Category: Match Reports

The Right Spirit

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Goodwood CC v Lodworth CC

Sunday 11th September 2011 at Goodwood Park

Goodwood CC 163 for 7 off 40 overs (J Clifton 62, A Clifton 23: Paul Phillips 8 overs 2 for 16, Jack Dimond 4 overs 2 for 12, Andy Long 8 overs 1 for 27)

Lodsworth CC 128 for 9 (D Clarke 59, Jack Dimond 18; R Carver 5 overs 4 for 15, M Beard 8 overs 2 for 17, C Patel 5 overs 2 for 26)

Lodsworth Lost

Lodsworth were hard pushed to put out a team for this game and played for the first two hours with just nine players. With so many gaps in the field it was a creditable performance to restrict the home team to 163 off 40 overs. Paul Phillips had a good day with the ball taking 2 wickets for 16 runs and also taking two brilliant catches on the long on boundary. Jack Dimond also bowled well and took 2 for 12 in 4 overs.

The Goodwood cricket ground is in a magnificent parkland setting – directly in front of Goodwood House with the flag of the Duke of Richmond flying at the mast. The ground has a quintessential village pavilion with a thatched roof and a proper scoring box accessed from the verandah.

The quality of the teas matched the grandeur of the setting but showing no sign of being overawed Dave Clark and Jack Dimond began to establish a firm base for Lodsworth before Jack departed leaving the score was 61 for 2. The middle-order then simply imploded with Alfie Bunker, Al Rix, Paul Phillips and Andy Long all sent back to the pavilion for very few runs. The tail end of Fergus Cruikshank, Pete Long and Bob Powell wagged briefly wagged but at 128 for 9 Lodsworth were all out.

Despite the loss this was a pleasantly competitive game played against a team of gentlemen who play cricket in the ‘right spirit’.

Man-of-the-Match Dave Clarke

Scribe Bob Powell

Parsimonious Parham

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Lodsworth CC v Parham Park CC
Sunday 5th September at Lodsworth

Parham Park CC 180 for 1 off 30 overs (A Wales 71, A Vander 87 not out: Dave Clarke 9 overs 1 for 43)

Lodsworth CC 134 for 6 off 30 overs (Jack Dimond 49, Alfie Bunker 40: J Hammond 14 overs 4 for 50, J Mitchell 2 overs 2 for 3).
Lodsworth Lost

Over the years Parham Park have proved to be a difficult team to beat, somehow, with a core of veterans, always managing to resist our best attempts to bowl them out. And so it proved in this game, started in grey overcast skies (causing the game to be reduced to 30 overs each) but finishing in glorious sunshine.

Captain Phillips threw all his bowlers into the fray – Dave Clarke, Andy Long, Fergus Cruikshank, Alfie Bunker and himself but to no avail as A Wales (71) and A Vander (87) hung around until the 25th over before James Hickey gave the home team something to cheer with a superb catch to claim one wicket as
the visitors coasted to 180.

Tea came and went – very nice, as always – and then Lodsworth set off in pursuit. Here Parham proved to be parsimonious for they used just two accurate bowlers for 27 overs. Fast bowler J Hammond quickly captured the wickets of Charlie Dimond and James Hickey and went on to record 14 overs 4 for 50.

Jack Dimond batted confidently to reach 49 and Alfie Bunker displayed some expansive hitting to record 40 but Lodsworth simply ran out of time and were well behind at the close of play beaten by a team that played to its strength and gave nothing away.

Man of the Match – Alfie Bunker
Scribe Bob Powell

Perfect Ten

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Walberton CC v Lodsworth CC
Sunday 21st August 2011 at Walberton

Walberton CC 110 all out (B Kemp 32, R Lockwood 24; Matt Hall 2 overs 3 wickets for 4 runs, Andy Long 8.3 overs 3 for 26, Paul Phillips 7 overs 2 for 16).

Lodsworth CC 117 for 3 (Jack Dimond 57 not out, Harry Dimond 28 not out)
Lodsworth won

Put into bat Walberton CC, who in the past proved to be our nemesis (we haven’t beaten them for eight years), were quickly in trouble with the loss of two wickets for 6 runs. Their batting never really recovered and they were soon 50 for 6. The
damage was principally done by Matt Hall with 3 wickets for 4 runs, Andy Long with 3 for 26, and Paul Phillips with 2 for 16.

Lodsworth put down a lot of catches but two superb efforts by Alfie Bunker and Jack Dimond stood out. The Walberton tail wagged with a spirited 24 from R Lockwood but after 34 overs the opposition succumbed with 110 all out.

After tea Lodsworth began the chase but quickly lost the  wickets of Matt Hall and Alfie Bunker while Jack Dimond steadily advanced with a succession of drives and leg glances to the boundary. Paul Phillips was briefly at the wicket but
perhaps his mind was on the Lodsworth Village Horticultural Show where he was exhibiting his prize vegetables, for he was quickly dismissed. Jack (57 not out) was joined by his brother Harry Dimond (28 not out) and together they took the score to 117 for 3 to record Lodsworth’s 10th victory of the season.

It is worth recording that this is the first time in a decade that Lodsworth have won 10 games in a season and also worth recording that Councilor Phillip’s vegetables took first prize.

Man-of-the-Match Jack Dimond
Scribe Bob Powell

Best Win of the Season

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
West Chiltington CC v Lodsworth CC
Sunday 14th August 2011 at West Chiltington

West Chiltington CC 229 for 4 in 40 overs (Dave Clarke 1 wicket for 11 runs, Matt Hall 1 for 43, Graham Braithwaite 2 for 32)

Lodsworth 233 for 5 in 38 overs (Graham Braithwaite 119 not out, Alfie Bunker 32, Tom Davis 22, Jon Clifford 12 not out)
Lodsworth won

Lodsworth CC faced one of their most difficult fixtures of the season for West Chiltington are a very strong village team and playing at home they fielded virtually an entire League side.

Their batting lineup was formidable and, despite some good Lodsworth bowling, they amassed a total of 229 runs for the loss of just 4 wickets in 40 overs. They went in to tea, no doubt confident of victory.

In response Lodsworth made a shaky start, loosing three early wickets, but two excellent partnerships, first between Graham Braithwaite and Tom Davis (22), and then between Graham and Alfie Bunker (32) saw Lodsworth achieve a commendable victory. Graham Braithwaite’s 118 not out was superb and an exhibition of powerful hitting. He stroked the ball to all corners of the field, hitting eight monumental sixes. If only he could be available regularly for the village team! Well done the Lodsworth team.

Man-of-the-Match Graham Braithwaite
Scribe John King

One to Forget

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Lodsworth CC v Fittleworth CC

31st July 2011 at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 119 all out (Matt Hall 17, Andy Long 17, Lee Ayres 17: J Chris 8 overs 2 for 20, M Shepherd 8 overs 4 for 29, R Brown 7 overs 2 for 13)

Fittleworth CC 120 for 2 (D Kitchener 39 not out, M Ives 30, J Chris 24 not out: Andy Long 6 overs 1 for 22, Matt Hall 5 overs 1 for 25)

Lodsworth Lost

In 2010, Lodsworth, with a batting lineup that included Graham Braithwaite, Harry Dimond and Alfie Bunker inflicted a resounding defeat upon Fittleworth. It was a foregone conclusion that the opposition would be seeking revenge this season and so it proved for they arrived with a team heavily reinforced with Pullborough CC players. Lodsworth, as fate decreed, went into the game with six batsmen unavailable – either on vacation or injured.

Their replacements battled manfully but wickets fell steadily as the scoreboard ticked along slowly. Charlie Dimond and Finn Campbell looked unassailable with fine batting techniques but both fell to well taken catches while experienced campaigners such as Matt Hall (17) Andy Long (17) and Lee Ayres (17) struggled to assert themselves. Eventually only Pete ‘Stonewall’ Long survived as the village team went in to tea on 119 all out.

As the sun sank below the bowlers arm Fittleworth CC took advantage of some short-of-a-length deliveries to knock off 120 runs for the loss of just two wickets. The result was a resounding win for Fittleworth and one Lodsworth will want to quickly forget apart from the tea, which was, to use a Michael Winner expression, ‘historic’.
Man of the Match Pete ‘Stonewall’ Long

The statistics now read Played 13   – Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 2, with one abandoned due to heavy rain.

Scribe Bob Powell

Lodsworth Canter Home

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Lodsworth CC v Horsham Trinity CC

24th July 2011 at Lodsworth
Horsham Trinity CC 97 all out in 40 overs (L Elder27 not out, B Chappell 20; Andy Long 13 overs 3 wickets for 14 runs, Matt Hall 5 overs 3 for 24, Paul Phillips 7 overs 3 for 11)

Lodsworth 99 for 2 in 26 overs (Finn Campbell 32 not out, Dave Clarke 32, Oliver King 28 not out)

Lodsworth won

A reorganization of fixtures in mid-week saw Horsham Trinity arrive for their first ever game with Lodsworth CC. A check on their website revealed they put out three Saturday teams in the Sussex Leagues and this is generally a good guide to the strength of the opposition. Winning the toss the visitors elected to bat but very accurate bowling from Dave Clarke and Andy Long kept them on a short leash and wickets fell at regular intervals. Andy (13 overs 3 for 14), Paul Phillips (7 overs 3 for 11) and Matt Hall (5 overs 3 for 24) took most of the wickets but impressive fast bowling by Finn Campbell also helped to restrict the scoring rate. Lodsworth also held onto the catches that were on offer – Harry Dimond (2), Bob Powell (2) Andy Long (1) and Lee Ayres (1) all had a hand in the dismissals.

Jill King and Vikki Braithwaite served up some tasty sandwiches cakes, scones and curried eggs (how refreshing a cup of tea is) before Lodsworth began the chase for runs. After the early loss of one opener, Oliver King and Dave Clarke doggedly built up a useful total. It was not particularly fast but it was effective. When Clarke (32) departed to a dodgy catch, Finn Campbell came to the crease and swiftly smote the ball to the boundary. More big hits followed in his innings of 32 not out including two towering sixes as Lodsworth cantered home with 99 for 2 off 26 overs. It was a convincing win for the village team who showed, not for the first time this season, that they are prepared to work hard for a victory.

The statistics now read Played 12   – Won 8, Drawn 2, Lost 1, with one abandoned due to heavy rain.

Man-of-the-match Finn Campbell

Scribe Bob Powell

Lodsworth get out of Jail

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Bury and West Burton CC v Lodsworth CC
10th July 2011 at Bury
Bury and West Burton CC 175 for 7 (D Hylands 87, J Walker 44; Paul Phillips 11 overs 4 for 30, Fergus Cruikshank 5 overs 1 for 21)
Lodsworth 128 for 9 (Paul Phillips 32, Fergus Cruikshank 24 James Hickey 17; K Wood 9 overs 5 for 21, J Waller 11 overs 4 for 22)
Match drawn

Lodsworth CC lost the toss and Bury CC elected to bat on a very rough track – the Bury mower having broken down in midweek! The Lodsworth bowlers toiled on a muggy day as Bury put 175 runs on the board for the loss of 7 wickets. D Hylands (87) and J Walker (44) were the pick of the batsmen while Paul Phillips (11 overs 4 for 22) and Fergus Cruikshank (5 overs 1 for 21) contained the run rate. Andy Long got in on the act – taking his first catch of the season.

Lodsworth’s start after tea was disastrous with two batsman being bowled out in the opening over. More wickets crashed as the village team moved from 2 for 2, to 19 for 3, to 30 for 6. But ‘cometh the hour – cometh the man’ – Paul Phillips (32) began to get on top of the bowling and a fighting innings by Fergus Cruikshank (24) hauled Lodsworth back from the brink. The score crept past 100 but with five overs to go Lodsworth were down to their last two batsmen.

Bob Powell (68 years old) strode to the crease to join Peter Long (65 years old). John King was laying odds of 1000 to 1 they would not survive but survive they did and stonewalled to the end to secure a draw and ‘get out of jail’.

Man-of-the-match Paul Phillips

Graffham – The Rematch

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Graffham CC v Lodsworth CC
3rd July 2011 at Graffham

Lodsworth 120 all out in 32 overs (Dave Clark 43, Paul Phillips 26, James Hickey 17;L Fourie 8 overs 3 for 15, J Pink 6 overs 2 for 22)

Graffham CC 122 for 6 in 34 overs (S Gray 34, Riddell 23 not out; Tom Davis 8 overs 3 for 8, Matt Hall 8 overs 2 for 21)
Graffham won

Tense and intensely competitive, the sledging occasionally broached acceptable limits, as both teams were intent on victory. Lodsworth batted first and a dubious LBW decision saw Matt Hall given out and set the tone for the encounter.

In a game against the same opponents two weeks earlier Lodsworth had shaded victory and that the Graffham team were keen to avenge the defeat was evident from the change in their line up which saw L Fourie (8 overs 3 for 15) and J Pink (6 overs 2 for 22) brought in.

Their effectiveness was evident as Lodsworth’s top order was decimated – Matt Hall, Jack Dimond, Henry Randell and Tom Davis were all quickly back in the pavilion and it fell to Dave Clark (43) and Paul Phillips (26) to bring some respectability to the scoreline. But would 120 off 32 overs be defendable?

After tea, Lodsworth attacked the opposition with vigour. Tom Davis, who earlier in the week had been bowling in the nets at the Oval to the Sri Lankan team, was in devastating form and his figures of 8 overs 3 wickets for 8 runs justified the apprehension that came over the Graffham batsmen. But gradually Graffham fought back and crept past Lodsworth’s total to finish on 122 for 6 off 34 overs.

Verdict – a very close fought game with little quarter given on either side.

Man of the match Tom Davis
Scribe Bob Powell

Catches Win Matches

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Fernhurst CC v Lodsworth CC
Sunday 19th June 2011 at Fernhurst

Lodsworth 174 for 7 (Harry Dimond 88, Nick Bellion 30: P Prudenti 2 for 33)

Fernhurst 68 all out (Titler 25: Dave Clarke 5 for 15, Fergus Cruickshank 2 for 4, Andy Long 2 for 14)
Lodsworth Won

On a very damp wicket Lodsworth lost the toss and were put into bat by the opposition. Conditions were very difficult and both James Hickey(7) & Jack Dimond (15) departed early. The Fernhurst bowlers seemed to be getting on top of the batsman with the score at 31 for 3 but Harry Dimond (88) playing his first game of the season for the club, started to build an innings before unleashing his shots and reached 50 without being troubled. Henry Randell (7) was stumped bringing Nick Bellion(30) to the crease, who forged an excellent partnership with Harry taking the score past 170 before both were caught on the boundary. Dave Clark (2) and Fergus Cruickshank (2) came in for cameo appearances to end the score on 174 for 7 at tea.

After tea, Lodsworth started brightly with Andy Long and Dave Clarke opening the bowling attack. Dave struck in his first over with a fine caught behind by James Hickey. What was to follow can only be described as one of Lodsworth’s finest hours of fielding. Jack Dimond started proceedings with a sublime full length diving catch, to remove the first key wicket of Allen. The second key wicket of Smithers, was caught by Matt Hall off of Andy Long’s bowling. Rob Collins (2), Harry Dimond and another Jack Dimond catch meant Fernhurst were struggling at 30 for 7. The Fernhurst captain Titler (25) was the only batsman to offer any resistance, before Fergus bowled him. The tail was quickly mopped up leaving Fernhurst 68 all out. Overall Lodsworth took an impressive 7 catches.

Man of the Match: Harry Dimond & Dave Clarke
Scribe Matt Hall

Rain stops play

Posted on by Al Rix in Match Reports
Lodworth CC v Loxwood CC
June 5th 2011 at Lodsworth

Lodsworth CC 158 all out (Lee Ayres 42, James Hickey 20, Rob Collins 18; Branning 6 overs 3 for 29, Jefferies 10 overs 3 for 40, Melcio 3 overs 2 for 10)
Loxwood 94 for 0 (J Holmes 31, J Lane 51 not out)
Rain stopped play. Match Abandoned

Loxwood CC are arguably the strongest opposition that Lodsworth CC play and bristle with talent yet the village team started confidently enough with both Dave Clark and James Hickey hitting several boundaries. However wickets began to tumble and in no time the score was 44 for 5. Oliver King, Andy Long and Nick Bellion joined the openers in the pavilion. Then, as so often this season the Lodsworth middle order led a fightback. Lee Ayres hit an excellent 42, Rob Collins garnered a useful 18 and with a generous contribution of 30 extras Lodsworth finished with a respectable 158 all out.

After an excellent tea the teams emerged in light drizzle. Loxwood seemed untroubled by the worsening weather conditions and their openers J Holmes and J Lane were well in control, putting on 90 without loss.

But the steady rainfall made conditions underfoot increasingly hazardous for fielders and at 6.30 pm the two captains and umpires agreed to call a halt.

Man-of-the-match Lee Ayres
Scribe Bob Powell