Match Report - 2xi vs Old Paulines - by Joey B

"Old Ps delighted by DBW's 'special filling'" - Ed

Who Do You Think You are KIDding?

HWRCC 2xi vs Old Paulines
Old Paulines 156 (Fudge 4-17)
HWRCC 157-3 (High 56)
HWRCC wins by 7 wickets

Scorecard

Saturday saw the 2nd XI “welcome” OLD Paulines to the Wick for what turned out to be another clinical display.

OLD Paulines are a strange team, in that the team that plays against us in the home leg is never the team that plays in the away game. Their better players seem to enjoy coming to the Wick, perhaps it’s the setting, perhaps the egg mayo. I guess we will never know.

The eleven that did turn up on Saturday were are heady mix of BBC stars from the past and Channel 5 stars of the present. I am fairly sure that 2 members from Dads Army were playing and at least a further 4 or 5 from Neighbours.

Anyway let’s get down to business.

Fudgey lost the toss and rather bizarrely we were asked to field, on a wicket which looked like it might be best to bowl on first. Maybe their skipper Grant (who will from now on will be called Tavare) knew something we didn’t.

Leggsy opened up and continued where he left off last week, probing outside off stump and being generally too good. Vishva making his 2nd xi debut opened up the other end and was also on the money. Bar a few lusty blows from O’Reilly the bowlers had the upper hand. The same theme continued for the first 12 overs with both Leggsy and Vish continually beating the bat and the odd random four from O‘Reilly being hit.

Joey B replaced Leggsy and Fahad ( another 2nd xi debutant) replaced Vish after 12 overs and not much changed . Fahad was too quick and accurate for the batters whilst JB just probed outside off stump. It took until the 21st over to make the breakthrough and it was Tavare (10) who fell, deciding that the predicted end of the world due to arrive that evening was punishment enough for everyone and he would spare them another 29 overs of his batting. 54/1 became 54/2 when Fahad trapped Baldock LBW, too fast, too straight and Riley was given the simple task of just raising the “Goldfinger”. OLD Paulines were 55/2 after 25 at drinks.

Leggsy came back after drinks and immediately struck getting Kokri caught behind by the immaculate Copeland 59/3 and the WICK were well on top. A small partnership followed with O’Reilly continuing to punish anything over pitched and Sen trying to put every ball into the car park. That didn’t last long and Leggsy soon had him caught in the covers by Mackie 84/4.

OLD P’s continued to slowly accumulate runs almost exclusively from the bat of O’Reilly who moved nicely onto his half century. This saw Fudgey decide now was the time for him to chance his arm. It took until his 3rd over to strike when Gardner was expertly caught by Pinball in the gully, then next ball he had Hamilton LBW. The hatrick was not to be though 117/6.

Fahad returned to pick up O’Reilly for a well constructed 87, the catch taken by Vish at mid-on and OLD P’s were well in the mire at 141/7. Fudgey claimed another two wickets in two balls bowling Eyre and Clive Dunn, finishing with 4/17. Leaving the score 141/9. JB was allowed to try and pick up the last wicket which he did but not until after he had opened the buffet car and allowed Toadfish to take the score to 156. Toadfish was out for 22 leaving Captain Mannering undefeated on 2 at the other end.

Tea. Yet another new combo from DBW was unveiled, hard boiled eggs with bacon sprinkles to accompany the usual suspects. This seemed to be well received along with the fresh pasta, so an award of 9 this week seems fair.

Run down to the run chase.

We knew that getting off a good start was crucial, and Coley and Fudgey did just that. Fudgey was particularly severe on Kokri who had a penchant for bowling half trackers on leg stump. Toadfish was bowling a very tidy line at the other end but clearly cricket on Ramsey Street is played differently to that in the Surrey Champ and incessant appealing failed to endear him to the watching crowd. Clearly he was working on the theory if you keep asking eventually you will get, and that turned out to be the case as Fudgey was adjudged LBW. 42/1

This brought Charlie High to the crease and he was immediately at his brutal best dispatching balls to the boundary at will. None of the bowlers were able to restrain him and he brought up his 50 in no time with a lovely straight maximum. By the time he was eventually out (56) bowled by Toady the game was over and the Wick were 128/2. Coley fell a few balls later with Toady picking up his third but Mackie and AJ saw it home with the minimum of fuss and 17 overs left. The Wick won by 7 wickets and continued their move up the table.

With Woodmansterne away this weekend the 2s know continuing the winning run is crucial.

MOM - Charlie High for a brilliant 56 and taking the game away from OLD P’s in a flash. Mention must also go to Fudgey for his 4/17 and also Tanveer for 2/21 from his 8 overs on 2nd xi debut.

Match Report - Old Hamptonians vs 2xi - by Fudgey

"Police track down Old Hamptonians' covers" - Ed













CLOSE BUT NO MONTECRISTO

HWRCC 2xi 110 Charlie High 44 Old Hamptonians 111-7 Webster 5 for 19 Kidson 48* Old Hamptonians win by 2 wickets Scorecard

The 2s kicked off their league campaign on Saturday against Old Hamptonians. Having beaten Old Hamps three times in the last year we were confident that a fourth victory would be heading the Wicks way.

Old Hamps is a funny place to go as you would assume that being in the grounds of Hampton School the facilities would be out of the top drawer. Unfortunately for the second week running the wicket looked to have seen better days, we were informed that the local Pikeys had ripped the covers and rain had got through. It appeared more that the local pikeys had cut pieces out, maybe to decorate their caravans or wedding dresses.

We knew it was going to be a day where the toss may prove to be crucial, and in a way it proved to be so. Unfortunately the toss was lost and we were asked to make first use of the wet wicket.

The first few overs were navigated successfully but not without the odd problem due to the bowl leaping off a length or going along the ground from the same spot. Scowen was bowling well from the shallow end with his opening partner Blair doing the same from the deep end. The score had progressed nicely onto 10 when Coley straight drove one back at the bowler, who somehow managed to deflect it onto the stumps only to see Fudgey not quite make his ground and walk off despite the oppo umpire giving not out.

Coley & AJ moved the score onto 32 before Coley tried to work one to leg which straightened and he was caught via the leading edge. AJ followed next over after being cleaned up courtesy of an inside edge off Kidson. The Wick were struggling at 32-3. Worse was to follow shortly after as birthday boy Mackie contrived to glove one behind in an effort to leave it.

This brought Charlie High to the crease who along with Matt Kilner took the score on to 66 with an array of attacking yet controlled stroke play. Kilner was unlucky to get a near unplayable ball from Scowen which he did well to edge through to the keeper. The Wick were 66-5 and soon 66-6 when Zohaak was caught of the same bowler. What followed was Charlie hitting some lovely boundaries and everyone else struggling to keep him company, resulting in the Wick being dismissed for 110 in 28 overs and Charlie top scoring with a nice 44.

It was decided we would go straight back out as tea was not quite ready.

We knew quick wickets would be key and Webbo opened up the bowling like a man possessed getting the ball to go both ways and had both batsmen in trouble. His first over resulted in an edge behind which Harry diving one handed could not quite grasp. It did not take long of him to get in the wickets though as he produced a peach to remove Carson’s bails and another to bowl Stone. Old Hamps were 15-2, maybe, just maybe. Joey B was the next to break through as Mahadkar tried to drive on the up only to pick out the bucket hands of Fudge at cover (20-3). Webbo continued to produce the kind of balls that gave Mr Mcvitie an idea for the name for his orange and chocolate covered cakes and picked up another wicket to reduce Old Hamps to 24-4.

Tea was taken and the game was nicely in the balance.

Upon resumption Webbo (Riley) picked up his fourth and fifth wickets to reduce Old Hamps to 35-6 and we knew the game was there to be won. Then the moment which changed the game, Kidson who the previous week had chanced his arm and got away with it skied one off Webbo to Harry behind the sticks, unfortunately the ball met with the grass and Webbo had to be satisfied with a quite brilliant 5-19.

Despite Leggsy coming back on to pick up Blair and reduce Old Hamps to 65-7 The Wick never really looked like winning and courtesy of some lovely batting from Kidson 48* and some variable lines from the other bowlers Old Hamps chased down the target eight down.

A disappointing start to the season but one which may do more good than harm and hopefully allow us to kick on this weekend at home to Cranleigh.

2010 - WICK XI

1) Noman Ali

What a debut season from the WICKS new 1st XI Star. An ever present in the team, Noman amassed an impressive 66o runs in 16 league games at an average of 47 as well as taking 28 wickets at just over 20 a piece. This was Noman’s first season in England and he is already looking forward to even more success in 2011.

2) Matthew Goulborn

Matthew really benefited from a full season of cricket has he maintained fantastic form throughout the year. 440 league runs included a memorable hundred at home to Mitcham and he wasn’t done there. A regular member of the midweek side, he also notched three figures against the reliably strong, Wine Trade.

3) Nathan Singh

Nathan was the epitome of consistency in 2010 reaching double figures on all but two occasions in a total of 14 innings. With three scores in the 30’s and three others in the 40’s Nathan will be kicking himself that he didn’t manage a half century, but will be delighted with accruing 360 runs and his highest overall run total in a league season. Nathan is one of the most naturally destructive batsmen in the club and I am sure that the newly appointed 3rd XI skipper will build on last years efforts and lead from the front in 2011.

4) Kamran Raza

Kamran once again led from the front in the 1st XI year by contributing heavily with both bat and ball. Kammy scored a valuable 438 league runs, including 4 half centuries and reverting to off spin took 29 league wickets at under 20 a piece. Kamran’s bucket like hands also saw him take 11 catches and making him a nominee for the fielder of the year award.

5) Alex JacksonAJ represented a promotion pushing 2nd XI 14 times last year and contributed a healthy 364 runs from just 12 innings. AJ joined Goldy in a record stand of 178 against Mitcham by helping himself to a league hundred of his own. Batting at #5 AJ was not out 5 times as he often found himself taking apart the spinners and finishing off an innings. AJ finished 2010 with a healthy average of 45 and will be a key member of the team if the 2’s are to go at least one better and secure promotion in 2o11.

6) Joe Hirsch

This was the season the Joe really came of age and turned natural talent into regular runs. Joe amassed 275 in just 10 3rd appearances including two half centuries and contributed well to the 2nd XI when called up for duty. Joe will know doubt look to build on 2010‘s achievements and press on next year.

7) Harry Copeland +

Harry’s glove work improved out of sight in 2010 and a new found confidence saw him take a huge step forward. Harry plucked 12 important catches many of which that turned the game at vital times. Harry has the ability with both bat and ball to push for higher honours in 2011 and as he is already being touted as a 1st XI keeper of the future. Harry is a WICK star in the making and real asset to the club.

8) Graeme Tong

Graeme had the unenviable task of juggling opening the bowling for the 1st XI with being captain of the Sunday team yet he seemed to thrive under the pressure. A true club man Graeme finished a memorable 2010 with 46 wickets and over 250 runs for the club. Graeme led from the front in both teams but shone for the 1’s by taking 31 wickets at just 15 a piece. Graeme is the newly appointed 1st vice captain and will continue to steer the Sunday ship so 2011 promises to be equally as challenging.

9) Tom Donnelly

Tom broke the thirty league wicket barrier for the 1st time in 2010 as he led the 3rd XI attack with great pace and control. Tom finished in the leagues top 10 wicket takers and boasted three 5 wicket hauls in doing so. Tom’s 7/39 was the pick of the bunch as he tore through Oxted and Limpsfield’s top order.

10) Greg Unsworth

Greg was rewarded for a flying start to the season with a well deserved call up and new ball duties for the 1st XI by the end of the 2010 campaign. Greg bagged 9 wickets in his first 3 league games for the 2’s and continued to terrorize 1st and 2nd XI opening bats with late swing throughout the season. Greg finished with 26 league wickets at 19 a piece and signed off in style with 3 for 44 for the 1st XI against promotion pushing Battersea Ironsides.

11) Joey Breakwell

New signing Joey Breakwell joined the 2nd XI from promotion winning Brook and kicked on from where he left off with his former side by being bang amongst the wickets in 2010. Joey announced himself in just his 1st game by taking 4 for 24 against arch rivals Stoke D’Abernon and he followed that up with the seasons most remarkable figures of 10 over’s, 8 maidens 2 for 8 against Old Hamptonians. Only injury stopped Joey from taking league honours as his season was cut 4 games short. However 35 wickets at just over 11 was a great return in your first season for a new club.

WICK

MATCH REPORT - 2ND XI V'S CRANLEIGH C.C.

2'S SINGING LOUD & PROUD AS THEY STRETCH THEIR LEAD AT THE TOP...

With the hanging up of WICKMANS gloves, came the loss of his quill and match reports would soon become a thing to fear rather than a joy to behold.

2nd XI skipper Fudge declared with no obvious replacement in the ranks that with MOM honours would now come an added prize, the daunting task of writing the weeks match report!

Week three of the campaign saw us hit the road and venture away from fortress WICK for the first time this season. The 2nd XI and away games is an interesting combination, normally ending up in some form hilarity along the way as everybody tends to rely on everybody else to get us where we are going. This week was no exception. A three car convoy soon turned into two as we lost, Cronin, Goulborn & Unsworth in the blink of an eye. It did infact transpire that they were doing exactly what they had been told to do, and follow a black BMW 1 series. Unfortunately the one they had latched onto wasn’t their skippers and now still on the A3 and doing 70MPH they were nearer Portsmouth than Cranleigh. A quick call to Unsworth got them turned round and back on the right track. Although they missed the warm up including a light jog and strecth (was this intentional?) they made it for the fielding drills and were just in-time to see their skipper lose a 3rd staright toss.

Being a man who likes a flutter, I struggle to deal with the pure chance that is the toss of a coin. A 50/50 chance with no form that can be studied and relitively few factors that can determine the outcome. This week however I may have fallen victim to one of those factors, the dreaded roll!! The coin was given a decent spin, getting well above eye level before landing on a length, seeming away and just missing the off stump. My call of heads was assertive, however so was Cranleighs skippers handshake as he took the words right out of my mouth and declared they would bat.

Cranleigh is seemingly a very nice place, and to my delight the cricket ground apears be the centre of all activity. At the height of the day we must have been playing infront of more than 50 people (more than you get a most of Blackpool’s home games by all accounts) made up of experienced gentleman who had clearly played the game, elderly couples eating cucumber sandwishes in the shade, young ladies bathing their bodies in preperation for bodrum boozing and hoodie wearing youths more intent on playing loud music than clapping an exquisite cover drive. By the way, Cranleigh is lovely, but very LOUD!!

After much deliberation and discussion it transpires that Cranleigh is in fact a town twinned with “Louderkusen” in Germany and certainly tries to compete in the decible stakes. Trucks are definitely louder in Cranleigh, sirens are deffening and the ice cream van sounded more like a air raid siren as kids flocked away, rather than towards the inviting treats. Fielding first we competed with the noise and encouraged our bowlers to start with a bang.

Unsworth has been entrusted with the new ball this season and is yet to let the team down. Nagging lengths and subtle swing have been more than enough to trouble some good opening bats and along with Lown they started magnifecntly on what looked a belter of a track. After 4 maidens in a row, Lown struck first with a trademark in-swinging delivery that deceived the batsman before striking him on the back leg, bang in-front of all three. Cranleigh’s umpire took on a bit of the Rudi Koertzen’s and proceeded to give the opener the slow finger of death. Number 2 would fall shortly after as Lown produced one to go the other way and grab an outside edge that Harry Copeland took with the minimum of fuss.

Cranleigh then proceeded to lose their heads when all around them were keeping theirs. Cronin announced his arrival back into the team with a direct hit run out and McMullan teamed up with Copeland to dislodge the charging Trawber with another great piece of fielding.

The WICK were well on top, but a period between the two much needed drinks breaks offered Cranleigh hopes of a setting a decent target. I’m not sure whether it was the heat (serioulsy hot by now) or ice crean sirens still still ringing in peoples ears, but we decided to hemorrhage extras which would eventually ended up 2nd top scorer.

We did recover well however, and it was nice to see Cole back to the lines and lengths that contributed to him winning player of the year in 2009. His tight spell, along with equally impressive displays from Lown, Unsworth & Breakwell supported Webster and McMullan who put in 110% effort without bowling the best spells of their season. We have excellent attack that bowls asa team and the team is dove tailing brilliantly at the moment. Long may it continue.

Tea is always a big talking point as we have some hungry lads in the side, yet it transpires in our team, that one mans trash is somehow another mans treasure.

My view on tea is a simple one; it has to be fresh, preferably home made and have plenty available (see hungry lads). What I don’t want is to be made to feel like I’m at a 9 year olds birthday party having just had a swim in the Kingfisher and am now faced with cold pizza, bowls of skips and orange squash you could stand your spoon up in. I’m sorry if my view doesn’t represent those of the entire team but I think I am being generous when I offer up a 3 out of 10, and only because the rosie was PG tips.

The WICK 2nd XI are what I call a proper cricket team. We have new ball bowlers that bowl with pace and movement, 1st and 2nd changes that bowl to a plan with skill and spinners that produce craft and guile. I wish I could say the same for Cranleigh. Cranleigh like most other teams (Oxted and Old Hamptonians apart) start with slow bowlers off long run-ups and their attacks get progressively slower as the innings goes on. These are tactics that work for a couple of weeks in late April and early May but not on hard decks throughout the rest of the season. I urge teams like Cranleigh to shop around for a couple of bowlers who can bend their backs and get the ball above stump height. I would rather toss the new cherry to a lively 15 year old than waste an expensive new ball on spinners in a hurry. I fear it could be a long season for the team from “Loudsville”.

Our reply started with a Crash, Bang and Wallop in-keeping with our noisy surroundings. Cole & Goulborn benefiting from a decent track and some wayward bowling racked up a 50 partnership in no time at all, before Cole (28) was well caught at backward point. Fudge joined Goulborn and after a “pad related injury” he soon joined in with the boundary hitting bonanza. 3 in one particularly enjoyable over saw him dispatch the off-spin of Hiru with 3 successive sweeps to the rope and brought up the 100 for the loss of just 1 wicket. Goulborn who still admits he is not 100% happy with his game (we know when he is because 3 figures follow shortly after) still contributed a well made 42 before walking across his stumps and having his leg pole knocked out of the ground. Jackson (38*) joined the skipper (60*) for another well made partnership and the pair brought the team home by 8 wickets.

The most enjoyable aspect of the win was the contribution of the batsman and the speed and conviction in which we chased the total down. A team that has been bailed out of trouble by its bowling attack suddenly has another string to its bow and sitting 7 points clear at the top of the table the 2nd XI look to have only just got out of 2nd gear.

At the start of the season, we set ourselves a target of 3 wins from the first 4 limited over’s games. If we can make that 4 we will be well set and looking forward to making a real noise in the month of June.

MOM - Fudge

WICK

Match Report: HWRCC 2xi vs Stoke D'Abernon

"Pigs in the apple pie"

Report by Alex Jackson Esq

Well. That was quite some Saturday. It's not often you play through seven hours of howling winds, p*ssing rain, freezing cold, and end up actually enjoying it, especially after being bowled out for 124!!

But that was our lot against Stoke D'Abernon at the Wick on Saturday.

Our regular opening pair from last season (Goldy and Coley) got proceedings underway and both looked comfortable early on. The pitch was greasy on top, firm underneath and the ball definitely did a bit in the air. Stoke D'Ab opened up with a colt at one end, and a member of the Goonies cast at the other, but neither seemed to cause too many problems.

Coley middled everything straight to fielders, while Goldy hit everything between gully and backward point, and having been dropped twice to the same shot (you don't need me to tell you what it was), Golby was eventually caught in the gully playing at a ball at least 2 seconds before it arrived. Last year's player of the year followed soon after. 39-2.

Fudgey and AJ tried to consolidate. Both struggled for timing on what was becoming a very difficult pitch to score on. Having started to find his touch and middle, the skipper murdered one straight at cover before trying to call AJ through for a suicidal single. Aware of my Vedran Corluka-like running abilities, I had no choice other than to send him back. Slipping on the greasy top, Fudgey was run out by a matter of inches [Let's see a replay of that - Ed] and was on his way back to the hutch. I sought both Goldy and Breakwell's affirmation that there definitely wasn't a single there...

Gatesey came in for his for first league knock since his latest self imposed four year exile. It didn't last long. Gatesy slapped one straight to the same cover fielder who accounted for Fudgey. Joe Hirsch came and went, playing a daft flick for no reasonable reward, caught at midwicket.

We were self imploding. 77-5.

150 was suddenly looking like a good score. Del Boy came in, and slapped his first ball straight down Stoke's rather chunky midwicket fielder's throat. He dropped it. As he did to at least 5 other dollies... ok, it was like a bar of soap, but these drops were to prove costly.

Having bored all and sundry (27 off 77 balls, one our) and making a former WICK left hander look like David Gower, I fell to their offie, caught at first slip. 95-6.

Del decided that the only shot to play on this track was the sweep off middle stump, and having survived two extremely good lbw shouts, he started finding the middle. Crucial runs they were too. Del ended up with 22 not out, as Leggsy, Breakwell, Tid and Webbo fell for not many between them.

There were some soft dismissals and we struggled to put away a lot of full tosses. Fudgey summed it up when he said they got what they deserved (they bowled well - full and straight) and we probably got what they deserved, showing signs of being very rusty and a lack of any real game plan in conditions that clearly didnt suit. We thought we were 30 short of being competitive.

We were wrong.

Tid and Leggsy opened up. Both took a few overs to find their stride, but both bowled maginifcently once they found it.

Leggsy got the first breakthrough, getting one to bite off a length to catch the edge of their opener's brand new Newbery, only for it to fly straight into the safe hands of AJ in the second gully. Lightning almost struck twice four overs later when I grassed a tougher chance away to my left. My first drop in over two seasons of league cricket.

Before we knew it, they were 36-1 off 18 overs and behind the run rate!! Webbo and Joey Breakwell entered the attack and bowled superbly from the off. Once Webbo managed to control the swing he found a great line and length which neither of their bats could lay a bat on. Having struggled with his turtle doves in the first ten overs, Gatesy took two absolute blinders in as many overs to get us right back in the game. 42-3.

Drinks soon followed, and the required run rate was creeping up near 3 an over. First 25 to the Wick.

Breakwell bowled beautifully in his first outing for the wick (despite wearing the same Teddington shirt he proudly wore for Brook all of last season...), swinging and nipping off the seam. His first two overs were maidens, and his third was a wicket maiden. Well played.

At 77-5 we needed wickets. Stoke D'Ab had a couple of hefty middle order bats, who all tried to hurry up proceedings. Easier said than done on that track. Tid returned to take the wicket of one bat who threatened to take the game away from us, bowling a nagging length which was slapped straight to the grateful hands of Webbo (though I have to say, I did have Farncombe and the two hundred runs his two drops cost us last year on my mind...;)).

Coley came on and bowled unchanged to the end. Their Chunky fielder came in and said he would hurry things up (I politely told him that if he hadn't shelled 5 chances we would all be up in the bar by now... he didn't see the funny side of that). Having middled one four, and swung at everything else, he eventually fell heaving at Coley, allowing Gatesey to take the sharpest of stumpings. 96-7.

A lot of what followed remains a bit of a blur. I remember Leggsy taking a horribly high catch, changing his hands from fingers down to fingers up mid air (on the advice of Fudgey!). I remember Coley making an absolute mess of a high one, jumping over it, and allowing the batsmen to come back for three. I remember it being pitch black.

Goldy shelled their opener who was still blocking out of it at one end, one of the easiest catches you'll see spilled this season. Fact. Game over?

At 117-7 with three overs to go, we were still in it, though I don't think any of us really felt they would screw this up. They did. Their opener finally fell, hooking Breakwell straight to Joe Hirsch, who took a fabulous catch on the run. Next ball Breakwell cleaned up their colt opening bowler with an absolute peach. 117-9 with three overs remaining. Come on the Wick!

They took a single early on in Coley's pre-penultimate over. This exposed their member of the Goonies cast, who somehow blocked out the final four balls of the over.

Two overs to go, seven needed. They were just behind the required rate.

Breakwell to bowl. Their bat was circumspect for the first three balls. Probably cos he couldn't get near JB. He then started to panic. Could the Goonie really get the last 7 off Leggsy in near darkness?

Last ball of the over their bat had a huge heave, but middled it straight at Joe Hirsch. What a catch my son! Two priceless catches more than atoned for his earlier dismissal. The boys exploded. What a win! 6 runs too many... told you Del's runs were crucial.

But it was the bowlers wot won it. Their figures alone will suffice. Leggsy 9-25-1, Tid 10-18-1, Webbo 10-21-2, Coley 10-22-2 and an amazing debut from Breakwell 10-24-4.

One game down, one win down. Great start to the season, fingers crossed for better batting and better weather.

Man of the match - Breakwell.

[Here's Stoke's report. No mention of Goonies - Ed]