Captain’s Report
On a sunny but later more cloudy afternoon, a disparate group of Wilcot players set off from miscellaneous directions for the village of Heytesbury. The closure of the M3 delayed Hugo Stagg’s arrival but the remainder of the elite highly trained athletes arrived in good time for the 1pm start. Heytesbury’s (2nd X1) ground is set in a beautiful rural setting on part of an estate formerly owned by the late Siegfried Sassoon adjacent to the A36 but, sadly, it seems that it may soon be surrounded by houses. The wicket prepared looked as though it would play well and,on winning his second consecutive toss, Wilcot’s captain chose to bat.
Wilson Saraj and Ash Elliott, clearly full of runs having amassed one run between them a week ago, were chosen to open the batting. Other than some ‘Benny Hill’ moments in terms of their calling and running, they both settled in well and took the score comfortably to 82 before Wilson fell playing across the line to a rare straight one. Ash and Doug Perrins took the score to142 before Doug was out to a gentle catch. Ash followed soon after, having made an elegant 76,and,with Tim Mister and Simon Dannreuther also soon falling, the inevitable middle order collapse was beckoning. However ‘9 lives’ Russ Spencer, aided by a studious innings from the skipper as well as some free hitting from Billy Flippance meant the earlier efforts did not go unrewarded and the score reached 239 when Luke Flippance was out off the last ball of the 45 overs. There were, during this period, one or two debates on umpiring decisions but I would suggest that if my reader wants more detail, you should get out more often.
Tea was worth travelling for. The array included a great selection of cheese, chicken, ham and cheese sandwiches as well as two different quiches, pork pie and crisps and two very special home made cakes.
These delicacies were much appreciated by Wilcot’s finest, in particular Ash Elliott knowing that he was no longer required to open the bowling as well as the skipper who knew he could place himself where there was no danger of having to run after the ball. A harbinger of what was to follow soon afterwards was Russ dropping cream and jam down his front from one of the aforementioned cakes.
Heytesbury’s opening partnership rode their luck and they had scored 40 before Hugo Stagg bowling fast and accurately shattered the stumps of the first opener and quickly dismissed the second with a successful lbw shout. Meanwhile, Wilcot’s skipper called on Luke Flippance’s devious spin from the opposite end and he quickly took his first wicket and with Hugo removing Heytesbury’s skipper following a sharp catch by Wilcot’s skipper, Heytesbury stood at 64 for 4 in the 15th over. More wickets from Luke Flippance who finished with a personal best figures of 9-0-50-6, aided by three stumpings by Wilson, meant that Heytesbury were finally bowled out for 192 off 32.3 overs but Wilcot’s ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory was never far away, particularly when a couple of catches were spilled and batsman Allard (who made a rapid 69) was at the crease.
A good win on the road against another village side played in a good spirit. We welcome Beckington to the Old School Ground next weekend with a good few players in good form and renewed optimism.
Wilcot 239 All out off 45 overs
Wilson Saraj lbw 31
Ash Elliott lbw 76
Doug Perrins caught 19
Russ Spencer bowled 17
Tim Mister lbw 0
Simon Dannreuther caught 1
MFG lbw 25
Billy Flippance caught 23
Hugo Stagg run out 6
Luke Flippance caught 4
Graham Newland not out 0
Extras 1 bye,1 leg bye, 7 no balls and 21 wides
Heytesbury 192 All out off 33.3 overs
Billy Flippance 7-2-35-0
Hugo Stagg 9-2-35-3
Luke Flippance 9-0-50-6
Ash Elliott 6-0-43-0
Doug Perrins 1-0-5-0
Graham Newland 0.3-0-1-1
Extras 12 byes, 3 leg byes and 8 wides