South Northants Cricket League
Premier Division
Fenny Compton v Willoughby
Fenny Compton (218-5 – 15 pts) beat Willoughby (201-8 – 7 pts) by 17 runs
Willoughby just failed in their quest for a second successive SNCL win as they ran out of runs at Fenny Compton.
The home side batted first and took advantage of an indifferent bowling display to start a target of 218 off a reduced allocation of 42 overs. Having been dropped early in his innings, Craig Harris making 78 whilst Anthony Buckingham made 71;WCC's Martin Nichols returning figures of 2 for 45.
In reply, James Rowland gave the visitors hope with a fine 54 and although Simon Blunden made a quick-fire 47, Willoughby fell just short in their run chase by 17 runs.

Division 3
Willoughby A v Finmere
Match cancelled; waterlogged pitch

Club Friendly
Willoughby v RPC Southam
RPC Southam 221-7
Willoughby 223-9
Willoughby won by 1 wicket
An exciting climax saw Willoughby edge home by one wicket largely thanks to the batting efforts of in-form James Rowland.
Rowland hit an unbeaten ton to guide his side to their winning target with only two overs and one wicket to spare.
The visitors were asked to bat first and after an early wicket built a steady innings with French making 39 before Terry Cooper's boundary-ridden 74 - many coming from cleanly-hit sixes, upped the run rate. He fell to a great tumbling catch but Tim Crosthwaite swept a further 31 for a challenging total of 221-7.
Ryan Perry took 3-22, whilst Karl Quinney took 2-41 to partially stem the mid-innings run flow. Mention also for Jack Dunning taking his first senior wicket for the club before Cooper found his range.
In reply, Mark Perry and Gurj Rupal built the early WCC foundations, however, once they departed, Rowland took over. Coming in at 40-2, he kept Willoughby in touch with the run rate and in doing so was building himself a tidy and composed innings. As wickets fell around him, Rowland deservedly reached his ton before accelerating in the latter stages as RPC reduced the other batsmen.
Having controlled Pietersen-style an eighth wicket stand with Quinney, Rowland then had James Green for company and with another six - his sixth of the innings to go with 15 boundaries, closed the game in Willoughby's favour. Rowland finished on 143 of their 223-9 as WCC won an entertaining game by the close margin of 1 wicket.

Willoughby 6-a-Side
Sunday, July 6
Willoughby secured the 2008 title of their own 6-a-Side competition the previous week in another enjoyable day at Pye Court despite the at-times inclement conditions.
The morning showers threatened to abandon the prestigious annual event which was blighted further by first the non-attendance of two of the 12 clubs scheduled to be entering, then a further two side deciding to withdraw from the day's event shortly after arrival.
Nevertheless a quick change to the format and the group system ensured an even more competitve competition and credit must go to all sides for playing their part on the field and their co-operations and patience off it.
The eventual semi-finals saw Braunston Paddox (53-2) progress at the expense of village neighbours Barby (51-0). The other last four clash saw Willoughby (37-3) edge a last ball thriller with victory over Wolston (36-3).
So to the final, and another local derby meeting. Willoughby batted first making 61-3, which proved too much or Braunston as they closed on 40-2, earning Willoughby the 2008 title and the first receipients of the new DD Rowe Trophy, played in honour of the late Mr Rowe who passed away 12 months ago
Despite the conditions, a total of 86.4 overs (562 balls) were bowled during the day, which yielded some 918 runs - including 72 boundaries and 20 x 6's, with a total of 40 wickets taken.
Thanks again are extended to the visiting clubs who played their part in another successful day, as well as the numerous people behind the scenes at WCC who ensured the show must go on and made the day possible and another success.

Willoughby Ladies were victorious in the annual Tip & Run League 6-a-Side held at Stockton at the weekend.
Sunday's tournament on a lovely sunny day saw WCC come second in their league in the group stages. That took them through to the the semi-finals where in a nail-biting game they beat Cemex by one run.
That narrow win meant a final against Barby who earlier in the competition had previously handed Willoughby a heavy defeat in their first game.
Willoughby batted first and set a target of 44 runs; in reply Barby's 'danger women' were out early and could manage 33, earning Willoughby victory and the crown of tournament winners
The winning team consisted of Gemma, Clare, Louise, Kim, Alex, Karen and Claire. Mention also for excellent scoring by Crag and support from various husbands and children.

The week ahead with Willoughby CC
Saturday, July 19
South Northants Cricket League
Premier Division
Willoughby v Priors

Division 3
Crownhill v Willoughby A

Sunday
Club Friendly
Wellesbourne v Willoughby

Monday
Tip & Run
Willoughby Ladies

Tuesday
Rugby & District Cricket League

U13 Youth League
Barby v Willoughby

Wednesday
Rugby & District Cricket League

Division 1
Newbold A v Willoughby A

Division 3
Willoughby B v Newbold B

Thursday
U15 Youth League
Willoughby v Long Itchington B