2011 SEASON NEWSLETTER: APRIL 20th
Wirral duo run London Marathon in England cricket kit
OXTON chairman Gary Dixon and his former Upton colleague Darrin Clark ran the London Marathon on Sunday dressed in full England cricket kit kindly provided for them by the ECB.
They were picked out on BBC television wearing full whites, plus pads, gloves, bats - and carrying a two foot replica of the Ashes urn as they completed the 26 miles course in 6 hours, 1 minute, 5 seconds.
An experienced long-distance runner who has’ marathoned’ all over the world, Garry explains the slow time by pointing out that they stopped to pose for official ECB pictures and visit several shops for refreshments, also because the bats became heavy in the heat.
Darrin and Gary, who is also the League Juniors chairman, have set up a website page inviting donations to their charity Dreams Come True, which helps terminally ill children. They raised £1,300 pre-run and hope to treble that with further contributions.
Whether or not you spotted them, you can donate by locking on to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/THE ASHESBOYS 2011.
New boys Stockport win early
Red Insure T20 game
LEAGUE newcomers Stockport gave an impressive debut performance on Sunday, April 17th when they won by 36 runs on the ground of neighbouring Stockport Georgians in the first round of the Red Insure T20 Trophy.
On a day of perfect April weather, Stockport totalled 122-8 batting first after winning the toss, with decent contributions from George Barber, 48 and Alex Hope, 25. Three Georgians bowlers who took two wickets each were R. Jameel 2-12, Simon Normanton 2-14 and Irfan Hussain 2-27.
After slipping to 9-4, Georgians were bowled out for 86 in 18 overs, with John Leggatt 29 and Nick Tyers 21 the only batsman to reach double figures. Skipper Mark Green took 3-17 and James Dunley enjoyed figures of 4-3-6-2
Stockport now host Hyde in round 2.
REMAINING first round games to be played by the later limit date of Monday, May 2nd, are:
Didsbury v Heaton Mersey (Thursday, April 21st, 5.30 p.m., umpires Alistair Davies & John Lofthouse); Cheadle v Macclesfield (Sunday, May 1st or BH Monday, May 2nd).
Second round games to be played by Sunday, May 15th:
Didsbury or Heaton Mersey v Marple
Toft v Urmston
Bramhall v Brooklands
Bowdon v Timperley
Cheadle or Macclesfield v Alderley Edge
Stockport v Hyde
Poynton v Cheadle Hulme
Bollington v Bredbury St. Mark’s
Mobberley v Nantwich
Malpas v Sale
Congleton v Oulton Park
Middlewich v Grappenhall
Oxton v Irby
Tattenhall v Neston;
Widnes v Chester Boughton Hall (holders)
Warrington v Upton.
Third round games must be played by June 26th and quarter-finals by July 17th with the semi-finals and finals now on Sunday, July 31st at Warrington.
Although clubs have until mid-May to play their second round games, they are urged to make arrangements without delay. When agreed, the dates should be notified to Competition co ordinator Jon Hacking tel. 01244 814 110 or by e-mail at
APRIL 20 NEWSLETTER: 2
Opening League programme
THE League’s 37th championship season begins on Saturday, April 23rd with a full programme of 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI fixtures, followed 24 hours later by the first mini-group games in the Jack Gardner 3rd XI Trophy.
Andy Newton’s Nantwich open their defence of the ECB Premier League title with a visit to 2010 Division One champions Macclesfield, while the other promoted club, Grappenhall, host Urmston.
In the First Division, promoted duo Marple and Sale take on Poynton at home and Cheadle Hulme away, respectively. Relegated Bowdon’s first-ever taste of cricket at this level is at Christleton, with fellow relegatees Bramhall at Widnes.
League newcomersStockport play their maiden Second Division game against local rivals Georgians at Cale Green - six days after eliminating them from the Red Insure T20 - while Malpas make the longer journey to Timperley. Relegated Upton and Middlewich are both on the road, at Brooklands and Congleton respectively.
oFifteen new captains appointed during the close-season are: Gareth Edwards (Bowdon); Chris Grindey (Cheadle); Adam Wilde (Cheadle Hulme); Guy Newell (Christleton); Phil Nunn (Congleton); Gautam Narayanan (Heaton Mersey); Adrian Stubbs (Malpas); David Leonard (Mobberley); Andy Roberts (Neston); Robin Taylor (Oulton Park); Lee Dixon (Oxton); Mark Green (Stockport); Adam Gaskarth (Stockport Georgians); Mark Maddocks (Timperley) and Sumit Panda (Urmston).
ECB PREMIER LEAGUE (12.30 p.m.)
ALDERLEY EDGE v OXTONpanel umpires: John Silver & Chris Smith
DIDSBURY v HYDERick Davis & George Murphy
GRAPPENHALL v URMSTONIan Ramage & Steve Walton
MACCLESFIELD v NANTWICHIan Drury & Phil Prince
NESTON v TOFTDavid Moss & Geoff Wellsteed
OULTON PARK v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALLDave Goulding & Ged Kinsey
FIRST DI VISION (1 p.m.)
BOLLINGTON v IRBYPeter Ogden & Wyn Harris
CHEADLE HULME v SALEBrian Jones & Tom Park
CHRISTLETON v BOWDONTrevor Burnett & Ray Prescott
HEATON MERSEY v CHEADLEBob Abel & Ian Greensmith
MARPLE v POYNTONStuart Anderson & Clive Heylin
WIDNES v BRAMHALLBarrie Burns & Clive Rice
SECOND DIVISION (1 p.m.)
BROOKLANDS v UPTONRobert Dowson & John Lofthouse
CONGLETON v MIDDLEWICHJohn Lowe & Ken Rothwell
MOBBERLEY v TATTENHALLDon Flanagan & Dion Kelly
STOCKPORT v STOCKPORT GEORGIANSPeter Bolger & Paul Herring
TIMPERLEY v MALPASRon Bedson & Graham Harris
WARRINGTON v BREDBURY ST. MARK’SJon Hacking & David Stoter
Second XI fixtures (1 p.m.)
PREMIER DIVISION: Bramhall v Widnes (panel umpire Neville Kent & club umpire); Cheadle v Grappenhall (Liam Spires & Dave Sutton); Chester Boughton Hall v Oulton Park (Bob Cunningham & club umpire); Hyde v Didsbury (Ken Simpson & Sagir Parkar); Nantwich v Macclesfield (Jim Whitehead & club umpire); Toft v Neston (two club umpires).
FIRST DIVISION: Bowdon v Brooklands; Irby v Warrington; Middlewich v Marple; Sale v Cheadle Hulme; Stockport Georgians v Alderley Edge; Urmston v Timperley.
SECOND DIVISION: Bredbury St. Mark’s v Bollington; Malpas v Heaton Mersey; Oxton v Stockport; Poynton v Congleton; Tattenhall v Mobberley; Upton v Christleton.
Third XI Saturday fixtures (1 p.m.)
SATURDAY DIVISION ONE: Brooklands / Sale Moor v Upton 3; Mellor v Neston 4; Neston 3 v Brooklands 3; Timperley 3 v Irby 3; Urmston 3 v Birkenhead Park 3; Warrington 3 v Chester Bo. Hall 3.
SATURDAY DIVISION TWO: Birkenhead Park 4 v Urmston 4; Chester Bo. Hall 4 v Warrington 4; Irby 4 v Timperley 4; Macclesfield 3 v Oxton 3; Oxton 4 v Cheadle Hulme 3; Upton 4 v Sale 3.
Third XI Sunday fixtures (1 p.m.)
JACK GARDNER 3rd XI TROPHY mini groups:
EAST: Romiley v Macclesfield; Hale Barns v Hyde; Sale v Timperley; Urmston v Bollington; Bredbury v Ashley; Cheadle v Cheadle Hulme; Bowdon v Marple; Prestbury v Didsbury; Poynton v Stockport.
WEST: Alvanley v Runcorn; Stretton v Grappenhall; Chester Bo. Hall v Tattenhall; Nantwich v Warrington; Mobberley v Neston; Upton v Irby; Widnes v Winnington Park; Toft v Oulton Park.
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FUTURE OF LAPTOP SCORING
LEAGUE secretary Geoff Wellsteed explains the League’s approach to the possible future introduction of laptop scoring after it was revealed at the April management meeting that Chester Boughton Hall, Heaton Mersey, Malpas and Poynton would be operating the system during the 2011 season. .
He writes: “The Cricket Committee are adopting a cautious approach. Our strategy is one of promotion of the system without making it mandatory in the short term. The logistical and cost ramifications are important.
The Liverpool Competition have a full blown (league funded) implementation programme in place so we should learn a fair amount about the pros and cons this summer.
The ECB Premier League Accreditation Criteria for 2011 includes £500 for two or more clubs using computer based scoring systems with full scorecards uploaded within 24 hours; and £500 for evidence of one or more clubs using a live score service.
So computer scoring is now with us, it’s the way forward and eventual adoption is a given. Its implementation is the crucial issue and revolves around timing, infrastructure and cost. The Cricket Committee steer for 2011, at least, is one of encouragement and learning from the pathfinders”, Geoff concludes.
A SUB-COMMITTEE has been formed to examine possible alternatives to the Playing regulations for 2012.
With members representing all levels of cricket in the League it comprises Andy Newton, chairman (captain of Nantwich); convenor Ian Sharrock (2nd XI Results secretary and Upton), Paul Sperring (captain of Didsbury). Keith McGuffie (chairman of Marple), Rob Arnold (chairman of Urmston), Brian Boys (3rd XI Saturday Results secretary and Warrington).
O THE CRICKET Committee are considering extending the scope of recording 3rd and 4th XI results on the website in 2012.
OA FINALS Day for the Jack Gardner 3rd XI Trophy is to be introduced in 2011, in August or September.
OMELLOR have broken away from parent club Marple to operate in the 3rd XI Saturday First Division this season, as separate associate members. It is expected Mellor will apply to join the Cheshire Alliance for one team in 2012, although they have officially missed the limit date in order to do so.
OWHILE new players joining clubs in the League prior to the start of the new season do not need formal transfers, the League Cricket Conference require clubs to ensure that any recruits do not come with any financial or disciplinary commitments from their previous clubs.
ONUMBERS and names must not appear on the back of players’ shirts at all levels in senior cricket, the League edict. This edict does not apply in junior cricket.
OCLUBS wishing to vary scheduled starting times or alter fixtures should obtain the agreement of their opponents on the day and notify the League via the respective Results secretaries: 1st XI and Over40s cricket - Mike Talbot-Butler; 2nd XI cricket - Ian Sharrock; ALL 3rd, 4th, 5th XI cricket - Peter Lawson.
OTREASURER Brent Wilkinson has written out a cheque for £40,508 for this season’s Reader cricket balls distributed to all clubs at the April management meeting at Warrington. This is the final year of a three-year deal with Readers who currently provide a generous discount.
OWEBMASTER Darren Sutcluffe has instructed all clubs to register their players on-line for 1st XI cricket.
O MOBBERLEY have purchased a plot of land behind the pavilion from the National Trust in order to extend their car park.
O FOLLOWING the ever-increasing price of petrol, the Management committee have agreed increases in umpires’ expenses to the following: Premier League up from £36 to £38; First and Second Division £33 to £35; T20 games £20 to £25. Cheshire Cup and Shield expenses will rise from £30 to £32
O THE League are aiming to cover all 2nd XI Premier Division games with panel or regular club umpires this season. . Seven clubs who have asked for such appointments are: Cheadle, Chester Boughton Hall, Didsbury, Grappenhall, Hyde, Nantwich and Oulton Park at an expenses rate of £35. Clubs who wish to continue with their own umpires will be free to do so. The names of 2nd XI appointed umpires will be published in the Newsletter each week.
Chiang Mai Sixes
LEAGUE umpire Rick Davis is back home in Macclesfield after a trip to Asia where he acted as tournament referee and commentator in the 2011 San Miguel Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes in northern Thailand.
The Sixes is the world’s biggest and longest-established amateur six a side tournament with 32 teams from 11 countries competing over a week. The teams are divided into a Serious Players Division and a more social Gentlemen’s Division , then further broken down into five separate levels based on first round results with finals at each level played on the last day.
A frequent visitor, Widnes stalwart Phil Catterall was taking part, his team the Irish pub Gang Green losing out on a semi-final place on run rate. The winners were Redlands Tigers a young Aussie team who beat three times champions Bashundara Cricketers of Bangladesh, then Perth Lord’s Taverners in a close finale.
This year alone, purely from generous voluntary donations, more than a 250,000 Thai Baht (about £5,000) was raised for Schools Cricket Development
Rick is keen to increase awareness in the cricket media of the tournament and its good causes to help boys and girls in a large number of schools in the Chiang Mai area.
He would also like to enter a team from the County League in the 2012 Sixes from one or a number of club as ideal pre-season net practice.
Rick is contactable on
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Second XI Cup games on Sunday
ARRANGEMENTS are in hand to play two games in the first round of the Red Insure 2nd XI Cup on Sunday, April 24th (1 p.m.).
The enterprising clubs are: Hyde v Middlewich (to be confirmed) and Stockport v Marple.
National Club championship
FIRST round games in the ECB National Club championship have to be completed by Sunday, May 8th, although clubs are encouraged to play before then. Draw:
Group 2: Alfreton v Wickersley Village; Hanging Heaton v East Bierley; Reversley v Chesterfield; New Farnley v Townville; Bamford Fieldhouse v Treeton; Wollaton v HYDE; Doncaster Town v Papplewick & Linby; Mansfield Colliery Mills v Elsecar.
Group 6: Heaton v CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL; Farnworth Social Circle v Blackpool; Prestwich v Chorley;
Blackrod v Wallasey; Kearsley v Colwyn Bay; Rode Green v New Brighton; Kendal v Egerton;
Darwen v NESTON
Group 7: Fordhouses v Leek; Audley v GRAPPENHALL; Wombourne v Himley; ALDERLEY EDGE v Lullington Park; NANTWICH v BOWDON; Walsall v Walmley; Smethwick v Hucknall; BOLLINGTON v Moddershall.
CHESHIRE CUP
THE Cheshire Cup and Shield sees return of New Brighton and Wallasey from the Liverpool Competition, plus Holmes Chapel, Stalybridge St. Paul’s, The Groves and Winnington Park, totalling 55 clubs. Draws:
Round l (Sunday, May 1): A: Chelford v Ashley; B: Rode Park v Congleton; C: Winsford v Caldy; D: Birkenhead St. Mary’s v Birkenhead Park.
Round 2 (Sunday, May 15): Match 1: Lindow v Hale Barns; Match 2: Ashton on Mersey v Timperley; Match 3: Brooklands v Cheadle Hulme; Match 4: Stockport v Poynton; Match 5: Cheadle v Hawk Green; Match 6: Winners of B v Stalybridge St. Paul’s; Match 7: Holmes Chapel v Marple; Match 8: Sale v Bramhall; Match 9: Bredbury v Winners of A; Match 10: Romiley v Bollington; Match 11: Heaton Mersey v Bowdon; Match 12: Wallasey v Crewe; Match 13: Aston v Winners of D; Match 14: Malpas v Upton; Match 15: Widnes v The Groves; Match 16: Davenham v Northwich; Match 17: Winnington Park v Middlewich; Match 18: Irby v Parkfield Liscard; Match 19: Winners of C v Elworth.
Representative match plans
WHILE League representative cricket is being scaled down, it is hoped to play three fixtures in 2011.
An approach to the Liverpool Competition has resulted in their backing for a third attempt to restore the annual Challenge Shield game, provisionally on the last day of the season, Sunday, September 18. Marple have offered their ground.
The Mullaney Trophy becomes a one-off match against he Derbyshire & Cheshire League, a match to be staged on a County League First or Second Division ground. Offers are invited.
The North-West Colts Trophy remains alive with another one-off clash between the League and Liverpool Competition, who won last year’s game at Orrell. This is also be played on a County League ground.
Lancashire 2nd in Cheshire
LANCASHIRE take County 2nd XIcricket to four County League grounds next season
Worcestershire provide Lancashire’s opposition in a 3-day championship match at Nantwich - for the first time – from Wednesday - Friday, May 4 – 6, while Alderley Edge host the championship fixture against Northants from Tuesday – Thursday, July 12 – 14.
Chester Boughton Hall stage the games between the newly-formed Unicorns A and Northants on Wednesday, May 18, then Unicorns A v Lancashire 2nd 24 hours later on Thursday, May 19 (both 12 noon).
Neston then host Lancashire 2nd’s T20 two innings cup match against Yorkshire on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30 (11 a.m.).
There will also be two games between Lancashire’s Academy XI and the Cheshire Development XI at Toft on Wednesday, April 27 and Westhoughton on Friday, April 29 (both 11.30 a.m.).
O Lancs 2nd also play a 40 overs match against Worcestershire at Northop Hall on Tuesday, May 3rd (11 a.m.).
Cheshire open at Neston
CHESHIRE open their Minor Counties Knock out Cup campaign against Cumberland at Neston on Sunday, May 1. (11 a.m.). They will again be captained by Andrew Hall, who has indicated this will be his last year in charge.
Cheshire figure in Group 1 together with Cumberland, Northumberland, Shropshire and Staffordshire.
The winners and runners-up enter the quarter-finals on Sunday, June 19, when Cheshire would, as winners, host either Berkshire, Cambs, Lincs, Norfolk or Suffolk, or, as runners-up, visit Beds, Dorset, Hereford, Herts or Oxford.
The semi-finals are on Sunday and Monday, July 3 or 4 and the final is at Lord’s on Thursday, August 25.
Cheshire are to re-engage professional all-rounder Richard Logan for a second season.
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Development squad in action
THE Cheshire Development squad are in early action against Lancashire 2nd XI at Toft on Wednesday, April 27th, and at St. George’s Oval, Westhoughton on (Wedding Day) Friday, April 29th (both 11.30 a.m.).
Both squads are entirely composed of players from the County League. At Toft: Jonny Kettle wicket-keeper and captain, Alex Matthews (Nantwich), Nick Anderson, Greg Dixon (Didsbury), Dan Cranmer (Hyde), Ross Dixon (Oxton), Dan Halkon (Sale), Ollie Law, Jordan Clark (Chester); Khalid Sawas, Ian Tait (Macclesfield), AN Other.
At Westhoughton: Adam Worrall wicket-keeper and captain (Alderley Edge), Nick Anderson, Jonny Fawcett (Didsbury), Mark Bennett (Heaton Mersey), Danny Berry, Danny Cranmer (Hyde), Lee Dixon (Oxton), Danny Halkon (Sale), James Hawley (Neston), Luke McCoy (Grappenhall), Calum Rowe (Bollington), Adam Syddall (Urmston).
Team manager is Steve Amison and coach Chris Murphy.
Over Fifties’ friendlies ….
CHESHIRE Over Fifties open with two friendly matches, at Parkfield Liscard on Wednesday, May 4 and Notts at Cuckney on Wednesday, May 11.
National 50 Plus Championship games begin against Yorkshire at Grappenhall on Wednesday, May 25
Team manger is again Paul Freedman, while the new captain is ex-Oulton Park player Andy McIlroy.
….Sixties to meet Aussies
HIGHLIGHT of Cheshire Over 60s programme will be a match at Chester Boughton Hall on Tuesday, August 16against Australia Over 60s.