A Tribute to Rhett Williamson, "Mr. Not-Out"

It's high time for a word or two on the brilliance of Rhett Williamson, who came from Western Australia to rescue Shelton's 2008 season. Rhett has gone back to Australia now, but it was a pleasure to have a guy like him in the team. Whether hitting a crucial 78 to guide Shelton to a tricky win, or leg-spinning his way to four wickets, he was hitting the high standards all summer long. Rhett's home town, Collie, is best known for its coal-mining and power stations. The local media in Collie, the self-proclaimed "Power Centre of the West", seem interested in Rhett's progress at Shelton, as shown in this piece in the Collie Mail.

Rhett's brother Cade, who played cricket in London in 2003, has called his little brother "the most not-out cricketer I have ever seen". This club has to agree, and thank the Aussie for his efforts. Keep it real, Rhetty.

1st XI (at Shelton):
Result: Ludlow win by 8 wickets. Shelton CC – 144 all out (44.1 overs); Ludlow CC – 145/2 (38.4 overs).
Highlights:
Shelton – Rhett Williamson 37, Sam Griffiths 37.
Ludlow – R. Lockley 48, Tim Goldthorp 45, Will Sparrow 5/17, Ali Raza 4/36.

The 2008 season in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League has been a tough one for Shelton Cricket Club. For that reason, although the attitude on the field was as dedicated as usual, one could smile at the end-of-term atmosphere in the pavilion. As music played quietly, the general sentiment was of enjoying the final game of the season, with only indoor cricket left until spring 2009 for most these keen players.

This is excepting the young batsman Harry Jones, who is preparing for a season of discovery playing for a club in Western Australia, and Rhett Williamson, who returns to Australia after a successful English summer in Shrewsbury. Williamson signed off in style on Saturday, finishing as joint-highest scorer having hit 37 runs. Although the home batting was pegged-back throughout by fine bowling from Ludlow, Sam Griffiths managed to eke out a further 37, although as befits the most exciting man in the batting order, Griffiths achieved his runs through thunder and plunder, hitting a six onto the gravel behind the spectators. It was, though, a long batting spell, and one in which he also showed remarkable patience whilst being penned-in by the Ludlow bowling attack. After 64 balls, with two fours and two sixes, Griffiths was the last man standing and wished he could have extended the innings further. Will Sparrow and Ali Raza were the visitors’ bowling heroes, creating a great opportunity for a closing victory.

After tea, Ludlow took only 39 overs and four batsmen to overcome Shelton’s total, but in spite of this, everybody at Shelton Cricket Club is looking forward to 2009, in the knowledge that a good group of young players is developing all the time. To put a further shine on a sunny day, the Shelton Second XI took another victory in a remarkable season, securing second in the Reserve Division courtesy of Keith Martindale and Ross Griffiths, who took five wickets each in Ludlow. All players and staff at Shelton CC would like to thank the club’s sponsors, and all of the people who have attended matches or pledged their support in 2008.

Sunshine Quatt the Doctor Ordered – Quatt CC v. Shelton CC, 13/9/08

(Above): Shelton Second-Team Captain Ross Griffiths hits a cover drive on Saturday

1st XI (at Quatt):
Result: Quatt CC winning draw (8-0). Quatt CC – 153/8 (40 overs); Shelton CC – 93/9 (40 overs).
Highlights:
Quatt – Adrian Evans 40, Craig Harris 34, Craig Jones 4/17, Gareth Jones 3/25.
Shelton – Sam Griffiths 3/24, Andy Wigginton 2/43.

On another day, a losing draw at Quatt might have brought gloom upon Shelton Cricket Club’s first XI. However, after a productive recent period, Shelton had alleviated worries of relegation from the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League, and could take comfort in a positive performance against one of the league’s top teams. Plus, with the sun bright in the sky, it was impossible not to feel happy.

Rhett Williamson took the early scalp, after 23 runs, of former Shelton captain Eugene McCartney, who was opening the batting for Quatt and adding spice to the fixture. Quatt’s middle order also delivered good runs, Adrian Evans’ 40 encouraging similar big scores from Craig Jones (17), Craig Harris (34) and Chris Marshall (22). Into tea, Quatt had a princely total of 153 on the board for Shelton to chase. The visitors saw Andy Wigginton return to familiar plundering form with two middle-order wickets, although all five bowlers tasted success, Sam Griffiths celebrating three wickets of his own and again showcasing his tremendous natural ability.

Things started encouragingly for Shelton, Neil Salisbury continuing his fine recent run of form, scoring 19 before being caught by Jimmy Arbuckle off Barry Jones’s bowling. Unfortunately, this precipitated a mini-collapse, and after an initially promising 12 from Rhett Williamson, Shelton’s batsmen did not hit their stride. The only silver lining in the later-order was a superb 13 runs from spinner Mark Davies, who exhibited a new confidence with the bat. Craig Jones was Quatt’s top wicket-taker with four wickets, ably backed-up by Gareth Jones with three.


2nd XI (at Shelton):
Result: Quatt CC win by 20 runs. Quatt CC – 84 all out; Shelton CC – 64 all out.
Highlights:
Shelton – Ben Chambers 22 and 3/7, Tom Ellis 4/7.
Quatt – G. Bristow 30, G. McKenna 30 and 4/4, R. Jones 4/34.

As with the First XI over in the east of the county, the Shelton Second XI saw an excellent run of results come to an abrupt end at Shelton’s ground. A win looked achievable for Shelton, after Tom Ellis and Ben Chambers combined to devastating effect, taking seven wickets between them and restricting Quatt’s seconds to 84 all out, with a complete buckling in the middle order, Bristow’s 30 excepted. However, the going was tough throughout a rare sunny afternoon, and Shelton’s moist, spongy pitch, looking verdant after a week of consistent downpour, made the going difficult for both sets of batsmen. The home batsmen fell for a total of 64, Chambers’ smashed 22 acting as a boost on a challenging day. In spite of the result, Shelton’s second team can be proud of a great 2008; with one game to go, they are second in the Premier League Reserve Division, behind only the all-conquering Reman Services.

Shelton Albrighton the Day; Mozza Hits the Horse

Albrighton CC v. Shelton CC, 30/8/08
Result: Shelton CC - 1st XI Won by 38 runs
Date: Sat 30th Aug 2008 @ 13:00
Ground: Albrighton Cricket Club
Highlights
Shelton: Neil Salisbury 89, Rhett Williamson 71 and 4/50, Matt Morris 26, Sam Griffiths 3/25.
Albrighton: Nick Archibald 75, Darren Shimmons 25, Steve Cowie 24.

On a surprisingly warm Saturday, Shelton Cricket Club took another big step towards safety in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League, beating an in-form Albrighton side who remain second in the league. With this following the rain-interrupted win over high-flying Madeley the previous week, it is clear that Shelton players are finding form.

Neil Salisbury, continuing as an opener, was again the hero of the day, this time hitting a season’s personal best of 89 runs on a bowling-green smooth pitch. He was backed-up by Matt Morris, taking seriously the role of pinch-hitter, one of his shots landing in the bordering field and bothering a grazing horse, on the way to a score of 26. Rhett Williamson was the latest Shelton batsman to recover his best form, his 71 helping to build a commanding lead at the end of the first innings.

It was a lead which Albrighton attacked with gusto, indeed the home side’s second-innings run rate was higher in the early overs than Shelton’s had been. Nick Archibald was the main Albrighton run-scorer and dangerman, raising the pressure with 75 at number four. It was close, and it was nerve-wracking for Shelton’s supporters, but the Shrewsbury side wrapped up the match through consistent wicket-taking and high-pressure bowling. Sam Griffiths again made his mark with three wickets, although it was spin which made the most inroads into the Albrighton batting order, Rhett Williamson and Mark Davies taking five wickets between them.

The Shelton Second XI continued to impress back in Shrewsbury, dismissing Albrighton’s second-string batsmen for a total of 28.
Shelton’s First-Team fixture list looked difficult on the run-in to the end of the 2008 season, with their final five opponents (Madeley, Albrighton, Reman Services, Quatt and Ludlow) all occupying the higher echelons of the Premier League table. Having beaten two of the toughest teams in Shropshire, though, Shelton’s players now know that anything is possible.

Shelton Smash the Glass Ceiling - Shelton CC v. Madeley CC, 23/8/08

1st XI (at Shelton):
Result: Shelton CC won by 95 runs. Shelton CC – 158/9 (50 overs); Madeley CC – 63 all out, (34.1 overs).
Highlights:
Shelton – 5am Griffiths 25 and 4/20, Neil Salisbury 66, Harry Jones 25.
Madeley – Dinesh da Silva 5/22, Jamie Lloyd 3/36.



On the weekend that the amazing spectacle of the Beijing Olympics ended, Shelton Cricket Club took a great leap forward. The Shrewsbury club announced their return as a force in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League with a sensational victory over Madeley, who had been third in the table coming into this round of fixtures.

Batting had been an area of concern to Shelton for some time, but a change in the order appeared to signal a change in thinking. Gone was the hesitancy of old, replaced by confidence and self-expression. Neil Salisbury led from the front, opening the batting for the first time in 2008, and it was to be his steady hands and crafty shot-making which anchored the innings. By protecting his wicket, taking singles when offered and not giving the Madeley bowlers any encouragement, Salisbury allowed other batsmen to flourish until he was bowled by Jamie Lloyd in the final overs on 66.

Sam Griffiths also starred in Salisbury’s company, producing his usual fiery batting heroics and entertaining the watching crowds with two sixes, his first in senior league cricket. 23 runs were just reward for a great effort, although Griffiths added that he ‘would have liked to have stayed in the middle for a few more overs’. After the interval Griffiths also led the bowling attack for Shelton, his four wickets helping to keep confidence levels up and the Madeley run-rate down.

It looked like another example of the fickle Shropshire climate acting against Shelton when a rainstorm caused a break in proceedings, in the second innings. After a lengthy inspection, the umpires elected to allow the teams to play on, but only until the 35-over mark in the innings. A film scriptwriter could not have penned it better. As Salisbury threw Griffiths the ball for the final over, Madeley were just under 100 runs behind Shelton’s target, but the tail was showing grit in adversity. With the second ball of the over, Griffiths gave Shelton’s players and supporters the tonic they had been searching for, clean-bowling Lloyd and causing raucous celebration amongst the home contingent. In the absence of Andy Wigginton, all of the Shelton bowlers took wickets in a fine team performance. Lawrence Bayley’s three wickets were complimented by Rhett Williamson, Mark Davies and Keith Martindale’s one apiece.

Shelton’s players are enjoying their cricket, and hoping to see out the 2008 season in style.

Shelton Held in Suspense at The Stocking - Broseley CC v. Shelton CC, 9/8/08

1st XI (at Broseley):
Result: Match abandoned. Broseley CC – 100/9 (35 overs); Shelton CC – 13/1 (abn.)
Highlights:
Shelton – Sam Griffiths 4/34, Andy Wigginton 3/27.
Broseley – Gavin Jones 36.

The players and staff of Shelton Cricket Club got the boost they needed after last week’s match against Much Wenlock. Even though the first-team meeting between Shelton and Broseley was a wash-out, ending after only a handful of overs in the second innings when the skies opened, Shelton could still reflect on a job well done. At Broseley’s ground, The Stocking, optimism was in evidence throughout the side. Once again Keith Martindale, on a recall to the first XI, clean-bowled a batsman, this time Broseley’s Edward Bennett. However, this could not steal the limelight from Sam Griffiths, who took 4 batsmen in a self-assured spell.

Broseley looked like staging a potential fightback with the ball, Shivraj Singh trapping Adam Humphreys LBW before the storms began. In the end it was Shelton who could be happier with the way the match ended, proving as it did that the team operates well together, and giving them some very useful bowling points in the league.

Shelton CC offer congratulations to its First-Team Captain, Neil Salisbury. He was absent from Saturday’s match, as he and his wife Becky were welcoming a new addition to the family.


2nd XI (v. Broseley 2nd XI, at Shelton):
Result: Shelton CC 2nd XI won by 10 wickets.
Broseley CC - 82 all out (31.5 overs); Shelton CC – 83/0 (23.1 overs)
Highlights:
Shelton – Jamie Martindale 44 and 2/6, Sam Jones 23, Ben Chambers 3/15, Ross Griffiths 3/27.
Broseley – Chris Nunn 30.

Whilst the first XI found their game cut short, back home at Shelton the seconds were able to start their game earlier, and wrap it up in good time. A ten-wicket victory tells its own story, Ross Griffiths (3 wickets), Ben Chambers (another 3) and Jamie Martindale (2 wickets) showing that Shelton have a great deal of bowling talent throughout the squad. On a damp surface, Shelton restricted the Broseley runs well, fielding with precision, and taking wickets before batsmen could settle. Chris Nunn’s 30 had given Broseley some limited hope for the second innings, before this hope was eclipsed by Martindale and Sam Jones, who saw Shelton home in fine fashion, in only 23 overs.

Shelton CC v. Much Wenlock CC, 2/8/08

Result: Much Wenlock CC - 1st XI won by 20 runs
Much Wenlock First XI: 116/9 (50 overs), Shelton First XI: 96 all out (25.2 overs)
Highlights: Shelton – Sam Griffiths 24, Andy Wigginton 4/27, Rhett Williamson 4/35.
Much Wenlock – Hayden Burling 6/45, Richard Bill 4/25.

Shelton Cricket Club faces a challenging end to the 2008 season in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League. A narrow defeat to a utilitarian Much Wenlock side, bottom of the league for much of the year, was not what the doctor ordered. The real difficulty for Shelton’s players after the match was that there had been a number of outstanding performances, Sam Griffiths plundering a quickfire 24 with the bat at number nine, after Andy Wigginton had taken his customary four wickets, and Rhett Williamson had claimed a joyous four of his own.

Williamson’s leg-spin, an action rarely seen on the playing fields of Shropshire, was honed on the hard, turn-friendly wickets of Western Australia. For once, the Shrewsbury weather did a passable impression of Perth, drying out the pitch and helping Williamson greatly. His fellow spinner, Mark Davies, also claimed a scalp in a confident spell. As Shelton’s wicketkeeper Matt Morris put it, Davies was ‘turning the ball as much as you’d expect on a day-five pitch in Bangalore.’ Amid the falling of stumps, equally notable was Griffiths bowling six overs, conceding only five runs with two maidens. Wenlock’s batsmen seemed rudderless, unable to overcome the onslaught, with no individual scoring more than 20.

It was unfortunate that Shelton’s batting could not provide a fitting compliment to their bowling. Matt Morris looked like he and Rhett Williamson would set a good foundation, until Morris became the second of Hayden Burling’s victims, the fast bowler having already trapped Ben Matthews LBW. Williamson, so often Shelton’s saviour with batting heroics, could only manage 11. Griffiths, ably supported by the experienced captain Neil Salisbury, grafted at the crease. The two seemed to have contrasting styles at times, Salisbury gracefully stroking the ball to the boundary, while Griffiths went for every shot, his runs coming from a Twenty20-style show of strength. The excellent Richard Bill had the last say, dismissing Griffiths and Ben Chambers, and ending Shelton’s hopes of clawing back a result. Only the Shelton Second XI’s latest win, away at Much Wenlock, helped lighten the mood, with Ross Griffiths taking the wickets of three batsmen, and Sam Jones two in a good spell. The astonishing Tom Ellis, at the age of 12, took two wickets in four overs at the cost of two runs.

Second-team photographs by Richard Martindale (top to bottom): Tom Ellis, Sam Jones, Ross Griffiths.