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“In Conversation” Is a Publication of the League Cricket Conference A

“In Conversation” Is a Publication of the League Cricket Conference A

In Conversation

A Publication of the League Conference Issue 2. April 2016

INTRODUCING YOUR PRESIDENT

GEOFF COOK

Conference is proud to confirm that Geoff started his cricketing career with North Academy and developing the many Cook was elected as the new president of & South Durham League club youngsters who came through it. LCC at the Middleton AGM on the 12 th Normanby Hall which is situated in the March. suburbs of the Boro – their ground located in His achievements with Durham are the stuff the aptly named Cricket Lane. of fairy tales, never mind legend. From those very early almost ‘hand to mouth’ days when He is briefly mentioned in their history – the NYSD played a major role in helping the ‘ started his career in the juniors county get their foot on the first-class ladder and soon progressed to the first team where by hosting 60% of their he scored a century’ – short and to the point! games as the Riverside was being built, to the Impressing all who saw him he was snapped last decade when 3 county championships up by Redcar – another NYSD team now and the have been possibly more famous for the redundant won. steelworks – to be their professional at the age of 19. He was there but briefly – A man of great humility and integrity, the managing to play three matches for them former secretary and chairman of the PCA before being whisked off to the bright lights has endeared himself to the North East of Wantage Road, where he began his public, and, importantly for the LCC and its lengthy career with . members, he clearly understands and relates to the importance of grassroots cricket, As a player he scored 23,000 first-class spending much of his time over the winter runs and played in seven Tests. He also took months supporting numerous clubs and 15 first-class , his action being leagues in the region. described as left arm orthodox. But as he Geoff holds the County Championship Cup himself was once heard to say……..statistics As was the case with , the are like bikinis – very nice to look at, but game of cricket at all levels certainly has a Geoff follows Tom Graveney as our they don’t tell the whole story. lot to thank Geoff Cook for, and the LCC is prestigious figurehead following Tom’s privileged that he agreed to support death last autumn. The word legend is often After being approached by Yorkshire in Conference and its work by agreeing to take over used – but it is demonstrably 1986, Geoff decided to stayed as Northants on the president’s role. appropriate for these two great men of and four years later joined Durham to cricket, coincidentally North-easterners both. oversee their entry into first-class cricket. He has been there ever since as captain, coach, Geoff is particularly revered in that part of second team captain and director of cricket. Prepared by Chris West – Chairman of the the world following his magnificent He played the crucial role in setting up their League Cricket Conference. achievements with Durham Club. Born in Middlesbrough in 1951, he

CROSS COUNTRY expect as we count down to the start of the and the Yorkshire Cricket Board attended a 2016 Season around the leagues? special dinner at York Cricket Club in February. They joined officials of the four In the words of Rudyard Kipling “the With all the many prizes on offer for the premier leagues, Yorkshire League North, flannelled fools” are about to replace the winners across the country perhaps the most Yorkshire League South, North Yorkshire & “muddied oafs” on our sports fields around the glamorous is that offered by the Yorkshire South Durham League and the Bradford country. Kipling was no great fan of cricket it Premier Leagues with “ the Race to Abu League, plus representatives of the competing has to be said, although he did accept that it Dhabi ” produced good skills in teamwork. So in what clubs. is the thirtieth anniversary of Europe’s record Leading figures from the & hit “the Final Countdown”, what can we Cricket Board, Yorkshire County Cricket Club ECB chairman Colin Graves said: “The rest of

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the cricket community will be watching this Bingley. Asanga Weerasinghe joins BOLTON exciting development. The people who have Collingham having previously played for 2015 Champions - Egerton worked so hard to make this happen deserve Blidworth Colliery in the Bassetlaw League. the highest praise.” Divsion 2 outfit Skipton have made an Bradshaw, Farnworth and Farnworth Social exciting signing in talented South African all Circle are expected to be vying for the title YCCC chairman Steve Denison, who headed rounder Pieter Coetzers. ‘The ’ following the 2015 champions move to the the county club delegation which included player is a top order batsman and right arm Greater Premier. Farnworth have chief executive Mark Arthur, commercial fast medium bowler. recruited test spin bowler Dinuka director Andy Dawson, director of cricket Hettiarachchi (over 900 first class wickets) as , head coach , their professional, Pakistani bowler and new coach Richard Pyrah, said: “Who Shahzaib Ahmed holding the same position at would have thought this day would come. Bradshaw. All rounder Ryan Ayres has Brilliant leadership from Yorkshire CCC, moved to Farnworth Social Circle from Yorkshire Cricket Board and the leagues.” 2015 Champions - Mansfield Hosiery Mills Walden. 21 teams will compete in one division to determine the new two divisions in It has taken more than two years to create the Whoever ends up as league champions are set 2017. new league set-up, with the NYSD League, to go head to head with the winners of the with its own well established structure South Nottinghamshire League on 17 th BRADFORD unaltered, providing significant input and September for the accolade of the top side 2015 Champions - Pudsey St Lawrence support to help the other three leagues become below the premier league in ’Robin Hood established as new ECB Premier Leagues. County’. The league has secured sponsorship Apart from a possible trip to Abu Dhabi , for each of its nine divisions. Papplewick and Lightcliffe will have extra incentive to win its NYSD president Chris West, a member of the Linby having narrowly missed out on first ever Division 1 title, as its opening Premier League Management Board as well as promotion by just three points in 2015 will batsman Chris Taylor, the former Yorkshire being a director of the Yorkshire Cricket start as favourites. Farnsfield relegated from player, is the managing director of the league’s Board, is delighted on all fronts to see the hard the Nottinghamshire Premier League will look new sponsors. Matt Walker has joined work pay dividends: “The many trips to and for an immediate return. Bradford and Bingley from Lowerhouse of the from Doncaster over the last couple of years League. Methley hopes for seem all the more worthwhile – the ultimate PREMIER promotion to the premier league have been prize is now on the horizon. I’m delighted that 2015 Champions - Shrewsbury boosted by the recruitment, as captain, of our own Yorkshire clubs, their players and highly experienced league all rounder Grant supporters, have now been handed the Defending champions Shrewsbury has looked Soames from Woodlands and the import of opportunity of a lifetime. to re-build its following the loss of South African fast bowler Sammy Mofokeng. Shropshire skipper Steve Leach, who has The semi final draw sees the Yorkshire moved to Shifnal, by signing 18 year old & DISTRICT Premier North champions playing the Worcestershire County Academy player, Ollie 2015 Champions - Pak Bristolians Yorkshire Premier South champions at Westbury from first division Himley and 26 Scarborough and the NYSD champions facing year old Ben Stebbings, who also plays for The re-structure in the West of England sees the the Bradford League champions at th Herefordshire in the Unicorns Competitions. the top division admitting second team sides Headingley with both matches on 17 Westbury scored 1,000 runs for Shrewsbury from Downend and Keynsham. It will be September. The winning teams from each nd School in 2015, whilst Stebbings has had interesting to see how they cope in what will semi-final will travel to Abu Dhabi on 22 previous premier league experience with be a high standard division as four, club first October for the final. During their stay on the Halesowen. Warwickshire pace bowler Oliver teams Bristol West Indies Phoenix, Chew all-expenses paid trip for 14 lucky Hannon Dalby is set to play for Kenilworth in Magna, Congresbury, and Shirehampton have representatives of each club, the two teams the Premier League with county colleagues had previous West of England league will practice and play in one warm-up match Richard Jones , Jonathan Webb, and Sam Hain experience. each against a local team, before meeting in scheduled to play for Berkswell, Knowle and the day/night final in the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Dorridge & Walsall respectively. CHESHIRE COUNTY Stadium. Worcestershire starlet has agreed, subject to county commitments, to play for Let us now visit the leagues of Conference to premier side Wellington. The right hand assess the season ahead. batsman was selected for the England Lions 2015 Champions - Hyde following his maiden first class century last AIREDALE AND WHARFEDALE summer. Newport promoted from the 30 yard fielding restrictions will be introduced st 2015 Champions - Otley Shropshire County League welcome back star in 1 XI league matches where two panel bat Rajat Bhatra. The IPL player scored 1,131 umpires officiate. The premier league also The founding fathers of democracy in Ancient runs at an average of 113 for Newport in 2015 sees a maximum of 17 overs per bowler. Greece would be proud of the steps taken by and the club has further strengthened with the Despite the loss of star spin bowler Danny the league officials in arranging a series of arrival of opening batsman Ian Gillespie from Woods, who has moved to Yorkshire Premier road shows across the broad swathes of the Bomere Heath. And on the 400 th Anniversary North outfit, York and Cheshire batsman region to consult with the players about the of the death of William Shakespeare, how apt Khalid Sawas, returning to Alderley Edge, future development of the playing structure of it would be if newly promoted Stratford on Hyde are strongly fancied to complete a hat- the league. In total, seven meetings were held Avon could make it back to back promotions - trick of premier league titles. Chester in January 2016. Defending champions Otley “to be or not to be that is the question”. Boughton Hall have recruited former have recruited all rounder Chris Thompson pace bowler Will Owen as from 2015 Priestley Cup winners Bradford & player/coach. The club are also seeking to win

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the Cheshire Cup for the fifth consecutive DEVON Pittavino as the mid Sussex side seek to make season. Division 2 promotion aspirants an instant return. Alvanley has been busy over the winter months recruiting top order batsman Chris ESSEX LEAGUE Wright from Chester County Officers, Ian 2015 Champions – Torquay 2015 Champions - Chelmsford CC McDermott (Huddersfield), Will Holden

(Langley) and Sam Baxter (Grappenhall). Defending champions Torquay have seen two There will be extra spice to the early weeks of of their successful side move into first class the season with prizes for the winners of the cricket, Ryan Stevenson (Hampshire) and Kazi first to 500 runs and the first to 25 wickets in Szymanski (Glamorgan). Devon captain Matt first team cricket. 2015 saw the latter won by Thomspon has moved from the English Arshad Ali of Shenfield who took just six Riviera to St Fagans in South Wales. The games to reach that milestone. One bowler Recreation Ground side has been busy keen to pick up the prize this term will be 22 2015 Champions - Werrington recruiting, keeper George Allen year old spin bowler Jake Young who returns

coming from Birmingham Premier League to play for Colchester and East Essex from Cornwall professional Brad Wadlan is side Walmley. Devon youth player Reid South Wilts. Rishi Patel, the leading run scheduled to play for St. Just in the Cornwall Mawdsley, formerly with West of England scorer in the premier league in 2015 has joined Premier League having played a key role with Premier side Chard, and left arm pace bowler Brentwood from Loughton. Leaving the 2015 Bridgend Town winning the South Wales Ben Williams switching from Lewdown. It runners up is Essex fast bowler Tom Moore Premier League in 2015. The all rounder who will also have in its ranks promising teenage who joins newly promoted Hornchurch. spent the winter playing Australian Grade fast bowler Matt Pembridge who took 33 Cricket was the third leading wicket taker in premier wickets in his first season. Another the Minor Countries competition with 46 highly regarded young pace bowler Hugo wickets in 2015 as well as being part of the Whitlock has joined Premier Division Bovey Cornish side that lifted the Unicorn Knock Out Travey from Abbotswell. The youngster spent Cup. the winter playing first grade cricket in Clifton will, potentially, possess the most . Exeter who have finished 7 th in the explosive opening pace attack in the league DERBYSHIRE premier league for the last three seasons have after recruiting fast bowler Liam Hart to join 20 15 Champions – Sandiacre Town signalled their intent for better times with the Steve Cheetham. Hart, who played a number recruitment of former Somerset star bowler of games for Leicestershire in 2015, joins from The close season saw the reunification of the as player/coach. The South Ormskirk. Another making the journey south Premier League and the County League. The African, who retired from first class cricket at is Adam Hunt who scored over 1,500 runs in Premier Division in 2016 may have two the end of 2015 season, is presently the 4 th two seasons for St Annes. A player moving players who have played for England highest wicket taker of all time in T20 cricket north is Adam Syddall who joins Edgworth representative sides. Paul Allen, a medium and also had the distinction, whilst with having spent 10 seasons in the Cheshire paced bowler with Spondon who finished Somerset, of taking four wickets in four balls League. The left arm quick bowler however fourth in 2015, captained the England Deaf in the Championship. North Devon have will find it familiar surroundings having Team in the Deaf ICC Championship, whilst signed South African Under 19 wicket keeper played for Edgworth in 2004 and 2005 Jamie Goodwin, 2016 vice captain of batsman Kyle Verreyne. aggregating 144 wickets during that period. Lullington Park, has played for the England He has also played Minor Counties Cricket for Disability Team. The premier division will DURHAM LEAGUE both Cambridgeshire and Cheshire. Another see Rolleston in the top flight for the first time. 2015 Champions - Esh Winning fast bowler on the way to the GML is Sam Off the field the club has secured a £75,000 Sweeney who will turn out for Denton West. grant to extend its pavilion. Sandiacre Town Esh Winning will look to do as its name ‘The West’ is also boosted by South African may be the early season’s favourites for the suggests with back to back titles in what is batsman Victor Mahlangu who has experience title, but Chesterfield will be looking for its always a very strongly contested league. of English playing conditions having played first title since 2008. Ambitious Alrewas will Durham City and Crook, two clubs with strong for Elton. hope that the capture of Australian left arm junior set ups, may, however, pose major pace bowler Liam Taylor may propel it to threats. HOME COUNTIES Division 1 success.

EAST SUSSEX LEAGUE DERBYSHIRE & CHESHIRE 2015 Champions - Seaford 2015 Champions - Dinting 2015 Champions - High Wycombe

Hailsham return to the top flight for the first Dinting, formed in 1879, and members of the time since 1986 with Indian Varan Khullar Important new sanctions for slow over rates D&CL since 2000, will be aiming to repeat its back for a third season. The opening bowler, will apply in 2016. Sides are expecting to League and Bissenden & Hawke Trophy who has represented the Punjab Under 22s, bowl their 50 overs within 3 hours 20 minutes triumph of 2015. Yet the Simmondley Lane took 76 wickets and scored over 500 runs in subject to allowances being made for serious club may not have it all its own way, with 2015. Keymer & Hassocks, relegated from injury or stoppage time beyond the control of strong challenges from the likes of New Mills the Sussex Premier League (its place in the umpires. Umpires will now decide the and local rivals Old Glossop. Newcomers Division 4 having been taken by Seaford), has number of penalty runs that will be added to Stalybridge St Paul (formed in 1892) will start a new overseas player in Jacob Montgomery, the batting side’s total where this target is not in Division 2 having moved from the Cheshire who plays first grade cricket in New South achieved. David Hartley, who led Reading to Cricket Alliance. Wales, and replaces fellow Australian Lee a fourth place finish in the premier league, has stood down as captain having moved to

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Devon. Under his leadership the Sonning Africans who will be converting Sterling into Newly promoted Grassmoor Works and Lane club achieved two promotions. Newly Rands are left handed batsman Jean Symes at Ashover will be tested in the higher standard. promoted Finchampstead will hope to benefit 2015 runners up Enfield, Ryan Bailey But spare a thought for Sheffield Transport from its successful youth policy which saw as (Nelson) , Daryn Smit (Ramsbottom), Yaseen who went through the whole of 2015 without a many as nine players from their academy play Vallie (Colne), Dieter Klein (Lowerhouse) and win, the Division 6 side will hope their first team cricket in 2015. Henley, title Andries Gous (East Lancs). Gouse recorded journeys back up the M1 this summer will be winners in 2013 and 2014 and to the fore last his maiden first class century for Orange Free enhanced with the sweet smell of success. summer will be keen to pip High Wycombe State in February of this year and has whilst runners up Banbury with its impressive represented South Africa at both Under 19 and new ground (visited by Conference in Under 23 levels. Australian all rounder December 2013) will no doubt be challenging. takes over as professional at Todmorden, the player having represented both Australia Under 19s and Western 2015 Champions - Osterley Australia in the Sheffield Shield. Osterley will be aiming for its seventh championship this year. 2015 Champions - Scholes MIDDLESEX COUNTY 2015 Champions Scholes have recruited 2015 Champions - Hampstead Northern Districts all-rounder Tim MacRury 2015 Champions – New Brighton for the summer, the New Zealander having As a mark of good practice all member clubs been born in West Australia. He is New Brighton, having won the title for the in 1st and 2nd divisions are required to joined by another all rounder, the former first time since 1998 will be attempting to do complete new registration forms. These forms Meltham skipper, Alex Clegg who has been what no one has managed since 2007 - retain together with four passport size photos of each one of the leading league players. The league the Competition’s blue riband. Recent history player have to be provided to the league. This comprising three divisions will have three would suggest that the Rake Lane side will enables each eligible player to have an ID sides from Mirfield competing, Moorlands, have their work cut out. They have recruited Card. Hampstead won the title last year, albeit Mirfield Parish Cavaliers and Mirfield, the last Mark Rowland, a wicketkeeper/batsman, who tied on points with Richmond, and the latter two sides being at the same level. can also bowl a bit of medium pace or spin, will be keen to make amends. Promoted to the from Chester Boughton Hall. Lancashire’s premier league, Eastcote and Shepherds Bush KENT Luke Procter has not been re-engaged. will see 2016 as one of consolidation. For one 2015 Champions – Hartley Otherwise, New Brighton will be looking to of the bastions of Middlesex , win the title with the same squad they had in Finchley, formed in 1832 (see in this edition – Spanning 12 Divisions there are scheduled to 2015. Upal Fernando (534 runs) will be ‘One Foot in the Archives’) it will be one of be 1,080 matches played under its auspices in returning as overseas professional, Ashraf recovery having been relegated from the 2016. Hartley has been particularly successful Nawab (76 wickets) will be hoping to confirm premier at the end 2015. Division 3 side in recent years culminating in winning the his status as one of the competition’s most Uxbridge has made an interesting signing in Kent Premier League title at the first attempt potent spinners and David While will probably Canadian under 19 opening bowler Suliman in 2008 and thereafter in 2011, 2012, 2013 and settle for scoring 630 runs and taking 45 Khan. The club have strong links with Seattle 2015. Runners up, Sevenoaks Vine, will hope wickets, an achievement that earned him the CC in America which has resulted in a number that they go one better whilst Blackheath, the divisional player of the year accolade. of players flying across the ‘Pond’ to play at National Club Champions of 2015 (they beat Ormskirk, despite the loss of Gary Knight (to one of the best grounds in the county. Liverpool and District Competition side Lytham), Martin Farrell (Ainsdale) and Liam Hunt (Clifton) have been busy recruiting Northern in a pulsating final) have the nd NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE pedigree to fly the flag for ‘the Kentish Men’. Lancashire 2 team batsman The two newly promoted sides to the top flight moving from Farnworth Social Circle, have very different backgrounds. Dartford Cumberland all-rounder Scott Lees who have been traditionally one of the big clubs of played previously at Southport & Birkdale and

Kent, whilst Tenterden, the delightful small spin bowler Jack Snowden from Maghull. Colwyn Bay, having proved themselves the 2015 Champions - Morecambe CC town on the Kent/East Sussex border, make its first ever appearance in the top flight of Kent best side in Division One, are looking forward to returning to the competition’s top division Netherfield has boosted its hopes of club cricket. For those visiting the Kent area, championship honours with the recruitment of pop in and visit the Tenterden ground, it is a where they know the challenges will be stiffer. Division Two champions, Burscough, will be New Zealander Tom Bruce. The 24 year old delight amid the abutting area of the South who has previously played for Shenley in the Weald. Folkestone survived just one season in playing in a higher league than they have ever experienced and they will have matches Hertfordshire League holds his country’s the Kent Premier League in 2015 so both clubs record for the fastest fifty in T20 cricket, the will be aware of the task ahead. against Highfield and Southport and Birkdale, two clubs who were in the ECB Premier milestone being reached in just 16 balls. He League just seven months ago. also scored his maiden first class century LANCASHIRE earlier this year. Prolific South African

2015 Champions - Burnley batsman Richardt Frenz is returning to play for MANSFIELD LEAGUE Leyland. In 2015 he amassed 1,190 runs at an 2015 Champions - Anston Defending champions Burnley have re-signed average of 79 for a club which plays its home

Chris Holt as its professional for 2016 who is games at the Stanning Memorial Ground. currently the league’s leading wicket-taker. Anston and Eckington, who were separated by th just 6 points at the top of the table at the end of Shaun Von Berg will become the 13 South African professional at Rishton. Other South 2015, should again be to the fore this term.

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NORTH SOMERSET their charity partner for 2016, with each club the title six times this century and also had a 2015 Champions - Easton Tigers holding one match day event during the season superb winter in the indoor cricket season to support GNAAS, and the league featuring making it the national finals. Narbeth have Will the 1974 record ‘Tiger Feet’ by Mud be the charity at all its cup finals and special been promoted to the top flight. played at the 2016 dinner to commemorate a events. successive Sunday Premier title? Whatever PENNINE happens the league should be congratulated for bringing together clubs from different races, religions and communities in Bristol and surrounding areas to play cricket in harmony Darlington Building Society, the League’s th over a season. major sponsor, now in their 26 year of support and currently celebrating their own The newly formed competition commences on th NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE & SOUTH 160 anniversary, will also be contributing to 23 rd April following the merger of the Central CHESHIRE this great cause by donating £160 to the Lancashire and Saddleworth Leagues. 2015 Champions - Stone charity each and every time a team scores 160 Rochdale has made one of the eye catching or more in the NYSD’s two premier cup signings with former Australian Under 19 Porthill Park will have a new ball opening competitions. Captain Will Bosito batsman and off spinner having recruited as their overseas coming to Redbrook. He has a first class player South African Marcello Piedt. The NORTHUMBERLAND century to his name that for Western Australia South Western Districts player has taken over 2015 Champions - Bates Cottages against . The batting will be further 100 first class wickets in his country and will enhanced by the return of West Indian amateur share the new ball with former Stafforshire Bates Cottages ran away with the Premier Marradon Brook. ‘The Price is Right’ for seam bowler Craig Barker from Longton. Division title in 2015 being a massive 105 Norden as its pro from 2010 to 2013, Michael Longton has also lost the services of David points ahead of second placed Tillside and was Price, returns to open the batting for the Fairbanks and Richard Holloway who return promoted to the Northumberland and Tyneside Lancashire side. He has been playing first to Audley. Moddershall have seen Tom Ball Senior League. The two promoted teams to class cricket for Eastern Province in South and Mitchell Spencer join local rivals Leek. the Premier Divisions have very contrasting Africa in our winter months. Harayana star antecedents. Division 1 champions, Sachin Rana has agreed to join Austerlands, NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE & DISTRICT Warkworth, was formed in 1875 with its the player having also featured in the IPL for a 2015 Champions - Cheadle ground nestled next to the historic castle number of franchises. There is a mass influx whilst runners up, Ulgham Village, is of more of new players at Royton, led by fellow Indian The innovative midweek competition called recent vintage having been formed in 1977 on Chirag Khurana, Joe Lovell, ex Heywood, the Phoenix 15 was established in memory of a whim of a group of friends that they should Dennis Louis, ex Crompton, and opening the league’s late chairman Ken Lightfoot. The challenge the neighbouring village to a game batsman Paul Winrow who makes the short league itself was the second oldest in the of cricket in celebration of The Queen’s Silver journey west across the M62 from Elland in country, having been established in 1889 but, Jubilee. Yorkshire. Zimbabwean Cephas Zhuwao a following a county re-structure in 2005, now player with the pseudonym “Big Bully” for his solely operates this 15 overs 8 players a side prodigious six hitting has joined Shaw Spartans. Last summer he played for Lashings competition. Every year this competition raises large amounts of money for charity. 2015 Champions - Kimberly Institute World XI which included an innings of 119 off just 36 deliveries including 14 NORTH YORKSHIRE & SOUTH Kimberley Institute will be aiming to repeat its sixes! Shaw Spartans will face, in the first DURHAM league and T20 double of last summer. Yet game of the season, Ashton who once more competition will again be fierce for ‘top has turned to the island known as “the Pearl of marksman’ in Robin Hood Country. Plumtree, the Indian Ocean” for their pro with highly which has finished runners up for the last two regarded left arm Sri Lankan spin bowler seasons, will hope it is third time lucky and the Chamikara Edirisinghe joining the Manchester Champions 2015 – Richmondshire club, six miles from , have signed based club. young Nottinghamshire professional Sam 2016 marks the second season of a two year Wood. The left handed bat and RIBBLESDALE NYSD league restructuring programme which bowler has previously played in ‘the Prem’ for 2015 Champions - Clitheroe will see a reduction from 14 to 12 teams in both Nottinghamshire Academy and each division. An additional division will then Farnsfield. The Plums will also have in their Clitheroe is set for the return of Sri Lankan be created for 2017 at the foot of the pyramid. midst Hassan Azad and Joe Tetley who were all-rounder Janaka Gunaratne who played a selected to play for MCCC Universities on major role in their 2015 success. The off spin Champions Richmondshire will be eager to their tour of Abu Dhabi earlier this year. make it back to back titles and earn a crack at bowler took 92 wickets at a cost of under 10 the Yorkshire Premier League‘s championship apiece in the last campaign as well as being to PEMBROKE at the end of the season. ’s the fore with the bat. The player has scored 2015 Champions - Haverfordwest nemesis, Gary Pratt, is back at the helm for the over 8,000 first class runs. Another Sri

Dalesmen, whilst NE Cricketer of the Year Lankan, Geeth Alwis, takes over as pro at Haverfordwest and Cresselly dominated the Toby Bulcock will spearhead their attack 2015 runners up Read. The left handed bat top division in 2015 and with Cresselly 2 nd again. has a first class double century to his name also finishing runners up and not being able to and over 100 wickets as a slow left arm spin be promoted, the two clubs may again be to In a new venture the NYSD have embraced bowler. The Bailey brothers Declan and the fore this term. Haverfordwest have won the Great North Air Ambulance Service as

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Fergus have reportedly joined Whalley from SOUTH NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SURREY CHAMPIONSHIP Lancashire League side Lowerhouse. Champions 2015 - Hucknall Champions 2015 - Sunbury

SHROPSHIRE Carrington has made the most eye catching of Defending champions Sunbury which won the 2015 Champions - Newport signings in the form of former Pakistan test title for the first time in 17 years in 2015, will bowler . The off spin bowler face a tough task in winning back to back Wem, which missed out on the title and has taken 208 test wickets. Attenborough, titles. Reigate Priory, the 2014 champions has promotion into the Birmingham League on relegated from the Nottinghamshire Premier seen a number of its players doing well down bonus points in 2015, will hope to make League at the end of the 2015 season, will be under during the winter. Andy Delmont amends this summer. The top division of 12 looking to rebuild. recorded three centuries and four fifties for clubs include three promoted sides. There will University whilst left handed also be another new name in the premier SOUTHPORT & DISTRICT batsman racked up his second league, Sentinel. The club, previously known Champions 2015 - Southport Trinity first class century for Australia. Camberley as Reman Services, revert to its old name in have captured Marty Kain from Manchester 2016. The North Shrewsbury based side Birkenhead St Mary, relegated from the club Duckenfield. decided to change its name following the Liverpool and District Competition (replaced closure of the Reman Sports and Social Club. by Southport Trinity who incidentally won the SUSSEX It has also been known previously as Rolls Southport & District Premier League for the Champions 2015 - Roffey Royce and Perkins in a long history. With last three seasons) will hope it is a one season ambitions to get into the Birmingham League stay in their new environment. Yet for other With just four points separating Roffey and there are also new faces with the signings of existing sides in the top flight it is a chance to East Grinstead last year, these two clubs opening batsman and wicket keeper Tom ‘taste the champagne’. The Wirral based club should again be at the forefront. Cuckfield, Matthews from Worfield and Joe Yapp from who start their season away at the wonderfully however, has given early notice of its title Cound. named Prescott and Odyssey will hope that aspirations by recruiting Jordan Silk, star of their journey back to the Liverpool ‘the Sixers’ in the Australian Big SOMERSET SUNDAY Competition will not take as long as Odysseus Bash. The Australia A batsman scored a Champion 2015 - Wembdon who took 10 years to get back to Greece after century on his second Sheffield Shield the Trojan War! For which clubs will their appearance for Tasmania and followed up with In 2016 there will be two divisions comprising season be reminiscent of ‘the Labours of another three figures in the islanders 2012-13 six teams in each with ten games per team. Sisyphus’? final win. Cuckfield has also recruited Three Division A contains five West of England Bridges star bat Brad Gayler who averaged Premier league sides. Points allocation are STAFFORDSHIRE CLUB over 60 in 2015. determined by result and the number of young CHAMPIONSHIP players in each side as the League acts as a Champions 2015 - Bloxwich THAMES VALLEY nursery for clubs seeking to promote youth participation. Bridgwater would seem to be Bloxwich were 46 points ahead of their favourites on paper in Division A. Division B nearest rivals in 2015 and will start the season newcomers Ilminster (another WEPL club) favourites. Its biggest threat may come from has the look of a side who could do well along the 2014 champions Pelsall. Pelsall’s stay in with its local rivals Chard (again a WEPL Champion 2015 - Cookham Dean the Birmingham League lasted just one Club) which had a revitalised Sunday season season, a 40 point deduction for alleged player in 2015. With only 11 points separating the top four indiscipline in the crunch game against sides in 2015, another close finish is in Worcester condemning the Walsall based side prospect. 2016 will see the league with a fully to the drop. Yet Pelsall have the pedigree to computerised result service. What has been bounce back having reached the 2015 semi colloquially termed ‘TVCL16’ will enable finals of the National Village Competition. Champions 2015 - South Wilts scorers who are already using TCS or similar The top division contains a mixture of smaller reporting tool will have the result immediately clubs first teams and the bigger clubs third South Wilts in its quest to win an uploaded without a separate report having to teams making it an interesting challenge. unprecedented fifth successive premier league be made. Each club will be able to maintain title has recruited Australian Under 19 its own player database on this site making it batsman . Winter won the STONE & DISTRICT easier to transpose players names. The site Sunday Champions 2015 - Sport Asia Australian Under 17 Player of Tournament offers excellent on line team and player and is a member of the South Australian statistics. Player transfers will also be capable The Stone and District League will only Emerging Redbacks squad which trains at the of being monitored. This system has been . The Bemerton based club also operate as a Sunday section in 2016 following successfully trialled in the neighbouring the traumatic events of the winter where its see the return of former skipper James Cherwell League in Oxfordshire. Hayward following the departure of Tom Saturday section became the victim of leagues re-organisation. Sport Asia were the run-away Morton who has taken up the role of Director of Cricket at Middlesex Premier League outfit winners in 2015, over 100 points ahead of fourth placed Ashcombe Park. The Sunday Ealing. Former Ealing left hand opening Competition will have 37 teams participating batsman Damian Skirazi makes a return to which includes four new clubs Caverswell, Champion 2015 - Hansdworth Totton and Eling who were relegated from the top flight at the end of 2014 as the club hope Cheadle, Scot Hay and Stone. Kings Heath will be keen to make an instant to mount a promotion bid. return to the Birmingham League, its place having been taken by promoted Handsworth.

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The two ironically meet in a pre-season relegated after just one season in the Ngarava for the season. The player who friendly. The league is the biggest in Birmingham League, keen to repeat its success appeared in the Under 19 World Cup has been “Shakespeare’s County” and since 1998 has of 2014. clocked at a speed of 130kph. In an been a feeder into the Birmingham League. interesting twist, the seasiders will be League winners have invariably gone on to WORCESTERSHIRE SUNDAY captained by Ben Elvidge who takes over the climb the pyramid one case in point being mantle from his father Neil. Sheriff Hutton Berkswell. Olton and West Warwicks has secured the services of all-rounder Freddie finished as runners up in 2015. Rugby after Collins. The Yorkshire Cricket Academy is back to back promotions in 2011 and 2012 has also likely to be in contention with the next had three seasons to consolidate and may with Champion 2015 - Beacon group of talented players coming off “the Bedworth offer the main challenges this conveyor belt” each aspiring to wear the white summer. The first edition of ‘In Conversation’ issued in rose cap of Yorkshire in times to come. January 2016 reported on the innovative match WEST OF ENGLAND PREMIER programme in the top division. The Sunday Champions 2015 – Frocester sections have been divided into north-south geographical regions; mid season will see an Frocester is a prime example of what a club Under 19 blast competition. Hats off to ‘the with ambition can achieve. A small village, a Pears’ for their originality and it will be speck on the map between the sprawl of interesting to see how this develops as other Whitley Hall formerly of the South Yorkshire Gloucester and Stroud has been one of the top leagues with a Sunday orientation explore Cricket League, will hope that finishing sides in the WEPL for a number of seasons. ways of making the game attractive to players, runners up in the National Indoor Cricket Another small settlement Potterne in Wiltshire especially those who already play on League will auger well as it starts start life in will hope that it can make the same impression Saturdays with longer travelling times. the new premier South. They will be facing when it starts off in the top flight for the first some of the bastions of Yorkshire club cricket. time in its history. The club which opens its YORKSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUES Rotherham Town has made five signings over th new pavilion on 16 April 2016, won 15 of its Champions 2015 - York the winter months including bowler Zashan 18 games in Premier 2 in 2015. With previous Arshad from East Anglian premier league side winners Bath and Bridgwater and the growing Vauxhall Mallards. The newly merged emergence of Bristol and , it promises Sheffield and Phoenix United has appointed to be another titanic tussle in the three former Yorkshire spin bowler Azeem Rafiq as Counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and York, in pursuit of Abu Dhabi glory, is its new skipper, the player having previously Wiltshire. reported to have re-signed two of its former played in the top flight of club cricket with star players. Spin bowler Danny Woods Barnsley. Cleethorpes will hope that new WORCESTERSHIRE SATURDAY returns after skippering Cheshire in the Minor signing Wesley Marshall continues his Champion 2015 - Pershore Counties in 2015 having the previous summer explosive form with the bat which he showed taken all 10 Castleford wickets for York. when playing for Cannock in 2015. The South Droitwich Spa will be keen to improve on its Dominating batsman Duncan Snell also African who plays first class cricket for third place finish of 2015 having narrowly returns to Shipton Road after spending two Eastern Province recorded 7 centuries in the avoided relegation the previous summer. It seasons as Bradford League Woodlands. Snell Staffordshire Championship. will again look to Max Young for inspiration, has scored over 10,000 runs for the city club the young all-rounder having scored 854 runs, which includes 24 centuries. Along the A64, including 7 half centuries and taking 42 Scarborough have signed exciting teenage wickets. Worcester return having been Zimbabwe left arm fast bowler Richard

GROUNDS OF APPEAL The ground at Edingale Lane has been used for cricket since at least 1881. The excellent publication There is much conjecture on where the central point in England is. A number of “Derbyshire Cricket Grounds A Post War Survey” places claim the bragging rights. The League Cricket Conference September 2008 written by Simon Lacey, Chris Higginbottom and meeting could not get too much closer to the centre of the country than when it visited Tom Whittington gives an apt description of the the picturesque surroundings of Lullington Park Cricket Club in South Derbyshire. ground being “ close to the centre of the village fenced The ground has a further claim to fame in terms of the number of counties that can be within a field that is grazed by sheep and cattle. The seen from its verdant surrounds. At the last count it is four neighbouring counties. animals sometimes mingle alarmingly close to parked cars in this outer field”. Yet this is part of the ground’s charm, close enough to a settlement to be a community focal point but retaining a rural demeanour. There are two squares on a ground covering 7 acres placed on a plateau. It is if God had deliberately planned it. All Saints Parish Church can be seen from the ground with its imposing broach spire and two tier dormer windows.

Lullington is mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1085) when it was called Lullitune. As with all titles

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Page 7 of 11 at that time, the settlement devolved from the King (William 1 st ) to a noble lord in his secured the free installation of the panels in return for retainer, in the case of Lullington, the Lord was called Edmund. The Doomsday the Renewable Energy Company having board Book, a record of land ownership and stock, recites that Lullington had of note one advertising and signage around this picturesque mill and a church. ground. The power that the solar panels have produced has illuminated the club’s new electronic We are all just temporary custodians of our game whether at a national or local level, scoreboard which sits proudly by the ’s yet the officers of Lullington Park must be commended for their forward thinking in edge. If Lullington Park was to have its own theme terms of the improvements made to this ground. Its crowning glory is the new tune before the start of play for its home matches, it pavilion constructed in the early part of this century. Solar panels have since been would have to be the 1990 hit called “I’ve Got The installed on the roof of the south facing pavilion. A 4kW solar photovoltaic solution Power” by Snap off their Album ‘World Power’ will help the club benefit not only from cheaper electricity but also derive an additional income (termed ‘Feed in Tariffs’) by selling surplus electricity generated to Next Time- “Go West”. the National Grid. In an interesting joint partnership it was reported that the club

ONE FOOT IN THE ARCHIVES always play within the Parish of Long long career with Scarborough, scored over Ashton. The Yanley Lane ground has been 10,000 runs. League Cricket 40 years ago the club’s home since 1884. Headley Park triumphed in the North Somerset Weekend 1976 was another monumental year for 1976 heralded the inaugural flight of Cricket League, the Bristol based club being Scarborough as it also won the Yorkshire Concorde - an indomitable force at that time. Cricket League. Led by Scarborough born Tony Moor, who had made over 300 football Old Botley and Horspath shared the league appearances as a goal keeper with Oxfordshire Cricket Association York City and Darlington, Scarborough was Championship in a titanic battle in the a mighty force in league cricket throughout Thames Valley. the 1970s and early 1980s. The publication ‘Cricket at Scarborough’ states that the club In the Home Counties, Southgate continued had in 1976 “arguably the best spin bowling its domination of the Middlesex County combination in league cricket, Chris Clifford League by retaining its title. Having won the (off spin) and Phil Hart (left arm spin) were last five games in 1975, the club, which plays both good enough to play in the first class at The Walker Ground (named after a famous game”. Chris Clifford is one of only two 19 th century family who had played a key players in the history of the club to take over from to Bahrain but, back in England role in the club), won the first ten games in 1,000 wickets. and Wales, temperatures were as hot as in the 1976 and ended up amassing 135 points out Middle East leaving scorched outfields and of a maximum of 150. (It took 26 years for Another new league commenced in 1976 in an England test captain left ‘grovelling’ in this record to be broken - by Teddington). the form of the Arun Valley League located his own words. By 1976, league cricket was Southgate went unbeaten in the league not on the Surrey/Sussex Border - the league a national commodity, no longer the preserve only in 1976, but in 1977 as well with a run today being known as the Surrey Downs of the North, and South West. of 45 league games without defeat. League. Ironically, the club which ended the record, Starting in the South West, this was quite a Finchley, had been the last side to beat them Tunbridge Wells won the championship year for Troon (founded in 1875) of the back in 1975! In 1976 club captain and star laurels in the Kent League, having been one Cornwall Cricket League who won the Haig batsman Chris Payne had a batting average of of the founders of the competition in 1970. National Village Competition (this for the 117 in League Cricket. Tim Lamb the The club, which celebrated its bi-centenary in third time in six seasons) as well as winning former Chief Executive of the England and 1982, plays its home games at the evocative the Cornwall Senior League (West) Division Wales Cricket Board had a day to remember Nevil Ground. 1, the Thurston Lane Cup and the Jack in 1976 when making an appearance for Littlejohns Cup. Teddington by taking 8 for 33 in a The Bee Gees had a hit record with “You demolition of Winchmore Hill in the Should Be Dancing” in 1976 and they were The West Somerset League was born in this Middlesex League. Lamb’s career in first certainly in dancing mode in South year and was won by Brompton Ralph, the class cricket saw him play for both Woodford which celebrated being crowned Exmoor based side becoming a major force Middlesex and Northamptonshire which, Champions of the Essex League with 117 in local cricket. th th coincidentally, all follow each other in the points. In the 17 and 18 century, South alphabet. Woodford had a cage located opposite the Long Ashton’s achievement in winning the White Hart public house where all felons and Bristol and District League in 1976 for the Across “Mother Thames” Dulwich won the vagrants were placed - there were two keys first time, was even more remarkable as they Surrey Championship for the third successive for the cage, one kept by the Parish won every game batting second. Its batting year. Dulwich, founded in 1867, was one of Constable, the other in the pub! Maldon was was dominated by former Gloucestershire the founders of the Surrey Championship in formed in 1976 following a merger of player John Sullivan who scored in excess of 1968. It also reached the final of the Maldon Strollers and Old Maldonions. In his 1,000 runs in the league and over 3,000 in all National Club Competition at Lords before formative years, current England test captain cricket that season whilst Jeff Bridle and losing to Scarborough by 5 wickets. Alistair Cook played for this Essex based Clifford Moss (where have we heard that Scarborough were indebted to an unbroken club name since?) each took 50 wickets. The club sixth wicket partnership between Brian was formed at 1866 and it was at The Angel Rennard (55) and locally born Phil Hart (29) Havant (founded in 1888) completed a public house in 1883 (the pub still exists in a low scoring encounter. Rennard, in a double with its first and second teams today) that it was agreed that the club would

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Page 8 of 11 winning their respective divisions in the played at its present Lune Road Ground since in six seasons and just for good measure also Southern League. This was a glorious period 1882. Its long serving professional Michael won the Prendergast Cup. for the club as the first team won the title Staziker took 60 wickets in the 1976 season four times in six years between1975 to1980. costing under 15 apiece. Another interesting In the North East, Lanchester (formed in fact is he bowled on average one maiden 1973 in the Black Bull Public House) won The 1977 Wisden Almanack reports that the over in five when, at that time, the league’s the North East Durham Cricket League to Lancashire League “pulled in crowds who rules provided for 8 ball overs. follow its success the previous year in lifting paid a record £10,879.00 an increase of the League Challenge Vaux Trophy. The £2,138 over the 1975 season”. Rawtenstall Pudsey St Lawrence retained their title in the village club, located on the road between achieved a League and Cup (The Worsley Bradford League, but it was a very close, Durham and Consettt, now plays in the Cup) double, pipping Accrington for the pipping Idle by just one point. Northumberland and Tyneside Senior league title on the last weekend of the season. League. Elsewhere in the ‘Land of Prince Success was particularly sweet as it came One can imagine in the days before the Bishops’, on 31 st July 1976, Ken Ferguson exactly 50 years after last winning the internet and mobile phones, people from each took his 1,000 th wicket for Eppleton in its League. “The Boys Are Back In Town” was club rushing to nearby phone boxes to check encounter with Whitburn in the Durham a hit record by Thin Lizzy in 1976 and this on progress of their nearest rival - Senior League. He would very much have was very much the case for Rawtenstall. deserved a “Glass of Champagne” which was Indian Test Cricketer Syed Abid Ali took 52 also a hit record for the pop group Sailor that wickets and scored over 400 runs for the club year. Eppleton in 2015 was the North East of which plays its home games at the Worswick England Premier League Division 1 1976 was the centenary of the Memorial Ground with the imposing hill Champions. Guisborough triumphed in the invention of the telephone by Alexander overlooking the ground. The Worsley cup North Yorkshire & South Durham League in Graham Bell. final victory by 14 runs also over Accrington 1976, ‘the Fountains Garth Club’ now being set a then record for gate receipts - £1,451.00 the second most successful club in the Pudsey St Lawrence originated from what at 40 pence per spectator. In a low scoring competition’s 122 year history. The club was termed the Top End of the Town with encounter Accrington was undone by the known as “The Priorymen” (a famous Priory formative links to the Parish Church and is remarkable spin bowling of Chris Flood who exists within the town now owned by English believed to have played its first game back in finished with 7 for 40. Heritage in close proximity to the joyous 1847. The club known by some as “the Up- Cleveland Hills) has an interesting story to Towners” had joined the League in 1912, and Success did not stop there either for tell namely that in the 1820s such were the is synonymous with the great Sir , Rawtenstall with Peter Wood picking up the concerns that cricket should not be played on whose name appears on the gate entrance to league’s senior batting award; the bowling a Sunday “a Parish Constable was paid 9 the club at Tofts Road. In 1976 leg spin award going to John Wainscott of Colne. shillings for assisting in detecting players bowler Vijay Modgill took 50 wickets for the Shafiq Ali was the leading run-scorer with who played on a Sunday”. Ponteland won “Up-Towners” whilst Keith Smith 1,206 runs for sixth placed Church. the Northumberland League D a feat they contributed heavily with the bat. It was to be were to repeat a further three times in the a double celebration for Pudsey St Lawrence The Central Lancashire League was won by next five seasons under the sage stewardship in 1976 as they also won the Heywood (founded in 1892) with its long of Mike Watts. Yorkshire Champions Cup, the first side serving professional Colin Lever hitting 713 from the Bradford League to do so. runs and taking 79 wickets in 1976 for the A price of beer in 1976 was 32 pence and Club which plays its home games at the one can imagine that a lot of beer may have The Last of the Summer Wine would have delightfully named “Crimble”. The player, tasted even more special in Holmfirth in who was born in Todmorden in 1939 and the 1976, as the Club retained its Huddersfield brother of the Lancashire and England fast League title. This was to be their second of bowler, Peter, scored 6,439 runs and took three successive championships. For good 771 wickets during his time in the league. measure Holmfirth in 1976 also won the Sykes Cup. The club who have played at 1976 saw the UK having to be bailed out by their Bridge Fold ground since 1862, had the International Monetary Fund. Ormskirk, been consumed at Retford in that year as some interesting rules in Victorian times, a however, did not need any outside help “The Choughs” won Division 1 Section A of player being fined one penny if they were winning the Liverpool and District the Bassetlaw League. The Nottinghamshire smoking or lying on the ground whilst Competition for the third time in five years. club, formed in 1850, was also to win the fielding! “The Blue and Golds” have an interesting same title in the next two seasons. history, a forerunner to the present club Staying in the Broad Acres (or what many called ‘Break O’ Day Boys’ would sing the Walsall was the outright winner of the regard as “God’s County”) Knaresborough National Anthem before commencement of Birmingham & District League following up recorded the second of what would be six play - perhaps a thought for the present day its success of 1972. Staying in the Midlands, successive Airedale and Wharfedale League as Parliament decides whether England the Willis Faber League was won by the titles between 1975 and 1980. It had, in its should have its own national anthem! Midland Cricket Conference Championship midst, the wicket taking prowess of spin beating the West Midlands Cricket bowler David Nudds. The club was founded The soul of John of Gaunt (the Duke of Association by 2 wickets in an epic finish at th in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo Lancaster in the 14 Century) would have Edgbaston with victory off the last ball of the (1815) and whose ground, Crag Top, been happy seeing Lancaster win the penultimate over. overlooks the graceful meanders of the river Northern League title in 1976, a feat they Nidd. were to repeat in the next three seasons as Stone achieved a league and cup double in well. Formed in 1879 as the Lancaster the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Crayke went unbeaten in 1976 to win the Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club, the club has League. York Vale Cricket League for the fifth time

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In Derbyshire, Langley Mill United President’s Trophy, known at time as the Richard is in his 43 rd year as a member of the completed the League and Cup double; its 2 nd Steiner Cup, by beating the North Bassetlaw Management Committee. XI also performed the same feat. Only Staffordshire & District League. The Alvaston & Boulton and Darley Dale have Bassetlaw captain on that day was Eric also managed this in the same season. Martin, if the surname sounds familiar – the The Next Edition of “In Conversation” “The uncle of present day Conference Executive Voice of League Cricket” goes back 30 years And to conclude, somewhat parochially, the Member Richard Martin. Incidentally, to 1986 Bassetlaw Cricket League won Conference’s

LEAGUE PEOPLE put down to the fact that when he was a wrote “ he has carried out in his usual teenager the club ground, described in the efficient and charming manner ” Robin Viner is a person who cannot fail to be Midland Club Cricket Conference 2015 noticed. Tall, smartly dressed and erudite, Handbook at that time as “ a meadow”, Over fifty years of cricket administration Robin has become one of the most valued of batsman would keep on running when the have also seen Robin hold alumni positions ‘League People’ over the last five decades. ball was hit into the gorse hedge until it could as treasurer of the Worcestershire Cricket He typifies a commissioned Army Officer, be found! Shades of that episode of Dad’s Board and the Chester Road Sports and yet Robin would be one “going over the top” Army in the early 1970s when the Home Social Club (the home of Kidderminster with his troops. Robin is no back seat Guard played the Air Wardens! Victoria Cricket Club) general barking commands to his orderlies. He does not expect others to do what he Like other cricket administrators, playing Robin was made president of the prestigious would not do himself, a fitting quality of glories may have been limited yet his Midlands Club Cricket Conference in 2015, leadership during a life time of cricketing pedigree was found to be with the pen and in having been a member of its Executive involvement. latter days the PC. Robin has held every Committee for many years. He was official position at Old Hill and where to this appointed a Director of the National Cricket day he remains the Vice Chairman as well as Conference in February 2014, having being an Honorary Life Member. Robin nominated for that role by the Midlands Club successfully grappled with the Charity Cricket Conference. Since then Robin has Commission (never an easy organisation to been an influential voice on the NCC an deal with at the best of times) in his capacity umbrella organisation seen as a conduit as chairman of the Old Hill Cricket Ground between league and clubs and the hierarchy Trust, which now owns the delightful of the game. He also appears to have the ground. respect of the ECB hierarchy. And why not, for Robin is that safe pair of hands; Robin He reached the heights of President with the has not flounced out of a meeting kicking a then Birmingham and District League in chair over in the process nor told an ECB Robin is an educated man, a graduate of 1987 having served for many years on the official to go forth and multiply (though Birmingham University with a Bachelor of Executive Committee of the oldest league in many of us reading this edition may have Commerce Degree, and a successful the Country (founded in 1887). Yet, like been tempted over the years!). accountant in private practice. other administrators, his ‘star’ was to shine nationally with the formation of the premier The lately lamented David Bowie wrote a Old Hill CC has played a huge part in leagues. The Birmingham League became lyric in his 1977 and 2016 re-released hit Robin’s life. At the age of 10 his parents the first accredited premier league in the record entitled “Heroes” ‘Hero just for one moved to a house overlooking the club’s country in 1998 and, with the newly found day’. Robin has been so much more than just ground at Haden Hill, beginning what has monetary opportunities available to the that – he remains a perpetual hero within the been an over 60 year association with the League, it was natural that Robin should be category of League People club. the new set up’s first treasurer. Robin took over as chairman of the league in 2002 after If you know of ‘League People’ in your area His playing career with Old Hill was mainly the retirement of Graham Williamson. Since deserving of special recognition please send in the second team as an opening batsman. then he has been chairman and treasurer, a the details to the General Secretary Rob He was said to be more ‘a leg side player’ dual role which a fellow committee colleague Sproston

OFFICIAL’S CORNER The ‘Laws of Cricket’ is quite clear over the Fairly straight forward isn’t it? responsibility of the umpires on this. Most recreational umpires these days keep Law 3.15 (the last of the umpire’s This is, perhaps, where our league the score or, more generally, a running run responsibilities under Law 3) states:- “The administrators need to sit up and take note. count usually making use of ‘clickers’. umpires shall, throughout the match, satisfy How many of your league scorers are themselves as to the correctness of the ACU&S/ECB ACO qualified or, if not But why do they do this? number of runs scored, the wickets that have officially qualified, are QBE (qualified by fallen and, where appropriate, the number of experience)? Are there any incentives to One never sees the first class umpires doing overs bowled. They shall agree these with increase awareness, by clubs, of the need to this or, even for that matter, checking the the scorers at least at every interval , other get, and more essentially, to hold on to score at all during a match. So where is than a drinks interval, and at the conclusion qualified scorers? Many clubs seem to think recreational cricket going wrong (if, indeed, of the match.” (Your correspondent’s it is sufficient to stick a youngster in the it is) giving this extra burden to the umpires. emphasis!) scorebox with a nominal fee, a scorebook and a ball point pen and leave it at that!

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(Much easier than having to pay a league are no facilities for the scorers themselves to every 30 seconds, non stop, for three to four fine!). How many club and league officials, do this. Certainly, in most first class cricket, hours. (These timings do not include the or for that matter umpires, know how to the scoreboard operation is entirely the youngster’s need to text his/her mates score or, even more importantly, know how responsibility of the host club and it is then regularly during the match!) This does not to perform the rough checks to ensure that up to the scorer to check that it is being done take into account noting changes of bowler, the scorebook balances? It really does not accurately. Oh, the luxuries of changes of batsmen and running the help the scorers for the umpires just to say professionalism! scoreboard and coping with the seemingly they have a different total without knowing endless stream of people that think they have where the difference is to be found. A further matter to ponder when thinking a right to enter the scorebox and engage in about scoring – which your correspondent friendly banter with the scorers. It is interesting to note that nowhere in the hopes you are now doing – is time. Most ‘Laws of Cricket’ is there any mention of the premier leagues now try to impose a scoreboard. It is not the responsibility of the minimum over rate of 17 or 18 overs per scorer to run the scoreboard and in many hour. This means that the scorer is required clubs, particularly around Lancashire, there to make entries at the rate of at least one judex

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS has offered the means by which leagues can be sold to national grid, although we have to network their own issues to the widest forewarn that the level of income may be Elizabeth from Windsor asks – If my local possible audience for the mutual good of the effected by the present Government’s league was to join the League Cricket game. And all for the annual cost of just reduction in subsidy called the Feed in Conference, what benefits would they £30.00 Tariff. Dependent on your personal outlook receive and how much would it cost you may also be doing something to benefit annually? Charles from Gloucestershire asks - I am the “green economy” as the Government is interested by the introduction of solar panels committed to producing 15% of its energy Conference is a voluntary organisation at Lullington Park Cricket Club. If I were to needs from “renewables” by 2020. representing leagues who seek to share in follow suite on my own club ground what However, we must make clear that good practice and be advised on all issues benefits exist? Conference is merely reporting what other appertaining to the survival and growth of clubs have done. Clubs must make their own the recreational club game. Its role is not Photovoltaic cells in a solar panel can investigations and decide whether solar dissimilar to a Constitutional Monarch “ to convert light which is available in any given power is for them. be advised, to encourage and to warn”. Over day into a direct current from which the years, Conference has been at the electricity can be created. The electricity If you have any Questions appertaining to forefront in the preparation of advice papers produced can “power” your club’s League and Wales please which have benefited clubs and leagues buildings, and potentially generate an refer these to the League Cricket Conference throughout the country, but more than that income if there is surplus power which can General Secretary Rob Sproston

CLOSE OF PLAY This edition of ‘In Conversation’ ‘the Voice is merely a temporary custodian of the game of League Cricket’ has looked both forward of cricket. Whether your club has a season Cricket is in transition at many levels. New to the forthcoming season and back to 1976. of triumph or disaster, such ‘imposters’ as personnel are moving into place in the The game has in many ways greatly changed lyrically described by Rudyard Kipling in his hierarchy of the England and Wales Cricket since 1976 in terms of heavier cricket bats, poem ‘If’, should be treated in the same way Board. League structures across the country greater protective equipment and the role of and should always be of secondary are under review. Some clubs believe the money in paying players. In other ways the importance. The primary responsibility of grass may be greener elsewhere. Surveys challenges which existed in 1976 remain the each and every one of us, whether as players, indicate that participation levels in same in 2016 namely how does club cricket officials, administrators or supporters of recreational cricket are falling. That this survive and prosper? Leagues as a league cricket is that we can hand over, to the decline must be arrested and reversed is a nationwide commodity were still in their next generation, the game of cricket in a key test for all in the game of cricket this infancy in many parts of the country in 1976. better state than it was in when it was handed summer. Yet constants remain. The game, They were seen as a vehicle to stimulate to each one of us. Therefore, it simply whether played on the glowing verdant of a greater interest. They are now the staple diet remains, to use the word of the immortal premier league club ground or on the of cricket clubs across our green and pleasant umpire at the start of each game - “Play”. smallest of village greens, remains a battle of lands. The overarching constant is that each wits between bat and ball over 22 yards. one of us, in whatever role that we may have,

The Next Issue- Early July 2016 will include a bumper League by League Review of the first half of the 2016season.

Produced by Malcolm Buck

Edited by Chris West, Rob Sproston and John Isterling

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