Saturday 1st July 2023
Wick welcomed a touring Somerset team, Axbridge CC, to the village green for a windy Saturday friendly (35 overs). Axbridge is near Cheddar of the cheese and gorge fame. The team started the tour on Friday and wisely opted to stay on the boulevard of depravity that is Saint Mary Street to be close to the Cardiff action; apart from one chap who camped near Llantwit beach. If you did want a stylist for a trip to the gorge, campsite or the ‘Diff then look no further than our match day sponsor Coast Hair & Beauty!
Wick CC - 172 for 8 (35.0): Andy Ellis 60, Steve Collins 34 Axbridge CC - 145 all out (35.0): Steve Collins 2-11, Paul Aberdeen 2-21
Dicky captained, gave the Axbridge skipper the choice and Wick were put into bat which cued half the Wick team to crack open a few tins of IPA like they were on tour. Welcome Wick debuts to Darren (another Thomas) and Callum.
Steve and Chris opened the batting with Chris (4 runs) given out early leg (or thigh) before wicket followed by Iestyn (4) who fell victim to a ball that popped up on him. He stared at the pitch like it had wronged him. Enter Andy, the wonder from the Windmill, him and Steve safely navigated Wick to the drinks break at 18 overs with Wick at 73-2. Not long after a hobbled Steve (34) and Darren (4) were out in quick succession. Andy ramped up the run rate and got to his fifty in successive innings off 47 balls including a fifty partnership with Paul. Andy (60) and Paul (7) were bowled and Dicky and Kenny entered the hollowed turf. Kenny scooped one right above his head, the keeper came running from behind the wickets, Kenny blocked him and the keeper runs into the stumps and drops the catch. Cameo was on. Between overs Dicky told Kenny he is struggling to pick the bowling of the tall quick Axbridge bowler. Kenny absorbed this information, assessed the 6’7” and still growing lad who hurls one down on a Length…Kenny paddles the ball over mid-wicket, down Cwrt-y-felin, sweet like a chicken, for the six of all sixes – his first for the club. He’s out a few balls later (9) and Dicky (18) was caught last ball leaving Neal not out. Wick finished at 172-8.
The Williams clan (the Rob section) were down for a cheer and a heckle – great to see them.
Tea break, actually with tea and some epic fruit cake and brownies – thank you to Mrs Ellis.
The yoof of Callum and Morgan opened the bowling to great effect, more remarkable was their fielding cos they could run and throw and get to the ball without dropping to their knees; something usually lacking in the Wick cricketers armoury. Callum picked up a wicket. Darren, 25 years after his last game, showed no sign of rustiness and was rattling down balls with good pace. It would be the hobbling Steve that stole the show in the field. Firstly with two wickets that included a great catch from Andy on the boundary and secondly with two, that’s right two, slip catches. The second one included an exquisite dive, who needs two working calf muscles anyway. Andy picked up a wicket before Dicky handed the ball to Iestyn who disconcertingly said “hear me out…leg spin”. An over later Steve pointed out that you had to land the ball in order to spin it. Iestyn utilised this new found information and combined with Dicky for a proper stumping (not a dirty Aussie stumping). Callum got a run out and Wick limited Axbridge to 145 for a rare victory.
To be fair Axbridge were pretty chilled about things. The last batsman left a few balls in the last over like he was night watchman in a test match. The camper got 61 runs not out perhaps reflecting the wise choice of sleeping location. One tourer, whilst marking his guard with his spikes said “scratch like a chicken” reading the room well.
Thanks to Axbridge for the game and hopefully they enjoyed the Sunday game on Barry Island against West End.
-Rob Dixon
