1985 Match Reports
Blizzard Beats The Cricketers (27.4.1985)
Cricket made its seasonal debut to the usual deplorable conditions – but this time the weather exceeded itself with a blizzard, ending play just after 4pm.
Oadby, having first knock, also suffered shocks with two wickets falling for only 12 runs as Kevin Commons dismissed Pounds and Bowyer within six balls in his second and third overs. Pounds was first to go, well caught by Michael Smith. In his next over Commons sent Bowyer’s bails flying for a duck. Mike Bull, who set the game moving with a four off the first ball, then picked off a succession of singles backed up by the more aggressive D. Pounds until the score reached 48 when Bull was caught by Dave Dunkley for a valuable 23 off Martin Palmer‘s last ball of his second over. Godwin joined Pounds and the scoreboard rattled on as Palmer and Graham Lowe were despatched to various points of the field. Godwin hit six fours as the score mounted with 35 overs gone.
But the Arctic conditions closed in and ended play – to the relief of the umpires who were looking for imaginary sixes and wides to keep the circulation going. Snow stopped play.
Commons And Bell Strike (4.5.1985)
Leicester Globetrotters batted first in their first league match at Wigston and, apart from J. Smith and B. Sanderson, failed against the bowling of Kevin Commons and Paul Bell and finished 68 all out.
In Wigston’s reply Bev Horne soon lost his wicket but steady progress by Graham Lowe, Michael Smith and Howard Riley brought them victory by seven wickets.
League Record As Bell Takes 10 (11.5.1985)
Bell Sets New Club Record (11.5.1985)
Opening bowler Paul Bell set a Leicestershire Senior League record when he took all 10 wickets in Wigston Town’s victory over Broughton Astley. In their Division One match, Wigston Town set Broughton Astley a 175 target after losing four wickets. Any thoughts Broughton Astley had of achieving the target were ended by Bell, who took his 10 wickets in 21.2 overs as Broughton Astley totalled 105.
(League Record As Bell Takes 10 – Leicester Mercury, May 14th 1985)
Paul Bell set a new club and league record when he took all 10 wickets for Wigston Town against Broughton Astley. Bowling with pace throughout the Broughton Astley innings, he secured victory for Town with only ten balls remaining. His tally was 10 for 55 runs.
Wigston Town With 100% Record (18.5.1985)
Wigston Town are the only team to boast a 100 per cent record in the Leicestershire Senior League, and maintained that record with a convincing victory over Billesdon in their Division One meeting.
Wigston Town Checked By Syston (25.5.1985)
Wigston Town and Leicester Globetrotters are threatening to romp away from the field in the Senior League first division. After four matches Wigston are on 67 points and Globetrotters have 61 with the third team more than 20 points adrift. Champions Billesdon are languishing near the bottom still without a win.
Wigston got off to a flying start with three straight wins but were checked on Saturday by Syston. They scored 171-6 off their 45 overs, thanks to a first wicket stand of 80 between Bob Riley and Bev Horne, and had Syston in trouble with six wickets down. But the home side then shut up shop and finished on 127-7.
Defeated Wigston Still In Top Position (1.6.1985)
A well-struck six off the penultimate ball of the match gave Gracedieu Park maximum points at Magna Road on Saturday. It was Wigston’s first league defeat, yet the seven points they gained was sufficient to keep them in summit position.
Being put in to bat, Town made a reasonable start but, with the score on 39, Bob Riley became the first of S. Davey’s six victims. With one or two batsmen still struggling to find their form this season, Bev Horne continued to dominate and when, in the 26th over, he became the fourth wicket to fall, he was just two runs short of his half century.
Gracedieu made a steady reply. M. Willoughby and his middle order colleagues struck the ball really well and, with just six runs needed for victory off the final over, I. Merrison despatched the fifth ball over the boundary.
Umpiring Decisions Questioned (8.6.1985)
Controversy surrounded the Leicestershire Senior League match between Wigston Town and Electricity Sports on Saturday. Wigston players claimed that some umpiring decisions were questionable.
Electricity were put in to bat and lost the free-scoring Musani in the eighth over. Wigston kept a tight grip early on, but lost the initiative when Electricity added 100 runs in the last 20 overs.
Town lost Bob Riley early, then Paul Dunkley and Dave Dunkley took the score to 43 before both were dismissed. Howard Riley and Jim Hayes made a valiant attempt to swing the game in Town’s favour, but the task became too great and Riley and Alan Tewley played out time.
It’s Not Cricket (8.6.1985)
Wigston Town cricketers were furious on Saturday when they discovered that one of the umpires for their match with Electricity Sports was an official of – Electricity Sports. And they later claimed that some of the umpire’s decisions were questionable. Wigston Town would not complain to the league.
Riley Strikes (15.6.1985)
Opening for Wigston Town, Bob Riley and Bev Horne put on 23 runs and then the latter and Jim Hayes added a further 56. There followed good contributions by Howard Riley, Dave Dunkley and Paul Dunkley as a total of 160 was reached.
Fine bowling by Kevin Commons and Paul Ashton saw Jones & Shipman lose three wickets for 23 but a stand by Packwood and Callender brought them back in contention. However Bob Riley‘s bowling brought about another change and Town gained a good victory.
Paceman Bell And Commons Strike Early (22.6.1985)
Ibstock batted first in their club match at Wigston and a fine opening spell of pace bowling by Paul Bell and Kevin Commons saw Ibstock lose three early wickets for only 19 runs. Then both K. Barrett and S. Robinson were dropped before they took the score into the 50s. Paul Ashton came on and took three wickets before the innings closed at 129-9.
When Wigston replied Bob Riley went early but Bev Horne showed excellent form and with Howard Riley put on a partnership of 70 runs before being out for 61 (four sixes). Riley and Graham Lowe carried on to complete the task to give Wigston a six wicket victory.
Win In Final Over (29.6.1985)
Wigston Town’s formidable 209 total taken off the allotted 45 overs would normally be considered sufficient either to win or at least ensure a drawn game, but on the small Thorpe Arnold ground on Saturday, the target they set was passed in the final over.
Bev Horne and Richard Dixey gave Town a sound 74 runs start. In his first 1st XI game of the season Dixey was particularly severe on the Thorpe attack. Jim Hayes and Howard Riley combined well in a 50 run partnership to bring the total up to 141. Riley and Graham Lowe took the score to 185.
With the exception of Kevin Commons, who performed exceptionally in both his spells, Town’s bowling was below normal standard. With one run required for victory off the final over T. Hickman dispatched the second ball for a six to give his side maximum points.
Batsmen Struggle For Town (6.7.1985)
Wigston Town were comprehensively defeated for the second week running by Thorpe Arnold – and this latest setback will have seriously jeopardised their league championship hopes. Whereas the bowling came in for criticism during the previous encounter, on this occasion there was little doubt that blame for losing lay with the batsmen who failed to produce a worthwhile total in their allotted 45 overs.
Riley Hits Out In Cup Win (11.7.1985)
A typical hard-hitting Bob Riley innings, saw Wigston Town safely through to the semi-final of the Louis Freeman Cup, when they defeated Queniborough at Magna Road.
Batting first, the visitors were soon in trouble when Kevin Commons dismissed their first three batsmen in a fine opening three-over spell. Both M. Percy and M. Burton batted well to retrieve the situation and with R. Wells adding an unbeaten 19, the total rose to a very useful 98, in the allotted 18 overs.
Wigston lost two wickets in gaining their victory – but it was Bob Riley‘s powerful batting that ensured their success.
Wigston Fail Yet Again (13.7.1985)
Wigston Town were comprehensively beaten for the third Saturday running in the Senior League by Leicester Globetrotters at Stanford Hall.
With 12 runs on the board, Town had lost both openers and only a determined effort by Michael Smith saved them from further embarrassment. On a really excellent track Wigston were in all sorts of trouble and their next six wickets went down for the addition of a paltry 65 runs. After all other recognised batsmen had failed miserably Smith at last found someone (Paul Ashton at number 10) who was capable of staying with him and together they guided the total to mild respectability. Eventually Ashton was dismissed having contributed a very useful 16 and Smith‘s undefeated 45 was an extremely worthy effort.
The total of 103 was never going to be sufficient and although Globetrotters lost J. Smith for 26 with the score on 51 both P. Howard (44 not out) and T. Pridmore (29 not out) reached the target with 20 overs to spare.
Nail-biting Finish As Wigston Win (20.7.1985)
Put in to bat, Broughton Astley never really got to grips with Wigston Town’s bowling and only Steve Dann and Paul Dann registered worthwhile scores.
In reply, Wigston knew that runs would be hard to come by, but Bev Horne and Michael Smith relieved the situation somewhat and a fine knock by Howard Riley brought them within striking distance of the visitors’ total. Then three wickets fell on 91: Richard Mason hit a useful dozen and in a nail-biting finish the last pair, Paul Ashton and Paul Bell brought relief when the latter struck the winning run.
Bowlers Struggle (27.7.1985)
Batting first Wigston Town’s Bev Horne and Paul Dunkley put on 107 before the former was dismissed having made 53. Then Dunkley and Bob Riley each made 53 before being dismissed. Then followed an almost complete collapse against the pace bowling of John Elliott and John Ford.
Town’s bowling lacked penetration and after Graham Butler had lost his wicket Mark Harriman and Rob Nourish scored with comparative ease. Paul Ashton was brought on and he took three wickets in five overs, but Billesdon went on to reach the target in a first-class game.
Two Wickets In First Over (3.8.1985)
League leaders Syston were put in to bat by Wigston Town and Paul Bell dismissed one opener and his replacement in the first over. But the visitors recovered and built up a big score.
Replying, Town lost Paul Dunkley at 25. Bev Horne and Michael Smith took the score to 57. Town’s chances looked slim and although losing eight wickets they managed to prevent Syston taking maximum points and keep themselves in contention.
Town’s Cup Victory (6.8.1985)
After disposing of Leicester Banks in the Louis Freeman Cup, Wigston Town met Barkby in the final on Monday and Tuesday evenings, and won with ease.
Winning the toss, Barkby elected to bat first, but thanks to fine bowling by Town’s fast bowlers, they were all out for a mere 87 in just under 29 overs.
In replying, Bev Horne and Bob Riley scored with comparative ease. When Horne was dismissed Town were on 62. Riley continued in commanding form, and finished with 44 not out. Paul Dunkley hit a quick 14 before victory came with seven overs remaining.
Batsmen Hit Out (10.8.1985)
Against Gracedieu Park, Wigston lost Bev Horne early. Then Ray Morris and Michael Smith took the score into the eighties and later Morris and Bob Riley added another fine partnership. Riley, in only six overs, struck a blistering 48 while Morris went on to make 86 not out in a total of 188-4.
Town came within a whisker of victory when Ray Morris confidently appealed for a stumping when the host club’s last pair were at the crease. It was turned down and the game ended in a draw.
Wigston Batting Collapse (17.8.1985)
Wigston Town were upset by lowly-placed Electricity Sports, mainly due to some good bowling by D. Greenway. Batting first, Electricity Sports scored a reasonable 160 with P. Patel making 60 and Paul Ashton taking four wickets.
Wigston made a sound opening and after losing Bev Horne on 43, two further wickets fell without the addition of many more runs. Paul Dunkley fell with the score at 83 and other than Howard Riley (26) the remaining batsmen capitulated to Greenway’s bowling.
Town Overcome Disastrous Start (24.8.1985)
In their Senior League game at Magna Road, against lowly placed Jones & Shipman, Wigston Town had a disastrous start, losing both openers within the first two overs for only one run scored. Jim Hayes and Graham Lowe retrieved the situation somewhat with a stand of 43 but once this pair had departed, only Howard Riley (24) and master of all trades Kevin Commons (16 no) made worthwhile contributions.
A total of 104 always looked inadequate but even so, Town’s bowlers made the visitors fight all the way. Opener Brian Hyde who scored a sound 35 was the biggest stumbling block and by the time he fell only 30 runs were needed. Victory was eventually clinched but only after two further wickets had fallen and 15 more overs bowled.
Town End In Style (31.8.1985)
The 20 points which Wigston Town collected from their Senior League match at Ibstock on Saturday, ensured a highly respectable position in the final chart placings.
Some fine Wigston bowling prevented the home batsmen from making real progress and once Kevin Commons had removed both openers, his strike partner Paul Bell, took three other wickets in an excellent 23-over spell in which he only conceded 37 runs.
The total of 100 exactly, was never going to be enough to stop Town taking the honours, although they did lose five wickets in the process. Bev Horne (25) and Paul Dunkley (32 no) were Wigston’s most successful batsmen, but the fact that the game only produced 10 boundaries throughout was some indication of how unhelpful the outfield was.
Bob Hits Century (1.9.1985)
The highlight of Wigston Town’s home Sunday victory was a superb century by Bob Riley. It included 16 boundaries. In Town’s allotted 40 overs they amassed 199 for the loss of four wickets with Paul Dunkley making an undefeated 55.
In reply the visitors reached 147 with Dave Webb also scoring 55.
Wigston Lift Everard Cup (15.9.1985)
After scoring a reasonable 118 for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs, Wigston Town dismissed Billesdon for 103, to lift the prestigious Everard Cup, on Great Glen’s ground on Sunday.
Opener Bev Horne was in splendid form for Town and was particularly severe on anything pitched a little short by the Billesdon pace bowlers. A 52 run partnership with Graham Loweincreased the total to 72 before Lowe was dismissed for 17. But although four further wickets fell, it was always Horne who was the dominant partner. He was finally run out off the last ball of Town’s innings having made a well struck 65.
Billesdon with their fine track record over the past two seasons began their reply in superb fashion, with Graham Butler playing some majestic shots. First change bowler, Richard Mason, clean bowled Rich Nourish in his first over and although Butler hammered a further 20 before his dismissal, his team’s challenge lost its effectiveness once he had gone. Mason continued to bowl well and together with some fine catching he finished with creditable figures of 5 for 26 from his six overs. Kevin Commons bowled effectively, picking up two wickets, while Paul Ashton sent Rob Nourish’s middle stump reeling to give Town their hard-earned victory. A deserved man of the match award went to Mason, but it must have been a close run thing with the excellent contribution made by Horne.
