by Maurice Chidgey

Having been kindly asked to make a contribution to this site, I thought it appropriate, as a former Williton cricketer, to draw on some reflections of various matches between Watchet and Williton. The latter was always called "the enemy over the hill" by the Watchet cricketers, and although in those days all matches were deemed "friendlies", no quarter was asked or given and were played just as hard as today's league games.

In my early years of playing it was a privilege and an education to play in the same Williton side as Laity Gliddon, who was undoubtedly one of the finest batsmen West Somerset ever produced and was a prolific run scorer. His crisp stroke play was allied to great concentration, and this made his an outstanding personality and player.

There was a certain "needle" between Laity and Watchet's Alan Pearse, and this was competition at its best, neither conceeding a point if at all possible. This was always good spectator value. I remember in one match at Watchet, Alan was about to bowl to Laity from the sea end when Laity saw a train belching out an umbrella of black smoke approaching Watchet from Doniford. "Just a minute, Alan," said Laity as he proceeded to do some pad adjustment, while Alan pranced at the bowler's mark, fully aware of what was going on. When the train had puffed its way past, and almost into Watchet's station, Laity's voice can still be heard ringing softly through the years, "Thank you Alan". Courtesy to the last! I cannot recall what sort of ball the batsman was greeted with, but suffice it to say it was not a friendly one.

In one thrilling match at Williton, Watchet had taken nine of the home side's wickets. Then John Gliddon and Percy Webber came together and though Watchet flung everything at them they could not be moved and so Watchet had to be content for a draw.

At Watchet in another local derby, I recall that the Williton bowlers were making good progress in removing the Watchet batsmen when in strode Moger Woolley, a left handed batsman of no mean ability. Early in his innings I remember bowling what would be a leg break to him. He advanced down the pitch to drive, but the ball turned beatifully and went passed his bat and left him stranded. Everyone in the ground knew Moger was out stumped by Chris Sansom, except one important person - the Watchet umpire! He shall remain nameless on this occassion. Moger went on to make 90 and won the game for Watchet. That's cricket! Incidentally, Moger was born in Williton, where his father Cyril played for the village cricket club for many years. Moger went on to have a successful career in business and industry in Bristol, becoming High Sheriff and a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire.

One match that Watchet will probably want to forget took place in June 1962. Watchet took first knock and were dismissed for only 28., with David Sully taking five wickets in one over. Alan Pearse arrived at the Williton ground at about 4.30 and was astonished to find that the match was over with Williton winning by nine wickets and the Watchet team had gone back over the hill.

The full Watchet scorecard is as follows:

D. Sully 8 for 20, J. Burge 2 for 6.

Williton 29 for 1. Williton won by nine wickets.

Over the years it was not often that Williton got the better of Watchet, who always fielded many players of outstanding ability. Watchet are still going strong today and long may this continue, but sadly Williton no longer have a sports side, but it is to be hoped that this will be rectified in the future.