Whitchurch-on-Thames Cricket Club

If truth is to be told, not many of us were confident that we would, for the second Sunday in succession, win a match by scoring 286 runs.  But doubters like your correspondent were put to the sword as Whitchurch overtook Welford Park's 286 for 6 off 40 overs with more than two overs to spare. The first innings had been more than a little harrowing, with bowler after bowler being sent aerially into the cow fields time and again.  One unfortunate opening over went 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 6 - 4 (byes, streaking down the legside), after which said bowler was told to "take a rest" ("gladly!").  The oppo, sitting in the pavilion, thought that this was unduly harsh - "you always give a bowler a second over on a Sunday".  Well, maybe that's a vote in favour of Jim's no-prisoners captaincy that we didn't this afternoon. If I'm honest, there was some fine hitting of a cricket ball going on, and perched atop a domed hill where the ball ran easily dow...

Taken at Brading CC on a searingly hot day. Credits to Jim Shannahan.

Some of us will recognise the full figure of occasional Whitchurch guest, Paul Holland, in this picture from this week's  Get Reading  (page 63).  With apologies to all for the crumpling in my scanner.

It was a good game, played in a very friendly atmosphere, and we just about finished before the rain came. We made 186 or thereabouts, with Andy Mutepha and Jim Shannahan making half of those between them.  They had some decent opening bats, one of whom just swung through the line very successfully, and another who was a bit cautious at the start but went on to make 80-odd.  Off the first 7 or 8 overs we were about 12 for 2, and they were 60 for 0.  Apart from that, a pretty even game! Andy H We  couldn't  have been stronger and got hammered!! Batting was seriously difficult when we batted first but we thought that 186 was a good score.  After their pitch-hitter had hit 42 in  the first 7 overs, and they were 60 for nought, we were in trouble.  They only needed 3 an over when ‘20 overs’ was called with 9 wickets in hand. Lyn

Taken by Andy Mutepha last Saturday, notice the steam rising from the grass as the sun draws the recently fallen rain back into the sky.

This is the picture that you've seen on the wall many times over the years.  It seems to of a chap that was obviously of some importance to the club at a time just prior to anyone's memory (even Mike Butt?). We know little of Mr Yarrow, although a little searching with my favourite engine shows that he may have written guidebooks to Berkshire in the early 50s.

With Crazies Hill unable to get out a side on Sunday, Goring took up the mantle at short notice to entertain Whitchurch.  Unfortunately, so as to show their gentlemanly appreciation to Goring, and not wanting to overstay their welcome, the Whitchurch batsmen (in a regular procession) chose to walk out to the middle, stay long enough to say hello to the opposition and then graciously walk back to the pavilion. Notwithstanding some excellent bowling from two of Goring’s colts, a score of 110 at tea was woefully below par.  Thank goodness for the strong mustard on the ham sandwiches because after tea Whitchurch (thankfully!!) got competitive.  Whitchurch, led by Andy Heard (3 wickets) and Lyn Williams (5), had Goring reeling at 67 for 9; but, despite a brilliant attempt at a caught and bold ( sic ) by Toby Staker, were unable to prise out either of the last two batsmen to win the game. Honours even and a beer down the Social Club. Lyn