Author: Al Rix

Sunday 4th September

Zambuca Tigers CC v Lodsworth CC at Braypool, Brighton

Zambuca Tigers CC 137 for 8 in 30 overs (Nick Straiton 66, Ashley Crossthwaite 22: Martin Howard 5 overs 2 for 24, Paul Phillips 7 overs 2 for 28, Matt Hall 8 overs 2 for 36).

Lodsworth CC 139 for 3 (Oliver King 42 not out, Matt Hall 32, Andy Long 18 not out)

Lodsworth won

For a Lodsworth team accustomed to playing in idyllic country settings the Braypool ground in Brighton was a revelation. The ground is located alongside the carbon-monoxide belching traffic on the A23 and the pavilion, a vandalised shack with a concrete floor is decorated in a delightful blend of matt black and silver spray paint. In what can only be described as the front-line of cricket, the village team ventured into the lair of the Tigers.

Both teams were under-strength and a formula was agreed whereby the first and second batsmen of each team would be permitted to bat again at the end of the innings – only in village cricket could this happen.

Due to the protracted pre-match negotiations, a late start ensued and the contest was reduced to 30 overs.

Zambuca Tigers were propped up by a meticulous performance by skipper Nick Straiton (71) backed by Ashley Crossthwaite (22). All the Lodsworth bowlers got into the frame with Paul Phillips 7 overs 2 for 28, Matt Hall 8 overs 2 for 36 and Martin Howard 5 overs 2 for 24 prevailing as the Zambucans struggled to 137 for 8.

In reply Lodsworth quickly lost the wickets of openers Martin Howard (3) who played on to his wicket and Jon Houghton (14) who went to a disputed LBW decision, but Oliver King (42 not out) and Matt Hall (32) steadied the innings with a third wicket stand of 80. Then Andy Long (18 not out) joined Oliver King to take the score to 139 for 3, and record three wins in a row for the Lodsworth team.

Sunday 28th August

Petworth Park CC v Lodsworth CC at Petworth Park

Lodsworth CC 178 all out in 36 overs ( Andy Long 48, Matt Hall 47, Martin Howard 24; Jerry Wakeford 8 over 6 for 24).

Petworth Park CC 52 all out (C Charlesworth 24 not out: Andy Long 10 overs 4 for 9, Gregg Ryan 3 overs 3 for 1)

Lodsworth won

The annual game between Petworth and Lodsworth was reinstated on August Bank Holiday Sunday after a lapse of two years. Put in to bat Lodsworth began confidently with an opening stand by Rob Hall (18) and Martin Howard (24) but then tumbled disastrously to 59 for 7. The damage was caused by Petworth Park skipper Jerry Wakefield who recorded 8 overs 6 for 24.

But then the Lodsworth tail wagged! Matt Hall (47) and Andy Long (48) came together in a 8th wicket partnership of 96 to help Lodsworth recover to 155 for 8.

And then the tail wagged again! Veterans Bob Powell and John King (combined age 128) put on a 10th wicket stand of 20 and Lodsworth ended at tea on 178 all out.

Tea was taken, crowded around the TV, watching the test match at Trent Bridge draw to a tense conclusion. It was all too much for Petworth Park who after tea collapsed to 52 all out with only C Charlesworth (27 not out) offering resistance. The pick of the Lodsworth bowlers were Andy Long with 10 overs 4 for 9 and a notable first appearance of Gregg Ryan with 3 overs 3 wickets for 1 run.

Sunday 21st August

Lodsworth CC v Matt Hall Invitation XI at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 251 for 9 in 40 overs (Oliver King 67, Jon Houghton 40, Andy Long 39 not out: Johan Fourie 9 overs 3 for 30).

Matt Hall Invitation XI 121 all out in 32 overs ( Matt Hall 38, C Hall 33: Martin Howard 11 overs 7 for 18, Andy Long 7 overs 2 for 19)

Lodsworth won

Visitors to Lodsworth Cricket Club are often bemused by a framed score sheet on the wall of the dining room, showing the result of a game in 1976 when one Joe Clifford took 11 wickets for 21 runs for Lodsworth. Apparently the opposition arrived with 12 players and the home team agreed that their scorer would even up the numbers. Joe then proceeded to demolish their entire team. It must be a record that has been unequalled anywhere.

On Sunday Joe returned to the scene of his triumph and, almost three decades on, played against Lodsworth for his nephew’s team, the Matt Hall Invitation XI. Fortunately he was not in quite such devastating form but did bowl four overs and took the wicket of Lodsworth’s top scoring batsman.

Lodsworth CC batted first and amassed 251 runs for 9 wickets. Leading the charge was Oliver King with 67 and Jon Houghton with 40. Andy Long added 39 not out in a last wicket partnership with Bob Powell. Best of the opposition bowlers was South African Johan Fourie with 9 overs 3 for 30.

The Matt Hall XI were bravely led by their skipper Matt Hall with 38 and his cousin C Hall contributed 33, but Martin Howard led a blistering attack with a career best performance of 11 overs 7 for 18. Not quite in the class of the Lodsworth legend but not bad.

Sunday July 17th

Lodsworth CC v Salthill CC at Lodsworth

Salthill CC 159 for 8 declared (J Arnold 54, S King 30; Paul Phillips 6 overs 4 for 19)

Lodsworth CC 141 all out (Martin Howard 40, James Hickey 32; A Elsbury 7 overs 5 for 33, S King 8 overs 2 for 22)

Salthill won

Lodsworth fielded an exceptionally young team with three 13/14-year-old colts and in the circumstances did well against a very experienced XI from Salthill (Fishbourne).

Salthill won the toss and batted resolutely. J Arnold (54) and S King (30) were the pick of the Salthill batsmen while Paul Phillips took the bowling honours for Lodsworth with 6 overs 4 for 19, three of the wickets coming in one over. Fourteen-year-old Harry Diamond making his debut for Lodsworth took one wicket with an incredibly athletic caught and bowled effort. Salthill declared at 159 for 8.

In reply Lodsworth never achieved any momentum, with the exception of Martin Howard who hit a career best 40 and James Hickey who knocked 32 in typically aggressive fashion. But the home team ran out of steam and finished 19 runs short of the target at 141 all out, with five wickets falling to Salthill’s 17-year-old fast bowler A Elsbury.

Man-of-the-match Paul Phillips

Sunday July 3rd 2005.

Fernhurst CC v Lodsworth CC at Fernhurst

Fernhurst CC 154 for 9 (G Melrose 36, S William 29; Matt Hall 16 overs 4 for 38, Jon Houghton 16 overs 3 for 41, Edward Bristow 4 overs 1 for 14)

Lodsworth CC 157 for 6 ( Jon Houghton 38, James Hickey 37, Edwin Dickinson 24, Martin Howard 1; S Melrose 13 overs 3 for 34, J Bristow 8 overs 2 for 22)

Lodsworth Won

Two weddings in the space of eight days had depleted the Lodsworth team, but proved to be a blessing in disguise as one wedding guest from Australia and another from Guernsey were supplied with whites and pressed into service on the morning of the game. In all four new players made their Lodsworth debut!

Fernhurst CC were put into bat and their young team, bolstered by two or three experienced league players batted gamely to reach 154 for 9 in 47 overs. The best of the batsmen was G Melrose who knocked 36. The pick of the Lodsworth bowlers was Matt Hall who took 4 wickets for 38 in 16 overs.

In reply the Lodsworth batsmen went off at a fair gallop and the first wicket partnership of Jon Houghton (38) and Martin Howard (17) passed 50 in just 30 minutes. James Hickey (37) and Edwin Dickinson (24) kept up the pace and Lodsworth reached 157 for 6 in

just 35.4 overs. The youngest of the Lodsworth debutants, Edward Bristow, made timely contributions with both ball and bat. The best of the Fernhurst bowlers was S Melrose with 13 overs 3 for 34,

Having lost the equivalent encounter with Fernhurst in 2004 by just one run, this victory was sweet revenge for Lodsworth who clinched the game with three overs remaining.

Man-of-the-match Edward Bristow

Bob Powell

Captain Lodsworth CC

Another Game: Another Draw

Sunday June 26th

Lodsworth CC v West Sussex Wanderers CC at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 223 for 5 (Rod Taylor 62 not out, James Hickey 55, Jon Houghton 33, Oliver King 29; G Staight 19 overs 4 for 89))

West Sussex Wanderers CC 61 for 8 (G Staight 18; Andy Long 12 overs 10 maidens 4 wickets for 3 runs, Rod Taylor 5 overs 3 maidens 2 for 2)

Match Drawn

Yet another game where Lodsworth batted brilliantly and then bowled tightly but were unable to clinch a victory as West Sussex Wanderers defended stoutly in the fading light.

Lodsworth batting lineup goes from strength to strength. James Hickey, Jon Houghton and Oliver King pushed the score along steadily but it was Rod Taylor who provided the spark on this occasion. His 62 not out, including 10 fours and 2 sixes was a delight to watch. Lodsworth recorded 223 off 43 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.

West Sussex Wanderers had apparently decided from the outset to shut up shop and deny Lodsworth a victory. Andy Long was the pick of the Lodsworth bowlers with an amazing 12 overs10 maidens 4 wickets for 3 runs. Rod Taylor followed up his batting performance with 5 overs 3 maidens 2 for 2. But all to no avail and Lodsworth recorded their fourth draw of the season.

Frustrating! But another decisive Lodsworth victory is in the offing.

Man-of-the-match Rod Taylor

Bob Powell

Captain Lodsworth CC

Sunday June 19th

Lodsworth CC v Zambuca Tigers CC at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 263 for 2 (Jon Houghton 101 not out, James Hickey 104 not out)

Zambuca Tigers CC 146 for 4 (Paul Hess 83 not out, Nick Straiton 38; Wes Stander 7 overs 2 for 19)

Match Drawn

This was a result with both elation and disappointment for Lodsworth. The elation came from an historic innings by Lodsworth that saw two players scoring a century. Jon Houghton (101 not out) and James Hickey (104 not out) came together in a wonderful display of powerful hitting. Houghton’s innings included 14 fours and three sixes while Hickey’s contained 13 fours and 6 sixes. This was the first double century on record for the Lodsworth club as they amassed 263 for 2.

The disappointment came when the Zambuca Tigers from Brighton could not be bowled out and hung on by their claws to secure a draw with 146 for 4. The key figure in the Zambucan innings was Hurstpierpoint College schoolmaster Paul Hess who scored 83 not out backed by skipper Nick Straiton (38). The best of the Lodsworth bowlers was South African medium pacer Wes Sanders with 7 overs 2 for 12).

Man-of-the-match John Houghton

Saturday June 10th

Lodsworth CC v Havant “A” CC at Lodsworth

Havant “A” CC 105 all out (W Hindley 27, N Morgan 26; Matt Hall 9.2 overs 3 for 11, Andy Long 9 overs 2 for 10, Jon Houghton 5 overs 2 for 12, Martin Howard 7 overs 2 for 23)

Lodsworth CC 106 for 3 (Jon Houghton 33, Chris Duncton 30, James Hickey 24 not out, Matt Hall 11 not out; A Boniface 5 overs 2 for 9)

Lodsworth won by 7 wickets

After last weeks mauling at the hands of Graffham CC, Lodsworth bounced back with a 7 wickets victory over the Portsmouth based team Havant A. For the first time this season Lodsworth won the toss and elected to field. With the benefit of the new ball the Lodsworth bowlers steadily accounted for the Havant team who were restricted to 105 all out. Once again Matt Hall returned the best bowling figures for Lodsworth with 9.2 overs 3 for 11 backed by Martin Howard, Jon Houghton and Andy Long who each claimed two wickets.

Lodsworth’s openers Jon Houghton (33) and Chris Duncton (30) provided a strong platform before falling in successive overs to the spin bowling of A Boniface (5 overs 2 for 9). James Hickey (24 not out) then came together with Matt Hall (11 not out). The pair brought the Lodsworth innings to a close in a decisive manner with Hickey smashing four 4’s off the last seven balls.

Man-of-the-match Matt Hall.

5th June 2005 at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 77 all out. (Matt Hall 19, James Hickey 18, Jon Houghton17: Q Murray 12 overs 6 for 15, M Quinnell 9 overs 2 for 32, M Dally 3.5 overs 2 for 20).

Graffham CC 78 for 5 ( A Smith 61; Matt Hall 5 overs 2 for 19, Martin Howard 2.2 overs 2 for 6)

Lodsworth went into this game with a batting line up that on paper was its strongest of the season. But any complacency was soon shattered by a Graffham attack that, aided by a lively wicket and some incredible catches, quickly had the Lodsworth team in disarray.

The major damage was inflicted by Q Murray with 12 overs 6 for 15.

All out for 77 runs Lodsworth drew on all their bowling skills but to no avail and Graffham knocked off the total for the loss of 5 wickets by the tea interval. Graffham’s Zimbawean batsman A Smith contributed 61. What is to be learned from the debacle? Firstly Lodsworth have to learn to be patient. We fell into an old habit of trying to hit out at very good bowling when the required approach was to dig in and wear down the opposition with tenacity.

That said the game was played in a good spirit with none of the acrimony that accompanied the previous years encounter. Village cricket has changed dramatically of late. Witness the fact that the Lodsworth team contained two of their three South African born players while Graffham had two Zimbabwe born players. It was noted, with a little humour that we will soon have to put a limit on our quota of overseas players!

Bob Powell

Lodsworth CC

Lodsworth on sunday continued their success this season with a good quality win against the friendly side of graffham and smithbrook. After winning the toss Lodsworth soon found themselves in trouble at 17-2 after some very good tight bowling. However when Hickey and King saw off the opening pair they produced a wide aray of shots with both making solid 50’s. They took the bowling on with Hickey just short of a ton(86) and King making another 51. In total they scored 208-5 which is their best total scored for many a year. The reply was a good one due to sloppy bowling and brisk strokeplay but once Hall 3-20 and Howard 2-26 bowled tight the pressure then told with wickets taken on regular intervals. In all graffham made a creditable 122 with lodsworth winning by 86 runs.

Man of the match James Hickey.