Sunday 7th September 2025
Wick CC travelled to Barry Island for the season finale against Barry West End; would it be a smash hit or a damp squib, the weather forecast hinted the latter, but the Wick season so far indicated the former. Wick assembled at the island, apart from, obviously, Gutsy and Amal. The feeling in the changing room was the game was a happening despite the weather guessers, chat was good, and then something appeared through the door that made everyone’s jaws hit the floor, unbelievably Gutsy walked in. He hasn’t pre-matched in a good decade, there was both pride and discomfort in his eyes when he said he made it 5 minutes early (25 mins late real time). Amal sauntered in Amal time and even he had a double take seeing Gutsy walk out of the changing room in full whites ready to play before the game had started.
Wick CC - 130 for 9 (33.0): Rob Dixon 34, Ben Wade 22, Andy Ellis 21
Barry West End CC - 131 for 1 (25.2): H.Dawson 48*, L.Davies 41*, Russ Milne 1-18
SCORECARD
Skipper Russ lost the toss and Wick we’re going to bat first.
Dicky and Owen opened the batting, Owen had (had for him) written in his new baby book that he was scared of spiders and birds and yet he’s managed to collect 4 ducks this year so bravo Owz. By the second over Andy, these days half-man half-strapping, joined Dicky at the crease as Owz walked off with another Daffy(dd) duck. The two stalwarts steered Wick to 44 after 10 overs.
Dicky(34) got stumped soon after and Colin strode in, head up, chest out to the wicket, his final game for Wick as he moves to pastures new. It wasn’t the swansong he wanted and was caught off a top edge, the pitch was proving tricky. Ben joined Andy and they put on a few before Andy (21) was bowled.
No matter as Russ came out to bat and he’ll just get a ton and see out the rest of the innings and all will be well…until he got caught for just 7. Disbelief all round, Russ explained it was a divot in the pitch that did him, those pesky Barry Island match fixing giant moles must have something to do with it. Russ was lost on the sidelines, he’s never seen Wick bat after he’d batted before, he sat down on the bench like Forrrest Gump but without a box of chocolates and a story to tell.
This opened up the middle order and West End’s Dave tore through Wick. Gutsy, who now identifies as a batmen edged his second ball to the slip fielder and immediately de-transitioned back to a bowler. Neal flashed his blade but kept on finding the fielder and Simon holed out to deep mid-wicket and Wick were 80-7 off 24 overs. Amal and Ben looked like they could turn things around with some good cricket shots before things turned village and the bandanaed Amal tried to turn back halfway down the wicket before tripping over and landing on his back like a stranded quadragenarian mutant ninja turtle and West End ruthlessly ran him out. Spence joined Ben, they’ve been great additions to the Wick fold this year, but another top edge put pay to Ben (22) and out came the King. Kenny has been in good form with the bat and hit one of his trademark pull shots for 4 before stunning the crowd with a straight bat forward defence. #KennyCoaching.com
The forecast rain came down after 33 overs with Spence and Kenny still not out at the crease and an early tea was called. Now if you thought the half time scenes in the Wick team room would be akin to Living with the Lions, well you are way off – Dicky was eating his sandwiches when Owz, from a good 6ft away skilfully named all the ingredients, including a sprinkling of salt, the convo went on to the numerous ways the ‘lads’ had seen a sandwich been cut. Absolute scenes, surely the ‘Welcome to Wick’ docuseries in in the bag.
The rain stopped and, sensibly the Wick innings was halted and Barry West End would have 33 overs to chase the 130-run target. Sensibility and Kenny don’t usually go together, and he was definitely on for a fifty but he graciously condoned the decision and volunteered to bat for BWE to even the numbers out (Wick had brought 12 players).
The Princes of Pace opened the bowling for Wick and Guts and Amal both came out of the traps well, Mr Economical was back and Guts finished with two maiden overs out of four. West End openers looked solid and were 46-0 after 10 overs. The wind was a blowing and the sky was grey; Wick needed a breakthrough and Russ found the batsmen’s top edge and it landed in the safe hands of Andy. The West End number three came out with the intention of finishing the game sharpish and walloped the ball to the boundary consistently and they reached 100 after 20 overs. Aside from a couple of caught behinds that weren’t deemed caught behinds, West End batted well and reached the target at 25.2 overs.
Wick gathered to give Colin the guard of honour as he left the pitch for the last time. He’s been a great member of the club for a few years with on the field with success with the bat and keeper’s gloves and many a welcome rallying cry when things aren’t going our way. A great sense humour and camaraderie, a fiery Manc who you’d better not run out!! Best wishes Col!
Great spread back at the West End club, always hospitable hosts so thanks for the game.
Wick CC annual awards at the Star Inn, hopefully 27th September, to celebrate another awesome season of proper village cricket and proper village cricketers.
-Rob Dixon
