Woodies extended their unbeaten run to 16 games with a fine win against Billericay at Pheasant Park.
Captain Spuds won the toss and elected to bat and the skip and Wellsy put on a solid 50 partnership before Dave fell for 16. After a couple of cheap wickets fell Kev joined Spuds who then also departed for a fine 33.Kev then proceeded to his half century, and having been dropped on 52 made the opposition pay with a superb 142 not out in super quick time leaving the hosts on 263 at the end of their 40 overs.

This total was always going to take some getting and the opposition fell a good 70 odd short at the end with some fine bowling from Connor, Nathan, Hannah and George Verlander and Mike Richardson.
Both sides then retired for a debrief in the bar, when it was established that the age range between players on both sides was from 14 to 82!! What other game would enable different generations to play a competitive match together in this way. The opposition commended us for our club spirit and once again cricket was indeed the winner on the day.

Rankins away:
Woodham continued their winning streak on a stinking hot Sunday at Rankins with victory by 108 runs.
Spudley won the toss and elected to bat, and with a super knock of 103 from Wells, 53 from Pies and 42 from Roger. Woodies hit 243 from their 40 overs which in the conditions was a marvellous effort all round.
After a super tea including a chilli dish the hosts entered the crease. Dave Huett and Connor opened the attack and both bowled tightly, with Connor taking 2 for 23 off his 6 overs. george verlander and John Marshall then entered the attack and kept things tight with George picking up a wicket. Spudley then decided it was time for spin and with limited options elected to bowl himself. What was to follow can only be described as unbelievable, as Spuds, inspite of a dropped catch, finished with figures of 5 for 41 from 7 overs easily his best figures for Woodham yet - Nellie take note. Kev polished off the final wicket and the team adjoined to the clubhouse for a most unexpected Skippers jug.

Margaretting away:
Woodham extended their unbeaten run on a Sunday to 12 matches with a hard earnt victory at Margaretting. Spudley won the toss and elected to bat. Damo and Spuju set off quickly, putting on 40 in 6 overs before Damo departed to a gem of a ball. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and only Peggy with a fine 28 supported Spuju who, with brother michael putting up a bold defence at the end, hit a boundary in the final over to record his maiden century - well done Spuju. Woodham finished on 205 from their 40 overs.
In response Margaretting set off hoping to knock off the total in 20 rather than 40 overs. After a barrage of 4's and 6's, Connor bowled the danger man, and then Roger got 3 quick wickets in his first couple of overs and with Charlotte also getting in amongst the wickets and bowling beautifully it looked like a comfortable win for Woodies was on the cards. A good partnership between Lee and Ollie with plenty of overs remaining, however, meant it was game on. George came back and got the vital wicket of Ollie thanks to a good catch from Roger. Roger completed a super spell, with 2 more wickets, finishing with figures of 5 for 22.
Peggy finally got Austen for 49 in th 34th over giving Woodies victory by 30 runs. Well done Steve on a ton & Roger on a fifer, another great team display - Woodies just keep winning on a Sunday!

Boreham away:
Woodies continued their fine form on a Sunday with a victory by 108 runs at Boreham. Put in by the opposition, Spuju and Nellie set off at lightning speed putting on 56 in 10 overs before Spuju was caught for 40. Roger then continued the barrage hitting a fine 72 and putting on 127 with Nellie before he fell to a fine catch. Nellie fell just short of another century for 95. Spudley not out 42 and Tom not out 23 saw Woodham finish on 293 for their 40 overs. After a superb tea, George Verlander continued where he left off at Tillingham with four quick wickets in a fine spell of 8 overs 4 for 17. Connor also picked up an early wicket leaving the home side struggling at 20 for 5 before Powell 76 n/o and Money 82 n/o saw the home side to 185 off their 40 overs. Another really enjoyableSunday afternoon was had by all.

Away to Tillingham:
Woodham turned up at Tillingham on a miserable day as the rain was gently falling. Discussions quickly turned to possible alternatives to the cricket which most people (Dave Wells most notibly) thought wouldn't be on. However, the rain wasn't heavy enough to deter the hardy cricketers. Woodham batted first and the Wells - Richardson opening partnership was reinstated after Matt Goodlad disrupted it the day before. Wells (who was determined to regain his early season form with the bat) began at his usual frenetic pace, whereas Richardson found it harder to get any runs at all. The first wicket to fall was Richardson S for 15, when he mis-timed a hook and it looped up to mid wicket. New-boy David Gray soon followed Spuju back to the hutch without scoring - his first duck for Woodham officially instating him as a member of the club! Tommy Payne played some lovely strokes before he was also out for 16. In came slim-line skipper Spudley (in need of a new nickname potentially), before Wells was finally caught (at the fourth time of asking) for 80, a welcome return to form. Karkocki was out for 3 - although he did play some textbook forward defensive strokes, followed by a quickfire 13 not out from Roger. Richardson N hit an unbeaten 77, increasing his average to 196 for the season. Woodham were 217 - 5 at tea, but a mention should go to the Tillingham fielders who stuck out 35 overs of rain.

After tea the rain seemed heavier, but WMCC still went out to field. Hayman and Verlander opened up and both bowled superbly, but George was the pick with 4 wickets (Connor also took one.) Michael 'Spujuju' Richardson bowled tightly but without breakthrough - although he did hit the stumps, but it must have been his slower ball as the bails refused to fall. Pippy also took a wicket, as the batsman was stumped by some decent glovework by Spuju, much to the surprise of critic Wells. Woodham kept themselves going in the field with some exuberance led by Wells and Marshall, and were also kept entertained by the hilarious antics of Dan Karcocki. There was a split vote on comment of the day between Dan's exclamation after George slid to field the ball of "we know who washes those whites", or Wellsy on the entrance to the crease of the fielder who had dropped him on three occasions, of "lets hope his batting's as good as his fielding!" Eventually the rain got too heavy and the match was called off, with Tillingham at 55 - 6.

I did the Duckworth-Lewis calculation by dividing the number of runs required by the number of overs left, and then adding the combined value of a royal flush minus the number of players in a Rugby League team, and finally adding the number of episodes in the Friends complete box-set. This indicated that in fact Woodham won the game on the Duckworth-Lewis ruling, although the result of my sums did say we won by an innings and 290 runs so I may have miscalculated.

Despite the bad weather we had a great time in the field, and Woodham maintain their unbeaten Sunday streak.

Thurrock Away:
Woodham batted first on a blustery day in Thurrock. Andy Brown thought that he was hung over after three nights on the town in a row, but it seemed he was outdone by our opposition, who had been drinking all night and hadn't got to sleep until 7 o'clock on the morning of the match. This wasn't evident in the 'battle of the hangovers' however, as Browny tried to pull a short ball and edged behind. Spuju and Hirsty's 'special friendship' was obvious as they put on a parternship of 80 on a slow outfield with a long boundary. Spuju's wicket was the next to fall, as he middled an aerial drive straight to mid-off, who took a good catch. Hirsty was eventually bowled for 68 and combined with 20 from Beamer and 15 from the ever slimming Spudley left Woodies 184 all out.

A formidable opening bowling attack of Roger 'Tremlett' Marshall and Connor 'Cheesy Wotsit' Hayman restricted the top 5 batsmen to 21 between them. Hayman and Richardson then were similarly successful with numbers 6-9, restricting them to a combined 25. But the uniqueness of timed cricket came into play as Buckley and Simmons batted out almost 20 overs to leave Woodham 1 wicket short of a victory - Thurrock finshed 65-9 at the end of play.

The match was played in a great spirit and the reason we play timed cricket became evident, as the game would have been over very early - and the excitement, tension and real effort to get that final wicket wouldn't have occured. A very enjoyable game of cricket, ending in a draw.

A special thanks to Nathan who filled in at the last minute.

Terling Away:
Woodham travelled to Terling for a match against our most regular opponents. We almost lost Michael Richardson to injury before the game had started, as in an attempt to run up the drive towards Rebecca May Thorogood's car, whilst wheeling his cricket bag, lost his footing and slid back down the driveway, luckily he is two time winner of 'Britains Manliest Man' and brushed off the graze as if it were a papercut. The rest of the journey went by without event, despite Wellsy's alarm at Rebecca's choice of route.

With both captain's agreeing that they would put Woodham in to bat, the traditional toss was deemed unnecessary, and due to mutual consent Woodham batted first. Browny and Spuju opened the batting, and it wasn't long before the in form Stephen Richardson chipped an attempted cut shot to point. The disgusted batsman trudged off and sulked, but it allowed the fast scoring Dave Wells to occupy the crease. In his own words, Wellsy "started slowly" but after a succession of big hits he soon reached 50. The introduction of a right arm off spinner proved the end of the big hitting all-rounder, as he hauled out to deep mid-wicket. Dan Karkocki then came to the crease, dizzy at number 4. Andrew Brown then for possibly the first time in his career decided not to move his feet, and got bowled for a 76 ball 26 runs, becoming the off spinners second victim. After some lovely shots, Dan also fell victim to the spinner, as did Ian Thorogood, but not before he too played some classy shots, most notibly a superb sweep for four, which almost broke Umpire Richardson's ankles, had he not jumped quickly out of the way. Neil Friend's wicket was next to fall, his 36 proving to be very important in the long run, as it bulstered a struggling lower order, as did George Verlander's 26. Roger Tremlett Marshall suffered the embarrassment of getting out to his brother. The final wicket to fall was Michael Richardson, for 4, but it would have come a couple of balls earlier, had he not thrown his toys out of the pram, stamping his foot on the floor and in fact some onlookers claim that he momentarily lost his normal cute looks, and his appearance turned into this: http://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedia/images/biological%20effects/hulk.jpg (picture courtesy of club photographer Hannah Verlander) The petrified umpire Andrew Brown quickly reversed his decision in fear of his life. Woodham finished on 222 all out.

After tea, Terling's opening pair put on 113 for the first wicket, before Wellsy finally took the first wicket, bowling the batsman, who had reached his half century, but not before a throw in from the boundary had injured Neil Friend's thumb, so debutant David Gray showed his commitment to the club by taking the gloves, despite having been worn out by some energetic running during his innings by Roger. The next wicket to fall was by part time spinner Spuju, looking to make up for his failure with the bat. Despite in the car claiming he would 'Over-exaggerate the quality of the ball which got his wicket' he has decided to just be honest - You know the Shane Warne 'ball of the century' it was better than that, and Dave Huett took the catch, thanks to great field placing by the bowler. Spujuju then took the wicket of the centurian opener and with the very next ball took another, both clean bowled. Roger Marshall then, having picked up the ball on the boundary saw Dave Wells in a much better position to make the run out, so threw the ball to him, who then threw down the stumps from all of three yards - great teamwork!! George took the next wicket, another clean bowled and then Spujuju took what proved to be the vital wicket of John Marshall and it was even better for Roger who had the satisfaction of catching his brother. In an extremely tense final couple of overs, George and Michael decimated the lower order, with Michael celebrating each of his wicket with an in the air heel click and shouts of "TOP CLASS!!" The final wicket fell on Michael's last ball of his permitted overs, leaving Terling 3 short of Woodhams score. Michael finished with 4 wickets and George with 3 and both bowlers pretty much won us the game. Cricket was the winner (though so were Woodham) as the game was played in great spirit and showed how close & exciting cricket really can be, I believe more so than any other sport. Just a note to say that on the way out, Roger pulled over to shut the gate, however he then realised that he had parked inside the gate and had he shut the gate parked there he would in fact have been locked in!

Match Report V Boreham Sun 8th May

Woodham extended their unbeaten run on a Sunday to 7 games but were frustrated by some stubborn resistance from the visitors in a drawn game at Pheasant Park.

Put into bat the home team reached 253 for 3 off 37 overs when skip Spuds declared. A declaration at Woodham things must be looking up!! Glamour 27, Spuju 75, Wells 50not out and Spuds 78 not out all looked in fine form.

Boreham responded with a stubborn defence and we could have done with extra 4/5 overs as the visitors finished on 181 for 7 at the close with Pippi the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 11.

This Sunday we are off for the 2nd of 7 games this season against Terling.

Match report V Navestock Sun 1st May

Woodham continued their early season promise on Sunday with another splendid victory at Navestock.

The hosts won the toss, elected to bat and after a positive opening partnership of 45 in quick time, a score of 200 plus looked very much on the cards. The Woodham bowlers responded well and tightened things up and tea was taken with the visitors on 151 for 7. The wicket takers were Peggy 3, Michael Spujuju Richardson 2 and Dave Wells 2.

The Woodham batsmen reached the total with relative ease, Reddin the only wicket to fall after a stylish 18, with Nellie unbeaten on 67 and Spuju unbeaten on 52 after being dropped first ball.

My final observation this week was that the Green Man public house, the car park of which has seen many a ball over the years is no more having been replaced by a very smart and up market looking restaurant. How things move on, however, the game of cricket remains the same, and was once again the winner this week.

Sunday Side defeat Terling in Season Opener

Woodham opened their season with a hard fought victory over our friends from Terling in an April sizzler at Pheasant Park.
Woodham openers Wells and Fannon put on a rapid 17 before an ambitious attempt at a quick single saw the demise of Wells run out for 10. Fannon quickly followed and after an encouraging start to his innings Friend fell for 14. Further wickets fell quickly leaving the home team struggling at 80 for 5. Craig Marshall played a splendid anchor innings on his debut and top scored with a fine 37. New slim line Spuds chipped in towards the end with 26 not out and with another magnificent 42 from Eddie the hosts finished their innings on 156 for 9 at tea.

Spuds new diet was seen by all at tea with not even a sniff of pate at the tea table replaced by cucumber and tomatoes!!

Two familiar figures strolled to the crease to open the batting for the opposition- Thommo and the evergreen Richard Kneller. The opening pair put up stubborn resistance to a fine opening spell from Hayman and Verlander before Pippi finally struck to dismiss Kneller caught by Wells for 10. Thommo continued to frustrate the Woodham attack with a fine 40 and young John Marshall hit a quick fire 34 moving the opposition to 90 and with plenty of overs left, Terling were sensing victory in the first of seven encounters between the teams this season.
However Pippi saw off Thommo and Marshall finishing a fine spell with figures of 4 for 45, and Roger Marshall, also making his debut, polished off the tail with a demon display of fast bowling and figures of 4 for 7 to give Woodham victory by a margin of 54 runs.