Wiltshire CCC Men's 1st XI record victory over Wales in NCCA Trophy
Wiltshire CCC v Wales NC
NCCA Trophy @ Warminster CC
Monday 5th May 2025
The Wiltshire squad moved south to Warminster to continue their exploits in the NCCA Trophy competition. The weather was not as friendly as it had been recently with cloud frequently covering the sun and a cold wind reminding us that we still needed plenty of clothing to keep us warm.
Before the cricket could commence, both teams and supporters held a respectful silence in honour of former National Counties player and Surrey Academy graduate, Josh Lawrence 34, who tragically died last week.
Wales won the toss and chose to bat first. Returning for Wiltshire Chris Aubrey, during a good opening spell, had Kennedy well caught by his opening bowling partner William Brown. Friend was then joined by seasoned player coach Brad Wadlan. These two pushed the score on to 62 before Friend, LBW for 32, became the first of Wadworth Man of the Match Joe King’s 6 victims! Wadlan 70 (10x4) was the most successful until he was well caught by Jake Lintott. King had 2 more successful LBW appeals as well as having wicket keeper captain C L Herring caught on the boundary with the safe hands of Jack Mynott and Alex Russell caught by the equally safe hands of Jake Goodwin! Yesterday’s Wadworth Man of the Match Jake Lintott. (4 wickets and 53 runs against Cheshire) got in the act with an LBW of his own to trap Rhodri Lewis who made a run a ball 32 (5x4). Lintott also flattened the stumps of Tegid Phillips. Ben Higton had a good spell, but was unable to claim the final scalp and so skipper Young turned to Jack Mynott …. who only needed one ball to claim the 5th LBW of the innings and see Wales dismissed for 189
After enjoying Warminster hospitality (and a welcome opportunity to get warm again!) Wiltshire began their response. While the photographer was finishing his tea break Wiltshire slumped to 7 for 2 with yesterday’s dominant opening pair dismissed to an LBW for Ollie Sherwood (Mynott 4) and an excellent catch by Rhodri Lewis (Lintott 0). This brought Jake Goodwin 72 (12x4, 2x6) and club colleague Josh Kelly 43 (4x4) together and they put on 104 for the 3rd wicket in the best partnership of the match. Jake Goodwin was in particularly aggressive mode breaching the boundary 14 times, but eventually fell, stumped by Herring to the bowling of the experienced Wadlan. Josh Kelly then enjoyed an entertaining partnership with his skipper Ed Young 26 (1x4, 2x6). They both fell to catches by Harry Friend from the bowling of Will Mew giving Mew 3 wickets of the 5 that fell. Any nerves that might have shown amongst the faithful Wiltshire supporters were soon dispelled by Ben Draper 19not out (3x4, 13 balls) and Will Naish 16 not out (4x4, 8 balls) to give Wiltshire a convincing win finishing with 193 for 5 with 19 overs to spare!
Next Sunday sees Wiltshire travel to Wimborne where they will take on Dorset. Today’s victory should give them some confidence for their remaining matches as a number of players have shown good form with bat and ball and a general sharpness in the field.
Roy Honeybone, May 2025
