Wigston Fared Much Better (3.5.1970)
Following the latest of a long series of disappointing results against neighbouring Oadby, Wigston fared much better against a strong New Lount Colliery side on Sunday.
With the ball on occasions tending to keep low, run making was never easy and the early batsmen had to struggle somewhat to keep the score moving along.
Brian Carter, after a period of acclimatisation, pulled and drove in a manner suggestive of mid-summer and his half century in 90 minutes was well merited.
Nick May, David Hill and Derek Young all bowled with fire and enthusiasm and their efforts were well backed up in the field.
For a while the belligerent hitting of Freer and Hodges threatened Wigston’s position, but once removed, resistance, gradually petered out.
Hard-hit 62 Steers Wigston To Victory (17.5.1970)
Due mainly to a sound innings by Bob Markham and accurate bowling by the quicker bowlers, Wigston were able to continue their run of wins in two away matches last weekend.
Occupying the crease for two hours on Sunday, Markham ensured a sizeable total for his team with an innings steady and composed at first and developing in aggression towards the tea break.
Brian Lewis and David Gibbins, too, batted soundly and would have had more to show by their names were it not for some extremely tidy fielding and throwing.
The home side fared rather less well with the bat, wickets falling regularly to the pace attack who saw Wigston “home and dry” with 20 minutes to spare.
Wigston Draw Against Difficult Opposition (23.5.1970)
Facing a Rowland United side, amongst Wigston’s most difficult opponents, a draw was obtained after a game containing much enjoyable cricket.
After winning the toss, the works side were soon under way against the pace attack of Brian Lewis and David Hill with a competent opening stand of 31. Wickets in consecutive overs by Hill saw both openers removed and Branston’s arrival at the crease to play a highly entertaining innings in the next 90 minutes. Hicks and Murray also batted brightly and teatime arrived with Rowlands in a strong position.
Wigston by contrast, lost both opening batsmen cheaply against the best attack encountered so far this season, though Norman James had little trouble in collecting 36 hard hit runs.
Stuart Nash struck four quick boundaries but generally the home team were tied down and in some trouble. Thanks to Brian Lewis’s sound technique, his side avioided defeat and in partnership with Roy Mason took the score to respectability.
Wigston Continue Their Unbeaten Run In Style (7.6.1970)
Unbeaten since the first match of the season, Wigston continued their long winning run with an overwhelming victory on Sunday.
Winning the toss, Bob Markham and Derek Young scored at a rapid pace on a placid wicket and fast outfield, putting on 52 runs, before Young was bowled.
Brian Carter, too, batted soundly, but to Brian Lewis went the main honours.
Wigston Double – But It Was A Tough Struggle (13.6.1970)
Wigston completed the double over New Lount Colliery in a hard fought, low-scoring contest on the Gelsmoor ground.
Losing Vic Hardy without scoring, Wigston made slow progress against an accurate attack.
The prolific-scoring Norman James being contained to eight runs in 40 minutes proving to be a most unusual sight.
Brian Lewis, Bob Markham and Doug Moore helped to boost the total and Wigston gradually assumed control of the game.
Despite being hit severely David Hill and Brian Lewis bowled with a fair amount of hostility and their efforts were backed up by keen fielding and certain catching.
The latter batsmen proved unable to cope with the change bowlers, Derek Young and Norman James and the Colliers were 25 short when the last wicket fell.
Mason Hat-Trick Made It Easy Win For Wigston (20.6.1970)
In the first-ever encounter between Wigston and Exton Park, the home team proved to be no match for a side unbeaten since the first match of the season.
On a wicket hardly in keeping with the surrounding countryside the Wigston batsmen were soon under way against bowling a little short of the accustomed quality.
Doug Moore and Brian Lewis took full advantage of the shortcomings to set up a new fourth wicket record of 113 for the Wigston side.
Hitting four sixes in his 64 runs, Lewis played most attractively and with ten fours flowing from the bat of Moore, an easy win appeared a mere formality.
The spin bowling of Roy Mason and Barry Robinson accounted for all the home side in 23 overs, the former including the hat-trick in his return of 7 wickets for 45 runs.
Wigston Hang On To Win (4.7.1970)
Despite an absence of quick bowlers, due to holidays, Wigston eventually emerged the winners in a game where the advantage swayed first one way, then the other.
After losing Vic Hardy with the score at six, Bob Markham and Norman James advanced the score to 35 in a stubborn stand involving an unusual number of extras.
Doug Moore and Derek Young made their valuable contributions and at the end of the innings, Barry Robinson played well enough to ensure a reasonable total.
Pressed into service as opening bowlers, Derek Young and Norman James made quick inroads into the home batting, though several times during the innings the tide turned in favour of Stoneygate.
Victory Snatched From Jaws Of Defeat (11.7.1970)
Wigston completed a good weekend double at Rugby and Ufford, though not without a number of shocks. On occasions, the prospect of losing was a very real threat.
Batting first at Rugby, Wigston lost their first six batsmen for only 34 runs to the accurate bowling of Reynolds and Barrett who were well backed up in the field.
A fine innings by Ed Nicol who scored 38 in a stand of 46 restored the situation, but at 89 for 8 Wigston were deep in trouble again.
That Wigston reached their moderate score was due to a face saving stand of 49 by Brian Carter and the number ten batsman, Malcolm Boulter.
Oakfield too lost early wickets to the pace bowlers and though Watts batted sensibly for a time never looked likely to save his side.
James Dominates (12.7.1970)
Once again the fast bowling of David Hill, Norman James and Michael Turner made quick inroads into the ranks of a normally high-scoring side.
Hill, in particular kept the batsmen in check and his five wickets were well deserved.
Four quick wickets were lost with only 20 runs in credit when Wigston batted, but from that point Norman James took charge, striking fifteen fours and dominating the six bowlers tried. He eventually won the game with an hour to spare.
Father, Son In Record Partnership (22.8.1970)
After a tremendous opening stand of 95, Kirby Muxloe looked capable of a huge score, and their all out total of 144 was due to some accurate bowling by slower bowlers Keith Smith and Len Phillips.
In Wigston’s reply, the father and son combination of Geoff Dunkley and Paul Dunkley added 108 for the first wicket, a record for second eleven games.
