Lionel Wood - A career of Ramblers' cricket

Lionel Wood retired this Winter as President of Sydenhurst Ramblers after serving in the post for over quarter of a century. He joined the Club as a result of an introduction to the Founder, 'Mike' Gauntlett by Winton Dean, the first Hon. Secretary and played his first match against Farncombe at Broadwater on Sunday, September 1st 1946.

Li, as he is more usually addressed, was born at Hydestile, part of Hambledon village - not far from Brook - in 1925. He and his brother, Tony played much of their early cricket with their father on the delightful Green at Hambledon (opposite where Winton Dean still lives). The brothers (Li on the right) are pictured outside the pavilion with their father in 1946.

Following National Service, Li joined 'Mike' Gauntlett in business in 1952 at Docker Brothers, a Birmingham paint manufacturers who had their South of England depot on the Portsmouth Road at Milford. He and his brother developed a long connection with both Brook and the Ramblers - playing every Saturday for the former and every Sunday plus some mid-week matches for the latter. The two brothers were part of the hard core of the Ramblers in the '50s and '60s playing between them in over 1100 matches.

Li's main contribution on the field of play was more with the ball than the bat, though he did hit 2 centuries in his career. He took 404 wickets @ 17.25 in his career over 31 seasons bowling mainly medium pace cutters. Best performance was 8-15 against Walton Park (Olinda) in 1960 (Ramblers dismissed the home side for 62 and then lost by 12 runs). He also took 8-57 against Farncombe at Broadwater in 1958. On 17 occasions he returned a 'five for' analysis. He secured 58 wickets in 1959 @ 13.1 - arguably his best season.

Fielding more often than not at backward short leg, Li caught 237 catches, the second best in a career (behind brother Tony). Many of these were off the consistent bowling of such as Gerry Cogger and Chris Terry. In 1959 in 31 matches he held 21 catches.

With the bat he usually went in middle order, often prior to a declaration. The records show that he hit 10 sixes per season 3 times and over 50 fours twice. He scored 5,954 runs with 17 fifties (plus 64 ducks including 6 in 1959!). His best innings was undoubtedly 100* against Reigate Pilgrims at Betchworth in 1952. He and 'Mike' Gauntlett put on 183 in an undefeated partnership for the 7th wicket - a Club record that stands to this day.

In 1973 the Club ran a Single Wicket KO competition at Brook which Li won. Details may be seen at

single_wicket_competition_1973.htm

Lionel made a significant contribution to the running of the Club during his 56 years as a member. In 1957 he was Hon. Fixtures' Secretary and Vice Captain; in 1963 and then again in 1967 he shouldered the burden of Hon. Secretary. He captained on many occasions 1967/1969/1970 and 1972. Li played his last game for the Club in 1976. Following the death of 'Mike' Gauntlett in 1975, he then accepted the Presidency of the Club.

Lionel Wood - Career Statistics                                    Waterlooville 1968