1988 Match Reports
Double joy as Wigston start on song (7.5.1988)
In-form Wigston Town Cricket Club enjoyed a sparkling start to the season with a spirited victory at Enderby.
Town put their South Leicester rivals into bat, and although Enderby started confidently, Wigston eventually pinned them back with a devastating spell of precise bowling.
From 47-1, Enderby collapsed for just 96 runs with the backbone of the innings coming from M.Coulson with a stubborn 31.
Bowlers Paul Bell (4-50), Andy Jones (2-23) and Kevin Commons (2-17) were in impressive form and shared the damage.
Wigston then reached the target in only 36 overs thanks to an unbeaten opening partnership between Paul Dunkley (26*) and Bob Riley (56*).
Paul Dunkley rules Cosby showdown (14.5.88)
Opening batsman Paul Dunkley was in sparkling form as Wigston Town CC maintained their impressive unbeaten record with a win over Cosby on Saturday.
Dunkley struck a solid 41 as his side comfortably reached the required 117 target.
Wigston elected to field and soon had the visitors in trouble, with only S.Hough making any impression with a stubborn 58 in Cosby’s 116-9.
And it was some tight bowling by Andy Wright (3-19) and Andy Jones (3-27) who gave their batsmen a reachable target.
They did start slowly, however, until Dunkley took control with ample support from Mick Smith (29*) and Bob Riley (29) and they cruised to 117-2.
Lifeline of Riley (21.5.88)
Wigston Town suffered a set-back to their recent good form when they were held to a disappointing draw at Broughton Astley.
Broughton made a demanding total of 171-5 and Town fell well short of the target, with Bob Riley’s 45 the only highlight of an otherwise uninspiring 140-9.
And batsman and former skipper Paul Dunkley revealed: “Astley are usually a fairly strong side but they had quite a number of players unavailable and we should have beaten them. We were really hanging on towards the end of our innings and if it hadn’t been for the tight bowling of Paul Bell and David Dunkley earlier in the game, things might even have turned against us.”
Bell took 1-54 in 18 overs and David Dunkley squeezed 2-45 in 15 overs.
Lack-lustre display (22.5.88)
Wigston cricket (28.5.88)
A sensational batting performance from Wigston Town Cricket Club wasn’t enough to contain hosts Syston in a tough Leicestershire Senior League First Division match on Saturday.
Town were put in to bat and made a rapid 96 runs before they lost a wicket – Bob Riley out for 63.
Meanwhile partner Paul Dunkley sought to improve on last week’s uninspiring game with a brilliantly composed knock of 78* – leading the team to 190-5 in 45 overs.
A much needed win looked on the cards as Syston struggled from the off and lost two quick wickets for only five runs – bowler Kevin Commons doing the damage.
The opponents soon found form and a 123 run stand from skipper John Mills with fellow opener Andy Deacon put Syston into a winning position – one they took advantage of with a final score of 191-6.
Sunday’s friendly successful (29.5.88)
Sunday’s friendly against hosts Langtons proved rather more successful when Townstruck a useful 165-7. Recent aquisition from Oadby Town Tim Garner enjoyed the best batting of the day with a classy 78.
Another devastating bowling spell from Commons was enough to dash any of Langtons’ winning hopes when he took three wickets for six runs in only three overs. The opposition eventually left the field with 124-6.
Tim’s all-round show (5.6.88)
Wigston Town Cricket Club all-rounder Tim Garner dominated a nerve tingling home tussle with Heather Sparkenhoe on Sunday – only hours after playing in goal for Aylesbury United in their football clash with the England squad!
The talented sportsman had a lot to prove after coming under fire from Peter Beardsley (4), Gary Lineker, DaveWatson and Trevor Stevens in Bobby Robson’s final warm-up match.
And Garner went about his task in style as Wigston battle to establish themselves during their first season in the Leicestershire Senior League Cup.
An off-spin bowler, Garner was the main wicket taker, skittling 3-30 and then he went on to knock a delightful half-century!
The first-round match hosted a testing Sparkenhoe who made a perfect start, putting on 52 for the first wicket, before Kevin Commons broke through with a spectacular caught and bowled.
Terry Colver then led his visiting side to 162-6 in the 45 overs – making an unbeaten 84 as Wigston paid the price for dropping him in the early stages.
Wigston’s batsmen also started steadily, reaching 53 before Colver’s first ball dismissed Bob Riley.
Town then picked up the pace and with two overs remaining needed six runs to win. It seemed an easy task but after losing another wicket, they had to survive some nerves before getting home at 163-4
COMMONS IN COMMAND (11.6.88)
Unstoppable Wigston Town CC struck another vital victory in their Senior League glory trail on Saturday with a memorable nine-wicket win over highly-placed Dunton Bassett.
After putting the visitors in on a slow and damp wicket, Town conjured up some magical bowling with pace-ace Kev Commons ripping the opponents apart with 5-32.
Bassett finished with only 106 off 44 overs, after Andy Jones and Paul Bell contributed their quick bowling talents, leaving Wigston openers Bob Riley and in-form Tim Garner with a relatively easy target.
Riley knocked a quick 29 before his wicket fell – but Garner produced yet another classy innings to finish 52*.
At the close, the British Rail ground side enjoyed a super total of 108-1 – Paul Dunkley’s 26* ensuring the victory honours in only 32 overs.
Confidence boost for Wigston (12.6.88)
The friendly match against Lutterworth Town on Sunday gave Wigston yet another confidence boost as they forced a three-wicket defeat over the hosts.
Lutterworth went int tea with 157-9 after the bowling efforts of Graham Lowe who grabbed 3-30.
Town close Senior gap (18.6.88)
Another solid opening partnership sent Wigston on their way to victory against Senor League forerunners Thorpe Arnold on Saturday.
Reliable batsmen Bob Riley and Paul Dunkley set about their job with gritty determination, putting on a rapid 78, before Riley suffered at the hands of Arnold paceman Andy Walker.
Their stand proved the ideal start and in-form Tim Garner carried on the momentum with a steady 27, missing the chance of a fourth successive half-century.
But the rate among the middle-order then slowed and, despite a plucky 60 from Paul Dunkley, Wigston finished on 195-8 off their 45 overs.
Thorpe Arnold then set about their modest target in positive fashion with Buxton and Throop spearheading their batting attack.
But after a steady start the hosts began to struggle – thanks to the excellent bowling of all-rounder Tim Garner (4-71) and Dave Dunkley (4-66).
With five overs remaining, Arnold needed 31 to win. And they looked on course when Buxton hit ten runs off one over, leaving the game wide open.
But with only 18 balls left, Kev Commons replaced Garner, toppled the bails and Thorpe Arnold collapsed on 178 all out.
“It was a brilliant team performance on a very fast scoring wicket,” said spokesman Kev Commons. “But with those 20 points we are now placed in third position and the championship chase is on.”
In-form Garner (19.6.88)
On Sunday Wigston enjoyed a useful friendly win over visitors Ivanhoe.
In-form Garner carved out an unbeaten 51 – including a six off the last ball – as Town finished on 228-7. Ivanhoe were never far behind but as wickets ran out, they fell for 201.
Wigston back on top (30.7.88)
Wigston were back on top again in their Senior League match with Electricity Sports on Saturday.
In a game which saw both sides having their share of ups and downs, the home side pulled out a convincing win.
Wigston lost the toss and were sent in to bat, making a solid start.
The opening partnership reached 58 before Bob Riley was removed for 29. Fellow opener Paul Dunkley went on to make 37.
A middle-order collapse saw only one run being added for four wickets, but the side then pulled out to 149, before being all out in the 44th over.
Other players who contributed to the teams’s total were Ian Riley with 35 and Andy Jones 23.
For Electricity Sports, Greenway and Willcox bowled throughout.
When it was their turn to bat, Electricity reached 34 without loss, but then slipped to 51 for 5, and were finally skittled out for 93. Any promising partnerships that might have been did not evolve.
Kev Commons was the leading wicket-taker for Wigston with 4-24 while Paul Bell and Andy Jones picked up two each.
Wigston’s Triumph (1.8.88)
Wigston Town CC triumphed for the seventh time in the final of the Louis Freeman Cup when Kirby Muxloe were defeated this week.
Batting first, Wigston scored 116-6 in their 30 overs with Dunkley and Jones both hitting 36.
In reply Kirby were bowled out for 96, Martin Riley taking 4-14 and Bob Riley 3-25.
Wigston crumble (6.8.88)
Shaky Wigston tumbled back into their distressing Senior League form when they were crushed at Dunton Bassett on Saturday.
The previous week the struggling side seemed to have broken their run of defeats by forcing an impressive 50-run victory over Electricity Sports.
But old habits die hard and another batting collapse allowed the Dunton bowlers to skittle Town over for only 104 runs in 38 overs – a poor finish considering Wigston were 99-6 at one stage.
Reliable openers Paul Dunkley (27) and Bob Riley (30) were the only Wigston batsmen to make double figures as Bassett pace-ace Tarbox took 6-16.
The target was easily reached in 29 overs thanks to a brilliant second-wicket stand by Bev Horne (44*) and Andy Myers (47*). Dunton finished on 108-1.
Wigston spokesman Kev Commons said “It was yet another disappointing performance all round. Ironically though, we can still pull off our best ever league result by finishing in the top four. We just need to win!”
Surprise defeat (7.8.88)
Wigston Town’s Sunday friendly against hosts Enderby Town yielded a surprise defeat for the squad.
Town set a magnificent target of 207-4 on the hard wicket – but Enderby scraped the total in the last over to leave morale low in the visiting side.
Wigston’s Bob Riley knocked a mighty 60, while his brother Howard went even better with a memorable 77. Paul Bayliss also found form with 31 and Graham Lowe scored 19.
But Enderby boldly swung the bat to make 212-4, thanks to Mellor (37), Ellis (55*), Wyatt (51) and Marshall (38*).
The best Wigston bowler was Bob Riley with 2-14.
17 year old Ian Riley star of the match (13.8.88)
In Saturday’s match against Thorpe Arnold, Wigston suffered yet another defeat.
Town set a modest target of 164-6 which was overtaken in only 30 overs by Arnold, who had eight wickets to spare.
For Wigston the star of the match was 17-year-old Ian Riley, who knocked an unbeaten 49 runs after coming in at number eight. He almost scored his maiden half-century for the First XI squad but could manage only two runs off the last ball instead of the required three.
Opener Paul Dunkley also played a patient innings for 40*, with Lowe making a respectable contribution of 38.
Bell denied (20.8.88)
Wigston entertained Billesdon on Saturday. After skipper Graham Lowe lost the toss for the eleventh consecutive time, Wigston were bowled over for only 123.
Billesdon pace-ace John Ford bowled a devastating spell to take 8-59 with Wigston’s Andy Jones the only batsman to give any resistance with a modest 23 runs.
The visitors reached the target in 40 overs for the loss of eight wickets. Paul Bell did his utmost to wrestle a victory for Wigston as he took 6-59, but he was denied success by tail-ender John Stimpson who struck an unbeaten 38.
Sunday skipper Bob Riley steered the side to victory with a well constructed 56, providing the backbone of a good all-round team performance.
Embarrassing attempt (21.8.88)
On Sunday, Wigston made an embarrassing attempt to impress Market Overton as they were 84 all out.
Overton effortlessly scored 85-2 in a mere 17 overs. Dave Munton was the best batsmen with 33 runs, supported well by Paul Humphreys who hit an unbeaten 23.
Wigston lose by four wickets (27.8.88)
Wigston lost by four wickets at home to Gracedieu.
Wigston skipper Graham Lowe continued his bid for the most incorrect calls of the coin and after his side were put in, they made 153-8. Gracedieu scored the necessary runs in 37 overs.
Town enjoy a solid performance (29.8.88)
On Monday, Town enjoyed a solid performance to beat Buckminster in a 55-over match.
Wigston scored 225-8 and then bowled Buckminster out for only 125 runs – Dave Dunkley bein the chief weapon as he took four wickets.
