External Links
| Designed by: |
| 1977 |
|
Played 14: Won 5, Lost 4, Drawn 4, Abandoned 1, Cancelled 1.
Saturday May 14 v Oxford University Authentics at Trinity College, Oxford - Drawn
Celebrating the first occasion when Donalds outnumbered Wingfield Digbys (by three to one) in a Pilgrims side, P C G held our innings together with some majestic blows. Hume (29) gave him good support. A late start forced us to bat until 4.15. The Authentics innings was hardly in its stride before the rain came - but only after Walker had tweaked two wickets with his off breaks. Sunday May 15 v Charlbury at Charlbury - Won by 75 runs This was a most enjoyable game to mark a new fixture. After the early fire of Swift had reduced us to 9-3, Walker (26) and Wingfield Digby put on 58. A mini collapse brought us to 77-6 but Donald and Fursdon added 66 in an hour. Charlbury were in early trouble at 13-2; Downer and Swift (27) added 58; and the last eight wickets fell for 39 runs. It was noted that Philip Lough's contribution to this victory was memorable. Selected, he set out for the ground, which he passed in both directions on the Great Western Railway, but unfortunately did not arrive during the hours of play. Sunday May 29 - Cricketer Cup first round v Old Westminsters at Vincent Square - Won by 67 runs A somewhat disjointed batting display from the Pilgrims. Edwards played well and 20's from Michael Wingfield Digby (run out), Donald, Fursdon and Proctor helped us to a respectable score, although it might not have been a match-winning one against stronger opposition. We got just the start needed when Wingfield Digby stumped the potentially dangerous Surridge, and Westminster wilted in the face of some high class bowling and fielding, with Gould outstanding in both departments. Sunday June 12 v Esher at Esher - Cancelled Sunday June 19 - Cricketer Cup second round v Old Malvernians at Malvern - Lost by 73 runs Despite a brisk start, with 45 in the first eight overs, Malvern's batting was hardly scintillating. Tolchard was in for more than 40 overs but he did score the runs, adding 93 for the fifth wicket with Wilcox. We had a promising opening partnership of 35 from Rowe (16) and Michael Wingfield Digby (19) before the former was stupidly run out. Our usual propensity to rush lead to our downfall: the middle order all scored a few, but no-one got stuck in, and we were decisively defeated with six overs left. Sunday June 26 v Radley Rangers at Radley - Won by 6 wickets Knight and Dudley bowled accurately and, although Radley were, at one stage, 86-1, the batting conditions were not conducive to taking wickets - especially when at least six different fielders missed chances at first slip. They batted for 61 overs leaving us a reasonable target. Our batsmen made the most of their opportunities and, with Lough timing the ball in a manner reminiscent of the great Graeme Pollock, we coasted to victory in 41 overs. Saturday July 9 v The School at Sherborne - Lost by 30 runs The School, faced with a depleted Pilgrims attack, fared better than in recent years. Lovatt-Williams and Edwards put on 48 for the fourth wicket, and with the score wobbling at 105-6 Madley and Oborne (29) added a crucial 60. Our early batting was sorted out by Fish and we slumped to 18-5. The recovery was led by Lough and Robertson, who added 94 for the sixth wicket, but when the latter was out Fish was brought back to wrap up the tail. Saturday July 16 v A R Wingfield Digby's XI at Sherborne - Won by 9 runs Only Rowe, striking the ball with ease, took full advantage of the limited bowling resources of the opposition; the rest batted somewhat carelessly and we lost our last five wickets for five runs. With some hostile bowling from Knight, and an extremely accurate, but unlucky, spell from Fursdon, the opposition slumped to 75-7. A recovery led by Budge, batting beautifully at eight, almost saw them home before he gave it away with victory in sight. A most exciting game. Sunday July 17 v Sherborne Town at Sherborne - Drawn In a rain-affected match the Town completely dominated our bowling with Lewis and House putting on 155 for the first wicket. The next man in, Lea, suffered the unusual misfortune of being run out without facing a ball. The Town's challenging declaration gave us an outside chance. We were 61-4, but Donald in a stay of just under two hours struck the bowling to all parts of the ground and almost led us to an unexpected victory. Monday July 18 v Somerset Stragglers at Sherborne - Drawn Although Proctor, starting with five maidens, and Jerry Edwards (2-31) reduced the Stragglers to 11-3 the runs soon started to flow. Elliot and Bretton put on 80 for the fourth wicket in 45 minutes, and Bretton added 100 with Ellwood in 49 minutes. Our weak attack and tired fielders were pleased to get the last Straggler out in the 56th over. Edwards (27) and Hume put on a solid 59 for the second wicket, followed by Hume and Lough (28) with 75 for the next. We then suffered a mini collapse and the innings lost momentum and the match faded to a draw. We had 58 overs but came nowhere near the striking rate of the Stragglers. Tuesday July 19 v Dorset Rangers at Sherborne - Drawn The early Rangers batting was productive and they were well set at 168-2. Good bowling from Donald and Saunders was at last rewarded with wickets, the last eight going for only 50 runs. Jerry Edwards (24*) and Saunders (23) batted well, and with the former well set it looked as if we could sweep to victory - but the rain fell down. Wednesday July 20 v Old Cliftonians at Sherborne - Lost by 5 wickets A noon start saw Donald embark on a fine innings which lasted 140 minutes. He received little support but after his departure Gent (25*) struck out and we declared at 3.30 after 52 overs. Wyburn-Mason bowled well but was flattered by his return. Rees scored in fits and starts but dominated the early part of the Clifton innings. Lockyear, at three, was more adventurous and his 41 in 37 minutes helped to set the tempo. At 138-5 we thought of a win, but Capper struck the ball with agricultural grace to secure victory in the last over. Sunday July 24 v Old Tonbridgians at Tonbridge - Won by 3 wickets Tonbridge batted with their usual competence: Bushby and Hatley with 71 for the first wicket; and Heroys involved in stands of 42, 25 and 52 for the fourth, fifth and sixth wickets. A good declaration at 3.15 and all to play for. Lough and Saunders (26) started with 48 before tea, but immediately after the interval wickets started to fall and at 5.25 we were 101-7. An early finish seemed inevitable, but Wingfield Digby and Parker thought otherwise. In 22 overs they put on 148 and saw us to a famous victory. Saturday August 6 v Hampshire Hogs at Warnford - Abandoned Saturday August 13 v Bluemantles at Tunbridge Wells - Lost by 3 wickets A disappointing display of batting by the Pilgrims, who were 80-8, was partially redeemed with a dogged effort by Redfern who batted for nearly two hours, and a last wicket partnership of 24 from Nick Donald and John Stebbings. A miserable total to bowl against: but Fursdon, Proctor and Redfern did their best and the Bluemantles made heavy weather of getting the runs, needing just under three hours. |