DINNER NEWSLETTER

Cheshire County Cricket League

JANUARY, 2018 NEWSLETTER

Will Owen’s Chester begin defence of title at Didsbury

NEWLY-LED by former Glamorgan all-rounder Will Owen, Chester Boughton Hall will open their defence of the ECB Premier League title with a visit to Didsbury on Saturday, April 21 next season.

Close runners-up Nantwich travel to Alderley Edge, the 2016 champions, who topped the table for most of the 2017 campaign before finishing third.

Promoted clubs Oulton Park and Marple will enjoy home games against Timperley and Toft respectively. Timperley will be playing all home games back on their newly-upgraded ground at Stockport road in 2018.

In Division One, relegated Hyde open at Werneth Low against promoted neighbours Stockport, while Bowdon go to Macclesfield in what looks like the Match of the Day. Promoted as champions from Division Two, Barrow host Bollington.

The two promoted clubs in Division Two will meet: Hale Barns have ground advantage against Runcorn, who will be making a welcome first appearance in The Vivio as UKFast champions.

OPENING DAY FIXTURES

ECB PREMIER LEAGUE: Alderley Edge v Nantwich; Bramhall v Grappenhall; Cheadle v Neston; Didsbury v Chester Boughton Hall; Marple v Toft; Oulton Park v Timperley.

FIRST DIVISION: Barrow v Bollington; Davenham v Sale; Hyde v Stockport; Macclesfield v Bowdon; Upton v Widnes; Urmston v Oxton.

SECOND DIVISION: Christleton v Alvanley; Hale Barns v Runcorn; Lindow v Brooklands; Mobberley v Warrington; Northwich v Romiley; Tattenhall v Weaverham.

O The 1st and 2nd XI fixtures were compiled by Graham Coull, from specialised information provided by 1st XI Competition secretary Ian Sharrock. Graham Coull is the chairman of the UKFast Cheshire League.

All these fixtures are available on the League website.

The season is due to end on Saturday, September 15.

On inside pages ……

P2: League finances bright; New balls; Forties plans; Fresh venue for Dinner; P3-4: New rules & regs.;

P4: Officers, New Laws; P6-7: Full T20 draw & fixtures; P8. National ko draw; Overseas crack-down;

P9; Cheshire skipper quits; All county fixtures & venues; P10 – 12: Club news;

P12; Obituaries of former star players; Geoff Wellsteed’s book; P13: West Indies tour memories from 2004.

P14: Reader’s thoughts from South Africa

JANUARY NEWSLETTTER: p2

A GOOD YEAR FINANCIALLY

UNDER the watchful eye of treasurer Matt Beckley, the League enjoyed a profitable year with a surplus of £4,127, which compared to a loss of £2,443 in 2016, an overall increase of £6.570. Net reserves on November 30, 2017 stood at £57,108.

Key sponsorship was retained from Vivio at £4,000 plus £2,500 from Reader’s and £1,500 from Joseph Holt Brewery. Fines brought in £3.771, which was £311 more than the previous year.

ECB income rose markedly from £6,600 to £16,600 due to late payments in 2016.

The League made donations to clubs totalling £11,008 in the form of red and pink cricket balls. That sum represented a direct benefit to each full member club of £284. The League also provided additional balls for quarter-finals onwards in T20 Finals Days.

A total of £1,260 was paid out in coaching grants to seven clubs representing 14 coaching badges.

The Presentation dinner incurred a reduced loss of £1,726 which included a sum of £1,250 which is being disputed.

The various competition finals cost £4,800 to stage. This included prize money, the costs of catering and umpires.

Mr. Beckley considered the current reserves stood at ‘an acceptable level”. He praised the excellent collection and payment of fines and subscriptions which had bolstered the final cash flow.

All league subscriptions were frozen for a further year.

Plans to use a better ball

THE League are to introduce an improved Reader Special Imperial Crown ball in all 1st XI matches next season. This ball, which underwent a successful Premier League trial in 2017, costs £17.75 plus VAT compared to the £15.50 plus VAT Reader Sovereign used in recent seasons.

To help cover the additional cost, the league will provide three boxes containing six balls each free to all clubs playing 1st XI cricket.

The league plan to place a joint order with the UKFast Cheshire League for their supply from Readers, who have offered a total £5,000 discount .

Clubs will be required to order their balls supply through treasurer Matt Beckley in the usual way. They will be distributed, together with handbooks, at the pre-season meeting at Warrington on April 11.

2018 LEAGUE DINNER AT TOFT

THE 2017 Presentation Dinner was be the last staged at Mere after a period of 21 years.

The League plan a new venture by staging the 2018 event in a marquee at Toft on Friday, October 5. Toft regularly stage successful events under canvas and plan a club function of their own the evening after the Dinner.

The rule requiring all clubs to buy three tickets for the event, or pay a fine amounting to the cost of the tickets, has been scrapped.

League chairman David Humpage told the AGM: “We are hoping to put on something more informal and bring the price down to about £25 as well as engaging a top-class speaker. We believe this will broaden the appeal of the event and raise attendance figures. It is well worth trying”.

He added: “Regarding the dinner format I would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in promoting and formatting the event”.

Staging Forties Finals Day

OVER Forties Finals Day next season will be on Sunday, September 2 and clubs wishing to stage the popular event should apply to Competition secretary Mike Talbot-Butler ASAP.

Toft (one ground) and Warrington (two) have kindly offered their facilities. A decision will be reached soon.

Davenham’s team in the Central Division have adopted the suffix Dodgers.

Founder members Hyde have returned to a 33-club format and will operate in the South East Division.

Fixtures begin on Wednesday, May 2

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p3

New rules for 2018 season

CLUBS attending the January management committee meeting considered a range of rule and regulation changes designed to operate from the 2018 season. The following were among those approved (full details are being circulated by secretary Geoff Wellsteed):

O ECB Premier League starting times from April to the penultimate Saturday in August shall be 12.30 a.m.; the last Saturday in August and September 11.30 a.m.

Other 1st and all 2nd XI divisions: April to penultimate Saturday in August 1 p.m.; last Saturday in August and September 12 noon.

O Availability for 3rd XI Sunday cricket: By agreement between captains, teams can agree to vary the eligibility of players. By agreement, players who would otherwise not be eligible (e.g. they were called up for 1st XI duty to field the previous day) may play in 3rd XI games. Clubs advised to obtain agreement in writing.

O League officers (to serve on Cricket committee): president, chairman, deputy chairman, secretary, treasurer, registrations secretary, assistant secretary, junior chairman, junior secretary, ground chairman, disciplinary chairman, appeals chairman, web administrator, fixtures coordinator; an umpires representative. (Bold type indicates new member)

O If a team concedes three league matches during a season, the relevant results secretary shall seek assurance from that team that they will be able to complete their remaining fixtures. If that team concedes further matches, the Cricket committee may expel that team from the competition

O To assist umpires and for the avoidance of doubt - which has previously existed - once a match has started, the length of the match is a fixed number of overs as determined by the Match Format table in the handbook. If the first innings is completed before half the match overs are used either by dismissal or declaration, the second innings will be increased by the shortfall of overs from the first innings.

O No player shall play for more than one club in the league during a single season without the consent to a transfer from his current club and the permission of the Cricket committee

To transfer a player into or within the league during the season, the new club must provide written clearance from his previous club prior to taking part in any fixture.

O No player appearing in any other Saturday (not mid-week) league shall be permitted to play in any league or cup game under the auspices of the league without the permission of the league.

O In a 1st XI match officiated by two panel umpires bowlers shall be limited to a maximum of two short pitched deliveries each over. The third occurence of a delivery that did or would have passed the batsman above shoulder height during an over, shall be called no ball by the bowling end umpire. Any subsequent short pitched balls shall also be called no ball.

Five points penalty

O Only balls approved by the league shall be used in league matches. In 1st XI cricket, balls must be new at the start of an innings. A team which breaks this rule shall be deducted five points.

O No player may make his maiden 1st XI appearance for his club during the last five Saturdays in the season unless he has already appeared for his club anywhere in the Cheshire pyramid prior to the fifth last week.

O In all league matches, clubs must satisfy the ECB guidance on the use of helmets. In the case of a club flouting the directive, the league will take action including a fine and/or deduction of points.

o In all league matches, clubs must observe the ECB Fast Bowling directive for players under 19 the previous September 1

The responsibility for policing these restrictions lies with the fielding side. Any excess overs will result in a two points penalty for each excess over bowled and may lead to disciplinary action against the fielding captain.

O If any result has not been loaded onto the play cricket website 10 days after the scheduled date of the game, the home club will be notified by the league. If it is still not resolved four days later, the home club will forfeit all points gained from the match.

Note: Result sheets will not be required for Third XI cricket in 2018.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p4

New rules contd …

Over Forties cricket

O Pink balls to be used for the first two weeks and the last week of the divisional fixtures and from the quarter-finals onwards (no change). They may also be used in all other games by mutual agreement.

O Where rain intervenes in a match after the game has started, then if 10 overs are bowled in the second innings, the result shall be determined by the average respective run rates. If 10 overs are not possible the match shall be abandoned with 2 points each unless the side batting second have already reached their target for 20 overs, in which case they shall be the winners.

O In the event of two or more teams having identical final playing records that cannot be split using the criteria in the Organisation and Admin. Matters section in the handbook, then in order to establish the final placings, average run rates in matches between the teams will determine their positions.

Constitutional matters

O By a two thirds majority of those present and voting, the management committee may elect to associate membership any club applying to enter the 3rd/4th/5th XI competitions.

O An honorary independent examiner of accounts shall be appointed at the AGM.

Secretary stands down

STANDING down as secretary, Geoff Wellsteed is planning to move from his home at Caldy to live at York. However, this has been put on hold due to the illness of his wife. Meanwhile, GW will continue to run the 1st XI Joseph Holt T20 competition in 2018.

Newly-appointed secretary is Ray Hunt, a member at Tattenhall, formerly with Didsbury.

Tony Morris steps down as Assistant secretary to become Registrations secretary.

Roger Ollier has retired as a 3rd XI secretary and been replaced by John Hacking (West and Central divisions and cup) and Peter Stewart (East divisions).

Disciplinary chairman Ian Greensmith will henceforth be aided by Chris Rigg, while Danny Leech is elected to the Cricket committee and John O’Donnell re-elected.

Other officers: President and Over Forties administrator Mike Talbot-Butler; Chairman David Humpage; Deputy chairman and 2nd XI secretary Brian Boys; Treasurer Matt Beckley; 1st XI Competition secretary Ian Sharrock; Ground chairman John Bygate; Junior chairman Mike Carswell; Junior secretary David Vallance; Play-cricket website administrator Darren Sutciffe; Pitchero website administrator Richard Fennah; Independent accounts administrator Jim Rafferty; Sunday friendlies administrator Marcus Fisher

NEW LAWS OF GAME

THE following is a précis of some of the new Laws of Cricket introduced on October 1 last year and will apply throughout the League’s 2018 season:

O Laws now written in language applying to all players, regardless of gender.

O Handled Ball Law deleted and merged into Obstructing Field .

O Lost Ball Law deleted and now covered in Dead Ball Law.

O Limits placed on thickness and depth of cricket bats.

O Injuries to be prevented by Law which introduces mechanism for tethering bails to stumps.

O Bowling of deliberate front foot no balls to be treated as deliberate full tosses.

O New Law covering Players’ Conduct giving in-match consequences for poor behaviour.

O Law regarding running out non-striker amended.

O ‘Bouncing Bat’ Law changed.

O Substitutes may now keep wicket.

O Concept of penalty runs Law amended.

For full details of all new Laws tap into: https://Laws.Lords.Org/theme/dynamic.login.php

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p5

Revised 3rd XI structure

THIRD XI cricket in the league will have a revised structure next season which is currently being finalised.

Prestbury, Poynton and Oulton Park have rejoined the set up, while Warrington and Widnes have withdrawn.

Clubs who wish to arrange Sunday friendlies are urged to contact coordinator Marcus Fisher on sundaycricket@outlook.com. He arranged 40 matches last season.

New Welfare Officer

CHESHIRE Cricket Board’s new Welfare Officer is former police officer Julie Rafferty, based at Moss Farm, Northwich. She replaces Andy Margeson who has retired

MORE UMPIRES

THE League have acquired several new umpires during the close season and expect numbers to be up on 2017.

Among those joining the panel are two from the Pennine League, a former Minor Counties man from the Liverpool Competition, plus one from the Sussex League.

Long-time Cheadle Hulme batsman Ian Brown, who has played in the league since its inception in 1975, is also preparing his white coat.

WINTER COURSES

THE following umpires courses have been arranged for the winter months:

Sunday, January 7 (stage 1); Sunday, January 14 (stage 2), at Toft

Saturday, February 3 (stage 1); Saturday, February 10 (stage 2), at Oakmere.

Sunday, March 4 (stage 1); Sunday, March 11 (stage 2), at Toft.

All intending participants should register and pay ECB ADO direct and online.

For ECB course registration or for more information contact Geoff Young on 01352 755 881 or curzon99@tiscali.co.uk.

The psychology of Cricket …..

THE organisation Opening Up Cricket is planning a series of courses on Performing Under Pressure in the region during February, winding up at Didsbury.

The courses will concentrate of sports psychology and the thinking player’s role in the game and will be headed up by Leicestershire and ex-Lancashire batsman Paul Horton, Tom Smith, the former Lancashire captain, Mike Rotherham, an England Lions Coach and Fran Clarkson, lead physio/coach at Derbyshire.

The events are at Blackpool Cricket Club on February 20; Sefton on February 22; Chorley on February 27 and at Didsbury CC on Wednesday, February 28, all starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost £20.

For further information and/or to book a place, contact organiser Mark Boyns on mark@openingupcricket.com

AGM Obituaries

FORMER Cheshire cricketers and administrators who died during 2017 were listed at the AGM by League President Mike Talbot-Butler, as follows:

Simon Cussons (Arley and Northwich), James Mellor (Bramhall), Ken Verney (Hale Barns) and later his wife Joselyn, Douglas Chadwick (Neston), Tony Medlock (Knutsford); John Brocklebank (Bowdon Vale), Colin Stockton (Chester Boughton Hall), Les Norris (Hale Barns), Keith Warburton (Cheadle), Timothy Lucas (Timperley), Derek Pickthall (Caldy), Graham Barton (Bowdon), John Riley (Bowdon), Alan McInnes (Macclesfield), William Meageen (Oxton).

Members observed a minute’s silence as a token of respect.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p6

MAJOR RE-SHUFFLE IN 2018

JOSEPH HOLT T20 DRAW

THE Joseph Holt Brewery have again signified their financial support for the League’s T20 competition in 2018, the draw for which has been made involving 35 of the 36 clubs, Christleton having opted out.

The draw minimises travel and maximises local derby games. Meanwhile, an East/West element has been introduced at the play-off and quarter-final stages by Competition secretary Geoff Wellsteed, his plan being to reduce travel.

There are nine mini groups, comprising eight of four teams and one of three teams.

Minimising travel leads to the inclusion of two Premiership clubs in three of the groups. That said, two of those clubs were in Division One in 2017. Group 3 has no premiership clubs.

All 35 entrants have been given a seed based on their overall 2017 placing in the CCCL pyramid (the first number in the bracket).

Within each group each club has then been re-seeded based on their pyramid seed. For example in Group 1 Oxton were 21st in the pyramid (9th in Division 1) and are therefore allocated 4th seed in that group recognising the three other clubs in the group had pyramid seeds of 1,5 and 19.

Each team in groups 1-8 will play three matches. To encourage competitive cricket those clubs classified as the 3rd and 4th seeds will have two home games, while the first and second seeds have only one game.

Matches will be scheduled as follows:

First match:

4 v 1; 3 v 2.

Second match:

2 v 4; 3 v 1

Third match:

1 v 2; 4 v 3.

If the seeding works the format should minimise dead rubbers and bring the top seeds together in the final round of games.

With nine groups, an inter-group play off is inevitable - like last season - to establish the quarter-finals. A hat draw will be arranged to decide which group has to play the Group 9 winners for a place in the quarter-finals. Again, recognising the need to minimise travel, the East group winners (5-8) will provide the opposition.

GROUPINGS

The clubs have been grouped as follows (giving seeding and with premiership clubs in bold type):

GROUP 1: Chester Boughton Hall (1/1); Neston (5/2). Oxton (21/4), Upton (19/3).

GROUP 2: Grappenhall (9/1); Runcorn (37/4); Warrington (23/3); Widnes (25/2)

GROUP 3: Alvanley (27/3), Davenham (28/1), Northwich (31/4), Weaverham (24/2).

GROUP 4: Barrow (25/3); Nantwich (2/1), Oulton Park (13/2), Tattenhall (33/4);

GROUP 5: Brooklands (29/4); Didsbury (7/1); Sale (22/3); Urmston (23/2).

GROUP 6: Bowdon (12/3); Cheadle (10/2); Hale Barns (38/4), Timperley (6/1).

GROUP 7: Hyde (11/1); Marple (14/2); Stockport (26/3), Romiley (28/4).

GROUP 8: Bramhall holders (8/2), Lindow (30/3); Mobberley (32/4); Toft (4/1)

GROUP 9: Alderley Edge (3/1), Bollington (16/2), Macclesfield (17/3).

The mini groups will be played on the home grounds of the team identified first in the fixture schedule.

The perceived advantage of hosting the play-off match and the quarter-finals will be subject to a separate draw to be made later.

Finals Day will be hosted by one of the four finalists, a draw for which will be made.

So that as many fixtures as possible can be played if a match cannot be started because of inclement weather, that match MUST be re-arranged by mutual agreement within the next six days. If a convenient date cannot be found, the default date shall be the following Wednesday.

League umpire appointments secretary Geoff Young will be responsible for all umpiring appointments and notifications. He can be contracted on 01355 / 755 881 or by e-mail on curzon99@tiscali.co.uk

All matches will be played using pink balls as specified by the League.

For all other matters, contact Geoff Wellsteed (details in Pavilions in Splendour panel on following page).

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p7

T20 draw contd …

T20 West region fixtures (all games on Thursdays)

May 17

Group 1: Oxton v Chester Boughton Hall; Upton v Neston;

Group 2: Runcorn v Grappenhall; Warrington v Widnes;

Group 3: Northwich v Davenham; Alvanley v Weaverham;

Group 4: Tattenhall v Nantwich; Barrow v Oulton Park.

May 31

Group 1: Neston v Oxton; Upton v Chester Boughton Hall;

Group 2: Widnes v Runcorn; Warrington v Grappenhall;

Group 3: Weaverham v Northwich; Alvanley v Davenham;

Group 4: Oulton Park v Tattenhall; Barrow v Nantwich.

June 14

Group 1: Chester Boughton Hall v Neston; Oxton v Upton;

Group 2: Grappenhall v Widnes; Runcorn v Warrington;

Group 3: Davenbam v Weaverham; Northwich v Alvanley;

Group 4: Nantwich v Oulton Park; Tattenhall v Barrow.

East region fixtures (Thursdays, except where stated)

May 10

Group 5: Brooklands v Didsbury; Sale v Urmston;

Group 6: Hale Barns v Timperley; Bowdon v Cheadle;

Group 7: Romiley v Hyde; Stockport v Marple;

Group 8: Mobberley v Toft; Lindow v Bramhall;

Group 9: Macclesfield v Alderley Edge.

May 24:

Group 5: Urmston v Brooklands; Sale v Didsbury;

Group 6: Cheadle v Hale Barns; Bowdon v Timperley;

Group 7: Marple v Romiley; Stockport v Hyde;

Group 8: Bramhall v Mobberley; Lindow v Toft;

Group 9: Bollington v Macclesfield.

June 7:

Group 5: Didsbury v Urmston; Brooklands v Sale;

Group 6: Timperley v Cheadle; Hale Barns v Bowdon;

Group 7: Hyde v Marple; Romiley v Stockport;

Group 8: Toft v Bramhall (Tuesday, June 6); Mobberley v Lindow;

Group 9: Alderley Edge v Bollington

PLAY-OFF MATCH on Thursday, June 14: Group 9 winner v Group 6 winner

EAST-WEST quarter-finals on Thursday, June 21:

WEST WINNERS of Group 2 v Group 4 ; winners of Group 1 v Group 3.

EAST WINNERS of Group 8 v Group 5; Winners of Group 7 v winners of Group 6 or 9.

FINALS DAY: to be played on Sunday, July 1 (10.30 a.m. start) on ground of four quarter-final winners (draws to be made)

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p8

Only 5 league clubs enter National ko

THE number of Cheshire County League clubs entering the Royal London National knock out continues to decline, only five signing up for the 2018 competition.

Four of them figure in Group 6 covering Cheshire and the North-West, with Nantwich drawn in the Midlands section.

The first round draw (games to be played by Sunday, April 22):

GROUP 6

1. HYDE – bye

2. Highfield v Burscough

3. CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL v Rainford

4. St. Helens v Northern

5. Wallasey v BOWDON

6. NESTON v New Brighton

7. Leigh v Stretford

8. Bootle v Wigan.

Round 2 to be played by May 13: Winners of match 1 v 2; 3 v 4; 5 v 6; 7 v 8.

GROUP 7

1. Wolverhampton v Wombourne

2. Old Hill v Halesowen

3. Redditch v Stone

4. Ombersley v Wellington

5. Shifnal v Sentinel

6. NANTWICH v Kenilworth Wardens;

7. Kidderminster v Shrewsbury;

8. Stourbridge v Moddershall.

Round 2: Winners of match 1 v 2; 3 v 4; 5 v 6; 7 v 8.

The 2017 winners were Wanstead and Snaresbrook (East London/Essex)

Fewer Overseas players,

clubs warned

CONTRARY to what ECB Premier Leagues were told earlier in the winter, Home Office regulations governing the playing of overseas players in the UK in 2018 are tougher than they were.

The HO will be applying stricter guidelines on how they determine whether a player is a professional sportsman. If they determine he is playing cricket under an amateur visa as a Non Visa National, the club and player concerned could potentially be considered in breach of the visa. This could have serious repercussions so it is important that due diligence is undertaken if clubs are considering registering an overseas amateur.

The key areas where greater scrutiny is being applied by the HO are as follows:

1. Use of agents. If an individual coming to the UK on an amateur visa uses an agent the individual may be considered to be a professional sportsperson.

2. Some amateur visas allow payment for air fares and living expenses, but any such payment could be deemed by the HO to render the player a professional sportsperson. This also brings in the provision of free accommodation as a potential benefit in kind.

It is possible that many individuals will simply not be issued with a visa if the HO pick these items up at the application stage.

However, Australians and New Zealanders can enter the UK as non visa nationals although still subject to certain regulations, so it may come down to a club decision as to whether an individual is eligible.

Chairman David Humpage told clubs at the AGM: “You must make sure that your proposed overseas player has the legal right to be in the UK to play cricket. Be very careful and read the Home Office and ECB guidelines carefully. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had many fewer overseas players here next season”.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p9

Cheshire skipper Dixon stands down

CHESTER Boughton Hall’s Lee Dixon has stepped down as Cheshire captain after two seasons in charge, most recently in 2017 when he helped the county to gain second place in the Unicorns championship Western division.

Cheshire chairman David Bailey commented: “Lee has worked hard since his debut for the county and brought boundless energy to the job as skipper. Our thanks go to him for his good work”.

An announcement about a successor, singular or plural, will be made soon.

County fixtures and venues finalised

GROUNDS have now been chosen for all Cheshire’s 2018 fixtures in three separate competitions.

Home games are indicated in bold type.

T20 knock-out

Sunday, May 6: round 1: Cumberland at Toft

Bank Holiday Monday 7: Staffordshire at Knypersley

Sunday, June 3: Northumberland at Marple

Sunday, June 17: Lincolnshire at Bourne

Sunday, August 26: Finals Day at Wormsley

Bank Holiday Monday, August 27: Finals reserve date

50 overs knock-out

Sunday, May 20: round 1: Cumberland at Oxton

Sunday, June 10: quarter-finals: prov. Lincolnshire or Northumberland at Chester Boughton Hall

Sunday, July 1: semi-finals: away to Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Staffs, Shropshire or Herefordshire.

Wednesday, August 29: Final at Wormsley

Thursday, August 30: Final reserve date

County championship

Sunday - Tuesday, June 24 - 27: Shropshire at Shifnal

Sunday - Tuesday, July 8 – 10: Wales at Abergavenny

Sunday – Tuesday, July 22 – 24: Dorset at Nantwich

Sunday - Tuesday, August 5 - 7: Cornwall at Truro

Sunday – Tuesday, August 29 - 31: Berkshire at Chester Boughton Hall

Sunday – Tuesday, September 2 - 4: Herefordshire at Alderley Edge

Sunday – Wednesday, September 16 - 19: play-off at Banbury

* The play-off may be brought forward to September 9 – 12.

Academy games

Monday, July 9: Yorkshire Academy away

Tuesday, July 10: MCC at Bowdon

Thursday, July 12: Warwickshire Academy away

Thursday, July 19: Dileep Vengsarker Academy XI at New Brighton

Tuesday, July 31: Staffs Development XI away.

More fixtures may be arranged.

EARLIER STARTS?

THE League have been asked to consider bringing forward the starting times of games on Saturday, August 4 in which Cheshire players are involved. Fixtures that day likely to involve players selected are:

Premiership: Bramhall v Didsbury; Nantwich v Chester; Grappenhall v Cheadle; Marple v Oulton Park; Neston v Timperley; Toft v Alderley Edge. Division 1: Bollington v Oxton; Bowdon v Widnes; Davenham v Urmston; Hyde v Barrow; Sale v Urmston; Stockport v Macclesfield

Cheshire meet Cornwall at Truro starting at 11 a.m. next day and would like the coach carrying players and officials to depart as early as possible on Saturday evening.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p10

Winter news from around the clubs

ALDERLEY EDGE DUO ON LANCS BOOKS

STARTING a second season at the Lancashire Academy are Alderley Edge’s two outstanding teenage batsmen Sam Perry and Ed Fluck, the latter the son of retiring chairman Andy Fluck. Sam attends Manchester Grammar and Ed is at Cheadle Hulme School.

Newly recruited by the Academy are Hyde all-rounder George Balderson and Oxon batsman Jamie Crawley, who is at Shrewsbury School.

ALVANLEY’s SPOTY REP

ALVANLEY’s now famous spinner Sophie Ecclestone, 18, who was featured on the front page of the November Newsletter, made it to the BBC’s SPOTY long-list following her exploits with the England women’s Test team.

MATT TULLEY TO LEAD BOWDON

STANDING down as 1st XI skipper at relegated Bowdon is Simon Marshall, who may take a break from the game.

He is succeeded by former Manchester Grammar School fast bowler Matt Tulley.

TONY BRADY STEPS DOWN AS CHEADLE CHAIRMAN

AFTER six years’ sterling service as CHEADLE chairman, Tony Brady has stepped down, but stays on the committee as president of the Sports Club.

His successor is Henry Appleyard, who joined the club only last year and has been keen to become more closely involved. New secretary is Nick Reid, who succeeds Lorraine Brady.

Dan Brown continues as captain after successfully keeping the 1st XI in the Premier League. Aaron Wall, Simon Orton and Richard Brown will lead the twos, threes and fours respectively.

An interesting new signing is Lindow all-rounder Ryan O’Brien, who scored 584 runs and took 26 wickets in Division Two last season.

Will Holmes and Stewart Carswell are currently enjoying club cricket in Melbourne. Will is staying with Cheadle’s 2015 overseas player Matt Fotia.

New website secretary is Kevin Moss, while the club reveal they have a new twitter account @cheadlecc.

Flagship fund raiser in 2018 will be the fifth annual Beer Festival over the first May Bank Holiday.

NEW CHESTER SKIPPER

FORMER Glamorgan all-rounder Will Owen who helped CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL win the ECB Premier League last season (with 270 runs and 39 wickets) is to captain the 1st XI in all games in 2018. Will, who is Cricket Master at Rydal College, succeeds Ross Dixon. Chris Fleet continues as Club captain

Chester plan to register Lancashire all-rounder Jordan Clark as a county-qualified player.

Now holding the twin posts of president and chairman is long-serving Brian Gresty, who succeeds Jim Gillson, while John Legry continues as secretary, Steve Greensill treasurer and Don Speakman Child Welfare Officer, with Alex Kegg groundsman.

Retiring skipper Ross Dixon and his Aussie wife Elle are celebrating their first born, Margot Grace, born December 14 weighing a healthy 7 lb 13. oz. Congrats all round.

DAVENHAM CHAIR STEPS DOWN

AFTER 13 highly-successful years as club chairman which have brought DAVENHAM, improvement, promotion and general prominence, Bob Floyd has stepped down and passed the reins to Martin Bentley.

A massive Huddersfield Town fan, Bob will continue as Cricket committee chairman

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p 11

Club news contd …

GRAPPENHALL’s WILL SHARP OFF TO NZ

GRAPPENHALL have lost the younger version of the famous Sharp family with Willie emigrating to New Zealand with his wife Angie on January 28.

Will has been part of the Grappenhall fabric since his very young days when his father and mother Nick and Pat encouraged him to take part in club activities at Broad Lane

He has been a leading batsman and latterly wicket-keeper there for the past 25 years, playing for the League Colts and at senior level and more recently helping the Vets win the Over 40s title.

There was a right royal send off for the young Sharps at the pavilion in Broad Lane on Saturday evening January 20, when secretary Paul Tyerman organised a large turn out of family, friends and colleagues.

NEW HALE BARNS PRESIDENT

ONE of the league’s new clubs in 2018, HALE BARNS elected John Petch as president for a three year term at the AGM.

A former Didsbury player, John joined ‘Barns in 1989, and has since filled many posts, including ground chairman, secretary, handbook editor, teas organiser and Sunday captain and proudly reckons he has played senior cricket for 50 successive seasons.

Also secretary of the Cheshire Clubs Cricket Association, John spends his winters following Trafford FC in the Northern Premier League – on days when he is not out and about as a Groundhopper.

HYDE PAVILION EXTENSION

HYDE are planning a considerable pavilion extension on their ground at Werneth Low. Building work is expected to extend over part of the outfield in cantilever style.

MACC CAPTAIN-ELECT WEDS

MACCLESFIELD’s excellent Winter Newsletter compiled by chairman Simon Griffiths discloses that popular member Chris Moores was married in November to Anna Jordan. Chris, who was credited with fine work on the ground last season alongside Jimmy Yeo, has put his name forward as 1st XI captain for 2018.

The club made an estimated £10k profit from their Fireworks Night in November organised by Jo Boyd and Gemma Bullivent.

There was a large turn out at the Mid-Winter Social in the clubhouse on January 5

Lancashire Thunder staged their Winter Road Show at the town’s All Hallows Sports Hall on January 23, with the Red Rose county all-rounder Jordan Clark, last season with Alderley Edge, in attendance.

Meanwhile, the club’s many Silkmen fans are enjoying watching Macclesfield Town lead the way for promotion from the Nationwide Conference. Currently, Crewe Alexandra are the only Cheshire-based club in the Football League, Macc, Chester, Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County all having fallen by the wayside.

OULTON PARK ‘BADGERED’

AMBITIOUS plans to extend the size of OULTON PARK’S picturesque Pinfold Lane ground have been put on hold. The local authorities have ruled that a large sett of badgers in an adjoining farmer’s field cannot be disturbed.

TOFT REWARD LOYALTY

TOFT rewarded loyalty at their AGM by bestowing honorary life membership upon groundsman Bernard Manning to mark his 50 years’ wonderful service on and off the field. Other new lifers are Brian Coutts – another with 50 years’ service – Jeff Tenner and Toby Drummond. The club have appointed a part- time groundsman to assist Bernard.

Jimmy Lomas was elected 1st XI captain, with Paul Ashley and Will Dunkerley continuing to lead the 2nd and 3rd XIs. Simon Hardstaff takes over the Forties skippership, aided by David Ward.

Toft expect to have Rob Jones available next season when not required by Lancashire, who have renewed his contract.

Graham Gooch will be guest speaker at the pre-season dinner on April 13.

Among other fund-raising events planned by Nigel Muirhead and his go ahead committee - re-elected en bloc - are A Run from Old Trafford to the club followed by Six Nations Rugby on February 24; Summer Ball with Deadbeat on June 23; a Marquee event to fit it in with England’s RU World Cup on June 24; Golf Day on July 6; Oktober Fest on October 6 and Bonfire Night on November 3.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p12

Club news contd …

URMSTON OLD BOYS IN NEWS

FORMER Urmston teenage left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson, now with Leicestershire, was pictured in the January issue of The Cricketer magazine after being included in the England Lions squad as a net bowler for the Aussie winter tour.

Callum was put forward as one of the UK’s most promising spinners allowing him to meet Down Under with his ex-Urmston twin brother Matthew, now at Lancashire, who is playing ECB- arranged grade cricket in Sydney.

Callum was quoted: “This trip represents a brilliant chance for me as well as working with some new coaches and picking their brains for useful tips”.

O Clubs are invited to notify Newsletter with further news for February issue.

OBITUARIES

All-round sportsman Alan McInnes

ONCE one of the Cheshire County League’s most outstanding personalities – and best wicket-keepers – Macclesfield’s Alan McInnes has died aged 75.

A former pupil at King’s School, Alan was a former Macclesfield club captain and chairman.

Alan had a fine sporting careers, making his name as a Rugby League professional with Salford and later as coach at the highly successful Wigan Warriors team. He also became a noted referee. Earlier, Alan had played rugby union for Cheshire.

At cricket, he was virtually a one club man, making his name as a superbly efficient wicket-keeper – second only to Stephen Bramhall in the league’s annals. He played many times for the league represenative XI in the President’s Trophy, mostly when Steve Bramhall was following a career in county cricket.

After his retirement from the platying side, he became club chairman, living only a few yards from a ground on which he spend so much time.

Due to availability problems, Alan played only twice for Cheshire, in 1962 and 1969, both coincidentally against Northumberland at Oxton.

His funeral at Prestbury Church took place before a large turn out of family, friends and former cricket and rugby league colleagues.

John Riley: captained Bowdon at Lord’s

THE death occurred aged 89 on December 23 of Michael John Brassey Riley, known to his friends at MJB, who captained Bowdon in the National Club knock out at Lord’s in 1977.

Born in Essex, John moved with his family to Cheshire and attended Altrincham and Manchester Grammar Schools. He first played club cricket at Brooklands before joining Bowdon where he became one of the club’s finest off-spinners.

He played for Cheshire between 1953 – 1959 taking 35 wickets and scoring 435 runs.

John was not well enough to attend the 40th reunion of Lord’s veterans at South Downs road last season, but those present raised a glass to toast their former skipper.

‘Pavilions In Splendour’ …..out at Easter

LEAGUE secretary Geoff Wellsteed’s third book“Pavilions in Splendour” is to be published at Easter.

Covering 236 pages, it features stories, many with pictures, covering 133 Cheshire-based clubs past and present. It retails at £25 on line via max-books.co.uk (using paypal) or by post, sending a cheque addressed to Max Books, Epworth House, 34, Wellington Road, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7BX.

For further information, Geoff can be contacted at 3, Beatty Close, Caldy, Wirral CH48 2JT; by telephone on 0151 625 6470 (home) or 07443 909 232 (mobile); e-mail geoffwellsteed@hotmail.com.

Geoff continues to tend to his wife, Penny, who has undergone a series of major operations. The couple thank the many people who have been in touch to offer their good wishes.

O MTB writes: Geoff kindly sent me the proofs of his splendid book and I have greatly enjoyed a sneak preview of his unique history of Cheshire’s cricket clubs, from the splendid Alderley Edge HQ right through to the less fashionable, but equally readable story about Woodley. Every one’s a gem – order your copy now!

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p13

Back on tour ….to West Indies in 2004

WTB & I completed our West Indies cricket experience by joining the first section of England’s Caribbean tour to Jamaica and Trinidad in March, 2004.

Our budget with Gullivers Travels was spoiled when the WICB had upped the price of tickets for Brits attending the four Tests to £400 per match to help pay for the World Cup coming up in two years’ time, they alleged. I am sure no other country had this surcharge imposed, but the Board decided to make the Barmy Army – and us less noisy ones – pay for the privilege.

We decided to go along with this, but dropped a couple of days we planned to visit Trinidad’s sister island of Tobago from our schedule.

Happily, Jamaica is served by a direct five-hour flight from Manchester so we did not have the grind of a journey down to Heath Row and off we toddled on March 8, having safely put the League’s 2004 Handbook to bed.

Our hotel was the very pleasant Belvedere in Kingston, the island capital , which were soon discovered was not one to be strolled about in after dark. The Belvedere was to feature world wide 12 months later when famous coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his bathroom after a heart attack which local police originally thought was a grisly murder.

The tour schedule began with a visit to the former home of Bob Marley, the King of Reggae, a rhythm we had both loved for many years. A splendid place it was, too, with some wonderful mementoes including a statue of Bob’s father, who had been a cavalry Lt. Colonel in the British Army.

Next day it was to Sabina Park for the first Test played at a time – unlike to-day - when England possessed a posse of genuine fast bowlers: Steve Harmison, Matt Hoggard and Simon Jones. Harmy put the Windies to the sword, taking 7-12 to dismiss them for 47 in their second innings. Earlier they had scored 311 and England replied with 338, then 23-0 to win by 10 wickets.

It was thrilling to see England fielding with six slips and a gully to Harmy, who just mowed the opposition down. Tino Best was making his debut for the Windies and on taking his first wicket, ran madly round the outfield before throwing himself prostrate in front of his family in the stand. Strange fellow, that (‘Mind the windows, Dino’!).

Daylight robbery

At the end of play, I have a lasting memory of walking down the steps of the large main stand when I felt a rough hand on my back, but thought nothing more of it until we reached the coach. Half a dozen of our party. including league management colleague Roger Ollier, then found that they had been divested of wallets, keys, phones and passports by a gang of smart and well-trained thieves who had run downstairs alongside us. Wyn & I lost nothing, but the police proved to be powerless to help our distressed colleagues.

As the match finished in three days, we piled into a coach next morning and made a fascinating trip up into the Blue Mountains, which splits the island between the south coast and the more affluent Montego Bay area . It was wonderfully clear up at 2,000 feet with some truly remarkable folk living there.

Mike Gatting was our party’s host, but we saw little of him as he tended to sit with his Sunday Express ghost writer during the play, then come alive in the bar at night - long after we oldies had gone to bed.

Next day we took the plane to Trinidad for another good hotel in the capital, Port of Spain. Trinidad is not a particularly attractive island with scores of oil wells down in the south, although the capital was tidy with some smart beaches and features the splendid home of the great Brian Lara up on a hill; but not (yet) open to the public.

When our transport regularly failed to turn up, we had a pleasant mile-long walk to the ground and back across the savanna. England promptly went 2-0 up in the series. Scores: Windies 298 (Harmison 6-62) and 209; England 319 (Graham Thorpe 90) and 99-3, winning by seven wickets. Our party was interviewed at the close by BBC reporter Daniella Ralph and we expressed our delight at England’s form (but had a grouse about the ticket prices and thieves). She is now the BBC Royal correspondent - and has been busy lately.

An interesting interlude in this game came when a technical fault transmitted the stump mikes onto the main tannoy system and the sizeable crowd was able to hear the kind of sledging which went on in the middle for more than 10 minutes. England skipper skipper Nasser Hussain…..you should be ashamed of yourself!

England went on to win by eight wickets at Barbados and draw at Antigua after WIndies had pulled themselves together to score 751-5. So we came away 3-0 winners.

The Caribbean climate throughout our 18-day stay was wonderful, the people (except some in Kingston) were kind and the facilities remarkably good considering most ordinary tourists tend to steer clear of Jamaica and Trinidad.

So it was with great reluctance that we piled into our coach for the airport, the shuttle plane to Barbados, then back to Manchester …which was snowbound after unseasonable weather, would you believe?

Just two more tours to report: South Africa in 2005 and India a year later.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER: p14

John Burbidge writes from SA

FORMER Cheadle Hulme cricketer John Burbidge, who emigrated to work and live in South Africa in the 1980s, has always remained a regular Newsletter reader and has recently taken the time to e-mail his thoughts. He writes:

“Thanks again for your interesting epistle which I enjoy receiving down here in SA, especially the latest piece about Sophie Ecclestone and her success for England.

“I have found women’s cricket very watchable on television. The batting in particular has been excellent and my adopted country South Africa did well in the recent World Cup

“As I write in December, I am hoping that England make a decent show in the Tests Down Under and I note that you report Ian Brown was there in Brisbane and Adelaide. I plan to see him and several other old faces including my old pal Paul Tipton, at Cape Town in February when Cheshire Vets are touring to play 4- 5 games. I shall be travelling 250 miles to meet up with them. It will be lovely to chat about old days”.

Anyone who would like to contact John can do so by e-mail on jburbidge@icon.co.za.

LEAGUE WEBSITES

The League’s Pitchero website administered by Richard Fennah contains pictures and documents, including all 2017 issues of Newsletter. It can be located on:

www.cheshirecountycl.org.uk

For other League news including the 2017 averages and all 2018 fixtures so far compiled, visit Darren Sutcliffe’s website:

www.cheshirecountycl.play-cricket.com/

The Newsletter has been compiled & edited

by Mike Talbot-Butler, who can be contacted

by e-mail on mike.t-b@talktalk.net

NEXT ISSUE: LATE FEBRUARY

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