TEAM NEWS - WED 9TH JUNE

WICK T20 V KEMPTON C.C. (HOME)

WED 9TH JUNE

17:30 START

1) Rashid
2) High
3) Mackie
4) Raza
5) Fudge ©
6) Whinny
7) Holland +
8) Marfleet
9) Tong
10) Selves
11) Charlton

WICK

Bogey Team Strike Again... 1xi vs West End

Match Report by Sir Matty of D

Bolton Wanderers are generally considerred to be a bogey team for Arsenal. It used to be Liverpool, with Robbie Fowler seemingly always scoring hat tricks against us. My well informed Spurs supporting friends inform me that Wolves are the team they hate playing. Tottenham always boss them, but somehow manage to always lose 1-0. Wigan don't like playing Chelsea (although who does?), Birmingham always come up short against Villa, and HWRCC always seem to struggle against West End Esher. Its written in the stars.

Davies, Ali, Rashid, Raza, Crowther, Cronin, High, Ewen, Tong, Holland+, Unsworth.

HWRCC bated first and lost Davies early on to a ball he should have ducked, opting instead to glove it behind. Ali and Rashid then combined to move the score along to a healthy 72 before Ali holed out on the boundary. This brought Raza to the crease whose 70 from 64 balls was the batting highlight of the day - a masterclass in running 2s and manouvering the ball. A lack of support from the middle order, Cronin being a run a ball 21 exception, meant Kam was unable to relax and fell just at the time when a few lusty hits would have taken the game beyond West End. As it was, Ewen's 200% strike rate and some Tongshan scoops moved the score on to a more than respectable 221. The track was a road and did nothing once the shine left the cherry. The outfield was like corrugated iron, but also glass. Glass corrugated iron if you will.

Teas - same. The bread especially soft and the egg especially smelly. I do seem to rememebr some bacon rashers also - that was a pleasant surprise.

221 was 20 runs shy, but more than enough to win, and it would take some getting. The missing Tughral would be a concern and a track suited to spin, but such is a long season that you can't have everyone available all of the time.

Ewen was on the money first up, bossing his way to the first nut, lbw with the score on 5. The followed the 'story'. As Sisso pointed out to me a few years ago, only losers tell stories, whilst winners celebrate. Well, heres the story....

To compare the stand out innings for West End with Raza's, would be like comparing Wayne Rooney with Wayne Hemmingway. Raza's innings wasn't perfect, but the innings of West End Esher #3 was the single luckiest knock I think I've ever seen. He played and missed more times than he will have been pleased with and the ball hit him and squirmed around the stumps at least 10 times. It was frustrating stuff to watch but he made the most of his opportunity which is the key reason that West End won what would have been a tight encounter. Left me wondering what I had to do to miss that bouncer and get 75 of my own runs...

Having said that, he was dropped twice, one almost impossible (Ewen's leavers being the only reason you would consider it a chance) and the other swooshing over 2nd slip's head. He was dropped right at the end also, but the game was up by then, so that doesn't count. In complete contrast, the other opener batted very well - not perfect by any means (a penshant for lollipops over cover), but showed very good discipline against a probing Wick attack. The #4, probably their best bat, also was impressive with his 30, hitting the ball hard and straight.

The Wick in the field? Not bad. Aside from the drops mentioned above, the catching was sound, and given the state of the outfield the fielding was as committed as it could have been. Maybe 15 runs could have been saved... The bowling however was as always excellent. Ewen in particular showing great control and beating the bat too many times to be real - we went throguh every emotion: confidence, frustration, embarassment, frustration again, anger, resignation, insanity and then indifference, as it became obvious that this was the #3's day and that was that.

In conclusion a very good game of cricket. A typical game of cricket in fact. You don't always get what you deserve, but lets not take anything away from West End, who chased 221 against our attack, and in good time as well. I'm left, on Sunday morning, wondering about the distribution of luck... some guys have all of it...

3s let another team off the hook...

Hampton Wick 3RD XI - 145 all out - Singh 34

lost to Old Emanual

146-7 - Ewan 4 for 31 off 11 overs.

They say a week is a long time in cricket circles (they don't really - i've never ACTUALLY heard anyone say that...but it is certainly something someone might say if prompted). This week has been no exception. Availability was so GOOD for the match against Oxted and Limpsfield that even the skipper couldn't get a match. However, for this week's match against Old Emanual, it was uncertain whether the 3s would even get a side out on the field, let alone 11 players.

After some 11th hour phone calls, 11 players were sourced for this game against league leaders old emanuel. A few colts were drafted in and golfing great Adam Crane even managed to sneak into the side. It was a mismash team if ever this writer had seen one, but could they pull off a surprise victory? No, as it happens, they couldn't....

After winning his first toss of the season, Skipper Jimmy C opted to bat on a relatively slow and flat deck. Conditions were muggy, but with just 10 players at the ground at this point, the intention was to bat Old Emmanuel out of the game. This strategy appeared to be working well when Risso and Dick started the innings. The Wick's most charismatic men got off to a fantastic start. Risman and Ewan took their openers by storm, flashing some beautiful off-side cuts and drives, taking the Wick to 70-odd for no loss after 23 overs. The perfect platform for Nathan, Crane and Kemp to build on for a strong score. 200+ was looking a very real possibility.

The opening partnership was soon brought to an end after Adam Selves decided he'd seen enough of Rizzo at the crease. Raising his finger for LBW for one that Risso came well forward to, did little to endear himself to Old Soft Hands, who seemed set for a big innings. Jimmy C will need to put more thought into who does the umpiring in future perhaps.

However, with Nathan and Dick now at the crease, the scoreboard ticked over nicely. At 90-odd for 1, a tiring Ewan managed to cut one to the fielder at point, who took a splendid catch. 90-2. Bilal "billy boy" and colt Robbie Oliver then fell in quick succession and suddenly the 200+ figure seemed to be a little far fetched. 110-4.

Jimmy C and Nathan started to get the runs going again, until Nathan splayed at a wide one he sould have left well alone. His score of 36 runs could so easily have been 80-odd, but again a rash shot when it wasn't needed got the better of him. This commentator feels that Nathan is one innings away from becoming a really good batsman again, but just needs that little bit of temperament when out in the middle.

Nathan's dismissal then brought about a ridiculous batting collapse. Kemp and Crane both were dismissed after the bowler exploited a damp patch on the wicket, forcing the ball to keep low, knocking the stumps over. While the skipper try to stay in a bat the overs out and creep up to a defendable score, he ran out of partners as Selves, Smith and Smith were all dismissed cheaply. 145 all out was such a disappointing score given that the 3s were 90-odd for 1.

145 runs would surely never be enough on such a pitch to defend, and when Emanuel had reached 60-odd for 1 after 20 overs, it seemed a formality that they would go on to win easily. To the Wick's credit, this did not happen. Far from it. After Graham (i need to be wrapped in cotton wool) smith went off the field with a bad back, Dick Ewan grabbed the ball. His first delivery produced a wicket. Caught and bowled. 3-70.

With Jimmy at the other end keeping the runs to a minimum, Dick set about destroying the oppo. Old Emmanual's batsmen appeared to be very unsure with the bat, and as Dick applied the verbal pressure on them, they lost another 4 wickets. Old Emmanual now seemed set to lose the match at 100-7. Surely it would be a formality.

The game possibly turned on one umpiring decision. An appeal for LBW was turned down after the batsman offered no shot to Ewan's bowling, striking him on the pad in front of off stump. To say that Dick couldn't believe the decision was an understatement...and he wasn't best pleased. Dick's outbursts have been great to watch over the last few years, and this was no exception. It's why he's so loved in the team. FACT.

Sadly, despite Ewan's heroics, Old Emmanual's skipper batted with too much sensibility from then on in. With 30-odd not out, he helped squeeze them over the line to take the points in the end. It was a disappointing end to the match, after coming back to positively into the game.

Looking back, an extra 50-odd runs from the Wick's innings should have been enough to win the match, but the batting collapse cost the match. Like the game against Old Tiffs, the 3s have been in very strong positions and have let these opportunities slide again to lose from the jaws of victory. For a side that is more than good enough for promotion, this will have to be rectified if there is to be any change of fortune, but the belief remains.

Wickman Junior

TEAM NEWS - SAT 6TH JUNE

HWRCC 1ST XI V West End Esher (Home)

1) Ali
2) Davies
3) Rashid
4) Raza ©
5) Crowther
6) High
7) Cronin
8) Holland +
9) Tong
10) Ewen J
11) Unsworth

Umpire: K. Nicholls
Scorer: A. Whicher

Meet: 12:00
Start: 13:30

HWRCC 2ND XI V Godalming (Away)

1) Cole
2) Goulborn
3) Fudge ©
4) Madoc-Jones J
5) Jackson
6) Hirsch
7) Soppitt
8) Copeland +
9) Breakwell
10) Donnelly
11) Charlton

Umpire: S. Riley
Scorer: N/A

Meet: 11:00
Start: 13:00

HWRCC 3RD XI V Old Emanuel (Away)

1) Risman
2) Ewen R
3) Singh
4) Kemp +
5) Crane
6) Edmonds
7) Cameron ©
8) TBC
9) Selves
10) TBC
11) Smith

Umpire: N/A
Scorer: N/A

Meet: 11:30
Start: 13:00

Good luck to everyone involved...

WICK

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

Weather dampens spirits and drenches leagues only unbeaten record…

Cricket; From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - “Cricket is a sport played predominantly in the drier periods of the year. But, even so, the weather is a major factor in all cricket matches. A scheduled game of cricket cannot be played in wet weather. Dampness affects the bounce of the ball on the wicket and is a risk to all players involved in the game.”

There should be a caveat to this statement that reads something along the lines of; “But not in England and not in May”

I suppose the clue is in the equipment that we use. Wood and leather are notoriously un-happy creatures in the wet and so it transpired are Hampton Wick 2nd XI as they lost their unbeaten record to web-footed Farncombe.

It’s a horrible feeling, having done the usual thing and spent all week wishing the days away, desperately looking forward to a game of cricket, only to arrive at the ground and find that the weekends forecast had for once materialized. With the prospect of any play looking as bleak as that mythical area behind the trees and towards Hampton Court that seems grabs everyone’s attention the moment the word rain is mentioned, our thoughts soon turned to an afternoon playing Royal Cricket, Crazy Golf and Beer Pong.

Various attempts to remove our high-tech covers (!) at the slightest sight of any break in the cloud were thwarted by instant downpours and aggressive winds until approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes after the scheduled start time when umpire, Stephen Riley eventually called play. The long delay meant that the game was reduced to 38 over’s per side and suddenly thoughts were turned to working out what would be a competitive target in such atrocious conditions? Captain Fudge won a toss for the 1st time this season and we should have known there and then that this just wasn’t going to be our day.

With a member of the 2nd XI’s top 4 (who will remain nameless) currently courting a Sky Weather girl (who will remain nameless) we had inside knowledge into exactly what the weather would do for the remainder of the day. We had it on good authority that the day was destined to get better with brighter, dryer spells this afternoon leaving us with no option but to bowl first.

Webster and Lown took the new ball and whereas Lown struggled to find his length and gifted one opener full balls to ease through the covers, Webster was bang on the money and prompted the other opener to knick off to Cole at 1st slip. Despite Breakwell replacing Lown and grabbing no.2 well taken, by keeper Gates, Farncombe had got off to a flying start and suddenly with the ball starting to resemble a bar of imperial leather it was going to be crucial that the WICK took wickets at regular intervals to stem the flow and restrict the visitors to a total we could chase.

Fortunately we created these chances, unfortunately and uncharacteristically we were unable to take them. 4 catches were shelled that should have been taken and innings that should have been cut short were allowed extended sentences. Webster, Breakwell and Cole bowled with skill in difficult conditions but in limited over’s cricket you need more than 3 bowlers to shine and certainly fielders to back them up. 186/6 was a very decent score however if ever there was ever a week we could chase such a target in so few over’s this was surely the one with ample batting a small boundary and tough bowling conditions all in our favour.

I needn’t waste any column inches about tea, as you have all had your fair share and I don’t need to teach you lot to suck egg mayo. They are the best in the league (FACT) and thoroughly enjoyed by all opposition that visit Café DBW.

So on with the chase. The happily married Cole opened up with the WICKS most eligible bachelor Goulborn as we were looking for a positive start. Unfortunately like previous weeks our openers struggled to put away the bad ball and an all ready healthy rate was increasing sharply from as early as the 3rd over. Farncombe’s openers were brisk enough and were now benefiting from a dry ball and a lively deck. The ball wasn’t the only thing that swung as conditions were now in their favour and Goulborn would get bowled by a sharp ball nipping back from the impressive Bray.

Bray bowled with pace and bounce and welcomed skipper Fudge, to the crease with a barrage of short pitched stuff, most of which he ducked and weaved out of the way of until he was tempted into a hook and a top edge saw it carry to deep backward square. DOWN!! Fudgey who is happily settled down with his girlfriend of 4 years had received a let off. Could he go on and make Farncombe pay just as their batsman had done to us? No is answer and his failure to convert “another” decent start was compounded by the loss of Cole (C&B 19) and Sky TV contractor, Jackson (batting 4) to a 1st ball duck.

The WICK were reeling on 40/4. Crowther, fresh from his Caribbean exploits made heavy weather of things and failed to trouble the scorer and when Wright had lost another partner in Gates and he was left to bludgeon his way to 20 with just the last recognized batsman, Soppitt for company. The pair threatened to get a partnership going before a rusty Wright held out to mid-on. Cue utter frustration bought about by another change to conditions and a sudden shower that rendered the ball useless.

Suddenly the Farncombe attack that had looked threatening all afternoon was suffering the same fate as our own earlier in the day. Soppitt convinced the WICK tail to wag and first Breakwell and then Lown offered the experienced no. 8 valuable support. Farncombe were suddenly rendered clueless and one bowler (Honeywill) even resorted to baseball style pitching, but to the same null affect. Soppitt took full advantage and swept, pulled and scampered his way to 71*.

One WICK player asked the skipper, if he “had ever seen Soppitt bat this well before?” I replied “I have had the pleasure of watching this type of resilient performance for the last 17 years”. Soppitt is batsman who knows his limitations but also knows how to play a situation and score in his areas. His performance on Saturday should be a lesson to at least 4 of our top 7 batsman who returned an unsatisfactory 2 runs between them. The lesson read simply; Regardless of the amount of talent you have, if you don’t know your own game you are always going to struggle to convert talent into runs. I wouldn’t swap the talent in my batting line-up for any other in the league but quite simply, cricket is a game of stats and some of our players stats just don’t add up.

The WICK mustered a respectable 160/8 form their 38, a score that should have been good enough to win the game had we not shelled as many chances as we did.

Our first defeat of the season was a difficult one to take, but an easy one to explain, however still sitting in the automatic promotion places we go into the next 9 time games in a far healthier position than we were this time last year.

MOM – Soppitt

Soppitt (above) was unable to complete this week’s match report due to a sudden boom in the 2nd hand car market.

1xi Match Report by Matty D

Sanderstead 1XI v HWRCC 1XI @ Old Saw Mill, Sanderstead.

Davies, Ali, Rashid, Raza*, Mackie, High, Cronin, Tong, Holland+, Tughral, Unsworth

Umpire Nicholls, Scorer Whitcher.

Call me weird, but the highlight of my week is not the game of cricket I have on Saturday afternoon. Rather, it's that time about 11am on Saturday when the anticipation of a game of cricket is too much. Not only that, but I also get to drive my car for often the only time in the week as I have the dreaded commute into town (it's a long bloody way to Hackney from Teddington, especially by bike). This week however my routine was in disarray as I was forced to 'go direct' due to a tragic quirk of fixtures and girlfriend birthday celebrations (she lives in Queens Park - google it). As many have said this year: 'Build up your credit before the world Cup'. Wise words indeed.

I arrived at Sanderstead before the Wick convoy(s), looking decidedly like a walk of shame candidate in school shoes and black trousers. I was even there before most of the home team, opting for a leisurely train journey with Telegraph in hand. The track on first inspection looked a bit soft on top although hard beneath. There was however a lot of grass and covers which had clearly been on overnight and left the surface warm and damp, matching the air. The ground is very pleasant, although the pavillion is a little hidden away in a corner in the dark - a bit of a shame.

The rain was persistent, and soon enough the covers were reapplied by the home team, and there they stayed for a good while. Mackie's late arrival, and Tong/Whitcher/Nichols' almost non-arrival proved to be no loss as there was to be lots of sitting around. I was decidedly bored - so much so that I opted at one point to venture out into the rain to explore the surrounding fields. I didn't find much. Not my best story.

The rain stopped just after 3pm and the covers were removed. The outfield was wet, but the track dry and as we were high drainage was good. Play would begin at 1545, a surreal moment given the downpour that we had sat through in the previous 3 hours.

Raza lost the toss and we were put in unsurprisingly. Wick would get 33 overs max, with Sanderstead getting 24 (if we batted 33). Not an ideal scenario for anyone, but as with most things cricket related, the game is played inside your head. If you can keep that bit in control, more often than not you will prevail, providing you have some kind of talent (which we do). Having to bat first on an unknown track, against a team of hitters, on a damp day, knowing that their could either get our score, or easily block out 20 overs if necessary for a draw, wasn't exactly an exciting prospect for us. However, there were points up for grabs, so game on.

That's four paragraphs setting the scene, and I haven't even got onto the match yet. [Yes, got on with it. This is worse than one of Clark's - Ed]

Davies and Ali opened up and the ball started doing all sorts. A few flew past Davies' face, and a few over it off the quickie. At the other end, some slight wobble was also resulting in plays and misses. Davies however did manage some sweetly timed shots, surprisingly off his legs. Ali, loosely caught at mid off was first to go. The rate slowed. Davies then was caught off a classc edge with 26 (probably worth double given the conditions and the slow outfield) [Correspondent's preorgative again eh Matty? - Ed]. Rashid didnt last much longer, an lbw decision he moaned about for a good few hours.

Raza and Mackie then combined well for a decent middle order partnership, taking the score towards 80 on a track that was lively to say the least. You were never in, with some balls behaving like salmon swimming upstream. Mackie caught at mid off (surprisingly?) was followed by High who ballooned one to cover. Cronin then managed to time one to deep mid-wicket, and then Tong middled his only ball straight back down the bowler's Gregory. This was a classic collapse, everyone being caught seemingly trying to hit the ball in the air on a track that demanded more commitment.

Raza then got one that reared at him (see the salmon comment) and we were staring down the barrell. In honesty, I dont think anyone knew what a good score was at the start of the innings. 140 was probably considered par, but at 30-0 off 4 overs, we were looking for that and more. Credit goes to Holland and Tughral who added some critical hits at the end, even if their running between the wickets needs working on.

111 all out off 32 overs. Nelson. On the face of it a below par score. It looked as if we'd capitulated and given the points to Sanderstead. However, as we've proved time and time again, and as Nicholls often says, we don't make things easy for ourselves, but invariably we come out on top.

Teas: Fairly basic, lots of children's party food that Fudge I know would disapprove of. Sausage rolls, scotch eggs, one slice ham sandwiches etc etc. 3/10.

The weather hadn't really cleared up by this point, although the temperature had gone up slightly and the Surrey Downs in the distance were no longer obscured by hazy rain. It looked as if we would get a result. With Sanderstead needing 112 to win off 25 overs. Easy.

Tong opened up. Ball 5 was sent over cover's head like a rocket, straight to the boundary. The home side cheered rapturously, as their veranda filled with locals in support. However, ball 6 lifted just outside off stump and was pouched behind the wicket - Dougall (Tong) celebrated like a dog with 3 balls to lick and the boys rallied, knowing one of their guns was out.

Next over Ali bowled 2 away pearlers, followed by a searing inducker. Bowled. 5-2. Absolutely game on. Sanders rallied somewhat with the classy #3 looking to take the game to Tong, although he was having none of it. Some excellent words were exchanged. Ali then had #3 snaffled by Rashid at gooley and we were probably on top.

The only player for Sanderstead who reached double figures was the #4 saffa. Despite being plumb on about 10, he rode his luck well and stayed leg side of the ball. Ali in particular made a few sing as they jigged their way past the bat and various body parts.

Just as Raza was contemplating a change, another wicket fell. To be honest it was a bit of a blur here after. The pitch was so bad that the cheers from Sanderstead soon become nervous silence as a procession of low scores (matching the HWRCC innings) materialised, invariably caught in various locations.

Holland dropped a very difficult chance, and Davies a difficult (but not very difficult) one at 2nd slip. Having said that, Mackie was dropped as well, so in terms of chances I think both teams were about even.

With 3 overs to go, Sanderstead found themselves on 78, needing 7 for a winning draw, an unlikely 30 odd for a win, and the Wick sensing victory needing one more. Surprisingly the final 3 overs were alarmless for Sanderstead. It turned out that in the main if you didnt want to hit any runs, it was easy to stay in, as the balls that went bezerk went so bezerk that they were never going to hit the stumps. Many wickets on both sides were claimed off attacking shots.

Sanderstead ened up on 80-9, HWRCC claiming a winning draw. A ridiculous result that belies conventional wisdom on reduced overs games, but supports the premise that cricket is played in the mind.

MOM Tong. 13-2-28-5. He's not back to his best yet, but 5-28 is pretty good for someone still searching.

HWRCC find themselves in 5th after 4 games, perhaps lower then we would have liked to have been. This game could have been won, but if we show this spirit every week we will be fine. Incidentally, taking aside the Shepperton fixture (who we didn't play last year), our 3 games against Horley, Sanderstead and Merrow have been more successful in 2010 than in 2009 (LLW in 2009, WwDlD in 2010). On that basis we're ahead of last year and on track for a real push at promotion. West End beat us in 2009, so we'll be looking to continue the trend of improving on 2009 results next week.

The game is at home, so I won't be driving, but I will probably be the first there again...

ats

TEAMS - SAT 29TH MAY 2010

HWRCC 1ST XI V Sanderstead (Away)

1) Ali 2) Davies 3) Rashid 4) Raza © 5) Mackie 6) High 7) Crowther 8) Holland + 9) Tong 10) Tughral 11) Unsworth

Umpire: K. Nicholls Scorer: A. Whicher

Meet: 11:15 Start: 13:30

HWRCC 2ND XI V Farncombe (Home)

1) Cole 2) Goulborn 3) Fudge © 4) Jackson 5) Cronin 6) Wright 7) Gates + 8) Soppitt 9) Breakwell 10) Lown 11) Webster

Umpire: S. Riley Scorer: N/A

Meet: 12:00 Start: 13:00

HWRCC 3RD XI V Oxted & Limpsfield (Home)

1) Risman 2) Ewen R 3) Hirsch 4) Singh 5) Lloyd © 6) Copeland H + 7) McMullan 8) Crane 9) Donnelly 10) Charlton 11) Smith

Umpire: N/A Scorer: N/A

Meet: 12:00 Start: 13:00

Good luck to everyone involved...

WICKWASH

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

Fantasy cricket up to week 3

Match Report: HWRCC 1xi v Horley CC 1xi

Wick 1XI make Saturday a Happy Day!

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days!
Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days!
Thursday, Friday, Happy Days
Saturday, MattyD, a match report for youuuuuu!

Davies, Ali, Rashid, High, Raza*, Mackie, Whinney, Ewen, Tughral, Tong, Holland+

CWOR! How hot was that! Im was sweating like… no, I won’t go there. Saturday was one of the days you remember at the end of the season. Not for the cricket – that was a distraction at times – rather the other things. My day included sun, beer, football, shopping for cheese, tunes, changing light bulbs, patting dogs and fried chicken. And I got a decent Peter Pan (suntan). It was 26 degrees at 10am, so Lord knows how hot it was at 1330…

MattyD: Lord, how hot was it at 1330 on Saturday?
The Lord: Check the Beeb website you lazy ****
MattyD: ….Harsh

Raza won another toss and chose to bowl. It has generally worked thus far, so why change a winning formula. Raza is a great tosser.

In an unchanged team, the new ball this week went to Tong and Ewen. Tong broke through in the second over, clean bowled. Horley then stabilised with some true hitting through the line. The track was pretty hard and true, encouraging some attacking shots.

Ali came on earlier than usual and broke through first ball, Raza snaffling one at silp. There was some lovely shape (Ali’s bowling, not Raza’s hips) and in the main the ball was kept full and threatening.

Horley #3 and #4 both looked dangerous customers. Both had time. However after some tight overs and some choice words for one or two fielders, the breakthrough came. #4 miscued a flick off his legs and Davies scrambled to dive forward a square leg to take a one hander diving to his right. Cue camp celebrations….

That was a game changer as an improving Tughral had the new man caught at 2nd slip by ol’ Bucket Hands Ewen. Ali then followed up with a searing Yorker to remove the #3, leaving Horley adrift of respectability at 52-5. Raza, replacing Ali, found some edges and at 87-8 the Wick were sitting pretty. As is often the case, a frustrating lower order partnership emerged, #10 hitting some hard and handsome (one over the sightscreen) to drag Horley to 123 all out.

Teas – 10/10. Dave experimented with fois gras and Duck pate, followed by a delightful salad nicoise. I am of course a hilarious fibber. 6/10, nothing new, although I would comment that the Tuna ‘thing’ lacked some mayonaisseness.

Davies and Ali opened up the response. Almost without alarm they continued their recent good form. Ali in particular taking most of the strike and indeed hitting most of the runs. A few ugly heaves were in there, but why not? Everyone loves a good heave! A partnership of 110 tells its own story – Ali scoring 70. Davies fell next over caught to a blinder on the mid-wicket boundary (again) and Rashid/High were left to do the necessaries. High not baying to the balcony cries to clear the clubhouse to seal the 20 points.

In conclusion a thoroughly enjoyable and professional win, albeit an extremely one-sided affair.

MOM – Ali for his bowling, although Davies’ catch did turn the game.

3rd XI let Old Tiffs off the hook

Old Tiffs 227/9 Dec. off 50.5 overs. Charlton 3/33 off 10.

defeated

Hampton Wick 188 all out. Joe Hirsh 46.

I start this match report off by saying we didn't have a ground as of 12.30pm on Friday. We received an email at 5.40 am on Friday morning explaining that the ground Old Tiffs had secured had been double-booked. The thought that we would have the third match of this season called off, almost resulted in a fist being put through the computer screen in front of me.

A ground was found in Woking at the 11th hour. All i'll say on the matter is that the league have been informed. Thank you to Dominic Lown, our ever-present fixtures secretary, club secretary Nick Clark and to all players for changing travel arrangements at the 11th hour. Well handled and well played.

The match.

Losing the toss again, Hampton Wick were handed the new ball (allegedly) and set about the task of dismantling Old Tiffs. If you needed any proof that this would be a lively encounter, the opening bat decided to charge Tommy D for the first ball. That wasn't the end of it. A few balls later Tommy bowled a high full toss which the batsman splayed at. The ball went flying down to fine leg to be caught by Eddie Charlton. While many would have thought it would be called a no-ball at the moment it reached the batsman, it did not. It did a few seconds later though, after the ball had been caught. Cue bedlam and remonstrating from both teams. While clearly the ball was high, the umpire did not signal a no-ball. The wicket did not stand, but at the request of Jimmy C, the square leg umpire was replaced.

The boys didn't let this get to them, to their credit. Tommy D and Eddie Charlton bowled magnificently, removing both openers in quick succession. Eddie's swing was a real handful for the batsmen, and Tommy's line and length produced some absolute jaffers. 2/19. One further wicket from Donnelly, a caught and bowled by Jimmy C, and another wicket from new boy Ali Salim put Tiffs on 5 for 53 at drinks. Surely The Wick would turn the screws and bowl them out quickly.

It didn't happen. Far from it. Batsmen 6,8,9 then took the game away from us. A mixture of rank full tosses, long hops, and all round ordinary fielding handed the match to Old Tiffs. Yes, Tiffs threw the bat and managed to find the gaps, but the bowling was ordinary to say the least. On what many Englishmen would consider a "scorcher" (read: sunny day, mild), the fitness of some of the boys was found wanting, and tired bowling and fielding resulted. Tiffs had reached 227/9 after 50.5 overs (allegedly).

Chasing the score was going to be a challenge, but two wiley pairs of soft hands began promisingly. Ewan and Risman both got terrific starts, making 20 runs each, before being caught. After Nathan Singh went out for four runs, Joe Hirsch and Phil Miles got going. Hirschy looks a far cry from the uncertain batsman he was a few years back, and at 17 years old is now looking like a terrific batsman with great awareness and ball striking ability. Supported by an improving Phil Miles, the guys took the Wick to drinks with less than a run a ball needed to secure an unlikely victory. 80-odd for 3.

Hirschy went on to make a gritty 46 runs, before being caught at short mid-on, while Phil got one that sat up on him before being caught behind. Our promising start had taken a hit. New boy Ali Salim, began to throw the bat a bit and hit a few decent shots, before having to retire hurt after twisting his knee. And with Donnelly out cheaply a few overs later, Sam Kemp and the skipper came to the crease. 6/141.

Kempy then went bish bosh bash and made 20 runs quickly to leave us needing around 60 runs from the last 9 overs. However, after Sam was bowled after trying to play a fuller delivery, the Wick tried to hold out for the losing draw. Adam Selves and Eddie Charlton couldn't survive the last 8 overs, and the Wick ended falling 39 runs short.

After such a promosing start to the match, it was a gutting way to end it and one looking back on we should have won. Tiffs shouldn't have gotten anywhere near that total, and a more decisive and hard-nosed Wick would have put them to the sword on another day, but we move forward to next week.

MOM - A toss up between Eddie Charlton and Hirshy. Two former colts who continue to impress, and will surely be giving Fudgy selection issues on a tuesday night. FACT.

Wickman Junior

TEAMS - SAT 22ND MAY

HWRCC 1ST XI V Horley (Home) 1) Ali 2) Davies 3) Rashid 4) Raza © 5) Mackie 6) High 7) Whinney 8) Holland + 9) Tong 10) Ewen 11) Tughral Umpire: B. Sissen Scorer: A. Whicher Meet: 12:30 Start: 13:30

HWRCC 2ND XI V Cranleigh (Away) 1) Cole 2) Goulborn 3) Fudge © 4) Jackson 5) Cronin 6) McMullan 7) Copeland H + 8) Breakwell 9) Unsworth 10) Lown 11) Webster Umpire: S. Riley Scorer: N/A Meet: 10:45 Start: 13:00

HWRCC 3RD XI V Old Tiffinians (Away) 1) Risman 2) Ewen R 3) Singh 4) Hirsch 5) Ali Ben Salim 6) Kemp + 7) Miles 8) Cameron © 9) Selves 10) Donnelly 11) Charlton Umpire: N/A Scorer: N/A Meet: 11:30 Start: 13:00

Don't forget Cheese & Wine Night....

Good Luck, WICK