End Of Season Senior Cricket Report 2009
Senior Cricket Report 2009
A golden era for cricket at Attenborough CC, the 2008 season saw 5 trophies lifted. What the lads have achieved in 2009 surpasses the efforts of the previous season, given that the 1st and 2nd teams were both playing in higher leagues than in 2008. At the start of the season we set the players of the 4 Saturday teams the following objectives:
1st XI: to retain the Club’s Premier League status;
2nd XI: to consolidate in
Division C;
3rd XI: to finish in the top half of Division K;
4th XI: to field
competitive teams selected primarily from players from the junior section.
It is pleasing to report that all of the above were achieved.
The 1st team, captained by Andy Simkiss and competing in the Notts Premier League for the first time in the club’s history, enjoyed a rollercoaster ride! Welcoming the likes of international stars Law, Patel & DeFreitas, plus many other current and former county pros to The Strand was what the lads had worked hard for the previous season. With only a couple of additions to the Division A winning side of 2008, we were able to compete with any side in the league, the majority of the team coming through our own Junior ranks - brilliant!
New Zealander Shaun Fitzgibbon was recruited. Shaun performed very well in a batsman and wicket keeper role, scoring nearly 500 runs at an average of 33 plus 24 dismissals behind the stumps. Shaun fulfilled his role on and off the field admirably both at Senior and Junior club level. Up and coming Nottinghamshire fast bowler Andy Carter was also signed. When ’energised’ into action, Andy added a further cutting edge to our bowling unit. With Alec McKinlay continuing to prove more than a match for most bowler, scoring 686 runs (6th highest in the Prem lists), and ’new found’ spinner Tom Murray taking 29 wickets, added to a good team ethos and performance, the 1st team proved a match for anyone. Entering the Twenty20 competition for the first time, the team reached the Nottinghamshire finals days, going out to the eventual winners Cuckney. A tense final round of league matches saw the ’Boro play host to Clifton, the eventual league winners. The team gained enough bonus points in the match to secure Premier League cricket for another year. It was never in doubt!
Carl Whelan led the 2nd XI with his usual commitment and enthusiasm. After a slow start to the season, the team turned in some consistent performances towards the end of the year to secure their place in a very competitive Division C for next season. Highlights in the bowling department were Carl Whelan and Bryan Aplin taking 63 wickets between them at an average of 16. Excellent. Ian Baddeley and Tom Buckell were the main run scorers.
The 3rd team enjoyed a good season, finishing 3rd in Division K, narrowly missing out on promotion. Colin McConnell’s team, playing at Long Lane, were able to field teams with a good blend of youth and experience. Batting honours went to Callum Taylor, Richard Henson and Jonathan Basford who each scored over 260 runs. Leading wicket takers were Colin McConnell, Charlie Simkiss and James Hallam, who shared 61 wickets between them.
The 4th team. The decision was taken during the close season to field a 4th team in the South Notts Division R. Along with the 1st team retaining their Premier League status, the success of fielding a 4th team in 2009 ranks almost as high. Paul Hallam led the team with great enthusiasm. Made up primarily of junior players seeking an introduction to senior cricket, the team performed with skill and determination, finishing 3rd in their first year. The skipper was ably supported by Phil Hill and Carl Knight in ensuring the young players enjoyed their first senior cricket experiences! Batting honours go to Carl Knight, while the bowling award goes to Matt Ahluwalia, taking 19 wickets at an average of 8. Jacob Conners deserves a mention for his good all round performance of 148 runs and 23 wickets.
League cricket on Sunday took place in the Newark Alliance Division 2. The team, led by Chris Allcoat, finished 4th thanks to a strong finish to the season, unbeaten since June. Main run scorers were several, with Martin Shoemaker taking the honours. James Hallam, taking 20 wickets (including a hat trick), took the bowling award.
The Sunday 2nd XI, under the guidance of Stuart Carlisle, again enjoyed another successful season both on and off the pitch! Alan Moss secured the batting award, with Mark Bateman taking the bowling honours, just pipping brother Pete. The Bateman boys took 38 wickets between them!
The strength of the club owes much to our senior players, encouraging the club’s younger members, particularly in the Sunday 2nd XI, 3rd team and newly former 4th team. The challenge facing the club going forward will be to ensure that these talented young players can flourish in the 1st & 2nd teams. It is no coincidence that the 1st team has achieved its current success through the club having a ’conveyer belt’ of young talent.
Summary
A special thanks to all those involved in maintaining the ground and pavilion.
My overriding memory for the season will be witnessing the ground looking an absolute picture in the final league game of the Premier League season against Clifton. The vast number of cars at either end of the ground, the bar busy and boundary benches full with spectators. Premier League cricket has added another dimension to cricket at The Strand. We can now offer cricket for all standards and ages, whatever the demand. The club’s profile has never been higher in the county. If anyone doubted the desire of the players to play in the Premier League, then listening to the ’roar’ that greeted Plumtree beating Farnsfield on the last Saturday of the season, ensuring that we stayed in the Prem, will answer these doubters.
Returning the to the 1st team, the hard fought 1 point margin in securing Premier Leage cricket for 2010 is apt in describing the excellent team spirit and morale. Each member of the 1st team made a significant contribution at some stage of the season, which earned ’the point’ to retain Premier League status, typifying the club spirit at Attenborough CC.
Two years ago, we raised the bar for Attenborough Cricket Club in aiming for Premier League cricket, an arena where I believe the club should always be aiming to compete. The challenge the club now faces is to continue to provide the vision and practical support to the players, who, through their performances in recent years, have raised the club’s profile in the community, and provided much enjoyment to many existing supporters and new visitors to The Strand.
Nick Allcoat
Cricket Manager
October 2009