Captain’s Report
I would like to start this report by paying tribute to Tim Hollier who, tragically, was taken from us earlier in the week. Tim, as well as having lived a most interesting and colourful life, was a most kind and generous man and also a Vice President and much valued supporter of Wilcot Cricket Club. Tim’s contribution to the village of Wilcot was also considerable and he will be much missed.
On a balmy and mostly sunny afternoon, Wilcot welcomed Heytesbury & SV to the Old School Ground. Peter Williams had prepared another excellent strip but the recent extended dry weather suggested there may be a little in it for the bowlers and, on winning the toss yet again, Wilcot’s skipper chose to field against a side that included a good mix of seasoned players and some talented youngsters.
The new ball was passed to the diehard duo of Billy Flippance and Ash Elliott. Ash may be considering changing his name to Flippance as once again he bowled well with little luck but Billy, in a devastating opening spell of fast bowling, eschewed the need of any catchers by bowling 3 out of 4 of H & SV’s top order making the score 43 for 3 at the end of the 17th over, his last. Ash, meanwhile, had catches dropped by Charlie Corbett and ‘bucket hands’ Mister among others during two accurate spells. Our expectant Aussie father Doug Perrins took over from Ash at the pub end and delivered a good spell including one wicket. However, it was the older Flippance brother Luke, taking over from his brother, who made most inroads taking 4 wickets for a cost of 40 runs, which might have been considerably less had his younger brother not lost his bearings running in the opposite direction of one boundary shot before, bewilderingly, letting the next shot past in the process of falling over. Other memorable fielding moments were two catches by bucket hands at short square leg as well as the sight of a bemused Charlie Corbett pirouetting around a ball he had somewhat surprisingly stopped. At the end of their 45 overs, H & SV had reached 167 for 9.
Linda Keepence’s tea was as always well received and, as well as the usual excellent array of sandwich varieties, the scones with strawberries and cream were a special feature and the addition of chicken satays went down well with Wilcot’s captain in particular.
Wilcot’s Vicar Mark Windsor, returning from a summer featuring weddings and bicycle rides, was chosen to open the batting with another of Wilcot’s seasoned veterans Wilson Saraj. All went swimmingly until the 8th over, a moment when Wilcot’s skipper misguidedly chose to wander home to retrieve the Godley dogs. At this point, both Mark and Wilson fell, swiftly followed by Wilcot’s Don Bradman lookalike (dream on) Doug Perrins and the score was 41 for three and another Wilcot collapse seemed imminent. Fortunately Wilcot’s Sunday captain Jamie Watherston aided by the athletic Tim Mister restored some order and, in a period that featured some glorious strokeplay as well as some relaxed running between the wickets, this pair took the score to 118 in the 27th over before Tim fell. The incoming Ash Eliott clearly had ideas of an early appearance at the pub dispatching 3 consecutive balls for 4 when scoring 22 out of a stand of 36 before falling to a good catch when the score was 154. Thereafter, Jamie Watherston aided by the promoted Billy Flippance took the score past that required without further drama.
This was a match played in a great spirit and, amongst others, Heytesbury & SV fielded some youngsters who will clearly advance to a higher level in due course. Wilcot fielded a penitent Charlie Corbett who nearly caught, nearly batted, nearly fielded and scored beautifully and as ever was a great player to have on your side.
We travel as far west as we go to the village of Beckington next weekend, once again with our Vicar on board, whose inclusion has clearly had an influence on the reversal of the trend of recent results.
Heytesbury 167 for 9 off 45 overs
B Flippance 9-5-15-3
A Elliott 9-2-24-0
D Perrins 9-2-28-1
L Flippance 9-0-40-4
T Mister 5-0-24-1
M Windsor 2-0-24-0
J Watherston 2-0-7-0
Extras 2 byes, 3 leg byes, 2 wides and 3 no balls
Wilcot 170 for 6 off 37.1 overs
W Saraj Caught 25
M Windsor Caught 5
D Perrins Bowled 4
J Watherston Not out 48
T Mister Bowled 34
A Elliott Caught 22
B Flippance Not out 6
K Flippance DNB
C Corbett DNB
L Flippance DNB
MFG DNB
Extras 9 byes, 2 leg byes and 15 wides