I was tempted to cut and paste the opening paragraph from the May Ramblings because the
weather has stayed largely unchanged with almost perfect cricketing conditions, at least
when viewed from the shady parts of the boundary edge.
The phrase ‘straw coloured outfield’ was never more apt for the Rec particularly after the
fete. I can only assume that some of the after-party dancing involved imitating bedding down
a cattle yard.
On the field itself, results have ebbed and flowed in line with availability but the last two
weekends have seen the club field three senior teams which is a huge effort with all kinds of
counter attractions and distractions at play.
Last weekend saw both league sides win (a first for more than a little while) and a closely
fought loss at Southborough on Sunday. Each of the sides featured young cricketers and it is
quite clear that the excellent coaching they have received is making the transition to senior
cricket a successful and enjoyable experience.
Both of our league skippers Ben and Chris notched up tons during the month and is reward
for their excellent leadership. If anyone can find just cause for all the weddings Ben is
scheduled to attend in the next couple of months, to be delayed, then I may be able to
arrange for a suitable inducement from club funds.
The earlier part of the month delivered a fantastic day in memory of Bernard Mills and
showcased all that is good about SCC. The intra club games put on by the Junior Cricket
Section were excellent and many of the senior club members watching were hugely
impressed by the skills on show, particularly the catching and outfielding which was
exemplary. The senior T20 game in the afternoon would have been an enjoyable watch for
Bernard as the ball frequently cleared the ropes. The Stewards’ enquiry into the team
selection didn’t take the shine off a fitting tribute to Bernard and a particular thank you to the
family and others for a fabulous tea which could have fed the entire village.
The second £5 club draw was won by Matt Bell so anyone thinking it would just be a
committee stitch up is incorrect notwithstanding that most of the participants are committee
members. The price of a pint of Larkins is now £5.80 at the George and Dragon. Declining
another one in favour of joining the £5 club will be good for your health and the club’s
wellbeing. We really ought to be able to get the prize pot up to £100 a month.
I mentioned earlier the influence young cricketers are exerting within the senior squads and
having seen the U11’s and U13’s in action at the Rec during the month it shouldn’t really be
a surprise. It is constant activity in the Junior Cricket Section as the latest report from Francis
attests.
We have lost 2 Saturdays of coaching this Summer to bad weather but none of the Friday
evenings. Very few of the Under 11 and Under 13 matches had to be postponed and nearly
all were replayed promptly. Most coaching and matches have been played in glorious
sunshine.Lots and lots of cricket has been played from age 4 to 16 by record numbers of young
cricketers supported by record numbers of parents who have helped with the coaching and at matches.All our Under 11 and Under 13 teams have been selected on the basis of giving games to as
many Squad members as possible over the season. Most of the clubs we play tend to pick
every week on “merit” although how you assess the merit of a young cricketer if you don’t
give them the chance to perform in a match is a mystery to me.Both Under 11 and Under 13s have been competitive in the vast majority of their matches
and the Under 11s are 6/6 in the Invicta Junior League at the end of June.On Saturday 28 June we held a very successful Soft Ball Day giving each coaching group
the chance to play on the main square. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day regardless of the
ground after the Fete adopting a Wheat Field after the Harvest motif.Still two months left in the Summer season to enjoy.
I hope all parents and their young cricketers have great family holidays with space created in suitcases for at least one bat and a couple of balls.
Francis Booth
Head of Junior Cricket
The mention of summer holidays raises the spectre of further pinch points on availability. If
you know you are going to be away, please ensure that you confirm on Spond as soon as
possible. Of course, why anyone would want to swap lovely cricket weather in Speldhurst for
live threatening heat in the Iberian peninsula is unclear to me.
From a League perspective it is important that the green shoots of recovery are not allowed
to wither during the second half of the season and that requires some of our ‘occasionals’ to
find a justification to make themselves available rather than not.
Regards
Mark Flemington, Chair
Speldhurst Cricket Club 