Whitchurch Cricket Players

Current players

Below is a distinguished selection of our regular players. We are always keen to welcome new players, so contact us to find out about joining us for a game.

	Cormac "Liam" Neeson | Saturday Captain Signed from Ballykissangel Barbarians, Cormac bears an uncanny resemblance to Hollywood legend Liam Neeson, which is no doubt why he is the self-styled leader of the Whitchurch 'brat pack'. Not the most sartorially elegant cricketer due to the lack of an iron in the Neeson household.
	Lyn "Look You" Williams | Sunday Captain Signed from Tonypandy Tonkers in the 1986 transfer window, Lyn is the team's token Welshman. He started his career with Whitchurch as a fielder in the same mould as Colin Bland and Jonty Rhodes but since then has learned to bat and bowl.
	Duncan Seward | Saturday Vice-Captain Unconfirmed rumour has it that as a tour virgin, Duncan was the perpetrator of the Northamptonshire Toilet Disaster 2002. When not disgracing himself, he likes to open the batting.
	James "Jimbo" Shanahan | Sunday Vice-Captain Leading light in the 'international' squad, James joined us from Mandela Maulers. Used to the harder tracks of South Africa, his technique is to pitch the ball short. A big mistake at Whitchurch!
	Mike "Buttie" Butt | Club Chairman Transferred from Ruislip Manor at the start of the 1977 Season, Mike has been virtually ever present ever since. A useful opening bat in days gone by and a tricky slow bowler with a useful wrist action, he is now Club Captain and Number One in the Whitchurch Boat Race Team.
	Andy Arthur A recent signing for Whitchurch who topped the batting averages in his first season with us.
	Ian Ashworth
	Dominic Attard Now a regular in the Sunday side, Dom's also our resident West Ham fan, ruling him out of Whitchurch's transfer market dealings.
	Alastair Batchelor
	Tom Brownlow A recent addition to the Saturday side from the Monday evening coaching programme, Tom has impressed with his bowling variety and accuracy and athletic fielding.
	Matt Chapple Matt made a welcome debut for us at Aldermaston this season.
	Musab Chaudhary Outstanding in the field: don't even think about that quick single if the ball's heading in Musab's direction.
	Tim Close Closey's our one-man Australian division (and don't we know about it) and a leading light in establishing the Whitchurch Colts programme.
	Matt Cook First played for us at Aldermaston, keeping well and scoring a few runs against tricky bowling.
	Robin Cotgreave Once removed the stumps of two batsmen in his opening over, prompting the opposition to play for a draw with just 5 balls gone. Has still not been forgiven by his teammates as it was bloody cold and they froze their nuts off.
	Dodsey
	Chris Ellard
	Chris "Grogie" Grogan Chris likes to take his cricket seriously: a fact normally attributed to his Yorkshire upbringing. He's famous for refusing to walk on the 2001 Devon tour when the snick was heard in Cornwall, as well as for going on a celebration run around the Whitchurch Oval shouting "Yes, yes, yes!" after bowling a 10 year-old. No wonder he was once tied up and left to repent in a phone box whilst on Tour.
	Richard Hand
	Rob Hayes
	Dave Hill "Table Top" hails from South Africa and is the Whitchurch's official Resident Comedian. Occasionally found sleeping on the boundary or in the middle of the road on tour. Thinks he can leap like a Springbok. He can't!
	Geraint "G" Jones Missing in action. Last spotted a long way down the M4. Failed to turn up for breakfast on tour in France. Large fine still accruing.
	Ronnie Khan The first, and possibly only, Whitchurch player to have proposed in front of the team in a restaurant in Cape Town.
	Alan Kydd
	Richard Leach
	David Mattimoe | Secretary Quick in the field, though not quite quick enough at the AGM to avoid re-election as Club Secretary. Best known for his ability to conjure any form of step from a few bits of old decking.
	Grant "Mr." Mottram Another of Whitchurch's Sprinkbok contingent. Also Headmaster of our neighbours Whitchurch Primary School, hence the "Mr."
	Jamie Nixon
	Mark "Nantie" Pearson A fine pace bowler in the Nantie Hayward mould, Mark has quickly established himself in the Saturday team.
	Jim Power | Treasurer Originally found his way into the team on the "having a pulse" criteria, Jim has rapidly moved up to fill the all-important "specialist number 11" slot and now has his eye on promotion to 10.
	Sid Rashid
	Chris "Rusty" Russell Rusty loves driving... not through the covers as one might hope, but in his car as he travels up from Petersfield in Hampshire for every game. A mean left arm over and a swishy right hand bat.
	Pete Shufflebotham
	Paul Struthers Wicketkeeper and scorer of a fine early-season century.
	Travis McRae
	Pete "Horse" Welch "Horse" is so named not because of any appendage about his person but because he has bred them. A true fast fit all rounder who has progressed from the middle order to be one of the club's most consistent openers, he is also a man of mean pace. Talking of which, don't make him cross!
	Harry "Bandana" Williams A leading alumnus of the Whitchurch academy system, Harry is his father's son and hotly tipped to be an even better player. Cool under pressure, Harry even makes time to adjust his hair before taking a catch.
	"Scooby" Williams Scooby is the latest in the long line of Williams' starring for the club, following father Lyn and brother Harry. Expectations are high.
	Steve "Long Hop" Willis | Fixture Secretary Signed in 1985 from Gillingham Football Club where he was a goalscoring legend, Steve earned his nickname when two amazing overs at Wallingford cost Whitchurch a match they were cruising. Can't bat, can't catch, can't run... but incredibly still allowed to bowl. Acting Fixture Secretary "I'll do it just for a few seasons" since 1988.

Some Past Players

We'll be endeavouring to track down some old Whitchurch players and let you know what they are doing these days.
In the meantime, here are some names to savour...

Graham "Why Is My Foot On Fire" Weeks
Malcolm "Oooh Ma Bloody Leg" Parkinson
Chris "Round The" Horne

News

Winning Start
Whitchurch started the season with a good bowling and fielding performance to beat Pangbourne by 3 wickets in this 12-a-side 30 over game. Pangbourne batted first and made 94 all out. Williams H, Batchelor and Cole bowled great spells. After a shaky start Whitchurch's reply recovered to win with 3 wickets to spare at 95-8.

Family Fun 10th May
Kids Kwik Cricket Tournament, BBQ, Family Day and Car Boot Sale on Saturday 10th May 2008.

The Kwik Cricket is open to kids of 7 and up in teams of 8. To join in, download the form (Microsoft Word) and email to back to us.

2008 Fixtures
The 2008 fixture list is finalised and is here. Fixture cards are being printed.