Whitchurch-on-Thames Cricket Club

After a rainy morning and with drops of wet still lingering in the air, we did finally get under way in a game against old rivals, Greys Green.  This picture, taken about half-an-hour before, doesn't quite convey the chill and dank.  But for sure, without these modest covers which were applied at sunrise by the groundsman, any game would have been most unlikely. No matter that GG edged the final outcome by 20, which was down to one or two individual performances, it was a good day all round, as I think this team-selfie (the only team-pic from 2014?) courtesy of James Cartwright shows.  Hiding in the back is Anand; and almost hiding in the front is Francis.  I seem to be distracted by something, and Richie Leach must have been elsewhere entirely at the time. Nick, Brian, Alan, Cormac, John, James and John have captured the moment perfectly. Then we came to the end , till next year. Andy H

On the last double-header of the season, Whitchurch came close in matches against Treasury Valuers on Saturday and Wayfarers on Sunday. Over 200 were scored by each side in the first game, with Nick Turner making 94, the first of two nearly-hundreds this weekend.  The match went to the the final ball with Cormac and Craig at the crease; but poor old Craig stumbled whilst striving for the run that would have tied the match, leaving us maddeningly one run short. The second came on Sunday, where Scooby struck 92 in another vain chase (also his first 50). This time we were chasing a monumental 271 made by the Wayfarers, and despite scores from Tony (42), Yusuf (30) and useful contributions from the Chapmans, Woody and Andy, we feel 14 short. Some exquisite ground fielding from the younger crowd remains in the memory, especially Matt K, Scooby and, er, Vaughany, too. As does a great catch taken on the boundary by Woody. Andy H (with a bit of help from Cormac to clarify some key fact...

A swing-and-a-miss to a typically fierce delivery from Ben Karlo. The photographer, Adrian Turner (Dad of Nick), points out: "The ball that hit the bails is by the batsman’s left calf, not out yet!" Greater success for the batsman this time.  Tom Chapman is the agile-looking fielder in the background. Taken from the narrow victory yesterday against University of Oxford Hospitals.

The day long working party made great progress on replacing the roof of the tea hit today. Thanks to all who turned up.

  Jon Steward has sold the original of this painting, but he thought we may like this for the website.  "This is my last painting", he says, "and I am not doing any more ever". "The style of the painting is called Impast and it is mostly done with a palette Knife the material is loose weave Canvas and the Media is Oil and it was finished with clear car lacquer." Jon does have a higher fidelity copy if you'd like one. Personally, although I don't know much about art, I'm seriously impressed. Andy H

It's been a difficult start to the season with four losses to two wins, albeit that we've been close on some occasions. Today was a case in point as we failed to defend 222, the final runs coming off the last over. The have been some good individual performances however. Lyn Williams made his first ever ton, 119* at Woodcote. Richie Leach was 69* at Gray's Green and Jim Shanahan made 80 odd today against Sonning Common. Two bowling performance deserve mention, both by Ben Karlo: 7-4-11-4 at Greys Green, and 3-0-7-3 at Crazies Hill. Picture: James Cartwright: Andy Mutepfa Batting vs Sonning Common. Apologies if I've missed anyone. Andy H ps. Some more pictures from James Cartwright available for a while here .

GROUND Parties If you didn’t manage to get to either of last weekend’s working parties please make the effort to attend on either Saturday or Sunday this week. Working Parties  on both days will be from 10.30am to 1.00pm – Alan Kilford in control the first day and Lyn Williams on the second.  If the ground isn’t playable and the facilities aren’t usable then we can’t play cricket.  Thanks to all those that attended last weekend. INDOOR NETS The last pre-season indoor net is next Wednesday 9 April at Bradfield College from 9.15pm to 10.15pm.  Beer to follow in The Greyhound, Tidmarsh. FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON The first game of the Season is on Sunday 13 April at home to Lower Earley.  As there are only Sunday games in the early part of the Season team selection will ensure that everybody is given a game. Lyn