The season may have ended a number of weeks ago but the memories live on…. In this edition of Wizzy News we relive some of those memories.   First team The season started off in dramatic style with a batting collapse in the first couple of overs to East Preston losing 3 wickets for as many runs. Having lost that match there was much work to do. Thankfully most people put in some practice and started to improve techniques with bat and ball. The aim of the season was to have some fun again. Playing hard cricket, but after the game have a beer and not dwell too much. Individual performances started to improve and after a few unsteady weeks, the team started to win matches. The spirit and approach is good, and is a great platform to develop next season. With the current squad we have plus a couple of new players are joining we should be in a good position to continue our progress. James Sadler – First team Captain   Keys stats for the season :  First XI Statistics Matches: 18 Won:9 Lost:6 Drawn:1 Abandoned:2 Batting (Listed by most runs scored)   Benjamin Steyn 611 @ 50.92  in 14 innings  Tim Dodd           381 @ 31.75   in 16 innings  Jim Sadler          370 @ 41.11   in 11 innings  Jamie Self           224 @ 20.36  in 13 innings  Ben Thatcher     219 @ 27.38   in 11 innings Byron Napper   199 @ 24.88    in 8 innings  Bowling (Listed by most wickets taken) Jack Sizzey-Carter   20 @11.10  in 64.1 overs  Jamie Self                  20 @19.65  in 96.1 overs  Ben Thatcher            19 @ 23.26  in 124.3 overs  Jonny Farmer           14 @ 14.79  in 66 overs  Catching (Listed by most catches taken) Jamie Self           8 Tim McMath      7* Byron Napper    7 Benjamin Steyn 7 Ben Thatcher     7 Jonny Farmer    6 (* wicket-keeper catches)   Second team  I guess there are three ways to look back on any cricket season. The first two are statistical, how did the team perform, how did you personally perform and the third is based on feelings, observations, hopes and memories. From a statistical point of view, the team came 4th in the league missing out on the promotion spot by 4 points. It was all decided on the last day of the season when we needed to beat Chichester or vice versa for the final spot to be decided. Arundel and Pulborough had already been promoted and had shown themselves to be the best two sides in the league. After a sloppy start in the field Wizzy gained control and at 97 for 7 after a burst of wickets Wizzy looked on top. However the Chichester tail wagged and wagged hard and Wizzy were set to chase 170 or so. The skipper had picked what he thought was his strongest available batting side, without Junior the centurion from the previous week and things started OK with Richard and the Grey Bear. Arundel fielded and took their catches well and slowly chipped away picking up wickets on a regular basis. Sadly for Wizzy these were mostly from miscued attacking shots and in the end we fell short. It was a disappointment to the players who had regularly turned out for the team to fall short. As skipper of the seconds what you hope for is a core of players who can play 10 or 11 games each year. However, looking at the stats we played 13 matches and were represented by 43 players with only 2 players playing 11 games. It was really pleasing that Leon Kilford played 8 games and Callum Price 9, and I hope they will become stalwarts for the club for many seasons to come. I can look at the number of players as a huge positive because it means there is enthusiasm for the game and it means for the first time in many seasons there was fluidity between the firsts and the seconds. However there were several week ends when numbers were short and the low point of the season was playing Pulborough with only 9 players and three of those were registered that week. Its matches like that help to demotivate those who turn up regularly. A plea to all next year is to look at the fixture card and plan holidays, weddings etc on free week ends. All in all though the season will be about memories, the silly conversations, the piss taking, Rob Knight’s jokes in a rainy pavilion in Worthing: watching others perform well, Joel’s 5 for 3, Junior’s first 100, Joey’s first 50, DJ’s first 50 , Callum keeping more than one bye free game as wickie; Tarni’s hundred not out the first game of the season when we won a game we probably shouldn’t have; Tim McMath rolling back the year’s and opening the bowling when asked and we were not sure whether to call the ambulance or admire his spirit; Farmer’s tactical advice; JPs bat; Mariner’s consistent bowling performances; and Lena’s teas – wow! Lena’s teas; perhaps this should have been first in the list. All in all I guess that is what it is all about, shared experiences. But none of these could happen without all those who helped ensure there was a game of cricket to be played. So to all those who worked on the green particularly JP; a big thank you. To Lesley, Rob & Peter thanks for all the efforts scoring; to Peter in particular thank you for umpiring it made such a difference although I am sure there were two decisions you definitely got wrong this year! To the players called on a Friday night or a Saturday morning and found their way from near and far to play – I salute you. Let’s look forward to next season and hope that we can all share more memories and cricketing success Steve Calder Smith – Second team Captain    Second XI Statistics Matches: 14 Won: 6 Lost: 7 Abandoned: 1 Batting (Listed by most runs scored) Nick Payne              206 @ 25.75  in 9 innings  James Rainford      181 @ 45.25   in 6 innings  Tarnie Dixon           157 @ 52.33   in 4 innings  Joel Colbran            135 @ 45  in 3 innings  D.J. Dominique       132 @ 66 in 3 innings  George Nicholls       128 @ 32 in 5 innings  Ken Vickery             128 @ 25.60  in 5 innings  Richard Greatorex  121 @ 60.50 in 2 innings  Steve Calder-Smith 114 @ 14.25  in 8 innings  Bowling (Listed by most wickets taken) Nick Payne          18 @13.78  in  69 overs  Jacob Ball              8 @ 9.50   in  22 overs  Tommy Colbran   8 @ 26.13  in 40 overs  Leon Kilford          8 @ 33.25  in 43.1 overs  Catching (Listed by most catches taken) Leon Kilford     4 Jonny Farmer  3 Tom Jenkins    3 Nick Payne       3   Colts  Our aim for the colts section is for young players to learn the basics of how to play cricket in a safe and fun environment. With over 130 registered players the colts section thrived for another season. 5 different age group teams (U9, U10, U12, U14 & U16) competed in league matches over the summer. The U10 side won their league showing great spirit and teamwork along the way. Most importantly it was fantastic to see so many young players enjoying cricket across all different age groups and abilities. Many thanks go out to all the coaches, helpers, administrators, groundsmen, umpires and scorers who make all this possible. We would like to further build the infrastructure in the club to deliver skills training to smaller groups of colts players led by more qualified coaches. We are always looking for more parents to get involved so please do get in touch if you would like to help out with the colts section in any capacity.

Under 10 award winners Fraser Williams, Wren Fawcett, Ran Dawson, Will Dixon & Tom Mahon

  Honours boards One the things we did for the first time this season was to recognise on a weekly basis those who made a significant contribution to their team’s performance, and those who achieved particular personal milestones.  In total the performances of 25 seniors players and 57 colt’s were recognised during the season which is a fantastic achievement in itself.  We went a step further and worked out who appeared on the boards the most throughout the season and compiled an ‘Honours Board Hall of fame’ for 2017 to recognise those who consistently performed for their teams – see below.  Congratulations to all those who made it into our inaugural Hall of Fame – an exceptional achievement !      Pics during the season During the season we included a number of pics in our weekly editions of Wizzy News . See a compilation of some of the best below.   

First team Captain and Head of Senior Cricket James Sadler leading by example and keeping out a straight one

 

Tim Dodd dispatching yet another one to the boundary

Tarnie Dixon playing a trademark shot off the back foot

 

Mr President and Master President enjoyed a reunion on the cricket pitch in Arundel

 

Benjamin Steyn showing how its done in characteristic style

   

Who could say no to the beautiful bride on her special day – even if its in the middle of a game ? Jack Dixon (pictured right) looks on approvingly

   

Team Colbran (Tom, Andy and Joel) playing in the same game at Storrington

 

Whatever you can do – I can also do son (well almost ….) Huggie Ragg with dad Steve in the under 16  Dads vs lads game 

 

Also pictured at the Dads vs Lads game – Will Dixon and his lad Eddie Ragg  or should that be Eddie Ragg and his lad Will Dixon ?

 

Alan Ball with his lucky hat fresh from his victory in the Wisborough Green’s Got Talent competition

 

No greater thrill than telling your dad he’s out in the Dads vs Lads game.

Pictured below are Leon Kilford and dad Grant 

    Under 16 Coach and Head of Colts Tarnie Dixon handing Hugo March the ‘Coaches award ‘  

Josh Dixon with that characteristic smile on the cricket field. When have you ever seen him without a smile on the pitch ?

 

Alan Ball celebrating yet another birthday with a ginger nut cake

 

Celebrations in the home changing room after the victory against St Andrews

 

Jonny Farmer checking how many balls were left in the over

 

Under 14’s showing incredible team spirit as always

    Social events  This year a number of social events were organised including the very successful Pimms and Prosecco evenings . Thanks to Sam Sadler, Sami , Emma and Chloe for all their hard work (and Nick Scott Payne for the donation of the Prosecco ! )  

Trevor Price and Nick Payne at the Pimms and Prosecco evening

 

Hannah, Emma and Sami enjoying some Pimms 

 

 

Jonny Farmer being Jonny Farmer 

 

First team scorer Sandra Napper with son Byron and Chloe enjoying a glass together

   

Lena , our fab tea lady who set a very high standard with the teas wondering who took her glass of wine ..

 

Tim Dodd , Frank Vickery and Tim McMath talking about the good old days

Albie Napper in familiar pose

 

Style trendsetter Ken Vickery on a typical night out

   

Group pic after one of the Pimms and Prosecco evenings

Our contribution to the Wisborough Green’s Got Talent competition

 

Just a typical Saturday night out for some ….

 

Nick Payne, Tim Dodd and James Sadler enjoying a day in the sun watching cricket

     

First team umpire Peter Mattock enjoying a day at Lords

    Remembering Timbo In July we received the sad news that our former captain Tim Monday passed away while playing in a  game for West Chiltington. Tim led our First team to two successive promotions and contributed significantly to our club over a number of years.  

Tribute to Tim in the changing room at West Chilt

   

First team players wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s silence in memory of Tim

  On 24th June next year we will be taking part in the inaugural Tim Monday T20 championship against Aldershot and West Chiltington – the clubs Tim had long standing associations with.   Additions to the cricketing family During the year we celebrated the birth of a couple of new potential players in a few years time Congratulations to Nick Scott Payne and Sarah on the birth of Laslo – already showing off his umpiring skills …   and Sarah and Dan Vickery on the birth of Henry counting the days till he can play cricket on the Green..     We didn’t limit our Wizzy News to cricketing activities

In addition to encouraging our players to give 110 % on the cricket field we also encouraged them to give 100 % at work …

 

We reminded our players that it pays to be polite

 

We looked out for great deals …

 

We reminded everyone what needs to be before eating pizza  ..

 

We reflected on some wise words ..

 

We passed some advice to our Colts parents 

 

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves !! 

    A fairytale ending to the season – Mr and Mrs President Congratulations to our President John Pleasants and Lena who got married at the end of the season. John and Lena met many years ago and after a number of years of separation decided to get together again. We wish them every happiness in their marriage !  Pictured with John and Lena outside Wisborough Green church are Chris (Charley’s boyfriend ) , Charley (John’s daugher), and Dave (John’s son)           Thank you A really big thank to all those who work tireless behind the scenes to ensure that those who play cricket are supported in every possible way. To the Ground staff, coaches, umpires, scorers, tea ladies, bbq makers, administrators , events organisers , committee members, mums, dads, wives, girlfriends , sponsors, fundraisers and everyone else who put their time, energy and hard work into making the season the huge success it was ,  we are hugely indebted to you. Thank You for all your efforts in creating the very positive memories of the 2017 season we all share.            Last word Let the last word come from one of world’s  greatest philosophers     That’s it for this season – thanks again to everyone for your all efforts See you next season Stay safe Cheers Wizzy