POYNTON CRICKET matters
Issue 68
novemBER 2012
HAT-TRICK FOR DAMIAN AT ANNUAL PRESENTATION
At the recent club Annual Presentation Dinner, Damian Stringer scooped the player of the year awards for both the first team and the Legends, and took home the all-rounder award for good measure. Damian hit 325 runs and took 29 wickets for the 1st XI this year, while for the Legends he achieved the remarkable feat of going through the season without being dismissed.
All captain’s speeches on the night are reproduced below. Paul Gould announced to those present that he intends to stand down as first team captain. Paul was awarded the Roger Ellis Trophy, traditionally given for an off-field contribution, for his sponsorship and other work within the club, however Paul also confirmed that he intends to remain available for selection next year.
The captains’ reports given at the Dinner can be read below.
At the Cheshire County League Dinner, Poynton were one of the clubs commended in the Most Improved Club category. League statistics show Jake Turner as best all-rounder in division one with 531 runs and 37 wickets.
THE AWARDS
Roger Ellis Trophy (Non-playing services to Club): Paul Gould
Steven McClean Trophy (Clubman of the Year): Pete Heath
John Codling Plaque (Emerging Junior in Senior Cricket): Josh Noel
Peter Kingham Trophy (Team of the Year): Under 18
Tony Gould Trophy (Junior Player of the Year): Danny Williams
Ron Clark Trophy (Best or Most Improved Junior Team): Under 9
Albert Heathcote Trophy (Best Representative Player): Jimmy Williams
Chris Hammond Trophy (Services to Junior Cricket): Kelsey Wright
Frank Foulds Trophy (Best All-Rounder): Damian Stringer
Andy McAlpine Trophy (Performance of the Year):Bryan Thompson
Under 18 Player of the Year:Andy Hadfield
Under 18 Most Improved Player:Chris Williams
Under 18 Best Batsman:Josh Hampson
Under 23 Player of the Year:Jake Haresnape
Under 23 Best All-Rounder:Danny Williams
Legends Player of the Year: Damian Stringer
Legends Most Improved Player:Damien Mullany
3rd XI Player of the Year: Andy Heath
3rd XI Most Improved Player:Marek Heath
2nd XI Player of the Year: Adam Williams
2nd XI Most Improved Player:Jake Haresnape
1st XI Player of the Year: Damian Stringer
1stXI Most Improved Player:Tom Berzins
1st XI Champagne Moment:Tyler Eiselt
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Overall the season has been one of frustration with the weather having a detrimental effect on many aspects of the sections functionality.
Cricket is a “form game” and it is hard to find form and consistency when matches are lost to rain and practice sessions are washed out.
I felt for the Juniors, Junior parents, coaches and organiser as week after week, Friday night sessions were cancelled.
I am sure the 1st Team would have gained promotion had four games not been washed out.
For the 1st & 2nd Teams,, finishing 3rd in their respective divisions would normally be a creditable result but I know that both captains feel a sense of disappointment and frustration in not achieving promotion.
Commiserations to Bryan Thompson and his 3rd Team. Relegation is not nice but the youngsters in the team equipped themselves admirably.
I am sure all three sides will be pushing for promotion in 2013.
Our ground is not the driest at the best of times but this year we suffered more than ever. It is a shame that we will again finish at the bottom of the League’s ground rating list, despite the contribution of Fletch, Pete Heath, Jeff Hampson and Jim Wilde, without which we would have really struggled.
Our Junior section is now being revitalised by Junior Chairman Damien Mullany and thanks go to Damien and his well-organised team for their efforts this year. I am confident the Junior section is now on a path that will provide cricket for all ages and abilities and encourage the progression into senior cricket.
My thanks to all Captains, Team Managers, helpers and of course players for your contribution this season.
Brian Kingham
FIRST XI –Won 11 Lost 3 Drawn 4 Cancelled 3 Abandoned 1. Final Position – Cheshire County League Division Two: 3rd of 12.
The season started with Poynton CC appearing as strong as ever. We recruited well over the winter, bringing in Damian Stringer, Tyler Eiselt and, of course Jake Turner, a quick bowler from Sydney, as well as the returning batting all-rounder Matty Heathcote!. The place was buzzing, we had all long forgotten the massive disappointment of being relegated the previous season, we trained well in the winter, took part in fitness sessions and eagerly awaited our first game. However things didn’t go according to plan, rain then fell for around a month, we couldn’t train outdoors and had to abandon our friendly and the first two games were complete washouts, against poor opposition. This I believe really pegged us back and we lost some momentum!
Once we got under way we played well in our first two games beating Malpas and Upton easily. Tom Berzins looked like a new man at the top of the order and really led from the front, then Tyler bowled superbly at Malpas and helped win us the game. After this we drew against Middlewich then went on a fantastic winning streak beating Warrington amongst others. However I am not going to dwell on every game!!! We didn’t get promoted and that’s what we intended to do! I am disappointed after so much effort on the fundraising side that we couldn’t get over the line. In case anyone here is not aware we finished 15 points off promotion! That’s one win or a draw whichever way you look at it!! To come so close is hard to take!!! We had the side capable to win this league comfortably, yes the weather didn’t help and four more washouts than Middlewich is obviously a considerable factor! But we only have ourselves to blame.
To put a positive slant on things we are nearly there in terms of being promoted, we had something to play for up until the very last game!!! We never gave in and won our last four fixtures in a massive push to get promoted! Beating Cheadle was a particular highlight - that was one of the best games I have played in! Well batted Matt Heathcote and Jimmy Williams in that one. Moving forward we have a good young group of players - there are only three players currently in the first team squad who are above 30. So I believe with good weather next year we can push to get back to division one, which is definitely the right level for this club. I briefly would like to discuss my players this year over the next few minutes and mention their contributions into what was an exciting season.
Tom Berzins
Had his best season at first team level, nearly topping 500 runs in not many games, worked his game out and has become as good an opening batsmen as there is in the league, plus an outstanding fielder. Well done Tom!!! Only some lapses in concentration cost him two hundreds! I am sure he will put that right next year!!!
Josh Hampson
The season never really got going for Josh, probably one to forget, but we all know what a talent Hampo is, he was player of the year last year!!! I am backing him to return next year and get back to scoring runs!!!
Jake Turner
35 wickets and 550 runs is a good return, however having spoken to Jake I know he so wanted to do better, luck wasn’t with him at times and the weather didn’t help!! Also many dropped catches also didn’t help his stats, many people have criticised him, however take him out of this year’s team and we wouldn’t have been anywhere near promotion - that’s a fact.
Damian Stringer
Good all round season, started off like a train with the bat in the middle order, seeing games home nearly every week, as the runs slightly dried up he took wickets for fun!! Having only played in 15 games 30 wickets and 350 runs is a good solid season from a well respected former professional. Well played Strings.
Danny Williams
I am pleased with Danny’s development this season, his bowling has come on massively and his fielding is always top drawer. In terms of batting I feel he needs to find his game, this isn’t a criticism - it just means to work out a strategy for each game and play to his strengths. The talent is there for all to see and we expect big things from him over the next few seasons as he matures.
Matt Heathcote
Was great to have him back this season, the only off spinner with a longer follow through than Tino Best!!! He added some needle on the field and great banter off it!! In terms of the playing side he is a very useful mix up bowler for me, he also played some vital innings for us, such as Malpas away and the three sixes, also Cheadle away was my innings of the season! Under pressure he played superbly, Matt should push on now and move up the order and become a more senior member of the side.
Mark Coram.
Aka the creature!!! Corz was thrown in at the deep end and asked to keep wicket for most of the season, and got better as the season went on!!!! He worked really hard this year at getting fit, and this showed with improved performances! Even a six!!! Corz has been vital to me as a vice captain, he keeps our spirits up and enjoys off the field as much as on it!!! This has always been my motto too!!! He like Matty needs to become more senior in the side and work at his batting.
Simon Dunn
Dunny has played really well for us this season when he has played. Work commitments have limited his availability, but he has kept well and also played a couple of great innings - winning us the game at Timperley a particular highlight!!! Let’s hope he can play more regularly next season,
Tyler Eiselt
Has been a fine acquisition to our squad, gives 100% when he plays and bowled superbly early season, didn’t bowl as much as he would have liked, but that will change over the next few years as he spearheads Poynton’s attack!!! Good first season Tyler you should be pleased.
Rick Clark
After retiring I was surprised to see Clarky for week four!!! But he returned and played a huge part in the season!! Some vital innings – Warrington at home springs to mind, as well as the customary seven for against Timperley. Hope he plays next season !!!!
I would like to thank Kingers for this season, as a chairman he has backed me all the way, on the field he struggled but he carried on playing and won us the game with Clarky against Warrington at home.
On a personal note I could have done better, and I hope to next season!!! I have really enjoyed leading this group of men!! Over the last four years it has been like a rollercoaster but I wouldn’t change the memories!! I have been proud and honoured to lead the club, as my father did for many years, but time catches up with you, and I can no longer commit my time to being captain, so after four years as skipper I am standing down!
Thank you to Chris Haresnape who as treasurer has supported my plans over the years!!!! He too steps down and his efforts are massively appreciated by me and I am sure by many of you as members!!
The club needs a shake up! Younger players need to lead from the front!! And let’s get back to where we belong! I will be playing if selected, and hope to enjoy many more summers scoring runs. Thanks to all my players for their efforts over the years, including the overseas players Leon, Rhys and Jake. I have loved every minute of it.
So let’s all get together and push Poynton forward, under new leadership and a new structure!!!!! Local players can take us forward and the talent is here!!! Boom!
Paul Gould
SECOND XI – Won 9 Lost 6 Drawn 2 Cancelled 3 Abandoned 2. Final Position – Cheshire County League Division Two: 3rd of 12.
After last season’s disappointing end to the season, the one and only objective for the 2nd team this season was promotion. After the start of the season was delayed two weeks due to rain we finally got underway away at Christleton. We got off to a great start scoring 240 with Elliott Moores getting his highest score of an injury hit season with 67. Unfortunately the game resulted in a draw and we were off to a mediocre start. However, the following eight games resulted in seven victories and one defeat. This included Alvanley away in which Mark Fletcher hit his best of 80* and Adam Williams took his season best of 6/41, ending up with 29 for the season. Chris Oake also hit 48, his highest for the year. Two games prior to this we were facing a daunting task after being bowled out for 80 at home to Heaton Mersey. However 5/14 from Chris Oake saw us remarkably bowl them out for 74. After this great run of form we met Congleton who were top and unbeaten, with only weather having created the difference between the two sides. We raced to 240 with Simon Dunn hitting a fantastic 93*! When returning to the field to bowl we far from expected to have them 0/4 after four overs! Rick Carpenter took three in one over and finished with 3/20 as the game was won by 100 runs and at the halfway point we sat second in the table with a 20 point gap to third. A great first half!
We began the second half as we ended the first, which unfortunately meant two games called off but we also managed a couple more wins. Then things began to change. A shock defeat at home to Christleton after being bowled out for 80 kicked started a bad run of form. Instead of winning three or four on the bounce it was win one, lose one, one rained off. Meanwhile Congleton and Oxton were getting further away from us as we slipped to third and then fourth. Our next game away at Malpas was a huge chance to get our feet back in the door. With an 80* from Josh Hampson and 46 from Jo Hopkins we knocked off 180 with just two down. A decent run was required and with the new addition of James Longhorn we had high hopes. Unfortunately this didn't happen and the vital twist in our season was about to commence. Heaton Mersey away arrived, a massive game regardless but even more so now that they had overtaken us. After restricting them to just 150 we felt confident in knocking it off. However with just two overs remaining we lost our final wicket just 10 runs short of their total! We were now 30 adrift of second. After another rain off we faced Cheadle Hulme away and a win was a must for any chance of promotion. We batted second and had 180 to chase down. James Longhorn opened against his old team and batted very well for his 57 however after he and Chris Oake lost their wickets in quick succession after a decent partnership things changed. The run rate increased and we were left with 18 required from 18 deliveries. With three balls remaining we lost our last wicket and the game by two runs...and our promotion chance. We faced Oxton at home soon after and although they had taken our promotion spot we wanted to prove a point to them. And with James Longhorn's 84 we did that, getting a comfortable winning draw.
Other high points for the season were as follows: Jake Haresnape's 54 v Cheadle, Matt Warburton 32* v Cheadle Hulme, Dan Wright 2/18 v Bollington, Jimmy Williams with five wickets v Malpas and an outstanding economy rate of under three and Tom Hamnett with steady and reliable bowling performances.
Andy Heath was rather unlucky with the ball this season however he still managed seven wickets although his main attribute this season was his fielding taking 14 catches!!
Alex Oswell had a brief involvement this season due to injury however he played a vital role against Heaton Mersey with a brilliant spell of 1/16.
And a final note on a youngster brought through the ranks in Josh Noel. He made his debut in the second half of the season and improved game after game, taking several wickets and going for limited runs with a best of 3/12 off six. A great acquisition to the side and one to watch out for next year!!
To conclude, even though we finished third, this season was a failure and was viewed as such by all involved. It hasn't and will not be taken lightly going onwards into next season. Weather has definitely played its part but lessons have been learnt and changes will be made so we can achieve our goal for next season...Promotion!!
Chris Oake
THIRD XI – Won 3 Lost 7 Drawn 1 Cancelled 6 Abandoned 1. Final Position – Cheshire County League Sunday Division Two: 9th of 10.