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England Under 21’s
England Under 21’s

What a day!
What a day!

Wiltshire v England Under 21’s
Wiltshire v England Under 21’s
Wiltshire hosted its’ biggest game ever when the Moonrakers
Wiltshire hosted its’ biggest game ever when the Moonrakers
took on the England Under 21 team at the Christie Miller Sports
took on the England Under 21 team at the Christie Miller Sports
Centre in Melksham. Players from across the length and breadth
Centre in Melksham. Players from across the length and breadth
of England under the management of Brian Claessen were play-
of England under the management of Brian Claessen were play-
ing their final warm up game before their annual friendly match against Wales.
ing their final warm up game before their annual friendly match against Wales.
Wiltshire’s team was a mix of established county bowlers, experienced club
Wiltshire’s team was a mix of established county bowlers, experienced club
bowlers and a number of youngsters including the three Cleere brothers (Villagers
bowlers and a number of youngsters including the three Cleere brothers (Villagers
SMBC, Atworth), Carter Glover (Hullavington) and Greg Smith (White Horse Club,
SMBC, Atworth), Carter Glover (Hullavington) and Greg Smith (White Horse Club,
Westbury). Wiltshire took an early lead but at the lunch break the England Man-
Westbury). Wiltshire took an early lead but at the lunch break the England Man-
ager had ‘a few words’ for his team who came out fighting for the afternoon ses-
ager had ‘a few words’ for his team who came out fighting for the afternoon ses-
sions. In the end the national team triumphed by 37 points to 31 (shots 260-211).
sions. In the end the national team triumphed by 37 points to 31 (shots 260-211).
This was a creditable performance by Wiltshire bowlers and an excellent fight
This was a creditable performance by Wiltshire bowlers and an excellent fight
back by the England team.
back by the England team.
Local players Tom Bright (Bromham) and Aidan Wicks (Blue Circle) were in
Local players Tom Bright (Bromham) and Aidan Wicks (Blue Circle) were in
the victorious England team. Tom was given the honour of captaining his team
the victorious England team. Tom was given the honour of captaining his team
on the day. Players from the following clubs represented the Moonrakers – Melk-
on the day. Players from the following clubs represented the Moonrakers – Melk-
sham, Seend, Bromham, White Horse, Crudwell, Little Somerford, Market Laving-
sham, Seend, Bromham, White Horse, Crudwell, Little Somerford, Market Laving-
ton, Winterslow, Villagers (Atworth), Blue Circle, Trowbridge and Hullavington.
ton, Winterslow, Villagers (Atworth), Blue Circle, Trowbridge and Hullavington.
Brian Claessen thanked Wiltshire for the arrangements made and thought
Brian Claessen thanked Wiltshire for the arrangements made and thought
that the game would be of great benefit to his team. Colin Waldeck Wiltshire
that the game would be of great benefit to his team. Colin Waldeck Wiltshire
County President responded by wishing everyone well.
County President responded by wishing everyone well.
Geoff Lane, the Wiltshire Chairman thanked the media for their support
Geoff Lane, the Wiltshire Chairman thanked the media for their support
throughout. The game featured on Radio Wiltshire’s lunchtime sports programme
throughout. The game featured on Radio Wiltshire’s lunchtime sports programme
on the previous day and a ‘roving’ reporter attended on the day to interview Tom
on the previous day and a ‘roving’ reporter attended on the day to interview Tom
Bright, Aidan Wicks, Brian Claessen and Colin Waldeck. All of Wiltshire’s local
Bright, Aidan Wicks, Brian Claessen and Colin Waldeck. All of Wiltshire’s local
papers featured the game.
papers featured the game.
The game itself was a credit to the sport. There was much good bowls but
The game itself was a credit to the sport. There was much good bowls but
the game was played in a very competitive and friendly atmosphere. Many of the
the game was played in a very competitive and friendly atmosphere. Many of the
youngsters were supported by their parents or grandparents and overall there
youngsters were supported by their parents or grandparents and overall there
were dozens of spectators present. This further enhanced the occasion.
were dozens of spectators present. This further enhanced the occasion.
Geoff Lane
Geoff Lane