REVIEW OF THE SEASON 2025

Posted on October 8, 2025 by John Smith

The 2025 season had many mixed emotions starting with Terrence’s brave battle against a horrible illness which. like the true champion that he is, he is fighting all the way. This was epitomised at Burton Court in Chelsea which was a celebration of life, friendship and cricket and probably one of the best days ever in LSCC history as many London Saints along with Terrence’s friends and family joined together on an emotional and uplifting day. Sadly, though we lost two LSCC legends this year. Firstly, Dave, Smudger Wide Over, Smith and winner of one of the best champagne moments for his classic umpiring, Secondly, Nick, Farmer, Head, a former player, umpire and tourist on many of our tours and huge supporter of the club as the London Saints Treasurer ensuring that the cricket club always got sufficient budget funds. Nick was responsible for our Somerset cricket tours as he was the initial contact with his old club Norton St Philip where we played our first tour game in 1997. Both lovely people who will be sadly missed.

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Onto the cricket which saw us, in the club’s 45th year, play our 491st match welcoming 6 new players into the club taking our overall total of players who have represented the club up to 232 over the 45 years. In total 39 players were used (a record), 37 of whom batted, 24 of whom bowled with 22 of these taking wickets (a record) and 18 players taking catches (a record) and 2 achieving a stumping.

Our full record was Played 11, Won 5, Drew 0 and Lost 6, opposite the 6-5 record last year, so over the last 2 years we have won 11 and lost 11. One game was called off at quite short notice but we managed to find a replacement (if maybe too strong) opponent taking the total number of opponents that we have faced up to 79.

Apart from our Witham Friary tour comeback victory, our other 4 wins were fairly convincing whilst two of our 6 losses could easily have seen us win giving us another winning season. As mentioned above the highlight was Terrence’s celebration day in Chelsea but we also had an enjoyable tour even with depleted numbers and as usual a great season finale at Ex Blues when another depleted team put in a fine effort.

The Player of the Year vote was won by The Resurrection Man, Andy ‘White Viv’ Jones who took 41% of the 31 votes with Harry Rogers 2^nd and Max Cohen 3^rd, a comeback story to rival all others. Cruelly written off by some Andy came back to average almost 44 in his 5 innings including his 7^th half century for the club.

The Garry Burrell Duck trophy was decided in almost record time with Il Duce recording his 3rd duck in the first 3 games with 2 of them (in some eye’s controversially) in the same game at Coldharbour as he batted twice in a crazy last 4 balls of our innings due to circumstances involving an LSCC collapse and our unavailable POTY (those who were there will know !!). Fine efforts from Oscar, Ed and Richard G with 2 ducks but they couldn’t stop the skipper securing his 3^rd duck trophy.

On the batting front, Harry topped the batting averages (and aggregates) with an amazing average of 283.00 from his 4 games which but for the Resurrection Man would have surely seen him win the POTY. There were some great averages this year with Max averaging 126.00 including his first career 50 and Jonny Mousley averaging 83.00 including his annual unbeaten half century away to Old Chelmsfordians. Harry scored 3 half centuries (inc the season top score of 92) with Oscar also scoring an unbeaten 50 to bring the half century total up to 7 from the club this season. A reflection of our good season was that 16 players had double figure batting averages (one up from our winning last season). The best partnership was 158 for the 3^rd wicket (3^rd best ever) in our thumping 128 run victory away to Old Chelmsfordians which was shared between 4 players, Harry, Jonny, Oscar and debutant James Patient (due to the agreed 50 and retire rule). As well as Oscar’s best ever score, Paul Dover Calais scored his best ever LSCC score of 45 on tour in Somerset – we’ll never know how many Paul would have scored if Mr, Jinx, JG, hadn’t opened his mouth.

On the bowling front, the 81 wickets (4 more than 2024) were shared around between 24 players, with DT topping the list with 15 followed by Dickie with 9 and Phil with 8 (with 4 of those in the same over as he took the club’s season best figures of 5 wickets for 6 runs). Dickie further demonstrating his versatility topped the averages, (of all those bowling 10 overs) with his 9 wickets being taken at an average of 9.11. Honourable mentions for Max and Son-in-law Richard who joined Dickie in taking their LSCC best ever figures in 2025.

On the fielding front 38 catches were taken with Dickie taking the most with 6 (plus a stumping) followed by Ed with 4 and Harry and Oscar with 3 as our out-fielding, in the main, continued the upward trend from recent years.

On the milestone front, DT, the skipper. achieved two unique milestones, on the one hand finally achieving his target of 500 LSCC wickets whilst on the other hand being the first to 50 ducks – from the sublime to the ridiculous. Also on the batting front, Phil hit his 1,500 run target and Harry hit his 500^th LSCC run in only his 9^th innings. Phil also achieved 150 LSCC wickets and finally congrats to DT on his 400^th game, White Viv on his 150^th game and innings and Andy Mayhew on his 150^th innings.

Going forward there will be two Champagne Moment trophies, one for excellence and one for a cock-up – both will be announced at the cricket team meal. The Clubman of the Year will also be announced at the meal along with the Ian Shiels Tourist of the Year.

So on the field it was another enjoyable season involving a record number of players and most importantly some new blood which was certainly needed with the semi or full retirement through age or injury of many of the older stalwarts. The number of players did though reflect the struggle we had in many games to get out a full team but by hook or by crook we did for every game. We will though have to think about maybe cutting down a few fixtures including the tour as the amount of work involved getting out teams has increased in recent years. Not though in 2026 as will have the usual full fixture list as we are only 9 games away from our 500^th which we would like to celebrate in a suitable way – all ideas are welcome.

Cheers

DT