FIND EMBERTON   CRICKET GROUND

TOTE  WINNERS

            SECOND  ELEVEN MATCH REPORTS 2007    First Eleven

                                      Division Three

Score cards

September 15th    WON   27 points

Rushden ll 165 all out  47  overs   Wollaston 167 for 5    39 overs

Andy Luck took 5 for 49 to rip the heart out of the home team batting. Opener and skipper Tony Clampin made 28, number 3 G.Woodcock also 28, and S. Fowler 26 - but from then on the innings fell away and closed with three overs remaining.

In reply Wollaston looked in control with 58 on the board for the first wicket (Rex Boddington 20 and Tim Hudson 46). When Boddington was bowled by N. Darlow skipper Brett Hanson stepped up and made an accomplished 52  - taking Wollaston to the brink of safety and the six the win of the season. Simon Parsons and Malc Fowler batted sensibly to make certain with 13 overs to spare.

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September 8th  Lost   6 points

Wollaston 175 for 9 in 50 overs   Long Buckby 176 for 7 in  49.4 overs

Opener Rex Boddington top scored with 30 and number 6 Simon Parsons made 26, otherwise it was a poor effort with the bat for Wollaston who were looking for their sixth win of the season to consolidate their place in Division Three next season.

The Long Buckby all-seam attack proved to good it was only the added 31 extras that took the score into the realms of respectability.

P. Wallace took 3 for 29 off 15, J. Lucas 3 for 13 off 4 and Adrian Flynne 2 for 47 off 15.

In reply Buckby were never in trouble and number three R. Wykes batted through to finish 41 not out and score the winning runs with just one ball remaining and three wickets in hand.

David Clarkson took 2 for 30 off 10 and Simon Parsons 2 for 40 off 15

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September 1st Won  27 points

Rushton ll 193 for 8 in 50 overs       Wollaston ll 194 for 2  in 42 overs

Wollaston picked up this much needed but comfortable win after the hosts had made 193 for 8 in their allotted overs.

Off spinner Adrian Ward bowled his full allocation of 15 overs to finish with impressive figures of 4 for 48.  Andy Luck assisted with 2 for 40 off 9.

Experienced campaigners, Chris Glanfield and Dayle Steventon made 44 and 60 respectively before becoming Ward's first two victims .

In reply Tim Hudson and Rex Boddington (45) put on 85 for the first wicket but when the latter was quickly followed back to the pavilion by number 3 Darren King (6), Andy Luck  (31)stuck around with Hudson to clinch a straightforward victory.

Hudson finished with a cultured 82 not out.

Score cards

August 25th  Lost

Wollaston ll 155 all out   Brigstock  156 for 7

Number five Simon Parsons batted sensibly for his 49 and Darren King (29) - thrown in at the deep end to open, did his utmost to build a firm foundation.

However, only Andy Luck with 19 and Andrew Silsby with 16 hung about long enough to cause Brigstock any concerns.

Rory Findley-Notman did the damage with 5 wickets.

In reply, Brigstock started positively and it was a relief when Malc Fowler brilliantly caught danger man Trevor Erskine for 31. Fellow opener John Udall soon followed him back to the pavilion - well caught by Neal Perry off Mike Duddle.

Simon Parsons then had Sat Singh LBW to put Wollaston in with a good chance of a much needed victory.

However, although Andy Luck removed Nigel Shiells for six and David Ward took 3 quick wickets near the end, numerous dropped catches let Brigstock completely off the hook and handed them the game on a plate.

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August 18th

Bowden 97 for 6 off 32    Rain     5 points

After another week of weather forecasts pointing to the standard 2007 wet weekend it was no surprise when the rain finally arrived at south Leicestershire to curtail what could have been an exiting game of cricket.

With regular umpire Malc Fowler drafted in to the side at the last minute, Darren King making his first appearance of the season and reliable cover point Andrew Silsby enthusiastically donning the wicket keeping garb for the first time since junior cricket, Wollaston had put themselves into a handy position.

Opening the bowling, Mike Duddle and King bowled well and kept scoring shots down to a minimum.  Before the rain finished proceedings for the day the Lancastrian finished 3 for 38 off 11 overs (including a caught behind by the stand-in keeper) and the unlucky King ( a couple of dropped catches) 0 for 16 off 8.  Off-spinner Adrian Ward who had replaced King took 2 for 20 off 5  overs. Then the rain............................................................

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August 11th  Lost

Podington 181 all out 44.2 overs       Wollaston ll 147 all out 49.4 overs  

Podington recovered from 108 for 6 and went on to post a handy total on a pitch that had the odd ball keeping low.

Openers Robin Stevens (10) and Scott Rose (34) had put on 42 for the first wicket before Mike Duddle (3 for 47 off 12) and Adrian Ward (3 for 41 off 9) caused the mini collapse.

However, Paul Davy (24) and Ian hart (35 not out) batted sensibly to reach the handy total - albeit forfeiting 5 extra overs to the visitors' when they were finally bowled out in the 45 over.

David ward 2 for 14 off 4.2 overs  Andy Luck 10 for 1 off 33 and David Clarkson (1 for 40 off 9). 

The reply was held together by a  dogged 47 from opener Paul Jones which saw him through to the 40th over at which point the reply stood at 131 for 7 - and leaving Wollaston still a bit to do to reach the target.

Unfortunately when Jones departed the innings fell away and Podington wrapped up a straightforward victory.

David Dicks did the damage with the ball tacking 4 for 32 off 14 overs, backed up by Stuart Chambers with 2 for 14 off 10.

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August 4th

Raunds 121 all out  39.3 overs   Wollaston ll 122 for 5  29.3 overs

The high flyers from Raunds, sitting on top of the table were brought down to earth with a bump when the Wollaston bowlers proved to good for them on the day.

David Clarkson returned his best figures for the villagers' on a responsive pitch and the town boys had no answer. His 5 for 28 in ten overs ripped the heart out of the batting with only L. Gates hanging around long enough to make an impact. 

Clarkson was backed up by Adrian Ward with 3 for 34 and Andy Luck ( 2 for 30)

In reply opener Liam Bates was absolutely outstanding and raced to 92 not out to win the game in the 30th over. His last eleven scoring shots were all fours and he hit 19 fours in total. The next highest scorer was mark Carter with 12   !!.  J. Mason took 3 for 16 off 7 overs

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July 28th

Wollaston 133 for 9 50 overs    Wellingboro Indians ll 135 for 4  37 overs

Tim Hudson with 39, Simon Parsons (23) and Adrian Ward (19) were the only batsmen to offer resistance against Pryadatt Joshi's 4 for 34 and the below par score was never going to be enough.

The hosts' reached victory without any real problems despite David Clarkon picking up 2 for 11 off 5 overs

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July 21st v Horton ll    Home. Cancelled    1 point

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JULY 14th

Kempston 251 for 8 48 overs     Wollaston ll 194 for 9    52 overs

Kempston posted a challenging total mainly due to the excellent start to their innings by  openers M. Harding (46) and G. Young (42) .

M Khan weighed in with 64 and N Thorn 25 not out.

Simon Parsons reaped most reward with the ball finishing with 3 for 63 off 14 overs. David and Adrian Ward picked up with 2 for 49 off 10, and 2 for 35 off seven respectively.

Although Wollaston made a good stab at overhauling the Kempston score it was always a case of being just behind the scoring rate.

But number three Brett Hanson with 25, Andy Luck 65 and Jamie Perry with 29 caused the hosts enough problems to ensure that they had only four unsuccessful overs at the last pair.

C. Bonnet took 3 for 21 off 9 and Ricky Holmes 2 for 36 off 11 to earn the bowling honours.

July 7th

Wollaston ll 140  49.2 overs 4 pts     Wicken 141 for 7  38 overs 26 pts

Wicken won toss.

Although Wollaston's 140  eventually proved inadequate it could have been worse. At 44 for 6 it looked like an early finish until number seven Simon Parsons (49) played sensibly to coax the total to some degree of respectability. Andrew Silsby (13) and Adrian Ward (12) hung around with Parsons but the total was about 30 short of a competitive score.

Mark Read (4 for 36 off 15) did the main damage with the ball and was well supported by Steve Radcliffe who claimed 2 for 11 off 12.

Although Wicken lost opener Liam Wright (LBW to Parsons) first ball of the second over they were never in deep trouble, and number four Ian Bridge made a lusty 68 not out to take the hosts to victory.

Parsons (3 for 33 off 11) and Adrian Ward (3 for 44 off 11) had most success with the ball.

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JUNE 30th

Wollaston ll v Rushden ll    Home    No Result  Cancelled

On the last day of the month the wettest June on record had the last word. The forecasted rain did not disappoint the harbingers of doom and when it arrived on Saturday morning it was enough to make most grounds unplayable - including those of Geddington and Wollaston. 

The Second Eleven game against Rushden was called off in the morning preventing Brett Hanson the possible opportunity to lead his side to a  fourth victory of the season.

JUNE 23rd

Brigstock 190 all out in 49 overs     Wollaston 110 for 6 in 48 overs

Wollaston will look back with disappointment on this display at Brigstock knowing that it was a missed opportunity to chase their fourth win of the season.

A poor fielding display featuring five dropped catches allowed the hosts to compile a decent and flattering  score on a slow pitch and a far from lightening outfield.

Although Mike Duddle bowled danger man Trevor Erskine for just 6 with only 24 on the board, the missed chances came into play and the middle order built on the foundation laid down by opener I Sharp (55) and number three, S Singh (24).     P. Caswell (44) then put on 53 for the second wicket with Sharp, and except for their last man, all the batsmen contributed to the total.  

With Brigstock at 149 for 4 and looking likely to get maximum batting points leg spinner Andy Luck was introduced to the attack and proceeded to take the bowling honours with 5 for 43 off 9 overs.

Wollaston's reply faltered from the start with both openers, Rex Boddington and Paul Jones, going cheaply, and at 21 for 3 and 65 for 4 defeat for the visitors was a definite possibility. 

However, skipper Brett Hanson (33) and number five Andy Luck (26) resisted long enough to make sure that Simon Parsons and Andrew Silsby (both 12 not out) could carry on and secure the draw despite the best efforts of Erskine (2 for 20 off 15) Rory Finlay-Notman (2 for 50 off 11) and Nigel Shiells (2 for 29 off 13)

JUNE 16th

Rushton ll 84 for 4 off 26 overs. Game abandoned - Rain

Wollaston could feel hard done by the weather after reducing Rushton to 84 for 4 and putting them in deep trouble. David Clarkson picked up the wickets of both openers- Frankcam caught and bowled for 2 and Dave Pegg yorked for 12 - and finished with 2 for 9 off 5. Andy Luck also picked up 2 for 9 off his 3 overs to account for both Chris Glanfield (16) and J. Lewis ( 44 - including three sixes) before the rain came with a vengeance and brought the game to a premature close. Wollaston 4 points  Rushton 2 points.

June 9th

Long Buckby 103 all out in 43 overs   Wollaston 107 for 3 in 27 overs

Wollaston reduced this match to just 70 overs in total by bowling Buckby out for 103, and then knocking off the runs in 27 overs. David Clarkson started the hosts' demise when he claimed his first wicket of the season - having Oliver caught by Andy Luck for a duck in the second over of the match. Mike Duddle continued his good form by removing batsmen two, four and five - Jaffa, Wallis and Bott respectively, before Adrian Ward accounted for the next five wickets to fall, and was rewarded with excellent figures of 5 for 38 off his maximum 15 overs. Only number three, White, put up any long term resistance finishing with a dogged 53 not out - the next highest scorer being number seven Flynne, with a modest 20. 

Although the visitors lost opener Boddington in the second over of the reply, Paul Jones (10) and number three Liam Bates steadied the innings, and when the former was eventually caught off the bowling of Reeve, Bates made hay with skipper Brett Hanson (27) and together they amassed 49 for the 3rd wicket to take Wollaston to the brink of their third consecutive victory. Bates finished matters off in style with 4 x fours, and concluded 47 not out.

June 2nd 

Gt Bowden 136 all out off 43 overs    Wollaston 137 for 6 off 46

Mike Duddle ripped through the visitors' batting to finish with a personal Wollaston best of 6 for 45 off 15 overs. Adrian Ward weighed in with 3 for 27 off 10 overs. Only C. Knowles with 52 and M. Mather with 40  could make any impact with the bat with the rest of the order falling flat, and the innings collapsed to 136 all out in 43 overs.

Opener Paul Jones led the reply with a fine 32 to continue his fine form and number six Simon Parsons, with an unbeaten 32, batted brilliantly to

May 26th

Wollaston 208 for 8 in 50 overs   Podington 156 all out in 41 overs

Opener Paul Jones led the way with a magnificent 93 and was eventually run out with the score on 198. Skipper Brett Hanson made 24 and other helpful contributions came from the rest of the order.

Andy Luck then took 6 for 48 off 15 overs and Simon Parsons 4 for 45 off 15 to guide Wollaston to an emphatic first win of the season.

May 19th

Raunds 232 all out 49 overs - Wollaston ll 70 all out  40 overs   5 points

Wollaston were again on the wrong end of a walloping! Raunds raced to 232 all out in 49 overs with only Adrian Ward experiencing a degree of success with the ball. His 15 overs brought a fine return of 6 wickets for 72 and at least the kept the score down  in the realms of "gettable".

However, for the second week running Wollaston were looking at defeat from the third over. At 3 for 3 the chase was effectively over. Survival was the only aim and despite of 23 from Andrew Silsby, 11 from Tim Hudson and 10 from Jamie Perry the Raunds bowlers could not be denied and the end came at 70 all out after 40 overs.

A philosophical skipper, Brett Hanson said the team would take away the positives from the game,  look to the next match, re-group and come back stronger.

May 12th

Wellingboro Ind 133 ao -49 overs - Wollaston 98 for 8 -51 overs (7 points) Home 

After conceding over 800 runs in the previous three games Wollaston were elated at tea after dismissing Indians for just 133. Paul Jones opened the bowling from the Strixton End and on a damp wicket conceded only 20 runs from his 8 overs, and picked up one of the openers caught and bowled. Mike Duddle took the new ball at the other end and also kept the scoring rate down, picking up 2 for 24 off his 13 overs. Skipper Brett Hanson moved his bowlers around cannily and each change picked up a wicket. Adrian Ward bowled his full entitlement to finish with excellent figures of 2 for 30 off 15 overs, Andy Luck  2 for 41 off 9, and David Ward 2 for 8 off 4.

However, although Rex's excellent tea set the batmen on the right path they soon lost their way. At 10 for 4 Wollaston were in deep trouble and saw no improvement at 22 for 6 ! But cometh the man- cometh the umpire. Malc Fowler, the regular man-in-the-white-coat  who hadn't picked up a bat in anger since the middle of last season looked completely at ease, and remained unbeaten at the crease from the 17th over until the end of the 51st and final one. 

His 33  not out contained 4 x fours and one six and came off 105 balls. He had great support from the other end in Jamie Perry who joined him for the final 12 overs and stroked 23 not out. They took Wollaston to 98 for 8 off 51 overs to secure the draw.

M. Patel took 4 for 33 off 15 and P. Joshi 3 for 11 of 15.

May 5th 

Horton 306 for 3 47 overs - Wollaston 168 all out 49 overs  (3 points) Home 

For the second time in three weeks Wollaston bowlers were put to the sword - this time by a strong Horton batting line up, and the ball was despatched to all parts of the ground (and beyond) en-route to a total of 306 for 3. Hardly a chance was given during the 47 overs, and savage hitting - helped by a awkward, bumpy outfield - with a short boundary, meant Wollaston's fielders were in for a torrid afternoon.

Openers John Swann (133) and Steve Jarvis (97) scored the bulk of the runs and put on a stand of 214 for the first wicket ensuring the visiting attack had no respite. The early declaration with 3 overs to go proved the only relief.   

Mike Duddle gave  an outstanding fielding display and complemented it with two of the three wickets to fall. Simon Parsons got the other and in the circumstances had tidy figures of 1 for 56 off 15 overs. 

Wollaston had a steady start in their reply with Tim Hudson (21) and Rex Boddington (33 putting on 39 for the first wicket.  However, to chase down such a mammoth total it needed a couple of big fifties - or a hundred- from someone in the line up, but although several batsmen "got starts" the elusive match winning innings was not forthcoming. Darren Laughton with 21 briefly threatened to push for the win but when he was bowled by Paul McIntosh it was damage limitation time and a quest for batting bonus points. Andy Luck made 37 runs but the rest of the order didn't make double figures and despite a stoic rearguard from the tail Wollaston were all out with 4  overs to spare.

April 28th

Wollaston 243 for 7 in 50 overs - Kempston 212 for 9 in 50 overs  Home

Losing the toss, Wollaston were put in on a good pitch and fast outfield. For once Rex Boddington departed early - bowled by Keens for 9 - leaving the home side on 13 for 1. 

However, opener Tim Hudson and number three Paul Jones (41) consolidated in the form of a 90 run second wicket stand to put things back on track. When number number 5 Andy Luck  eventually joined Hudson they accelerated the run rate until Hudson was bowled for a fine 77 which had put the hosts in a great position. Simon Parsons then joined Luck (62) and they carried on the good work - allowing Wollaston to close on  a healthy 243 for 7 off 50 overs.

In reply Kempston looked well set at 181 for 2 and an away win looked a distinct possibility. However the tide turned dramatically at this point when Simon Parsons was re-introduced into the attack. He got a wicket with his first ball and proceeded to make his way through the visitors batting order and collecting the excellent figures of 5 for 35 off 35 overs - aided by some great catching and ground fielding.  Adrian Ward- skippering in the absence of HMS Pinafore star Brett Hanson, -weighed in with 3 for 54 to force Kempston to shut up shop with 4 overs to go. However, they succeeded in avoiding defeat despite David Ward getting the ninth wicket with the last ball of the game. Kempston closed on 212 for 9 in 50 overs.

Wicken 302 for 5 - Wollaston 221 for 6   Home                April 21st home             

Wollaston 8 points Wicken 14 points

On a fast outfield and excellent pitch, Wicken rattled up 302 in their 50 overs and left Wollaston chasing leather for most of the afternoon. 

After being put in Chris Horne and K. Fairey put on 51 for the first wicket before David Ward (1 for 41 off 6) had the latter caught by Simon Parsons at mid-off.  

This brought left-hander Ian Bridge to the wicket and he immediately made his intentions clear by flaying the bowling to all parts. He matched his partner for scoring rate and both batsmen reached their respective centuries before Parsons eventually removed both in the space of 5 overs to finish with figures of 2 for 51 off 12. Horne finished with 122 and Fairey 110. Adrian Ward picked up 2 for 40 off 7. The total however could have been reduced somewhat if Wollaston had managed to hold on to some of the chances that  were given at intervals throughout the inning.

The reply started well and the momentum was continued through the innings with Rex Boddington (69) leading the way. He put on 98 with Tim Hudson (21) for the first wicket and handy contributions came from the rest of the order with skipper Brett Hanson (26) Andy Luck (21) Parsons (37) and Andy Silsby (13) being the main run scorers. Wollaston finishing 4 runs short of maximum batting points.

As the skipper said in the dressing room afterwards "Catches win matches" and if we had held on to ours we would have won!