Results From Previous Years

On a fantastic summers day but played in October we were hosted Greys Green

Unfortunately the Skipper lost the toss and we were put into bat on a pitch we struggled to come to terms with despite some classy shots from Closey and hefty hitting from G we were all out for 132.

In reply despite the best efforts of Cormac who bowled 11 over's for not many runs and 2 wickets plus a brilliant spell by Jon Steward ably supported by Floody. The reality of the game was we did not post enough runs on the board. All credit to our side in the field who battled all the way and with PV combining with PH for a catch of his bowling I think the day was enjoyed by all despite the result!

Next Season promises to be rich with promise ( Scooby, Charlie Vaughan, Toby Staker and Matt Kilford) providing we work on targets for our batting and meaning full partnerships when occupying the crease all of which we are more than capable of as a Team.

I promise no more fixtures this Season and look forwards to seeing you all at The Dinner!

Thanks for all your support from all the Captains [and thanks from the club to you all, as well. Ed.]

PS. Thanks to Grogie and Duncan for turning up to show their support.

Ruthless Selection Policy Kick-Starts Season

Five changes in personnel from the previous week (a total of £8.93 worth of talent benched!!) had the desired effect with Whitchurch gaining a much needed victory against Britwell Salome. Tight bowling and the 'perfect' game by Floody behind the stumps kept Britwell down to a meagre 122 in their allotted 35 overs. An unbeaten 67 from Nick Hill in reply ensured Whitchurch won with 6 wickets and 10 overs to spare.

Roll on the next game: Sunday, 22 April 2012. (amen to that: Ed.)

Whitchurch Murdered as Killer Catches Three

In another dismal display with the bat, Whitchurch batting first again amassed less than 100 - a season's low of 77!! The wicket was wet, slow and unpredictable but only Scooby, who got the one that didn't bounce, can be forgiven for not scoring runs. Alan Kilford's three catches after tea - one an absolute stunner at short fine leg - and an excellent opening spell by himself and Andy Heard left Crowthorne teetering at 23 for 4. Unfortunately, Whitchurch couldn't follow it up with more than another two wickets.

Crowthorne eventually ran out winners by 4 wickets.

ps. Another excellent tea, this time courtesy of Paul Vaughan and family. [Ed.]

WCC Sponsored: Jon v God

Last Sunday, armed with just a plastic sheet, a fork, some sawdust and a fair maiden in her pyjamas, Jon Steward challenged God to stop him playing cricket. Early morning with rain forecast Jon deftly made use of the plastic sheet and, with the help of the fair maiden, covered the wicket.

From 11.30am and for the next 2 hours, with the rain having gone through every stage from light drizzle to torrential, Jon's chosen weapon was a fork; if he wasn't using it to drain the ground he was shaking it heavenwards and presumably swearing (we couldn't hear what he was saying because we were in the tea hut manning the lifeboat in case he got into trouble!!). At 1.30pm it stopped raining and Jon provided the necessary instructions to 21 other players as to how to remove the cover without soaking the wicket, how to dry out the ends so as to allow the bowlers a run up and, making excellent use of his military training, how to avoid trench foot.

At 2.00pm Jon delivered on his promise of blue sky, sunshine and a game of cricket. Unfortunately, Whitchurch couldn't back up Jon's efforts with a victory. Having bowled and fielded excellently to restrict Oxford Wayfarers to 139, Whitchurch were bowled out for only 98 in reply.

Thanks to Linda for an excellent tea.

Welford Park

Home: Played and lost.

United Oxford Hospitals

Away: Played and lost.

Scooby Solves The Mystery

With a Williams at the crease for every ball of the Whitchurch innings it was the youngest member of the family who proved most capable of reading the vagaries of the pitch and scoring runs. On a damp slow pitch Scooby (batting at no.6) was eventually last out scoring 32 in a valiant pursuit of 169.

Odds and sods from all the other batsmen provided enough support to keep the game close but eventually the number of self-inflicted dismissals proved fatal and Whitchurch were dismissed for 148 with 4 overs remaining. Wickets for Robbie L. kept United Oxford Hospitals in check before tea. Also worth noting is that John Staker from this week joins Brian Reddecliffe from last week on hat trick ball the next time he bowls.

Finally, thanks to UOH for getting a strip ready and entertaining us with less than 2hrs notice after the Whitchurch pitch proved unplayable.

Opposition Hit for Six

Whitchurch ran out surprisingly easy winners at Englefield after Brian Reddecliffe took 6 for 7 in skittling the opposition out for 84 and Mark Burton, opening the batting, hit a six in leading the reply. Which of these occurrences was the more remarkable was debated long and hard (without settling the argument) in the Greyhound (Tidmarsh) afterwards!!. Two catches from James Haggerty, the second of which was stunningly good to remove the opener, and one for Scooby (his first for the Club) should also be mentioned. Runs for Jon Steward and Paul Higgs eventually brought Whitchurch home with 5 wickets and lots of overs in hand.

Hambleden

Away: Everyone on holiday, unfortunately.

Slip Sliding Away

Having batted first and scored 126 runs when the rain arrived, with the Jameses (Shanahan and Haggerty) looking good at the time, agreement was reached over an extended tea to move on to the all-weather pitch and see if Blewbury could score 127 in 25 overs. 4 wickets early on raised Whitchurch's hopes but some lusty blows and lots of slipping and sliding in the field eventually allowed Blewbury to get home with 3 overs to spare.

It would help Whitchurch's cause if in future all players could bring outdoor shoes, indoor (non-marking) shoes, spikes, trainers (for all-weather surfaces), wellingtons, flip-flops and, by special request for Brian, 4" stilletoes.

Yeedon

Home: Played and lost.

Barbados High Commission

Home: Played and lost.

Not Enough at St James CC

Whitchurch failed to overcome a young but strong St. James side who had scored 218 or so in the first innings of this time game. They made 218 or so, and we finished about 100 runs or so behind. Overall, scoring rates were usually pretty low on a miserably cold day overcast day for July. I don't have the scorebook so won't mention too many names, but I remember good bowling performances from Nick Grundy (or "Blondy", as used in their scorebook...) and Paul Vaughan who opened the bowling and made a few runs too. Matt Kilford held out for 14 overs at the start (don't ask about the runs); as did Richie Leach, who was going well for some time, despite looking like an umpire in his dark trousers ("forgot my kit"). Andy Heard also got a start with the bat before ludicrously scooping up a c&b to a double-bouncing ball that was also almost wide.

Quote of the day comes from Blondy, who remarked on the train home: "I'm not being arrogant, but those late order batsman wouldn't tonked me around the park!" - you had to be there.

BBC Caversham

Home: washout.

Aldermaston

Home: washout.

Lost (Definately Not In Action) Middle Order

A confident opening partnership of 87 (Paul Vaughan and Matt Flood) was mostly wasted by Whitchurch when the middle order went missing - if found please return to Eastfield Lane ASAP.

Whitchurch eventually scraped to 152 in their allotted overs thanks to a last gasp 12 in the final over off Holyport's young quickie. Thereafter Whitchurch were competitive but had too few runs to defend. Holyport eventually hit the winning runs with 7 wickets down and 8 balls to spare.

If it wasn't against editorial policy to mention the same person twice and he might start thinking he's an invaluable all rounder, I'd also comment on Floody's 3 excellent wickets with the ball.

Stonor

Away: cancelled by opposition.

Brading (Isle-of-Wight)

Away On Tour: lost.

Northwood (Isle-of-Wight)

Away On Tour: lost.

Porchfield (Isle-of-Wight)

Away On Tour: won.

Higgs Family Win at a Canter

In a scene reminiscent of Braveheart, all the local clans (the "Kilfords"; the "Vaughans"; the "Higgs"; and the "Reddecliffes") came down on mass to Whitchurch on Sunday to watch the game against Jack Frost and do battle to see who would have the bragging rights later on in the Greyhound. Three generations of Kilfords (two playing) was a fighting start, as was the four wickets between Alan(3) and Matt(1).

A catch for Paul Vaughan and one for Paul Higgs kept the warring factions at bay, as did the two wickets for Brian Reddecliffe. Thereafter the game belonged to the Higgs'. Looking to chase down a below average total of 124 Whitchurch were in trouble at 16 for 3 when Paul Higgs strolled majestically to the wicket and hit a quick-fire 60. Paul's stand of 95 with Jack Gregory (52*) enabled Whitchurch to win by 6 wickets with 10 overs to spare. Whitchurch also did the double by winning the beer race.

After the game Paul Higgs said: it's a shame my poorly shoulder was still giving me all that gip, because I wouldn't have dropped that easy catch off Lyn's bowling.

BBC Caversham

Won Away

Beer Match Beckons Then Tail Wags.

After being put in on a soaking wicket (the only storm in Oxon 30mins before the start!!), Whitchurch were floundering at 64 for 6 before the tail came to the fore. Despite the skipper running out the first two members of the triumvirate, stands of 15 with Jon Steward, 19 with Alan Kilford and 38 with Matt Kilford eventually gave Whitchurch a less embarrassing 141 at tea.

In reply some tight bowling and 9 catches in the field, Andy Heard's being worthy of special mention, kept the game alive to the end. Checkendon's skipper was eventually their last man out, bowled after hitting two worryingly large 6s, with 9 balls remaining and 11 runs still needed.

Waxlow

Washed out (home)

Pangbourne

Washed out (home)

Surveyors

Abandoned at Tea (home)

Whitchurch Pig Sick As Ham Roll Them Over.

With Goring unable to put out a side Ham and Petersham (nr Richmond, W. London) took up the mantle and made the long drive down the M4 to spend a glorious afternoon in the wet Oxfordshire countryside. Time well spent from Ham's point of view as they eventually came out victors by 4 wickets in a tight match. Runs from Ronnie Khan, Matt Flood and Jon Steward made sure that Whitchurch enjoyed their tea, posting a score of 204 in their allotted 35 overs.

After tea the rain arrived and all Whitchurch caught is pneumonia. The dropped catches, and some mighty blows and fine running between the wickets ensured Ham were always up with the run rate, eventually hitting the winning runs with 13 balls to spare.

Spare a thought for the Ham batsman who apologised for scoring runs off the 'young lad bowling at the top end'; Matt Kilford bowled him 2 balls later. Thanks to Liz and Sarah for tea.

Vaughan Fails As Whitchurch Win.

Paul Vaughan failed to live up to the wonder catches of previous weeks but cut through the Hetairoi attack with a fierce onslaught of batting, hitting 83 off 50 odd balls plus chipping in a couple wickets ably assisted by Andy Heard in the field. Hetairoi agreed to bat first on a timed game as awaiting arrival of some players and got off to a fine start. However after tight bowling by George Mattimoe and Jon Steward the score was kept to just 240 for loss of 6 wickets.

In reply Whitchurch lost Richard Leach early stumped (Yes, Richard was seen to dance down the wicket!). However Vaughan ably supported by Andy Heard took the game to Hetairoi bludgeoning their attack. When Vaughan eventually fell on 83 it was left to Andy Mutepfa with 73 runs to see Whitchurch home with 2 wickets and 8 overs to spare much to the Skipper's relief.

So Many Starters, So Few Finishers.

All of the Whitchurch batsmen, with the exception of John Steward, got a start with the bat but only Lyn Williams (64) put it to much use. With only 169 runs on the board a spirited display in the field, including another diving catch for PV, ultimately proved fruitless with Letcombe running out winners by 4 wickets with 24 balls in hand.

Caught: Vaughan; Caught: Leach; Caught: Staker;

Three wonderous catches from Paul, Richard and John respectively, and a miracle over from Alan Kilford (triple wicket maiden), turned a low-scoring game in Whitchurch's favour and brought a welcome victory. Having only set Caversham and Sonning Common 167 to win, Whitchurch looked to be in trouble when the opposition cruised to 110 for 1. Thereafter, all the praying proved worthwhile as lots of wickets fell for very few runs. C&SC eventually ending up on 148 for 9 in their 35 overs, Whitchurch winning by 19 runs.

After the match Paul Vaughan's newly appointed agent said: Nothing miraculous about it, he takes one like that every week

Firstly let me say, in my normal brash Southern Hemisphere way, and as the eldest on the field of play on Sunday, never in all the years that I have been playing at WCC (that's since 1994) Have I seen such incredible fielding at this, 'LEVEL OF CRICKET', VSL {Vaughan, Staker and Leach) can become an additional acronym in the annals of cricket, and accompany LBW as a means of getting one out (one handed at that).

Paul 'Arrow-like' Smith kept wicket in exemplary fashion as a debutant, Killer was the magician, aptly assisted by good bowling from my good mate, Andy 'Bonnet' Heard', and Jon 'Ray Winston' Steward bowled 2 very good 'containment' over's, whilst Your 50 runs, Lyn, was the backbone of the batting. Poor performance from Hill (diabolical batting) and a below par bowling 'spraying spell' by Mr Seward, who was quite wayward on the day, could give the folks something to natter about in the pub.

20 Fags A Day Never Hurt Anybody!

If the smoking lobby were looking for positive proof that smoking doesn't damage your health they should have been at Woodcote to see James score 98 (in a losing cause) and only need oxygen the once. It was a graceful full length dive not an inelegent collapse in the 21St over!! On a track full of runs, Woodcote batted first and amassed 217 for 6 in their allotted 35 overs, Mark and John being the stand-out bowlers. Whitchurch then amassed 199 for 6 before running out of overs, with Jon scoring his maiden 50 for the Club.

Greys Green were inserted on a good quick wicket but the openers were tied down by the opening attack of Jim Wheeler and Chris Grogan. Jim in particular was very swift and he finished his spell 10 overs 5 maidens no wickets for only 11 runs ! Connor Wheeler and Alan Kilford also bowled good spells and we were able to restrict the opposition to 132-6 off their 2.5 hrs at the crease. Special mention must go to Paul Vaughan who took probably the best diving 1 handed catch I have seen in our standard of Cricket. Special mention must also go to Dave Mattimoe who did a great job behind the stumps.

Whitchurch replied with a classy 51 by Tim Close supported by Dave Mattimoe, Alan Kilford, Jim Wheeler and Ollie Charlton. Whitchurch overhaulled the Greys Green total with 2 overs to spare winning by 2 wickets.

Good team effort all round and everyone either batted or bowled

Positive spin on defeat; tea was excellent

On a difficult sodden wicket only Paul and Scooby could hold their heads high at tea as Whitchurch were bowled out for only 85. Whitchurch were much more competitive with the ball, keeping Checkendon out in the field for 27overs and taking 6 wickets. 3 dropped catches didn't help the cause.

Unhappy Hunting Grounds in Hills Above Henley.

With 194 for 5 on the board at tea against Crazies Hill and a wicket from the skipper with his first ball, Whitchurch were full of confidence that they could push on for a first victory of the season. Unfortunately, Whitchurch didn't take into account the 70 partnership for the second wicket and the unbeaten 125 partnership to win the game.

Crazies Hill deserved victors on the day. Consolation for Whitchurch in Jack scoring 85, John taking his first wicket for the Club and the beer in the Horns being excellent.