A pretty good start league wise for the club as Saturday league cricket continues to prosper throughout the country. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about Sunday cricket where a combination of the current recession and the demise of top club knockout cricket has made our availability pretty poor so far. Our trial season in the Fullers Griffin League remains just that (and will be reviewed at the end of the season) though there appears to be some good news on the horizon.
The demise of the Cockspur National Cup in 2009 saw the ECB introduce a new unsponsored national competition which looks to be going slightly better than forecast. Nevertheless, many clubs opted out this year but I hear a rumour of new sponsorship in 2010 and we would probably want to be a part of that.
The Evening Standard Trophy was, easily, the most popular tournament in the south east and the new Club Cricket Conference Trophy could well prove to be an excellent alternative, especially if a sponsor can be found for next year. Therefore, it looks likely that we will return to top knockout cricket on Sunday's in 2010 and along with our Surrey Trust League commitments and some better quality 1st XI friendlies, (with the likes of Eastbourne, Horsham, Brighton and Hove , etc etc being touted), things look much better next year.
Our commitment to the Shepherd Neame 20/20 competition was underlined as a strong side defeated Beddington last week in the gathering gloom. The overall winners of the Surrey section go forward to the Cockspur National 20/20 with the four finalists appearing on Sky TV at either Canterbury or Cardiff in late September. Coupled with generous prize money, no wonder clubs such as Sutton are keen to do well!
My personal disappointment in having to cancel so many lower level matches already this year has taught me a valuable lesson in that one season is very much different to the next and I wont be making the same mistakes again.
My mood is tempered somewhat by some good cricket that I have witnessed and the joy of not having to bang my head in our excellent new scoring facility.
The ground is looking pretty good and the wickets are fine and with good weather, this could prove to be another great season for the club.
I am finding time to add to this blog difficult but I will do my utmost to contribute something every Wednesday evening, which provides me a rare evening at home and some respite for my "evil liver" which, according to The Bear, deserves to be punished!
Finally, my deepest condolences to Neil and Nick Clark and their family on the sad loss of Eric, their father, last week.
Next Friday's funeral (29th May) will be acknowledged at our opening midweek game v Arcadians Cricket Club from Belgium. (1.30pm start).
Miz
