Author: Al Rix

22nd  May 2016 at Lodsworth

“ Brexit- in or out?”

Graffham and Smithbrook 214 for 4(35 overs) (A.Long 2-22)

Lodsworth 130 All Out (29.4 overs) (W.Hannam 43, J.Buckman 40)

Lodsworth lost by 84 runs

After two victories to start the season, the tide turned for the home side and defeat against Graffham and Smithbrook , fielding five league players, was not a great surprise.

The visitors opted to bat first and Lodsworth were on top having taken the first three wickets for fifty runs. However, eight dropped catches, a plethora of huge sixes(two landing on the roof of the village hall) and some mixed bowling, resulted in a large total off just thirty-five overs. It was a long thirty-five overs with many bowling changes but ultimately there was no answer to the big hitting visitors.

The tea interval was a quiet affair for once and despite the standards of the cakes, sausage rolls, quiche and sandwiches being up to the usual impressive quality, there was little chance of the total being chased down.

In response only Will Hannam and James Buckman(on debut) showed any resolve and whilst the visitors bowling attack was not the best we come across, it was steady and too many batsman fell for low scores. One dubious umpiring decision didn’t help but Lodsworth gave it their all and fell well short.

Off to the Hollist we went, some tired bodies and a quick debate on Brexit!

Man of the Match: Will Hannam

15^th  May 2016 at Lodsworth

“ Grenades and Home made cake”

Kirdford 126 for 9(35 overs) (P.Phillips 3-20, W.Hannam 2-5)

Lodsworth 127 for 6 (25.3 overs) (W.Hannam 35, P.Phillips 29 not out, J.Waller 29)

Lodsworth won by 4 Wickets

Fielding the same side for the second consecutive match(surely a record), the sun shining and the pitch somewhat harder than two weeks previously, Lodsworth won the toss and inserted Kirdford in this limited overs affair.

Opening with the speed of Joe Waller and the complete lack of speed of Andy Long, the visitors were restricted to 7-2 after six overs.  Will Hannam, complete with a hamstring injury, bravely came on first change and across two spells bowled four overs, taking two wickets for just five runs. Just as the visitors were starting to make some headway, on came the seasoned grenade launcher, namely Paul Phillips, and bowled a very good 7 overs, taking three wickets for just twenty runs.

Lee Mulcahy had his first over of the season and Joel Phillips bowled two, unlucky not to get a wicket as the batsman tried to clear the mid wicket boundary, only for the fielder, Andy Long, to step over the boundary edge as he took the catch.

With the innings over, the sides took tea, which is now starting to resemble some form of Great British bake off, as on the menu today was home made quiche, home made sausage rolls and home made chocolate cake. Rob Collins staking a claim with those last two for the man of the match award.

In response the home team started well, wobbled to 50 for 5 but were rescued by a superb rearguard attack from Will Hannam(containing 1 x 6 and 5 x 4’s), together with suitable support from Phillips senior (6 x 4’s).

As the cuckoo started warbling so the match ended and Kirdford, as ever, proved worthy opponents and this very friendly Sunday afternoon fixture was over for another year.

Man of the Match: Will Hannam

1^st May 2016 at Lodsworth

“ Waller  way to start the season”

Lodsworth 185 for 9(35 overs) (J.Waller 36, F.Cruikshank 29, Haings 5-14)

Westbourne 147 All out (33.3 overs) (A.Long 2-16 P.Phillips 2-28, J.Phillips 1-2, J.Waller 5 catches)

Lodsworth won by 38 runs

With winter nearly over, the first day of May saw the start of the summer season and after the hail and rain of the week leading up to the match, a pitch of unknown quantities was provided by the hard working groundsman and his staff.

Losing the toss, Lodsworth were put in to bat in this limited overs fixture. A strong start from Hall and Waller had the hosts hurtling along at ten runs per over for the first four overs, However, the visitors eventually realised that good old fashioned village cricket “pie” bowling was the way to bowl on this wicket. Most batsmen contributed to the final score and debutants Will Hannam and Lee Mulcahy both spent time at the crease.

Following the first home made tea of the season and no immediate signs of food poisoning , Loddy took to the field confident of defending this one. Wickets were taken regularly but there was some obdurate batting from the visitors, never really threatening to chase down the runs.  Some tidy bowling saw the wickets shared around but some sensational fielding by Joe Waller, with five catches, put others to shame.

The final batsman snared with nine balls remaining, fingers and noses turning purple with the cold, cuckoos warming up nearby, both teams headed to The Hollist for some roast potatoes and beer.

Man of the Match: Joe Waller

Match Report v Wonersh

13^th September  2015 at Lodsworth

Wonersh 175 for 8(35 overs) (J.Hill 43, P.Phillips 2-13, J.Phillips 1-11)

Lodsworth 131 for 8 All out (31.3 overs) (J.Waller 57, R.Collins 18 not out)

A new fixture and the penultimate game of the season, Lodsworth fielded 10 and the visitors 9. Of the ten, one arrived by bus pass but kept wicket magnificently and collected a stumping. Tom played with a sprained ankle, Paul lasted half of the visitors innings before being sent to hospital with a broken finger and Rob complained of the usual aches and pains of a seasoned pro- sorry amateur.

The match started well with just the second win of the toss all season and Wonersh got off to a flyer until Paul and Matt stemmed the runs and Paul in particular bowled with flight and turn until he was unfortunately hit attempting to field off his own bowling. Young Joel came on and bowled three good overs, taking a well deserved wicket. However, Wonersh scored about 50 too many.

In response and after one of the better tea efforts, only Joe Waller played well enough on a slow deck but did get some decent support from Rob and also “buss pass” Bob, equalling his highest score of 12 for the club(as told by John King). A couple of noughts at the end and the duck trophy may still be alive!!

As a final note, congratulations to Andy Long, an occasional bowler(not much else) on his engagement in Sherwood Forest to Ann. No mention of any robberies going on, just a proposal.

Lodsworth lost by 44 runs

Man of the Match: Joe Waller

Match Report v Slindon

6^th September  2015 at Lodsworth

Slindon 151 for 8(35 overs) (Fuente 90, F.Campbell 2-24, M. Hall 2-32, B.Cooper 2-36)

Lodsworth 147 All out (34.4 overs) (E.Marland 79, P.Phillips 19)

A new fixture for the club, played on a beautiful late summers day, the visitors won the toss and opted to bat first on a wicket which appeared dry but proved to be slow due to the amount of rain over the previous weeks.

Starting with just ten players, Lodsworth were quickly down to nine with an early injury. Slindon kindly offered a substitute but the hosts were up against it from the start. Ed Marland donned the wicket keeping gloves and did a great job bar one comedy moment which resulted in a dropped catch and the stumps being flattened. Every bowler took a wicket and Ben Cooper opened up and improves with every game.  Finn Campbell took four catches and 151 was a reasonable score to chase.

In response Lodsworth’s openers didn’t hang around, quickly slumping to 30-5. Only an excellent innings by Ed, ably supported by Paul Phillips, gave the hosts a sniff. With ten overs remaining, the required rate was around four an over but Slindon had a couple of league bowlers available and it was left to the hobbling Andy Long to try and win it. One whack for four was just one whack short but a fantastic game with the common feeling that this was the best and most friendly game of the season. Next year we will field eleven fit players and hopefully turn the result around.

Lodsworth lost by 4 runs

Man of the Match: Ed Marland

30^th August 2015

Ebernoe 129 for 8 (35 over’s) ( P. Cowell 3-22, J.Phillips 2-8, R.Unwin 2-13 )

Lodsworth 90 all out

Lodsworth lost by 39 runs

After last week’s win against Lavant this Sundays game was always going to be a different proposition against a experienced well organised Ebernoe, and with many Lodsworth regulars away for the bank holiday, this weekend’s team was made up with guest players from other villages and some juniors

Losing the toss (as usual) Lodsworth were put into field first, and on a very sticky wicket opening bowlers Joe Waller (Bury) and

Pat Cowell  (Liss), and assisted by Rob Unwin (Fernhurst) kept the run rate reasonable.

So the ball was given to young Joel Phillips, and after his 1^st wicket the previous week he ran in with confidence. 1 maiden over later, 2 batsmen out, both caught and bowled, one sensational catch, one handed high above his head, Joel was a happy lad and Ebernoe were reeling, but they soon rallied and finished with a respectable score of 129 at tea.

After a truly tasty tea to tantalize the taste buds, the Lodsworth batsmen always struggled against the steady Ebernoe bowling, and aided by the damp wicket and weather conditions wickets fell at regular intervals and they were all out for 90.

So overall, a slightly under par performance from an under strength Lodsworth team, the highlight being Joel’s 2 wicket maiden over.

Man of the Match Joel Phillips

Match report v Lavant
23rd August 2015

Lodsworth 192 for 5 (35 overs) (Campbell 76, Scott 62, Lam 35 n.o.)

Lavant 149 for 8 (35 overs) ( M.Hall 3-32)

Lodsworth won by 43 runs

A mid morning downpour put the fixture against Lavant in doubt but the weather cleared in time to allow play to start on time at 2pm with 35 overs per side.

Losing the toss as usual and put into bat on sticky wicket with variable bounce, the Lodsworth openers dug in on a difficult surface to see off the opening bowlers, and as the sun shone the wicket started to dry and the runs started to flow. Half centuries from Finn Campbell (76), Chris Scott (62) and a quick fire 35 from Justin Lam, Lodsworth finished with a solid total of 192 .

After lashings of cake and sarnies, Lavant were pinned down by Lodsworth’s young opening bowlers Jamie Hill (15) and Ben Cooper (13), and with 3 wickets from Matt Hall, the usual miserly spell from veteran spinner Paul Phillips and a first wicket for Joel Phillips they never looked like reaching a winning total.

So it was off to the Hollist for the obligatory roast spuds and gravy, washed down with a few pints of Langham’s finest ale.

Man of the Match Chris Scott ( great innings and wicket keeping)

Match Report v Fernhurst

9^th August  2015 at Fernhurst

Fernhurst 185 for 5(35 overs) (Harding 46n.o., M.Hall 3-32)

Lodsworth 118 All out (28.4 overs) (R.Gough 55, Jamie Gough 8n.o, Mukes 3-15)

Lodsworth lost by 57 runs

Looking for a fourth consecutive victory but with the height of the holiday season and a number of injuries, the wheels rather fell off. Winning the toss in another limited overs affair and on a very green and spongy wicket, the decision was made to field first in the expectation that the wicket may offer some assistance to the bowling. Lodsworth opened with Finn Campbell(who maybe had A Level results on his mind-understandably) and Jamie Hill(15). Neither managed a breakthrough and it was left to debutante Ben Cooper(13) to grab the first wicket, an edge through to a somewhat surprised Bob behind the sticks. Maybe the superglue trick worked! Three wickets for Matt Hall but nothing for anybody else. Jonathan Gough(13) had two overs which got better with every ball and Jamie Gough(9) bowled a single over for just three runs.

The heat affected most and despite the rather good rocky road at tea, there was more liquids taken on board than sandwiches and cakes.

In reply Lodsworth never got going, Matt Hall sticking around for 15, Ben Cooper having a swing for 17 and at 53-8 Richard was joined by Jamie and the father and son put on 65 for the ninth wicket until Dad got a good one from their opening bowler. Bob was last man out but Jamie received a standing ovation at the pavilion from the home team and taught the majority how to play with a straight bat.

Despite the loss, all of the young players got stuck in and contributed to an enjoyable but hot afternoon. Well played to them all and we hope to see them again in the near future.

We need players so please come and play if you are interested. Contact Fergus on 07973 283854. Alternatively see the new look website and contact us via that.

Man of the Match: Richard Gough

Match Report v Singleton

2^nd August 2015 at Singleton

Singleton 161 All out(39.1 overs) (A.Court 36, J.Waller 8-3-10-4, P.Phillips 7.1-1.40-4)

Lodsworth 162-0 (19.4 overs) (T.Atkins 126 not out, M.Hall 30 not out)

Lodsworth won by 10 wickets

Played on a beautifully sunny day in one of the best settings that we visit, the skipper won his first toss of the season on a good looking pitch with quick outfield. Electing to field in this limited overs fixture, it could have gone horribly wrong but with speedster Joe Waller in the side for the first time this year, we had to have a go at the opposition. Beaten in the same fixture last year after conceding over 200, Lodsworth bowled and fielded superbly, going through three wicket keepers in the process but forty overs is a long time for one keeper not to dislocate a finger. With no dropped catches and much successful ball chasing and with Joe making some crucial breakthroughs at the top of the innings, 161 would have been grabbed by the away team at the start of the match. Paul Phillips mopped up the tail and Tom Atkins took three extremely good catches. Wickets also for Matt Hall and Alex Brazier.

Tea in the old clubhouse followed and the first five batsman quickly had their pads on in eager anticipation of a close run chase. What followed is rarely seen in Lodsworth village cricket. Tom Atkins, a long term resident of the village, took the home side apart in what can only be described as a perfect display of power batting, racking up 9 x 6’s and 11 x 4’s, which is 98 in boundaries alone. Matt Hall very ably supported but this innings from Tom was simply outstanding. Victory was achieved within 20 overs for the loss of no wickets and a quick drink followed with the opposition before the temptation of Patsy’s roast potatoes in The Hollist became too much! It’s not often that a spell like Joe’s doesn’t win man of the match but on this occasion wasn’t even a close second….

We need players so please come and play if you are interested. Contact Fergus on 07973 283854. Alternatively see the new look website and contact us via that.

Man of the Match: Tom Atkins

Match Report v Ancient Mariners

19^th July 2015 at Lodsworth

Ancient Mariners 221-7(35 overs) (F.Hodgson 68, J. Chesterman 46, M.Hall 2-30, T.Atkins 2-29)

Lodsworth 222-6 (34.4 overs) (A.Rix 70, T.Atkins 51, B.Corke 3-45)

Lodsworth won by 4 wickets

Wow, what a game which encapsulated all that is good about village cricket. Playing an extremely good natured touring team, Lodsworth fielded players with ages ranging from 9(Jamie Gough) to just over 70(Bob Powell).

On a hard, very dry wicket and outfield the visiting team batted first in this limited overs encounter, with aggression and in the knowledge that anything piercing the infield was likely to run away for four.  The bowling was a little wayward at times with the picks being Messrs Hall and Atkins. Jamie Hill bowled a good consistent six overs and there was a wicket each for Cruikshank senior and junior.

Requiring in excess of six an over the hosts lost the first two wickets for twenty-two runs but Rix and Atkins put on a fantastic partnership of eighty, Al Rix batting until close to the very end for an excellent 70. With seventy-nine needed off the last ten overs, fifteen year old Jamie Hill joined Al and blasted twenty-six runs to include two huge sixes. Henry Cruikshank, another fifteen year old, then came in and smashed twenty-four not out, at times walking down the wicket to the quick bowler and hitting over the top. The winning runs came with two balls to spare, concluding a fantastic match in the hot sunshine and played in wonderful spirits. Perhaps the biggest positive was the fifty runs at the end between Jamie and Henry, two young cricketers for the future. The man of the match could have gone to four or five players but the attacking yet steady innings of Al Rix deserves the award. Beer and roast potatoes in The Hollist followed, as is now becoming tradition!

We need players so please come and play if you are interested. Contact Fergus on 07973 283854. Alternatively see the new look website and contact us via that.

Man of the Match: Al Rix