1986 Match Reports
Maximum Points (3.5.1986)
Wigston Town started their league programme at Thorpe Arnold on Saturday and took maximum points.
Batting first Town made 137 for the loss of six wickets in their 45 overs. Graham Lowe was top scorer with 30.
Imaginative bowling changes unsettled Thorpe Arnold and they were dismissed for 119.
Batsmen Not Up To Challenge (10.5.1986)
After dismissing Leicester Globetrotters for only 117 on Saturday, Wigston Town were anticipating another points maximum. Unfortunately their batsmen were not up to the task and with the last pair at the crease, seemed thankful to settle for the draw.
In Globetrotters innings Brian Sanderson was the day’s top scorer with an undefeated 38, while the Town’s five bowlers performed admirably. Dave Dunkley with 4-37 and Paul Bell 3-22 enjoyed most success.
Although the slow wicket may well have contributed to the scanty supply of runs, there was little doubt that some of the rash strokes attempted was responsible for Town’s poor reply. After losing Bev Horne early, Bob Riley and Graham Lowe added a cautious 33 but both were dismissed when endeavouring to increase the run rate. It then became a steady procession of dismissals and at the close Town were still 21 runs short of their target.
Wigston Run Out Of Overs (18.5.1986)
Having had their previous day’s league game washed out, Wigston Town visited Market Overton on Sunday where they narrowly lost a 40 overs game which produced over 450 runs.
The Rutlanders’ opening pair got off to a good start with a partnership of 78, before Martin Riley had Humphreys caught behind after he’d made a fine 57. The same bowler took four further wickets but the lower and middle order had added runs at a rapid rate before setting a huge target of 235.
When replying, Town lost Bev Horne with the score on 34 but Bob Riley and Graham Lowe kept the scorers busy before Riley holed out immediately after reaching a first class half-century. Lowe and Paul Dunkley contributed further vital runs then following the former’s dismissal, shipper Jim Hayes hammered 56 in double-quick time to put his side in with a chance. Andy Sharpe added a useful-looking 15 but at the close, Town were just 18 runs short having lost seven wickets in their valiant attempt.
Hostile Bowling (24.5.1986)
Wigston Town batted first against Billesdon and a sound opening partnership between Bob Riley and Bev Horne was broken when Riley was dismissed. But Horne went on to make a fine undefeated 86. Wigston’s innings closed at 168-5.
Thanks to a hostile spell of pace bowling by Kevin Commons, Billesdon found runs hard to come by. Dave Dunkley captured John Elliott’s valuable wicket and a collapse followed until the last wicket stand which lasted nine overs and thwarted Town’s effort.
Sorry Start By Town (31.5.1986)
Having been set a target of 180 by Syston Town on Saturday, Wigston Town made a sorry start, losing their first four batsmen for a paltry 14. Wigston’s survival in making a draw was helped by rain that sent players hurrying back to the pavilion after patient efforts by Richard Pell and Jim Hayes.
