Category: Match Reports

Saturday 28th April 2007.
Ebernoe CC v Lodsworth CC at Ebernoe

Ebernoe 81 all out (M West 23, N Price 21 not out: Paul Phillips 9.4 overs 4 wickets for 17 runs, Jon Houghton 8 overs 3 for 29, Matt Hall 6 overs 2 for 18, Andy Long 9 overs 1 for 10)
Lodsworth 82 for 4 (Jon Houghton 24 not out, Rod Taylor 18, James Hickey 15).
Lodsworth won by 6 wickets

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What a difference a year makes! Humiliated in the 2006 fixture on this same ground, Lodsworth came back with a positive attitude and overwhelmed Ebernoe with a six-wicket victory. Paul Phillips and Andy Long established a firm foundation – their first 18 overs yielded just 27 runs and in the process Ebernoe lost four wickets including their usually prolific skipper R Stemp.

Jon Houghton and Lodsworth’s new skipper Matt Hall took up the attack and despite a rearguard action by Ebernoe’s N Price, the home team were dismissed for 81 in 35 overs. The Lodsworth fielding was exceptional and Martin Howard, Matt Hall, Bob Powell and newcomer Richard Chase held difficult catches.

In reply Lodsworth started shakily, loosing Phillips in the second over, but Jon Houghton (24 not out), James Hickey (15) and Rod Taylor (18) carried the team to a comfortable victory with 82 for 4 in 28 overs. Ebernoe bowlers A Read, N Price, M West and D Turner shared the spoils. This was above all a great team effort by Lodsworth and bodes well for the 2007 season.

Man-of-the-match Paul Phillips

Sunday 24th September 2006

Lodsworth CC v Bosham CC

Bosham CC 185 for 5 (M Allen 119, D Holden 30;Christian Budd 3 overs 2 for 25, Andy Long 8 overs 1for 20)

Lodsworth CC 163 for 9 (Sean Chivers 47, Matt Hall 30,Oliver King 27; D Holden 8 overs 3 for 23, M Farrell 6overs 3 for 27, M Allen 4 overs 2 for 15)

Bosham won a limited-over game by 22 runs.

Lodsworth won the toss and elected to field but barely five minutes had elapsed when they were reduced to 10 men when their talisman all-rounder Jon Houghton was hit above the eye by a full blooded drive that pierced his helmet visor and necessitated 22 stitches.

Bosham were unrecognisable from the team that last visited Lodsworth in 2004. They have evidently recruited a number of accomplished batsmen who piled on the pressure. The Lodsworth bowlers responded well with Andy Long bowling an impressive 8 overs 1 for 20, but Bosham began to hit freely in the last ten overs and finished on 185 for 5. Opener M Allen hit 119, supported by D Holden (30) and M Farrell (20).Christian Budd came on for a cameo last over where he bowled out two batsmen and ran out a third.

With Jon Houghton, still in A&E at Chichester hospital, Lodsworth reshuffled their batting order. Matt Hall, at No.1, hit a determined 30 and Ollie King grafted for 27 but the major contributor was Sean Chivers whose rapid-fire 47 threatened to swing the game in the home team’s favour. But it was not to be. Andy Long (17) anchored a tail-end flourish but Lodsworth finished short of the required total with 163 for 9 as the sun sank over the western end of the recreation ground, bringing the 2006 season to a literal and metaphoric conclusion.

It was a pretty good season. Played 18, Won 8, Drawn 4, Lost 6 with three games cancelled as a result of heavy rain.

Man of the Match: Sean Chivers

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