Wigston Win By Two Wickets (9.5.1964)
After the loss of two quick wickets, Perry and Proudman added 51 runs against somewhat indifferent bowling. John Whitcombe after some untidy overs became more hostile and the Melton A.T.C. innings soon folded up.
Despite an early setback, Wigston were soon on the way to what looked like an easy victory, adding 52 for the third wicket, but after the departure of Richard Carter and Malcolm Moore several quick wickets put the result in doubt until skipper Geoff Dunkley put the issue beyond doubt.
Wigston Struggle For Victory (9.5.1964)
Melton A.T.C. put in to bat by Wigston C.C. at Melton lost two quick wickets. A stand of 52 by Perry and Proudman was threatening but John Whitcombe and Roy Mason broke through and Melton were all out for 104.
After Wigston had also lost two quick wickets, Richard Carter and Malcolm Moore joined in a stand of 54. A sudden collapse changed the game’s fortunes again until Geoff Dunkley and Derek Young saw Wigston home.
Richard Carter (37) and Malcolm Moore (31) were Wigston’s top scorers.
Among Wigston’s bowlers John Whitcombe ran true to form taking six wickets for 40 runs. Other bowlers : Malcolm Moore two for 20 and Roy Mason two for 25.
Weakened Wigston Side (10.5.1964)
A weakened Wigston side was heavily defeated on Sunday. After they were shot out for 30, Queniborough reached 34 for the loss of four wickets.
Ninth Wicket Stand Turned Match In Wigston’s Favour (16.5.1964)
A redoubtable ninth wicket partnership changed the complexion of the game at Willow Park on Saturday when Wigston beat Fleckney by one wicket.
Jim Colver and David Hill put on 17 runs before Jim Colver was caught and bowled by Bryan with two runs only needed to win. After an over or two of considerable suspense, these were provided by David Hill, who had gone into bat at number six.
It was an idyllic cricketing day and one of agony for the bowlers, who found the wicket quite dead for all but a brief spell before tea. In these conditions, as placid as Whitsun at home, Roy Mason, who took six Fleckney wickets for 26 runs, did a sterling job.
Confident batting by the Fleckney openers Bryan and Webster made it seem as if Wigston were in for a sweltering afternoon in the field. This was broken finally when there were 63 runs on the board. David Hill captured Bryan’s wicket, leg before, for 39. Webster lasted little longer, bowled Roy Mason for 23 and a landslide followed. After being 63 for no wickets Fleckney were 68 for six. A respectable 23 by stumper Thornton however kept Fleckney in the game and they were finally all out before tea for 107.
Thornton was to distinguish himself in the Wigston innings for in 49 overs he did not let one bye through, Wigston’s 109 runs all came from the bat.
David Hill, with his 21 not out was top scorer for Wigston, who made steady progress until the fifth wicket fell at 63 and Bryan, who got this one followed it up by dismissing Geoff Dunkley leg before, first ball.
But tail-enders Graham Willows, Keith Pyne and Jim Colver, 8, 9, and 10 in that order put on a respectable show, Jim Colver’s bat appearing as broad as a front door until Bryan claimed him as another victim, caught and bowled.
The day was something of a triumph for Bryan who followed his batting success by bowling throughout the Wigston innings (24 overs) and taking three for 28, with 10 maidens.
The bowling strength of both sides was depleted as a result of the holiday period.
Hill Steers Wigston To One Wicket Win (16.5.1964)
Fleckney won the toss and elected to bat on an immaculate wicket. This move appeared well justified when the openers, Bryan and Webster, put on 63 runs in good time. the introduction of Roy Mason to the attack, however, put a different aspect on the match and his six quick wickets ensured the Wigston batsmen of what seemed like an easy task.
Although most Wigston batsmen scored and generally played well, tight bowling and really fine fielding kept the score moving only slowly. With the score at 89 for eight Wigston were struggling until Jim Colver joined the hard hitting David Hill in a stand that took the total to within one run of the required number. Bobby Jayes confidently played out the over, enabling David Hill to achieve victory.
Century Stand, But Wigston Foiled By Ninth Wicket Pair (17.5.1964)
The Wigston batsmen soon dominated the scene on this very placid wicket with the openers Malcolm Moore and Brian Carter adding 57 in the first half hour. After Malcolm Moore was eventually caught, two quick wickets were lost allowing Roy Mason’s early arrival at the crease. He and Brian Carter then proceeded to take heavy toll of some rather ineffectual bowling, adding 105 for the fourth wicket. As so often happens both these batsmen were out in successive overs but the Loughborough College troubles were not over as Geoff Dunkley took up the reins and proceeded to thrash the bowling to all parts of the ground.
Loughborough College, with somewhat more time to bat, never looked like getting anywhere near the Wigston total though Tolley 26, and West 32, batted with complete assurance against the faster bowlers. Eventually they were forced completely on the defensive to hold out for a draw.
Wigston Swamp Pilgrims In Dreary Match (23.5.1964)
Wigston, put into bat on an easy wicket, started sedately enough, giving little indication of the assault that was due to begin after the first half-hour. Malcolm Moore and Vic Hardy laid the foundations of a big total in effortless fashion, and afterwards, Roy Mason, together with Geoff Dunkley scored at will. Their stand of 73 in little over half an hour was a joy to watch, an emotion not likely to be shared by Noon and Eden on whom they were most severe.
Regrettably Pilgrims were not imbued with the same spirit and it appeared they were content merely to avoid the loss of their wickets even to the extent of ignoring balls thrown up to them for easy runs.
David Hill and Malcolm Moore eventually prised them out in a long and steady stint to end a game that had promised much and ended on a very dreary note.
Sunday Team Scrape Home By 11 Runs (24.5.1964)
It was grim, dour cricket against Ashleigh at Wigston with accurate bowling and neither side giving anything away in the field and though the scores were not high, interest was sustained until the very end.
The Wigston openers displayed their usual signs of ease and familiarity at the crease and it came as something of a shock to see the wickets tumbling when the batsmen appeared well set. Only David Gibbins stayed for any length of time and his innings of 33 enabled Wigston’s score to reach respectability.
Ashleigh found runs just as difficult to obtain. Smith, the top scorer, played tentatively at, and barely missed touching, a great many deliveries from Malcolm Moore and David Hill. Roy Mason eventually bowled him and the chief obstacle to another Wigston victory was removed.
Derek Young’s 4 Wickets In Eight Balls (30.5.1964)
Stoke Golding won the toss and naturally chose to bat on an easy-paced wicket upon which openers Lee and Dixon prospered steadily to the extent of 47 runs in even time. After Roy Mason and Derek Young were introduced to the scene however, the situation deteriorated and Stoke Golding were struggling when they might well have been building on a good start. Derek Young in particular, bowled with considerable penetration and at one point claimed four wickets in eight balls.
The Wigston batsmen once again found runs easy to come by and despite losing Ivan Clowes early on, never looked in danger of being forced on the defensive. Roy Mason, in particular, showed a whole range of powerful strokes, producing a six and five fours in an innings brief, violent and unfinished. Derek Young’s 31 also included several boundaries, mostly the result of square cuts and cover drives.
Young’s Brilliant Spell Spurs Wigston (30.5.1964)
A brilliant spell of bowling by pace bowler Derek Young, in which he took four wickets in eight balls, put Wigston on the way to victory in their match at Stoke Golding. After a bright start the home side were all out for 98, a total which Wigston surpassed with seven wickets in hand.
Stoke Golding won the toss and chose to bat on an easy paced wicket. Openers Lee and Dixon prospered steadily to the extent of 47 runs in even time. After Roy Mason and Derek Young were introduced to the attack, however the situation deteriorated, and Stoke Golding were struggling when they might well have been building on a good start. Derek Young, in particular, bowled with considerable penetration.
The Wigston batsmen once again found runs easy to come by and despite losing Ivan Clowes early on, never looked in danger of being forced on the defensive.
Roy Mason showed a whole range of powerful strokes, producing a six and five 4’s in an innings brief, violent and unfinished. Derek Young’s 31 also included several boundaries, mostly the result of square cuts and cover drives.
Exciting And Close Finish (31.5.1964)
The visits of Wigston to Carlton Hayes in the last few years have resulted in some heavy defeats for the former team and though the result went the same way, the match was full of interest with a exciting and very close finish.
Malcolm Moore and Brian Carter gave Wigston an encouraging start and the scene looked set for a big score until off-spinner Watts put a brake on the proceedings by bowling 15 very economical overs.
Carlton Hayes too, got off to a good start, later built upon by Lunn and Watts and the score reached 92 before the fifth wicket fell. A minor collapse occurred at this point creating the close finish not really anticipated.
Nine Wicket Win For Wigston (9.6.1994)
A nine wicket victory for Wigston against Norton & Gaulby in the first round of The Everard Cup.
Norton & Gaulby won the toss and decided to bat first on a rain affected wicket.
Both Malcolm Moore and David Hill bowled well for Wigston throughout the allocated 18 overs and Norton’s final score was only 57. This considering that only 4 wickets were down gives some idea of the accuracy of the bowling.
Wigston’s opening pair, Vic Hardy and Brian Carter, gave their team a sound start before the latter was out lbw when he had reached 9.
Wigston meet Billesdon in the next round.
Wigston Through (16.6.1964)
Wigston CC are through to the second round of the Wigston Challenge and Evergreen Cup. On Tuesday night they beat Clarendon Park in a keenly contested game.
Clarendon Park batted first on a rough pitch and were plainly unhappy at facing Malcolm Moore and David Hill. Their moderate score was due entirely to Lee’s willingness to move down to meet the ball.
Wigston got off to a slow start and for a time it looked as if the home team’s total would prove too much, but Brian Carter and Brian Poole stepped up the scoring rate with some brisk hitting and the required runs were obtained with an over to spare.
Wigston In Low Scoring Game (20.6.1964)
On the sodden Gelsmoor ground, with the ball behaving in a most peculiar manner, runs were obviously going to be very difficult to obtain and as the game progressed, so the wicket deteriorated correspondingly.
Wigston batting first were soon struggling and lost their fifth wicket with only 11 runs on the board after 14 overs had been bowled. Graham Willows and Brian Poole at this point shared a face-saving stand adding 39 runs in somewhat faster time, enabling Wigston to reach what proved to be a winning score.
The New Lount Colliery batsmen obviously intended to get the runs quickly after the wicket had been rolled and had 20 runs on the board before the first wicket fell, but with the wicket playing nastily again, Malcolm Moore and Roy Mason were virtually unplayable and ran through the side with the aid of several good catches.
Wigston In High Scoring Game (21.6.1964)
Wigston visiting the well-appointed GIC ground at Borrowash made a good start despite an accurate and occasionally hostile attack, Malcolm Moore and Brian Carter put on 36 runs in even time for the opening stand, but the later batsmen, Geoff Dunkley excluded, failed to score at the rate normally expected of them, thus GIC had no great total to face.
A generous declaration at the tea break meant that Wigston had to go all out if they were to remove the threat of a first defeat on this ground. Malcolm Moore taking a wicket with his third ball, raised the hopes of all, but that was to be the last success for some time. Turner, the Derbyshire Second XI batsman was in fine form and never in trouble during his long innings. Whittaker also batted well, seeing his side through with half-an-hour to spare.
Wigston, Slow And Unsure Lose Easily (27.6.1964)
Wigston batting first, made very slow progress against Buckminster’s steady, if not particularly hostile, assortment of bowlers and by the end of the first hour could muster only 28 runs. The partnership of Graham Willows and Roy Mason being the only bright spot in an otherwise tedious innings.
Buckminster, by contrast, opened in a very aggressive manner, Wild taking 10 off the first over before being well caught by David Hill. Exton, joining Copley at the wicket added 58 runs for the second wicket, surviving a number of difficult chances in the process.
Wigston Atone For Buckminster Failings (28.6.1964)
In the magnificent setting of Belton House, the Wigston side recovered a little of the prestige lost on the previous day. John Whitcombe in particular bowled with great venom, putting Wigston well on top with five wickets in the first six overs. Malcolm Moore and Roy Mason, operating from the other end each claimed a couple of wickets and generally contained the Belton Park batsmen.
Wigston’s opening batsman, Malcolm Moore, made rather hard work of what seemed like an easy target, spending nearly 100 minutes over his unbeaten 31. His partner, Brian Carter, was not to be contained in this manner and until playing-on looked to be full of runs, as was Graham Willows, whose innings was the feature of the day.
Wigston In Semi-Final (3.7.1964)
Wigston C.C. entered the semi-finals of the Everard Cup by beating Billesdon in a close and intensely exciting game at the Billesdon ground.
Wigston C.C. 108, Brian Carter 24, Billesdon C.C. 103 for six.
Kirby Muxloe Crush Wigston (4.7.1964)
A Wigston player, after the match against Kirby Muxloe on Saturday, said “Wigston cricket died on Willow Park, Saturday, July 4.” The home side’s somewhat crushing defeat at the hands of Kirby Muxloe, even so, hardly deserved such pessimism. Kirby, who won by nine wickets, hardly seemed to flex their muscles in doing so.
And the Wigston batsmen in reaching a score of 70 in about two hours were not allowed to, but there is a good deal more batting ability than its members manifested on Saturday.
The Kirby bowling was excellent (no reservations), but Wigston batsmen have shown themselves this season to be capable of meeting such class.
Roy Mason, who only two weeks previously had saved his side from ignominy by scoring 67 not out against Snibston Colliery, again helped to bring the score into the realms of respectability.
The Kirby opening bowlers Cullen and Greenhalf were so accurate that when the first three wickets had fallen there were only 11 runs on the board. An hour had passed before a loose ball was bowled, which was seized upon by a delighted Roy Mason, who slammed it for four over the mid-wicket boundary. The fact that it was just after four pm and that Roy Mason who batted 7th was in, indicated the situation in which Wigston found themselves.
Together with the young, but reliable Keith Boulter, he put on 27 runs for the sixth wicket and finished with a score of 24. Keith Boulter and his senior partner seemed to have more command than any other Wigston batsmen, and Boulter played a cautious and solid straight bat to spin and pace alike before eventually falling to off-spinner Freeman.
Greenhalf was replaced after bowling 10 overs (5 maidens 3-15) by off-spinner Freeman. His partner, Cullen, was replaced two overs later by paceman Huss. They fairly soon accounted for Roy Mason and Keith Boulter, but in the circumstances it was something of a moral victory for the two Wigston batsmen that they had to be brought on at all. But they finished off the Wigston batting. In 3.2 overs Huss took three wickets for 10 runs. Freeman captured two in six overs, with some very tricky spin.
The Kirby Muxloe batting was excellent. After John Whitcombe had dismissed Loxley, Freeman came to the wicket and he and the remaining opener Wain went on to finish the game. Freeman added to distinguished bowling and fielding performances a score of 33 not out. Wain was 32 not out when the home side’s score was passed.
The Willow Park wickets are famous for their placidity. And although there was a patch of dry mud at one end on Saturday the wicket gave scant help to either side’s bowlers.
Although both David Hill and John Whitcombe, the Wigston opening bowlers bowled respectably neither showed much likelihood of gaining command.
Geoff Dunkley as captain never stopped probing and prodding for a weak spot in the Kirby forces. He changed and switched and tried his bowlers most of whom have established reputations as such, but to no avail.
Wigston Earn Draw A Draw In Tough Battle (5.7.1964)
Wigston earned a creditable draw in their Sunday match with Cromford Meadows. Malcolm Moore, taking the ball for 18 of the 56 overs, pinned the Cromford batsmen down for long periods, but could do little to stop the home side from reaching the healthy score of 139 before they declared for five wickets. On a wicket barely compatible with its magnificent surroundings, Cromford, batting first, proceeded to their total in a painstaking laborious manner. Bateman batted well and was solely responsible for the few really hard hit shots.
Wigston lost a few quick wickets forcing the pace against some very fiery bowling, but came right back into the game by the later batsmen’s ability to defend their end whilst Brian Carter, in full flow, obtained the runs at the other.
This then was the situation at the close with Brian Carter having carried his bat for the 36 overs bowled, and Wigston earning a creditable draw.
Wigston Win Twice In An Afternoon (11.7.1964)
When Wigston arrived at Hallaton, they found that Harborough South had also arranged a fixture with the home club, creating a problem solved by a sporting decision on Hallaton’s part in deciding that the two sides who had travelled should play.
As this game finished early and the Hallaton side were still on the ground a 16 over game was arranged which Wigston won by 7 runs.
Wigston Play Two Matches Same Day (11.7.1964)
Wigston CC arrived for their match with Hallaton, only to find that the home club were also scheduled to play Harborough South. A sporting decision by the home side solved the problem and the two teams which had travelled played.
Wigston batted first on a rough wicket, which did not speak well for accurate bowling. This was shown as the visitors followed a policy of all out aggression, amassing 113 runs in little over an hour. Roy Mason proved to be top scorer, having 44 to his credit before being caught by Burbage off Webb.
If it had not been for Graham Willows and Brian Carter, who knocked up 22 and 20 respectively, the visitors could have been in trouble for, apart from these two, there was no stability in the batting, as one after another, the Wigston team were dismissed for low scores. Wigston eventually declared at 113 for 9.
Harborough South were not able to match this score, and were all out for 72, Burbage and Bott being the only batsmen to put up any resistance. In a fine spell of bowling John Whitcombe took 4-11.
Dunkley Stars For Wigston (18.7.1964)
On Saturday Wigston’s opening batsmen confronted by the accurate attack of Freeman and Underwood were kept rather quiet without being in any particular difficulty and 28 runs were forthcoming before Malcolm Moore drove over a yorker. Skipper Geoff Dunkley in a stand of 56 with Jim Colver provided the highlight of the innings hitting three sixes and five fours before being the last man out for exactly 50.
With the exception of G.Carter, the Harborough South batsmen had no answer to the varied Wigston attack all of whom bowled accurately on what was a perfect batting wicket.
Moore Stars For Wigston (19.7.1964)
On Sunday Ufford Park having the good fortune to bat first were soon very much in command. Jones, dropped before opening his account scored 52 runs in little over an hour. Malcolm Moore in a long spell took his 50th wicket on Wigston’s behalf this season and generally bowled tidily.
Left two hours to obtain this mammoth total the Wigston batsmen also proceeded at a fast rate and duly paid the penalty. A stand of 44 between Brian Carter and Roy Mason raised Wigston’s hopes after the loss of three early wickets but after both were out in quick succession the later batsmen were unable to make much headway.
Wigston’s Brian Carter Reaches 500 (25.7.1964)
Once again, Wigston found themselves involved in two well contested matches over the weekend, and after beating St. Peter’s Highfields, on Saturday, lost narrowly to Bardon Hill on Sunday.
In the first match, Wigston, batting first, sustained a number of early shocks, losing three batsmen for only nine runs. Brian Carter and Brian Poole coming together at this total eased the situation with some brisk hitting in a stand of 61. Richard Carter and Roy Mason also batted brightly and were well supported by the tail-enders. Brian Carter, seventh out for 54, passed 500 runs for the season early in his innings.
St. Peter’s, by contrast, started at a good rate and maintained it until both the opening pair were dismissed at 65. The later batsmen failed to build up on this sound start and wickets fell regular intervals to both pace and spin.
Well Contested Match (26.7.1964)
Once again, Wigston found themselves involved in two well contested matches over the weekend, and after beating St. Peter’s Highfields, on Saturday, lost narrowly to Bardon Hill on Sunday.
Wigston fared rather poorly with the bat against an array of pace bowling, being tied down for long periods. A bright partnership between David Gibbins and Derek Young partially retrieved the initiative, but a score of 119 did not look like being enough on this wicket and so it proved later.
The Bardon Hill batsmen found the pace attack very much to their liking and quickly picked up 60 runs. The introduction of spin at both ends had the reverse effect on them however and considerable concern was caused in the ranks by Roy Mason and Richard Carter. Eventually Bardon Hill scraped home by two wickets after threatening, in the early stages, to win with ease and many wickets to spare.
Wigston Bat Well But Their Bowlers Toil (1.8.1964)
Wigston CC have had some really well fought and enjoyable games this season, and the standard was well maintained in their weekend clashes with Lutterworth Town at Lutterworth, and Holwell Works at Holwell. The batsmen were once again in useful form, but Wigston’s attack lacked penetration.
At Lutterworth, Wigston batting first received an early setback, losing the wicket of their most prolific batsman Brian Carter before he had opened his account. Brian Bolsover, a guest, and Ivan Clowes then proceeded to take the score to safer regions with a stand of 41 safely gathered runs before the former lost his middle stump to Wilson. A minor collapse occurred at this point when four quick wickets fell.
Wigston Bat Well But Their Bowlers Toil (2.8.1964)
Wigston CC have had some really well fought and enjoyable games this season, and the standard was well maintained in their weekend clashes with Lutterworth Town at Lutterworth, and Holwell Works at Holwell. The batsmen were once again in useful form, but Wigston’s attack lacked penetration.
Replying to Holwell’s 164 Wigston made a very slow start in reply to this useful total, though Brian Bolsover later settled down and scored at a much improved rate. David Gibbins and Roy Mason were out as a result of trying to keep up with the clock, but it soon became obvious that a win was out of the question. A stand lasting half an hour between Jim Colver and Richard Carter added 26 in the gathering gloom, but with the fall of several wickets including that of Richard Carter for a valuable 29, visions of an honourable draw vanished, five minutes only being left at the end.
Five Wicket Defeat For Wigston (9.8.1964)
Croxall, an opening bowler rather faster and more accurate than the majority, caused havoc amongst the Wigston ranks in a 14 over spell. His colleague, Clifford, claimed his victims while they were going for the runs against his more friendly deliveries.
Of the early batsmen only Roy Mason really met with any success. Playing probably his slowest innings ever, 16 runs in 37 minutes. Wigston were struggling from the very start against a side they normally beat with ease. After a short period in which the lower order men offered solid defensive bats, Bobby Jayes took the opportunity to smite a couple of leg side boundaries. Wigston were all out for the very poor total of 55.
When Stoke Golding batted, they too found runs difficult to obtain against Malcolm Moore and Roy Mason, who between them, bowled 34 of the 38 overs sent down. Geoff Dunkley whose shorter spell cost only eight runs also bowled with great economy. Dixon, whose 23 paved the way for Stoke’s win, was indeed fortunate to survive even a few of the 70 odd minutes spent at the crease but at the end, it could not be denied they fully deserved their revenge.
Moral Victory (15.8.1964)
On Saturday Wigston earned a moral victory over Bitteswell by virtue of their later order batsmen showing their worth. After five wickets had gone down for 50 runs Vic Hardy steadily accumulating the top score, successfully kept one end going for the rest of the innings. George Thirlby, playing his first game of the season hit lustily and was eclipsed only by Geoff Dunkley whose 32 occupied a mere 15 minutes. One of Geoff Dunkley’s shots, a straight six, was hit out of the ground into an adjoining field.
Of the Bitteswell batsmen, only Wood batted with much aggression, but unfortunately for him many of his hard hit shots, fully deserving runs, were stopped by the excellent fielding of the Wigston team.
Wigston Back To Winning Ways (16.8.1964)
Wigston returned to their winning ways on Sunday with a sound victory at Bardon Hill. Despite losing three quick wickets the Wigston batsmen went for their shots and were rewarded by David Gibbins and Brian Carter that lasted only 63 minutes. Malcolm Moore also batted brightly before being brilliantly caught in the slips for 17 runs. With this considerable total behind them the tail-Enders hit out in a very belligerent manner. David Hill’s six over the long on boundary being particularly praiseworthy.
David Hill’s bowling on this two-paced wicket had the Bardon batsmen in all sorts of trouble and their first seven wickets fell for only 54 runs. A stand of 39 at this point partially restored the position but Wigston were well on top and stayed there.
Two Good Weekend Wins For Wigston (22.8.1964)
Although Wigston have had a generally successful time this season, they have not often been able to win both their weekend matches. They managed this in style last weekend with comfortable victories over Electricity Sports and Duddington.
A convincing 52 run victory over Electricity Sports gave Wigston their 25th win of the season. Despite another slow start in which 40 minutes were spent obtaining 9 runs for 3 wickets against accurate bowling by Bolton and Groomes, Wigston had caught up with the clock at the end of their innings. This target was obtained principally by the aggressive hitting of David Hill who hit 33 in 14 minutes and was ably backed up once again by the later order men.
Two Good Weekend Wins For Wigston (23.8.1964)
Wickets fell regularly to David Hill and Malcolm Moore who bowled unchanged throughout the Duddington & Tixover innings and 70 minutes only were taken to complete this procession.
For a short while it appeared that Wigston would fare no better, both openers being out without scoring. Brian Poole and Brian Carter batting with great care and application gradually accumulated the runs until Brian Poole was out chancing his arm. Malcolm Moore joining Brian Carter at the wicket then knocked off the runs needed in an extremely fine innings and made this obviously difficult pitch seem easy-paced and placid.
Kirby Hoodoo Strikes Again (29.8.1964)
The misfortunes which attend the Wigston side’s efforts against Kirby Muxloe were further in evidence in the shape of an injury to opening batsman/wicketkeeper Ivan Clowes which caused him to spend the rest of the afternoon at the hospital.
The Kirby batsmen generally batted with some competence on a rough wicket, in contrast to the rather brittle efforts of the Wigston side.
Regained Prestige (30.8.1964)
Against this strong Burton-on-Trent side Wigston regained much of the prestige lost on the previous day. Marston Brewery, winning the toss batted first on a beautiful wicket but were never allowed to settle down by the Wigston bowlers, all of whom played their part with great credit. Their efforts were well backed up in the field and a number of catches were well taken behind the wicket.
Set only 77 to get, the Wigston batsmen performed with great care and resolution, none more so than Brian Poole whose innings was the feature of the day.
Wigston Maintain Lengthy Unbeaten Run (12.9.1964)
Wigston maintained a lengthy unbeaten run over Clarence Sports at Loughborough with a convincing 94 run victory.
A fast and highly entertaining innings from Derek Young set the pattern for the Wigston innings and a steady accumulation of runs by Brian Carter and Malcolm Moore ensured a sizeable total.
Bailey, the Clarence wicket-keeper was mainly responsible for a collapse of the middle order men when five wickets were lost for the addition of 20 runs, but the situation was restored by a dour stand between Jim Colver and John Bishop.
Only Brian Rix Was Missing (13.9.1964)
Voted the oddest game for many years, Wigston’s clash with the Slack & Parr works side at Kegworth contained all the elements of a Whitehall farce.
When the rest of the side arrived at the ground it was found that several players and the kit of others, were stranded in a broken-down vehicle many miles away. Half-an-hour later with the Wigston score standing at five wickets for four runs, none of them the result of good bowling, things looked grim for only one further player was present. David Hill and Roy Mason hung on desperately until the rest of the team arrived some 50 minutes later.
Moore takes 100th wicket (19.9.1964)
Wigston’s 30th victory of the season proved to be an extremely simple affair, notable mainly by the bowling of Malcolm Moore who completed a feat unattained since pre-war days when capturing his 100th wicket of the season, by the accurate spin bowling of Richard Carter and by the ease and assurance displayed at the wicket by Graham Willows.
Unwin, the top scoring Gracedieu Park batsman and Muggleston performed with confidence but after the last named fell to a smart catch in the slips, no one was able to stay long on a wicket completely out of keeping with the surrounding rural charm.
Rain Foiled Wigston Bid (20.9.1964)
Until a heavy downpour of rain put a premature end to the proceedings against Loughborough College, Wigston appeared to be well poised for another win.
Batting first, Wigston scored quickly by openers quite undeterred by the shocking state of the wicket and though a collapse occurred it was soon put to rights by the belligerent batting of Geoff Dunkley and with the aid of a good stand between Bobby Jayes and Roger Hensman, both of whom batted with little regard to the blows they suffered in the process.
Quitter and North, none too happy, somehow managed to keep their wickets intact for a long period, but after the inevitable breakthrough in which Brian Carter secured four quick wickets torrential rain forced the bruised and battered players to seek refuge in the pavilion.
Moore Hits Century In Record Total (26.9.1964)
Several post-war records went by the board at Fleckney last Saturday when Wigston compiled the mammoth total of 265 for two wickets.
Firstly, Malcolm Moore and Derek Young put on 109 runs for the first wicket, the 100 coming up in exactly 45 minutes. After Derek Young’s dashing innings came to a close, Brian Carter carried on in the same swashbuckling vein and the second wicket record was also broken with a stand of 149, made in 50 minutes.
Brian Carter, the most prolific run gatherer of the year, took full advantage of the demoralised bowling to hit 2 sixes and 8 fours before the declaration came to end 105 minutes of non-stop hitting. Of the 35 overs bowled, not one was allowed to remain in a maiden state.
To the credit of Fleckney, their batsmen also went for quick runs. Bryan in particular scored freely and in company with Chapman added 65 for the second wicket. With the introduction of Geoff Dunkley and Malcolm Moore to the attack, Wigston broke through and the last wicket fell with one ball of the match still available.
