Author: Al Rix

Lodsworth Self-Destruct

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Walberton CC v Lodsworth CC at Walberton 23rd August 2009.

Lodsworth CC 82 all out (Matt Hall 26, Alfie Bunker 19; Lockwood 3 overs 4 for 7, Kemp 4 overs 2 for 4)

Walberton CC 85 for 2 (Bradley 38 not out. Keale 31: Andy Long 6 overs 1 for 16, Paul Phillips 7 overs 1 for 30)

Lodsworth Lost

Walberton is one of our bogey teams. They have fairly average bowlers and their batting is dogged rather than elegant but on every occasion that Lodsworth make the journey south of the A27 we self-destruct. Defensive skills are thrown out of the window and every Lodsworth batsman seems to want to gift a catch to the opposition.

Matt Hall and Harry Dimond started well and took the score to 25 at which point Harry was beaten by a yorker. Paul Phillips went next ball, possibly suffering from the previous day’s celebrations after winning the “Best Vegetable’ award in the Village Horticultural Show. The turning point came, however, when Matt Hall on 26 was given out ‘caught behind’ by umpire Bob Powell. Hawkeye or rather 11 hawkeyes on the boundary verified that in fact the ball did not carry. Thereafter with the exception of Alfie Bunker (19) all the Lodsworth batsmen surrended meekly and the village team ended on 82 all out.

After tea Walberton applied themselves well and offered few chances while Lodsworth bowled their hearts out but to no avail as the score slowly mounted. The home team eventually cantered to a win with 85 for 2, the wickets falling to Phillips and Long.

The only good news of the day came as Lodsworth left the field to find England had won the Ashes!

Down to the Wire

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

West Chiltington CC v Lodsworth CC at West Chiltington August 16th 2009

West Chiltington CC 140 all out in 35.1 overs (Mick Armstrong 58, B Martin 19; Graham Braithwaite 5 overs 3 for 25, Matt Hall 2.1 overs 2 for 15, Paul Phillips 9 overs 2 for 17, Andy Long 6 overs 2 for 20).

Lodsworth CC 125 for 9 in 39 overs (James Hickey 25, Matt Hall 25, John Clifford 22; Mick Armstrong 10 overs 3 for 14, D Budgen 5 overs 2 for 22).

Match Drawn.

The West Chiltington skipper won the toss and elected to bat but may have had some qualms about his decision as three batsman were quickly dismissed with just 19 runs on the board. But at this stage the home team’s Australian all-rounder Mick ‘Dundee’ Armstrong steadied their imminent collapse with a combative 58 and West Chiltington wrapped up their innings with 140 all out off 35.1 overs. Graham Braithwaite was the best of the Lodsworth bowlers with 5 overs 3 for 25. Andy Long, James Hickey, Graham Braithwaite and Bob Powell held good catches.

After a splendid tea Lodsworth were quickly in disarray. Oliver King, Graham Braithwaite, Harry Dimond, Alfie Bunker and Nick Bellion contributed a total of just 14 runs and the visitors wilted under sustained pressure from fast bowler Armstrong who returned figures of 10 overs 3 for 14. Lodsworth looked as if they were heading for an embarrassing defeat when the cavalry arrived in the shape of Matt Hall (25) Paul Phillips (16), Johnny Clifford (22) and James Hickey, whose sparkling 25 included two towering sixes turned the game around.

With the score at 125 and with 9 wickets down Lodsworth had to survive just two balls to force a draw, which they did with some elation. Both teams agreed it was an immensely enjoyable game of cricket taken down to the wire.

Man-of-the-Match James Hickey

A Historic Encounter

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

Arundel Grasshoppers CC v Lodsworth CC at Arundel Castle 8th August 2009

Lodsworth CC 152 for 8 (Harry Dimond 48, Matt Hall 39 not out; C Budd 15 overs 3 for 43)

Arundel Grasshoppers CC 155 for 6 (C Budd 82; Martin Howard 6 overs 2 for 29)

Lodsworth CC Lost.

The 15th Duke of Norfolk built Arundel Castle cricket ground in 1895 and the 3.5-acre amphitheatre is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful cricket venues in the world. From its immaculate flat wicket, to its lush green outfield and dining room walls lined with historic oil paintings and black and white photographs the ground is unique. This year the pitch has hosted Sussex v Hampshire, The Duke of Norfolk’s XI v Australian Crusaders and The Duke of Norfolk’s XI v Cambridge University. Suffice to say this was the first time in 114 years that Lodsworth Cricket Club were invited to play here against Arundel Grasshoppers formerly known as The Arundel Estate XI.

Put in to bat, the Lodsworth openers seemed slightly in awe of their surroundings and the score crept along at snails pace with just 42 runs on the board after 20 overs and with Jon Clifford, Graham Braithwaite, Nick Bellion and Oliver King all back in the pavilion. It fell to Harry Dimond (48) and Matt Hall (39 not out) to up the pace and Lodsworth finished with 152 for 8 off 43 overs.

From the outset 152 looked difficult to defend and when the Grasshoppers whacked 21 off the first four overs things looked decidedly ominous. Andy Long tried all ways to shift opener C Budd using six bowlers but he proved immovable, going on to score 82 as the home team swept to victory with 155 for 6. Martin Howard, Nick Bellion, Josh Cowell, Matt Hall and Andy Long all bowled well and James Hickey took a superb catch but in the end the Castle retainers repelled the village invaders with 11 balls to spare.

Man of the match Harry Dimond

Lodsworth savour Victory

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

Lodsworth CC v Fittleworth CC at Lodsworth 2nd August 2009

Fittleworth CC 122 for 6 off 43 overs (P Kitchener 69 not out, A Kitchener 28 not out; Andy Long 9 overs 4 for 13)

Lodsworth CC 125 for 2 off 27 overs (Matt Hall 80 not out, Harry Dimond 29)

Lodsworth CC won

After a stupendous Vice President’s lunch provided by the Hollist Arms and organised by Tim and Gillian Johnson with the assistance of John and Jill King the Lodsworth cricket team staggered out to play. Shaking off the effects of a particularly good Sauvignon Blanc the elder members of the team then produced their best bowling and fielding performance of the season. Or perhaps it was the contribution of our four Seaford College players that actually swung the game in Lodsworth’s favour.

Some fine bowling from Andy Long and Dave Clark initially tied down Fittleworth. The fielding was sharp and new recruit Alfie Bunker had a particularly memorable debut taking three catches, one off his own bowling. Nick Bellion, Matt Hall and Graham Braithwaite also bowled tightly and the visitors were restricted to 122 off 43 overs.

In reply Lodsworth knocked 125 for 2 off 27 overs with former skipper Matt Hall hitting his best run of batting form for a decade with 80 not out to add to his recent scores of 50 and 75. Harry Dimond supported stoutly with 29.

For Lodsworth this was a sweet victory, for Fittleworth had previously beaten the village team every year since 2002. On this occasion the tables were reversed and Lodsworth scored a resounding victory.

Man of the match Matt Hall (again)

All the President’s Men

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

Lodsworth CC v The President’s Xl at Lodsworth 19th July 2009

Lodsworth 232 for 6 (Matt Hall 50 retired, Jon Clifford 43, Dave Clark 27 not out, Paul Phillips 24 not out, Josh Cowell 22; Brown 5 overs 3 for 30)

The President’s Xl 125 all out (J Walker 48, A Mills 24, N Pearman 14, Jake Taylor 9; Oliver King 2 overs 3 for 5, Josh Cowell 1 over 2 for 0)

Lodsworth CC won.

The cancellation of the Lodsworth Six-a-Side Tournament, left space in the calender for a new fixture against a President’s Xl assembled by George Bristow, that hopefully could become an annual event. Lodsworth fielded a strong team that saw Bob Powell relegated to 12th man, while The Presidents Xl was a mixture of doyens of the village game and senior school boys from Wellington College skippered by South African hit man Rod Taylor (visiting from Muscat) backed by his son Jake,

In the spirit of the friendly encounter Lodsworth captain Andy Long reversed his batting order sending out Jon Clifford and Josh Cowell to open. Both did well, Clifford making a season best 46 and Cowell 22. Long made a lively 36 and the middle order weighed in with useful contributions as Lodsworth finished on 232 for 6 off 35 overs.

The President’s men started well with the openers J Walker (48) and A Mills (24) creating a solid platform. There were other useful contributions notably by Jake Taylor (9) before a collapse that saw Ollie King claim 3 wickets for 5 runs off 2 overs and Josh Cowell bowl just one over to take 2 wicket for 0.The Presidents Xl were ‘blown away’ in the westerly gale for just 125.

A jolly afternoon of cricket ended on a convivial note with a barbecue at the Hollist Arms where we were able to observe, what appears to be the village scaffold being erected in the car park.

Man of the match John Clifford

Hall makes his mark

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Bury and West Burton CC v Lodsworth CC at Bury 12th July 2009

Lodsworth 229 for 5 (Graham Braithwaite 80, Matt Hall 75; Waller 14 overs 2 for 42)

Bury and West Burton CC 125 for 4 ( Lewis 57 not out, Cannes 36 not out: Dave Clarke 12 overs 2 for 24, Paul Phillips 9 overs 2 for 27)

Match drawn

Lodsworth rebounded emphatically after the previous weeks catastrophic collapse against Tillington, but not without some early faltering steps. James Hickey went, first ball, to a catch in the slips and a ‘shooter’ beat Harry Dimond. But Matt Hall played his most commanding innings for several seasons, employing his favourite late cut to notch up 75. At the other end Graham Braithwaite, currently in exuberant form, clouted some huge sixes as he sped to 80. Lodsworth finished on 229 for 5.

After tea the Lodsworth attack started confidently and was making steady progress with some sharp fielding by the Seaford College Trio – Harry Dimond, Nick Dellion and Josh Cowell. Five batsmen were back in the pavilion with barely 50 runs on the board. Dave Clark bowled 12 overs 2 for 24 including a superb caught and bowled and Paul Phillips returned 9 overs 2 for 27 assisted by excellent catches from Dellion and Cowell.

Then an appalling umpiring decision denied Lodsworth a perfectly legitimate catch at slip. The thick edge was probably heard in Arundel. The match hinged on this incident for it proved an unnecessary distraction and soured an otherwise enjoyable encounter. While Lodsworth fretted over the injustice the incumbent batsman dug in and thereafter held on (like the England tail-end in Cardiff) to eke out a draw.

But we have to learn to take the rough with the smooth – umpires in village cricket are a bit of a lottery. In retrospect this was a good result and affirms Lodsworth’s ability to regularly post over 200 runs.

Man of the match Matt Hall

Lodsworth Batsmen fall like Skittles

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

Lodsworth Batsmen Fall Like Skittles

Lodsworth CC v Tillington CC at Petworth Park. 5th July 2009

Tillington CC 92 all out (Al Rix 20, B Whickham 15, G Westmore 15; Martin Howard 5 overs 3 for 12, Paul Phillips 10 overs 3 for 24)

Lodsworth 47 all out (Oliver King 15, Paul Phillips 14; Quinn Murray 12 overs 8 for 14)

Lodsworth lost.

As a result of a clash with a stoolball tournament Lodsworth’s home fixture against close rivals Tillington was switched to Petworth Park. In retrospect it was not a good decision – Petworth is a remarkably beautiful setting but the playing square is abysmal, verging on dangerous,

Put in to bat Tillington, with renegade batsman Al Rix (20) to 3 the fore scored 92 all out off 29 overs. Martin Howard (5 overs 3 for 12) and Paul Phillips (10 overs 3 for 24) inflicting most of the damage with skipper Andy Long taking four catches.

Exultant after their fielding display Lodsworth were perhaps over confident of a victory but the more knowing sensed it would not be easy given the precocious nature of the track. And so it proved to be. Fast bowler Quinn Murrey, aided by a devilish bounce proceeded to demolish the Lodsworth batting, returning figures of 12 overs 8 wickets for 14 runs. It was a pathetic performance by the home team, who fell over like pub skittles, with only King and Phillips making double figures and a total of four ducks.

Coming on the back of a string of excellent batting displays it was disappointing. The pitch can be blamed but, as the saying goes, ‘it was the same for both teams’. One positive can be taken from the result – Lodsworth’s fielding was excellent, with catches taken by Long (4), Howard and Dellion.

Tea served by Jill King, Vicki Braithwaite and Teggy Phillips reached new heights of gastronomic excellence – some recompense for a harrowing afternoon in the field.

Dimond Cutting Edge

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Lodsworth CC v Goodwood CC at Lodsworth 28th June 2009

Goodwood CC 205 for 5 off 40 overs (M Geffin 43, J Miles 34; N Dellion 6 overs 2 wickets for 24, Dave Clarke 9 overs 2 for 33)

Lodsworth CC 180 for 8 off 39 overs (Harry Dimond 63, Dave Clarke 43, James Hickey 17, Andrew Wilson-Smith 16; Smith 14 overs 3 for 59, Wilma 8 overs 3 for 36)

Match drawn.

Goodwood are one of several new fixtures on the Lodsworth calendar and represent the higher standard cricket to which the village team now aspires.

Put into bat by skipper-of-the-day Paul Phillips, the Goodwood openers painstakingly constructed a platform for the middle order. M Geffin (43) and J Miles (34) were the mainstay of the visitors efforts. Harry Dimond, Paul Phillips and Matt Hall were unable to shift them but the introduction of Dave Clark and Nick Dellion put a dent in the batting line up while Bob Powell and Jon Clifford held catches. The visitors finished with 205 for 5, a score that a few seasons ago would have seemed unattainable by Lodsworth … but no longer, and after tea the chase was on…

Andrew Wilson-Smith and James Hickey opened for Lodsworth to an intimidating field with two slips, a gully, silly mid-on and a silly mid-off. Both Andrew (16) and James (17) set off at a good pace and clubbed a number of fours to the boundary (17 off the opening over) but eventually Hickey popped up a catch to silly mid-on and one over later his replacement Johan Fourie fell into the same trap.

Harry Dimond (63) and Dave Clarke (43) then came together to restore some equilibrium to the Lodsworth batting. Harry’s languid upright style with a full repertoire of effortless drives and deft deflections (a reminder of the young Michael Vaughan) was in sharp contrast to Dave’s fiercely combative style.

Lodsworth were never far off the run rate and eventually finished at 180 for 8 off 39 overs with Jon Clifford and Elliott Wilson-Smith at the crease, by which time the slightly worried Goodwood skipper had six men on the boundary.

The game, played in an exceptionally fine spirit ended in a draw with neither side able to administer the knockout punch, but both were able to take some satisfaction from the result.

Man of the match Harry Dimond

Match Report – Fernhurst CC

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

Fernhurst CC v Lodsworth CC at Fernhurst 21st June 2009

Lodsworth 256 for 5 (G Braithwaite 81, Oliver King 50 not out, Harry Dimond 27, Matt Hall 22 not out, Nick Dellion 19, Paul Phillips 19 not out)

Fernhurst 132 for 7 ( M Heath 49 not out, A Sales 30, A Lambert 19: Andy Long 10 overs 3 for 26)

Match Drawn

Lodsworth faced the youngest opposition of the season as Fernhurst fielded a team boasting nine under 18’s. Winning the toss Andy Long sent in Oliver King and James Hickey and both fared well against some useful bowling until James hooked a ball to leg and was well caught. In came Graham Braithwaite who displayed a delightful array of shots in all directions while King was building a sure but very steady innings. By the drinks break Lodsworth were 100 for 1 and looking set for a high score at which point the skipper said to put the foot on the accelerator. Graham obliged and eventually holed out on 81 while Oliver retired on 50

Harry Dimond (27) and Matt Hall (22) took up the cudgels and both played some elegant shots as did Nick Dellion (19) and Paul Phillips (19 not out) to take Lodsworth to 256 for 4 off 38 overs – one of the highest scores by the village team in recent years.

After tea Lodsworth set about the Fernhurst batsman with a will. Dave Clark and Paul Phillips opened the attack but like Fernhurst who dropped half a dozen catches Lodsworth showed equal lack of application to the basics. The home team got to 50 for 1 with some narrow escapes along the way. A change of bowlers saw Nick Dellion who got a wicket with his fourth ball. At the other end Long brought himself on and he took two quick wickets, one caught by King and another bowled.

A smart run out by Nick Dellion left Fernhurst on 75 for 6 with 8 overs remaining and soon after Long took a smart caught and bowled. With a victory in sight Lodsworth tried everything from spin to Yorkers but to no avail as Fernhurst held on for a draw with 132 for 7 of 40 overs. It was what is termed a ‘winning draw’.

Man of the Match – Graham Braithwaite

Down to the Wire

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports

Lodsworth CC v Tangmere CC at Lodsworth 14th June 2009.

Lodsworth CC 200 for 8 (Graham Braithwaite 64, Oliie King 41, James Hickey 23, Jon Clifford 21, Paul Phillips 20)

Tangmere CC 201 for 4 ( Andy Long 8.4 overs 3 for 37)

Lodsworth Lost

Games against Tangmere in the last five years have always been close run affairs with two wins to Lodsworth, two draws and a classic game that ended in a tie when Matt Hall missed the stumps from two metres for a run out on the last ball!

On this occasion Andy Long won the toss and elected to bat on an excellent track prepared by Paul Phillips. Andrew Wilson-Smith and Ollie King were given the task of dealing with the new ball, which they did admirably until A W-S was bamboozled by a left arm Chinaman. Dave Clark lasted a little longer until he was caught at point. King was meanwhile unusually patient as he compiled an innings of 41 runs before having a dabble outside his off-stump to gift a catch to the keeper. At the other end Graham Braithwaite accelerated the scoring rate and there was a cultured contribution from 12-year old Finn Campbell who displayed excellent technique on his debut before being stumped. James Hickey joined GB and contributed a rapid fire 23 while Graham proceeded to 63 before being given out one ball after his parents joined the spectators. It remained for Paul Phillips (20) and Jon Clifford (21) to play cameo roles before the last pair Andy Long and his dad Peter arrived at the crease for the final over – the first time they had batted together for 20 years. Lodsworth went in at the half way point with 200 runs on the board and feeling reasonably satisfied and confident of the outcome.

But Tangmere came out to bat aggressively and put on 80 runs for the loss of one wicket (caught Hickey bowled Hall ) in the hour after tea. With 20 overs remaining they required 120 runs – a runs a ball but “with plenty of rabbits in the hutch” to use the skipper’s metaphor. With Matt Hall, Paul Phillips, Dave Clark and Graham Braithwite all struggling to take wickets the skipper introduced himself and this proved to be a good decision as he picked up two quick victims that swung the game in Lodsworth’s favour.

But three dropped catches later and with several mighty hits to the boundary Tangmere gradually came back into the game until they needed just 20 runs from 4 overs. Eventually they made the target of 201 for the loss of four wickets with 8 balls left. The game was played in a good spirit and Lodsworth were not disgraced but all credit to Tangmere for they took the game to the home team and played well as a team. Special mention should be made of James Hickey who took one catch and made two stumpings)

Man of the match – Oliver King