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Cheshire County Cricket League
DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER:
A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL READERS
Fewer playing cricket?
Not in County League
THE ECB are reported to be ‘shocked’ at a continuing sharp decline in the number of people playing club cricket, although stats
indicate that this trend is being well and truly bucked in the Vivio Cheshire County League.
The ECB disclose that 64,000 fewer were playing the game in 2014 than the previous season from its latest survey which
received 37,000 nationwide responses, the total figures dropping seven per cent from 908,000 to 844,000.
The number of fixtures conceded because clubs could not string together 11 players stood at five per cent and, importantly, more
than 40 pc of Asian players claimed to be unhappy with the playing options available.
The results have left the ECB promising an increase in funding for grass roots cricket with plans to encourage county boards to
urge new starting times and shorter matches to fit in with modern life styles, especially for Saturday morning workers.
Last year the ECB were put on notice by Sport England that it risked losing Government funding if participation levels continued
to drop. The ECB will still receive £27.45 million from Sport England between 2013-2017, money which is already being used to
help improve club facilities. But this is clearly in jeopardy unless numbers improve.
2,024 plus players in 2014
Meanwhile, figures from the Vivio Cheshire County League with its 36 full members and 24 associates, reveal that more players
than ever are taking part at various levels of the game. Each Saturday last season 396 players turned out in 1st XI cricket, 396 in
2nd XI cricket and 242 in 3rd XI Saturday games, totalling 1,034. On Sundays, 58 teams provided sport for 638 players in five
geographical divisions, while a further 352 appeared in the Over 40s on Wednesdays, although some of these were also week-end
players.
The total number of players involved each week from a record number of 184 teams was thus a remarkable 2,024, the highest in
the League’s 40 years’ existence. Add to that games set up in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI cup competitions and it’s clear that cricket
within the league is more popular than ever.
Next season, indications are of even higher participation with five new teams entering the 3rd XI set up (Chester 4, Heaton
Mersey 4, Knutsford, Macclesfield and Wilmslow) against three withdrawals (Christleton, Congleton and Widnes). The Over 40s
section will one down (Alsager Dabbers) to 31 teams.
These figures above do not take into account hundreds of age group players who enjoy the League’s successful Junior section.
Chairman David Humpage told the November management meeting at Timperley that the ECB survey disclosed a summary of
players’ responses about cricket in the County League revealed that 85 per cent were satisfied with the general structure and the
way the game was organised. “We should not be complacent and must strive to improve, but it’s good to know that we are doing
things right”, he said.
DECISION TIME: JANUARY 21
A LIST of proposed alterations to rule agreed by clubs at the League management committee at Timperley have been circulated
by Secretary Geoff Wellsteed.
Final decisions will be reached at the January Management meeting at Bowdon on Wednesday, January 21, followed by the
Annual General Meeting. The pre-season meeting (cricket balls, handbook etc ) is at Warrington on Tuesday, April 7.
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 2
Fire-hit Christleton again have top pitch
DESPITE fire ravaging their pavilion in mid-season, Christleton managed to maintain their record of having the top-rated Pitch in
the League in 2014.
The First Division club, whose groundsman is Brian Jerrard, averaged 18.71 out of a maximum 20 from just seven matches which
were reported by umpires during a very wet season. This figure compared to 18.44 from 11 reports in 2013.
Jim Gillson’s Chester Boughton Hall improved from fifth to second place on 18.57, closely followed by Middlewich, 18.29,
Didsbury, 18.20, Alvanley, 18.18 and Tattenhall on 18.
At the foot of the table, five clubs averaged under 16: Bowdon and Nantwich both on 15.36 and Timperley 15.30, while sub-15
marks were credited to relegated Poynton, 14.67 and Northwich, 14.55
Groundsman Richard Cragg can claim the credit for Bramhall becoming the only club to report a maximum Outfield mark of 20
for all seven homes games reported by the umpires. Nineteen other clubs gained marks of 19 plus, led by Neston, 19.89,
Christleton, 19.86 and relegated Heaton Mersey, 19.75
Clubs with the lowest outfield returns were Congleton, 17.55, Brooklands, 17.36 and Poynton, 16.78, athough these marks are
relatively high.
Full details of the Pitch and Outfield returns are available from Grounds chairman John Bygate (jbygate@fsmail.net).
Holders Toft at Oxton in 2nd XI Cup
HOLDERS of the RedInsure 2nd XI T20, Toft have been drawn away to Oxton in the first round of the 2015 competition.
A total of 33 clubs have entered, Brooklands and Weaverham being ineligible after defaulting last season, while Christleton opted
out.
FULL DRAW
Preliminary round (to be played by Monday, May 11)
Bollington v Sale
Round one (by Monday, May 25)
Bollington or Sale v Cheadle Hulme
Urmston v Bramhall
Marple v Bowdon
Macclesfield v Bredbury St. Mark’s
Cheadle v Hyde
Timperley v Didsbury
Stockport v Alderley Edge
Congleton v Mobberley
Warrington v Alvanley
Middlewich v Chester Boughton Hall
Tattenhall v Upton
Widnes v Oulton Park
Nantwich v Davenham
Grappenhall v Irby
Neston v Northwich
Oxton v Toft
Round 2 has to be played by June 22; quarter-finals by July 20. The semi-finals and final date and venue has yet to be decided.
O THE draw for the 2015 REDINSURE 1st XI CUP was published in the November Newsletter and is available on request.
2015 FIXTURES. The 1st and 2nd XI and Over 40s fixtures were e-mailed by the Competition secretary to all full and
associate member clubs by November 24. . Those for the 1st and 2nd XIs were posted on the new-look League website by
webmaster Darren Sutcliffe by November 26
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 3
36 TEAMS IN 3rd XI KNOCK-OUT
NEWCOMERS Knutsford and Urmston 4 are among a total of 36 entrants for the 3rd XI Jack Gardner T20 Trophy in 2015 – one
fewer than last season.
Excluded are Irby, Nsntwich and Timperley who forfeited games last season, while Widnes have withdrawn.
Teams will be divided into three geographical regions, East with five groups; Central with two groups and West with two. The
points scoring system is unchanged.
Mini groups have been given default dates and matches may be moved or rearranged for any reason by mutual agreement. All
matches must be completed by Tuesday, May 19.
In the knock out stages there will be one preliminary match followed by four quarter finals to estasblish which four teams go
forward to Finals Day on a date and ground yet to be agreed. All matches are of 20 overs and start at 1 p. m. unless mutually
agreed otherwise.
MINI GROUPS
EASTERN SECTION
E1: Alderley Edge, Cheadle, Macclesfield, Urmston 3. E2: Bredbury, Didsbury 5, Hyde, Stockport Trinity. E3: Ashton on
Mersey, Cheadle Hulme, Didsbury 3, Sale. E4: Hale Barns, Heaton Mersey, Romiley, Stockport. E5: Bramhall, Marple,
Prestbury, Urmston 4.
CENTRAL SECTION
C1: Bowdon, Grappenhall, Knutsford, Warrington. C2: Ashley, Elworth, Haslington, Toft.
WESTERN SECTION
W1: 1: Oxton, Runcorn, Upton, Winnington Park. W2: Alvanley, Chester, Neston, Tattenhall.
GROUP FIXTURES
SUNDAY, APRIL 19: East 1: Cheadle v Macclesfield; Urmston 3 v Alderley Edge. E2: Bredbury v Stockport Trinity; Didsbury
5 v Hyde. E3: Sale v Ashton on Mersey; Cheadle Hulme v Didsbury 3; E4: Romiley v Hale Barns; Stockport v Heaton Mersey;
E5: Bramhall v Urmston 4; Marple v Prestbury. Central 1: Grappenhall v Knutsford; Warrington v Bowdon. C2: Elworth v
Haslington; Ashley v Toft. West 1: Runcorn v Upton; Winnington Park v Oxton. W2: Chester v Neston; Tattenhall v Alvanley.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26: East 1: Macclesfield v Alderley Edge; Cheadle v Urmston 3. E2: Hyde v Bredbury; Stockport Trinity v
Didsbury 5. E3: Didsbury 3 v Ashton on Mersey; Sale v Cheadle Hulme. E4: Hale Barns v Heaton Mersey; Romiley v Stockport.
E5: Prestbury v Bramhall; Urmston 4 v Marple. Central 1: Knutsford v Bowdon; Warrington v Grappenhall; C2: Haslington v
Ashley; Toft v Elworth. West 1: Upton v Oxton; Winnington Park v Runcorn. W2: Neston v Alvenley; Tattenhall v Chester.
SUNDAY, MAY 4: East 1: Alderley Edge v Cheadle; Macclesfield v Urmston 3. E2: Bredbury v Didsbury 5; Hyde v Stockport
Trinity. E3: Ashton on Mersey v Cheadle Hulme; Didsbury 3 v Sale; E4: Hale Barns v Stockport; Heaton Mersey v Romiley; E5:
Bramhall v Marple; Prestbnry v Urmston 4. Central 1: Bowdon v Grappenhall; Knutsford v Warrington. C2: Ashley v Elworth;
Haslington v Toft. West 1: Oxton v Runcorn; Upton v Winnington Park. W2: Alvanley v Chester; Neston v Tattenhall.
KNOCK-OUT DRAW
PRELIMINARY ROUND (to be played by Monday, June 9): Winners of group C1 v Winners of group C 2.
QUARTER-FINALS (by Monday, July 14): Winners of preliminary match v Winners of group E5; Winners of group W1 v
Winners of group W2; Winners of group E3 v winners of group E2; Winners of group E1 v Winners of group E4.
A further draw will be made to determine the two semi-final games.
The full draw was made by 3rd XI Results secretary Ian Sharrock who can be contacted for queries on 07899 895 202 (mobile) or
sawdanine@gmail.com (e-mail).
O It is hoped the full draw will be posted on the League website by Christmas.
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 4
Hyde’s Danny Woods to lead Cheshire
BACK at Hyde after six successful seasons in the Yorkshire League, Danny Woods has been appointed captain of Cheshire
County Cricket Club for the 2015 campaign.
His vice captain will be Lee Dixon, the batsman who led Chester Boughton Hall to the National T20 title last season and Lee
assumes the captaincy for the inaugural Unicorns T20 tournament, with the first round games due to be staged at Filkins Lane.
Woods’ appointment to succeed schoolteacher James Duffy was sealed at a committee meeting which followed the AGM at the
Golden Pheasant, Plumley, on November 17.
The left arm spinner told The Cricket Paper: “I’ve loved captaining the side when standing in for James before. He and his
predecessor Andy Hall are probably the best captains I’ve played under, so I shall be trying to carry on with the way they have led
the side”.
A product of Cheshire Youth Cricket, Woods, now 26, added: “We’ve got a fantastic team spirit in Cheshire. We’re all good pals
having grown up and played cricket in the County League together until I moved away. A lot of time and effort goes into playing
Minor Counties cricket with a possible 30 days involved in a successful season, but the main thing we do is to ensure that
everyone enjoys the game”.
Hyde won the ECB Premier League title for the first time last season and will aim to do so again next summer even with a new
star spinner in Woods, who picked up five consecutive Yorkshire League titles at York and a second place finish in 2014.
100TH AGM. All officers were re-elected at the 100th AGM, namely: President John Pickup; Chairman David Bailey; Vice
chairman Jim Law; Secretary Derrick Hastings, Treasurer Keith McCuffie; Committee (for three year term): Elise Scrimgeour,
Rob Sproston, Chris Murphy.
The Treasurer reported a loss of £2,354 on 2013 when total income reached £47,938, of which £37,775 was an MCCA grant.
Expenditure of £50,292 was boosted by the £7,700 cost of playing the successful four day championship final at Wisbech to
which the MCCA contributed £5,000. Total reserves reached £87,376.
Mr. McGuffie said the financial situation improved in 2014 with a profit of £3,800 largely due to a donation of £5,000 from new
main sponsors Chess Telecomm.
Pre-season plans include a Training Camp and a warm-up game against the county’s Development XI
Cheshire President and County League Patron John Pickup, MBE has been re-elected Chairman of the Minor Counties Cricket
Association.
Cheshire fixtures in 2015
UNICORNS T20 TOURNAMENT (Sunday, first match at 10 a.m.)
May 31
Group comprising Cheshire, Shropshire,
Cumberland, Northumberland
Chester Boughton Hall
July 12
Finals Day
Banbury (Oxfordshire)
UNICORNS KNOCK-OUT TROPHY (Sunday, 11 a.m.)
April 19
Lincolnshire
Grantham
April 26
Shropshire
Nantwich
May 3
Cumberland
Kendal
May 17
Northumberland
Hyde
June 14
Quarter-finals
July 26
Semi-finals
TBA
Final
Wormsley
DUKES COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP West
June 7 – 9
Shropshire
June 21 – 23
Wales MC
July 5 – 7
Dorset
July 19 – 21
Cornwall
August 2 – 4
Berkshire
August 16 – 18
Herefordshire
September 6 – 9
Championship final
group (Sunday – Tuesday, 11 a.m.)
Whitchurch
Newport
Home: ground to be confirmed
St. Austell
Alderley Edge
Chester Boughton Hall
Ground of Eastern winners
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 5
NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE – AND BEYOND
LEAGUE Treasurer Chris Beckley has distributed a new order form to all clubs for 2015 cricket ball supplies. These need to be
returned to him by January 31 at the latest to enable the balls to be delivered at the pre-season meeting.
A balance of approximately £31,000 was reported at the November management committee meeting, with all clubs having paid t
subscriptions for 2014..
The League Sunday 3rd XI sections in 2015 will comprise a Premier Division, followed by East Divisions 1,2 and 3, West 1 and
Central 1 – six in total.
All good news at Toft
THE annual report presented by chairman Nigel Muirhead at the Toft AGM was full of glad tidings.
He outlined a healthy financial situation thanks partially to £30K mustered in one-off fund-raising.
There had been many on-field highlights including the 1st XI finishing a creditable third in the Premiership; the 2nd XI enjoying a
league and cup double, the 3rd XI were cup finalists, Over 40s overall winners, receiving the Aggregate and Most Improved Club
awards at the League Dinner while Jake Hancock was voted Premiership player of the year. It was hoped he would return in 2015.
Eight players had made representative appearances from England Under 19 to Lancashire 2nd and Cheshire age groups. There
were 180 juniors registered playing more than 90 games.
Close season plans included developing a BBQ area, a new kitchen/bar and a Michael Vaughan Social Evening. It is also hoped
to sign a new 30-year lease which will provide the emphasis for a plan to construct a new pavilion within the next five years.
Meanwhile the Chairman and archivist Jeff Tenner have produced a splendid colour report of 2014 activities on and off the field.
New Timperley skipper
NEW captain of Timperley is Craig Grindley, who succeeds the retired Steve Bramhall . Ian Grindley returns after a brief 12
months retirement to play under his brother.
Overseas all-rounder Matt Macquet is not returning after three successful seasons as he plans a University education. He is to be
replaced by prolific Nelson (New Zealand) opening batsman Daniel Cooper.
Cumbria fast bowler Curtley-Jack White is the top close season signing and will open the attack with Chris Page. White, 23,
made his Minor Counties debut for Cumberland in 2013 and has played most of his club cricket at Kendal. Mark Maddocks is to
captain the Over 40s XI.
Former Arsenal footballer Paul Merson will be guest speaker at the Sportsman’s Evening on February 3 with tickets available
from chairman Adam Horan at £35.
The already excellent second ground will be improved by the acquisition of double sight-screens purchased from the now defunct
Burnage club and an electronic scorebox.
Warrington replace Kyle Adams
WARRINGTON have replaced Aussie fast bowler Kyle Adams by signing fellow Melbourne-based paceman Nathan Green from
the Victoria Premier League. He will have to go some to do better than the popular Adams whose remarkable three-season return
was 87, a record 93 and 76 wickets – that’s 256 from 2012-14..
Skipper Richard Heaney reports that Adam Green, a left-hand batsman from Toft will also be playing at Walton Lea next season.
Adam scored 650 runs for Toft in 2nd and 2nd XI league cricket in 2013.
Top spots change hands at Oxton
AMONG changes to senior personnel at Oxton, John Fennah succeeds Mark Cashin as chairman and Andy Gibson becomes 1st
XI captain to replace Simon Stokes.
Remaining captains are: Ian Gauntlett (2nd XI), Dave Perry (3rd XI), John Mitchell (4th XI and Over 40s) and Dave
Grisenthwaite (Sunday XI). Phil Mathias retains a steady secretarial hand on the tiller.
Congleton as you were
GUY BAXENDALE continues the dual role of chairman and 2nd XI captain at Congleton who will be running only two teams in
2015. Remaining in office are 1st XI captain Paul Beaumont and secretary Alex French.
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 6
Nets and scorebox on Macc agenda
MACCLESFIELD are planning to relocate their net practice area. Improvement to the giant scorebox is also on agenda of hardworking chairman Simon Griffiths.
President’s Trophy is no more
THE League Cricket Conference President’s Trophy final last season between the North Yorks & South Durham League and the
North Staffs & South Cheshire League was declared void when Staffs declined to travel. At their September meeting at
Nantwich, the Conference finally agreed drop the competition which has been failing for several years.
Clubs are warned to steer clear of Cheetham Hill player Mahboob Shah who has been suspended by the Lancashire County
League until the 2016 season after being found guilty of assaulting another player.
Matt Parkinson calls it a day
CHRISTLETON’s faithful servant Matt Parkinson has hung up his boots after 15 years of top-class trundling. Kelsall-based Matt,
40, plans to devote more week-end time to his young family, but hopes to continue playing in Over 40s cricket, possibly at
Davenham.
Matt reports that repair work on the fire-hit pavilion is making good progress and should be completed by April, 2015.
Neville Kent sees Matt Begbie
STEPPING down after six years on the League Umpires panel is Neville Kent, who has taken a post in London and plans to
officiate in the Middlesex League in 2015.
Neville is currently in Australia to umpire in Sydney Grade cricket and has visited Bramhall’s overseas star Matt Begbie, who
was taken ill after arriving at his home at Ballarat, near Melbourne last September. Neville says Matt looked well and is in good
spirits, although still on medication and tires quickly. . He has taken up golf and plans to visit the UK on holiday next summer.
Neville has asked to stay on the Newsletter mailing list to keep in touch with Cheshire cricket.
Dave Downes stands down
DAVID DOWNES stands down as chairman at Bredbury St. Mark’s to help his recovery from a hip replacement operation. He is
succeeded by ECB coach Steve Amison. Graham Barlow, Geoff Mountford and Paul Wilkinson continue as 1st, 3rd and 4th XI
captains respectively, with Chreis Bailey succeeding the long-serving Daren Evans in charhe of 2nd XI affairs.
Woodford 40s interested
INTEREST in joining the League Over 40s section in 2016, are Woodford who could possibly replace any club who drop out
prior to the start of next season. Clubs who would like to arrange a 2015 mid-week friendly with Woodford - who already figure
in the League’s Third XI set-up - should contract secretary Mark Walker e-mail markwalker@ntlworld.com.
Welfare check
DOUBLING up as Cheshire Board and County League Welfare Officer, Andy Margeson has expressed himself ‘unhappy’ at the
way standards have slipped in some unnamed League clubs.
He claims that some have “taken their eye off the ball” over welfare and reminds them that they have a duty to ensure all relevant
officers are covered by the CRB system. He plans to check up during the 2015 season.
The Board are seeking an assistant Welfare Officer. Contact secretary David Sharp by December 31 on
davidsharp@cheshirecricketboard.co.uk
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 7
LANCS BACK AT SOUTHPORT
TOFT Over 40s regular and Southport & Birkdale CC chairman Tony Elwood is delighted that the Lancashire County Club are
returning to Trafalgar Road in 2015. They are to stage a 4-day county championship game against Derbyshire from Sunday Wednesday, May 24 – 27.
Tony says the usual hospitality packages will be available and he will be delighted to see his Cheshire friends at the match.
All other Lancashire county championship home matches are at Old Trafford, although the Red Rose men visit Glamorgan at
Colwyn Bay starting on July 19. Fifty-over Sunday League matches are exclusively at OT apart from Middlesex at Blackpool on
July 29 and Notts at Liverpool on August 4.
Cheshire Sixties enjoy Antigua tour
(…and are relieved at meeting Curtley Ambrose OFF the field)
CHESHIRE Over 60s regular Ian Brown reports tongue in check on the group’s recent 10-day tour to the idyllic Caribbean island
of Antigua:
“A party of 24 of us travelled, comprising 13 players plus umpire Barrie Burns, in the company of 10 wives and mistresses
Principal organiser was John Edwards with Irene Wilde disguised as Jim as day to day comptroller of activities. Andy Hurworth,
with his rich Merseyside navigational experience, assisted loosely. Ted Wiliams had scouted the island on previous visits and gave
rather more helpful guidance.
The playing strength was a mixture of Cheshire Sixties 1st and 2nd XI teamers (both defeated national finalists in September).
Our opponents were vaguely described as Antiguan ‘Masters’, but Richie Richardson and Andy Roberts did not play, thank
goodness. The opposition was mainly 40 plus which gave them an inbuilt advance and we were, in fact, ‘murdered’ as Bumble the Sixties’ National President – once famously opined.
Match details will follow once I dare re open the scorebook, having personally amassed just eight runs.
A flavour of what was to follow came in the second over of the tour which cost us three sixes and severely diminished our supply
of new balls. At least they were not lost in the Sir Vivian Richards Ground, although we played there on three later occasions and
improved each time, despite always fielding in the hottest part of the day. When I lost the toss in the final match my feeble plea to
be allowed to bat first brought the response “You came for sun, man, have some”.
Politicians meet
At the end of the last match there was a delightful exchange of goodies. We (mostly John Edwards and Bob Worsley) had
accumulated bags of spare kit which, I as Cheshire County League President, had the pleasure of handing to the Minister of Sport
and Tourism. The only politician we could offer was a committee member of Irby Working Men’s Club, although ‘working’ is a
generous term to ascribe to Hurworth.
Legendary Test player Curtley Ambrose had a chance meeting in St John’s with his nemesis Hurworth who had allegedly put
him to the sword when playing for Birkenhead Park against Chester Boughton Hall back in the 1990s. There are pictures of this
event and - we are assured - a scorebook to attest to an innings which included a six to the sightscreen off Mr. Ambrose (the one
behind first slip apparently). Mr. Ambrose had once also shared the new ball with Bob Yardley at Heywood. With these
connections confirmed, we went to the nearby casino to listen to the Great Man’s new career as a guitarist.
Socially the tour was a fantastic success, culminating in a mock wedding at our resort. The County League Umpires Association
will perhaps provide more details and pictures are available on demand.
Dr. Ahktar confirms that a number of us acquired a tolerance for rum punch which will shorten our lives. But it’s too late to
worry now”.
O Many thanks for that, Ian, don’t bother to send the scores, why spoil a good story?
Fancy playing in Menorca?
CHESHIRE Sixties’ all-rounder Ted Williams notifies Newsletter that Northern Nomads, a Merseyside-based cricket touring club,
are inviting players to join a trip to Menorca from October 9 –16, 2015.
The former Liverpool Competition chairman says six teams will be playing in the T20 style Menorca tournament which
celebrates their 30th anniversary (as MCC). Anyone interested – a Nomads player or not – should contact secretary Steve Gardner
on 0151 336 782. The week-long trip including flights and half board hotel accommodation, will cost £700 per person with a
£100 deposit required by January 31.
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER …8
DEATH OF NESTON’S HUGH SCHOFIELD
THE death occured aged 88 on November 30 of Neston stalwart William Hugh Schofield after a brief illness.
Born at Grosmont in Yorkshire, Hugh joined Neston after moving to Wirral, and captained the 3rd XI for many years
in the club’s Liverpool Competition days before becoming 2nd XI umpire when he served on the Merseyside Cricket
Umpires Association.
More recently he had been the club’s Ground Chairman, Fixture Secretary and representative on the County League
management committee until 2012..
His family consisted of daughter Patricia and three sons Greg, Jon and Mike, who have all played for Neston. The
scoreboard on the main ground at Parkgate is dedicated to Hugh.
For many years he was a keen follower and season-ticket holder at Everton Football Club.
A large congregation attended Hugh’s funeral at St. Winefride’s Church, Neston on Wednesday, December 10, when
Jon delivered a moving eulogy. This was followed by a wake in the Cranston Suite at the Cricket Club
A choice of Umpires’ courses
CHESHIRE Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association have arranged two courses to be held at
Oakmere Cricket Club in the New Year.
An ECB ACO Level 1 course over two days costing £40 is planned for Saturdays, February 14 and 21 from 9.30 a.m. to 4.45
p.m. This is aimed at men and women wanting to take up umpiring and who may be considering retiring from playing the game or
club officials wishing to learn the fundamentals up to Level 1.
Also on offer is a Level 1A course costing £35 on Sundays, March 1 and 8 from 9.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. This course is open to
anyone who has passed at the Level 1 and wishes to advance his or her qualification.
Both courses are being organised by Geoff Young, who can be contacted for fuller details on 01352 755 881 (mobile) or
curzon99@tiscali.co.uk (e-mail).
O The County League are also planning a Level 1 course aimed at candidates from the West of the county and Wirral. It is to be
held at Birkenhead School starting on Thursday, January 29. Contact Mark Turner tel. 07590 027 394 (mobile); or
bursar@birkenheadschool.co.uk (e-mail).
NEXT NEWSLETTER ISSUE …… LATE - JANUARY, 2015
Any club pr player with interesting stories, facts, figures, remarks, comments,
observations etc. should contact the undersigned
mike.t-b@virgin.net …..DECEMBER 18, 2014.