The Cavalry Arrives

Sunday 9th September 2007

Lodsworth CC v Parham Park CC at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 141 all out (Alfred de Souza 25, Josh Cowell 25, Paul Phillips 15, Al Rix 12, Andy Long 12 not out: J Huffer 7 overs 4 for 27)

Parham Park 107 for 9 (J Trott 63, A Wales 13: Matt Hall 11 overs 3 for 23, Andy Long 13 overs 3 for 37, Paul Phillips 7 overs 2 for 28, Harry Dimond 3 overs 1 for 9).

Lodsworth won by 38 runs in a limited overs game of 35 overs.

Knowing that Lodsworth’s star bowler Andy Long would be late, skipper Matt Hall elected to bat first on a hard wicket that showed a wicked bounce. Alfred de Souza (25) and Paul Phillips (15) got off to a lively start before Alfred fell to a well-taken catch at mid-wicket. The Lodsworth middle order picked up the pace, Al Rix knocking a commendable 12 and Josh Cowell displayed superb timing with a stylish 25 before being caught on the boundary.

Ollie Cowell added another 8 but with 9 wickets down and just 122 on the board Lodsworth looked a little shaky. Then the cavalry arrived! Andy Long’s car could be heard coming up the hill from the village and minutes later the man himself sprinted to the crease to knock a brisk 12 not out (three 4’s) while Bob Powell contributed 7 to bring the home team score to 141 all out.

Parham openers J Trott (63) and Andy Wales (13) started confidently putting on 73 for their opening partnership but once they had departed the Lodsworth bowlers took control. Paul Phillips opened with 7 overs 2 for 28, Matt Hall was aggressive with 11 overs 3 for 23 and Andy Long looked like the Andy of old with 13 overs 3 for 37. Harry Dimond contributed a very lively spell of 3 overs 1 for 9 as Parham Park collapsed to 107 for 9. Rod Taylor took two excellent catches, Alfred scoped up two more and Paul Phillips took one more dropping out of the sun.

Thanks to Tim and Gillian Johnson for a superb tea and to Hunter Graham for manning the scorebook and the scoreboard.

Bob Powell

Vice Captain

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Sunday 26th August 2007

Walberton CC v Lodsworth CC at Walberton

Walberton CC 99 all out (P Harbird 53: Matt Hall 4 overs 3 for 19, Vipol 3 overs 3 for 13, Vikram 5 overs 2 for 10))

Lodsworth CC 90 all out (James Hickey 23 Andy Long 13, Vikram 13 not out; N Jackson 11 overs 3 for 51, R Lockwood 9 overs 4 for 7, L Venter 8.1 overs 3 for 17)

Lodsworth lost by 9 runs

Why the heck do we play this beautiful but utterly frustrating game?

Lodsworth performed brilliantly when fielding, restricting Walberton to 99 all out. The bowling was accurate with Andy Long (7 overs 1 for 26), Matt Hall (4 overs 3 for 19), Vipol (3 overs 3 for 13) and Vikram (3 overs 2 for 10) keeping the Walberton batsmen on a tight rein. Superb catches by Jon Houghton (3) fielding close in, Andy Long, Matt Hall and Paul Phillips kept the pressure on and only opener P Harbird (53) was able to make headway. Even Bob Powell got in on the act with a lightning stumping (his description). A great team effort.

Then Lodsworth batted and contrived to loose a match they should have won easily. James Hickey (35) hung around for a decent period but all the other top order batsmen – Alfred de Souza, Jon Houghton, Ollie King, John Clifford and Rod Taylor – trooped back to the pavilion like lemmings heading for a cliff. The middle order fared little better against the bowling of R Lockwood (overs 4 for 7) and L Venter (8 overs 3 for 17). It was left to the tail enders Matt Hall, Andy Long (13) and Vikram (13 not out) to muster some resistance and it briefly looked as if Lodsworth might pull off a late coup. But no – a dubious LBW decision left the victors looking slightly embarrassed and Lodsworth 9 runs short.

Anyway – that’s cricket and all will be back next week.

Bob Powell

Vice Captain

An Indian Summer

There is a new Indian master on the circuit and he appears to have all the shots in the book just like his hero. ”Wannabe Tendulkar” Alfie ”Alfredo” Desouza is making quite a name for himself at Loddie and he single handed tore apart Crawley 2nd’s at the Rec on Sunday. If there was ever a call for John Houghton to hang up his pads and let youth take over then now is the time. Could there be any doubts as to where John’s batting trophy will be heading this year?

Alf made a quickfire 55no. More to the amazement of his teammates he was able to carry on despite what looked like a serious hamstring injury (!!). Retired injured at 38 Alf’s recupeartion was believed to be down to a miscalculation of his scoring – as if our hero was not going to play out for a 50!! The game was always going to finish early as Taylor joined Alfie at the crease and hit a quickfire 13 to make sure we were down at opening time at the Hollist.

The game in truth was a total mismatch. Crawley were put into bat by Matt Hall – they posted 109, only 3 of their batsmen getting double figures – Paul Phillips 3-20 off 8 overs, Houghton 2-17 off 5 overs, George Atkins 1-7 off 6 overs were the pick of the bowlers. Let’s hope the real Crawley tunr up next year or John King will be getting his red pen out.

Big thanks go out to the Loddie tea crew – aka Teggy P and Sheila H.

I make an urgent plea to the people of Lodsworth. Alfie is on te hunt for an english rose! He is open to signing up for another season if the right woman were to come along and persuade him from going back to Mumbai. It’s over to you Mr Hickey – give the man a job and introduce him to the polo set or one of those well heeled bar staff- by the way latest recruit Graham Braithwaite would not be Alfie’s cup of tea!!

Lose some – Win Some

Lodsworth CC v Arundel Castle Estate CC at Lodsworth

Arundel Castle Estate CC 104 all out (C Ashworth 41, C Budd 14; Martin Howard 5 overs 3 for 9, Andy Long 10 overs 2 for 16, Matt Hall 7 overs 2 for 22)

Lodsworth CC 106 for none (Alfred de Souza 85 not out, Ollie King 19 not out)

Lodsworth won

After two disappointing losses Lodsworth bounced back with a vengeance and severely trounced a respectable Arundel Castle Estate CC. Put in to bat, with the exception of C Ashworth (41) the Arundel XI were pinned down by some accurate bowling from Andy Long (10.2 overs 2 for 16) and Matt Hall (7 overs 2 for 22) before Martin Howard tore apart the visitors middle order with 5 overs 3 for 9.

There were six brilliant catches from Alfred de Souza (2), Ben Randell, Martin Howard, Andy Long and Matt Hall, and a great run out by James Hickey as the visitors struggled to 104 all out.

Lodsworth replied with a devastating innings by Alfred de Souza of 85 not out, (including seven 4’s and five 6’s), while Ollie King won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor with 19 not out. The winning total of 106 was achieved in just 15 overs. This was the first ten-wicket victory by a Lodsworth team for several years and all the more satisfying as we have been on the receiving end of some big hitters in recent games.

Lodsworth Lose Momentum.

Sunday 5th August 2007

Lodsworth CC v Fittleworth CC at Lodsworth

Filttleworth CC 184 for 4 (I Homeward 102, P Kitchener 36; Paul Phillips 12 overs 1 for 44, Matt Hall 11 overs 1 for 41)

Lodsworth CC 130 all out (Jon Houghton 43, Mall Hall 23, Alfred de Souza 19, Graham Braithwaite 16: A Wall 7 overs 4 for 34, A Kitchener 8 overs 3 for 21)

Fittleworth won

On paper Lodsworth had a strong batting lineup. Rod Taylor and Andy Long (both injured) were missing, but with Graham Braithwaite, Alfred de Souza and Jon Houghton in the team it seemed there was the necessary firepower to reverse a string of defeats by Fittleworth CC over the last five years … but it was not to be.

The toss was lost and Lodsworth were put in to field. Fittleworth steadily notched up 184 for 4 off 40 overs with I Homeward hitting 102 before falling to Paul Phillips. Lodsworth bowled accurately on the hottest day of the year but although containing the run rate to 4.6 per over could not remove the batsmen.

In reply to Fittleworth’s total the home team were dismissed for 130 in 31 overs. There were some determined individual performances with resilience being shown by Jon Houghton (43) supported by Matt Hall (23). Alfred De Souza (19) and Graham Braithwaite (16) briefly sparked but both were dismissed just as they began to get into their stride. It was an excellent game of cricket played in a friendly spirit but Lodsworth slipped to their second defeat of the season bringing their record to W3,D4,L2.

Lodsworth man of the match – Jon Houghton

A Game of Two Halves

Sunday 22nd July 2007

Lodsworth CC v Tangmere CC at Lodsworth

Tangmere CC 58 all out (J Murray 12: Paul Phillips 7 overs 6 for 14, Amol 3 overs 2 for 8)

Lodsworth CC 46 all out (Amol 8: A Steward 10 overs 5 for 6, M Parris 8 overs 3 for 10)

Tangmere won

This was, to quote the old football adage ‘a game of two halves’. In the first half Lodsworth gave possibly their best bowling and fielding performance of the season while the Tangmere batting collapsed to 58 all out. In the second half the position was reversed and the Tangmere bowlers mauled the Lodsworth batsman who reached just 46 all out.

Tangmere started confidently enough but Paul Phillips was in devastating form and in 7 overs claimed 6 wickets for just 14 runs – possibly his lifetime best figures – while Amol took 2 wickets for 8 runs off 3 overs. Both bowlers achieved remarkable turn off a hard but green wicket. There were excellent catches from Amol, Andy Long (2) and Matt Hall. The Tangmere batsmen had no answer and only J Murray reached double figures.

Lodsworth started their innings with a mixture of confidence, perhaps tinged with apprehension, for if Tangmere had been unable to master the bowling on the lively wicket, did it hold similar perils for the home team? The answer was swiftly forthcoming as two wickets fell in the second over and Tangmere surged to a comprehensive victory with A Steward taking 5 wickets for 6 runs off 10 overs and M Parris claiming 3 victims for 10 runs off 8 overs. Jon Houghton attempted to hold the batting together but not one player on the Lodsworth team reached double figures and five fell to LBW.

In the short bruising encounter Lodsworth’s unbeaten run of seven games came to an abrupt halt. The team has two weeks to regroup and recover the winning formula before the August fixtures.

Lodsworth man of the match – Paul Phillips

Loxwood CC vs Lodsworth CC

Sunday 10th June 2007
Loxwood CC v Lodsworth CC
Loxwood CC 246 for 4 off 37 overs (M Jones 88, T Holmes 56, O Meltio 30 not out, A Dudman 26 not out; Paul Phillips 13 overs 3 for 66).
Lodsworth CC 178 for 7 off 39 overs (James Hickey 53, Oliver King 26, Jon Houghton 19, John Clifford 19 not out, Andy Long 16 not out; A Dudman 13 overs 5 for 49)
Match Drawn
Lodsworth CC have now gone five games without defeat and Matt Hall’s team showed considerable character in securing a draw against a very strong Loxwood CC, who displayed batting in depth. The result was even more commendable as Lodsworth were weakened by the late withdrawal of Rod Taylor, with back spasms, and played with 10 men.
For Loxwood, M Jones (88) and T Holmes (56) were the pick of the home batsmen and found the boundary on numerous occasions. Aided by O Meltio (30 not out) and A Dudman (26 not out) the home team amassed a daunting total of 246 in 37 overs. Paul Phillips bowled with controlled aggression to take 3 for 66 off 13 overs.
Lodsworth refused to be overawed by the task and set off on the offensive. James Hickey (53) and Oliver King (26) pushed the score towards the century and Jon Houghton (19) helped to maintain the momentum. But as the match entered its final phase it became clear a draw was the best result Lodsworth could hope to achieve and John Clifford (19 not out) and Andy Long (16 not out) resolutely denied Loxwood a victory. Lodsworth finished on 178 for 7 at the close of a well-fought game played in “the right spirit”!
Man-of-the-match for Lodsworth; James Hickey

Tillington CC vs Lodsworth CC

Sunday 8th July 2007

Tillington CC v Lodsworth CC

Lodsworth CC 120 for 9 (Martin Howard 29 not out, Ed Atkins 27; M Hill 10 overs 4 for 13)

Tillington CC 66 for 8 (D Clark 18, T Germany 14 not out; Andy Long 11 overs 3 for 5, Matt Hall 7 overs 2 for 12)

Match Drawn

Three weeks of incessant rainfall having caused the cancellation of games against Graffham and Smithbrook, Fernhurst and the Matt Hall XI, it came as a relief to wake to clear skies and the opportunity to play near neighbours and close rivals Tillington CC. Work commitments and injury forced a number of late changes and Lodsworth welcomed Ed Atkins for his debut game with the team and Harry Dimond another of the very talented young players in the village.

Lodsworth batted first and were quickly in trouble. It could be blamed on three weeks of inaction but James Hickey, Rod Taylor, Jon Houghton and Ollie King were all back in the pavilion with only 24 runs on the scoreboard. M Hill caused most of the damage with 10 overs 4 for 13. It fell to skipper Matt Hall to stabilise the team with a resilient 19 and Ed Atkins to show what a great talent he is with a sparkling 27. Martin Howard was equally impressive with 29 not out and Lodsworth went in for tea with a defendable 120 for 9.

Tillington were in all sorts of trouble after the restart, loosing R Noakes, B Whickham and G Westmore for ducks, while D Clarke (18) staved off a complete the collapse. Lodsworth looked for a swift victory but the last two Tillington batsmen, T Germany (14 not out) and L Spice (3 not out), defied the bowlers and held on for a draw. Andy Long was the best of the Lodsworth seamers with 11 overs, 8 maidens 3 for 5.

Lodsworth Man of the match – Ed Atkins

Milland CC vs Lodsworth CC

Sunday 20th May 2007

Milland CC 64 all out (G Stopher 37: Martin Howard 6 overs 3 wickets for 17 runs, Jon Houghton 6 overs 2 for 13 runs).
Lodsworth CC 66 for 6 (Oliver King 28 not out: G Stopher 10.3 overs 5 for 32)
Lodsworth won by 4 wickets

The Lodsworth cricket team have yet to be truly tested, nevertheless three wins in three games is a brilliant start to the 2007 season under new captain Matt Hall.

For the third game in a row the Lodsworth bowlers were dominant. Paul Phillips (7 overs 1 for 13) and Andy Long (7 overs 1 for 9) laid a firm foundation so that with 14 overs bowled Milland had just 22 runs on the board. Martin Howard (3 for 17) and Jon Houghton (2 for 13) scythed through the middle order aided by catches from Long, Hall and Amol, and the depleted visitors were back in the pavilion with just 64 runs to defend. G Stopher provided the only real resistance with an individual contribution of 37 runs.

But the Lodsworth batting looks fragile and has yet to consistently produce the big individual innings’ that characterised the team’s performances in 2005 and 2006. James Hickey and John Houghton were out for 1 and 5 respectively and the 20-year-old Indian batsman Alfred de Souza was brilliantly caught when on just 5 runs. Martin Howard went for a duck and Paul Phillips was run out on 6. Indeed a shock defeat looked possible as wickets tumbled. Milland’s G Stopher took five wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs but Oliver King (28 not out) and Andy Long (8 not out) ushered the home team to victory by 4 wickets.

Man-of-the-match Martin Howard

Thanks to …
Jill King, Zena Davies and Sheila Houghton for tea, Hunter Graham for umpiring and George Bristow at the Hollist Arms for after-match hospitality. Thanks also to the Recreation Hall Committee – we recognise it is difficult to produce a quality cricket ground when the community field has to serve a multitude of purposes, from football to fetes and stoolball to Guy Fawkes night. But three weeks into the cricket season the outfield is showing considerable improvement. Thanks guys!

Lodsworth CC vs Easebourne CC

Sunday 6th May 2007 at Lodsworth
Easebourne 84 all out (I Fumagall 33: Jon Houghton 8 overs 4 wickets for 21 runs, Matt Hall 5 overs 2 for 4, Paul Phillips 8 overs 2 for 16).
Lodsworth 88 for 4 (Rod Taylor 49 not out, Alfred de Souza 27: Paul White 7 overs 3 for 48)
Lodsworth won by 6 wickets

This was a resounding win for Lodsworth against an admittedly under strength Easeborne team. The key to the success was once again the tight opening attack of Paul Phillips (8 overs 2 for 16) and Andy Long (8 overs 1 for 18) who restricted the visitors to just 48 runs, with the loss of three wickets, off the first 16 overs. One of Easebourne’s youngest players, I Fumagall, was the only batsman to emerge with credibility as other wickets fell to Jon Houghton (4 for 21), Matt Hall (2 for 4) and Martin Howard (1 for 7). Matt Hall and Alfred de Souza took two difficult catches and Easebourne were back in the pavilion after 32 overs with just 84 runs on the board.

Lodsworth had a minor fright as Ollie King and Jon Houghton both went for ducks off the bowling of Easebourne stalwart Paul White. But some scintillating batting by Rod Taylor who finished on 49 not out (three 6’s and four 4’s), and some massive shots by newcomer Alfred de Souza who scored 27 (one 6 and four 4’s) quickly put the result beyond doubt. Lodsworth took less than an hour to score 88 runs off 13 overs and record their second six-wicket win of the season.

Man-of-the-match Rod Taylor