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Each week Chris Perry sticks his mike under the nose of a Wollaston Cricket Club member to find out what makes them tick.

Firstly, thank you Darren for your time to be the next cricket club member interviewed for the Perry Tapes

1. Are you enjoying your time as under 9's coach?

I love coaching the under 9's, seeing some the children play now in the under 11's and doing well from a start of not being able to hold the bat is very rewarding. The parents and my wife have been a massive , massive help its teamwork.

2. Will you stay with under 9's or do you see yourself moving through the age groups?? II

I hope to move through the age groups with my son but will always help out any age group that needs it. The different age groups are different needs and challenges.

3. You have played recently have you made yourself available for the rest of the season?

Yes , I love playing but would rather younger players bowled 15 overs up hill into the wind !! Family and Coaching are priority.

4. The second team at the minute has a mixture of youth and experience do you think that's a good thing?

It is necessary but the senior players have to help and encourage the younger players to learn. Its easy to get despondent when you are thrown into big games but we have some very promising youngsters at the club.

5. Looking back on your cricketing career , did you consider yourself a batsman or bowler in the main?

Both at different times in my career, some captains batted me at 4 and I didnt bowl, others batted me at 9 and I opened the bowling.I tell the under 9's how important it is to bat and bowl as 50 overs is a long time to field if you don't bowl.

7. You have a talented young son in your under 9's, what are your hopes for him in his cricket career and have you discussed his aims and goals with him?

At the moment i just want him to enjoy playing and learn the basics, I would like him to be a first teamer in the future , but there is a lot of things in his life to do before then. Children today have a plethora of activities they can do. His sister also has a talent and I am trying to persuade her to play.

8. If you were Andrew Silsby / Wollaston CC chairman what would you do to change or improve Wollaston Cricket Club?

The changes to the club in Sils' tenure have been spectacular but it hasnt come easy , alot of people have done alot of work at our club and we shouldnt sit back. Sils is a great chairman and a great example. Friday nights at the club are the place to be in the summer. As far as improvements go..........move the footballers off and have a second cricket pitch.

9. If you were on come dine with me what 5 people would you invite round?

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) , Jimmy Anderson , Joe Piggott, Eva Longoria and Tom Hodson (Comedy Value)

10. Who would be your ideal long haul flight companion and why?

Dave Grohl again , what a life and what a rock and roller, what stories (more than Dob i am guessing)

11. What was your most embarrassing moment on a cricket field?

Being hit for 6 in the presidents game a couple of years ago by some bloke called Liam who was batting like they had just got him out of the pub.

12. What was your proudest moment for WCC on the cricket field?

Either club record partnership with Matthew (after being 0-1) at Rushton or taking 5 in 7 balls at Burton.

Thanks Darren

Matt, thanks for your time you have given up to answer the 'Perry Tapes' Interview

The most fundamental change is that when I first started we were a club struggling for result and scrapping to stay in respective leagues. The club has come on leaps and bounds by building a spirit that is unmatched in the leagues and gradual and clever recruitment. I am extremely proud to have been part of what we have achieved in the last couple of seasons.

Matt you are back as 1st team wicket keeper for a couple of weeks, Is that a job you enjoy doing? Would you ever push hard to make it your position full time?

I enjoy the involvement of keeping wicket but can take it or leave it really so happy to do it when required or to field when not.

You went on a few club tours in the past, do you think they are worth while? Is it purely a week drinking and playing cricket or do you think it adds to team morale / team bonding?

Realistically a cricket tour is more about the social side of the game, I think the cricket is more a reason to justify and week on the drink!

We know that you are on the bar committee a committee which has grown fast as it has needed to, what roles do you undertake on this committee?

I would love to be break my Dad’s record of 792 aggregate runs but realistically if I could get to 600-700 I would be pleased. I do feel that I am under-bowled though, against old men, young boys and exceptionally poor players I am a dangerous seam bowling option….

Looking a major sources of income I think the bar has all areas covered, Friday nights have been very busy so far and hopefully with a good 10/10 competition, President’s Day and Under 9s Tournament we can keep improving takings year on year.

Biggy B- He is a pretentious eater and insists on taking all meals on an oversized pizza plate, I would serve him mini chip sized Pasties and one big Pasty

I think only Melissa would be willing (or have to) travel with me for any length of time!!

CP: What are your goals for this season now that the talk and hype have settled down?

SM: As a team top 4 is still the goal which we are capable of. Personally I still want to get as many wickets as possible but at the same time see the other bowlers come on and get their fair share including Liam so I can retire and start playing golf again

CP: . If you could have any player from the IPL to play for WCC for the second half of the season who would you sign?

SM: Definitely Dave Warner

CP: Thanks Muz

SM: You're welcome

This time it's First Eleven opening bat Liam Bates Steve Musgrave in the chair.

CP:. Have you enjoyed your first couple of seasons at WCC?

LB: Yes very much so, last year was my first season in mens cricket and first for Wollaston too. So it was hard at first but i really felt comfortable in the second team straight away. Brett gave me a brilliant oppurtunity to open regularly with Marcus and i really enjoyed that, i feel we have a great partnership when batting together.
This year has proved to be a learning curve so far, playing mostly for the firsts its been about learning off better players in the team and in opposition teams and playing a part where i can...hopefully that can help me long term and i can finish the season with some big scores! Both teams have a fantastic ethic and the club as a whole is absolutely brilliant to be invloved with on and off the field.

CP:. Do you think your experiences at Juniour County age groups has given you a good basis to play men's cricket?

LB: Yes playing at a testing level from a young age has helped me improve. The County has high standards for all aspects of cricket and also more regular games as a junior has meant that i have more experience than many other cricketers my age who didn't get the chance.
However, in junior cricket you get a lot of bad balls whereas men tend to be more disciplined so you have to be a lot more patient, so in a way they are quite different.

CP: . Where do you see yourself in 5 years with your cricket?

LB: In a couple of years any involvement with the Junior County set-up will be over so then it's Wollaston all the way! But in 5 years i hope i can be a cemented first teamer with an important role in the side. and hopefully with that so far elusive 100 in the bag! ( AND HE DID IT ON AUGUST 1st FOR THE SECONDS AT HORTON !)

CP: . How do you find playing along side your elder brother? (Liam Bates)

LB: It's never been a problem and its one of the reasons I'm playing for Wollaston. Hopefully i can follow the same successful kind of route he had at a young age for the men's teams at the club and maybe look as good on the eye to bat as he does one day! It's also great as i can be there to see his successes and also easier for Dad too so he doesn't have to do shuttle runs! Though there is some brotherly competition between us its all banter and fuelled up for fun by the other players! However, it must be said, he fails to acknowledge the fact i'm already bigger and better!!!

CP: Does it put any extra pressure on you as your the 'junior Bates?'

LB: Possibly when i joined the club there were people wondering 'that's liam's younger brother, what's he like?'...and expected me to be a good player because of what they have seen of Liam, so it was really more a little expectation than pressure. But no it doesn't really affect me as i don't think it matters too much.

CP: We know your SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE, are there many of your age group playing regularly in the Prem like yourself??

LB: Yes of course you know that!! There aren't too many around regular i don't think; there are more from the the two years above and even the year below! I know George Humphries for Stony Stratford and possibly Ben Paine for Rushden and Ali McClure for Burton Latimer. But a couple may play for the Academy like Nick Castleman and Johnny Wigley also plays in the Warwickshire Prem. But there isn't many so I'm lucky to be involved.

CP: Who Would be your ideal long haul flight companion?

LB: Ricky Gervais.

CP: Which five celebrities or are alive would you invite to your house if you were hosting an episode of 'Come Dine With Me?'

LB: Steve Coogan (as Alan Partridge!), Floyd Mayweather, Pete Doherty, Cheryl Cole, Tiger Woods.

This time it is the turn of Sian Patchett - Wollaston CC kit organiser extraordinaire

CP: Good Afternoon Sian,

First as a club, I’m sure all players and officials would like to thank you for the excellent job you have done with the kit this year. Did you enjoy sorting it out.

SP: I have enjoyed having the responsibility for purchasing the kit this year! Once I got used to knowing what logo should be on what and where, I could start to breath again!!

It's gone really well, but I think the players will think I'm a bit of a "Dragon" when asking for my payments, although I try to have a nice way about me so they just pay up - and know there's no "buy one get one free with me"!

CP: What brought you down to watch and get involved with WCC?

SP: It was one time when Li & Muzzy were over from Australia on holiday, they said about coming down to the field and following that I just continued to come down. I Have made some lovely friends and reacquainted with some from years back. I now understand and love to watch the cricket, although I have been known to shout at the wrong time!! I have enjoyed getting involved and enjoy helping out where I can.

CP: You are also a new member on the Bar Committee, do you like the new bar room at the club house?

SP: I think the new bar room is good, the improvements have certainly proved beneficial to the Club.

It's a nice environment where families can come and spend time, enjoy a few drinks in nice surroundings with a good bunch of people and share some good times. Who said she would drink more than she would sell!!

CP: One job on the bar committee is working closely with Matt Jones - have you enjoyed that?

I wouldn't say anything other than it's been a great pleasure - and of course, I would expect Matt to say the same about me, although I would probably need to pay him first!

CP: What changes would you make to the club if you could?

SP: I can't think of anything that I would change really, other than to just make good use of the facilities that are there.

CP: Who would your ideal long haul flight companion be?

SP: Colin Firth

CP: And finally…………………… which five famous people who are alive would you have to your house if you were the host house on 'Come Dine With Me?'

SP: Michael Buble, Kevin Pietersen, Jamie Oliver, Colin Firth & George Clooney!!

DW: Yes, it’s been fine. Didn’t really know what to expect. Everyone has been positive. (except when it rains – then not everybody!)

CP: What was your motivation to go through some hard work including finding a ground attending meetings both club and league to set the third eleven up?

DW: The main reason was to give the club another option. We have good players at Wollaston who will now still be able to have a league game of cricket on a Saturday even if they struggle for a regular place in the Seconds. Also, there is a place for inexperienced cricketers coming out of the junior sides who are learning the game but who are not good enough for Division Three but will hopefully be eventually good enough for our Third Team.

CP: We have heard you talking about how nice the ground is now, so can you tell us as an experienced member how the ground has come on since you first were spinning opposition out down there?

DW: Obviously the main changes were turning the square north to south when the by-pass was put across the boundary in 1985, and some years later the old tennis court was demolished. I have used three pavilions over the years and the concrete one would never have won “Grand Designs”, but at the time we thought it was just the job. The present one certainly adds to the aesthetic value of the field

The pitches have improved tremendously over the last decade. I can’t remember much about them in the 1960’s but up until the last few years there has never been great bounce at Wollaston, and in the seventies several balls per game would shoot along the ground! Dick Underwood usually had at least one every week. Sometimes two if we had a Sunday game! Three with a night match!

Both the square and the outfield have benefited from good equipment and loads of time and effort invested by John Hodges and dedicated helpers. Now we have pitches with bounce and a lovely flat outfield.

CP: What other alterations / improvements would you make to the ground?

CP: And finally............................... Who would you choose to sit next to on a long haul flight? and why?

DW: Michael Vaughan because he could explain what it’s like playing cricket at the top, or Mick Jagger, so I could ask him if he does an impression of me after 3 pints of Stella!

CP: And which five famous people who are alive would you choose to invite to your house if you were the host house on Come Dine With Me?

DW: Germaine Greer, Janet Street-Porter, Jonathon Agnew, Frankie Boyle, and The Queen

1. Are you enjoying being a proper under 13 and mainly being one of the older players?

I like being one of the older ones as i getting more responsibility in the field

I like being the experienced batsman at the top of the order and making a good start to the innings

I would say my favourite player for Wollaston would probably be Ralphy ( known fondly as the pear with legs!)

Ok, and finally.............who would u choose to sit next to on a long haul flight?

Who would you invite to dinner that are 5 famous people who are alive, if you were the host house on come dine with me?

Chris "Paxman" Perry ,recently caught up with Max Abbott our 2009 Aussie overseas star.

C.P: Good morning Max, how did your season with East's go?

M.B: Bit of a tale of two halves really, I started the season really well after finishing with Wollaston, and I was able to nail down a first grade spot, which was my goal. Unfortunately an old back injury reared up again and I missed the last three months of the season. It was pretty hard watching the guys play and eventually get knocked out in the semis, especially because the wickets started seaming around!

C.P: Any runs/wickets?

M.A: Took a couple of cheeky ones before I went down, unfortunately wasnt too pretty from number 11 in first grade. I think I averaged about 4. Plenty of solid 0 not outs!

C.P: Did you get to catch up with fellow love cat Ralphy? (Mark Ralph)

M.A: I did - it was great to have him come out and play for Easts and he fitted in really well at the club and he was always good value. I think he will really benefit from the experience over here and I’ll back him to score plenty of runs this year.

C.P: We hear you have started a new career can you give us an insight to your day to day duties?

M.A: I work for foxsports.com.au, which is the equivalent to sky sports over there. I work as a journalist covering a range of sports for the website. Basically I watch a lot of sport on the tele!

C.P: How's Uni going?

M.A: Given I am working full time, I put very little effort into my studies. I currently do one subject, which is more than enough.

CP: Any plans to resume your cricket career as a lovecat?

M.A: Yeh I definitely hope I can come back. If you guys can cough up 30,000 quid Ill come every year! But I really enjoyed playing for the club last year so it is always going to be in the back of my mind. If Mr. Fox Sports is happy to let me run away for 6 months and come back I will be there next year! If wanted of course.

C.P: And finally.....

From your memories at WCC who would you like to share a desert island with and why?

M.A: Gee its hard to imagine being stuck with anyone. Initially I thought Pikey would be the resourceful type but he would eat all the food. Probably Muzzy because he is Australian and I don't think I could handle being stuck with an Englishman.

C.P: Cheers Max

Like a dog with a bone Perry tracked down Tom Hodson before the Third Team game against Oundle

Firstly many congratulations on being selected as one of the first Wollaston 3rd eleven players to take the field. On debut can you tell us your thoughts going into the game?

T.H: I'm hoping for good weather and to contribute to a winning start to the season.

C.P: What has made you start playing again?
T.H: It’s been 20 years since I last played cricket and when I told my eldest lad, Dan that WCC were starting a third team he wanted me to start playing again, but my back doesn't!

C.P: Have you enjoyed the pre season and nets so far at WCC?
T.H: The club is extremely friendly and I have felt very welcome. I have received a lot of encouragement during training sessions. Its not easy having not played for so long but its very enjoyable.

C.P: Finally from the lads you have met so far who would like to be stuck on a dessert island with? And why? And who wouldn't you like to be stuck with, and why?!
M.A: I can't remember his name but there is one lad that looks a bit like Cheryl Cole if you squint your eyes a bit. If I had to be stuck on a desert island I would like it to be with him!
I don't want to be stuck on a desert island with anyone who thinks I look like Cheryl Cole if you squint your eyes a bit!