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Club Founded 1889

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HISTORY

Discovering Our Heritage – A Change of Birthday!

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WOLLASTON ARE UNDER THIRTEEN CHAMPIONS!

The win against Isham by 77 runs sealed the deal.  WCC 115 for 5 off 18 overs. Bethan 29 not out, Marcus King 50 not out. Isham 36 for 4 off 18 overs. An excellent all round performance with great bowling from Ben, Jack and Loui in particular. Just the K.O Cup still to go..........................!

CBCA National Coaching Awards - Runner Up 2012/2013     NEAL PERRY

The Club is very proud to announce that having been named East Midlands Coach of the year back in July, Neal Perry recently attended the ECBCA National Coaching Awards Dinner at Warwick University, which was attended by 500 people and sponsored by Sky Sports. The event was hosted by Charles Colville, with Jonathan Trott as the guest of honour.     

Unfortunately Neal didn’t win, but received a Runner-up trophy and bottle of champagne, and he would like to thanks everyone at the club for their support, especially his family, along with Nick Broome, David Ward and Colin Barber who appeared in the film that supported his nomination.

Congratulations to Neal on his award which reflects his commitment and dedication to Youth Cricket.

NEWS

David, who lives in Northampton, had an outstanding seasonat Under Thirteen level and is a worthy winner. He is presently representing Northamptonshire in his age group

2002

CHRIS PERRY, FOLLOWING IN GRANDDAD'S FOOTSTEPS 

  When Chris Perry reached the age of sixteen last September it was approximately 90 years since his great grandfather, Ben Bellamy, joined the professional staff at the County Ground. In the same year Mr Bellamy also played for Wollaston in the Kettering & District League cup final against Great Oakley. When he made his Northamptonshire debut in 1920 in a truly remarkable match against Surrey, he was able to view - at very close quarters - history in the making, as Percy Fender flayed a century in 35 minutes.

By this time Ben had already claimed the first of his 645 Northamptonshire victims, holding a catch to dismiss the immortal Jack Hobbs off the bowling of another Wollaston product, Vernon Murdin.  He also went on to notch more than 9,000 runs before his retirement in 1937.

Thus, Chris, who bowls slow left-arm, ensures that the family cricketing links with the village and the county are perpetuated. He captained the County’s under 15s during 2002 and also played for the Under 16s including the Jersey Festival.

Although Chris finished the season with 23 Premier wickets under his belt he admits it wasn’t all plain sailing. “I found it difficult at the start of the year, and all credit to Andy Luck our skipper – he didn’t over bowl me and risk me getting hit around and possibly having my confidence ruined. But as the season went on, he gave me more overs”. 

So Chris, who was at the County Ground in 1999 when David Ripley went past Ben’s total of dismissals for Northamptonshire, can be proud of his heritage and of the handsome tribute in Wisden paid by Ben’s old captain, ‘Beau Brown:  “ A dedicated professional cricketer, his impeccable conduct on and off the field earned him the respect of all who knew him”. 

1999: Centenary of a Six

When Darren King struck his straight six during his record breaking second wicket stand at Overstone, little did he know the significance of the date – July 31^st 1999.

Yes, you’ve guessed it, one hundred years to the day since Albert Trott hit perhaps the most famous six of all time!

Batting at the nursery end at Lord’s July 31^st 1899, Albert Edwin Trott hit a ball over the pavilion at Lord’s. Nobody else has ever done this and the ball eventually came to rest in a garden behind the pavilion after striking a chimney on the back downward slope of the roof. Trott had just lobbed a sighter into the seats on the top deck, and in the past once smashed a ball from Fred Tate into the cast-iron emblem on the left tower. Had there been no tower, the missile must surely have carried to Grove End Road which runs beyond the houses and gardens at the rear of the Pavilion.

From  the Nursery End stumps to the Pavilion boundary is 90 metres and the roof is 15.3 mts from the turf. The tower adds another 4 metres on top and when you stand on the ground and imagine the ball sailing over the great Victorian building the enormity of the hit is mind boggling. 

Apparently Albert, an Australian, was in the Dennis Lillee and Merv Hughes mould of boisterous larger than life characters but at the same time a handy bloke to have in the team. In his maiden Test match, against  England  at the Adelaide Oval, batting at No 10, he whacked 110 without being dismissed and took eight for 43 in the second innings. Later in his career he qualified for Middlesex and in 1899 became the first to do the double of 1000 runs and 200 wickets, repeating it the following season. Later on however, life turned sour for Albert. He had an unsuccessful benefit in match in 1907, gambled and drank most of his money and  retired from playing  to take up umpiring. He spent his last few years in poor health lodging in Willesden, where gradually he suffered from depression. Then, fifteen years all but a day since  his mighty hit, he pointed a Browning revolver to his head and squeezed the trigger. He was just 41.

The periodical, Cricket Lore is offering £ 10,000 to any batsman who emulates Trott, so all we  need , Brett, is a fixture at the Headquarters of cricket.     Farooki ,Darren and co will do the rest!  

1998

1998 PARTRIDGE TROPHY Young Player of the Year: Simon Driver 

A top score of 37 not out against an in-law inspired Isham and an excellent 32 in difficult conditions at Rothwell helped Simon to a total of 210  First  Xl runs at an average of 16.15.

15 wickets complemented a similar average in the Millman at 23.6 each and hopefully his aggressive bowling will reap the same rewards in the County League before long. 

Again it is pleasing to see another erstwhile member of our youth squad make an impact at senior level.   

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1998 Under 11’s At The Double ! 

The Under 11’s had another great season, following on from last year’s shared Higham League title and County Runners Up spot.

The 1998 season started with rain and our first game against Finedon ‘A’ being cancelled with no prospect of it being re-arranged, I wonder why?

The rest of the league games were all played and won, so we reached our last game against Oundle knowing that the winner of the match would win the league.  The team played very well and we won the game comfortably by 50 runs and without losing a wicket.

We used ten boys throughout the season and they all made vital contributions to the league title win.

The team reached the KO Cup finals day which was held at Finedon and were drawn against Isham in the second semi final, with the victors playing the winners of the other semi between Finedon ‘A’ and ‘B’

In a close semi final it was our bowling and fielding that saw us through as we took ten Isham wickets to restrict them to 204.  We made a tentative reply with some tight bowling from Isham, however despite our last pair losing a wicket in the 15^th over we were still able to win by 8 runs.

With only a twenty minute break the final against Finedon ‘B’ started and after losing the toss we were asked to bat.  We batted very positively and lost three wickets in reaching 250.

When Finedon began their reply it was our superior bowling and fielding that put us in charge and by the end of the 12^th over the game was effectively won as we took eleven wickets in those dozen overs, which gave their last pair an impossible task.  However this did not prevent every run this pair scored being loudly cheered, which made the Wollaston boys nervous and a number of over throws were given away which made the crowd cheer even louder.  The skipper than got the fielding back on track and having a comfortable cushion of runs, moved the field back to give the batsmen a single and ensured a comfortable return throw to the bowler or wicket keeper.  The game finished with a comfortable win by 40 runs for Wollaston and the double achieved.

After the game the team were presented with the league Shield and KO Cup by Mr. Carvell and Mr. Coleman on behalf of the Higham League.                                      Neal Perry – Under 11 Manager

1965

The Local Derby 

Back in 1965, when our President was but a slim callow youth, bowling fast off a long run and skippering the Stiffs in his own inimitable way, he had the bright idea of fixing us up with a “friendly” match to fill a blank Saturday.

“Who is available to play in a friendly next week?” said Colin, and we all put our hands up.  “Right, it’s Bozeat away, leave the Nag at 2 o’clock and we are gonna beat the B…….s!” (Bozeat people!)

Bozeat, away – friendly? There is no such thing. The three words were incompatible. Anyone who had ever played football over there would tell you it was similar to England playing at Ibrox, or in cricketing parlance, fielding in front of the old Hill at the S.C.G !

Because Wollaston had opted out of the Kettering and District League some years earlier, the two clubs had not crossed swords for a long time so we really did not know what to expect. All we had to go on was our recollection of the school team and reports from our “spy” Maurice Stanford who had played for both teams, and lived in Bozeat.

“They are one hell of a side” said Maurice, “and they have got some good youngsters, - you’ll do well to win”.

We all met outside the Nag’s Head the following Saturday after enduring a week of tales of strapping fast bowlers, hard hitting batsmen and a baying mob looking for blood.

The skipper led the motley procession in his Austin A35, along the A509 to the village that took no prisoners –it was like Richard the Lionheart going on a crusade. But not to the Holy land!  

We learnt that skippering the home side would be one Alan Brealey, a few years later  to become a Wollaston player ; a name that I had heard of vaguely, but of whom I had not had the pleasure of playing with or against.

We had taken a youthful side including young lions, such as John Hodges, Max Bayes and Ted Patrick (who played occasionally for the County Colts), and experienced campaigners in the form of Maurice the spy, who would feed us with useful information as and when the game developed. We parked the few  cars we had on  Easton Lane and made our way down by the side of the cemetery, across the field and over the wooden bridge into the small cricket field, picking up some mild taunts on the way from school acquaintances, and others who thought the Wollaston “pansies” would wilt in the May sun.

But they under estimated the resolve of Barber’s Army and their call to arms which you will have heard sung many a time when England have been playing!  It goes …”Barber’s Army…. Barber’s Army…. Barber’s Army  - we are the Army, the Barbers Army. Barber’s Army…. Barber’s Army etc etc)

Anyway, Colin had decided that, should we win the toss we would bat first, “grind ‘em in” and then “bowl them out for near to nothing”.

Our “spy” Maurice, had done his homework but still insisted that he mingle with the home supporters to try to gauge the sort of total we should be looking at “to give ourselves a chance.”

Although at that time limited over games were not the fashion, teams were expected to declare at teatime or, if tea was to be taken between innings, around five o’clock. This was to allow the side batting second nearly an equal share of the playing time. Colin had said that if we hadn’t got enough at the half waypoint we would bat on. “We are doing them no favours!” he barked.

 At  2.45p.m, after a final pep talk from the skipper, our openers Steve Hillier and Ted Patrick bravely strode out to the wicket to face the onslaught, led by the highly charged A.B. The plan was to not take any early risks, keep Alan out and then build a decent total of around 120, which Colin thought would be enough on a far from lightening outfield.

Things went to plan.  In spite of the home skipper charging in off a long run from one end and Rich Green’s accurate medium pace from the other, our openers put on 32 for the first wicket before Ted was eventually caught off Alan for 13. This brought the normally hard-hitting Max Bayes to the crease who years later went on to win a Division Two (now the Premier) League winners’ medal   with Wollaston and then Overstone.

Max reached 34 (including a six) before falling victim to Roger Barker’s right arm over, which made way for Pete Luck (uncle to Andy) to join the resolute Steve Hillier who was playing to type and sealing up one end. Unfortunately Uncle Pete only lasted three balls and our skipper who could only manage one, quickly followed him.

On his return to the pavilion Colin said that he thought we had got enough. We were standing at 112 for 5 – not quite the total we had agreed we needed, but Colin was obviously keen to get at them and bowl them out. “Their heads have gone” he said, ”They have had it”. “No!” said Spy, “they have got a lot of batting, we need to carry on- we haven’t got enough yet”. What Maurice really meant was –“don’t declare yet, I haven’t had a bat and it could be my fifteen minutes of fame!”

 But the “inside” information” was took on board and we did carry on. Past five o’clock and right through to five to six! For the last 55 minutes of our innings the home side fielders kept looking towards the pavilion, looking for a sign from our skipper which would end their misery. But the more they chuntered the more our  man enjoyed it. Our number 6, Glenn Frost added 20, Maurice a careful six, and number eight David. Ward, 13 not out. John Hodges was LBW  Brealey for 2 and John Partridge a duck.

So at sometime after six o’clock Colin came charging in off his run that would make Michael Holding look like Wayne Sleep. Whispering Death he was not!  

Dave Old took a single off our skipper’s fifth ball and a bye doubled the score.

John Hodges paced out his considerable run up at the other end

and opened  the bowling fast down the slight slope. His last ball of the over was to Rich Green, possibly Bozeat’s best bat and former Wollaston player, it hit him on the pad resulting in an appeal from John and a massive shout/growl from mid-off where our skipper was patrolling like a caged lion.

A Bozeat resident, who was deemed to be the most impartial of the visiting group, was the official at the bowlers end, and after a furtive glance over towards the pavilion to try to gauge what the reaction might be, he raised his finger. We had made the break through.

Colin then bowled a maiden and took three quick wickets, John added three more scalps, including Alan’s for just four singles, and just half an hour and nine overs after they started their innings the hosts’ were 9 for seven and looking decidedly groggy. One hundred and fifty five must have looked a long way off! . Our skipper then decided to ring the changes, purely to keep the game going and see Bozeat   struggle for  a little longer.

He took himself and John off, and brought Max Bayes and David Ward on, but the wickets still fell and  although another ten were added, the hosts innings  lasted just 11.3 overs! 19 all out!   Just forty  minutes!

Most of the home supporters had filed through the cemetery and were on their way home by this time, but we didn’t care, we had one of those days when everything had gone to plan and we were making the most of it ( although we refrained from visiting The Red Lion and really rubbing it in - we weren’t that brave!)

At last, Bozeat held no fears for us and we talked of a return match, but unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately!) it never materialised. They took defeat well. Alan was magnanimous as always. Maurice thought we had the best of the wicket (!) but Colin was in no doubt we were a in a different class and “we showed them what County League cricket is all about.” 

Unfortunately as Bozeat Cricket Club is no more, an overdue return match is not possible. We will just have to rest on our laurels!     

HISTORY

Discovering Our Heritage – A Change of Birthday!

For a number of years, using the knowledge that had been passed down over time, it was agreed that the year 1870 was most likely to be the year that Wollaston Cricket Club was founded. Consequently this date was duly adopted as our foundation year, and bearing this in mind, it would mean that the year 2020 would have special significance for the Club. However, it is now apparent that things are not that simple!

After further investigation it would seem certain that cricket was played in Wollaston before 1870 - but not under the auspices of a “Wollaston Cricket Club”. Taking this into account it means that, although somewhat pedantic, a constitutional adjustment is needed for the sake of accuracy.

Newspaper cuttings from the local paper at the time certainly confirm that cricket was being played in Wollaston before 1870. In fact there are several match reports from 1865 including a match between “Wollaston” and ‘Young Northampton,’ and in 1875 Wollaston Mechanic CC played '22 of the Parish', the match staged in a field belonging to George Burnham Esq.

A report from 1877 shows that there were definitely several clubs in the village and along with Wollaston Mechanic Cricket Club, were Star CC and Joseph Hill's Park CC.

One remarkable game from this period was between the afore-mentioned Wollaston Park and The Wellingborough United CC. Park batted first and amassed 220 then bowled out Wellingborough for just 13. Sent in again, United once more made only 13, but this time for the loss 2 wickets – after which the game was called off when the rain came!

Colonel Hill was an instrumental part of the Park Cricket Club and we know they played within his extensive parkland in the grounds of Wollaston Hall (now Scott Bader Commonwealth) where he resided. Indeed Colonel Joseph Hill C.B., J.P., D.L was a very influential person towards the latter end of the nineteenth century, and was a very important figure in the early days of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. Born in 1850, he was educated at Eton and Caius College Cambridge and served in the South African war. He was made Hon. Colonel in the army in 1902.

Under his guidance the club were very successful – especially in the 1880’s where they went on to win the Northamptonshire Rural and District Challenge Cup three times (1883, 85 and 86) and consequently were presented with the cup in perpetuity (which is now in our possession).

However, following the multiple successes earlier in the decade, by 1889 it is possible that other pursuits were being followed in the village resulting in both the Star and Park clubs needing to strengthen their teams. To facilitate this, a meeting was called during 1889 and the following article reported as follows:

“AMALGAMATION OF THE PARK CRICKET CLUB AND THE STAR CRICKET CLUB”

"A meeting was held on Monday evening in the Board School, which was well attended by members of both clubs. Mr Gibbard who presided said they could not get a first class eleven without having players from both clubs. – A good discussion followed, and a proposition was made by Mr J Lucy that both clubs amalgamate and the new club to bear the name of ‘Wollaston Cricket Club’, and was seconded by Mr Owen Sanders and carried unanimously. Two captains were elected. First Eleven - Mr W Lucy and Second Eleven - Mr F. Green.”

So Wollaston Cricket Club was officially born in 1889 and the amalgamation proved successful. With the new club based at Wollaston Hall and under the benevolent eye of their host Colonel Hill, they went on to win the Northampton Cup in 1892 and the Kettering and District League Second Division (South) in 1912 and 1913.

In 1922 the Club needed a new home and the President, Mr Gibbard, offered use of a piece of his land which was referred to for many years as “The Meadow,” which, in the late forties/early fifties was expanded and became part of Wollaston Playing Field.

The twenties and thirties proved a golden age for Wollaston C.C. In addition to the first team and recently formed second eleven winning their respective divisions, several Wollaston players received County recognition. Ben Bellamy (wicket keeper), Vern Murdin, Reg Partridge and Cyril Perkins all found the first rung of the cricketing ladder at Wollaston before making their mark for Northamptonshire over many years.

In 1957 Wollaston joined the Northants County League followed by their Second team in 1961. The Club won the old Second Division (now the Premier) in 1959-60, 61 and again in 1973 and have been runners up on several occasions including 2006.

In 2006 the Club reached the Board 20 Finals Day At the County Ground-losing in the semi final and in 2007 won the division one title and gained promotion to the premier division. In 2009 the Club won the Board 20 Plate.

The Club has a thriving Youth Section under the guidance of a senior coach and competes at Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 age groups, and has strong links with several schools in the area and is now Clubmark accredited.

The Club also stages and encourages Junior NCB representative games at Wollaston and considers this aspect of the club to be vitally important.

Except for one season (1991) the First Eleven  played in the second tier of Northamptonshire cricket  from 1957 until 2007 but after winning the Division One title  we were promoted to the  top level (Premier Division)  in 2008. A great achievement and one that the Club and everyone associated with it (members, vice presidents, sponsors and supporters) should be justly proud of.

In 2006  & 2014 the Club reached the Board 20 Finals Day At the County Ground-losing in the semi finals.

In 2010 the Club added a Third league team for the first time. Competing in Division Thirteen of the Northamptonshire Cricket League and following subsequent promotions the Thirds have progressed upwards to Division Nine.

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