Author: Al Rix

Lodsworth CC v Bury and West Burton CC
11th July at Lodsworth

Bury &West Burton 157 all out,
Lodsworth 160 for 9.
Lodsworth won

You couldn’t write the script!
After six overs the visitors had raced to 51 for 1. A score of 250 or even more was the gloomy prediction. But wickets fell and 8 runs came from the next five overs. Phillips, 10 overs 3 for 57 and Long, 11 overs 1 for 9, steadied the ship after the onslaught and young Finn Campbell showed a lively promise with 3 for 28 off 7 overs. Hall chipped in with 2 for 29 off 5 and Bury were out for 157 at tea.

The parched outfield ensured a certain boundary once the field was beaten. The target was within reach. It would need some luck and steady heads from the old hands. But after the first few overs the visitors had other ideas!  First change saw 22 years old Sussex star Bircson generating pace not seen before by Lodsworth’s worthies. Helmets were called for by the men as well as the boys! Great character was shown by 14 year old Campbell (19 runs) . Fearless Finn was paid the dubious compliment of the fast bowler extending his run and his pace, cranking up to his top speed. Finn saw him off and was unlucky to be caught off a slow bowler who appeared to achieve a double bounce! Hickey (32), having patiently held the innings together, scoring with firm ground strokes, was caught on the long on boundary with his first six attempt. King (22) held on whilst wickets tumbled on the fast bowler’s return.

With 14 overs left to bat out, just the last man to come and academically, another 56 to win, skipper Andy Long joined Gerry Keen. They stayed, against pace and spin. Long picked off the boundaries. Miraculously they gave no chance until brave Keen succumbed. Enter Collins, suffering from hay fever, 14 to win, 4 overs left and some fast bowling to resist. Heroic stuff! Collins held the fort. To ecstatic cheers from the boundary Andy Long carried the day and his bat for 45 runs to lead his side to a memorable victory.

Man of the match Finn Campbell and Andy Long
Scribe Hunter Graham

Tillington CC v Lodsworth CC
4th July at Tillington
Match drawn

Lodsworth CC 215 for 5 (Harry Dimond 108 not out, James Hickey 45, Alfie Bunker 25, Paul Phillips 20)
Tillington CC 116 for 5 (Andy Long 5 overs 2 for 4, Paul Phillips 7 overs 1 for 12)

Forget Liverpol v Everton, forget Madrid v Barca, forget England v Australia – this was the big one – Lodsworth CC v Tillington CC, the tense local Derby that the players talk about for weeks. “We can loose every game in a season but not versus Tilly” as one player (who prefers to remain anonymous) noted. It means a lot especially as former Lodsworth player Alistair Rix now figures in the Tillington batting line up.

Anyway, to the game itself. Lodsworth were put in to bat on a hard fast ground. Oliver King and Matt Hall were first out of the trenches and it wasn’t long before the Tillington bowler Hill gunned them both down for ducks. King played an awful shot to Mid Wicket and Hall was given out to a dubious LBW. With the score at 3 for 2 Lodsworth were in trouble but in came Harry Dimond and James Hickey. After a nervous start they both settled into playing delightful shots and the score looked respectable at 100 for 2 when Hickey departed with 48. Then we were treated to some adventurous cricket by Harry and Alfie Bunker that put the bowlers under pressure. Bunker was eventually bowled for 25 and it was left to Paul Phillips (20) to support Harry as he went on to make a fantastic century (108 not out) – his first for Lodsworth as the village team finished with 215 for 5.

After tea Lodsworth mounted their attack with Paul Phillips and Dave Clark opening the bowling and Long setting an aggressive field. Phillips quickly took a wicket with an LBW decision but Clark had no luck. As the score made snail-like progress to 40 off 15 overs it became evident Tillington were intent on batting out for a draw. Lodworth threw in fresh troops with pace from Alfie Bunker and spin from Fergus Cruikshank, Harry Dimond and Martin Howard. Good fielding from Lee Ayres and a couple of wickets for Howard and Long kept up the pressure but Tillington held on to finish on 116 for 5.

The highlight of the encounter was the scalp of Alistair Rix bowled first ball by a beauty from his good friend (off the field) Martin Howard that drew an exultant cry from Andy Long. The game was drawn but had this been a boxing match Lodsworth would have been declared the winner on points.

Man-of-the-Match Harry Dimond
Scribe Andy Long

Lodsworth CC v Goodwood CC
27th June at Lodsworth
Lodsworth lost

Lodsworth CC 102 all out (Jon Clifford 30, Paul Phillips 26)
Goodwood CC 103 for 6 (Andy Long 7 overs, 3 for 33)

Lodsworth were put in to bat in a 35-over game, arranged around an extended tea break to watch the England v Germany soccer World Cup quarterfinal. Goodwod are a successful League team and arguably the best opposition that Lodsworth encounter all year. The village team did not start well – Martin Howard was out LBW for 0, Alistair Rix was caught off his glove for 4 and Matt Hall smashed one down Mid-On’s throat for 8. Lodsworth then saw James Hickey clean bowled for 9 and Andy Long skied one to Mid-Off, also for 1. Oh dear – 30 for 5. But then came Jon Clifford with 30 and Paul Phillips with 26 to steady the ship. With cameos at the end from Fergus Cruikshank and Rob Collins Lodsworth ended with an adequate but probably insufficient total of 102 all out.

After an excellent tea, marred only by the highs and lows of the 4-1 drubbing of the England footballers by the Kaiser’s men, Lodsworth went out to field. Paul Phillips started brightly but had no luck (he maintains eight chances were put down) while Andy Long, bowling up the slope looked dangerous. Indeed Long took the opener’s off stump and a brilliant bit of fielding by young Banks left Goodwood on 20 for 2 and there was a glimmer of hope. Long then took two more wickets followed by a great run out by Matt Hall from the deep and the visitors were in trouble at 45 for 5.

Could Lodsworth perform a giant killing akin to the Slovakia win over Italy in South Africa. Eh…in a word … No. Poor fielding, dropped catches and general sloppiness allowed Goodwood to reach the target with 14 overs to spare. So it was a case of  “nearly but not quite enough”. If we had got 150 runs! If we had taken those catches Jim! If Jon Clifford hadn’t gifted then 15 runs! If we had a stronger team out! Ah well – it wasn’t a total debacle. Special thanks to two new youngsters in the team Alex Brazier and Christian Campbell.

Man of the Match – Difficult to pick one… shared by Paul Phillips, John Clifford and Andy Long.
Scribe Andy Long

The George Clifford Memorial Trophy Game
20th June at Lodsworth
Lodsworth won

Lodsworth CC 240 for 9 wickets (Oliver King 52 not out, James Hickey 46, Joe Clifford 20)
Matt Hall Invitation Xl 216 all out (Lee Ayres 41, Matt Hall 38, Richard Finch 30, John Clifford 20, Aaron Calder 17)

On one of the hottest days of the year so far, both teams contested the annual George Clifford Memorial Trophy. George Clifford started playing for Lodsworth in the 1940’s and was still playing well into his seventies. Not only has there been the legendary Joe Clifford who played for the team, but the family tradition continues with the 3rd generations of both John Clifford and Matt Hall grandsons of George.

Rob Collins & Fergus Cruickshank got Lodsworth off to a steady start, before being removed by David Mumford & John Clifford respectively. Oliver King (52 retired) was joined at the crease by James Hickey (46) who both scored freely before Hickey was dismissed four short of his half century. Joe Clifford scored the shot of the day with an effortless well-timed six. Paul Phillips and Andy Long soon pushed the innings on for a highly respectable 240 for 9. Lee Ayres (2 catches) showed a brilliant wicket keeping ability, backed up by wicket takers Aaron Calder, John Clifford, Cliff Hall, Matt Hall (2), Kev Bills, David Mumford (2) and Ian Finch.

After an excellent tea prepared by Vicki Braithwaite, the Matt Hall Invitation XI embarked on a seemingly hopeless chase. Paul Phillips was effective with the ball taking two early wickets before Ayres & R Finch started hitting rapidly at six an over. Finch was bowled bringing Hall to the crease who showed a quick array of big shots including 21 off one over, before being bowled by a slower Hickey delivery. The Invitation XI had Lodsworth’s score in sight but the introduction of Joe Clifford (2) & Andy Long (2) regained control of the innings and bowled the tail enders out.

A good day was had by all with over 450 runs being scored, a big thank you must go to James Hickey & Paul Phillips for doing the BBQ. Trophies were presented by the captains to Joe Clifford & Lee Ayres for their man of match displays.

Scribe Matt Hall

Tangmere cc v Lodsworth CC
13th June 2010 at Tangmere
Limited overs game
Lodsworth 181 all out in 39.3 overs (Tom Atkins 53, Oliver King 32, Andy Long 29; K Ola 8 overs 3 for 19, I Gledhill 8 overs 3 for 19)
Tangmere 181 for 7 in 40 overs (I Blow 66, K Ola 24, M Clyme 23; Paul Phillips 8 overs 2 for 28, Andy Long 8 overs 2 for 29, Jack Dimond 7 overs 2 for 35)

Game ended as a tie.  Both teams scored 181 from 40 overs

Lodsworth has a wonderful pool of talented young players and it is a bonus when they are able to turn out for the village team. For the game against Tangmere, Tom Atkins (down from his first year at Newcastle University) and Jack Dimond (in his gap year before going to University) were both available and contributed vital cameos.

Winning the toss skipper Andy Long elected to bat and 53 sparkling runs from Tom Atkins along with a sound innings of 32 from Ollie King established a firm base. The middle order struggled but another fine knock of 29 from Andy Long at number 8 sent Lodsworth in for tea with 181 runs on the board.

Tangmere replied with an ebullient innings from I Blow (66) while for Lodsworth there were two astonishing catches – one a diving one handed caught and bowled from Jack Dimond, the other a remarkable agile two handed effort at knee height by Paul Phillips. But the end of the game was extraordinary – with one ball to go Tangmere were tied with Lodsworth on 181. Could they score one run off the last ball? Lodsworth players crowded around the batsman – Andy Long ran into bowl – and a great shout went up as the centre stump cartwheeled away.  A tie.

Later the team downed a few ales in the Bader Arms – the pub adjoining the recreation field named after the heroic WWll pilot Douglas Bader.

Man of the Match Tom Atkins

Lodsworth CC v Loxwood CC
6th June 2010 at Lodsworth
Loxwood CC 206 for 7 (T Holmes 75, O Melsior 31, M Russell 30; Matt Hall 8 overs 3 for 42, Andy Wilson-Smith 4 overs 2 for 29)
Lodsworth 108 for 9 (James Hickey 28, Andy Long 24, Andy Wilson-Smith 20; T Brunning 9 overs 3 for 28, B Dean 9 overs 3 for 35)

Lodsworth Lost

After a run of four undefeated games Lodsworth CC came up against a powerful Loxwood Xl which had batting in depth and a strong bowling line up. Paul Phillips had prepared a superb wicket but it was the visitors who adjusted best to the hard, flat surface.

Batting first Loxwood lost an early wicket to a fine diving catch by Andrew Wilson-Smith but then consolidated with a chanceless innings of 75 by T Holmes. Matt Hall captured 3 wickets for 42 runs and Andy Wilson-Smith had a valuable spell taking 2 for 29. Fergus Cruikshank’s left arm deliveries moved considerably in the windy conditions but Loxwood dominated with the bat and went in for tea with 206 runs on the board for the loss of 7 wickets.

After tea Lodsworth got off to a shaky start when Matt Hall was dismissed by the second ball of the first over and shortly afterwards, Ollie King was taken to A&E for stitches to a cut above the right eye. Shorn of two key batsmen Lodsworth went into their shell. James Hickey looked set for a long stay at the crease but fell to a superb catch at backward point when on 28. Andy Wilson-Smith toiled to a useful 20 runs and Andy Long came in for a brief but lucrative flourish with six 4’s. But with six overs remaining Lodsworth could not resist the inevitable and ran into the buffers, beaten but not totally outclassed with 108 for 9. Thanks to Hunter Graham for taking over the score book and to George Bristow at the Holist for the post-match ‘bites’.

Man Of the Match Andrew Wilson-Smith

Footnote:

First Aid Lodsworth style.

When Oliver King went down clutching a substantial cut above the right eye the reactions were varied. A Loxwood player ran to the pavilion and sprinted back with ice wrapped in a cloth. Rosemary Hunter hurried out and commenced to massage Oliies head, someone asked if he would like a cup of tea and John King said, “Do you want me or your Mum to take you to hospital”?

“I want my Mum to take me,” muttered Oliver

Sunday 30th May 2010 at Midhurst

Invited to participate for the first time in the Midhurst Six-a-Side Tournament in the idyllic surroundings of Cowdrey Park the village team faced stiff opposition from Liphook, Midhurst, Lurgashall, Haslemere and Kingsley

Lodsworth’s opening game was against local rivals Lurgashall who managed to amass 65 runs from 4 overs. Jack Dimond & Graham Braithwaite replied with a brilliant display of big hitting and straight drives but fell 8 short of the total. The next game was against a strong Midhurst team that included two big Zimbabwean hitters, Fourie and Christian. Martin Howard & Matt Hall bowled exceptionally well to restrict Midhurst to 45 from 4 overs but when Lodsworth batted, Jack Dimond was unlucky to be given out LBW with both James Hickey & Fergus Cruikshank the next to go. Braithwaite continued with several big shots but Lodsworth could only amass 34.

The Halsemere match was a must win game. Braithwaite & Dimond again batted extremely well, with the ball going to all areas of the field setting a target of 55 runs. Halsemere chased the runs and needed to get 6 off the last over which they comfortably achieved. Charlie Dimond showed agility in the field with a great fielding display. Following 3 losses, Lodsworth only had an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-final. Andrew Wilson-Smith, Graham Braithwaite and Martin Howard displayed determination to set a respectable target of 48 against Kingsley and both Howard & Paul Phillips bowled well to register Lodsworth’s first win by beating Kingsley with 4 runs to spare. The last game was against the eventual winners Liphook, who showed their league status by scoring 80 runs and restricting Lodsworth to 34.

Lodsworth CC finished fifth overall having won just one of their 5 games but only the last was a one sided affair and the village team were by no means outclassed.

Scribe Matt Hall

25th May 2010 at Itchener

Bosham CC 241 for 5 (T Gilliatt 94, S Gilliatt 61, B Barrett 55; Dave Clarke 10 overs 3 for 72)

Lodsworth 181 for 8 ( Oliver King 70, Matt Hall 59; S Gilliatt 7 overs 2 for 30)

Match Drawn

‘On the road’ for their fourth away game of the season the nomadic Lodsworth team headed for the south coast village of Itchener for a game in the grounds of a large private house. The game was played on an artificial wicket that put Lodsworth, unfamiliar with the surface, at a slight disadvantage. Casting a professional eye over the field Paul Phillips lost no time in disparaging the quality of the track and outfield, which almost led to him being sent to the sin bin. The surface favoured batsmen and offered no turn for the bowlers who toiled in strong sunshine that necessitated two drinks breaks.

Bosham batted first and quickly dashed to 85 in 10 overs before the first wicket fell. By this time one Lodsworth fielder, Dan Hanratty, was in A&E at Chichester with a dislocated shoulder and Rob Collins was nursing a painful twisted knee (Perhaps Paul had a point). The Gilliatt brothers, T and S, batted well to score 94 and 61 respectively and Dave Clarke took 3 wickets but at a costly 72 runs. A little ill temper crept into the proceedings as the Bosham batsman survived two very reasonable appeals. Bosham finished on 241 for 5.

After tea Lodsworth set off in hot pursuit but a sharp run out left James Hickey hugely frustrated. Matt Hall continued to score freely but a middle order collapse set alarm bells ringing until Oliver King dug in to record an intelligent 70, with several powerful drives, to shore up the Lodsworth team who finished on 181 for 8, well short of the Bosham total but a worthy draw. Lodsworth’s unbeaten run continues.

Man of the match Oliver King

LODSWORTH CC 218 ALL OUT  40 OVERS
MILLAND  76 ALL OUT    24OVERS
LODSWORTH WIN BY 142 RUNS!!!!

LODDY PLAYED MILLAND ON SUNDAY JUST GONE AND WERE PUT INTO BAT ON A LIVELY FAST TRACK AND OUTFIELD. HALL AND BIG JACK DIMOND WHO WAS MAKIN HIS SEASON DEBUT THIS YEAR OPENED UP AND WITH AN ARRAY OF ATTACKING SHOTS THE SCORE BURST TO 40-0 AFTER 5 OVERS. HOWEVER HALL HAD ONLY GOT 4 OF THESE( A LUKY EDGE THRU SLIPS ASWELL!!!!).
MATT ENDED UP ONLY GETTIN 10 BUT JACK ONCE JIM HICKEY CAME IN RACED TO HIS 50 WITH A SUPERB ON DRIVE 4.  THE 100 CAME UP IN ONLY 14 OVERS AND AT THIS RATE LODDY LOOKED LIKE GETTIN 275 ISH.
HICKEY PLAYED THE ANCHOR ROLE AND IT WASNT LONG BE4 JACK DIMOND WITH A CLASSICAL HOOK SHOT INTO THE COWS FIELD REACHED HIS MAIDEN 100!!!   WITH THIS AS A GOOD ACT OF SPORTMANSHIP JACK RETIRED HIMSELF TO GIVE THE OTHERS A GO.  WELL ONCE THIS HAPPENED LODDY WENT FROM 150-1 TO 180-7 IN NO TIME AT ALL. HICKEY FERGUS PP ROB JC AND LEE ALL MADE VERY LITTLE BUT IT WAS LEFT TO A CAMEO ROLE FROM OL KING AND A BRIEF KNOCK FROM BELLION TO GET THE SIDE UP TO A TOTAL OF 218.

DIMOND 101NO
OLLY K  33
EXTRAS  31…..
THE REST NOT MANY…

WITH A LOVLEY TEA AND ENG VS AUSSIES IN THE 20/20  LODDY THEN GOT OUT INTO THE FIELD AND IT WASNT TO MUCH TIME BE4 PHILLIPS AND LONG TOOK A COUPLE OF WICKETS. THEY KEPT IT TIGHT ALONG WITH SOME GOOD FIELDIN( ESP KING FOR A CHANGE ) – TAKE NOTE HALL AND CLIFFORD, YOU COULD LEARN A FEW THINGS!!!)  MILLAND WERE 25-2 AFTER 10 OVERS.
NICK B AND MATT THEN CAME ON TO DO SOME DAMAGE AND IT WAS ALSO NOTED THE CAMEO ROLE FROM FERGUS SWINGING LEFTY CRUIKSHANK TO TAKE 3 VERY GOOD WICKETS IN A LIVELY LITTLE 5 OVER BURST.
SADLY MILLAND JUST FOLDED IN TRUTH AND EVENTUALLY LOODY GOT THEM OUT FOR THE SCORE OF ONLY 76.

LONG 1-14
PP  1-11
HALL  2-6
BELLION   1-12
FERGUS  3-4
AYRES 1-10
ROB  1-8

MAN OF THE MATCH WELL WAS ONLY 1 WINNER IN JACK DIMOND.  OVERALL A GOOD TEAM PERFORAMNCE THOU!!!

Kirdford CC v Lodsworth CC

Lodsworth CC 194 for 7 (James Hickey 91 not out, Paul Phillips 53; A Clarke 19 overs 3 for 49, John Upton 6 over 2 for 24)
Kirdford CC 46 all out (Dave Clarke 9 overs 3 for 12, Andy Long 8 overs 3 for 9, Joe Clifford .3 overs 1 for 4).
Lodsworth CC won by 3 wickets.


Put in to bat, Lodsworth got off to a shaky start with Matt Hall, Jon Clifford and Nick Bellion back in the pavilion with only 18 runs on the board. But James Hickey (91 not out, with two 6’s and eleven 4’s) gradually wrested control of the game away from Kirdford and when joined by Paul Phillips who hit a sparkling half-century (53) they stayed together for a partnership of 100 runs and effectively put the game beyond the reach of the home team. Fergus Cruikshank and Jerry Keen, both new players from the village enjoyed a spell at the crease and Lodsworth went in for tea with 194 for 7 on the scoreboard.

After indulging in an excellent tea Kirdford collapsed in spectacular fashion to the bowling of Dave Clarke (9 overs 3 for 12) and Andy Long (8 overs 3 for 9), being all out for 46. Lodsworth’s legendary septuagenarian spin bowler Joe Clifford took the final wicket. Joe first played for the village team against Ebernoe in 1951, and although not seen so often nowadays this was the 59th season when he donned his whites. Visitors to the Recreation Hall can see a framed score sheet of one particular game where Joe took the wickets of all the opposing team.

To cap his batting performance, a noticeably more slender and athletic James (Jimmy) Hickey made a lot of ground to take a lofted catch and confirm his Man-of-the- Match Award.

For a full report and pictures visit http://www.lodsworthcc.org.uk
Bob Powell
Scribe