Captain’s Report
On a bright but not overly warm afternoon, Wilcot’s faithful braved the traffic through Devizes, more traffic and roadworks in Bradford-on Avon and finally the road closed at the entry to Winsley village. Having steered our way through these hazards (some quicker than others), most of our team arrived at Winsley’s picturesque ground with far reaching views to the South with the Westbury White Horse clearly visible. The wicket was a little damp short of a length at one end but seemed likely to play well and when Wilcot’s skipper called incorrectly, we were asked to bat which was just as well as three of our players were still to arrive.
The in form Mark Oliver and Jack Chatfield were chosen to open the batting and against an accurate and pacy Winsley attack took the score steadily to 39 in the 12th over before Mark fell to a good catch at mid off. Jack fell with the score on 63 in the 20th over, having all but stopped a yorker that rolled gently on to his stumps dislodging one bail. All of the remaining batsmen played some good shots against tidy bowling before succumbing when threatening to make a big score which enabled the run rate to accelerate. Features were Ed James stroking his first ball through the covers for 4, Ash Elliott hitting three consecutive 4s before being bowled in the same over and Billy Flippance hitting a glorious straight 6 that bounced on to the pavilion roof. At the end of our 45 overs we had reached a respectable 196 for 9.
Tea featured hot pizza as well as cheese and ham sandwiches, crisps, cold sausages and a good selection of fresh fruit and cakes. Unfortunately, someone had forgotten to get some milk so the tea offered to drink could only be taken neat, something that did not deter Billy Flippance who had brought his own brown liquid in a can.
Billy Flippance and Ash Elliott were chosen to open the bowling and with a wicket each bowled the Winsley openers and Ash then also bowled Winsley’s nos 4 & 5 to make the score 43 for 4 in the 10th over. In the meantime Winsley’s no 3, N Gerish, was clouting the ball about with some relish but when he fell again to Ash having made 45 out of a score of 69 in the16th over, there was cause for optimism. A frustrating period followed with close stumping appeals refused, the ball flying in the air just out of reach from fielders and a couple of dropped catches including one (most unusually) dropped by our Vicar which had descended from the heavens. In spite of good bowling from Luke Flippance, Charlie Maidment and Doug Perrins, Winsley’s nos 6 and 7 took the score to 166 in the 36th over before Doug finally made the breakthrough to raise our hopes again. Sadly this was the final breakthrough and Winsley were able to pass our total in the 40th over.
This was an exciting match that seesawed throughout its course and could have gone either way but our total of 196 on a good pitch was probably 40 odd runs short of what was required and in the end Winsley were worthy winners of a game played in a great spirit.
We welcome Burbage and Easton Royal to Wilcot next Saturday seeking a victory that would cement our current position of 4th in the league table.
Wilcot 196 for 9 off 45 overs
Mark Oliver Caught 22
Jack Chatfield Bowled 20
Doug Perrins Caught 18
Russ Spencer Caught 14
Mark Windsor Stumped 20
MFG LBW 16
Ed James Caught 18
Ash Elliott Bowled 15
Billy Flippance Bowled 24
Luke Flippance Not out 9
Charlie Maidment Not out 2
Extras 1 bye, 3 leg byes, 10 wideCs and 3 no balls.
Winsley 197 for 6 off 39.5 overs
Billy Flippance 9-2-45-1
Ash Elliott 9-2-37-4
Luke Flippance 9-0-41-0
Charlie Maidment 5-2-23-0
Doug Perrins 5.5-1-32-1
Ed James 2-0-16-0
Extras 2 byes, 1 leg bye, 9 wides and 1 no ball