It’s another beautiful, sunny day but action on the field remains suspended – although it is encouraging to see nets and practice being permitted (see the announcement from last night). So, we get another chance to look back on the events of today in Calmore Sports history – and it is 18th May.
How about we start 63 years ago and a friendly match at Pylewell Park in 1957 for our Second XI. It is one of the earliest scorecards that we have – at present anyway – and it was quite some game. Batting first, we crashed to 17-6 with C. Doggrell top scoring with 9 before something of a recovery thanks to P. O’Leary and number 11 Vic Sevier – both batsmen hitting a six in their scores of seven as we reached the dizzy heights of 40 all out. Pylewell cruised to 26-1 in reply … before becoming 29-8 as Sevier rattled through the hosts with the incredible figures of 6 overs, 5 maidens, 7 for 7. When number 11 Doe became Butler’s fourth catch and Sevier’s seventh wicket – they were bowled out for just 37 to give us the most unlikely three run win!
From 63 years ago to just 12 months ago and it was a full programme in 2019 including a home game with Ventnor in SPCL Division One for the 1st XI. The Islanders won the toss and elected to bat first and got off to a flyer – well, from one end they did anyway! 10 overs, six maidens, 0-14 for Steve Wright kept that end quiet but 4 overs for 40 for Will Reilly-McNeil and 2 overs for 18 for Jake Easton let Fletcher and Worcestershire professional Chris Russell off the leash. The skipper had had enough of that and removed Russell for a 36-ball 41 and then continued his merry way with 10 overs, 6 maidens, 5 for 7 which saw them crash from 61-0 to 113-9 – Ben Perry taking 2-18 from his 10 and Jimmy Manning 1-12 in 9. 25 runs for the tenth wicket boosted their total to 137-9. Easton (20) and Lavelle (32) safely saw us to 69-0 before Snell returned 5-36 ripping out the top order to leave us 103-6. Sam Moss (20*) and Perry (14*) saved any potential blushes and took us home by four wickets.
The 2s suffered a heavy loss at Locks Heath by 113 runs with the home side rattling up 231-8 (Dave Blake 3-43) before being bowled out for 118 (Ollie Tull 36). But it was better news for the 3s as they beat Paultons 3s by 17 runs. Callum Holloway with 59 and Cal Greasley’s 35 took us to 167 all out before a decent bowling display, led by Holloway’s 3-32 and a couple of wickets each for Ryan Carty and Mitch Parker held the home side to 150-8. But the 4s went down by 2 wickets to Totton & Eling 4s. Sam Vidler’s 33 and Matt Ellerby with 26 were the mainstays of our 116 with young Freddie Hawkins making 13 at number 11. Josh Ellis with 3-12 and Brad Jewer 2-13 knocked the top off the reply but the visitors scampered home.
Another game with rollercoaster qualities happened in 2013 in SPCL Division 2 at The Quarters when we travelled to Hursley Park. The hosts made it safely to 108-1 before capsizing to 128 all out as Lavelle (4-6 in 6 overs) and James Rose (3-47) rushed them out. The scorers were certainly kept busy as 16 wickets fell for the addition of just 43 runs across both innings as we soon found ourselves 23-7 as Wheeler (3-23) and Manning (4-23) piled through our top order before Rose (26*) and Michael Donovan (17) at least brought some respectability to the score as we were bowled out for 72.
Back at Loperwood had a very early finish as they crushed Locks Heath 2s by 9 wickets in quick time. The visitors elected to bat first and were sent to 3-5 (English style of scorecard!) as Allan Hurst (4-20) and Daniel Croft (3-12) before they recovered to 52 all out which we knocked off in 11.2 overs with Mark Archer hitting 29 not out. And it was the same story for the 3s as they rushed OT & Romsey 4s out for 82 with Tom Houlder (3-14), Allan Provins (2-36), George Woodhall (2-19) and Adam Hargreaves (2-11) doing the damage. Jack Nicholson’s quickfire 49 not out made short work of the chase. And the 4s beat OT&R 5ths by 46 runs as Keith Woodhall (34) and Darryl McMahon (31) kept Barney Hayes side out, although he did take 3-37. Sam Woodward (3-5) did the early damage as the home side were removed for 84.
He made his debut for the club way back in the mid-80s. A Calmore boy through and through. And still one of the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers in the club’s history. But, as the late and great Johnny Boston used to say … “that bloody Draper”. Returning to Loperwood for the first time since leaving the club at the end of 2001, Paul was instrumental in sinking his boyhood club in SPCL Division One just three weeks into the 2002 season. We sunk to 29-5 before Paul Cass (59), Dave Rouse (37) and Stuart Bailey (45) revived us to 186-8 with Draper ending Cass’ knock. Opening the batting, he resisted all eight of our bowlers in hitting a match-winning 88 not out which took his side to a seven-wicket win Waaaaaaa, bloody Draper!!!!
We were at Alton in the Southern League in 1991 and came home with a 38-run win which was a good effort considering we were 40-6 having been put in. Thank goodness for birthday boy Graham Cooper’s salvation of 64 with support from Draper (22) and 21 not out at number 11 from Graeme Lyon which took us 137 all out. Dominic Newman took 6-26, Chris Garrett 2-28 and Lyon 2-26 as the home side were rushed out for just 99 in reply.
County One action at Loperwood Park it was in 1985 for the first XI as they came up the all-star Road Sea side and lost by 23 runs. Former Hampshire captain Bob Stephenson hit 61 and D.W. Scurr made 51 as they closed on 169-8 with Steve Brandes (2-34), Paul Sealey (2-31) and Jimmy Gill (2-32) taking the bulk of the wickets. Billy Sims with 47 and skipper Terry Chilcott with 45 not out did their best against Bob Paul, Julian Shackleton and Rajesh Maru but fell well short.
Elsewhere, the 2s thrashed Sundown by 8 wickets as Ron Merritt (4-36) and Michael Newman (5-26) knocked them over for 125 before Graham Love’s unbeaten 62 guided us to the win. The 3s lost at Ringwood 2s by 3 wickets as Pete Tudberry’s 36 was the only score of note in our 100-9 in 40 overs before his 2-20 along with Adam Carty 2-23 and John Robertson 3-20 did their best. And the 4s travelled to Lymington to play Wellworthy and a superb bowling display from Iain Bowring (5-22) and Phil Wilkins (5-23) saw us win by two runs defending just 59!
This day back in 1974 was our second ever league game and we made it two from two in the South West Division with a five-wicket win over Compton and Shawford. Terry Chilcott’s 3-31 kept the home side to just 118-8 in their 42 overs. Reg Oliver with 25 and Stan Piper 21 got us off to a good start at 47-0 but we were soon 66-5. Martin Newman’s 23 and Paul Hoskins with 27 ensured no further loss to see us maintain our 100% league record.
CALMORE SPORTS CLUB BIRTHDAYS:
1964 – Graham Cooper
