January 2002

And so here we are two years into the millennium with much to discuss. Channelling the Sultan of Swoon, I have High Hopes for 2002, Yes I will be on the cusp of seven times five in years completed, but the sustained consumption of biffidus digestibum, red wine, dark chocolate and the full gamut of pulses, guarantee that my presence in the next century is a given. There is pleeeenty of time to prepare to dance the funky chicken in my one hundred and thirty second year, when I confidently predict that even a hundred years on, Dan Fogleburg's efforts to crack the New Year's Eve music market will continue to fail.

 It's all about the tune Dan.

 Anyway returning to today and the palindrome that is the year 2002..... (it's 2016 -ed)

(are you sure?.... your correspondent)

(yes, quite sure, anything to say about the cricket?......ed)

(Oh yes, apologies, the cricket..... definitely 2016? did I miss a few years?......your correspondent)

(Definitely 2016, we've got people queuing up to do this gig, now how about some cricket.....ed)

(Easy Tiger, Take a Break, Chat, and Closer are only a phone call away, I could work a horoscope or two if minded.....your correspondent)

(Suit yourself, it's still 2016 and can we please just have the cricket....ed)

 With some reluctance, particularly with Jupiter entering Mars and the signs not good for stumpy virgos (I'm thinking of you ed)  I give you the cricket:

 After some words from the Dame.....such a loss

 We'll build a glass asylum,with just a hint of mayhem

 No, not that one,

 Since I'm not supposed to grin

All you've got to do is win

Thank you David, well done and a poignant segway to news of triumph on the cricket field.

 Winchester & District Indoor Leagues.

 Longparish I

Longparish clinched the Division 1 title after finishing the season with six wins out of seven. The might RAM were dismissed for 83 with Scott Sturt taking 3 for 17 a target that Longparish passed with an three and a half overs remaining for the loss of 1 wicket with William de Cani unbeaten on 28 and Michael Taplin unbeaten on 20.

Longparish set Compton & Chandlers Ford a target of 121 for victory after William de Cani hit 30, Scott Sturt 21 and Harry Martin 23. For the second match in succession Martin finished with 0 for 14 , Alex Coetzee took 2 for 35 and Scott Sturt 1 for 15 in a 47 run win.

In the final game of the season skipper Matt Jackman lost the toss, and Longparish were invited to bat against a strong Sparsholt side and posted respectable 158 for 4 from their 12 overs with Matt Jackman hitting 26, Scott Sturt 27 and William de Cani 49, run out off the last ball of the innings going for the third run with the skipper.

 Ben Gardner and Harry Martin bowled superbly to restrict the Sparsholt scoring rate, Jackman picked up a brace of wickets and Michael Taplin superbly ran out Stuart Tognarelli who was threatening to cut loose, to nail down a 51 run win and the Division 1 title.

 Longparish II

With one game remaining Longparish II have won three of their five games after a win over Swanmore and a loss to Fair Oak III. Swanmore struck a below par 119 for 5 despite an over from George Kousseff. Kousseff also chipped in with an unbeaten 25 and Dan Bearpark 24 in a 4 wicket win.

Against Fair Oak III, Jamie Blackmore took 2 for 28, Paul Blackmore 1 for 15 and George Kousseff 0 for 16 as Fair Oak closed on 130 for 5. Longparish II lost early wickets, but the Blackmore brothers going bananas with the bat in the final knockings got Longparish ii to within 8 runs of the target with Paul Blackmore unbeaten on 33 and brother Barry one better on 34.

 Longparish III

Longparish III had a storming end to their indoor campaign to secure the Division 3 title. Against RAM II, Harry Samways took 3 for 15 and Gary Taplin 2 for 34 as RAM II were all out for 112 in the final over. Justin Jackman hit 21, Harry Samways 18 and Dan Bearpark was unbeaten on 41 in a 4 wicket win.

Things didn't go so well against Tichborne Park. Dan Bearpark hit an unbeaten 30, but that's a given, he's only been dismissed once this year in the league, and Gary Taplin added 24 as Longparish III closed on 123 for 4, a target that a strong Tichborne side passed in the final over as Longparish III experienced defeat for the first time this winter.

Victory against Littleton & Westhi II, or possibly Westhill, would secure the title. A few overs in and it was clear that Longparish III were on easy street with biscuit wheels (after prodnose) Harry Samways, Callum Giles, Dan Bearpark and Gary Taplin picked up wickets, Taplin belied his years to athletically throw down the stumps from square leg and skipper Justin Jackman was pleased with the side's fielding performance that saw his side chasing 69. William Samways hit an unbeaten 25 and Dan Bearpark was unbeaten (again) on 25 as Longparish III passed the target in the 8th over to clinch promotion and the Division 3 title.

 Dummer Indoor Cricket Leagues

 Longparish Lightweights

Just the one game, an 80 run win over Haymakers in which Dan Pomroy hit 23, Michael Taplin 28 and Matt Jackman an unbeaten 38. Taplin also took 2 for 11. At the halfway stage of the season, The Lightweights occupy second place in Division 1 on 92 points 2 points behind Hook.

 Longparish Longhops

Dan Bearpark hit 48 against Cricketistanis as the Longhops were dismissed for 104. Jamie Blackmore and Jordan Blackmore took wickets but could not prevent their side falling to a 4 wicket defeat.

Against Kiss my Chiminda Vass ( I know, I know, they're funny guys)Dan Bearpark struck 27, Jamie Blackmore 30, Jordan Blackmore and Dan Pomroy  as the Longhops posted 170 for 2. Alex Brinton picked up a wicket in a convincing 51 run win. At the halfway stage of the season, The Longhops sit second in Division 2 behind Yateley.

 Longparish Lappas

Longparish batted first against Ashes 2 Ashes (Whither the Dame) Jordan Blackmore 35 and Gary Taplin 63 as the Lappas closed on 145. A target that Ashes 2 Ashes (poignancy returns) passed with 1 wicket and 2 balls remaining                   Gary Taplin took 2 for 25 against Hook Wilbys who set the Lappas a target of 131 for victory. William Samways hit an unbeaten 42 and Harry Samways 25 in a 3 wicket win. With seven games completed the Lappas lie second in Division 3.

 Longparish U15

In a remarkable game of cricket against Hook U15 Longparish U15 bowled first and failed to get a wicket as an impressive Hook side racked up 139 for 0.  Five overs into the Longparish U15 reply and with only one wicket remaining something miraculous was required if Longparish were to get anything out of the game. Callum Giles may have run out of partners but for the next seven overs he set about a quality Hook attack, carrying his bat to score an unbeaten 93, the highest indoor individual score by a Longparish cricketer in recent memory, and secure a remarkable 1 wicket win for Longparish U15 who are now neck and neck with Basingstoke U15 for the top division title.

AGM

The AGM will be held on the 2nd March at 7.30pm, location to be announced in February (Ok Ok, I forget the location we agreed upon, and yes, it would help if I could read my extensive notes, but it was either the Cricketers Inn or the Village Hall, definitely in Longparish. More news as we have it) Change can be a force for good, as the republic of France will attest, and if you fancy helping out, or filling some shoes please don't be a stranger. There's a case to be made for somebody else having a go at chucking up this guff as I seem to lose the thread with increasing regularity, and I know Madam Hundred Club is standing down due to personal reasons, so there is one space that has to be filled.  All welcome on the night to raise cain, wave fists and demand to know where it all went wrong last year.

 Harry Martin

Longparish 1st XI opening bowler, and 1st XI bowler of the year, is running a marathon in February to raise money for club funds. Expenditure this winter will include replacing the netting on the nets and new boundary rope, plus the other inevitable surprises that crop up each winter. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored Harry so far. If you feel you would like to sponsor Harry and support Longparish cricket club, please drop him a line at harrymartin13@hotmail.com. New nets and boundary rope come in at a minimum of £2500, every pledge, be it £1 or £50 will help towards replacing these vital pieces of equipment.

Well done Harry, and thanks for all your efforts.

 Christmas Draw

Thank you to everyone who supported the Christmas Draw that raised £300 to put towards the new nets and boundary rope

 Shirts

It is the time of year when many of you will be thinking of buying shirts, at which point could I currently point you to a few that I have offered for sale on Ebay, worn a few times with minimal staining, I am not the shape I once was and midriff peeps through the gaping between buttons so I am informed that they have to go.

If they are not quite the style you are after. Longparish shirts for both on and off the field along with an extensive range of leisure wear (plans are afoot for a more formal range including cummerbunds, capes, canes and cravats) are available through the shopping section on the website. Although it may be prudent to hold off until mid March when negotiations over sponsorship are complete and the relevant logo/logos can be put on the range of new shirts.

 Hundred Club Draw for December

Thank you to everyone who attended the "Live" draw in December which passed off without real incident. Madam would like to remind Hundred Club members that subscriptions for 2016 are now due.  As ever £12 a ball, one draw a month with big cash prizes. New members always welcome.

 Payment can be made online where the account details are: HSBC, Sort Code 40-08-28,  Ac No. 61087401 please put LCC 100 Club as a reference along with the ball number if possible.

 Or by posting a cheque made payable to Longparish CC 100 Club to Mrs R de Cani, Stable Cottage, Bransbury, Barton Stacey, Winchester, Hants, SO21 3QJ

 This is the last  year that Madam will be doing the balls. She has received her calling and must travel east to Mecca and a crash course in bingo lingo before working the dais and mic on junction road once a week. On behalf of all at the club, thank you for all of your hard work running the hundred club over the years, that has raised vital funds for Longparish Cricket. If anybody is interested in running the hundred club please make yourself known to Madam or a member of the Committee.

 January Draw - and as we have the space we'll indulge ourselves with a larger font

£35  G Kousseff

£15  A Herbert

£15  B Nicholson