Oadby Recover (3.5.1969)
Wigston came a cropper when entertained at Oadby. Batting first, Wigston managed to muster 115 runs, thanks to Stuart Nash (34) and Brian Carter (36 not out).
Oadby started disastrously, both their openers being back in the pavilion with only two runs on the board. However a fine stand of 61 runs between R. Garner (27) and R. Steels (34) set Oadby on the way to victory, and useful contributions from M. Kirk (27 not out) and J. Armitage (16 not out) saw the home team pass their opponents total with only five wickets down.
Fine Win For Wigston (25.5.1969)
Playing in only their second game of the season, Wigston Cricket Club recorded a fine 82 run victory over Bardon Hill.
Despite the wet conditions, the Wigston batsmen were soon under way, and Doug Moore (21) and Bob Markham (35) added 38 for the first wicket.
Brian Carter, who finished with a fine 39, and Brian Lewis (13) continued to score briskly, and with 100 on the board, the side had lost only two wickets.
The remaining batsmen went for quick runs, and paid the penalty.
When Wigston closed their innings they had scored 132-8.
Bardon’s batsmen soon showed they would not last long against Wigston’s attack.
Roy Mason took 5-28 for Wigston, as their opponents were dismissed for 50.
Saved By The Rain (25.5.1969)
Wigston second team were saved from defeat by rain, when they took on Birstall.
Birstall were all out for 126, Hunt scoring 36, Sharpe 30 and Frank Payne taking 5-34.
Wigston’s batting was shaky in reply. With the score at 58-9 and Wigston’s position looking grave, the skies opened and the match ended.
Wigston Just Victors In A Drawnout Struggle (7.6.1969)
Wigston Cricket Club finished on top after one of the grimmest struggles they have known for years when they took on Rugby Oakfield at Willow Park on Saturday.
The wicket, soft underneath and drying fast and uneven on top, tested to the full the skill of the batsmen, and the low scores gave no indication of the long drawn out match.
The Wigston captain, Brian Carter, won the toss and put Rugby Oakfield in to bat, hoping for an easier wicket later in the day.
Bowlers Brian Lewis, David Hill and Norman James exploited the conditions cleverly to keep Oakfield’s batsmen very quiet for long periods.
The first wicket did not fall for three-quarters of an hour, Grewcock being trapped with the scoreboard showing 11 runs.
In the next hour, six more wickets fell to the all pace attack, while only 14 more runs accrued, nine of these to Davis, who played superbly well for such a trivial sounding score.
Norman James with three quick wickets, accounted for the tail-enders and tea was taken.
In the third over Wigston lost captain Brian Carter with three on the board, and by the fifth over Barrett had two more victims.
These upsets were halted for the best part of half an hour until Roy Mason and Stuart Nash were dismissed, making the score 10 for five wickets.
Brian Lewis and Richard Carter, in a long stand, then turned the tide for Wigston and victory appeared possible.
This was eventually achieved by Brian Lewis whose innings was the highlight of the day, and Roy Clarke who for half an hour placed a broad defensive bat against the hostile bowling.
Second Team (7.6.1969)
Whilst the senior side was struggling at Willow Park, Wigston second eleven were maintaining an unbeaten record on the picturesque Hallaton ground. Despite being in difficulties on a number of occasions the visitors generally batted soundly on a well-grassed wicket, and were fully deserving of their convincing victory.
Batting honours went to Wigston’s youngest player in this match, John Roberts, who defended soundly and dealt firmly with anything that deviated from a good length.
His last wicket stand, in company with skipper Vic Clayton, added 31 valuable runs and turned the score into something quite formidable. Keith Pyne too, batted with assurance for his 28 runs.
The home team’s batting was rather brittle by comparison, and no one, save Green, reached double figures. His was the highest score of the day and a half-century was denied him only by a shortage of partners.
Keith Pyne and John Roberts bowled well enough to take four wickets each and they were well backed up by keen fielding.
Wigston Bowlers Run Amok (14.6.1969)
On a Gelsmoor wicket barely recovered from the ravages of the recent rains, Wigston romped to an easy win against a New Lount Colliery side well known for their all round ability.
With the ball unpredictability slowing or skidding through, Brian Lewis and David Hill, the Wigston pace bowlers, ran amok from the first delivery.
Seven overs from each saw the end of the home teams innings and Wigston’s target was the lowest for many years.
New Lount’s only success was in removing Bob Markham and their bowlers never looked like repeating what had gone before.
Wigston Seconds v Leicester University Chemistry Dept. (14.6.1969)
Wigston 2nd XI lost their unbeaten record at Willow Park to Leicester University Chemistry Department in a curious game of changing fortunes that ended with only two balls of the last over remaining.
Given an opening stand of 76 scored in the first hour, a huge total was envisaged, but the departure of the hard hitting Derek Young heralded only a steady plod for the remainder of the innings.
Jim Colver occupying the crease for over two hours provided the backbone of his side’s efforts, but only Keith Pyne met with any success at the other end.
The University innings also proceeded along the same lines. An opening stand of 65 followed by a pedestrian rate that gradually built up in the last hour to provide an exciting finish.
Wigston Fight Back From Four For Two (21.6.1969)
Thanks to a splendid innings by Norman James, Wigston achieved a narrow win against the strong Buckminster side who had won eight of the last twelve encounters.
Coming to the wicket with the score at 4-2, James dominated the scene for the next 80 minutes against the all-speed attack of Munton and Wilson.
Contrary to the grim defensive play of his partners, he went for his shots with gay abandon, hitting four sixes and seven fours in the manner that the club has become accustomed to expect of him.
For the visitors, Yates and Birch batted soundly amidst their colleagues’ struggles, and the innings stretched until long after the tea break when the declaration was made.
David Hill and Brian Lewis bowled with a hostile accuracy and inevitably Norman James took two cheap wickets.
Well Earned Draw (22.6.1969)
Wigston emerged from the stately Belton Park ground with a well earned draw after looking at one point like a beaten side.
In reply to the home team’s total, Wigston were left 100 minutes and received early setbacks when three quick wickets were lost. Once again one batsman dominated the scene. Stuart Nash stayed for a little over an hour and scored his runs attractively all round the wicket. Brian Lewis too batted soundly and in company with Jim Colver played out most of the last half hour after the slender chance of winning had vanished.
Wigston In Form Against Bowden (28.6.1969)
Wigston Cricket Club were more successful in their weekend game with Great Bowden – continuing the winning sequence against the side.
Wigston were boosted to an easy victory by a fine innings of 48 not out from Norman James.
Apart from a stand between Funnell and Wiggington, the visitors were no match for the Wigston pace bowlers who took seven of the wickets.
New member Michael Bruce made an outstanding contribution in his first game taking four wickets for nine runs in his eight over spell.
Facing only a modest score, Wigston lost a wicket in the second over when Keith Pyne hooked well only to be caught on the boundary.
Doug Moore was also caught with the scoreboard showing four, but there the Great Bowden bowlers successes ended, with the stand of contrasting styles between Derek Young and Norman James.
Once again Norman James ran riot and 16 overs were enough to see Wigston home and dry.
Batting Crawl In Local Derby (29.6.1969)
The local derby between Oadby and Wigston cricket clubs on Sunday ended in a draw. Poor batting was the main feature of the game. It was a particularly disappointing result for Wigston, the home side, who were hoping for a first-ever victory over their neighbours.
Batting first, Wigston lost their opening pair with only 14 runs scored in the first 14 overs.
This slow start was gradually improved by Brian Carter and Brian Lewis who added 59 runs before the former was well caught.
Brian Lewis carried on forcing the pace against the slower bowlers but the return of Garner and Pounds saw the run rate reduced to a trickle.
With time running out Wigston lost most of their wickets in a scramble for runs. Richard Carter batted soundly for an unbeaten 16 but the total was not impressive.
The Oadby batsmen too, were made to struggle somewhat for their runs against accurate bowling, and a long drawn out affair was obvious from the start. Sixteen overs were bowled before the fall of the first wicket with only 19 runs on the board.
Bowyer batted sensibly as did the middle order men, who ensured a creditable draw for their side.
Northants Side No Match For Wigston (5.7.1969)
Isham, the Northamptonshire side, fared rather poorly in their first encounter with Wigston Cricket Club.
Their early batsmen were well contained by the pace bowling of Brian Lewis and Michael Bruce who barely sent down a loose delivery.
Deputy wicket-keeper Vic Hardy kept tidily and shared the early honours with two well taken catches.
At 71-6, and in deep trouble on an easy wicket, the middle order men performed better than their seniors, and ensured a modest but respectable total.
Skipper Brian Carter in one of his rare bowling spells, accounted for three wickets to fall at the end.
A bright opening stand of 56 between Vic Hardy and Derek Young put Wigston well on the way to a win, and their efforts were followed by equally attractive play by Doug Moore and Brian Lewis who were never in trouble in their partnership of 56.
A surprising feature of the innings was the dismissal for seven of Norman James who has batted superbly in recent matches.
2nd XI Crash To Defeat (5.7.1969)
Once again Wigston second team crashed to defeat against Leicester University Chemistry Department when a little more care with the bat might have reversed the result.
Wigston Pace Men Storm On With Five Each (13.7.1969)
David Hill and Brian Lewis, the Wigston Cricket Club pace bowlers, found top form again at the weekend when they each took five Ufford Park wickets to help their team to a comfortable victory.
And Brian Lewis was not only a success with the ball. Batting at number five he made 51 not out – almost all the runs needed by Wigston.
Ufford Park made only 67 their lowest total in nine matches.
But early in their innings it looked as if Wigston might finish up losers – their first three batsmen failed to score.
Brian Lewis, however, made sure of a win with his hard-hitting 51.
So Easy For Wigston (19.7.1969)
Wigston continued their winning run with an overwhelming victory over Stoneygate Wanderers at Scraptoft on Saturday.
The three pace bowlers, Michael Bruce, David Hill and Brian Lewis, in under two hours accounted for all the home batsmen, leaving Wigston with a moderate task.
David Hill in particular bowled with real fire, removing the first three batsmen in four overs at a cost of only two runs. Later in the innings Michael Bruce claimed four cheap wickets, among them the two batsmen who were beginning to threaten a serious stand.
Wigston again got off to a good start, with Derek Young going for his shots with confidence. Bob Markham and Doug Moore also batted brightly and
with Vic Hardy playing easily for an hour, the result never looked in doubt.
Wigston Denied By Ninth Wicket Partnership (20.7.1969)
Wigston gained a certain amount of satisfaction in coming close to beating Heather Sparkenhoe, a side who scored an impressive win earlier in the season.
Despite losing an early wicket, Wigston steadily proceeded to a sizeable total on a pitch that gave lively assistance to pace bowling.
Vic Hardy, Brian Lewis, Brian Carter and Bob Markham batted well for their side, with Brian Lewis, in particular, prepared to go down the wicket to bowlers fast or slow.
Several wickets were lost in the quest for quick runs near the tea-break which gave an opportunity for Geoff Dunkley to hit a few lusty blows.
Against the quick bowling of Brian Lewis and David Hill, the visitors’ early batsmen were somewhat at sea and wickets tumbled at regular intervals. David Hill‘s 16-over stint, including 10 maidens, earned him six wickets for 15 runs, his efforts being well backed up in the field.
With the score at 54 for eight wickets, Wigston appeared within easy grasp of victory, but Wragg and Bowler continued to defy all efforts to remove them ans stayed for three quarters of an hour in a creditable stand of 30.
Wigston Draw On Easy Harboro’ Pitch (26.7.1969)
Amassing 193 runs in two hours before tea against Symingtons, Wigston never looked in danger of losing their long unbeaten run, though on a very placid Market Harborough wicket, survival was a relatively easy matter and from the outset a draw seemed to be the most likely result.
Vic Hardy and Derek Young again gave the visitors a sound start, putting on 48 runs in the first 25 minutes and this basis was built upon by Brian Carter, Brian Lewis and Norman James who scored over 100 between them.
After tea, Brian Lewis claimed two wickets with the score at five, but a collapse was halted in a stand of 74 between Masters and Ward, who batted steadily enough to be there when stumps were drawn.
Roy Mason claimed the other four wickets to fall in an economical 12 over spell.
A feature of the innings was the fielding of Norman James who held four catches including one offered by the hitherto unmovable Masters.
Trophy Shared (25.7.1969)
Wigston finished with a tie against the Langtons in the final of the Everard Cup at Great Glen. Each team will hold the trophy for six months.
Both sides finished at 81-7 in the 18 overs match. Doug Moore making 45 and Brian Lewis taking 4-27 for Wigston.
Kirby Hang On After Collapse (3.8.1969)
After losing the opening pair for only six runs to Kirby Muxloe on Sunday, Wigston built up steadily with a good stand between Brian Carter and Brian Lewis, each of whom took advantage of the occasional loose ball to improve the score with boundaries. After adding 60 runs, Brian Carter was well caught at long on, and Roger Hensman stayed only briefly.
David Gibbins, coming to the wicket with a long string of low scores behind him, made a careful start and later built up his stroke play with some attractive big hitting.
Brian Lewis, first to his 50, scored neatly with chanceless strokes all round the wicket and David Gibbins half century followed in the last over before the tea break.
The visitors also lost an early wicket, David Gibbins taking a smart catch in the gully to dismiss Heighton.
Woodman, Sexton and Herbert took the score to 104 after which a dramatic collapse occurred.
Keith Smith, after a exploratory over, produced a hat-trick, and John Roberts took two cheap wickets aided by tenacious fielding.
From 104 for three, Kirby slumped to 113 for nine, but the last pair hung on for a draw.
Hallaton No Match For Brian Lewis (9.8.1969)
In a match where the visiting batsmen never really became established, Wigston completed an easy double over Hallaton.
Somewhat at sea against the pace bowling of Brian Lewis and John Barron, only Shelton of the early order men reached double figures, though a last wicket stand provided a useful contribution.
Brian Lewis claimed six for 24 in his 14 over spell, a good reward on a slightly damp wicket and in a heavy atmosphere.
Wigston started much more convincingly. Ed Nicol drove delightfully through the covers several times before playing on and the youngest member, Paul Dunkley, played an unfinished innings of nicely timed strokes all round the wicket.
Jim Colver, at the other end, played with some restraint, but was able to accelerate when rain threatened to deny Wigston their just reward.
Comfortable Win For Wigston (16.8.1969)
Wigston had little trouble against Hinckley Casuals, winning by a comfortable eight wickets.
Casuals batted first and were dismissed for 96.
Derek Young, Wigston’s opener, reached 53 not out and steered his side to 97-2.
Hill In Fine Form (17.8.1969)
Wigston beat Duddington & Tixover by 33 runs.
Wigston were all out for a shaky 83, but David Hill was in form with the ball and took 6-14. Wigston’s opponents falling for 50.
