Wilbrahams’ Cricket Club Season 2021 – A return to success!
After the last couple of seasons of very little and mixed cricket it was great to finally see a return to a full season (well nearly) of cricket at our glorious ground. So, I thought I’d put together a season review, I just hope I don’t lose you all before the finish!
A return to Senior League cricket
A return to Senior League cricket at last for us brought some games with familiar teams from years past. Sadly, Fordham pulling out of the league after a few games meant another old cricket club being lost.
So, it was a great start for the season opener, with an Away win at Chesterfords restricting them to 190 all out (Charlie Moore 3-35, Alex Goddard 3-35) and chasing it down in just 35 overs (George Moore 102no)
Then came three weeks of horrific rain, wind and general rubbish weather, actually suited to real ducks rather than the cricketing sort! And 3 cancelled games, 2 home to Saffron Walden and Barrington and 1 away to Yelling.
Then May was completed with a Home loss to Takeley, comprehensively beaten only managing 129 All Out when chasing 220. (Sam Charman 2-27, Ross Craig 30)
So May was 1 win, 3 cancelled and 1 loss, not quite the return to cricket we had all been excited for!
So, to June – The winning month, played 3, won 3
Away vs Isleham, a day for Joel Gawthrop, 56no with the bat, 2-9 with the ball, a stumping and a fielding catch after swapping wicket keeping duties.
Away vs Ramsey, a day for Captain Charlie Moore, 121no with the bat, 4-40 with the ball and 2 catches
Home vs Girton, a team we’ve had our differences with, in previous years, we welcomed a new young lad, about who all we knew was “likes to bat a bit…”, thrown in to open the batting and promptly smashes 104, welcome Wade Pettican! Taking us to 231, we then bowled Girton out for 106 (Charlie Moore 4-29) which was rather satisfying!
July – a collection of very close losses…
At home to Chesterfords, we started the month with a massive win, by 140 runs, we batted first accumulating 268 runs, with Wade Pettican getting 131 and Charlie Moore 60. The bowlers then being very mean and restricting the runs (Tom Sweeney 3-28)
Then the losses, and just too close to not be very annoying….
Away vs Saffron Walden, loss by 11 runs (Tom Sweeney 2-14, Wade Pettican 39)
Away vs Barrington, loss by 8 runs (Tom Sweeney 2-21, Joel Gawthrop 41)
Home vs Yelling, loss by 8 runs (Ross Craig 2-41, Ross Craig 31)
Away vs Takeley, loss with 2 overs left (Ross Craig 67, Tom Sweeney 3-31)
Fortunately for us (thought it didn’t feel like it at the time) our closest rivals in the league were also taking the opportunity to lose games….
August – The finishing straight, and a positive one
Home vs Ramsey, a much-needed return to winning ways, Joel Gawthrop with 76 runs and Andy Goryn with 2-17 ensured we got back on track with our season nearing the end
Home vs Isleham, one for the spectators this one! With us batting first getting to 193 for 8 (Ross Craig 55) we set out to try to restrict the run chase, which we very nearly did. With a required 5 runs off the last over, chaos ensued, desperate scrambled runs, 2 fingertip dropped catches (which, to be fair, would have been amazing catches if taken), another close one dropping just short till the scores were tied, and then only losing on the last ball of the match! It was a sickener after being so close (And I know all too well as I was the one bowling that last over!).
It was great to watch for the many spectators, I’m sure, just didn’t feel like it at the time!
And so, to our last game of the season, Away vs Girton
Going into this knowing that we were sitting in 2nd place in the league and that teams below us had another game in hand, we would be in control of what we did and have to wait for other results.
And another game that got uncomfortably close at one point, we batted first getting 204 for 8 (Ian Crocombe 60, Toby Tippen 51) on a pitch with a lightening outfield! Not being sure if that would be enough, they replied well, 134 for 1 after 28 overs, we then got a couple of wickets, but the runs still came. 154 for 3 off 35 overs, leaving them needing 51 to win from 10 overs. Then with some great bowling pressure from Andy Goryn, Tom Sweeney and Ross Craig to finish those overs, we got some quick wickets, slowed the runs and they ran out of overs, getting to 195 for 9 at the finish! Another close one to finish our season and bookend it with wins!
We had done all we could and then to wait for the other results, which thankfully didn’t take long! Our closest rivals had lost!! Which meant that we could not be caught in the race to finish 2nd!!
PROMOTION!!! And celebration!!
So next year we will be back up in the dizzying heights of Senior League Division 2 for the first time since 2012. And hopefully, fingers crossed, cricket teas will be back!!! A win for all.
A few thanks now
To all those that have helped during the season to get everything up and running again and also all the many spectators (often remarked upon by the opposition how good it is) that have come along to support us. To the Social Club Bar staff who have kept us all suitably hydrated. To Ian Orford for attending all our games and scoring for us, a great help we all agree! To Charlie Moore as Captain and Ross Craig as Vice-Captain to steering us to promotion. To the players who under their direction, have played with a great spirit and worked hard all year to get us over the line. And to my dad, Tony Goryn for all he does in preparing the ground ready for us to play on, I only follow his lead, do what he tells me and help him really.
All the seasons’ final table and stats will be posted online and at the social club, for those interested that is!
Bring on the New Season and new league!
Andy Goryn