Honours Boards for this week

Many noteworthy performances to celebrate – congratulations to all the players who feature on the Honours Boards this week.

First X1 vs Clymping

The First X1 hosted Clymping in what was deemed a must win game to consolidate the Green’s position in the Division. It was yet another wet Saturday morning but the weather thankfully decided to finally clear up and play ball. Clymping won the toss and elected to bowl.

Another new opening pair for the Green strode into battle – this time it was the two elder statesmen of the side. Both Steve and James started well, picking off the bad balls. Boundaries started to come, however it was hard work as the green was somewhat freshly cut and the ball was holding up in the 10 tons of cuttings. The score was on 40 when JJ was given out LBW.

Dan Vickery was next in and following a few aggressive shots , he look set to kick on. Sadly a nice Beef Pie bounced halfway down the track, Dan was thinking 6, but sadly the ball had other ideas and dipped under his bat, bowled for 16. 77/2.

The President notched up a gear and started to flourish, and albeit a few friendly drops from the away team as he bludgeoned his way to a fine hundred, ably supported by Tom Dawson and Jonny Farmer. The latter decided to run SCS (109) out with the scores on 173. Knowing his terrible error though, Captain Farmer & Nick Klein ticked the scores along and the green finished on 236/4 Farmer 37* & Kleiny 31, a fine batting performance.

An interesting tea break was to unfold with one of Clymping’s players packing his bags, and saying enough is enough and headed into the sunset.

So Green had to find 9 wickets. Kleiny a bit shattered from all his running started down the hill and Hugo and his Pat Sharpe mullet came up the hill. It was again the latter who started his own ‘Fun House’ as he removed Clymping’s top 3. Again the ever reliant SCS with a safe pair of hands. Willbo Dixon fresh off the Colts wagon wheel of talent supported Hugo and they were both the pick of the bowlers, both claiming 3 wickets.

Another highlight of the day was the return of Jamie Self, 260 yards from bedroom to centre square to be precise. He too with a new ‘lockdown barnet’ which started off as the Andy Carroll, but ended very Colin De Groholme. But he hasn’t lost his knack of variation and took a man with him – Captain Farmer just needed the 4 balls to rap up a comprehensive victory for the Green. A great all round team performance with Clymping 130 all out, and The Green a step closer to safety.

The Green are ‘at home’ at Petworth Park on Saturday as the green takes its first steps to become the new Lords outfield. But a tasty derby against Billinghurst 2s awaits. Win guarantees survival

MOM – Steve Calder-Smith forever young and sponsored by Boots Healthcare International

DOD – James Janion, poor inside info and thin edge connoisseur.

Click here for the full scorecard

Second X1 vs Crawley Eagles

A very young side with a few older heads travelled to Crawley to play on one of the worst looking pitches seen for a long time. Crawley won the toss and elected to bat – probably in the knowledge that the surface wasn’t going to get any better.

Opening bowlers Eddie Ragg and Oscar Warmington bowled very tight from the start. Eddie costing only 6 runs in his 6 overs. He was unlucky not to take more than his one wicket.

Oscar hooped the ball all over the place and no batsman looked comfortable facing him. 2 wickets could easily have been more.

Tom Jenkins bowled beautifully, wobbling and seaming the ball spectacular. One ball cutting dramatically back in from a couple of feet outside off stump to take out middle. We’ll try not to give the pitch too much credit for it. 3 wickets for him.

Josh Dixon bowled well and was unlucky to not take a wicket. 2 wickets each for Chris Marshall and Ollie Warmington wrapped up Crawley’s innings in 30 overs for 117. A great bowling display from a very promising set of young players.

Things went downhill quickly once we went out to bat. Ran Dawson ballooned the ball to mid on – the first of many similar dismissals.

Wisborough we’re unable to score any runs from the first 5 overs. After 13 overs, we were 8-5.

George Nichol and Oscar Warmington steadied the ship. George seemingly unfazed by a pitch that bamboozled the rest of us. He scored an excellent 35.

Once we lost George to the innocuous straight ball, Wisborough folded and lost their next 4 wickets for a handful of runs.

Wisborough all out for 60 in 25 overs.

55 overs if cricket produced 177 runs for 20 wickets. Entertaining to watch, but not a wicket that will help any young player develop.

Click here for the full scorecard

Sunday X1 vs Arundel Grasshoppers

Sunday Supplements v Arundel Grasshoppers

Sunday cricket has suffered in the latter part of the season due to the weather and availability. However we did get a great game in two weeks against Arundel Grasshoppers.

Batting first, Wisborough started strongly, with Matt Watts 24 not out after 3 overs. Sadly he then missed a straight one and his promising innings came to an end. Wickets started tumbling until first team skipper Jonny Farmer strode to the crease.

Offering his services on a Sunday in order to keep himself out of trouble, Farmer took full advantage of the opportunity to spend time at the crease. Punches through the covers, lofted drives – this was Farms at his best and enjoying himself. Oscar Warmington provided the only real partnership with an excellent 30, while Farmer remained unbeaten on 59. Wisborough made a respectable 162 in their 35 overs.

Will Dixon opened the bowling with Oscar Warmington, and the pair showed why Wisborough has a bright future ahead. Will took 3-24 in 8 overs while Oscar went for a tidy 3 an over in his 7. Farmer and George Nichol took timely wickets, with Arundel always slightly behind the run rate. Matt Watts bowled beautifully and with two overs to go, Wisborough looked like they might make it a good day at the office. Sadly, Arundel started to swing and connect and 7 balls later the game was over.

Any game that goes to the last over, with all results possible is a good one.

As ever, Sunday cricket was the winner.

Click here for the full scorecard

Under 14 festival matches

WGCC U14s were competing in the Sussex Bowl competition with the best of Sussex.

Day 1:

First game vs Horsham away.  WGCC bowled and fielded well to keep Horsham to 175 for 5 after 42 overs on a slow pitch with a large boundary.  Their No 2 & 3 batsman developed a defining partnership of 120.

WGCC didn’t adjust to conditions and the longer match format losing wickets regularly through hitting the ball in the air.  Unfortunately we were not able to develop any meaningful partnerships. Mathew Ritchie scored a patient and creditable 39 runs however we were left short on 103 all out.

Click here for the full scorecard

Day 2:

Away against Chichester Priory – an on-form team expected to be competing at the top of the table.  WGCC won the toss and elected to field.  WGCC bowl and field very well to leave Chichester all out for 185 after 38 overs.  Will Dixon gets a hat trick (3 for 15 off 5 overs).

WGCC then goes on to execute a batting masterclass led by skipper Oscar Warmington who carries his bat to finish with an exquisite unbeaten 69 not out able support by Will Dixon 42 and Mathew Ritchie 21.  WGCC win impressively with 191 for 4 off 35 overs.  A great result against a talented team.

Click here for the full scorecard

Day 3:
Home against Crawley Eagles. Eagles elected to field. WGCC get off to a strong start with Ran Dawson hitting a majestic 74 and also finish well with William Reed (28) and Alex Greaves (17 not out) keeping the scoreboard rolling to the end. WGCC end up with 201 for 6 off 40. A good all round performance with the bat.

WGCC put in a ruthless fielding and bowling to knock Crawley Eagles all over for 69 runs. Great contributions from all the bowlers including Matthew Ritchie (2 for 0 off 3), Joseph Reed (3 for 5 off 3) and Will Dixon (5 for 9 off 6).

Click here for the full scorecard

Day 4:
Home against Preston Nomads – this was always going to be a tough game and so it proved. WGCC elected to bat first and faced a barrage of fast, accurate bowling which was moving in the air and off the pitch. Ran Dawson (15) and Oscar Walmington (18) started well however soon afterwards there was a dramatic collapse. With a good late stand from Charlie Conway (10) and Alex Greaves (6) WGCC ended up all out for 69 from 23 overs.

Preston Nomads were keen to finish the match as rain was on its way. They laid into our bowling from the start and despite our best efforts Preston achieved the target after 7 overs with the loss of 1 wicket.

All in all a great team performance against some very tough opposition.

Click here for the full scorecard

Well done to everyone who played over the course of the week.

Girls Under 11 match

Our under 11 girls team took part in their very first match against Storrington. Our girls notched up a respectable 388 against Storrington’s 231, sealing a great victory. Well done girls

A great learning experience for our girls and we look foward to seeing them competing against other local girls teams next season.

Under 11 Festival games

Congratulations to our under 11 mixed team who have been playing in the Under 11 Sussex Festival matches this week. Many of the players have never played hard ball cricket before and some in the team are only under 9. Well done to all.

Team selection for next week

Click here for the senior team selections for this week.