Category: Match Reports

The Lodsworth Cricket Club rounded off a successful 2005 season with their annual dinner and awards evening held in the upper room at the Lickfold Inn on Saturday 10th December. The guests-of-honour were the club president Don Ford OBE and his wife Mary. Thirty-three players, wives, partners and guests sat down for dinner.

In his after dinner speech the club captain Bob Powell remarked that the 2005 season was the most successful of recent years. The village team played 17 games of which they won 8, drew 4 and lost 5. In all the drawn games the team were well on top and counted them as “winning draws”. But the real success of the 2005 season was undoubtedly the fact that the cricket was enjoyable, several individuals played well above their performance in the previous years and team spirit was high.

The captain went on to thank the Hon Secretary and Fixture Secretary John King and committee member Tim Johnson – the two senior members of the committee – who generated sponsorship to fund the work on improving the cricket square, to purchase a new mower and the construction of a practice wicket. John and Tim did great work bringing on board a number of Vice Presidents of the club. Bob thanked Tim and Gillian Johnson for organising the VP’s lunch at the Hollist Arms in June.

Bob also thanked Paul Phillips the Club Treasurer and the main force behind the improvement of the wicket at the recreation ground. Andy Long the club’s Vice Captain was thanked for his support throughout the year and tactical placing of fielders! The club members gave a round of applause to Matt Hall another member of the committee who persuaded his company to sponsor the club for 2,500 to purchase the practice nets. Matt Hall’s parents sponsored the annual Awards trophies. Alistair Rix was thanked for setting up a Lodsworth Cricket Club website and organised a team in the Midhurst CC winter indoor league.

Last but not least the ladies behind the successful exploits on the field were thanked particularly those who at various times provided the traditional teas that make Lodsworth CC a venue that teams wish to revisit. The captain thanked Jill King, Vicki Braithwaite, Teggy Phillips, Sheila Houghton, Gillian Johnson, Shantheni Powell and Zena Davies.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Awards. The Award for Batsman of the Year went to Jon Houghton. Jon was the backbone of the batting with four innings in excess of 50, a top score of 101 not out and an 87 and a 72. He finished with a total of 561 runs at an average of 37.40. The runner up was James Hickey. James was a class act with three innings in excess of 50 and an 81 and a 104 not out to his credit. That is the highest score by a Lodsworth batsman for many years. James pushed Jon all season and beat off a late challenge from Ollie King and he is the runner up for Batsman of the Year with a total of 389 runs at an average of 35.40.

The Award for Bowler of the Year was closely contested. The early leader was Matt Hall who took 5 wickets against Easeborne and 4 against Fernhurst to end the season with 27 wickets. Andy Long started slowly but picked up later in the season with 4 wickets against West Sussex Wanderers and 4 against Petworth Park to take a total of 25. Martin Howard was the bowling ‘find’ of the season and his 7 wickets against the Matt Hall XI brought his total to 22 wickets for the year. It was a close call but Andy Long’s 25 wickets were taken at an average of 10.45 while Matt Hall’s 27 were slightly more expensive with an average of 11.74. So the trophy for Bowler of the Year went to Andy Long and the trophy for runner up to Matt Hall.

The Award for Best Fielder of the Year was based on the commitment in the field but ultimately on the number of catches taken – Andy Long took 4, Rod Taylor took 4, Paul Phillips took 4, Martin Howard took 4 and Jon Houghton took 5. But the trophy went to a newcomer to the team who fielded close in on the leg side most of the year and took 6 catches – Alistair Rix.

The Trophy for The Most Improved Player of the year was a two horse race. Martin Howard scored 138 runs in 2004 and took 8 wickets. In 2005 he topped that with 148 and 22 wickets. Matt Hall scored just 93 runs in 2004 and took 12 wickets. In 2005 year he doubled his batting total to 187 and also doubled the number of wickets to take 27. By a narrow margin the trophy for most improved player went to Matt Hall.

The trophy for The Best All-Rounder of the Year also went to Jon Houghton. In addition to his 541 runs from 15 completed innings, he took 14 wickets and he claimed 5 catches. His batting early on in the season assured us of victory on several occasions.

The last trophy to be awarded was The Duck Trophy. The trophy went missing in 1995 but it came to light this year. The trophy is awarded to the player who distinguishes himself by getting the most ducks in a season. James Hickey got 2 ducks, Paul Phillips got 2 ducks and Rod Taylor got 2 ducks. But the winner with 3 ducks was Alistair Rix.

The awards ceremony was completed with a presentation to Oliver King, a former skipper of the club who will be emigrating to Australia in 2006. The club wished him and his wife Becky a successful life ‘down under’. Another player Wes Stander who joined LCC only this year will be leaving for Mozambique on December 16th. The club wish him well. The club will need to find replacements for these players and for Martin Howard who is studying full time at Exeter University in 2005-2006 and will only be available during vacation time.

Bob Powell mentioned that one of the successes of 2005 was that a number of young players from the village had played for the club. Edward Bristow, Alfie Baldwin, Harry Diamond and Richard Chase have all played at least one game and it is hoped we will see more of them in the 2006 season.

The new concrete practice wicket has been completed at the recreation ground and an outdoor carpet will be laid over the concrete by February. Not only will this give the Lodsworth team an opportunity to start practicing in March but its purpose is to attract youngsters from the village to nets sessions where they can be coached by senior players. Next on the agenda for John King and Tim Johnson is sightscreens, but more of that in a future report.

Bob Powell

Captain

Lodsworth CC 2005.

Parham Park CC v Lodsworth CC

Sunday 11th September.

Parham Park CC 104 for 8 off 34 overs (T Brand 40; A Long 11 overs 1 for 20, M Hall 11 overs 1 for 27, M Howard 5 overs 2 for 5)

Lodsworth cc 105 for 7 off 32.5 overs (C Budd 36, P Phillips 14 not out, M Hall 12 not out; D Richmond 11.5 overs 4 for 11, J Coleman 9 overs 2 for 22)

The Victorian mansion at Parham Park flanked by a lake and with deer running free was the classic backdrop to a closely contested game between Lodsworth CC and the home team Parham Park CC.

Put into bat Parham were kept on a very tight rein by a sustained Lodsworth attack with Andy Long recording 11 overs 1 for 20, Matt Hall 11 overs 1 for 27 and Martin Howard 5 overs 2 for 5. The result was Parham were contained to a miserly score of 104 for 8 of which T Brand contributed 40.

Parham were equally parsimonious with D Richmond bowling a brilliantly controlled 11.5 overs and taking 4 for 11. J Colemen supported him with 9 overs 2 for 22. But Christian Budd (36) and Paul Phillips (14 not out) fashioned a 7th wicket stand of 41 that gradually swung the game in Lodsworth’s favour. When Matt Hall (12 not out) joined Paul Phillips the pair took the Lodsworth total to 105 with just 7 balls remaining.

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.