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N E W C L O S E N E W S May 2021 photo © Dave Reynolds SOUTHERN VIPERS WOMEN’S 40-OVER WARM-UP MATCH - Saturday 1st May The Southern Vipers women’s professional cricket match at Newclose on May Day was billed as taking place behind- closed-doors - which it did; however it did not meet the warm- up match description - the temperature barely reached double figures but that did not detract from some quality cricket – and a great advertisement for women’s cricket. In terms of preparation for the season to come the match provided 24 of the best women cricketers in the South of England with some excellent match practice on a well- prepared pitch and outfield - at a ground blessed with quality facilities which stem from the vision and investment of the late Brian Gardener. The intra-squad game featured the Southern Vipers senior photo © Dave Reynolds eleven (playing under the name of the ‘Cobras’) taking on their colleagues from the Vipers Academy eleven (playing as The Editor interviewing Charlotte Edwards, CBE - the ‘Pythons’). the Southern Vipers coach and England captain for The scorecard read: Cobras 199 for 8 in 40 overs; Pythons 164 ten years from 2006. Charlotte was also named as one all out in 39.5 overs. of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 2014. photo © Dave Reynolds photo © Dave Reynolds Georgia Adams, the Vipers captain, executes a A terrific catch from Georgia Adams in the gully square drive off the back foot to dismiss Abbie Whybrow So, all in all, a terrific day of quality cricket; what a pity it had to be ‘behind closed doors’. Thanks also go to the volunteer stewards and the catering staff; the fare served up was universally praised by the Vipers and the message they conveyed to us was “can we please come back?” Of course, they will be very welcome. Hugh Griffiths Editor email: [email protected]; mobile: 07768 552682 1 First-Class Cricketers born on the Isle of Wight The December 2020 edition of Newclose News listed a total of nine Island-born first-class cricketers. The February edition featured three of these who each plied their skills in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. But three more have since been ‘discovered’: Walter Charles Wheeler, Sir Matthew Wood and Percy John Bird (though the latter two only played one match). Walter Charles Wheeler (1841-1907) Born in Newport on 30th December 1841, Walter Wheeler made his first-class debut in 1873 for Middlesex against Surrey when, as a right-arm medium-pace bowler, he claimed two wickets. In 1875 he joined Surrey and played five first-class games for them in which he took five wickets at an average of 17.60. In 1878 he joined Hampshire, making his debut for the club against Kent when he claimed his only five wicket haul with figures of 6 for 133. In all he took 14 first-class wickets at 23.64 apiece. Wheeler died, close to the Oval in London, on 10th October 1907. Sir Matthew Wood (1857-1908) Born in Newport on 21st September 1857, Sir Matthew Wood was educated at Winchester College and, in 1876, played a solitary First-class match for Hampshire against Derbyshire at the County Ground, Derby. Unfortunately he ‘bagged a pair’ and his slow left-armers were not called upon. He died in Kensington, London on 13th July 1908. Percy John Bird (1877-1942) Percy Bird was born in Northwood on 27th May 1877. He developed into a fine left-handed batsman who bowled slow left-arm orthodox spin. He made his only first-class appearance for Hampshire against Somerset in 1900 scoring 28 in the first innings and nine in the second innings - but did not bowl. He died in Freshwater Bay on 11th November 1942. William Ernest Newnham Scott (1903-1989) Bill Scott was born in Binstead on 31st May 1903 but little is known of his school days. His first game for Ryde Cricket and Sports Club (as it was known then) was in 1919 against Ventnor at Partlands; it was also the club’s first game after the Great War. Aged just 16 he scored just three runs. Bill became known for his all-round sporting prowess, excelling at football, tennis and billiards but it was cricket where he really shone knocking back stumps and scoring centuries. By 1925 he had become the Island’s most notable cricketer. He caught the eye of Lionel Tennyson, the Hampshire captain, when he took five wickets against the MCC at Newport. After that performance he was invited to Hampshire for a trial. Unfortunately for Bill he was prevented from playing further that year by a hand injury and he didn’t make his First-class debut until the 1927 season when he was selected to play against Essex. He dismissed both opening batsmen and had a partnership of over 40 runs with the legendary Phil Mead. In all Bill played five first-class matches for Hampshire: against Essex, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire (twice) and Yorkshire. A right-handed batsman he scored 102 runs at 20.40 in those five games after which Hampshire offered him professional terms. However, he chose the more secure career in banking instead. Reflecting on his career in an interview in 1987, two years before his death, he said: ”In my first season in the 1st XI I’d scored five ‘ducks’ in a row batting at number eight. In the next game Ryde’s inspired captain, Tommy Mellanby, enquired “Bill, fancy opening?”. Bill said “Yes”; it was a last resort but Bill went on to make 70 and he never looked back. At club level he was much sought after and was enticed to the mainland, playing for Littlehampton, Lymington, Fareham and the Hampshire Hogs. He retired back to the Island in the 1960s where he would occasionally watch his former club; the last match he saw was the inaugural Gozo Trophy game on the Green at St Helens in 1988. Bill died at Newport on 6th August 1989; at the time of his death he was reputed to be the only man born on the Island to have played first-class cricket - but that was not so, as Newclose News has revealed. I would like to thank Ryde Cricket Club for its contributions to the above, particularly to the life of Bill Scott. Jon Matthews Membership Secretary email: [email protected]; mobile: 07802 401365 1 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021) and The Lord’s Taverners ECB Trophy The Lord’s Taverners’ Trophy was the Duke of Edinburgh’s idea as Patron (‘Twelfth Man’) of the charity, and it was presented annually to the winning County at a reception at Buckingham Palace. Meeting Prince Philip at the Palace was a special moment for Richard Barrow, a Newclose Cricket Club member and former Vice- Chairman of Sussex County Cricket Club. We thank Richard for contributing this article, written on hearing of the Duke’s death aged 99, on Friday 9th April, just one short of his century. I was: incredibly fortunate to meet the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace three times, representing Sussex County Cricket Club’s three County Championships of 2003, 2006 and 2007. I recall 2003 very well; I was standing with David Green, the Sussex Chairman, and Hugh Griffiths the Sussex CEO, when the Duke came across and started asking us about our ties. Hugh was wearing the members’ ‘Martlets tie’ and I was wearing the members’ striped tie. David was wearing the older ‘Anniversary tie’, which he also claimed to be a members’ tie. This confused Prince Philip and the conversation became an amusing four-way banter as to who had the real Sussex CCC members’ tie. The Duke could see the conversation was descending into something akin to a ‘Monty Python’ sketch and said: ‘I will leave you to sort it out’ before moving on to a more sensible conversation with others in our group. The 2007 visit saw me as not only Vice-Chairman but the Acting-Chairman in the absence of David, who was recovering from illness. A party of forty was invited to the ceremony including the players, coaches, staff and committee. Half of the group made their own way to the Palace, whilst the rest of us travelled by coach from Hove. Leaving the County Ground at 8.20am and encountering heavy traffic, we arrived some forty minutes late - much to our embarrassment. We were ushered into a presentation room at the back of the Palace where those who had arrived on time and Prince Philip were waiting patiently. Feeling somewhat empowered in my Acting Chairman role, and breaking every protocol, I strode straight up to the Duke shook his hand (a big ‘no-no’) apologised profusely, truthfully blaming the horrendous Croydon traffic. In his somewhat abrupt and trademark fashion, he snorted: ‘Well you’re all here now so maybe we can get ondwith it’. After presenting the Lord’s Taverners County Championship Trophy to Chris Adams the Sussex Captain, he spoke to everyone and told me not to lose sleep over it. I was surprised how his death affected me in a way I’d never imagined it would. In my 64 years of life he has always been there as the Duke of Edinburgh. Like London Buses or Marmite sandwiches you just take it for granted. I guess the last thirteen months has taught us to take absolutely nothing for granted, including: seeing family, going on holiday, and watching county cricket.