Wigston All Out For 20 Runs (25.4.1965)
In their first match of the season at Dunton Bassett on Saturday, the Wigston batsmen showed lack of practice, and could muster only 20 runs.
The Dunton Bassett players must be credited with some remarkable catching which contributed in a large measure to Wigston’s lowest score for many years.
Bowling for Dunton Bassett Walters took four wickets for no runs, and Truby three for eight.
Dunton Bassett knocked up the necessary 21 runs for victory for the loss of one wicket.
Wigston Bowlers Excel Against Coalville (1.5.1965)
Wigston’s first home match of the season resulted in a win over a strong Coalville side by 32 runs.
After a promising start by Malcolm Moore (12) and Ivan Clowes (31), Roy Mason came along with a useful 18.
A last wicket stand between Jim Colver (12) and Peter Elliott (4 not out) improved the situation, and Wigston totalled 83.
Malcolm Moore and Peter Elliott, bowling unchanged for most of the Coalville innings, caused havoc with their accurate length and fine control. Only Bland (14), who hit a ball from Elliott out of the ground, threatened to turn the game in the visitor’s favour.
Coalville totalled 51, Moore taking 5 wickets for 15 runs, and Elliott four for seven.
Mason’s Bright Knock Puts Wigston On Top (15.5.1965)
Wigston were in merry mood against Fleckney at Willow Park on Saturday, playing attractively and getting themselves out going for big hits.
The highlight of the innings was a record sixth wicket stand by Roy Mason and Jim Colver, which put on 98 runs.
Roy Mason was particularly aggressive, driving and pulling with gay abandon. He knocked up 79 runs before being caught.
Wigston declared with 187 runs on the board for the loss of 9 wickets.
Fleckney’s reply was none too convincing, and the whole side was dismissed for 130.
M.Bryan, with 67 runs, was the only batsman who looked completely assured.
Bobby Jayes Part In Fine Win Over Colliery Side (16.5.1965)
Wigston completed a great weekend double with a fine home win over a strong New Lount Colliery side.
After a bright start to their innings, Wigston lost a number of wickets fairly cheaply, and it was left to the youngest member of their side, Bobby Jayes, to restore the situation. Jayes’ innings of 44 runs, full of flowing shots, was delightful to watch. Later David Gibbins, playing a very fine innings, quickly improved the position to a point where a declaration at 136 runs for the loss of eight wickets was possible. Gibbins was unbeaten with 38 runs.
The early New Lount batsmen’s aggressive efforts soon had Wigston’s score looking hopelessly inadequate, half the required runs being on the board before the third wicket fell. Walker, the opening bat, knocked up a fine 52.
A breakthrough at this point saw Wigston home and dry by 20 runs.
Wigston Triumph With Five Minutes To Spare (22.5.1965)
Hallaton were the visitors to Wigston on Saturday, and thanks to some good batting by Webster (60), Chapman and Bromwich (26 each), declared at 149 runs for 8 wickets.
Left only 90 minutes to score 150, Wigston, with Malcolm Moore and Brian Carter batting with nonchalant ease, appeared to have the task well in hand, but after they left, things took a very different aspect. Richard Carter and Roy Mason were out after a furious burst of hitting, and then followed a most unexpected collapse.
Eventually, and with five minutes to spare, Wigston won the match, 26 runs being added by an aggressive Graham Willows and a calm, unruffled number 11, Peter Elliott.
Five Wins In A Row (23.5.1965)
Wigston won their fifth consecutive game on Sunday by virtue of all round superiority in their first meeting with British United at Mowmacre Hill.
Oadby’s Fine Victory At Wigston (29.5.1965)
Oadby gained a splendid victory over Wigston in the local “derby” at Willow Park, Wigston, on Saturday.
Winning the toss, Wigston scored slowly off the opening bowlers, 15 year-old Karl Nichols, playing his first game for Oadby first eleven and Trevor Leavesley. Leavesley struck the first blow by bowling Malcolm Moore for 10. Then came the remarkable dismissal of Brian Carter. A slower ball by Ken Pounds deceived Carter and bowled him on the third bounce!
Leavesley, while fielding in the slips, was struck in the eye by the ball, and was taken to the Infirmary for attention to his injury. Colin Nurse came on to bowl and Wigston were all at sea against his spinners. He captured five wickets for thirty runs.
Ivan Clowes was the only batsman to show any resistance and steered his team to a reasonable total of 100 runs.
Oadby lost their opening batsmen for 17 runs, but Ken Pounds and Colin Newell settled down to a useful partnership. Newell was ultimately out for 22, but Pounds, who got 62, undefeated, saw Oadby comfortable winners by six wickets.
Below Form, Wigston Win (30.5.1965)
On a sporting wicket at Kegworth, Wigston struggled to put together a respectable total. Only Derek Young, Brian Carter and Peter Elliott succeeded in making sufficient contact to score many runs.
When Slack & Parr, the works’ team batted they never seemed likely to get the necessary runs despite several fielding lapses.
Wigston Bowlers Get Some Cheap Wickets (5.6.1965)
Wigston were away to the Langtons on Saturday, and gained another fine victory.
When the Langtons won the toss and decided to bat, the Wigston pace bowlers took advantage of the heavy atmosphere, and the batsmen found runs difficult to obtain.
Had all the home batsmen adapted their methods to those used by Tailby, no doubt a greater total than 56 would have accrued. Of these Tailby obtained 24.
When Wigston batted after tea, conditions were considerably easier, but the threat of an impending thunderstorm necessitated going quickly for this modest score.
Malcolm Moore, scoring freely all round the wicket, and Brian Carter, earned victory for Wigston ten minutes before the rain came.
Dunkley’s Hurricane Hitting Puts Wigston On Top (6.6.1965)
Wigston were indebted to a grand innings by Geoff Dunkley for their away victory over Bardon Hill on Saturday. Going in with the score at 53 for seven wickets, Dunkley soon forced the fielders back to the boundary. With David Hill as his partner, Dunkley added 60 runs for the eighth wicket. The pair between them obtained four sixes and eight fours. Later, with Roger Hensman as his partner, Dunkley helped to put on 35 more runs in the same tempo. This highly creditable performance finally raised the total to 155. Dunkley’s contribution was 71.
When the home side batted, only Lynch threatened to save the game for Bardon Hill. He hit Roy Mason out of the ground on three occasions, and fell short on four other attempts. It was indeed a relief to the Wigston side when Malcolm Moore uprooted his stumps.
Bardon Hill were dismissed for 118 runs.
Wigston Batting Was Far Too Timid (13.6.1965)
Wigston started slowly against Kibworth at Kibworth and never recovered, their total of 69 all out representing one of their lowest scores, the result of some very timid batting. There was no excuse on an easy paced wicket, Malcolm Moore being the highest scorer with 16, while Derek Young, Geoff Dunkley and Peter Elliott just reached double figures.
When Kibworth had lost four wickets in reply with only 20 runs on the board, Wigston’s hopes soared, for David Hill was bowling with good control and direction, and took all the four wickets which fell at a cost of 19 runs.
Then Ellis (27 not out) and Sturgess (22 not out) came together and wiped off the arrears without being parted, and Kibworth cantered home by six wickets.
Wigston Succeed By Only Two Runs (19.6.1965)
Wigston, in their away game with New Lount Colliery, on Saturday, found the wicket at Gelsmoor very soft indeed, with run getting at a premium. Most of the Wigston batsmen were caught lofting the ball in an effort to get runs that were not readily forthcoming along the ground. Graham Willows batted particularly well, driving powerfully to obtain the best part of the side’s modest total of 58. His contribution was 23.
The Colliery batsmen experienced the same difficulty, and many were disposed of by excellent catching in the remoter parts of the ground.
The home team could muster only 56 runs and Wigston’s narrow victory reflected well on their fighting spirit.
Wigston Batting Again Not Of The Best (20.6.1965)
Once again Wigston, at home on Sunday to North Leicestershire Miners’ Welfare, batted with a little uncertainty, and only Graham Willows, half way down the batting list, enhanced his reputation. A steady start against accurate bowling ensured some sort of a reasonable total, and it was left to David Hill (13) and Geoff Dunkley (14 not out) to give Wigston any chance of winning.
The colliery side’s victory came with barely time for one more over, and was mainly due to the batting of Brewin (32) who took complete control when Wigston were getting on top.
Fine Wigston Double By James Was All In Vain (26.6.1965)
When the Wigston bowlers had dismissed Buckminster for 94 at Buckminster, it was felt that this total was not beyond the visitors, for whom Norman James bowled extremely well to return five for 26.
Norman James also batted well to secure top score, the first wicket falling at 40.
Richard Carter carried on the good work, but the rest of the batting was hesitant, and Wigston were all out for 85, nine short of their rivals total, despite James’ fine double effort.
Wigston No Match For Belton Park (27.6.1965)
Wigston were no match for Belton Park at Belton, where, after being dismissed for 71, the visitors saw the home side wipe off the arrears for the loss of only three wickets.
Opener David Gibbins (34) batted well for Wigston but the tail folded up.
It was Wigston’s first defeat at Belton, and thus both weekend games were lost.
7 Sixes In Record James’ Century (3.7.1965)
A sparkling century by Norman James was the highlight of Wigston’s game with Kirby Muxloe at Wigston last Saturday, when the home club won in convincing style.
When the Kirby Muxloe total stood at 55 for seven Wigston appeared to have the situation well in hand, but J.Ball (38 not out) and T.Ball (60 not out) took command, and were still together when the visitors declared at 150 for seven.
Then followed the James’ effort of 126 which occupied only 90 minutes, and included seven sixes and 12 fours, a post-war club record.
Wigston’s total reached 154 for two, James making all but 28 of these runs.
Wigston Too Strong For Shepshed (10.7.1965)
Big hitting by Norman James and Graham Willows for Wigston against Shepshed at Wigston, on Saturday, contributed immensely to an easy win for the home team.
Despite frequent stoppages for rain, James (64) and Willows (67 not out), scored all but 24 of Wigston’s 155 for seven, declared, a total which was never within Shepshed’s power to match.
In a total of 60 all out, Curtis was the visitors’ highest scorer with 16.
Roy Mason, Malcolm Moore and Norman James each took three wickets.
James Keeps Up Good Work In Wigston Double (17.7.1965)
Wigston continued their fine run of cricket victories last weekend, with a well-merited double at the expense of Symingtons on Saturday, and Ufford Park the following day.
At Symington’s well-appointed ground, the home team made 133 for 9 before declaring, their leading contributors coming from Underwood (48), Kelly, Downes and Flude.
Wigston met the challenge in amazing style. With their total 55 for three Norman James and Graham Willows came together and in 40 minutes had knocked off the required runs.
Since joining Wigston five matches ago, James has exceeded over 300 runs, and broken the club’s highest postwar record score, a feature that augurs well for the future of the Wigston side.
Wigston Win In Last Over (18.7.1965)
At Lord Airedale’s country seat, Ufford Park, Malcolm Moore bowled well for Wigston, claiming five wickets for 29 in Ufford Park’s all out total of 103.
Roy Mason also was in good form with the ball, taking 3 for 15. The home side’s leading scorers was Goodband with 32 not out.
Thanks to excellent batting by Malcolm Moore (40) and Richard Carter (35 not out), Wigston knocked off the arrears with four wickets to spare, but it was a near thing, the winning hit being made in the last over.
Wigston 30 All Out (25.7.1965)
After dismissing Buckminster for a modest 71 at home, last Sunday, Wigston collapsed in dramatic fashion for 30, which included 12 by Roy Mason, the only batsman to offer any real challenge.
Lucky Ground For Wigston (31.7.1965)
Wigston continued their unbeaten run on Lutterworth’s picturesque ground last Saturday, mainly through the batting efforts of Graham Willows (36) and steady bowling by Malcolm Moore, Roy Mason and David Hill.
The prolific scoring Norman James and his opening partner Ivan Clowes went cheaply and it was left to Graham Willows and Richard Carter to pull the game round for Wigston. Roy Mason, Derek Young and Malcolm Moore carried on the good work, Moore being caught on the boundary trying for a six.
Pemberton and Loughlan bowled steadily throughout and gave little away, Wigston eventually being 118 all out.
Smith (17), the opening batsman, set Lutterworth on the right path, and Pemberton also batted well, but the visiting bowlers were not to be denied. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and Lutterworth were all out for 72.
Wigston’s Long Run Ended (1.8.1965)
Wigston’s long sequence of wins on the Electricity Sports C.C. ground at Aylestone Road, came to a very abrupt end last Sunday, when the visitors were bundled out for the meagre total of 43.
Batting first on a good wicket, Electricity Sports reached the very useful total of 152 for seven before declaring. Highlight of the effort was an entertaining fourth wicket stand of 67 by Cassie and McKinnon after the earlier batsmen had been contained to only 30 runs in the first hour.Leading contributions to the Electricity total were made by Cassie (61), McKinnon (26), Goodenough (21) and Bostock (17 not out).
Malcolm Moore and Derek Young secured three wickets each.
Only Roy Mason (12) reached double figures in Wigston’s weak reply, the other batsmen failing to cope with the tidy bowling of Goodenough and McKinnon.
A Real Scoring Spree (7.8.1965)
Both Wigston and Rowlands United, who met at Willow Park, Wigston last Saturday, declared this game as the match of the season.
Hoffman (43), missed before scoring, and Osborne (54) saw the 100 up for Rowlands United in 59 minutes, and later Snook carried on the good work, hitting 63 in 33 minutes.
Rowlands United were all out for 206, and Wigston were left to get the required runs in 2 1/4 hours.
The first 50 came in under half-an-hour and included 42 by Norman James. Later Malcolm Moore (32), dominated the scene, and when later wickets fell, Roy Mason (55) revived the home team’s hopes. Mason’s knock included 11 boundaries.
Wigston were all out for 176, a gallant response to Rowlands United’s challenge, the visitors winning by 30 runs.
Hodgson bowled well to secure six for 71.
Wigston Won But Made It Hard Work (8.8.1965)
When Wigston dismissed Leicester Grasshoppers for 77 all out on Sunday, they appeared to have a comfortable chance of victory, but they made hard work of it and lost eight wickets before wiping off the arrears.
Derek Young batted well for his 26, but more runs were expected by both teams on an easy paced wicket.
Coalville Get A Trouncing At Wigston (14.8.1965)
Coalville Town were the visitors to Wigston on Saturday, and were soundly beaten by 125 runs for three wickets, to 120.
Taking full advantage of the humid atmosphere the Wigston bowlers soon made inroads into the Coalville innings, and four wickets were taken with only 10 runs when the rains came.
After a lengthy stoppage the game was resumed in light rain, and with a wet ball runs became easier to obtain, Grant and Watson taking the score past the hundred in quick time.
The brisk bowling of Derek Young and Geoff Dunkley at this stage accounted for four quick wickets, and Wigston were left with only a modest total to get.
Pacing the game well, Ivan Clowes and Norman James played well in an opening stand of 74, putting Wigston well on their way to a double over the mining town side. Later Derek Young and Roy Mason hit lustily in partnership with Clowes and victory was assured with 15 minutes left.
Valuable 73 By Norman James (15.8.1965)
Away on Sunday to G.I.C. (Barrowash), Wigston brought off another fine victory by 125 runs to 76.
Norman James and Malcolm Moore, opening on Wigston’s behalf, once again gave their side a sizeable start, and a big score was expected when the total at one stage read 104-1.
Openers Break Record In Rain-Spoiled Day (21.8.1965)
Wigston C.C.’s away match against Gracedieu Park, was entirely ruined by the elements, although nearly 240 runs were scored for only three wickets lost.
Wigston’s openers, Brian Carter, whose return to form was most welcome, and Norman James, whose form never seems in doubt, broke the existing club record in a first wicket stand of 134.
Not to be outdone, King and Mugglestone took command of the bowling after losing an early wicket, until the interesting situation was resolved by a steady downpour.
Wigston Caught Out At Duddington (22.8.1965)
Caught out on a fast drying wicket at Duddington, Wigston’s batsmen were made to struggle against tight bowling. Malcolm Moore, until caught on the long-on boundary, and David Gibbins, batted with some resolution in an opening stand of 41.
Wigston had no bowler with the same accuracy, although Geoff Dunkley did well to concede only 16 runs off 13 overs, and they lost an interesting long drawn out game.
Wigston Going Well, But Fail (28.8.1965)
With Wigston going well for the runs on Saturday against Oadby, Kevin Commons struck three times in one over, and Wigston were struggling. They held on for a draw, with Commons finishing with four for 28. He first dismissed David Gibbins, who was on 40, followed with the wicket of his high scoring partner Roy Mason for 33, and completed the over by sending back David Hill for a duck.
Pounds and Kirk were in fine form for Oadby with the bat, and were both dismissed one short of their half-century.
Wigston Lose (5.9.1965)
Played in atrocious conditions on a pitch already affected by overnight rain, this match against Loughborough Colleges though never entertaining, proved interesting by virtue of a close finish, Wigston losing by one wicket.
Wigston, batting first, were sorely tried in their attempts to cope with a ball doing surprising things off the pitch and could muster only 54 runs.
Heavy rain during teas, combined with a lack of sawdust seriously handicapped the Wigston bowlers’ reply, though all performed well.
Davey, the day’s top scorer, batted with much common sense and skill on a wicket that had lost most of its unreliability.
