November 2012 Newsletter
County cricket back at Bowdon
NOT only will ECB Premier League cricket be played at Bowdon again in 2013, but the Minor Counties championship will return to South Downs Road after an absence of 12 years.
The marked improvement in the quality of Bowdon’s square since the appointment of former Lancashire groundsman Peter Marron in 2009 has opened new vistas for Bowdon, who return to the top echelon of cricket in the league after winning the First Division title under skipper Gareth Edwards.
Cheshire have now recognised the resurgence in the club’s playing conditions by granting them the plum three-day championship home fixture against Devon from Sunday -Tuesday, August 4-6.
Cheshire’s last match at Bowdon was in August, 2001 when they drew with Shropshire. (Scores: Cheshire 208 and 72; Shropshire 119-4 and 179-8). Cheshire went on to win the Western group under the captaincy of Ian Cockbain, then drew the three-day play-off against Lincolnshire at Grantham when the highlight was Andy Hall’s unbeaten 120.
Alderley Edge have dropped off the rota in 2013 and Cheshire’s two other championship home matches will be at Chester Boughton Hall against Wiltshire from June 23 – 25, followed by the visit of Shropshire to Nantwich on August 18-20, which winds up the season.
Cheshire’s away games will be against Oxfordshire from June 9 – 11, at Dorset from July 7-9 and at Finchampstead against Berkshire from July 21- 23
The inter-divisional play-off final will be on the ground of the Eastern champions.
In the MCCA one-day Trophy, Cheshire have selected Tattenhall to host Cambridgeshire on Sunday, May 5, while a new venue, Hyde, stages the final game, against Northumberland on Sunday, June 2. Their two away games are against Herefordshire on Sunday, April 21 – the day after the League season opens - and holders Cumberland on Sunday, May 19, venues yet to be notified.
Should Cheshire win their group they will stage their quarter-final at Tattenhall on a June date to be arranged.
O There are provisional plans to introduce a Minor Counties T20 knock out under new sponsors in 2014.
LEAGUE FIXTURES OUT
LEAGUE 1st and 2nd XI fixtures for the 2013 season have been drawn up by courtesy of Graham Coull and can be found on the website or by contacting the Competition Secretary.
In the ECB Premiership on Saturday, April 20, three-times champions Nantwich pitch wickets at home to Macclesfield, who will be without inspirational skipper Barney Cutbill, who has stepped down. Promoted Bowdon and Grappenhall meet Toft at home and Oxton away, respectively.
In Division One, promoted Middlewich and Cheadle will be at home against Christleton and away to Brooklands, while relegated Widnes and Urmston visit Sale and host Oulton Park, all respectively.
The two clubs newly-admitted from the Cheshire League, champions Weaverham and runners-up Davenham are both favoured with home fixtures: Weaverham will tackle Tattenhall at Wallerscote road while Davenham’s Butcher’s Stile ground welcomes old rivals Alvanley.
Third XI fixtures will be compiled when full information about the make up of the divisions is finalised.
….and the Forties
THE Over 40s fixture programme for 2013 has been drawn up by Ian Sharrock and is also available on line and from MTB.
The usual four geographical groups will contain a record 31 teams with Caldy and Offerton taking part for the first time. Caldy operate in the West group and visit Tattenhall Wreckers in their opening game on Wednesday, May 4. Offerton figure in The South-East group and go to Bredbury Saints in their opener. Warrington will figure in the North-East group having moved from the West at their own request.
Play-off Finals Day is to be staged at Upton on August Bank Holiday Monday from 12 noon.
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: 2
Plans for points changes
CLUBS at the League’s November management meeting at Grappenhall considered a series of proposals for changes to the points system in 2013. These will be voted upon at the January meeting.
Chairman David Humpage said that a majority of clubs polled for their views about changes had indicated that they wished to retain the revised 2012 system with one minor modification: starting the batting points earlier at 120-150-180-220 runs. Several clubs urged a revision to 130 – 160 – 190 – 220.
Cheadle Hulme proposed that differential draw points should be introduced to discourage clubs from fielding first after winning the toss. They suggested five points for a winning draw and one for a losing draw or alternatively a 3-1 split. Draw points to be three each if games were reduced by rain.
Points for a tie to be adjusted so that only one point more than the maximum draw points is allotted.
Other proposals to be voted upon in January include:
O Artificial pitches in senior league and cup games to be used only by mutual agreement on the day
O Clubs must buy three tickets for the presentation dinner at a total of £90, instead two at £60.
O Incoming transfers to play in 1st XI cricket banned in the last five Saturdays of the season.
O Clubs whose first two XIs are relegated from the League as part of the Cheshire pyramid arrangements who have other teams participating in League competitions, will be automatically accepted as associate members.
O Players aged over 21 who have played in 2nd XI matches on a Saturday may play in 3rd XI cricket the following day.
O Players who have appeared in Cheshire Alliance 2nd XI cricket on a Saturday may play 3rd XI cricket next day.
O Players who have appeared in Cheshire League 2nd XI games on a Saturday to be allowed to play in 3rd XI cricket next day.
O A single Appeals committee to be set up to deal with all discipline and match regulation matters .
Plans for RedInsure T20 revamp
CLUBS were given an outline of a proposal to revamp the RedInsure T20 competition in 2013, which does away with the Plate.
Devised by Urmston chairman Rob Arnold, Didsbury chairman Duncan Anderson and Nantwich captain Andy Newton, the proposal envisages 36 clubs split into nine geographical groups of four, playing three games each on set Thursdays between mid-May and late June. The games would be spread over six weeks to ease umpiring problems, each club having at least one home game. The winners of groups 1-7 would qualify for the quarter-finals to be played in early July, while group 8 and 9 winners would play off for the last place.
The four quarter-final winners then go through to Finals Day, which is at Timperley on Sunday, July 28.
Hyde proposed all cup games in which panel umpires officiated should have additional fielding restrictions introduced.
It was confirmed that entry into all League cup competitions remains optional.
Fines again top £4,000
FINES for the 2012 season have topped £4,000 for the second year in succession and clubs are currently being invoiced.
The administration of relegated Malpas was so good that they incurred no fines while Bollington, Congleton, Grappenhall, Heaton Mersey, Nantwich, Stockport Georgians and Upton incurred two fines or less.
The highest bills have been run up by Tattenhall (£270), Cheadle and Urmston (£240) and Oulton Park (£210). Five clubs who failed to attend the presentation dinner will also be billed for £60 each.
The Treasurer is currently invoicing all clubs for their 2012 subscriptions. These were not sent out sooner due to a misunderstanding.
Premier League clubs have now received their £750 ECB grants.
The League is likely to end the financial year with a credit balance of roughly £30,000
Clubs need to contact Treasurer Andy Woods via his secretary Victoria Foy () to place their cricket ball orders by November 30 unless they require the same number as in 2012.
Scorebooks are being offered to clubs at discount rates via Readers, who already supply cricket balls. Wirebound books with 100 innings cost £10 inc. VAT, while smaller ones are available at £8.50 and £7.
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: 3
League Vice chairman standing down
AFTER holding the post since 1993, John Bygate is to stand down as League vice chairman at the AGM. He was thanked for his services by David Humpage at the November management meeting.
Mr.Bygate will continue as Grounds chairman and remain involved in the organisation of the League dinner.
A new President will be elected at the AGM to succeed Stan Davies at the end of his two year term of office.
There is also a vacancy on the Cricket Committee following the departure of Harry Sharrock, whose club are no longer full League members. Chester Boughton Hall’s Lee Dixon is offering himself for election.
Retiring Cheshire treasurer praised
REMARKING on the retirement of treasurer Graham Hall after 31 years at the AGM, Cheshire County Club chairman John Pickup praised his colleague for overseeing an improvement in net assets from £6,500 in 1981 to more than £85,000 at November, 2011.
Mr. Pickup revealed that the county had had only four treasurers in the past 80 years and no one had served longer than the retiring incumbent, who was presented with a gift in appreciation of his services. Graham was also appointed a Life Vice President. The new treasurer is Keith McGuffie.
The accounts at November 30, 2011 showed a loss on the year of £5,557 after a grant of £30,482 from the Minor Counties Cricket Association, leaving a net balance of £85,188 Cricket expenses in 2011 were down more than £4,000 to £40,520.
Chairman Pickup, who gave notice that he intended to step down in 12 month’s time, commented that the 2012 season had been disappointing, but had seen the introduction into Minor Counties cricket of some promising young players via the Development XI, which offered rich promise for the future under skipper James Duffy.
He anticipated that Andy Newton would be giving Cricket chairman David Bailey greater assistance in 2013 and that Matthew Sharp and Peter Hancock would continue to do good work with the Development XI
All officers were re-elected, including president Tony Percival; chairman John Pickup; vice chairman David Bailey; secretary Derrick Hastings and all retiring committee members, namely Elise Scrimgeour, Chris Murphy and Rob Sproston for two years and Matthew Sharp for one year. .
All subscription rates will remain unchanged in 2013.
The meeting at the Golden Pheasant, Plumley, on Monday, November 19, lasted 16 minutes.
Sixties celebrate hat-trick of titles
THERE was a large turn out of players at the Cheshire Seniors Dinner at Grappenhall on November 2 when skipper Andy Hurworth praised his squad for the outstanding teamwork which had brought them their third successive Spitfire 60 Plus county championship, in the final against Northants at Oakham .
“That’s a feat which may never be bettered by any Cheshire team at any level”, he claimed, although suggesting his players had the ability and desire to continue the sequence in 2013.
The Irby player told his audience: “We won nine out of 10 games, on many occasions needing gutsy performances from lower down the batting order and from our change bowlers. We not only had great team spirit, but greater strength in depth than our opponents”.
The season’s stats showed that most runs were scored by Nick Sharp with 279 and Hurworth, 258 while the most effective bowlers were Dick Powell and Bob Yardley both with 15 wickets and Chris Lees, 13.
Cheshire Over 50s captain Steve Yates reported a much less successful season which resulted in their failure to reach the knock out stages. He felt this was due to the personnel constantly changing. He hoped for better things in 2013 when Marple’s Gary Cash would become captain.
Record run scorer
Cash was not present, being away on his honeymoon after being recently married. Cash remains the County League’s highest ever 1st XI run scorer with a tally of 17,686 with Cheadle and Marple since his debut in 1977.
The 2012 Over 50s averages showed that Cash was top run-scorer with 142, most wickets being taken by Timperley’s Phil Prickett, nine. He will not be available due to work next season.
The dinner was organised with characteristic efficiency by Cheshire Over 50s secretary-manager Paul Freedman, who also produced a coloured brochure detailing the records of both teams since their respective inceptions in 1990 and 2009.
He regretted the absence through illness of chairman Norman Halsall, who was virtually housebound. He urged members to contact Norman at his Wirral home (telephones: 0151 625 2689 / 07899 803 947).
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: 4
Meller Braggins pull out
CHESHIRE Cricket League have lost their sponsors after an association.lasting 24 years.
Knutsford-based estate agency Meller Braggins have withdrawn their financial support of £3,000 pa.
The League appealed at their presentation dinner on October 12 for a new backer and a volunteer company came forward on the evening. An announcement is expected.
There was a turn out of 220 players, guests and officials at the league’s 39th annual dinner at the Cresta Court, Altrincham when the principal speaker was former Derbyshire and Somerset player Peter Bowler.
Division Three club Alderley Park won the Fair Play award with an average mark of 4.26 (maximum 5). The two promoted clubs Weaverham and Davenham were placed 16th (4.05) and 34th (3.63) respectively.
The Pitch table was topped by Bunbury of Division Two with an average mark of 4.82 out of five. Weaverham were sixth with 4.18 and Davenham 14th with 3.78.
Apart from Weaverham and Davenham being promoted to the County League, Ashley and Lindow are relegated from Division One. Chester County Officers and Romiley are promoted from Division Two and Winsford and Trafford MV relegated. Chelford and Langley are promoted from Division Three with Stretton and Glazebury dropping into the Cheshire Alliance section of the pyramid.
KINGSFISHER BEERS CUP
DATES for the 2013 Kingfisher Beers Cup (formerly National Club knock-out) in 2013 are:
First round Sunday, April 28 (fall back date May 4); Second round: May 12 (May 19); Third round June 2 (June 9); round four (Group final) June 23 (June 30); fifth round July 14 (July 21); Quarter-finals August 4 (August 11 or 18 depending on t20 matches); Semi-finals September 1 (September 8); The final is on September 15 or 22, provisionally at Derby.
Closing date for entries is November 30.
North Staffs punish eight clubs
EIGHT clubs in the North Staffs & South Cheshire League have suffered points deductions for allowing their players to appear without permission in other leagues during the 2012 season
The clubs affected were Cheadle, 76 points, Little Stoke 126, Leycett 100, Blythe 124, Norton 149, Newcastle & Hartshill 148, Woore 40 and Eccleshall 165.
The penalties resulted in several clubs being promoted and demoted and have enabled Alsager to move up to Division One after finishing third in Division Two.
At the league’s annual meeting at Burslem on November 9, it was agreed by 27 votes to 18 to scrap the present rule and – as the Cheshire County League did in 2010 – allow players to turn out elsewhere if they gain prior permission.
OSCA day at Lord’s
CHESHIRE Board named a select band of volunteers to attend the annual OSCA (Outstanding Service to Cricket awards) ceremony at Lord’s on October 22.
They were: Lifetime award nominee: Ian Buttress; Leagues and Boards: Stuart Anderson; Young volunteer: Chris Edwards; Building Partnerships: Jane Williams; Behind the Scenes: Amanda and Bernier Bishop; Officials award: Tony Morris.
None won their categories, but all were highly praised for their contribution to the game. Among the personalities present were former England captain Andrew Strauss and the BBC’s Jonathan Agnew.
Over 40s cricket at Old Trafford
TAILORMADE Group Pensions, who will continue to sponsor the Over 40s section in 2013, are organising an Over 40s Cricket Challenge at the Lancashire Indoor Academy at Old Trafford on Sunday, December 2 from 12 noon to 5.30 p.m.
The company’s Peter Barrett tells Newsletter: “We are running this event in conjunction with the Lancashire County Club. It will be limited to eight teams - first come, first served - consisting of six players. Each team will play a minimum of three games in two leagues with a final between the two winners. All this for £20 a head including refreshments”.
Teams can register by e-mailing Peter Barrett on or on 07967 371 278.
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: 5
News from the clubs
O ALDERLEY EDGE
New cricket chairman at Moss Lane is former hard-hitting 1st XI left hand batsman Andy Fluck who has worked wonders with the Alderley Edge junior section in the past few years. He succeeds Mike Day.
O BREDBURY ST. MARK’s
The Hillside Road club celebrate their Centenary next season, having been founded in 1913. Bredbury Chairman Dave Downes and his committee are planning a major gala on the ground on May Bank Holiday Monday.