WILTSHIRE COUNTY SENIORS CRICKET CLUB

 

Match Report Wiltshire ECB 50+ v IOW @ Winterbourne CC on Sunday 12th July

At long last an overdue win for Wiltshire, but it was not without dramas being 70-6 wkts after losing the toss and being inserted. A collapse by the upper order including a bizarre unexplainable 1st ball run out by the skipper in his final game as captain (blamed on poor eye-sight and not feeling well, but still inexcusable).

After the skipper lost the toss and was asked to bat (probably due to bad weather being forecast for Wiltshire). Richard Gaunt was asked if he would like to open, as the skipper thought he had a touch of sunstroke from the previous day, he was accompanied by Steve Copland (who had scored a century for his club the previous day) hopes were high on a good looking dry wicket at Winterbourne, however both openers fell cheaply and Maurice Beale (19) and Tim Mynott were unable to accelerate the score from a slow 27 for 2 after 11 overs, with the bizarre run out mentioned previously Wiltshire were soon 70 for 6 by the halfway point and deep in trouble. However “cometh the hour, cometh the man” and John Bathe certainly proved to be that man with a chanceless 53 off 56 balls accompanied by Dave Gale (31) in a remarkable recovery partnership of 75, disappointingly we still failed to use up all 45 overs and were all out for 171 in the 41st over. But at least we had a total to bowl at.

The weather continued to be set fair (reports from elsewhere in the County of heavy rain) and despite a depleted bowling line-up Wiltshire started brightly thanks to early wickets for Tim Mynott (9 overs 3wkts -12runs) and good catches by Steve Copland in the slips and a diving low catch by Graham Chandler at Extra Cover, meaning IOW we already under pressure at 37 for3 after 14 overs (I have to comment here that the brilliant catching by Wiltshire was in England class, not a single dropped catch in the whole IOW innings).

This became 88 for 6 at 30 overs with the unexpected change bowling of Graham Chandler (9 overs 4 wkts - 43 runs) resulting in wickets continuing to tumble. Scoreboard pressure was starting to tell and despite a rally by IOW tail whose last 4 batsmen contributed 54 to the total, Wiltshire were able to clinch a deserved victory by the small margin of 12 runs in a match that we started badly but improved and then excelled during the IOW innings.

Despite my single ball innings it was a good way to finish my spell as Wiltshire captain, firstly thanks to all the “backroom” staff Gwyn, Geoff, Brian, Tim for their organisation and support during my three year reign. Big thanks to scorer Jakki for always being available and Steve for support as Vice-Captain on the field of play, but biggest thanks to all players I was privileged to Captain. I know I did not always get things right but no-one ever complained and I know all gave 100% or more, even if results failed to go our way at times. If selected I will continue to play alongside you all and the friendships I have made will last a lifetime.

Hope to see many of you all again next year.

 

Graham

 

 

Match Report Wilts 60+ v Devon 60+

The match took place at the beautiful setting of Steeple Langford.

A very strong Devon team won the toss and elected to field first on what proved to be a very good pitch.

Ian Swain 46 and Peter Robinson 48 got Wiltshire off to a great start with an opening partnership of 80 in 21 overs. Tim Mynott 73 and Tim Lerwill 48 n.o. increased the run rate which resulted in Wiltshire finishing their innings with a very creditable 260. In reply Devon succeeded in not losing early wickets which in the end proved decisive. Their openers J Page 101 and B Eames 50 batted in a telling 134 partnership which left their remaining batsmen to pass the required total with 3 overs to spare. Wiltshire's performances this season have been a great improvement on previous years, and we are looking forward to a strong finish in our remaining games.

 

 

Robbo's version of events aka Social report from the Jersey Tour 2015.

With Churchilian planning the Tour Manager, Mr Gwyn Blinkinheck had arranged the attack on Jersey on three fronts, by air and by sea and using multiple airports. The tour got off to a slow start from Soton with the airborne passengers and supporters having their, already late flight delayed, by Fly Maybe subsequently we did not hit the hotel bar for the pre match tactics talk until 10.30pm. Some players had pre empted the unreliability of MayBe and had taken an early flight from Bournemouth to ensure there was no chance of missing out on drinking time! The seaborne team members had also arrived in good time having commenced travel at around 6am and drinking at 7.30am this ensured at least one of the team was in bed by 7.30pm, dedication indeed on the night before a big game. Breakfast on Saturday morning was a very quiet affair with the change of water obviously affecting the majority of players. Nonethe less the full English still had to be devoured. The weather was set fair as we set off in the tour bus for Grouville. The expectations were high as our No11 has hit 112not out in a club match the week before so in our heads 500 was clearly on the cards. Enough of the cricket, Captains match report is below. Post the match we were entertained by the Channel Islands side before setting off back to the hotel for the Tour dinner. An excellent 3 courses were served with copius amounts of wine. The wine had to be paid for so the fines master Mr Jon (Judge) Haines presided. The largely trumped up charges ranged from false appealing, feining injury (aka being a whimp), failing to tell a joke. Denying the charge was futile and resulted in an increased fine. Pay up and shut up proved the best policy. We then adjourned to the bar (no surprises) and caught the end of the England ODI victory over NZ . For most of us it was a reasonably early Sunday morning to bed. Everyone was up early for another full English before setting off to spend the Sunday exploring St Hellier and further. Messrs Blenkinsop, Mynott, Ramsay and Robinson did the south island tour of the coastline and coastal fortifications (see photos tab). Ending up at the Oyster Box in St Brelade for a late lunch of Seafood and Sauvingnon Blanc overlooking Ouaisne Bay. The Tour Manager (Gwynnie) was as relieved as anyone that no emegency services, police or A&E staff were needed over the weekend. 

On a more serious note it was a fabulous weekend, with great weather and great company. Thank you to Gwyn for all his hard work in arranging and herding the cats aka as Wilts Seniors CC over the weekend. Jacki for scoring, Lord Mynott for his  chauffeuring duties on the Sunday and all our supporters for making the effort.

 

 

Match Report Channel Islands ECB 50+ v Wilts ECB 50+  

Possibly our last Tour to Jersey (because of the recent ECB deliberation on Travel to Jersey) was a rip roaring success for all who went. Lots of never to be forgotten moments and bad jokes at The Tour Dinner.

Most of the Tour Party were due to arrive on the last Flybe flight out of Southampton, hoping to arrive at Grouville on Jersey in time for an evening meal at a Restaurant in Gorey. The scouting party consisting of the early arrivals and the skipper were sent on ahead to select a suitable restaurant for a 9.15pm meal. However the 5 strong party was soon reduced to 3 when one of the party failed to negotiate the steps getting onto the bus and had to be accompanied back to his Hotel room.

On arrival in Gorey the party was further depleted when the local pub was far too attractive for some and so it was down to the Skipper to book the meal. The SeaScale restaurant (see photo tab)  came highly recommended and was duly booked, on the agreement that 9.00pm was the latest time available, more of this later.

All seemed set fair for a great meal before a dreaded text arrived from Phil “Jonah” Jones saying the main party was still in Southampton with the plane delayed by 1 hour. Further negotiations with the restaurant ensued but it was assumed that the main party would not make it and the Skipper was forced to dine alone. As the clock struck 10.00pm the Restaurant was invaded by a party of very hungry players, wives and daughters. The restaurant was packed but happily agreed to serve the hungry mob (thanks Tony) but then we noticed we were one player short, the management between them had contrived to leave John Aitken at the airport, admittedly he had forgotten to grab his cricket bag off the carousel and was not allowed back into retrieve it for 10 minutes (poor John had to wave down a taxi and get a KFC to eat at the Hotel) not a great start but provided plenty of ammunition for great banter throughout the rest of the Tour. The next morning was fairly uneventful other than John nearly missing another meal and locking the key in our room.

A report of sea fog rolling in and the need to finish early to allow C.I. players to catch a ferry back to Guernsey meant an early 12.00am start to the game at the ICC Divisional World Cup venue of Granville.

The toss was won by the Channel Isles and much to the Wilts skippers surprise elected to insert Wiltshire. The early  loss of the key wicket of Steve Copland was not a good start but a partnership between Mark “Bunter” Hunt (28) and Maurice “Mo” Beale (30) of 47 meant Wilts were on 60 by over 13 however the next 12 overs only yielded 47 runs for the loss of 3 wkts. Skipper Graham “Grazzer”Chandler (67 not out) and Tim “Spud” Mynott (29) did their best to up the rate but an unfortunate run out saw the demise of Mynott with the score on 135. John Bathe (36) then joined the skipper and successfully created a 82 run partnership to enable Wiltshire to manufacture exactly 100 from the last 15 overs, aided by a brisk 12 runs from 8 balls from Jon “Hainer” Haines at the tail end of the Wiltshire innings to finish on our highest innings total of  239.

Unfortunately C.I. started briskly on 6 runs per over, a run rate they were easily able to maintain due to some inconsistent bowling by Wilts. Opener Headington making 104 (after being dropped on 46) and Jenner(65) compiling a 110 run partnership to reach the target easily in over 37. So an early finish and Guernsey players were able to get to the Ferry easily and the Touring party were back to the Beausite Hotel for a quick Swim before the traditional Tour dinner.

My thanks go to the C.I. Umpires during the game, our scorer Jakki, the C.I. players for being modest hosts after the game, Minibus driver Carlos for running us all the around the island, Andrea at the Beausite Hotel, Gwyn “Blenky” Blenkinsop for managing the Tour but most of all my fellow players for the lasting memories and comradeship during the two days on Jersey.

 

Graham Chandler (Skipper)

 

Wiltshire ECB 50+ v Cornwall
Sun 14 June 2015
Venue: Winterslow CC
Result: Cornwall won by 113 runs

With a trio of slow bowlers Wiltshire tried a new tactic in the quest for that elusive win, so on winning the toss Wiltshire elected to bowl first in the hope the wicket may offer some assistance. With Rich Gaunt opening the bowling the ploy all but worked when opener Jim McKenna (138) offered a chance that was unfortunately shelled by the Wiltshire skipper at Extra Cover. Further chances for wickets were very limited despite Wiltshire bowlers being rotated regularly as the Cornish openers compiled a 187 partnership (Nance 58). With the help of further spilled catches and plenty quick singles (Luiten 46*) Cornwall were able to compile a formidable total of 298 for 4 from their 45 overs.
Wiltshire’s chase started badly with Steve Copland (50) losing his opening partner very early. Cornwalls bowlers kept things very tight and Wiltshire were soon behind the rate, wickets continued to fall regularly despite some resistance from Jon Burton (46). Wiltshire’s innings closed on 185 from their 45 overs. Well beaten by a strong Cornwall side with powerful batting lineup and tight bowling. D. Dunnet  9 overs 3-17 S.Mitchell 9 overs 2-23.

 

 

Wales 60+ v Wiltshire 60+

16th June, 2015 Wales won the toss and put in Wiltshire. Early wickets fell on a pitch which proved to be rather slow. Only Tim Nichols with a patient 59 made a significant contribution and the innings finished in the 45th over with Wiltshire being bowled out for 132.

In reply Wales gained the required runs in the 33rd over with the loss of 4 wickets.

 

Wiltshire 60+ v Australia 60+

The ground bathed in sunshine looked a picture. Australia batted first and, as agreed beforehand, retirements were to be made once an individual batsman reached 50. This happened for J Cordy, J Stackpolle and G McLlwain. Good all round bowling, however, restricted the tourists to 238 after their 45 overs.

In reply, Wiltshire made steady ground and were in the match until a rush of wickets fell. Tim Mynott, with a superb 50, and Ian Swain 28 were the early contributors, until a belligerent 20, including a 6 over extra cover from number 11 John Williams, brought the crowd to their feet. Wiltshire finished with a creditable 168 against a very strong team.

 

After match dinner:

Goatacre CC did us proud. A wonderful dinner in a delightful setting sealed the occasion.

Tim Mynott and Tim Nichols gave speeches and presented the tourists with momentos to remember us by. It was evident that the Australian touring party were all very pleased and grateful for our efforts, and many friends were made.

 

Hear some BBC Wiltshire  inteviews here 

 

 

 

Wiltshire ECB 50+ v Somerset 7th June 2015

 

After a staggered arrival by the eleven players at our venue of Midsomer Norton CC just over the Wiltshire border in Somerset with Glastonbury Tor looming on the horizon.

The wicket had produced 300 + runs for Midsomer 1st XI the previous day and still looked in good nick, Wiltshire were keen to bat but it was Somerset who won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat. However things started well as the dangerous Dave Stephenson fell early in Julian Browns first over (9 overs 1-53), however this brought Simon Hogg (126 not out) to the wicket and a 90 run partnership with Graham Paulton (51 off 43 balls) put Somerset on track for a large total. Mike Fear looked slightly hesitant initially but given the "get on with it" instruction at the drinks break which gave him the confidence to smash the ball to the boundary regularly to add a 160 run partnership with Hogg untill he fell in over 40. Unfortunately this failed to slow the rate and 45 runs came off the final 5 overs leaving a daunting target of 292 for Wiltshire, this was made worst by the early loss of Steve Copland clipping a ball hard off his legs only to see it virtually pin the backward square who clung onto a good catch. Maurice Beale (44) tried to lift the run rate to the required level but perished trying to hit a straight six despite a good partnership of 66 with Mark Hunt (24). Further Wiltshire wickets continued to fall regularly with the run-rate climbing all the time. Tim Mynott (51 off 31 balls) tried hard to lift the total but unfortunately lost his wicket trying to manoeuvre the ball to vacant gaps in the outfield and despite a wag from the tail Phil Jones (16) and Mark Banham (19) putting on 34 for the ninth wicket Wiltshire finished well short on 217.

Great venue, good wicket and hosts Somerset were magnanimous in Victory but good value for their win. Not much more to say except onwards to our next fixture at home to Cornwall and hoping for our first victory.

 

 

Wiltshire ECB 50+ v Dorset 28th May 2015

 

North Perrott CC, Crewkerne

 

Arriving early in Somerset to play Dorset seemed a little strange, however the advantage was a good looking wicket and fablous outfield at North Perrott CC. Wiltshire started off in the right way and quite rightly elected to bat on winning the toss and an opening stand of 86 between Steve Copland (47) and Mark Hunt (26) proved the point. However the loss of 3 quick wickets left Wiltshire on 99 for 3 at halfway a little behind the target of 250. However a good partnership between Maurice Beale (26) and Geoff Ramsey (55) put Wiltshire back on course at 186 with 7 overs to go. However a devastating spell by Dorset's Les Elsworth (6-39) saw Wiltshire collapse to 219 all out losing 6 wkts for just 33 runs and not completing the required 45 overs. Dorset's innings was a complete contrast in that the opening pair Jim Ryall (103) and John Young (41) gave just two chances in a 142 opening stand. Mark Morris on debut  bowled 3 maidens (9 overs for 38- with over 2 going for 13 and his last going for 9 runs - his figures could have been even better) but remained wicket-less as he bowled his 9 overs straight through. Things changed dramatically with the introduction of spin as Richard Gaunt took 1-40 from his 9 overs (with two missed chances to snare to all important wicket of Ryall) and John Haines 4-28 in his 9 and Dorset sat at 176 for 6 with 9 overs to get 45 runs but only 4 wickets in hand. Unfortunately despite some lively banter ex-Wiltshire player Tim Cowley (29) rode his luck and saw Dorset home in the penultimate over. A good competitive game played in good spirit, but for the second game running Wiltshire were 25 runs short of the total needed to put pressure on the opposition.