Woodham Mortimer Cricket Club

WMCC 1st x1 v Rayne 11/6/2011
 
On a day of cloud and sunshine WMCC hosted their league encounter against Rayne. Stand in skipper Andy Brown won the toss and invited the opposition to bat.

After a rather agricultural start to their innings Rayne lost wickets at regular intervals with some wonderful Woodham bowling and fielding. An excellent catch behind by Dave Wells off the bowling of Kevin Wright accounted for Rayne dangerman Rainbird. It was a great performance in the field from Woodham despite a couple of dropped catches
but Rayne were bowled out for 69 with the bowling figures :

Wright 5-20
T Payne 2-47
R Marshall 2-2
C Shaw 1-0
 
After a delightful tea provided by the Richardson's Woodham set about their task chasing a meagre 70 to win,
Unfortunately Woodham lost Dave Wells for 5 but the returning Goodlad (34no) and Hirst (15no) and some very helpful byes saw home Woodham by 9 wkts and i believe that keeps Woodham top of the league and with Fyfield away next Woodham will hope to keep the winning run going.

Graham
 

Little Waltham, Big Return

Away at Little Waltham IIs May 7

The unseasonal pre season weather led to a belting track at picturesque Lt Waltham and skipper Smith went bold and batted on winning the toss. Wells celebrated his return to cricket with a match defining 106 from 67 balls opening up and with Hirst (90no) and Richardson(85) combining for a 155 2nd wicket stand, the Woodies posted an impressive 313 for 3 first up. Despite some frenetic strokeplay the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals and never looked in the hunt, finally coming aground on 162 off just 33 overs. Mitchell 4 for 60.

A maximum points return to start from an impressive all round team effort.

Home v Brookweald IIs May 14

Looking to stay table top, the Woodies hosted 9 men Brookweald on another May belter. On winning a second toss, Smith followed form and batted, but the previous weeks heros were left unsmiling as a succession of rash shots left the hosts 139 for 7 and a golden chance looking spurned. Enter new keeper Neil Friend to blitz 46no and with Payne, Marshall and Phillips add 99 to put up a useful 238 for 9. Opening bursts from Wright and Payne, who battled manfully through 12 overs straight, left the visitors on 3 for 3 and despite a fluent 71 from skipper Sweatenham, finally closed on 106. Phillips 4 for 3.

Another excellent points haul leaves the Woodies top of the table after two games, with fellow Div 5 promotees Sandon to come under the pylons.
Neil

Date Ven Div Opponent Pts Result
07/05/11 13:30 a Division 4 Little Waltham 2nd
14/05/11 13:30 h Division 4 Brookweald 2nd
Here are the 1st team fixtures 2011:

21/05/11 13:30 a Division 4 Sandon Sports 1st
28/05/11 13:30 h Division 4 Terling 1st
04/06/11 13:30 a Division 4 Little Baddow 2nd
11/06/11 13:30 h Division 4 Rayne 1st
18/06/11 13:30 a Division 4 Fyfield 1st
25/06/11 13:30 a Division 4 Old Chelmsfordians 2nd
02/07/11 13:30 h Division 4 Southend on Sea & EMT 3rd
09/07/11 13:30 h Division 4 Little Waltham 2nd
16/07/11 13:30 a Division 4 Brookweald 2nd
23/07/11 13:30 h Division 4 Sandon Sports 1st
30/07/11 13:30 a Division 4 Terling 1st
06/08/11 13:30 h Division 4 Little Baddow 2nd
13/08/11 13:30 a Division 4 Rayne 1st
20/08/11 13:30 h Division 4 Fyfield 1st
27/08/11 13:00 h Division 4 Old Chelmsfordians 2nd
03/09/11 13:00 a Division 4 Southend on Sea & EMT 3rd

June 19 Away v Sandon
 
Worst of the Conditions?
 
The Woodies aimed to get back to winning ways after the Springfield debacle with a visit to the pylons at a windswept Sandon. Skipper Smith won the toss and elected to field, a decision which looked sound with the home side 95 for 4 at one stage. However, the local drizzle struck 3 times in the innings, driving the players from the field, but only taking one over off the innings. Handicapped by a wet ball, the Woodies saw their grip slip, not aided by a Sandon Royals prepared outfield, Sandon reaching 212 for 6, a good effort from the visitors given the powerful home batting.
 
After tea, the Woodies chase was a tense affair with quick stands followed by wickets at key stages. Coulson and Fannon top scored with 40+ each, Spudley risked his hamstring with determined running but in the end it boiled down to 12 off 2 overs, then 4 off the last ball. A swing and a miss and it was the 4th tight finish to elude the Woodies in a row!
 
July 3 Away v Purleigh
 
From Purleigh Kings to Back Street Urchins
 
A baking hot day brought the winning Woodies to local rivals Purleigh for the local derby. Purleigh raised eyebrows when asking the visitors to bat, no doubt mindful of failing to defend 300+ the previous week. A firey opening spell from former Premier league Wilson kept Goodlad & Fannon and the slip corden on their toes, but was bravely fought thro. The other bowlers held few terrors and despite the fairly regular fall of wickets, the Woodies looked on course for 250+, with Goodlad in full flow. However, his stumping for 79 plus the return of Wilson changed the game as only 35 came of the last 10 overs, total 215 for 7.
 
It didnt feel enough at tea but tidy opening spells from Wright & Payne, followed by good bowling from the spin twin vets, Mitchell & Woodrow, reduced the home team to 74 for 6. However, that was the last of the good new for the visitors as two excellent inings from skipper Rynn and man of the match Wilson saw Purleigh home from a seemingly impossible situation as tempers frayed in the field in and under the heat.
 
Although it didnt seem that way at the time, we shouldnt be two disheartened, going down to 2 decent players who if they had batted at 3 and 4 no one would have batted an eyelid. With three 6 pointers against Rayleigh, Ashingdon & Hullbridge to come, the Woodies season starts here.
 
July 10 Home v Rayleigh
 
Woodies do the Double as Rayleigh feel the Heat
 
The hottest Saturday of the season so far saw the relegation crunch visit of Rayleigh to the Pheasants. A huge toss was won by skipper Smith, who batted after a nano seconds thought. New look opening pair of Goodlad & Coulson posted a tidy opening stand of 79, but wickets fell at a steady rate, including Smith to a blinding catch, preventing the Woodies from posting the large score they felt was necessary. 203 for 7.
 
However, the toil in the heat had obviously taken more of a toll than the Woodies thought as some inspired new ball bowling from Wright & Goodlad, together with some poor shot selection left the visitors reeling at 26 for 5. Despite Stirks defiant 31, there was no way back for a Rayleigh side missing both Wolff and Leadbitter against Mitchell and Woodrow, who cleaned up the rest to leave the visitors 86 all out.
 
An excellent win from a team determined to avenge the defeat of the previous week has given us the chance to push up to mid table security, with the plan to push for promotion in 2011. Well, thats the plan!

Woodham Win a Close One at Last

After a season of close defeats, the Woodham machine, powered mainly by a Goodlad century, eventually picked up a victory in a nail biting encounter at beautiful Belfairs. After much moving of equipment around the hallowed ground, the two sides eventually settled on a pitch and stand in skipper, Peggy Mitchell, sent the oppo in. An early breakthrough was made, by the skipper, but du Plessis and the excellent Gudgeon put together a good partnership to leave the visitors looking a bit flat in the field, and it wasn't until after drinks that wickets eventually began to fall. Peggy picked up 4, Payne a couple and with one a piece for Woodrow and Wright, Ashingdon finished their innings on 216-8. In truth Woodham floored a few catching chances and could probably have kept the score down to a lesser amount, however, with the pitch playing well and the outfield fast, there was every opportunity for a successful chase.

Fannon fell first, yorked by du Plessis for only 5 and when Coulson and Barrett followed, for just 1 and 4 respectfully, Woodham looked on the ropes. Gudgeon returned to the attack to claim the wickets of Spuju (20), Wright (12) and The Puss for a single, and when Brown ran himself out, all hopes were placed on the broad shoulders of Goodlad. He didn't disappoint. With support from Tommy Payne and the skipper, Goodlad crashed his way to an imperious 122 not out to lead the Pheasants to victory.

It was a fabulous victory and a relief to all that, finally, after the disappointments against Hullbridge, Rainham, Sandon, Springfield and Purleigh, that Woodham can win a tight game.

Brilliant Wright leads Woodham to Victory

After three weeks of near misses our heroes arrived at the Pheasantry in glorious weather. The skipper elected to bat after winning the toss and Goodlad ambled out to bat with young Raspberry Barrett to face the Ingatestone attack. It looked a great day to be batting, the wicket held few demons, the outfield was quick and the opponents a man short- as they awaited the arrival of Bates. Surely everything was set for a high quality batting display...

Seven overs in and this looked to be the case. A barrage of boundaries from Barrett and Goodlad had set the tone for a good start but, just as both looked secure, the wobble began. Goodlad nicked behind for 14, skipper Nelly followed suit disappearing after snicking one for 7 and Raspberry lobbed one to mid-off for 26. A good start had become 53-3. Club Mockney, the returning Hirst, joined the early order back in the hutch as he slapped a full toss to cover, where a diving Taylor snaffled a magnificent catch leaving Woodham 66-4 and in danger of making a mess of decent batting conditions.

Enter Wright. He has looked the most in-form batsman over the last few weeks and together with Fannon began to rebuild the innings. A stand of 78 ensued before the chairman holed out to long off and, with Brown run out for a mere brace, the innings once again needed momentum. This arrived in the form of the flashing blade of Neil Friend who, along with Wright peppered the boundary and ran hard for the remainder of the innings to give Woodham a competitive score of 236-7. Wright finished on a magnificent 95* with Friend run out for 35.

The tea, which included both pate and doughnuts, was consumed at a leisurely pace before the Ingatestone reply began. Openers Myers and Brailey set about the Woodham attack before Brailey skied one to Woodrow, giving Goodlad his first victim of the season - his bowling average stands now at an impressive 129.00, every chance for bowler of the year!

The giant Chris Collis was next to strike dismissing the dangerous Bates. His spell, although littered with no-balls and the odd wide had caused both batsman problems and showed, that on his day, how much of a handful he can be. However, with the score on 142-2 it seemed that Ingatestone were coasting to victory. Enter the spin kings of Mitchell and Woodrow.

Mitchell kept it tight, after initially dishing up a second buffet of the afternoon particularly to Myers, and eventually struck, dismissing the young opener for a well made 77. Woodrow struck at the other end and, as the innings lost momentum, Woodham began to sense victory. Wright returned to mop up the tail finishing with 4-51 and Woodrow also finished strongly with figures of 2-34. Victory by 31 runs!

It was a Game of Two Halves, Gary
 
With minds on the evenings England game, the Woodies hosted table topping Springfield IIIs. The home skipper won the toss for the 3rd home game, unsurprisingly inserting the visitors given the Woodies dire history of setting targets in Springfield games.
 
Initial success for the hosts, as keeper Dammo's quick thinking turned Pippy's throw onto the bowlers stumps to run out Richardson. A massive straight drive too far accounted for the other opener, Shervill, smashing one back to Wrighty, the over after smashing one back to Wobbles, who couldn't. Khan tucked into Wobbles new ball offerings, hitting a mighty straight six, bringing John JW Woodrow into the attack for a 1st team home debut. The wiley legspinner sturck twice in his second over, tempting Khan into holing out to long off and inducing Coplen to give a catch to Pippy, the first of three. Some clever bowling and injuducious hitting reduced the visitors to 62 for 7, before Southwell and Frost added 39 for the 8th wkt, before a clever dummy(!) from the skipper induced a second run out. Springfield closed soon after, all out 114. This was arguably the Woodies best bowling and fielding performance for ages, Wright 4 wkts, Woodrow 3, a miserly Mitchell 9 overs for 8 runs.
 
After tea, a succession of confident Woodies strode to the crease in the knowledge that one good partnership would be enough. Frustratingly, it never came. Spuds and Wobbles fell to 14 year old opener, Mean, (what a great name for a quick), Matt first dismissal of the season. The skipper feathered one to the keeper, Spuju played round a cutter from Khan, Wrighty caught by an inspired left hand and Pinky holed out trying to regain the initiative. 72 for 6. Dammo and Glam restored some sanity, passing the hundred mixing stokeplay with dogged defence. 103 for 6, surely home now? Alas, it was not to be, Dammo hold out looking for the big shot which would surely win it, Glam was bowled by Howell's first ball, Peggy couldnt repeat last weeks heroics, edging to the keeper and after Pippy's flashing blade, JW knicked off as left armer Southwell's change of ends changed the game, 107 all out. Stunned silence apart from 11 jubilant Springfield players.
 
Where did it go wrong? Springfield bowled superbly, never letting up despite being behind the 8 ball at tea. The force is certainly with them, with great catches and inspirational bowling changes, a team full of confidence. Given the weather, availability and chasing some low scores the Woodies batsmen would normally have had more time at the crease by June 12th, but thats really no excuse. The pitch was blameless and really only two or three of the batters got themselves out.
 
After this eye opener, the shell shocked Woodies take on in form Sandon at Sandon, next game June 19th.

So near, so far.....
 
The Woodies braved the traffic for the journey to new boys Rainham in the nid table clash. All arrived on time, bar Glam who took the ill starred M25 option and found a 7 mile tailback waiting. Much grumbles on having to street park too!
 
Nelly one ht etoss and knowing next to nothing about the Rainham track or side, elected to field. Wrighty and the returning TP quickly took a hold on the game and panicky running almost lead to runout but for the skippers powder puff throw. The Rainham batters rode their luck for a time but subsided to 53 for 4, with new man JD Dallinger claiming a debut 1st team scalp. As the ball softened, batting became easier on a sporting track and some fierce hitting from Fuller took the hosts to a competitive 169 for 7, Wright and Mitchell 3 wkts each.
 
After tea, the Woodies took on the home sides pace attack as balls flew from all angles and runs off the bat were at a premium, although extras kept up a lively rate. Lester and Barratt were the first to go and the skippers vigile was ended not by fiery pace but a brainless charge in the left arm spinners first over. Spinner Patel turned the game starting with 3 wicket maidens, Smith, Brown & Dallinger the victims. Further wickets took the Woodies to 103 for 8, so enter Peggy Mitchell to join Wrighty for a gutsy unbeaten stand that took the visitors to the bink of an unlikely victory with a mix of big hitting and outrageous running. In the end, 13 off the last over proved to much, the Woodies falling 7 short with Wright 42no, Peggy 20no & Extras a seasons best 46.
 
A tight game against a decent bowling attack on a lively track left the skip with plenty of food for thought with the Galacticos returning next week for bogey side Springfield III.

Report v Ashingdon May 15th
 
Ashingdon to Ashingdon, Dust to Dust, If Wrighty dont get you, Peggy must!
 
An overcast afternoon saw visitors Ashingdon, down a few men & including hobbling skipper Chris Frost, lose the toss and bat first.
 
Differing fortunes for the Woodies new ball attack as Druid tied up one end, removing Maddocks early. Matt "Wobbles" Goodlad came under attack from the frenetic strokeplay of Du Plessis, 3 overs only until Kev Wright took on the Proteas challange. Du Plessis mixed classy strokeplay with madcap running until unwisely taking two to Druid's power arm in the deep, changing tune half way & selling his partner down the river. Clearly ruffled, he fell victim to Wrighty a few balls later. The remaining Ashingdon batters cut sorry figures as the combined menace of Kev's swingers and Peggy's floaters proved too much and with their injured skipper not in until 10, subsided to 79 all out from 44 for 1. Mitchell 4 wkts, Wright 3, 2 run outs.
 
20 overs were agreed before tea, but the Woodies were soon on the backfoot as AB and Dammo fell quickly, 5 for 2, until the contrasting figures of Wobbles & SpuJu calmed the nerves, collared the Ashingdon openers and smoothly shifted through the gears to glide past the target, 80 for 2.
 
An excellent win, although Ashingdon will certainly be a tougher proposition at fortress Belfairs, 26 points maximum and a tricky game at Hullbridge to come, with Captain & Vice taking the chicken run up north

Week 2 v Rayleigh II
Quick match report for the 1st's game at Rayleigh IIs on May 8th:
A strong looking Woodies took on a weakend Rayleigh team at one of their favourite hunting grounds and came away with an emphatic 8 wkt win.
 
The constant drizzle led to a late start and reduced game, with Rayleigh bucking the trend and electing to bat on winning the toss.
 
Tight opening spells from Druid & Matt pushed the home team onto the back foot, with Druid claiming the top 3 wkts. Tom Payne's return to 1st team action overcame a stiff couple of opening overs to find a tidy groove and an economical 9 overs, Peggy rolled back the years bowling 10 overs for 24 with a couple of wickets to boot including bowling the death overs and Kev came back from near hypothermia on the boundary to peg Rayleigh back as they were looking to expand. Against 5 tidy bowlers, fueled by drinks interval cuppa soup, Rayleigh seemed unable to accelerate and finished on 110 for 7, a total probably 40 short of what they would have liked.
 
After tea Matt and Dammo, took it steady against some tidy opening bowling, Dammo falling for 12, bringing Pinky C to the crease. A steady 50 stand between the teachers 1&3 brought the Woodies to the brink of victory, before a feather spitting Pinky skied one for 19. Si Barrett took the chance for a bit of time at the crease as he & Matt, 52no, saw them home in 23 overs.
 
An excellent allround performance, even the skipper clung on to a catch, brought a deserved for the visitors and 19 points. As for Rayleigh, always a great bunch of lads, you suspect they will be a much tougher proposition in the July return with some of their key men back and fit.

Final Statistics correct after Week 18 (T.Rippon League Division 5 only)

Top Run Aggregates

Top Wicket Takers

 1st XI for the Championship showdown is as follows:
 
Smith
Wells
Richardson, S
Hirst
Wright
Mason
Marshall, R
Brown
Hayman
Payne
Mitchell
 
Meet is 12.30pm at Southend, the Ecko sports & social ground, postcode SS2 6PU or at the Pheasants for 11.30am. Please let Keith know if you are going to meet at the Pheasants.