Flaming June rather underwhelmed both from a weather perspective and in truth on the cricket field, at least as far as the league outings were concerned. The 1st XI have yet to record a win despite putting themselves in good positions on a few occasions. Familiar batting woes usually being the cause of the disappointment. The 2nd XIhave also struggled but have recorded a win and an extraordinary one at that, capped by a superb maiden century for the skipper Chris Pannell.
A couple of Sunday fixtures survived the intermittent deluges and have been a lot of fun played in the right spirit with many of our young cricketers getting a taste of senior cricket. The highlight has been a maiden hundred for Ejas Deane who is proving the old adage that the more you play the better you get.
Despite the lack of success and a number of missing regulars we have managed to fill the teams for the most part and thank you to those that have stepped up whenever necessary.
The holiday period approaching will represent a challenge and I would make my usual plea to those who can play to make themselves available.
On a wider club note we finally completed the Shed project and also acquired a new movable net for use particularly by the Junior Club for square practice. I have been extremely impressed by the desire of our young cricketers to keep practicing their skills under the excellent coaching team and this is being reflected in some notable successes against clubs with loftier status.
On that note Francis Booth our Head of Junior Cricket has provided the following update on the month’s activities.
“June was a busy month for all the young cricketers. For coaching groups from All Stars to the Transition Group it culminated in a highly enjoyable Soft Ball Day on 29 June where all the young cricketers got a chance to play on the square and receive Attendance Medals for their commitment to attending and developing their cricketing skills. To cap it off we had the best Saturday weather of the Summer – which isn’t saying much but was a nice change. The Under 11, 13 and 15 teams have been busy with Invicta League with a combination of close results and some wins. Many of the matches are against Kent League clubs and are a real test of our players skills and resilience. The League season ends soon but coaches are busy arranging friendly matches with other village clubs. Another highlight of June was the arrival of the second mobile Batting/Bowling net. This gives much greater flexibility to how the coaches use the limited space on the square and outfield. The Junior Cricket season continues until the end of August with inevitably reduced numbers but no less enthusiasm to play cricket.”
The success of the Junior Club has been the principal driver behind the infrastructure and equipment improvements we have made this season, and it is clearly having a positive
impact. Which leads me to thank everyone that has generously donated to our fundraising effort when there are many other calls upon your money. If you haven’t done so and would like to donate the following link will take you to the Go Fund Me page.
Let us hope that by the time I pen the July edition of these notes the sun has made an appearance and an uptick in the playing fortunes in the league sides has been seen.
Regards,
Mark Flemington, Chairman
Speldhurst Cricket Club 