Click here if you would like to view the 1stX1 averages as prepared by Chris Vagg. (inc 27/07/02)

27/07/02
Woodmansterne 1st X1 129 (2 pts)
Ottershaw 1st X1 130 for 4 (20pts)

With the intrepid reporter Bill Bessant on a weekend trip to Haslemere this report has been filed in his absence.

Once again to the delight of the opposition 'Captain George' called 'lucky heads' and Woodmansterne were asked to bat. With Braden Higgs and Adam Sheridan on a shopping trip for new cork hats, the side was strengthened by the return of the legendary Dave Brazier.

On a wicket giving a little assistance to the new ball bowlers Woodmansterne were quickly in trouble, in a familiar position at 14-2 in the 5th over with Dave Clisby and Chris Vagg again at the crease facing some hostile new ball bowling.

The score was taken to 52 when Clisby (14) offered a catch behind. James Bull followed in the next over and things were left to Vagg (54) and Jason Hiscox (13) who took the score to 104-4 before the innings fell away. Only the reliable Dave Brazier with 18 made double figures.

Jim Selby ('the bowler's friend') came to the crease with his cigarette still lit on the boundary. One ball later he was back to finish it off. The normally stout defence of Dave Pryor was breeched when he decided to play the ball with his hand. A loud appeal followed and the sad figure of Pryor was returning to the boundary leaving behind in his wake all his equipment. Luckily he made it past the members area with his trousers still in place mumbling something about the umpires eye sight. Irene was seen in the score box covering her eyes with her hands in disbelief (well almost). The pick of the bowlers was Lancaster with 5-27.

Tea followed, registering 9.5 on the grand Hiscox scale. No sign of Pryor stashing food this week as he is still working his way through all the tuck he confiscated on his school's journey.

With the sun now shining and the ball offering little movement to the Woodmansterne bowlers, Ottershaw began to smash the ball to all parts of the ground. Selby and Peter Aldous managed to get some life out of the pitch but few chances were offered. Selby with 2-42 was the pick of the bowlers while Tom Wortley with 1-35 deceived everyone with a googly. Luckily it hit the stumps as Pryor was stranded. The runs were knocked off quickly with the loss of only 4 wickets.

As the old saying goes Cricket is a game of 'two arfs'.

DC

Well, you wait weeks for a first X1 match report (especially if Neil's writing it) and then two come a long at once, so here's Jason's version.

Woods 1st XI were looking to make the most of this match against mid-table rivals Ottershaw before next week's league cricketing 'holiday'

Skippers George Miller again tossed incorrectly and, as is traditional in these matters Woods found themselves batting first. Opener Tom Wortley soon missed a straight one and when Miller departed soon after with a chip to mid-wicket the alternative opening pair of Clisby and Vagg once more found themselves at the crease.

Both players played steadily and carefully against the accurate Ottershaw bowling until Clisby (14) managed a faint scratch on a ball from the South African Johan to be caught behind with the score at 52. James Bull then strode to the crease, obtained his guard and shortly afterwards strode back having played a stylish leave to a ball from Johan which ripped out off stump!

Hiscox then joined Vagg at the crease, determined to give Wood's star batsman as many scoring opportunities as possible. With the bowlers prepared to use all areas of the wicket and a clear technical deficiency against rising deliveries (no arm guard - schoolboy error!) he was subjected to a series of short pitched deliveries from Johan and Lancaster. Nevertheless Vagg was in good form at the other end, reaching another fifty for the season with his signature cut shot. The shot also proved to be his undoing at 106-4 as, instead of drilling a hole through point off a high and wide delivery Vagg could only put enough power into the ball to have it carry comfortably to him, to the delight of the Ottershaw team.

This proved the turning point of the afternoon, as a revitalised Ottershaw induced three more wickets on the same score (Hicks - caught low down at midwicket, Hiscox - finally succeeding in gloving a ball to the keeper at the 6th attempt, Selby - 1st baller). The 'two Daves' then tried to repair the innings before Pryor was blatantly lbw (I think this is what Jason is trying to say -ed), but Braz managed to hit some fine sweep shots off the spinner before eventually being dismissed with the score on 129.

Woods knew they would need to make early inroads in they were to have a chance in the game, but the chances induced by opening bowlers Aldous and Selby fell infuriatingly into vacant areas of the pitch as Ottershaw started off at six an over. Selby finally managed to remove one opener with a yorker, and the other succumbed to a smart run out, being stranded mid-wicket by Bully's gentle lob to Pryor from cover.

With Selby inducing the #3 to play down the wrong line and Wortley removing the left handed #4 bowled round his legs with a googly there was still an outside chance at 80-4. However, the Ottershaw batsman kept their heads and picked off the runs, time not being an issue. Skipper Miller rang the bowling changes to try and get further wickets but to not avail, and the denouement finally came with James Bull serving up a couple of nice long hops for one of his St. Mary's College mates to smash the winning runs off.

Haslemere 2nd X1 122
Woodmansterne 2nd X1 124 for 4

With the first X1 in a 'comfortable mid-table position', all eyes turned to the 2nd X1 (hmm...!?) who were still looking for their first win of the season.

They were away to Haslemere, a small market town just north of Paris, and home to the legendary James Selby. Skipper Dave Butler won an important toss, which meant that Woods were able to bowl under cloudy skies and bat later when the sun came out.

Medium pacers Bill Bessant, Richie Bennett, Conrad Smith and Ken Wright put the ball in the right place and encountered little resistance from the Haslemere batsmen as their side slumped to 65 for 7. Stubborn resistance eventually came from from Brown (28) who helped add 32 runs for the 8th wicket before Tony Phillips broke the partnership in his first over. Bennett (4 for 37) and Smith (3 for 34) returned to finish off the innings for 122. In the field Woods were much improved, with Pete Bull, Tony Phillips and Chris Munday all taking good catches.

In reply Ray Turner and Conrad Smith were both deceived by slower balls and Tony Phillips holed out to point with an unusual chip shot. However Mickey Joyce was playing well, with good shot selection including a number of thumping pulls for 4. He put on 32 with Bessant and then saw the side home in an unbroken 33 stand with Chris Munday, who batted confidently under pressure from an enthusiastic fielding side for 13 not out. Joyce finished with an accomplished 60 not out. The much needed 20 points for Woods will go some way to ensuring their continued first division status.

The Third X1 had a winning draw against Streatham with Tom Stoker in form with 77.

20/07/02
Southbank1st X1 234-9 (55 0vers)
Woodmansterne 1st X1 166 for 8 (35 overs)

In this winning draw for Woods, their main scorers were James Yerbury 37, Adam Sheridan 33, Braden Higgs 19, and Rob Hicks 16*. James Selby also scored 16 and was caught at 2nd slip after it had hit 1st slip on the head and the ball looped up into the air! Braden Higgs returned figures of 4-55 and Tom Wortley 3-33. Woods needed 180+ off 22 overs but were unable to get them against defensively set fields.

CV

13/07/02
Woodmansterne 1st X1 203
Spelthorne 1st X1 187

With the intrepid reporter Bill Bessant away and the legendary Dave Brazier missing from the previous week it was going to be a tough trip to league leaders Spelthorne. The side was strengthened by the return of Peter Aldous, Adam Sheridan and Braden Higgs fresh from the outback of Hammersmith Broadway shopping centre.

After a long think about which side of the coin to call George Miller again called lucky heads only for tails to pop up again. With this run of luck George could outstrip Chris Vagg as being the lucky talisman of the side. On a wicket still sweating as a result of the covers being left on until 20 minutes before the start, Woodmansterne soon found themselves in a familiar situation. Clisby and Vagg at the crease in the 4th over at 12 for 2. Some good pace bowling and the ball moving in the air and off the pitch made batting conditions difficult.

The score was moved to 50-2 before further loss, Clisby chasing a rare wide delivery. Vagg and Sheridan then began to get on top of the bowling. Both batsmen forgot about ones and twos in the battle of the ashes, who could hit the ball further. Vagg eventually failed to reach the boundary and was caught in the deep for a well made 40ish . Sheridan survived one appeal for caught behind before moving on to make 71.

Tom Wortley showed some good technique with a good 13 but the normally reliable Pryor and Selby returned without a run between them.

The mood changed during the tea interval and Pryor was for the second week seen to be stashing food in an old sock for a midnight feast no doubt reflecting on the 152 byes he has let through this season.

Woodmansterne opened the bowling with Higgs and Wortley. The pitch was taking spin and Higgs made quick progress, taking 2 wickets in his first spell. Some destructive batting by the league leaders then followed and the regulars in the bar were quickly called into action, moving their cars to the safety of the dual carriageway outside the ground.

A couple of sharp chances came and went before the formidable Peter Aldous came into the attack joined by James Bull. Aldous, with 4 wickets, turned the game on its head so much that an inspired Jim Selby was seen taking a sharp catch. Bull picked up 2 wickets before Higgs returned to mop up the tail. The result was a complete upset with Woodmansterne coming away with the victory. George Miller was 20 minutes getting a barrel of beer into the changing room as the party started ... hopefully he has finally used that 'lucky coin'..

DC

06/07/02
Woodmansterne 1st X1 143 for 9 dec
Long Ditton144 for 6

Woods skipper George Miller lost the toss and they were asked to bat in this mid-table clash. Miller and Bill Bessant rewrote the record books in an exhilerating opening stand of 19 (beating the season's previous best of 18!). Miller was the first to go, then Bessant and Clisby both offered catches and Woods slipped to 33 for 3. This rapidly became 49 for 5 with the departure of Tony Phillips and James Bull.

The innings was steadied as usual by Chris Vagg (42) who played well, especially against the Long Ditton spinner. When he was out wickets tumbled again and Woods were in serious trouble at 99 or 9. However the day was saved by a true club stalwart and ever dependable lower order batsman. Good old Dave. Yes.. Dave Brazier was there until the end of the innings, playing selflessly and working the ball around the ground, when allowed some of the strike by the number 11. Brazier was second highest scorer with 23 not out, with Dave Pryor chipping in with 22 not out (including a six which just cleared the short long-on boundary)

Woods needed a good start, and although James Selby and Conrad Smith bowled some good deliveries, the first wicket did not fall until Tom Wortley induced an edge to 'keeper Pryor. Warren (67) played particularly well for Long Ditton and put away any loose deliveries very powerfully. The second wicket fell to a good catch by Smith off Vagg, but the crucial breakthrough came when Pryor snapped up Warren off Bull. Bull (3 for 19) was particularly effective on the dampish track and soon cleaned bowled the number four for one, and Woods were back in the game with the Ditton score at 95 for 4.

Harker (22) and Boxall (13 not out) gradually reclaimed the initiative however, and despite a further wicket each for Wortley and Bull, Long Ditton got home by 4 wickets. Credit should go to both teams for a well contested game played in good spirit.

At the end of the match Dave Pryor and Dave Clisby rushed back the changing rooms to feast on a secret supply of Cadbury's mini rolls they had hidden away, and wouldn't share with anybody. Chris Vagg looked on, languidly sipping a pint of lager brought to him by his long-suffering dad. And finally a mention must be made of the 78 year old gentleman who cycled to the ground, especially to see Woodmansterne play, a team he remembered from days gone by for their sportsmanship and good humour. He arrived just in time to see the dismissal of James 'Mr Angry' Bull , who, on his return to the pavilion, sent chairs flying in all directions with a savage swipe of the bat. ''That's right.. take it out on the furniture' muttered the old man, the happy image he had of Woodmansterne CC shattered forever.

The second X1 very nearly beat league leaders Shepperton in another excellent contest. Woods scored 133, with Mickey Joyce making 64 and Ray Turner 24 and Shepperton just got home by one wicket, with excellent bowling from Ian Park who took five wickets

The thirds were up against a strong Farncombe side who declared at 265 for 6. Woods, who only had 9 men, made a valiant effort in reply and scored 175, run machine Pete Bull making 58.

29/06/02

The first X1 at home to Chobham secured a winning draw (and 9 points) with 9 wickets down. Chobham were dismissed for 180, with Braden Higgs the spinning sensation from down under taking 7 wickets again. Skipper Neil Park scored 51 and James Bull a quickfire 30 in Woods reply (full report to follow if Neil gets his act together).

Chobham 2nd X1 206 for 8 declared (20 points)
Woodmansterne 2nd X1 123 (4 points)

Chobham chose to bat first, and Woods skipper Dave Butler opened the bowling with Bill Bessant and James Lander. They bowled steadily enough, as did the change bowlers Richie Bennett and Tony Phillips. At 58 for 3 Woods were reasonably happy with their progress but then Medhurst (64) and Wynn (39) put on 88 for the fourth wicket. After the partnership was broken Conrad Smith bowled well, giving the batsmen few loose deliveries and he was rewarded with 4 for 49. Medhurst's innings was finally ended by a brilliant catch by Ray Turner. Mention should also go to Andy Graves who kept wicket well and held two fine catches.

Woods got off to a good start in their reply, Ray Turner taking two boundaries off the first over he received.. Mickey Joyce was unfortunately run out and Woods slipped to 29 for 3. Bill Bessant (48) and Tony Phillips (26) put on 68 for the fourth wicket at a reasonable rate, but once they were out the innings fell away in disappointing style.

Better news came from the third eleven, who notched their first win of the season, beating Richmond Town by 6 wickets. Richmond were all out for 106, Ted Giles taking 6 wickets and Ian Park 2. Woods knocked off the runs for the loss of 4 wickets, Nathan ? making 32, Trevor Meadowcroft 28 and the ever-reliable Peter Bull 23 not out.

26/06/02
Fuller's League Cup Quarter Final
Woodmansterne 160
Olinda Vandals 146

A terrifc performance by Woodmansterne who fought back from being 37 for 5 to win a closely fought game. Woods were rescued by a stand between Braden Higgs (73) and Howard Clark (25) which lifted their score to respectability. Higgs revealed himself to be a high class batsman, playing the cover drive with great authority, and with Clark playing responsibly they put together a partnership of 56 .

Woods again fielded well, with all catches being taken, skipper Park leading the way with 3, and Jim Selby picking up a blinding slip catch off a quick delivery from Peter Aldous. Wickets were shared - Braden Higgs picked up 2 for 14 in 9 overs, and Peter Aldous took 3. Woods looked to be heading for an easy win with Olinda losing 8 wickets for under 100, but then a stubborn partnership took Olinda to within 20 runs of victory.

The crucial breakthrough came when Robert Hicks took a good catch off Aldous. With the last pair together skipper Park tossed the ball to James Bull, who was not afraid to give the ball air and was rewarded when Park took a fine catch at cover to secure the victory.

Woodmansterne First team travelled to Stoke D'Abernon with a team much changed after the previous weeks performance against Whitely Village. Dave Brazier, Braden Higgs and Jason Hiscox replaced Bill Bessant, Jim Selby and Dave Clisby. Neil 'Brears' Park took over the captaincy reigns from George Miller, who played purely as a batsman.

Park lost the toss and Woodmansterne were inserted on a good pitch with short straight boundaries. Woods began by shooting themselves in the foot twice, a misunderstanding between Miller and Park lead to Park's untimely demise to a run out. The usually free-scoring Ryan Polley fell soon after when a 'defensive' shot went horribly wrong and his stumps were wrecked.

From this point on the Woodmansterne team 'made no mistake', as former Stoke D'Abernon superstar Bob Willis would have put it. Run machine Chris Vagg joined George Miller and the pair of left-handers put together a match winning seasons best partnership; Vagg scoring 59 and Miller 84. The plan of playing Miller as a batsman only clearly worked, as he posted his best score for the firsts in an excellent innings. The rest of the batting order did what was required and secured the fourth batting point, and only the seventh of the season, with one ball to spare of the 55 overs.

In the field Woods were a revelation, no chance to take a wicket (apart from Bully not going for an easy catch on boundary) or stop a run was missed. Woods opening pairing of Vagg and Higgs proved too much for the Stoke batsmen and in just the third over Vagg skittled out the No.2, bowled around his legs. The bleeding fingers of Braden Higgs then wreaked havoc amongst the Stoke batsmen as he took a remarkable 7-26 off 17 overs. Ryan Polley took the catch of the day; a well-hit lofted slog from Kumar off Higgs had seemingly cleared Polley at long on only for Polley to stretch out a hand, behind his body, and to pull off a stunning catch.

Peter Aldous, the maturing demon fast bowler, bowled an impressive spell which brought an easy wicket when a clearly rattled Stoke batsmen was defeated by his pace and the stumps and bails were spread far and wide. Aldous pulled off a fine run-out when an unnecessary attempt at a second run ended in tragedy for the Stoke tail enders; Aldous threw down the stumps from 40 yards, leaving the umpire with an easy decision to make. Even more impressive was keeper Dave Pryor who gave an exemplary display behind the stumps despite passing 50 byes for the season. Bookies Ladbrokes now feel vindicated in their early season spread betting prediction for Pryor, they stand proudly by the estimate of 180-190.

The end came when Higgs took a low catch off his own bowling. This win gave Woods their third twenty-pointer of the season and should push them into the top half of the table for the second time this season.

NP

Woods opening attack flagged and was struck to all parts of the ground by aggressive batting. Lacklustre fielding certainly did not help the cause. Edwards, Benson and Giles replaced the openers and were also met by the same onslaught.

Veteran Mike Pratt, playing to ensure we had eleven on the field, replaced Steve Edwards but after just 7 balls stretched something that hurt and was forced to retire to the sidelines. Foolish volunteer Bob Conquest finished the over and was then asked to continue despite the clattering being handed out. Glen Thompson was recalled and finished with 2 for 48, Bob Conquest finishing with 2 for 47 when Epsom declared.

With 2 early wickets falling, Woods looked on track for a sound beating, but Steve Edwards provided sound resistance which was matched by Pete Bull. Every ball that hit the pad brought loud appeals from Epsom, but their flagging attack made hard work of trying to dismiss Woods. Resistance finally succumbed with just 4 overs left. Despite the seemingly close score line, Woods never mounted any sort of attack to take the game to Epsom, only some tired looking bowling allowed Woods to get past 150 for the first time this season'.

After another poor display by his side, Woodmansterne skipper George Miller was left to play out the last two balls of the match with the team 9 wickets down. This he did safely to ensure a losing draw for the home side.

Whiteley Village won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first, a decision influenced perhaps by the football being shown on tv. James Selby and Chris Vagg opened the bowling for Woods and Vagg struck an early blow by having the opener caught by Ian Miller at first slip. He followed this up with a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss the number two. Number twos put in another appearance when Peter Aldous, advised by Vagg to pick up a stray dog which had wandered onto to the playing area, found his trousers were being decorated by the incontinent hound, much to the delight of his team mates.

A good catch by Dave Clisby at mid-off from a powerful drive accounted for Vagg's third wicket and number four arrived when Weedon was bowled. With the Whiteley score only in the 40's, Woods looked to be doing well, but Johnson (108 not out) and Cooper (44) put together a solid partnership, Johnson in particular playing very well on a fairly sluggish pitch.

Peter Aldous and Bill Bessant both picked up a couple of late wickets, but Whiteley were in a position to declare after 51 overs.

A good start was needed by Woods, but once again Bessant failed and thereafter wickets fell with monotonous regularity. Only Clisby (26) and Vagg (20) looked at home, while they added 33 for the third wicket. Further down the order Robert Hicks and Jim Selby played responsibly, and produced a few nice shots, but not for the first time the failure of the top order had deprived the side of any chance of pushing for victory.

In the corresponding seconds match, Whiteley were bowled out for 100, but Woods managed to lose the game by just one run.

The thirds claimed their first point of the season in a losing draw against Old Ruts. Old Ruts knocked up 173 for 7 declared and Woods replied with 93 for 7. Man on the spot Bob Conquest reports 'With 10 men yet again Woods 3's conspired to let Old Ruts think it was all their birthdays. With 10 catches going astray (and that is probably generous) Woods gave themselves a mountain to climb. Good early bowling from James Lander and Capt Benson brought little reward as chances were squandered. Woods eventually dismissed Old Ruts after 52 overs. Little can be said about the batting except that for once the whole side did not collapse, with Pete Bull providing a sterling undefeated innings. He and Captain Benson saw out the overs to give Woods their first point of the season. The only good thing about the day was the club BBQ following the game, if only we could bat as well as we eat!!!!!!'

Thanks to all those who worked hard to ensure the success of the barbecue, and to Tom Stoker who waited patiently for about an hour and a half to get served.

Woods lost the toss and were asked to bat on a grassy, damp wicket. The Merrow bowlers were clearly acting on instruction from ex-Woods man Richard Lock, who must have told them that the visitors would struggle against anything propelled with reasonable accuracy in their direction.

The Woods batsmen never came to terms with the pace of the pitch, and this, coupled with the good line and length kept by the bowlers proved too much. Only Neil Park (11) and Dave Clisby (18) made it into double figures.

James Selby tried hard, his defensive technique causing considerable wear to his pads. Woods number 10 Dave Pryor was given out lbw and controversially held his final position in statuesque pose. He was still there when last man Braden Higgs made it to the middle, and just when it looked like he was going to have to be air-lifted from the crease, he trudged off dejectedly. Pick of the Merrow bowlers were Taylor with 6 for 31 and Mead with 2 for 8 in 15 overs.

Woods needed an early breakthrough if they were going to defend their paltry score, and this was provided by James Selby, courtesy of an Adam Sheridan catch at mid-on. Jameson (22) and Coomer now played with common sense to take the Merrow score into the thirties.

Braden Higgs replaced Chris Vagg, and made a double breakthrough in his first over, taking the wickets with well flighted deliveries. Woods persevered but runs gradually accumulated, although Peter Aldous struck with the score on 58, thanks to a great catch by the 'leaping salmon' Pryor.

This brought the controversial Lock to the crease and he, in partnership with Coomer, who played the best innings of the day with a determined 18 not out, saw Merrow to victory.

The second X1 fared better in their match and nearly managed to beat Byfleet, after a convincing performance with bat and ball. Byfleet declared at 172 for 8 after 55 overs (Ken Wright 4 for 40) and Woods fell just short of the victory target with 168 for 4 in 42 overs. There were 50's for Mickey Joyce and Tony Phillips, 20 for Ryan Polley and 11 not out to Conrad Smith who secured a third batting point with a spectacular 6.