LANCING MANOR CRICKET CLUB

Ray Knight.RHB.1958-81.
6"4' opening bowler who's performances in the late 50's and early 60's placed him at the top of the bowling stats as the Club re-formed in 1958. On the Nth/Sth newly laid square of the Manor he was said to have been virtually unplayable and the newspaper reports, averages and final stats of his prior to him moving on to Goring CC place him in the Top 5 Bowlers who've played for the club - had he stayed longer his overall record would perhaps have argued with Russell Wood in terms of quantity of cheap wickets.
In 1958 he took 61 wickets at 6.4 with an astonishing 7 x 5w. A best of 8-14 would remain his best for the club. He also took 7-9, 7-15, 6-14, 6-19, 6-23, 6-26 in that 1958 season. He followed this with 58 wickets at 7.9 in 1959. Including a further 3x 5w the best being 7-9, 7-10, 6-15 as he retained the Bowling Cup. Over the weekend of 14th/15th May he took 15.1-9-19-14 as the two 7-for's just noted were achieved. The 7-9 included a Hat-trick followed by a 4-wicket over so grabbed 7 wickets in 2 overs! He also notched over 300 runs including his top score of 53no
1960 saw only a handful of matches but he managed to bag 6-44 and a 50no. He was back in 1961 to take 25 wickets at 8 to take the Bowling Cup for a third time with 2x 5w which were 7-33 and 5-11
His departure to Goring in May 1962 was reported in the Herald, such a loss to the Club, the Skipper, Frank Allen, noted.
He was the cousin of Les Lenham (they had first played on the Manor together as kids in the late 40's) which may have been instrumental perhaps in his return to the Club in 1981, by which time he was into his late 40's and for reason unknown only bowled 5 overs in 9 matches.His feats of old however see him at the top of the stats and records' pages.
CAREER STATS.
54 matches , 744 runs @16, high 53n , 2x50, 158 Wckts @ 7.85, 13x5w, Best 8-14
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1958, 1959, 1961

Frank Allen. 1958-1961
Skipper from 1954 until his 1961 departure, so oversaw the move of the club from Worthing to Lancing in 1958. He had played for Worthing Old Grammarian's since the mid 1930's and had been the back-bone of the team - not just skippering, but holding various committee positions and by all accounts being the heart of the club and the Worthing Herald seemed to obtain reports, quotes and photo's almost each week. On field his Grammarian's stats were when he was around 50 years old but nevertheless proved his worth.
In both 1958 and 1959 he achieved the 400 run, 40 wicket double and in fact in 1959 saw 758 runs and 53 wickets the 500/50 double that only John Lane and Simon Haggis have achieved in the 50+ years' since.
Some of his bowling stats in this era of wicket-friendly pitches: 7-28, 5-8, 5-21, 6-16, 6-40, 5-1 the last is still the best 5-for return.
A full-page profile in the Herald in June 1961 stated his best ever season was 1953 when he took 99 wickets - you'd think they would have played another game that season!. It also reported 9-28 against Arundel in 1954 saw all 9 bowled. Both these were from before the Gramm's moved to Manor in 1958, but still reveal something of the bowling talent. with the bat he'd actually gone 21 seasons from his maiden 50 in 1937 to his first at the 'Manor' in 1958 - and followed with another 6 more in those 4 seasons as Skip - clearly the new 'home' was to his liking. His best season at the Manor was 1960 as he bagged the double of both Batting and Bowling Cups - something only Lenham (twice), Beale and Reynolds have subsequently achieved. His 7-28 this season helped him snare 27 wickets at 6 each as he also snapped up lots of cheap 2-for's and 3-for's
His last season, 1961, saw another 400 Run/25 Wicket season with a top score of 59 and 5-fors of 6-40 & 5-44.
The 4 'Manor' seasons had seen 7 Fifty's and 8 Five-Wicket hauls from the Skipper.
CAREER STATS.
109 matches, 1878 Runs @ 18.5, 7x50, best 65. 155 Wickets @ 13.8, 8x5w, Best 7-28.
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1960 - 1st XI Bowler 1960

Ken Batchelor1958-1964
Batchelor's 'Manor' career appeared to be in two distinct parts.
The debut at Lancing in 1958 saw his 30 Matches gather 352 runs at 12 with a top score of 39.
Nothing remarkable there. He did take 29 wickets at 15.5 with ultimately a Career Best 8-35 followed the next day with 5-12 so returning a weekend 13-47 which does of course mean only 16 in the rest of the summer!

The 1959 and 1960 seasons were missed entirely (the Herald reported work commitments) before he returned in 1961 with 433 Runs with a Career High 78no and another 29 wickets with 2x5, ( 6-62 and 5-35 ).
1962 saw 550 Runs at 39 with scores such as 67, 51no, 74, 55no, 40, 36no, 36 boosting the average to new levels and a 1st Batting Cup. His bowling was seen far less as others took over.
1963 then saw another couple of half-century's ( 74no, 59no ) as he again Topped the Averages to retain the Batting Cup.
The 1964 season saw only a couple of apperances and basically that was that - two run-making seasons and he was gone.
CAREER STATS.
85 Matches, 1629 Runs @ 22. High 78no, 7x50, 69 Wickets @ 14.96, 4x5, Best 8-35
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1962, 1963.

Tom Dix. 1959-1962. RHB - Medium Pacer
Perhaps overshadowed by firstly Knight, then Watts and Dawson in his time at the Manor, his first season for the club in 1959 saw a total of 218-24-760-53 and with that an Average of 14.3. This was somewhat boosted by his first '5-for' for the club. That just happened to be 9-15 against Worthing 'A' in June which still stands over 50 years later as the best 1st Team Bowling Figures ever. Martin Gander's 10-40 in 1979 was for the 2nd XI.
5-52 and 6-58 were his other major returns as he finished behind Knight in the Bowling Averages.
Hardly playing at all in 1960 he returned fully in 1961 with 44 wickets at 10.9 to again finish 2nd to Knight in the Averages. 4 times he took 5 wickets those being ( 7-38, 6-28, 5-22, 6-36 )
1962 saw 9 expensive (for the time) wickets in a half-dozen games as his Manor career finished. His batting saw only a single score of over 20, that being a 40no which perhaps suggests he was not a total tailender.
His overall Bowling Stats are excellent by today's standards, but do not necessarily put him ahead of the clutch of bowlers of his time.
CAREER STATS.
29 Matches, 154 Runs, High 40no, 108 Wickets @ 13.5, 7x5w, Best 9-15

Ian Pitt.RHB.1960-1970
Opening Batsman who in the one full summer of 1961 showed himself to be head and shoulders above the rest of the Batsmen at the Manor. Which therefore lead him to bigger things elsewhere.
In 1960 he'd chipped in with 65 and also 3-15 & 2-9 in his handfull of games before returning fully in 1961 (he also happened to bring his mate Tony Watts with him!) to storm the Batting Cup with 635 runs at 27.6 only one other player averaged more than 20 as Pitt also scored the first hundred, 103, since the club moved moved to the Manor in 1958. (Although Les Lenham being bowled for 98 in the last over before tea earlier in the season had nearly beaten him to it).
He scored 3 further 50's including an amazing 81no out of 120 all out as the team collected 7 ducks in the innings.
He also snared 35 wickets at 14 with a best of 4-13. Over the next 8 seasons however he only batted 8 times in a dozen matches as he moved to (quite successfully) Worthing Cricket Club, sporadically turning out for the odd game. His wickets were always taken cheaply. He biffed 6 sixes in his 81 against Lancing College in 1968, the last of his 50+ innings for 'Manor'.
His career Average through the 1960's still stands well today and considering the wickets at the time these showed a batsman a class apart and could feasibly be pushing 40 or more in the 'modern' game. Our loss was said to be Worthing's gain.
CAREER STATS.
42 matches , 1035 runs @31.3, high 103 , 1x100 6x50 , 66 Wickets at 10.7, 2x5, Best 5-23
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1961.

Tony Watts. 1961-1966.
After what could perhaps be described as an average debut season for Gramms' in 1961 (17 wickets at 14 each), Tony Watts took on the mantle of opening bowler after the departure of Ray Knight to Goring CC in May 1962.
1962 saw over 60 wickets at less than 9 each, with a best of 6-12, 5-15, 5-19, 5-34
He then took over the Captaincy in 1963 and held this for 4 summers (apart from resigning midway through '64).
1963 saw a further amazing season of more than 70 wickets at around 6 runs each as 5-6, 5-13, 5-21, 6-25, 4-9 saw a clatter of wickets most weeks. 1964 saw fewer matches as he also resigned the Captaincy in June amid reports of 'lack of support'. He still managed to rack up nearly 50 wickets whilst including the following:- 5-20, 5-21, 5-48, 4-3.
He was also selected for a representative match against Arundel as his reputation grew.
He returned in full force as Captain in 1965 with the following match hauls of 8-6, 8-11, 8-12 in a seasons' total of
355-123-683-100 - the first bowler since the 1958 're-start' to take 100 wickets in a season. As you can see, these were taken whilst conceeding less than 2 runs per over!. He took a combined 24-13-17-16 in the two games against West Chiltington who surely must have been waving the white flag when he started the second match.
His last season, 1966, saw an injury to his back that meant the first half of the season was all but lost completely - as Hewitt took the strain, but he still managed a dozen matches later in the season and reaped 25 further wickets, including another 5-for, 5-35.
His overall figures of over 300 wickets in such a short career stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats of the Club.
His non-appearance after that 1966 season is not noted - whether injury or a move to another club isn't fully known, but his record is certainly stamped all over the record books - certainly three lots of cheap 8-for's in one season is something pretty unique!
CAREER STATS.
94 Matches, 558 Runs @ 21, High 46, 321 Wickets @ 7.87, 18x5w, Best 8-6
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1962, 1963, 1965

Gerry Dawson.RHB - 1961-1969.
After a few appearances in 1961 & 1962 (he fallen and broken a hand during '61), it was 1963 that saw the first explosive performance from this Medium Pacer. 6-36 was the first of many 5-for's to come in a season of 16 cheap wickets. He also biffed a 40no which would remain his career high. This was followed in 1964 with 33 wickets at less than 7 each to win the Bowling Cup which following a 7-39 and 5-27 saw a career best 11-2-35-9 which saw him take the first nine wickets to fall but was the first of many bowlers who fell short of the club best 9-15 that Dix took in 1959. 1965 saw a further 5x 5w performances ( 5-30, 6-31, 5-58, 5-28, 6-39 ) as a further 40 cheap wickets were taken in a dozen matches.1966 saw a drop to a dozen wickets and no 'five-fors' -
However, 1967 came back with a bang with a best season 61 wickets at 6.8 each with 8 times taking 5 or more including 2 more 7-fors' (7-33, 7-67) in only 15 matches - that's 4 wickets a game, striking every 3 overs! - to win the bowling Cup for the 1st Time - a feat he repeated in 1968 with 38 wickets at 10 with another 2x5w, inc 5-15.
1969 saw Russell Wood burst onto the scene and along with Norman Johnson and John Lane bowling many overs, Dawson only bowled 90 overs in 18 matches - he may/must have been injured in view of his previous exploits - but this was to be his last season for the Manor Club as he was to move abroad.
However, his 9 seasons' saw a great haul which on the odd occassion saw the 6's, 7's and the 9 being taken - that despite the efforts of Dix, Watts and Hewitt who seem to do it when Dawson didn't. For example in 1965, Dawson 5 times, Watts 4 and Hewitt 4 times had 5-wicket matches - a great line up.
CAREER STATS.
87 Matches, 287 Runs @ 7, High 40no, 240 Wickets @ 8.39, 19x5w, Best 9-35
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1964, 1967, 1968

Neil Hewitt.RHB - 1963-1973.
Appeared in '63 as an 18 year old seamer who chipped in with 22 wickets at 11 each - including 2-36 off 10 overs against a David Sheppard Sussex XI in a benefit match at the Manor when all the other bowlers went round the park. That haul included 6-53 the first of 20 Career 'five-fors' - remarkable in less than 80 matches.
Therefore obtained once every four matches. He mainly played Saturday's during the first few seasons', which feasibly halved his return. Despite that, his economical stats bear testament to his ability. He had a 8-65 in 1964 which was his only 5-for that season of 16 wickets. In the bowlers' season of 1965 (whilst Watts/Dawson took 140 wickets with 9x5-fors) he chipped in with 30 wickets at 6.8 each in 8 matches, including 6-22, 5-23, 5-11, 6-37
He stormed the Bowling Cup in 1966 with 60 wickets at 5.4 each with 7 lots of 5 or more including 5-11, 5-37, 6-22, 6-23, 6-11, 7-27, 5-15. That was acheived in only 13 matches - The Worthing Herald did a big feature on him, stating that with Watts' injured, 21 year old Hewitt took the bowling on his young shoulders. The paper focussed on a period when he took 30-92 off 79 overs and in any period those figures are exceptional. He followed with 53 wickets at 11 each in 1967 with a further 5x 5w including 8-55 off a marathon 23 over spell in an all day match at Farnham either side of lunch!.
That meant 12x5w in two seasons! However, these back-to-back 50+ seasons' were the last of the major hauls as from 1968 to 1973 his returns were 10, 1, 17, 1, 0, 3 as he played a total of 21 matches in those 6 season's as he'd moved to Hampshire and when he did play his path was blocked by Johnson/Wood/Lane/Bazen/Winter. Considering his spells remained tight, (those 10 in 1968 included a career best 16.5-6-31-8 ) it confirms the potency of the Johnson/Wood pairing.
However, he finished with over 200 cheap wickets in his time at the club at roughly 2 runs per over which is superb.
Only Watts, Knight and Dawson bettered his Career Average of the 34 bowlers with more than 100 wickets.
CAREER STATS.
76 Matches, 147 Runs @ 6, High 16, 213 Wickets @ 9.22, 20x5w, Best 8-31
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1966

Mike Reynolds RHB.1966-1982.
Opening Batsman and Captain from 1972-1978. Scored more runs in the 1970's than any other player , 5029 - Held run-scoring record for club which is now held his son Neil. He still holds 3rd wicket partnership record (178no) from 1971 with Randall Lyon when both players hit their only Manor hundreds. Was runner-up 4 times in Batting Cup , 3 in a row 73-75. - he was also 5 times the leading run-scorer between 1969 and 1976 and finished 2nd highest in the other 3 seasons in that time too showing great consistency.
Altogether passing 500 runs in 6 different seasons. He actually passed 600 in each of the 1973,'74,'75 seasons.
His overall average may be 10-12 below the greats of the club, but during the late 60's and early 70's the game was certainly different - bowlers averaged just below/just over double figures and his fellow team-mates rarely bettered his seasonal stats - just as bowlers of today think it must have been easier to bowl in the 'old days' it must therefore have been more difficult to bat! - his near 7,000 Career Runs has still only been bettered by 8 others and being an opening Bat he certainly had fewer not-outs to boost the average.
Sadly passed away during the summer of 2000.
CAREER STATS.
422 matches , 6802 runs @19, high 103n , 1x100 17x50 , 102 catches

John Lane RHB.1966-1982.
6'4" Medium Bowler & Big-Hitting All-Rounder
One of two players to have achieved the 4000 run/500 wicket/100 Catch career record for the 1st XI (other being Luckhurst).Only player to do the double of 500 runs/50 wkts in season twice.Took 93 wickets in 1973.Held fielding record of 21 catches in a season for 25 years until broken by Danny Griffin in 2000.Took 7 wickets or more in innings 6 times.Won Club 1st XI Batting Cup in 1975 & 3 times finished runner-up to Russell Wood in Bowling Cup...Took 68 wickets in 1972 and 77 in 1974. Once hit 22 runs off last 5 balls of an over.In 1970 in an innings of 60 he had the following scoring shots..154644644624424..This had followed early career of collecting 'ducks' , 8 in a season twice & 4 in row.Promotion to opener brought 780 runs in 1976.
CAREER STATS.
337 Matches , 4416 runs @17 , high 102n , 2x100 9x50 , 561 wickets @14 , Best 8-27 , 31x5w , 119 catches
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1975 -

Gerry Price. 1967-67. Price only played one season for Manor, 1967, where he out-scored his team-mates in racking up 657 Runs at 41.1 the first time a Batsman had Averaged over 40 in a season. Only Les Lenham (in '81 & '82) and Neil Reynolds ('89 & '90) achieved this in the following 25 seasons.
In his 20 innings he scored 5x50's the best being 78 He took 9 Catches and 3 Stumpings too.
He also bowled one over in taking 1-1!. Dave Wood has stated 'Price was a fine Batsman, for a Welshman.'
CAREER STATS
21 Matches, 657 Runs @ 41, 5x50, High 78
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1967 -

Bill WinterRHB.1968-1998.Mr Line & Length.
All-time leading wicket taker.
In 1976 he bowled off a short shuffling run-up , putting everything on the spot , he took 71 wickets @12.including 4x5w with 7-13 & 7-34 being the best.
- He even took 26 @ 5.6 for the 2nd XI to win clubs first 2nd XI Bowling Cup. Grand total of 97 wickets.
1977 Playing 33 matches he took another 71 wickets @11, 3x5w to finish 2nd again in the Bowling Cup to Russell Wood.
1978 Bowling a mammoth 492 overs he took a combined 104 wickets @10 with 10x5w at 2 runs per over.
He took 91 for the 1st XI , including 8x5w with 15 wickets in a weekend , 7-27 & CAREER BEST 8-40. but again finished behind R.Wood in the Averages for the '1st XI Bowling Cup'.
1992 Won the 1st XI Bowling Cup for 2nd time with 26 @ 9 with the remarkable figures of '10-8-2-4'.
This season he reached the milestone of 1000 wickets for the Club.
1994 Won for 5th time the 2nd XI Bowling Cup , with 36 wickets @ 8 , with 5-5 the best.
1996 Won for the 3rd time the 1st XI Bowling Cup with the minimum 15 wickets this time at 14 with best of 4-5.
1997 Signs that , now in mid-50's , his career coming to an end , with only 13 wickets in total in only 8 matches.
1998 No appearances for the 1st XI , and only 7 for the 2nds , taking 9 wickets @19.
Had taken 50 wickets in a season 8 times. Only M.Livermore & R.Wood have bettered his 104 wickets in a season.
He had taken 744 wickets for the 1st XI , & record 413 wickets for the 2nd XI.
Sadly in late 1999, aged 60, Bill passed away. His haul of wickets is unlikely to be beaten.
CAREER STATS.
793 matches , 3965 runs @12, high 68 , 3x50 , 1157 wkts @13, best 8-40 , 46x5w
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1987, 1992, 1996 - 2nd XI Bowler 1976, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1994

Dave Wood .RHB. 1967-1995. Dogged Batsman and one time slow left arm bowler.For many years Manors leading all-time run-scorer.
Career split into two distinct halves- 60'&'70's played for 1st XI and 80's & 90's for 2nds.
Scored 5000 for 1st's and 6500 for 2nd's. Won THREE 1st XI Batting Cups & SIX 2nd XI Batting Cups- Scored the second highest number of runs for 1st XI in the '70's,3963.
Scored his first 100 for club in 1991 in 24th season having scored 40 50's by then. In 1993 hit record 8 50's for 2nd's when scoring 804 runs. Only Mike Livermore has scored more in a season. Carried bat twice (joint record with N Reynolds).Once scored 53 not out when opening in an innings that lasted 64 overs ! - In total of 653 innings only hit 5 sixes which shows his technique of playing the ball down. Holds record of only 1 boundary in a 50. Strangely holds bowling record -Best strike-rate of bowlers with 50 or more wckts , wicket every 18 balls , though didn't bowl in last 18 seasons !
CAREER STATS.
716 matches , 11384 runs @21 , best 102n , 1x100 50x50 , 52 wkts @ 12 , best 6-23 , 2x5w , 145 catches
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1968, 1972, 1974 - 2nd XI Batsman 1980, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993

Russell Wood RHB.1968-1984.Fast Opening Bowler.
Only no.10 when only 10 players !.
Along with John Coles the best bowler Manor had in the 70'80's. Rivalling Knight, Watts and Hewitt for the title of best ever bowler. Short in stature with low run-through-style his accuracy and pace on grass wickets was sometimes unplayable. His career figures will never be bettered. Took 7 wickets on 13 occasions - 8 wickets on 8 occasions and 9 wickets on 4 occasions - best season 1974 when he took 111 wickets at average of 8 ! when he also took 5 wickets or more 9 times !.Won 1st XI Bowling Cup for 9 consecutive seasons , 1971-79. Took 80 or more in a season 6 times.Took clubs third Hat-Trick.Averaged 2.5 wickets per match...Took twice as many wickets as runs scored...Took 4 of the 6 1st XI Bowling Figs that are 9 wickets or more - 9-19 , 9-31 , 9-37 , 9-44...Averaged 12 overs per match , which when you consider strike-rate and runs per over conceeded meant throughout the 1970's Manor would be stiff opposition if he was in Manors team. Astounding number of 5w hauls , this he achieved every 6 matches.
Tried his hand at County League for Worthing at the beginning of the '80's, so in fact never played a League game for Manor prior to finishing his career in 1984.
Sadly died of cancer at the age of 42 in 1988.
CAREER STATS.
328 matches , 360 runs @4, high 29 , 876 wkts @10 , best 9-19 , 57x5w
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979

Richard 'Dicky' Garrett LHB.1969-1996.
Stylish Left Hander. Occasional Tweeker.Outstanding fielder.Very Good Keeper
Generally thought of by his peers as the most naturally talented of Manor Batsmen through the 70's and early 80's. Like many left handers his range of shots were sometimes brilliant and also the cause of many disappointments. Joining manor in his late teens in '69 his fortunes over the following years fluctuated.Took 5 seasons to score his first 50, in 1973 when completing 359 runs@16 also took his CB of 5-14 with his Chinamen.Between 74&77 he scored a further 3 50's not quite fulfilling the consistency.In '78 however he scored 682 runs @ 21 including 1x100 & 2x50's his 1st hundred for Manor. In 79,80 and 81 he only played a handful of matches , but returned in 1982 with his best season yet. 540 runs @ 45 with 77n for the 1st XI and 102 and 123n for the 2nd XI. His partnership of 235 for the 1st Wkt with M.Livermore still stands as the all-wicket record for the 2nds.(he also shared a 222n partnership with Livemore earlier in season)..His last match for the 1st XI was in 1984. Between 1985 & 1995 he played just 3 matches for the 2nds. Playing 4 matches in 1996 he showed he still had that natural ability , scoring a 50 in one of his 3 innings. One player that proves 'statistics' don't tell the whole story.
CAREER STATS.
340 matches , 4138 runs @ 16 , best 123n , 3x100 8x50 , 52 wkts @22 , best 5-14 , 2x5w , 132 catches 23 , stumpings

Norman Johnson LHB.1969-1976.
6'3" Left-Arm Fast Medium Bowler & Six Hitter
Represented Sussex CCC 2nd XI in 60's. For Manor conceeded less than 2.5 runs per-over.
As a batsman held the six-hitting record in a season until overtaken by Les Lenham.59 career sixes in career.In an innings of 32 in 8 mins off 9 balls he hit the last 4 balls of an over for 6.
His seasonal record reads, (1969) 36w @ 9.9, (1970) 79w @ 10, (1971) 51w @ 11, (1972) 4w @ 31, (1973) 8w @ 16, (1974) 14w @ 22, (1975) 48@10, (1976) 31@12. Some of the best figures he took were (6-20, 7-38, 6-13, 5-28, 5-15, 5-7). Overall he averaged nearly 12 overs per game, taking 2.4 wickets per game.
In that 1970 season those 79 wickets came despite not playing until June as he'd been playing for Sussex 2nd's where he took 30+ wickets - a combined 100+ for the summer.
He took clubs second hat-trick & Won 1st XI Bowling Cup.
CAREER STATS.
112 matches , 1153 runs @13 , high 49n , 271 wkts @11 , best 7-38 , 15x5w
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1970

Les Lenham RHB. 1958-1984.
During period from 1958 to late 70's he appeared once or twice as a guest each season - said to have played on the Manor park (100 yards from his home) as a child with his cousin Ray Knight.
From late 70's he appeared more frequently and captained the team to the League Title in 1983.
Ex-County Cricketer and regarded coach.
Showed the gulf between club & county cricket even in his 40's/50's. 'Batting Average' record will not be beaten , averaging 70 per innings !. He scored 46 scores of over 50 in his 102 innings!
Bowling figures are also very good with bowling average of just into double figures. Holds club record score as well as numerous other records...13 sixes in an innings..6 times scored a 50 and took 5 wkts in a match..Highest Qualifying average 77.64..In 1983 failed to qualify ,but scored 834 runs at 119.14....Scored 49 in 11 balls..In 1982 scored 6 consecutive 50's...Won 3 1st XI Batting Cups & 3 1st XI Bowling Cups
CAREER STATS.
118 matches , 4805 runs @70 , best 178n , 10x100 36x50 , 205 wkts @10 best 6-16 ,13x5w.
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1979, 1981, 1982 - 1st XI Bowler 1981, 1982, 1984

Geoff Stanford RHB.1972-1997.
Top Order Batsman & Wicket-Keeper.
Not only one of Manors best batsmen - his average in the 1970's was second only to Lenham's , but his Wicket-Keeping records are unlikely to be beaten. Captained Manors' first venture into league cricket in late 70's. Kept wicket when manor won League in 1982.Stands 11th in all-time leading runscorers.Won 1st XI Batting Cup 4 times between 1973 & 1978. (only N Reynolds has more). Leading catcher and leading stumper. Records - 38 catches in 1976.6 times he took 20+ catches in season. He took 6 stumpings in a season 6 times.5 dismissals in a match. Retired in 1997 after a handfull of games in the '90's.
CAREER STATS.
337 matches , 5238 runs @22 , best 102n , 1x100 24x50 , 238 catches 72 stumpings.
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978

Nick Bazen LHBat RBowl.1972-1992.
Top Order Batsman and swing bowler.Good Wicket-Keeper
In his teens in mid-late 1970's playing for 2nd XI he had some pretty remarkable bowling figs...Figures of 8-23 7-34 7-38 6-11. Indeed from 1976-1978 his 62 2ndXI wkts cost only 9 each...He Won 2nd XI Batting & Bowling Cups in '77. His Strike-Rate was a wicket every 20 balls...Once had an opening spell of 7 overs which produced 5 wkts for 0 runs !!...Once promoted into the 1st XI he turned into one of manors most consistent batsmen , rotating with Lenhams,Geal and Prees as opening batsman. Over 4000 1st XI runs with a best of 816 in 1981 season. Unfortunately for Manor he was to play less than 40 matches in next 9 seasons whilst 'in the Navy'. Helped Manor win the League in '89. Captain '91-'92 and won 1st XI Batting Cup in 1991 & came 2nd in Bowling Cup.2nd wkt prtnshp of 217n in 1981 with Geal when scoring career best 130 n.o...Left club after being replaced by Neil Reynolds as Captain.His last 3000 runs had come at average of 30.
CAREER STATS.
234 matches , 4745 runs @27 , best 130n , 2x100 23x50 , 197 wkts @13 , best 8-23 , 4x5w , 95 catches.
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1991 - 2nd XI Batsman 1977 - 2nd XI Bowler 1977 - Young Player 1979

Roger Geal RHB. 1976-1985.
Opening Batsman & Wicket-Keeper (in Stanfords absence).
After emerging in the mid-70's colts & 2nd XI is regarded as technically one of Manors best ever batsmen.Regularly opened with either Lenham. Only the Lenham's had higher averages in the 1980's.800+ runs in season twice.Scored a 50 every 6 innings. Shared 4 partnerships of over 175 , 2 over 200....1st wkt partnership of 214 with 14 year old Neil Lenham both scored 100's.Won 1st XI Batting Cup in 1983 & 1984.
Only N Reynolds.D Griffin & G Mason have more career 1st XI runs at a higher average.One of two (D Garrett other) Keepers to have held 5 catches in an innings.
CAREER STATS.
254 matches , 5333 runs @26 , high 102n, 3x100 32x50 , 24 wkts @ 16 , best 3-16 , 95 catches , 4 stumpings.
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1984, 1985 - Young Player 1978

Mike Livermore .RHB.LHBo.1976-87.
Slow Left Arm Bowler & Opening Batsman.
Although he played 12 seasons for Manor , it was 1980 that will stand as Mike Livermore's pinacle. Playing a total of 44 matches (41 for 2's) in the season he scored 915 runs & took 124 wickets. It was surely down to the 5 did-not-bats that the DOUBLE was missed - the closest any player has got. The record of 911 runs and 115 wkts for the 2nds still stand as individual records.Combined total of 124 wckts is also a club record.(nobody in last 17 seasons has taken more than 70).Bowling figs in 1980 season - 341.4 overs 94 mdns 762 runs 115 wkts 11x5w AVERAGE of 6.6 !! - he took his 50th wkt of that season before the end of May ! - actually took 44 wickets just in May 1980 ! - As a batsman his 126 not out in 1982 still stands as the highest score for the 2nd XI . Won 2nd XI Batting Cup 3 times in total. Shares the 1st&2nd wicket partnership records for the 2nd XI. Shares 2 opening partnerships of over 200 (both with D.Garrett) - Twice scored 50 & took 5 wckts in same match - 2 wkts short of being only one of two in the 6000 run/400 wkt career club...3 times he took 7 wickets in an innings.His record for the 1stXI was also good. 100+ career wickets...Won 2nd XI Batting Cup in 1978 , 1982 & 1984. & 2nd XI Bowling Cup in 1980.
CAREER STATS.
320 matches , 6230 runs @22 , best 126n , 1x100 30x50 , 398 wkts @12 , best 7-9 , 18x50 , 83 catches.
Awards - 2nd XI Batsman 1978, 1982, 1984 - 2nd XI Bowler 1980, 1983, 1984

Chris 'Bip' Prees .RHB.1976-present.
Top 4 Batsman. Record Six-Hitter.
Graduating quickly from the mid-70's colts (with Geal/Bazen/Coles) 'Bip' Prees became a regular 1st XI player and regular opener with Geal or either of the Lenham's. Can murder any attack with run-a-minute scoring. Only player to have hit over a hundred 6's. Stands 3rd behind only Neil Reynolds and Danny Griffin in 1st XI run-scoring records , and 4th in Combined career total. Only Steve Eke,Reynolds,Griffin,Mason and Salt have bettered his 965 runs of 1986-when he scored a 100 & eight 50's - Won 1st XI Batting Cup in 1983 & 1986.Scored a hundred in Manors top score of 296-4 in 1992.Scored 2 hundreds in 1994 when winning the 1st XI Batting Cup for 3rd time with 571 runs @57.1..Only Les Lenham has bettered his 20x6's in a season. Hit 7 sixes in an innings of 74 scored in an hour. Was woken from a Sunday afternoon Nap when wicket fell , scored 65 in less than an hour , walked off and went back to sleep -the stuff of dreams !!...In 1991 when Manor came close to winning league his opening partnership with Neil Reynolds was of such good understanding it was of the 'tip & run' variety as well as 'Bips' famous lean-back and smack the ball over teh bowlers head shot.Fewer appearances in recent seasons have been badly felt.
In the last 10 years only Neil Reynolds , Av 35.8 , has bettered his combined average of 35.4 for the 1st XI.
In the 1980's no player scored more than his 3941 1st XI runs.
Has during the '00's played the odd game to keep nudging his stats upwards and still shows the shots of old even though he's approaching his own half-century.
AREER STATS.
369 matches , 7787 runs @26 , high 113n , 7x100 38x50 , 113 catches , 5 stumpings.
Awards - 1st XI Batsman 1983, 1986, 1994

John Coles .RHB.1978-92
6'4" Match-Winning Fast Bowler.
With his height/build/30 yard run up and devastating pace John Coles is probably the best and fastest bowler Lancing Manor has ever produced , although Russell Wood fans may disagree on both counts. The fact is , if it wasn't for the usual stuffiness of Sussex CCC , John Coles could have probably played regular County Cricket. Fortunately for LMCC John Coles gave good service to his Club with one match winning performances after another. In the early '80s John Coles was too good for many opposing teams and in friendly matches was given only the occasional short spell. From 1980 to 1983 he took 270 wickets at less than 10 runs each ! -Reaching 300 club wickets in his 121st match. In 1982 he achieved the bowling mile-stone of 100 wickets at an average of 9 ! - He took 28 in May alone.Also in 1982 he took 5 wickets in an innings 7 times , including a career best 8-34. Another outstanding bowling performance gave figures of 7-7 off 15 overs !! - - The strength of Manor during this time is shown in the 1980 season he only batted 6 times in 32 matches and in 1981 went 11 consecutive matches without batting.- He was no rabbit with the bat though , a career 50 to prove it , when given the opportunity. From 1984 to 1988 he played only a few games for Manor whilst also playing for Worthing CC. In 1989 however he returned to spearhead Manors Division 2 League Title Win with 37 wickets at 7...Winning Manors 1st XI Bowling Cup for 3rd time as well as the League Bowling Cup for 3rd time.
Was disappointed with Manor team-mates in 1990 when the team prefered to scratch , rather than play a match against strong opposition - since then he has played on and off for Worthing CC in the Sussex County League.
CAREER STATS.
235 matches , 773 runs @11 , high 50 , 1x50 , 508 wkts @11 , best 8-34 , 29x5w
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1980, 1986, 1989 - Young Player 1980 - League Bowler 1981, 1982, 1989

Gordon Collins. 1984-2004.
RHB, Medium-Pace Bowler.
Having bounced around from club to club, (including a long spell with Clapham & Patching where in 1976 he took 146 wickets at 7 each!), Collins arrived at the Manor in his 40's and proved he could still be effective. Especially for the 2nd XI where over the following 20 seasons he would churn out miserly figures and rack up wickets.
He went through phases of playing solely for the 1's to solely in the 2nd's as well as the odd season completely missed.
However his total of over 500 Wickets with a total of 25 x 5w place him in 6th place in the Wicket-Takers' list.
For the 2nd XI he had remarkable spells. Including 20 overs in a match on 6 occassions. He took 8 wickets 3 times. as well as numerous 5's, 6's and a couple of 7-fors.
Three spells really stand out. 24-14-27-4 and 21-11-29-8 and 21-12-22-3 alongside his other 8-11, 8-40, 7-21, 7-44
The 8-11 saw Worthing IV all out for 18. In total for the 2nd XI he took 309 Wickets at 13.4 with 16x5w.
He also took two Hat-Tricks. He twice took more than 50 Wickets in a season.
He could certainly biff it with the bat too. In the 1989 season for the 2nd's he hit 234 runs at 15 with 11 sixes and a Career Best 46. His total of 26 Sixes stands behind Gander in the list of 2nd XI 6-hitters.
In all he won the 2nd XI Bowling Cup 6 times a record number jointly with his old friend Bill Winter.
For the 1st XI his figures were proportionately down a notch, but he still took 209 Wickets @ 19.7 with a further 9 x 5w a best being 6-16.
He nipped out 5-12 on his way to winning the 1st XI Bowling Cup in 1984. Hitting another 14 Sixes for a Career total 40 Sixes - he once famously batted at 11 with 8 needed for victory off one ball....and took an almighty swipe...luckily the ball missed the stumps!. In 1992 he obtained 3 successive Golden Ducks.His last few seasons from the late 1990's saw a drop off in appearances and retirement from the game. He could be a spikey player to captain at times, but at his best he was one of the best with the ball!
CAREER STATS.
349 Matches, 1165 Runs @ 8, High 46, 518 Wickets @ 15.98, 25x5w, Best 8-11
Awards - 1st XI Bowler 1984 - 2nd XI Bowler 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2000, 20002

Jeff Read 1994-2005,R-H Bat and Leg-Spin Bowler.
'Ball From Hell' repeated on a regular basis.
Having joined the club in 1994 he remained consistent to the end - although 2005 saw him struggle like the rest of the bowlers to be penetrative. 17 wickets in 13 matches was a disappointing end to a Manor career that left him a dozen short of 500 wickets in a 12 season span. He was nearly always able to tie the opposition down and more often than not the batsmen would try and see him off without risk. A big loss.
In 278 Matches he bowled 2600 overs, just shy of 10 overs per match. He took 14 lots of 5-for's, including a best of 6-20 when the opposition racked up over 200. He also bowled 25-8-65-5 in bowling the most overs in a match away to Storrington, when again the opposition went passed 200.
He passed 50 wickets in a season 3 times, with a further 8 season of 25 wickets or more with a best of 59 wickets in 1996 which included a return of 5-11 of 10 overs. He would surely have got more wickets had Manor played on a grass wicket, although the slope of the Manor Wicket did mean his 'turn down the slope' accounted for many wickets. His batting had it's moments - a swashbuckling 33no at Cuckfield being his top score. He occasionally pulled off a stunning catch and also had the odd run-in with opponents where he certainly stood his ground!
He finished runner up in the bowling averages 3 times - although did nip in to win it in 2003.
CAREER STATS,
Matches 288, 783 Runs @ 9, high 33no, 488 Wickets @19.5, 14x5w, Best 6-20.
Awards- 1st XI Bowler 2003

John Smyth 1994-2002.LHB.
John joined Manor in 1994 and would have won all 9 batting trophies in his time with the club had it not been for the qualification rules in seasons 1994-1996 where you needed 10 complete inns. He was so good that he didn't get out 10 times!. However, once the 2nds XI reduced to playing on saturday's (5 outs then required) he went on a run of 6 wins in a row. Some season's were too reliant on John as he racked up 13 hundreds and 23 fifties in his 95 matches. Quite often the only way Manor 2's got near 200 was if John has paced himself to a ton.
His averages through his time read:- (1994)60.8, (1995)34, (1996)113, (1997)41, (1998)61, (1999) 57, (2000)74, (2001)56, (2002)46. This ultimately gave him a career average of 57, which is quite amazing.
In that 1996 season, he scored 4 hundreds, 4 fifties in his 12 inns to average in three figures, but due to only getting outs 7 times, Jaffa won the Batting Cup with an average 1/5 of Johns!
He gave up playing for Manor at the end of the 2002 season after his 100th Match as the lure of Crown Green Bowls took over - and handed the captaincy over to his Son-in-Law, Andy Murray.
CAREER STATS
Matches 100, Runs 4,241, High 116n, 13x100 24x50, 4 wickets @ 30, Best 3-54.
Awards - 2nd XI Batsman 1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002