Author: Al Rix

Sunday 17th September 2006

Lodsworth CC v Plaistow CC at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 145 all out (Jon Houghton 52, Rod Taylor 43, B Powell 15: S Woods 6 overs 5 for 25, M Bench 8overs 2 for 27, S Gilley 12 overs 2 for 35)

Plaistow CC 92 for 7 (S Woods 37, M Bench 26, S Chapman 23: Matt Hall 9 overs 4 for 21, Jon Houghton 11.3 overs 3 for 35)

Lodsworth won a limited 35-overs game

Plaistow arrived without two players who had beeninjured playing rugby the previous day; Andy Long volunteered to field for the visitors and sustained a back injury that would later prevent him bowling and Paul Phillips was carrying a calf injury that later restricted him to two overs. The slip cordon looked like a hospital queue.

Lodsworth batted first and although five batsmen recorded ducks the innings was cemented by a fine fourth wicket partnership between Jon Houghton (53) and Rod Taylor (43) and a final wicket partnership between Paul Phillips and Bob Powell (15) that took the home team to 145 all out at tea. S Woods was the pick of the Plaistow bowlers with figures of 6 overs, five wickets for 25 runs.

Plaistow put up a brave fight led by skipper Woods (37), but Matt Hall showed a great late-season return to form with 9 overs 4 for 21 and Jon Houghton bowled very economically to record 11.3 overs 3 for 35. Plaistow lost their last four batsmen for ducks.

Nine ducks in a game! Surely some sort of record?

Man of the match Jon Houghton

Sunday 10th September 2006

Parham Park CC v Lodsworth CC at Parham House

Parham Park CC 141 for 8 (J Nettleton 61, S Trott 20: Matt Hall 9 overs 4 for 29, Paul Phillips 9 overs 3 for 39, Amol 9 overs 1 for 20)

Lodsworth CC 112 for 8 (Oliver King 33, Sean Chivers 22, Matt Hall 14: S Forest 11 overs 3 for 23, JNettleton 5 overs 2 for 9, M Richmond 8 overs 2 for 22)

Match Drawn.

There are few more idyllic village cricket grounds than the lakeside pitch at Parham House, with the west façade of the Victorian mansion as a backdrop and deer roaming the fringes. Parham batted first and, despite a forceful innings of 7 by their young Australian batsman J Nettleton, were restricted to 141 for 8 off 36 overs. Lodsworth fielded energetically while Matt Hall (9 overs 3 for 29) and Paul Phillips (9 overs 3 for 39) restricted the run rate, aided by Lodsworth’s Indian bowler Amol (9 overs 1 for 20). Two brilliant catches by Christian Budd and Paul Phillips dismissed Parham’s most threatening batsmen.

With a reasonably strong batting line-up Lodsworth were confident of eclipsing the Parham total but the normally reliable Christian Budd, Andy Wilson-Smith and Richard Ashcroft were quickly back in the pavilion. It was left to Ollie King (33) to shore up the innings assisted by a flamboyant 22 from Sean Chivers. With eight overs to go and seven wickets down Lodsworth looked decidedly vulnerable but Paul Phillips and Alistair Rix shut up shop and achieved an honourable draw with 112 for 8 at close of play. S Forest was the pick of the Parham bowlers with 11 overs, 5 maidens 3 for 23).

Man of the Match Matt Hall

Sunday 3rd September 2006

Lodsworth CC v Crawley CC 2nd Xl

Lodsworth CC 73 all out (Rod Taylor 20, Andy Long 17: C Clifford 10 overs 6 for 18, W Warren 8 overs 2 for 29)

Crawley CC 2nd Xl 76 for 4 (T Wilde 29, I Dando 22 not out: Paul Phillips 7 overs 1 for 12, Andy Long 8 overs1 for 16, J Houghton 5 overs 1 for 15)

Crawley won by 6 wickets.

What a difference a month makes! In July Lodsworth rattled up 212 for 3 against Crawley 2nd Xl but on this occasion quickly came unstuck against a Crawley bowling line-up reinforced by the addition of several first team players including C Clifford. The right-arm fast bowler took six wickets in his ten-over spell and Lodsworth never recovered. Rod Taylor (20) displayed defiance and the tail wagged energetically with Andy Long adding 17 but the home team were back in the pavilion after one and a half hours with just 73 runs to show for their efforts.

On the resumption Lodsworth battled doggedly with tight bowling from Paul Phillips (7 overs 1 for 12), Andy Long (8 overs 1 for 16), and Jon Houghton (5 overs 1 for 15) backed up by some energetic fielding from Harry Dimond and Sean Chivers. Crawley were kept on a tight rein but eventually passed the Lodsworth total for the loss of four wickets. T Wilde was top scorer for the visitors with 29 and I Dando carried his bat with 22 not out.

Bob Powell

Skipper

Lodsworth CC

Sunday 27th August 2006

Walberton CC v Lodsworth CC

Lodsworth CC 179 for 7 (Jon Houghton 52 not out, Andy Wilson-Smith 51: N Jackson 12 overs 4 for 59, A Bist 10 overs 3 for 28)

Walberton 141 all out (C Jackson 54, P Harboard 27: Andy Long 8 overs 4 for 16, Jon Houghton 6 overs 2 for 28, Paul Phillips 7 overs 2 for 46)

Lodsworth Won

Put into bat Lodsworth quickly lost both their opening batsmen. Walberton’s left-arm fast bowler A Bist (10 overs 3 for 28) and N Jackson (12 overs 4 for 59) severely restricted the visitor’s progress and with five wickets down for 45 runs Lodsworth looked to being in for an uncomfortable afternoon. But a sixth wicket partnership by Andy Wilson-Smith (51) and Jon Houghton (52 not out) turned the tide and Lodsworth eventually went in for tea on 179 for 7.

On the resumption of play Walberton lost their two openers to Paul Phillips (7 overs 2 for 46) but looked dangerous when P Harboard (27) and C Jackson (59) came together for a third wicket partnership. The introduction of Andy Long (8 overs 4 for 16) and Jon Houghton (6 overs 2 for 28) nullified the threat and the two medium-pace bowlers mopped up the middle and lower order.

Jon Houghton took three extraordinary catches to bring his total for the season to 17, and Rod Taylor, James Hickey and Andy Long held others. The Walberton innings closed at 141 all out as Lodsworth recorded their third victory in a row accomplished by an excellent team performance.

Man of the Match Jon Houghton

Sunday 20th August 2006

Lodsworth CC v West Sussex Wanderers CC at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 264 for 3 (Rod Taylor 108 not out, Oliver King 69, Alistair Rix 23, Jack Diamond 28 not out: B Butterfield 5 overs 2 for 45)

West Sussex Wanderers CC 156 for 7 (M Hall 86, A Wilson-Smith 20: Andy Long 4.4 overs 2 for 22, Harry Dimond 6 overs 1 for 16).

Lodsworth Won

West Sussex Wanderers arrived short of players which Lodsworth obligingly supplied Matt Hall and Andy Wilson-Smith shoring up the visitor’s frail line-up and subsequently contributing handsomely with bat and ball.

But the man-of-the match was undoubtedly Lodsworth’s Rod Taylor, who has been threatening a big innings all season. His 108 not out is the highest score by a Lodsworth batsman in recent years. It was an innings of unremitting ferocity and composure with sixes and fours dispatched to all sectors of the ground. The WSW bowling was punished mercilessly as Oliver King (69), Alistair Rix (23) and Jack Dimond (28 not out) pushed the home team’s total to 264 for 3 declared at tea.

West Sussex Wanderers replied with 156 for 7, most of their runs coming from the Lodsworth on-loan players. Matt Hall hit a season best 86 until caught on the boundary by Jon Houghton, and Andy Wilson-Smith bowed out with 20.

Andy Long was the pick of the Lodsworth bowler with 4.4 overs 2 for 22 and Harry Dimond bowled a commendable 6 overs 1 for 16. Lodsworth’s fielders were inspired with excellent catches by James Hickey, Rod Taylor and Jon Houghton (2).

Man of the Match Rod Taylor

Sunday 13th August 2006.

The George Clifford Memorial Trophy Game

Lodsworth CC v The Matt Hall XI at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 146 for 7 (Oliver King 36, Richard Ashcroft 33, Alistair Rix 31, Jack Dimond 26 not out; K Bills 4 overs 3 for 18)

Matt Hall Xl 132 all out (Matt Hall 49, Jon Houghton 33; Nijesh 9 overs 3 for 35, Harry Dimond 7 overs 2 for 27, Navaron 6 overs 2 for 20)

Dark clouds scurried in from the northeast and thunder rolled over the distant hills. A heavy shower delayed the start until 3.00 pm when it was decided to reduce the game to 30 overs. The match was played in overcast conditions with the occasional sunny spell and ominous flashes of thunder in the early evening. In short, perfect conditions for cricket in England in August.

Lodsworth batted first and there were solid performances from Ollie King (36), Richard Ashcroft (33) and the ever improving Alistair Rix (31), but it was teenager Jack Dimond who took the eye with a sparkling 26 not out. Lodsworth went in for tea with 146 for 7. Kevin Bills was the best of the Matt Hall Xl bowlers.

When the Matt Hall Xl took the field it was another Dimond who glittered, this time younger brother Harry, who took the first two wickets and finished with figures of 7 overs 2 for 27. Matt Hall led his team from the front with a magnificent 49, ably supported by Jon Houghton (33) who had defected to the opposition. Stripped of all their usual bowlers Lodsworth introduced Indian player Nijash from Gujarat who bowled with great pace and accuracy to record 9 overs 3 for 35, and Bengali medium pacer Navaran, who finished on 6 overs 2 for 20.

The result of the game hung in the balance with the final wicket falling at 132 with just six balls to go. The legendary Lodsworth player Joe Clifford presented the trophy, commemorating his father, to the winning skipper Bob Powell. Black clouds enveloped the ground but the gloom could not diminish the sparkling performance of the two Dimonds.

Man of the Match Matt Hall

Sunday 6th August 2006

Fittleworth CC v Lodsworth CC at Fittleworth

Lodsworth 188 for 9 ( Christian Budd 52, Jon Houghton 24, Rod Taylor 21, Alistair Rix 18no, Matt Hall 16, Sean Chivers 16: R Dunstan 10 overs 4 for 50, M Demitriou 11 overs2 for 29)

Fittleworth 191 for 2 (M Demetriou 87 not out, P Kitchener 77 not out: Matt Hall 12 overs 2 for 63).

[[image:villagecricketscene.jpg::right:0]]Batting first, an exemplary innings by opener Christian Budd anchored the Lodsworth innings.Christian’s 52 included an astonishing five 6’s and when joined by Jon Houghton the score moved steadily to 97 for 2. Matt Hall (16) and Rod Taylor (21) maintained the momentum and the tail wagged furiously with Alistair Rix hitting three 4’s in his quickfire 18 not out, and Sean Chivers smote one mighty 6 in his 16 as Lodsworth complied a creditable 188 for 9.

Fittleworth lost two early wickets to Matt Hall but M Demittriou and P Kitchener gradually took control. With few bowling options Lodsworth tried every combination but were unable to dislodge the increasingly confident pair and Fittleworth reached 191 for 2 with three overs to spare.

Despite the result this was one of Lodsworth’s best performances of the season. Without their full bowling lineup the team fought tenaciously showing immense resilience and chasing every ball. The game was finely balanced until the last 15 minutes and the deciding factor was probably Lodsworth’s inability to hold onto three very difficult catches in what was otherwise a strong fielding display.

Bob Powell

Skipper

Lodsworth CC

Lodsworth vs Crawley II

30th July at Lodsworth

Lodsworth played host to Crawley 2nd’s from the Sussex Invitation League on Sunday. Crawley earlier in the season recorded 350 runs in a league match, the biggest total ever recorded in the Sussex Inviatation League.

Andy ‘Braveheart’ Long paraded the boundary and told his men ”fight and you may die, run, and you’ll live… at least for a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM! ”

Long had chosen a great moment in cinematic history to inspire Loddie, even if he would never be a convincing Mel Gibson with those looks. Lodsworth lost an early wicket with Martin Howard departing with the score on 11. Matt Hall came in at no 3 for a surprise appearance at the top of the order. He took no time in ripping apart the Crawley attack before being caught on 59.

Ollie King scored another half century but took time to get into gear. But King retired hurt (!!!!) on 53 under suspicious circumstances which Long later described as a act of team spirit. Paul Phillips carried on his fine recent form with the bat with 33. Al Rix (8 no) and James Hickey (14 no) played cameo roles. The score finished on 212-3.

The visitors went into bat showing little intention to win the match. Sadly Crawley had chosen to play for a draw from the start, sensing 200+ was out of their reach. Captain Long continually changed the bowling attack to keep the batsmen and himself confused.

Performance of the day came from 15 year old debutant Ben Randle. The youngster ending up with figures of 1 for 14 off 5 overs and perhaps unlucky not to have taken more wickets with catches going to ground off his bowling.

Asked to name man of the match Captain Long fittingly said ”this was a team performance and the honours go to the whole team.”

Ollie King

Saturday 29th July at Lodsworth

The Lodsworth Six-a-Side Tournament on Saturday 29th July was a huge success and most players in the Lodsworth Squad played for one, and in some cases two, of the teams in the tournament. Matt Hall, Ollie King, Kyle Chadwick, Graham Braithwaite, Ben Randall and Martin Howard turned out for the Lodsworth Six, with James Hickey, Alistair Rix and Sean Chivers in the Lickfold team. Bob Powell donned the gloves for the Singapore Cricket VI while Edward Gore-Browne, Chris Scott, Russell Mayne, Nick Broom and Giles Pearman strutted their stuff with the Holist Arms or the No-Hopers. Add Matts cousin Lee and that adds up to 16 current players who were actively engaged on the day, which is something of a record.

Thanks to John King and Tim Johnson for effectively organising the programme, to Tim and Gillian for scoring, to Jill King, Victoria Braithwaite and Zena Davies for providing the teas, to Paul Phillips and Paul Lawson for preparing the wicket and to James Hickey for the excellent barbecue and band in the evening and to a host of volunteer umpires including President Don Ford.

The winner of the tournament were the Singapore Cricket Club with the Lickfold Arms worthy runners up. (Ed: Unknown to many, SCC were spurred on by the fact that if they didn’t win they’d have to admit they’ve lost the coveted tropy which was in their possession!)

Nick Holloway (45av) (Lickfold Arms) won the award for best batsman of the day and (wait for it) Al Rix took the most wickets (6 for 34) winning the Best Bowler Award. (Note: Al took a random blood test after the game and there was found to be an excess of alcohol in his A sample. The results of his B sample are awaited before this last award can be confirmed! Al of course denied knowingly to have drunk any beer during the tournament and said his lemonade must have been spiked!) (Ed: This is of course completely subjective by Bob who probably still can’t believe I can bowl in a straight line…)

A short history lesson about our opponents….

Tangmere is a small village in West Sussex, proud of an assocaition with RAF fighter pilot hero Sir Douglas Bader, stationed at Tangmere during the second world war. From Tangmere Bader led his wing of Spitfires in raids over northwestern Europe gunning down the might of the german Luftwaffe.

Lodsworth launched their own air offensive yesterday sending out two fighters in Phillips and King, an agressive air assalut started the innings, the ball being launched to all areas of the boundary. Not a hint of Tangmere resistance as Lodsworth cruised to 93 without loss. However the fall of both openers Phillips a magnificent 44 and King 55 surely ment the Lodsworth big guns could come out firing – ”plenty of rabbits in the hutch” as captain Long said at the drinks break.

However Tangmere had a few rabbit catching ideas and our rabbits never got going.Unfortunately Lodsworth failed to build on such a promising start although Houghton hit an unbeaten 24. Lodsworth finished on 175-6.

The Tangmere innings got off to a bad start with an early wicket to Man of Match Paul Phillips. However poor fielding and dropped catches allowed a home side recovery. Catches win matches and unfortunately Lodsworth dropped eight chances. At the run rate down to less than 6 an over with 7 wickets remaining there looked only one winner. But Captain Andy Long bought himself on to try and turn the game and that proved to be a wise move with tight bowling at the death and returning figures of 2 wickets for 8 runs.

The game fizzled out into a draw in what looked the fair result. There was no victory flypast through Tangmere and the Loddie squadron made their way home after an enjoyable but unsuccessful mission.