Fixture Hit By Rain (29.4.1972)
Oadby seconds involved in a local derby against Wigston lost the toss and Wigston skipper Jim Colver put his team in to bat.
Philip Spray soon had Colver caught at leg slip for three but his younger brother, David, playing for Wigston batted confidently. McKenzie bowled Vic Hardy with a good delivery but then play was interrupted by rain.
The game was eventually abandoned after several attempts to play between showers. Twenty overs had passed and Wigston had made 59 for two wickets.
Watchful And Patient Wigston (30.4.1972)
On a wicket badly affected by the recent rains, run getting was at a premium and Wigston’s win against their new opponents, stemmed for the main part from a slightly better application of watchfulness and application.
Several of the home teams batsmen played with some assurance but not until the arrival of wicket-keeper Roger Hensman did the runs accrue very regularly.
David Hill so long the spearhead of Wigston’s attack and suitably rewarded during the tea interval with an engraved tankard to commemorate his taking of 1,000 wickets, was sufficiently spurred on to return the very good figures of 7 wickets for 19 runs when Swarkestone replied. Ably backed up by Paul Bell, the visitors after 37 overs fell short by 12 runs of the total required.
Wigston Show Their Strength At Heather (7.5.1972)
This was a good win for Wigston against one of the strongest teams in their fixture list and played in appalling conditions against the frequent showers.
The visitors, taking first knock, made a somewhat slow start and combined to lose half their wickets before 50 runs were on the board.
After a lengthy hold up for rain, during which an early tea was taken, Derek Young and Roger Hensman hit hastily and frequently in order that a quick declaration would be made.
Given a fair amount of time to win the match, the early Heather batsmen quickly took the initiative and the half century accrued with the loss of only one wicket, but from that point, all went well for Wigston.
Paul Bell bowled with some hostility downhill and Roy Mason kept the batsmen fairly quiet at the other end. Skipper Geoff Dunkley finished off the innings in two overs to give Wigston a narrow victory.
Wigston 2nd XI Lose Heavily (13.5.1972)
Glen who won by 73 runs batted first on a very damp wicket losing Lucas to the first ball of the match. Arnold and Hunt soon followed but Hutchins and Francis got together putting on 96 for the fourth wicket. Hutchins scored a very good 74 and Francis 34*.
When Wigston batted they had no answer to the pace of Jones and Francis, Jones taking 6 for 18 and Francis 4 for 15.
Wigston Do Well In Deplorable Conditions (27.5.1972)
Two good victories against strong opponents continued Wigston’s unbeaten run this season.
On Saturday against Rowland United, who rarely score less than 200 on good wickets, the home side batted tolerably well to total 111 in deplorable conditions.
The problems posed by Hicks and Rodgers were repeated by the Wigston bowlers when the Rugby works side batted. David Hill and Paul Bell were virtually unplayable and the offspin of Roy Mason also claimed cheap wickets.
A ninth wicket stand of 28 added a touch of respectability to the score but Wigston were not to be deprived of their just reward.
Weekend Double Achieved (28.5.1972)
Slightly better conditions prevailed for Wigston’s home game against Egerton Park on Sunday and to complete their weekend double, another easy win was achieved.
Again most of Wigston’s batsmen performed soundly against the six bowlers tried and their score of 151 reflected well their ability to take advantage of such loose balls as came their way.
The Melton side rarely looked in the hunt, though Orton and later in the innings, McIntosh, delayed the inevitable result.
David Hill bowled 15 overs at a brisk pace, conceding only 19 runs while at the opposite end, Bell took four wickets in thirteen balls to end the game with half an hour to spare.
Wigston Make A Stand (3.6.1972)
Wigston were hard pressed to maintain their unbeaten run at Bitteswell on Saturday but eventually managed it during a lengthy stand between cousins Richard Carter and Brian Carter.
Bitteswell started none too securely against the off-spin of Roy Mason.
Wigston’s Creditable Draw (17.6.1972)
In the first match against what must be their strongest opponents, Wigston returned from Nottinghamshire with a very creditable draw for their efforts.
The pace bowlers David Hill and Paul Bell made little impression on a side boasting a sprinkling of Notts. second XI players though later in the innings the latter removed two batsmen including P. Rose who threatened to run riot.
Roy Mason, the most successful bowler, earned three good wickets in a sixteen over spell and generally contained the eager home team.
Facing a total of 203 Wigston lost an early wicket and a second with the score at 41, but that was the sum loss, for Ken Hammond and Doug Moore carried their bats to 7.30 p.m. each achieving a deserved half century.
Wigston 2nd XI Gain Revenge (1.7.1972)
After a heavy defeat earlier in the season at Stoughton, Wigston’s 2nd XI retrieved the situation by outplaying their near neighbours on Saturday.
Wigston were given a sound start by openers Jim Colver and Ken Hammond who put on 47 before the latter was well taken in the slips by Pettifer. Pat Merry hit 17 and the innings progressed well with competent batting from the middle order. Rob Dexter in particular took the eye with an assortment of crisp drives at a time when quick runs were needed in order for the declaration to be made.
The visitors also made a good start. Pettifer and Cave took the score into the 50’s but their middle order batting fell short of what was required of them against the bowling, both fast and, later spin from David Hill and the variety offered by Ken Hammond.
Wigston CC Do Well In Local Derby (2.7.1972)
For the first time in eight years Oadby CC were trounced by Wigston CC in a game dominated for long spells by the bowlers on an unpredictable wicket.
Of the batsmen Bob Markham of the home side and Richard Steele for Oadby batted soundly, combining a watchful defence with aggression against what few loose balls arrived.
