Club Trivia
This section records fascinating facts, memorable events, and unusual trivia from the history of both the Cricket and Football Clubs. If you have any contributions worthy of publishing, please send them to the Webmaster
On the 5th May 2007, league batting records for the club were smashed in the match against Penton. In 42 overs, a total of 345-1 was amassed. The ever reliable Nigel Dibben contributed 121no, while debutant Oli Sheldrake took the honours with 156no. Oli's 156no is the highest competitive individual score for the Club. The unbroken partnership of 305 is the highest in Club history, and also currently a record for the North 1 Division. The total of 345 was the highest league score achieved by the Club. Despite the above, Oli Sheldrake did not break the record highest individual score for the Club. This is still held by the other Olly, Steve Oliphant, who amassed an amazing 174no in a Presidents Match during the 1990's.
In July 1994 in a league match against Donnington Steve Oliphant and Dave Guy produced a match-winning unbroken fourth wicket stand of 53 with two knocks of differing natures. Oliphant (66no) blasted away at one end while Guy contributed an immensely restrained 0 (nought) not out at the other end !
During the 2003 season, in one league match, Phil Cook took an astounding 6 wickets for only 2 runs.
In 1983, A Littleton player managed to score 9 runs off one shot. How was this possible ? During a charity match against Easton & Martyr Worthy played on Boxing Day, Keith Wellstood played a lofted shot to mid wicket. By the time the ball had been returned to the wicketkeeper, 9 runs had been run. It should be noted that the game was played in 6 inches of snow, and it took nearly 2 minutes to find the ball !
During the 1980's in an evening league match played at IBM Hursley, 6 runs were required of the final ball to win. In almost total darkness, Barry Harding wielded the willow and made a fine connection and the ball flew towards mid wicket. That was the last anyone saw of it. Thanks to the honesty of an IBM fielder on the boundary who said he never saw the ball, but he heard it pitch somewhere behind him, a six was awarded to secure a famous victory.
During the 1980's, for 3 seasons, Littleton fielded one of the few Ladies Teams in the country, let alone the county. Such was the attraction of the club, at one stage we had county players from Hampshire, Gloucester and Sussex playing for us at one time or another, and fixtures included the likes of Loughborough University. We must also mention two excellent lady players, Sue Levick (now Humphreys) and Charlotte Brockway (now Fowkes) who progressed through our Junior section and have represented both the mens 1st and 2nd eleven teams.
It is still believed that Littleton are the only Club to have a lady opening the bowling in the County Leagues. On more than one occasion, Charlotte Fowkes (Brockway) led the attack in County 5 during the early 1990's.
Dave Guy is the nemesis of Steeple Langford. During two consecutive seasons he scored a century in the league against them.
Since the start of the Cricket Club Football Team, only one player has ever scored in 6 consecutive matches.....unbelievably during the 1992-1993 season, Andy Walker.
In 1976, the Clubs first Junior Cricket Team (all under 15) were entered into the Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Games, six a side cricket tournament for Under 19's held at Hoglands Park, Southampton. Despite competing against the cream of Hampshires youth cricketers, most 3-4 years older, the team got to the final. We were only then beaten by Deanery who were the strongest side in the county at that time. The team was Andy Hooker, Nigel Hooker, Andy Walker, Steve Walker, Steve Oliphant and Keith Wellstood.
In 1979, the Clubs Junior side was offered a prestigious fixture against Maidenhead and Bray. At their superb ground, we were duly thrashed, but the highlight of the day was tea with Michael Parkinson, the patron of the Club at that time who generously came and watched the match and spent some time with us.
In 1978, in a league match against Twyford at Hunter Park, the opposition were bowled out for a dismal 12 runs, with Nigel Hooker taking an astounding 8 wickets for 2 runs.
During the 2003 season, Nigel Dibben topped the league batting averages with 77. A brilliant effort, but more astounding was the fact his average was actually greater than his highest score during the season which was 75.
In the days when Hookers Nursery resided behind the hedge at the bottom of the Car Park, there was only one recorded instance of a player clearing the hedge with a six into the greenhouses, this was Chris Green of Easton & Martyr Worthy.
In the 1980's, spinner Andy Walker took 7-13 against Minstead which included one batsman bowled on the 3rd bounce of a delivery (prior to the revised no ball rule).
During the 1992-1993 football season, James Few scored an amazing 31 goals in a season which he only played 16 games.
In one 'memorable' cricket match at Broadchalke, there were obviously problems with the tea ladies, as the only sandwiches available were lettuce and tomato. Medstead also deserve a mention for on one occasion providing beetroot sandwiches !
Spinner Vic Lewis was still representing the 1st team at the age of 63. He was often used on hot sunny days when fielding second. Local knowledge often proved the downfall of the batsman. Tossing the delivery up from the pavilion end at about 6pm, the ball was 'lost' in the sun which would be directly behind the trajectory at that time.
Rob Holden, a villager who came through the Junior section and represented the club for many years as a swing bowler and batsman, is now a renowned author with several television appearances to his name.
Since the 1970's there have been many related players representing the club, often in the same team. Examples are : Austen, John, Richard, Nigel and Andy Hooker - Dave, Mark and Nigel Freemantle - Derek, Mark and Nigel Dibben - Geoff, Chris and Phil Cook - Pete, Glenn and Ruth (our scorer) Kirby - Dave, Simon and Chris Fountain - Andy and Steve Walker - Ray and Steve Fenner - Nick and Mark Burrett - Alan and Paul Zanetti - Jeff and Sue Levick - Pat and Kevin McCabe - Mike and Charlotte Fowkes - Bob and Phil Swindle - Mick and Greg Sullivan.