I must apologise for the lateness of this blog… All I can say is I was just trying to be like William Hasler. I thought if he was late to the airport to pick up the Aussies, then I would be excused for being late once on my blog. Unfortunately not. And to be honest, it wasn’t Geography HOMEWORK, I had an AS exam today (very important, just for all you guys that did O-Levels back in the Dark Ages) for Geography and so for once in my life, thought I would revise. Now I see why I never bother revising, too much hassle comes with it.

Last night, Murray Goodwin came to the club. Of course he was late, but we will say that is “fashionably late” and what a great night we had from there on. God, we even had some lovely ladies down at the club. Mrs Hodgson was a bit busy trying to get Sid the Shark’s number, but that’s a story for another day… Our nets are now officially open, and what a great privilege it is to have them!  Thanks to everyone that put in so much effort, thanks to the sponsors, and thanks to James Chaloner for coming down there every Wednesday evening to make us all look good!

Cricket then, and Saturday drew the U-10 yoof at Pulborough who again won. Fantastic start to the season for them and then slightly later in the day, the U-14’s travelled to Horsham. After being invited to bat first, and after a cameo from Chambers Jr. Jr. and the two Bennys (Hasler and Miller), they managed to make a very good total of 107-4. Horsham were invited into bat and some great bowling from the other Miller (he felt left out of the action), they failed to chase the total, leaving the U-14’s a great win by 17 runs.

Onto the Saturday seniors games then. Unfortunately, not a great amount of detail can be involved here as I was unable to play this weekend, stuck in a suit at a wedding in East Grinstead. What can be done ehh…

A frustrating result for the 2^nd XI at home to Barns Green. The visitors put Chilt in to bat and we filled our boots; well most of us anyway. The first tactical ploy worked a treat, Steve Ward getting selflessly run out without scoring allowed the welsh-man Llewellyn to get to the crease nice and early (and just at the conclusion of his 14^th Strongbow). A steady partnership with Mark “McKenzie” Aylward followed to set a platform, and a good, quick knock from Brucie really got WCTCC flying. At Brucie's fall came young Mr Wyatt, who began to display aggressive intent to the innings with some excellent straight hitting of the increasingly ailing bowling, and an 18 overs partnership of aggressive and entertaining batting followed. Callum reached his first 50 for the club, and Llewellyn went on to score his 354th century for the club (or something like that). When Callum went for 64, the two had completed a partnerhip of 173 in 18 overs - and set up a total that reached 297, 298 or 304... Depending on which part of the scorebook you were reading (!) – in the end we settled with 298-4 in our max 49 overs. Llewellyn remaining not out on 134.  

We fancied our chances in 45 overs with a strong bowling attack which contained Armstrong, DBD, Ashley and Gee - but despite Micky Armstrong turning the opening batsman inside out over and again as he bowled the ball round corners - the batsmen's rear-guard action provided few genuine opportunities. At no point did Barns Green attempt to chase the target, and some solid batting ensured that we couldn't take the wickets we needed - with only the skipper Big Fingers Glover really having the wicket taking knack - taking 2 late wickets. Barns Green gained a few edged and few easy 4s as we had men around the bat - but ended on 179-5 to gain just 4pts for their efforts, and Chilt picked up 12pts - leaving us 6th in 2nds Division 3.

The 1^st XI travelled away to Barns Green and were asked to bowl first. The bowling attack managed to get some good wickets on a pitch that was obviously dodgy (we know this because Fitzy got it to spin a bit and got a five-for!) and managed to restrict Barns Green to a respectable total of 218 all out. Then came the Chilt batting line-up. A great show by everyone, especially David Hardisty with some good running between the wickets. Captain Chambers managed to get to 96 and then the tail showed the boys home, with a good show of batting and bowling leading to a great two wicket victory.

Further success for the yoof followed with the U-12’s winning away, the U-16’s winning at home (with a great last shot by Jackkkk Glover) and then the U-13’s winning away at Midhurst. Basically, great job to everyone who played and lets just keep it up, another unbeaten weekend next time please guys!