Captain’s Report
On a glorious afternoon when temperatures were to reach 27 degrees, Wilcot welcomed a team from Winsley . to the Old School Ground. Peter Williams had prepared another excellent wicket and Wilcot’s skipper chose to bat when winning the toss.
Wilson Saraj and the free scoring Ed Mardon were chosen to open the batting but Ed, with his girlfriend watching, soon miscued one and was caught at cover, 11 for 1. Doug Perrins and Wilson took the score to 30 before Wilson fell caught behind and it was already becoming evident that this was a Winsley side that belied its earlier results and position in the League table. Accurate seam bowling and mostly competent catching kept the wickets falling. During the remaining overs, only Doug Perrins resistance and stroke play in a steady innings of 41, a couple of attractive strokes from debutant adjacent resident Tim Crighton and a stubborn last wicket stand between the Flippance bros matched the bright weather. Hugo Stagg who had driven from London to play may have had cause to rue his decision as the ball.hit his pad, spiralled in the air and then bounced sideways to hit the wicket. We were finally bowled out for 125 off 39.3 overs.
Linda Keepence deserves great credit for producing another excellent tea as the pavilion had become very hot inside and the cream had ‘separated’ so could not be added to the scones. However an array of cheese and tomato, ham, egg, chicken and prawn sandwiches were much appreciated by all. Other goodies also included the mini sausages and Scotch eggs particularly favoured by the patrolling Godley dogs, well aware that their master now drops nearly everything.
Billy Flippance and Ash Elliott were tossed the new ball to try and defend our meagre total and Ash should have taken a wicket in his first over when the skipper dropped a sitter at gully. Runs were being scored at a reasonable rate until Ash removed both openers in one over, the second from a sharp stumping by Wilson Saraj with the score in the 40s (from memory as the scorebook is incomplete). The fall of the openers bought G Williams to the crease. Could this in fact be the same G Williams who scored 63 not out v Box on May 6th and 101 against Avebury on May 27th when playing for Winsley’s 1st team in Division 1 of the League?! Mr Williams certainly was a talented batsman and strokemaker and had made 62 not out when Winsley passed our total, in spite of some good bowling and a further wicket each for Billy and Luke Flippance and Hugo Stagg.
Further investigation reveals that due to Urchfont withdrawing from League Division 1, Winsley’s first eleven did not have a match yesterday and there is nothing I am aware of (currently) in the League rules that prevents players playing for a lower team for the same club. Under the circumstances, I think we can be proud of a good effort against strong opposition that I believe also included Winsley’s resident professional.
We travel to Burbage for a much anticipated local derby next weekend.
Wilcot 125 All out off 39.3 overs
Wilson Saraj Caught 9
Ed Mardon Caught 4
Doug Perrins Bowled 41
Russ Spencer Caught 6
MFG Caught 9
Tim Crighton Caught 9
Ash Elliott LBW 6
Graham Newland Caught 2
Hugo Stagg Bowled 0
Billiy Flippance Not out 12
Luke Flippance Caught 4
Extras 6 byes, 2 leg byes, 8 wides and 7 no balls
Winsley 129 for 5 off 27 overs
Billy Flippance 7-0-49-1
Ash Elliott 6-1-20-2
Luke Flippance 7-0-28-1
Hugo Stagg 7-1-29-1
Extras 1 no ball, 1 bye and 2 leg byes.