings with a few edges and near misses but was struggling with a hamstring niggle so was replaced by Keith.

Tommy at the other end despatched the opener (and his runner) with a thick edge caught by Keith at Gully and the chase was on. With 6 an over needed from the last 10 overs the Wick went for the win but again suffered from being unable to bowl at the stumps and TD edged and nurdled their way past the winning draw total to the win with 5 wickets and an over and a half spare.

A good game all in all though unfortunately our batting let us down on the day. TD were gracious in victory and a genuinely good bunch of lads. Shame we weren’t closer to their club house because we would have happily stayed for a beer and chatted till the sun came down about certain over zealous teams we have played.

Interestingly the league is still quite open and we are not at the half way stage yet. A few results going our way and perhaps a few of us remembering to switch on in the middle when batting and bowling and promotion is still on the cards.

MOM- Tom B-W- Bowled at the stumps- took 4 wickets!

TFC- Jimmy C- Though he scored a match saving 45*, as my grandfather would say “You must respect your elders”…..including Andy Moore.

Just in case we forgot what they looked like heres 3 sets of stumps

HWRCC SUNDAY XI vs COLTS COACHES

Wick Future and present stuff the past (and present) Friendly match becomes a lively affair as someone allows colts into the score box

HAMPTON WICK SUNDAY TEAM – 167/8 off 30 overs (James Maddoc – Jones 28, Tun up 38, Kirky 27)

Defeated

HAMPTON WICK COACHES – 134/7 off 30overs (Jimmy C 2 for, 2 for Imran, 2 for Vaider)

Arriving at the Wick early on a Sunday morning is always an experience. FACT. I don’t know whether it is the sheer volume of colts that are flying about, the barbeque blazing or the hung over players from Saturday night coming back to collect their kits bags that makes it standout above all other days. But, whatever it is, it is certainly lively at the very least.

As someone more famous than I said a number of years ago, “our children are our future…teach them well and let them lead the way”. It’s a profound statement, and one that I would certainly sign-up to if there were a street petition happening. Not that there would be.

So what kind of future is their in store for the Wick, given the sheer volume of colts we seem to be producing at the moment? I think the future is bright, perhaps even orange. The talent and enthusiasm of some of the colts is like nothing I have seen before (partly because I’m not very perceptive). They LOVE cricket and talk about it all the time, even more than we do. Some under – 15s are making big hundreds, while others are taking a hatful of wickets. It’s a great news story all round.

And it was with the sense of a new dawn at the club that the Sunday XI took on a Coaches XI at the Wick on Sunday. Wick Skipper Jimmy C brought together a mixture of colts (the future and present) and a more senior bunch of players (the present and past) to battle against the likes of Tony Copeland and Sam Kemp (the past), two of the club’s biggest stalwarts (you might need to check that). It was a chance for the Sunday team to get some much needed time in the middle and, I suspect, an opportunity for the coaches to get away from “those meddling kids” and actually play some cricket. The scene was set.

On to the match.

Having lost the toss again, the Sunday team was sent in to bat. With Tonga and Lloydy at the crease, there was a sense of “belief” that we could amass a massive total. However, it was soon realised that this would not be a walkover by any stretch. Colts coach Graham Smith (have we heard of him before?), who opened the bowling, put together an amazing spell of bowling. How amazing? Well, GT and Lloydy never looked comfortable against him – nuff said.

It was little wonder then that both he and Tonga were back in the pavilion after just a few overs. The pair were both caught out after trying to play a few rash shots. It was clearly game on. James Maddoc Jones and Imran then came out to the crease, and would have been the star performers of the match had there not been a late show of runnnnnns from Kirky and Tun Up. James, who has been consistently scoring runs for the Under 15s, showed us all what the future of the club might look like. Playing a mixture of beautiful long drives, cuts and pulls, this kid has it all. The Maddoc-Jones family obviously have a little extra something in their gene pool.

Imran, joining MJ at the other end, looked just as effective. His shot selection and timing is in a different class, and he looks to be a quality player for the future (and present). With two wickets down, and at roughly 100 runs, the boys looked confident. While MJ Junior and Imran were given out in quick succession to a few lively deliveries, followed shortly after by Whinney and Harry (who couldn’t by a run), the boys had reached 120 of 22 overs and looked like getting a decent score.

However, while everything seemed to be going well out in the middle, it was anything but by the boundary line.

Firstly, there was the invasion of the score box. Somehow, during the course of the match, around 7/8 colts decided to gatecrash Jimmy C’s pleasant afternoon watching the cricket and taking numbers. Screaming after every ball, cheering every boundary like a goal in football, and asking questions about anything and everything, such as:

· “Why didn’t he hit that for six?” – JC: “You can’t hit every ball for six!” · What number do you bat? What kind of bat do you have? – JC: “I’m batting 11 today, and I don’t know what bat I have.” · Who’s your opening bowler? JC: (wanting them to shut up….) “Nelson and Barry. They do a bit” · What do you think of the military industrial complex? JC: “You boys are lively!” · What did you think of Steven Seagal in Above the Law? Was it ever given the recognition it deserved? - JC: “Great movie. Had Oscar written all over it….”

And so on….and on….and on….until Jimmy C decided to storm out of the box.

The future of the club is far too lively even for Jimmy, who likes to “talk it up” during matches. However, these kids don’t need to be shown the way, as they are already talking it up – a little too much perhaps….

Secondly, there was the arrival of Wickman and his Wick Mutt. Wickman Junior feels sorry for the little fella at the moment. Having been stripped of his todger, the little bloke has to wear a flaming big dish around his head so he doesn’t “get any ideas”. Just think for a moment if the same thing applied to humans when this happens. Poor bloke. He definitely turned heads – FACT.

While all of this was going on, the Sunday team reached 163 for 7 after 30 overs – a great total. A final flurry of runnnnnsss by Kirky and Tun Up, ensured that there would be plenty in reserve to bowl at.

Teas – Tony C organised a BBQ and we got stuck into the burgers. Job done, and no DBW special.

After the break, the Sunday team headed out to defend their strong total, and never looked in doubt from the off. Junaid and a rejuvenated Tun Up were masterful in the opening stanza, bowling line and length to bamboozle the batsmen. The runs were not flowing freely.

Things changed slightly when Sam Kemp and Tony C came to the crease. Sam bashed Whinney about to make a quick fire 48 runs, before being caught at cow by the skipper. Tony, who was also looking comfortable, made a positive start with the bat as well. However, his innings was cut short after being triggered for LBW when he was at least 5 foot outside his crease. Needless to say, Tony wasn’t happy, and said as much to the umpire as he left the pitch. I doubt they will be catching up for a beer sometime soon.

A late flurry of wickets from the Skipper, Imran and Vaider all but ensured that the Coaches XI fell 30 odd runs short of the total. It was a great game played with a tremendous spirit, and a big thank you must go to all of the coaches for coming out to play and to Tony C for organising. In all seriousness, these guys, and the other parents, do a terrific job in developing the next generation of colts at the Wick.

MOM: James Maddoc – Jones – made a composed 28 runs, took a catch, and threw a direct-hit run out. The future of the club - FACT TFC: The colts in the score box who were “too lively”.

Wickman Junior