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Cheshire County Cricket League

2014 NEWSLETTER NO. 23: PRESENTATION DINNER ISSUE

Jeremy Coney charms 40th

League Dinner audienceFORMER New Zealand Test all-rounder Jeremy Coney received a standing ovation from an audience of more than 300 people attending the League’s 40th Presentation Dinner at The Mere on Friday, October 3. Coney now lives in Oxfordshire and is better known these days as a cricket television and radio commentator. He was introduced by MC Rob Sproston as the winner of 55 Test and 88 ODI caps during 14 years representing his country being named one of Wisden’s 1984 Players of the Year before being awarded the MBE for his services to the game in 1986. But he turned out to be much more than a set of statistics, giving an inspiring talk about his experiences in the game. Notably what is was really like “for a coward” to face the feared quartet of West Indian fast bowers Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall, Colin Croft - and Joel Garner, whom he described as being “an off-spinner” in comparison. However, he named Australia’ Jeff Thomson as the most feared fast bowler he ever faced. Coney had kind words for all the number 11 batsmen, especially those in his audience and modestly told the story of his last wicket partnership of 50 against Pakistan in 1985 when he and Ewan Chatfield earned their side a famous victory. He said: “Cricket reveals character. Every one of you has the ability to win games of cricket. When the chance comes, grab it and you will remember the day, possibly for ever.” After his 40 minute ‘chat’ Coney talked to many admirers and allowed himself to be photographed for many ‘selfies’ which have been doing the internet rounds. League chairman David Humpage commented: “Jeremy proved an excellent choice as speaker and ranks among the best we have had in recent years. What he had to say was delivered in such a charming and conversational style most of us were sorry when he sat down”. Other speakers included Urmston chairman Rob Arnold, who proposed a toast to the league and the evening was rounded off by comedian Rod Woodward.

Hyde’s ‘winning roll’ James Duffy stood in for absent Hyde captain Danny Berry after receiving the principal award of the evening, the Murray Smith Trophy as champions of the ECB Premier League for the first time. Duffy told his audience: “We had to go flat out to finish above Chester, who had such a remarkable season. Having been so near several times in the recent past, we weren’t sure of ourselves until we managed to get on a winning roll from mid-July. After losing six very good players last winter, the club replaced them with some fantastic additions who all came good”. Duffy, who revealed that he was stepping down as Cheshire captain in 2015, considered that the strength of the League – especially at the top level –was better than ever and hoped it could continue to improve and feed through into the county team. MC Sproston thanked main sponsors Vivio, whose reps filled a full table, also other backers Red Insure, Canterbury Sports, Reader’s and Delmar Press. He had a word for others responsible for the success of the evening, including his fellow members on the Dinner committee, also Geoff Wellsteed for gathering the trophies, Mike Talbot-Butler for the presentation script, Gary Dixon and Tony Morris for handling the draw and collection of monies and Jim Law for producing the colourful menu card. The multitude of awards were handed out by president Ian Brown, chairman David Humpage and umpires’ reps Ian Greensmith and John Lofthouse. The total number of people attending was more than 300, which included 270 from full and associate member clubs. Notable absentees were Brooklands, Cheadle Hulme, Grappenhall and Widnes. A record number of women were in the audience this year. Other guests included Cheshire Cricket Board chairman Peter Davies; Cheshire County Club senior officers John Pickup (president), David Bailey (chairman) and Derrick Hastings (secretary), Graham Coull, chairman of the TACS Cheshire League and Jim Rafferty, chairman of the Cheshire Alliance. DINNER NEWSLETTER: 2

Toft are Most Improved ClubTOFT were awarded the prestigious Henderson Rose Bowl at the Dinner as the League’s Most Improved Club. The trophy goes to the club considered to have made the greatest all-round improvement at all levels during the past 12 months. Toft’s comparative records were as follows: 2013 20141st XI 8th in ECB Premier League 3rd2nd XI 6th in Premier Division Champions (by 103 points).Aggregate table: 16th ChampionsSunday 3rd XI: 7th in Division One 5th in new Premier Division1st XI Cup: Eliminated in group Quarter-finalists2nd XI Cup: ` Winners Winners3rd XI Cup: Eliminated in group Defeated in finalOver 40s Second in group WinnersFair Play table: 23rd with mark of 3.76 18th @ 3.85Pitch average mark 30th @ 16.09 27th @ 16.27Outfield average mark: 22nd @ 18.36 23rd @ 18.55 Toft also produced the top run-scorers in 1st and 2nd XI premiership cricket (Josh Hancock and David Blackburn respectively); also the highest home-based Premier League wicket-taker (Jimmy Lomas). They have also had new roll-on roll-off covers delivered which will be in full use in 2O15. Toft were not the only club to make significant steps forward in 2014. Those mentioned in despatches are Cheadle, Chester Boughton Hall, Bramhall, Stockport, Macclesfield, Tattenhall and Hyde, not necessarily in that order. Well done one and all.

PHIL PRINCE WINS UMPIRES’ AWARDTHE award of the Terry Hill Memorial Shield as Umpire of the Year at the Presentation Dinner went to Phil Prince After playing League cricket at Cheadle and Didsbury, Phil decided to don the white coat in 2010 and quickly established himself as an outstanding umpire. Umpires & Scorers Association chairman Ian Greensmith comments: “I stood with Phil in his first Premier League game between Widnes and Hyde and both captains and I were extremely impressed with him when he handled the pressure of a close finish well. He has made rapid progress since then and attended Loughborough last winter when he passed his Level 3 exam”. Phil continued to do well in 2014 and was appointed by the ECB ACO to stand in the National Knock out regional final between Chorley and York and is expected to gain more major appointments in future.

Cheshire hosts in new T20 tournamentCHESHIRE are to host one of four area qualifying groups in a new Unicorns T20 tournament in 2015. This will be on Sunday, May 31 when they figure in a Northern group also involving Cumberland, Northumberland and Shropshire. The four group winners will go through to a Finals Day on July 12 on a midlands ground yet to be named. In the Unicorns Knock-out Trophy, Cheshire’s one-day fixtures (all Sundays) are:Lincolnshire away; April 19; Shropshire home, April 26; Cumberland away, May 3; Northumberland home, May 17. Grounds have yet to be selected. The quarter-finals are on June 24, the semi-finals on July 26 and the final on a date and ground to be arranged. In the Unicorns county championship, Cheshire’s three-day fixtures (all Sunday starts) are: Shropshire away, June 7 - 9; Wales away, June 21 - 23; Dorset home, July 5 - 7; Cornwall away, July 29 -31; Berkshire home, August 2 - 4; Herefordshire home, August 16 -18. Home and away grounds have yet to be decided. The divisional play-off will be on the Eastern winners’ ground on a September date TBA.

MATT BEGBIE TAKEN ILLPOPULAR Bramhall overseas player Matt Begbie was taken seriously ill on his return from the UK to Australia in mid-September and is undergoing specialist treatment in a Melbourne hospital. The news was given to people attending the League Presentation dinner by MC Rob Sproston. He added: “All of us who know and admire Matt will hope he makes a full recovery”.

DINNER NEWSLETTER: 3

Players of Year all from overseas – for last timeALL three winners of the 2014 season divisional Players of the Year awards hailed from overseas and were unable to collect their awards personally at the League Dinner. With the increasing dominance of Overseas players at all levels, the Cricket Committee have decided that, from 2015, voting should be for UK-based cricketers only For the record, in the voting by players over the last five seasons, the premier award has gone abroad once; the First Division trophy three tines and the Division Two prize also three times. Voting this season was a close run thing in the ECB Premiership, Toft opener JASON HANCOCK winning the Keith Belfield Memorial Trophy when he beat fellow Aussie Josh Henderson (Chester Boughton Hall) by one. A third player from Down Under, Bramhall’s Matt Begbie was third. The highest number of votes for a home-based player went to Chester skipper Lee Dixon, with 15. All clubs except Grappenhall took part, casting 121 votes as follows (o = overseas). 23 – o Jason Hancock (Toft) 22 – o Josh Henderson (CBH) 18 – o Matt Begbie (Bramhall) 15 – Lee Dixon (CBH) 8 – o Matt Hanna (Hyde); Matt Parkinson (Urmston) 6 – Mark Rowland (CBH) 3 – Jason Whittaker (Hyde); 2 – Danny Berry (Hyde); James Duffy (Hyde); Rob Jones (Toft); o G Fernando (Oxton); A Syddall (Urmstoin). 1 – Chris Ashling (Bowdon), o S. O’Brien (Alderley Edge); Toby Drummond (Toft), Warren Goodwin (CBH); Harry Killoran (CBH); Ollie Law (CBH); o Josh McClelland (Grappenhall); Adam Worrall (Alderley Edge).

DIVISION ONEMACCLESFIELD’S championship-winning, Melbourne-based skipper NICK ROSS was the overwhelming winner of the First Division’s Mark Alcroft Trophy, polling 58 out of 121 votes cast - virtually 50 per cent. Second with 15 votes was Oulton Park skipper Rick Moore. With Widnes opting not to return their ballot paper, the votes cast were divided among 15 players as follows: 58 – o Nick Ross (Macclesfield) 15 – Rick Moore (Oulton Park) 10 - o Chris Moore (Cheadle) 7 – Iroshan de Silva (Christleton) 5 – Nick Anderson, Dan Brown (Cheadle), Lou Bentley (Oulton Park) 4 – o Jon Burton (Cheadle Hulme), Tyrone Lawrence (Sale) 3 – Ifti Naseer (Christleton); 1 – Josh Beal (Didsbury); Jordie Gibbens (Middlewich); Andy Hards (Oulton Park); Steve Johnson (Christleton), Uzair Walters (Christleton).

DIVISION TWOANTIGUAN all-rounder WILDEN CORNWALL of Weaverham became the first to retain the Division Two Player of the Year award – the Mike Talbot-Butler Statuette. He did so by five votes from Warrington’s Aussie paceman Kyle Adams who was runners-up for the second year - in a poll which brought in 121 votes from 11 clubs. Adams has taken a remarkable 256 wickets in his three seasons at Walton Lea. Weaverham bowler Kevin Douglas, with 12 votes, was the highest placed home-grown player in fourth place. A total of 15 players collected votes as follows, with Heaton Mersey opting out: 35 – o Wilden Cornwall (Weaverham)30 – o Kyle Adams (Warrington)23 – o Josh Manning (Stockport)12- Kevin Douglas (Weaverham) 5 - Sam Shepherd (Northwich) 3 – Major Khan (Heaton Mersey), Ollie Williamson (Tattenhall) 2 – Jon Suckley (Alvanley), Ollie Thompson (Tattenhall) 1 – Mike Eley (Stockport); Tom Facer (Stockport); John Gibbon (Tattenhall); Tom Kidd (Stockport); Kevin Waterhouse (Weaverham); Jimmy Williams (Poynton).

HARRY KILLORAN BEST YOUNG PLAYERCHESTER Boughton Hall’s highly promising off-spinner Harry Killoran, 17. was presented with the John North Young Player of the Year award at the League Dinner. Harry had an outstanding season, taking 27 wickets in the Premier League, plus 17 more in Chester’s various cup successes. He also came to the notice of Derbyshire, joining their Academy and of the Cheshire selectors, being a regular member of their Unicorns championship and knock out cup teams. Other players who were considered by the Cricket Committee included Calum Turner (Urmston) who scored 630 Premier League runs and James Drimmond (Toft), who scored 428 runs, including a maiden century and joined the Lancashire Academy.

DINNER NEWSLETTER: 4

2014 FINAL TABLES (2013 placings in parenthesis)

ECB Premier League Won Tied WD RD LD A/C Lost Bat Bowl Pts.(25) (16) (3) (2) (1) (7)

1. HYDE (3) 14 0 1 0 2 4 1 19 12 4142. CHESTER BOUGH. HALL (1) 14 0 0 0 1 3 4 13 12 3973. *TOFT (8) 10 0 2 0 1 2 7 47 21 3374. *BRAMHALL ( - ) 10 0 0 1 1 4 6 17 24 3195. NESTON (2) 8 0 2 0 2 1 9 40 31 2866. ALDERLEY EDGE (4) 6 0 0 2 1 4 9 64 25 2697. GRAPPENHALL (6) 8 0 0 1 0 1 12 31 26 2668. NANTWICH (9) 7 0 1 2 0 5 7 26 19 2629. MARPLE (10) 7 0 1 0 2 4 8 23 32 26210. BOWDON (7) 6 0 2 0 0 3 11 26 33 236 11. URMSTON ( - ) 4 0 1 1 3 3 10 41 38 208 rel 12. *OXTON (5) 4 0 3 0 0 1 14 52 31 196 rel O Points deducted for slow over rates: Alderley Edge 3; Bramhall 3; Oxton 3; Toft 2.O Games played 132: won / lost 98 (74 pc); drawn 16 (12pc); abandoned/cancelled 18 (14pc).O Highest team total: Chester 320-8 dec. v Neston; lowest total: Oxton 43 v Bowdon. O Team totals of 250 plus: 15; totals of 75 or less: 4. First Division Won Tied WD RD LD A/C Lost Bat Bowl Pts.1. MACCLESFIELD ( - ) 14 0 0 1 1 4 2 15 11 407 prom2. CHEADLE (7) 13 0 0 0 0 7 2 1 8 383 prom 3. DIDSBURY ( - ) 11 0 2 1 0 5 3 24 21 3634. SALE (6) 11 0 2 0 1 4 4 30 13 3535. OULTON PARK (4) 10 0 1 0 2 4 5 24 23 3306. TIMPERLEY ( - ) 8 0 0 2 1 4 7 41 24 2987. CHEADLE HULME (3) 7 0 0 0 1 4 10 32 30 2668. DAVENHAM ( - ) 6 0 1 0 0 6 9 30 18 2439. MIDDLEWICH (10) 4 0 1 0 1 5 11 32 29 20010. CHRISTLETON (8) 3 0 1 0 1 5 12 54 32 200 11. WIDNES (5) 1 0 2 1 0 6 12 67 32 174 rel12. BROOKLANDS (9) 2 0 1 0 3 3 13 39 30 146 rel O Games played: 132; won / lost 90 (68pc); drawn 13 (10 pc); abandoned / cancelled 29 (22 pc). O Highest team total: Didsbury 306 v Timperley; lowest total Davenham 40 v Sale. O Team totals of 250 plus: 14; totals of 75 or less: 5. Second Division Won Tied WD RD LD A/C Lost Bat Bowl Pts. 1. WEAVERHAM (8) 15 0 3 0 1 1 2 28 21 441 prom2. TATTENHALL (4) 12 0 5 1 1 2 1 48 23 403 prom 3. STOCKPORT (3) 10 0 2 1 4 3 2 39 25 3474. ALVANLEY (10) 10 0 3 1 2 2 4 42 15 3345. *WARRINGTON (5) 6 1 3 1 1 3 7 47 35 2786. UPTON (-) 7 0 1 1 0 2 11 44 29 2677. CONGLETON (6) 7 0 0 3 1 1 10 34 32 2558. BREDBURY ST. MK. (-) 7 0 1 0 3 2 9 29 30 2549. NORTHWICH (-) 6 0 0 2 2 4 8 29 25 23810. IRBY (9) _ 4 0 1 0 2 2 13 56 44 219 11. *HEATON MERSEY (-) 3 1 1 1 1 5 10 40 29 197 rel 12. POYNTON (7) 3 0 0 0 2 4 13 25 28 158 rel O Heaton Mersey and Poynton are relegated to TACS Partnership Cheshire League. O Points deducted for slow over rates: Heaton Mersey 4, Warrington 3. O Games played: 132; won / lost 90 (68 pc); tied 1 (0.5 pc); drawn 26 (20pc); abandoned / cancelled 15 (11.5pc). O Highest team total: Congleton 331-3 v Poynton; lowest total: Northwich 31 v Weaverham. O Team totals of 250 plus: 7; totals of 75 or less: 9.

WTB DINNER NEWSLETTER: 5

Mobberley and Bolly back in fold

MOBBERLEY will return to the County League in 2015 after an absence of three years together with Bollington, after one season’s absence, following their success in taking the top two positions in the First Division of the TACS Partnership Cheshire League.FINAL PLACINGS

P W D AB L Bat Bowl Total pts.MOBBERLEY 22 13 3 4 2 23 21 413BOLLINGTON 22 15 1 3 3 6 9 398 ASHTON on MERSEY 22 12 5 3 2 49 35 390ROMILEY 22 9 6 4 3 66 32 363STOCKPORT GEORGIANS 22 10 2 4 6 36 29 332RUNCORN 22 9 2 5 6 39 30 313MALPAS 22 5 7 3 7 77 48 275LINDOW 22 4 4 4 10 61 42 234PRESTBURY 22 4 1 5 12 45 35 217HALE BARNS 22 4 4 2 12 59 45 216 CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS 22 4 3 3 12 53 29 199OAKMERE 22 1 4 2 15 52 65 159 O Chester County Officers and Oakmere relegated to Division Two. O Disley and Barrow promoted from Division Two to One. O Langley and Cholmondeley relegated from Division Two to Three. O Stockport Trinity and new club Haslington promoted from Division Three to Two O Pott Shrigley and Trafford MV relegated to Cheshire Alliance. O Port Sunlight and Wilmslow promoted from Cheshire Alliance OTHER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS:BIMINGHAM: West Bromwich DartmouthBRADFORD: CleckheatonCENTRAL LANCASHIRE: NordenCORNWALL: St JustDERBYSHIRE PREMIER: Ockbrook & BorrowashDERBYSHIRE & CHESHIRE: Hawk GreenEAST ANGLIAN: SwardestonESSEX: ChingfordHOME COUNTIES: HanleyLANCASHIRE: LowerhouseLANCASHIRE COUNTY: Denton West.LEICESTERSHIRE: LoughboroughLINCOLNSHIRE: BourneLIVERPOOL COMPETITION: OrmskirkMIDDLESEX: TeddingtonNORTH-EAST: South NorthumberlandNORTH STAFFS & SOUTH-CHESHIRE: StoneNORTH WALES: Menai BridgeNORTH YORKS & SOUTH DURHAM: DarlingtonNORTHANTS: Peterborough TownNORTHERN: BlackpoolNOTTS: CuckneyPALACE SHIELD: Vernon CarusRIBBLESDALE: ClitheroeSADDLEWORTH: GlodwickSURREY CHAMPIONSHIP: Reigate PriorySUSSEX: RoffeyYORKSHIRE: Yorkshire AcademyO Sandiacre Town (Derbyshire Premier) beat Sunbury (Surrey Championship) in the final of the Royal London National Club knock-out which was played on the Gloucestershire county ground at Bristol. DINNER NEWSLETTER: 6

Cheshire Sixties lose two finalsCHESHIRE’s Over 60 team lost a vital toss when they met Essex in the final of the Seevent National championship at Great Oakley, near Corby, on Tuesday, September 15. They arrived for an early start and found the ground enveloped in mist, lost the toss and had to struggle on a seamer-friendly pitch against good bowling. they mustered only 146-7 from their 45 overs, Steve Yates 31, Howard Morris 26 not out, Colin Norbury 20.

The sun then came out, the pitch flattened and Essex were able to profit from the easier conditions replying with 147-3 from 34 overs to win by three wickets. Howard Morris took 2-29 and Andy Hayes 1-33. A similar picture emerged when Cheshire met Sussex in the Over 60s 2nd XI National championship final at Wellingborough on Thursday, September 17. There was another early start which saw Cheshire put in and struggleto put together 115-9 from their 45 overs (Andy Hurworth 41, Powell 36). Sussex replied with a comfortable 116-1 from 30 overs to win by nine wickets. O A party of Over 60s players have arranged a five-match tour to Antigua in November when they will play five matches, including one on the new Sir Viv Richards Arena where England will be appearing in a Test match next May.RECRUITS NEEDEDAt the end of a successful season, Cheshire Vets teams of both 50s and 60s age groups will welcome recruits to their ranks in 2015, giving players the chance to turn out against other counties on grounds they may have never visited while enjoying the company of like –minded colleagues. The teams are not restricted to male players and women would be welcomed to join them. For further information about the Over 60s contact Andy Hurworth 077652 72691; e-mail: vihurworth@btinternet.com.Over 50s contact is Paul Freedman: tels. 01606 550 770 or 07799 621 120; e-mail paulfreedmanifa@aol.com O Paul Freedman invites anyone interested in attending the Veterans’ 25 th anniversary dinner at Chester Boughton Hall on Friday, October 24 to contact him as above. Tickets cost £25.

Final pitch & outfield marks for September 13Premier LeagueAlderley Edge v Toft: pitch 17; outfield 18.Bowdon v Nantwich: 14 – 19;Bramhall v Neston: 16 – 20;Chester v Oxton: 20 – 20 (full house)Grappenhall v Urmston: 15 – 19;Hyde v Marple: 18 – 20.First Division: Cheadle v Widnes: 18 – 20;Cheadle Hulme v Sale: 15 – 18;Didsbury v Davenham: NOT RECEIVEDMiddlewich v Macclesfield: NOT RECEIVEDOulton Park v Christleton: 19 – 19;Timperley v Brooklands 16 – 20Second DivisionAlvanley v Warrington : NOT RECEIVEDCongleton v Poynton: 19 – 19;Heaton Mersey v Tattenhall: 20 – 20 (full house);Stockport v Bredbury: 17 – 20;Upton v Irby: 16 – 18;Weaverham v Northwich 17 – 19.O The following captains failed to submit Umpires’ marks for the final day’s games: Urmston; Widnes; Heaton Mersey; Northwich.

MEETINGS FOR YOUR DAIRYO A Special meeting of Over Forties club reps will be held at Warrington Sports Club on Wednesday, October 15 (7 p.m.) to discuss 2014 problems and map out a programme for 2015. Alsager Dabbers have resigned, but Chester Boughton Hall have indicated that they will be continuing. Any clubs who plan to withdraw, merge or enter should contact the Competition Secretary soonest and in any case prior to the meeting.

O Third XI club reps should attend a similar Special meeting Warrington, also on Wednesday, October 15 at 8 pm. Any clubs / teams wishing to withdraw or enter for 2015 should contact League secretary Geoff Wellsteed, preferably in advance of the meeting, although October 15 is not the cut off date. Wilmslow Wayfarers 3rd will be applying for admission to the Saturday set up, while Sale 3rd (playing at Sale Moor) have resigned from the Saturday section and Widnes 3rd from Sunday section cricket.

DINNER NEWSLETTER: 7

Alvanley are Most Sporting TeamWINNERS of the Eddie Howard Memorial Fair Play Shield as the Most Sporting Team in 2014 are the progressive Second Division club Alvanley, who averaged a mark of four (maximum 5) for the whole season. This compared with their lowly 26th equal placing in 2013. The winners were followed in joint second place by Cheadle Hulme, Christleton and Macclesfield, all with an average 3.97 The biggest improvements were made by relegated Widnes, up from 26 to fifth, Congleton 25th to seventh and Warrington 24th to ninth. Those who fell away included relegated Heaton Mersey from top equal to 30th and Stockport 11th to 29th.

Five of the 11 lowest marks were given to ECB Premiership clubs and relegated Oxton wound up bottom of the table for the second successive season This is how panel umpires rated the clubs in their reports to co-ordinator John Lofthouse after matches played during the 2014 season. (Figures in parenthesis are 2013 placings):

1. average mark 4 Alvanley (26=)2= 3.97 Cheadle Hulme (3=); Christleton (3=); Macclesfield (13)5= 3.94 Poynton (7); Widnes (26=)7= 3.93 Bredbury St. Mark’s (1=); Congleton (25)9= 3.92 Bramhall (8); Sale (11=); Warrington (24); 12. 3.91 Tattenhall (9=)13. 3.87 Bowdon (14=)14= 3.86 Hyde (6); Marple (19=); Neston (26=); Oulton Park (3=)18. 3.85 Toft (23)19. 3.84 Brooklands (14=)20. 3.83 Irby ( 24=)21= 3.81 Cheadle (14=); Grappenhall (22); Middlewich (19=)24= 3.79 Didsbury (32=); Weaverham (26=)26= 3.75 Alderley Edge (19); Upton ( - ); Urmston (9=); 29. 3.73 Stockport (11=)30= 3.68 Chester Boughton Hall (31); Heaton Mersey (1=)32. 3.59 Nantwich (35)33. 3.58 Northwich ( - )34. 3.56 Davenham (32=)35. 3.53 Timperley (24)36. 3.29 Oxton (36).

STEPHEN BRAMHALL CALLS IT A DAYAfTER claiming his 600th victim in the last match of the season for Timperley against Brooklands, the League’s finest-ever wicket-keeper Stephen Bramhall has put away is gloves. During a brilliant career, ‘Bram’ played for Grappenhall, Cheadle Hulme, Bowdon, Macclesfield and Timperley from 1990- 2014, also spending time on the staffs at Lancashire and Notts. Before the start of 2014 he had taken 369 catches and 224 stumpings totalling 593 victims. He rarely kept last season, but with 598 to his name donned the gloves in the final game to bring his tally to 600 with a last man dismissal of Brooklands’ Chris Potter. Says he: “I’ve literally loved every minute of it; but now it’s time to spend time with the family”.

AGE GROUP CRICKET IN 2015THE League are going ahead with plans to launch a mid-week, regionalised T20 or 40 overs competition for players up to the age of 21 next season. The Junior section’s Jane Williams (janecricket.1@gmail.com) has volunteered to organise the competition, details of which will be devised shortly. The intention is to provide cricket for school leavers and / or university students during the holiday period from mid-July to the end of August. The competition is not intended to cut across the demands of well-established County League cricket or to interfere with Under 18 leagues like the popular North Cheshire Junior Cricket Association or the South Manchester Junior League and is expected there will be close liaison. l VALE ROYAL INDOOR LEAGUE THE new Vale Royal Indoor League season was due to begin on Tuesday, October 6 with nine clubs taking part: Alvanley, Christleton, Davenham, Kingsley, Oulton Park, Toft, Weaverham, Winnington Park and newcomers Crewe Vagrants. Chester, Knutsford, Runcorn and Winsford had to be turned away due to lack of time available to hire at St. Nicholas High School, Hartford. Four fixtures a week are played on Mondays (2), Tuesdays (1) and Wednesdays (1), organised by Andy Bennion and Peter Robinson. Results, fixtures and other information are available on the excellent website valeroyal-icl.co.uk

DINNER 13 NEWSLETTER: 8

Aggregate placingsTOFT topped Stockport by 19 points after their final League matches games on September 13 to win the Sandy Scrimgeour Aggregate Bowl (1st and 2nd XI points combined). Toft had won the title five times previously in 1989-91-92-93-96. In 2013 they finished 16th, with Stockport seventhFINAL TABLE

1st XIs 2nd XIs Total pts. 1. TOFT 331 421 7522. STOCKPORT 347 386 733

3. MACCLESFIELD 407 306 7134 BRAMHALL 319 389 7085. TATTENHALL 403 303 7066. UPTON 267 423 6907. HYDE 414 275 6898. CHESTER BO. HALL 397 290 6879. DIDSBURY 363 318 68110. WEAVERHAM 441 224 66511. CHEADLE HULME 266 395 66112. CHEADLE 383 276 65913 SALE 353 265 61814 WARRINGTON 278 338 61615 HEATON MERSEY 197 407 60416 MARPLE 262 278 59017 OULTON PARK 330 243 57318 ALVANLEY 334 236 57019 NESTON 286 278 56420. MIDDLEWICH 200 338 538 21. DAVENHAM 243 293 53622 TIMPERLEY 298 231 52923 BOWDON 236 253 48924. URMSTON 208 270 47825 ALDERLEY EDGE 269 208 47726 GRAPPENHALL 266 207 47327 NORTHWICH 238 223 46128=CONGLETON 255 190 44528=IRBY 219 226 44530. BROOKLANDS 146 286 43231. OXTON 196 235 43132 CHRISTLETON 200 230 43033 NANTWICH 262 158 42034 BREDBURY ST. MK 254 105 35935 WIDNES 174 172 34636 POYNTON 158 164 322

Rick Moore joins ChesterOULTON Park and Cheshire all-rounder Rick Moore is to play for Chester Boughton Hall in 2015. In a full-length article in the final 2014 issue of The Cricket Paper, Rick says he is looking forward to the challenge of playing Premier League cricket alongside Cheshire county colleagues Lee Dixon, Warren Goodwin, Jack Williams and Harry Killoran. Apart from scoring 801 First Division runs for Oulton last season, Rick had an outstanding record in Unicorns counties cricket with 911 runs and 18 wickets. Not in the Chester line-up in 2015 will be Lancashire all-rounder Jordan ClarkO EXECUTIVE producer of the popular BBC tv programme “A Question of Sport” Gareth Edwards has stood down as skipper at Bowdon. . This follows his decision to move from Altrincham to live at BuryO POPULAR umpires panellist Chris Smith will be literally standing down in 2015 to devote even more energy to captaining the newly-promoted Alderley Edge 3rd XI. O NESTON all-rounder Richard Wilkinson is expected to return to Alderley Edge, one of his former clubs. Neston will also be without the services of retiring duo Jack Smith and Chris Finegan. O NORTHWICH captain Mark Walker has had a suspension reduced from six weeks to three on appeal. A total of 14 suspensions were imposed in 2014, plus four cautions, figures which show an increase on 2013.

DINNER NEWSLETTER: 9

Leading averages in 2014THE following are the leading 10 batsmen and bowlers in the 2014 averages for each division. A full list of qualifiers and all other divisional averages will appear in the new-look handbook in April next year. All the figures below are subject to correction. ECB PREMIER LEAGUE: BATTING (* = not out; o = overseas; c = county contracted; qualification 10 inns. average 25)

Inns. Not out Highest Total 50s 100s Average R. JONES (Toft) 15 5 112 615 5 1 61.50

oJ. HANCOCK (Toft) 20 4 123* 919 5 2 57.43o M. BEGBIE (Bramhall) 18 2 134 850 8 1 53.12c L LIVINGSTONE (Nantwich) 16 2 135 626 5 1 53.12D. BERRY (Hyde) 16 3 96 570 5 0 43.84R. WILKINSON (Neston) 15 5 91* 436 2 - 43.60c J. CLARK (Chester Boughton Hall) 11 1 88 404 4 - 40.40C TIPPER (Hyde) 17 4 111 505 3 1 38.84A. WORRALL (Alderley Edge) 16 2 134* 526 3 1 37.57C TURNER (Urmston) 19 2 87* 638 4 - 37.52O 34 batsmen had an average of 25 or over (60 in 2013).O No batsmen scored 1,000 runs (2 in 2013). O 13 batsmen scored 500 runs or more (32 in 2013)O 19 centuries were scored (36 in 2013). Hancock (Toft) was the only batsman to score more than one. O Highest individual score: A. Turrell (Urmston) 143* v Oxton.

ECB PREMIER LEAGUE BOWLINGOvers Maidens Runs Wickets BB 5 wickets Average

O. GRIFFITHS (Nantwich) 162 46 368 31 7-29 2 11.87 o J HENDERSON (Chester Bo. Hall) 245 48 845 61 7-22 6 13.82G. QUERL (Oxton) 203 46 540 38 7-64 4 14.21M TULLY (Bowdon) 144 24 496 32 6-6 3 15.50J. WILLIAMS (Chester Bo. Hall) 146 26 543 33 6-15 2 16.45S. WILKIINSON (Bramhall) 273 47 891 54 7-43 4 16.50oM HANNA (Hyde) 304 70 1,096 64 7-35 4 17.12J. WHITTAKER (Hyde) 280 62 939 54 6-53 4 17.38C. ASHLING (Bowdon) 254 46 785 45 6-63 3 17.44R. WILKINSON (Neston) 160 29 559 32 6-37 1 17.46O 29 bowlers qualified for the averages (32 in 2013).O Seven bowlers took 50 wickets or more (seven also in 2013).O There were 36 analyses of six wickets or more (25 in 2013). Most by J. Henderson (CBH), 4. O Most overs were bowled by J. Lomas (Toft), 307.O Best bowling analysis: M. Parkinson (Urmston) 8-86 v Hyde. FIRST DIVISION BATTING

Inns. Not out Highest Total 50s 100s AverageoN ROSS (Macclesfield) 19 6 122 1,000 9 2 76.92N. ANDERSON (Didsbury) 17 7 144* 613 4 1 61.30R. MOORE (Oulton Park) 18 3 165* 801 4 2 53.40D. NAUGHTON (Widnes) 13 2 122* 529 1 2 48.09J. BEAL (Didsbury) 15 1 114 640 4 1 45.71D. BROWN (Cheadle) 14 3 103* 453 3 - 41.18G. DIXON (Cheadle) 16 4 88* 492 4 - 41.00S. MOORE (Widnes) 12 2 95 406 4 - 40.60I. DE SILVA (Christleton) 18 3 100 568 4 1 37.86L BENTLEY (Oulton Park) 14 1 91 467 5 1- 35.92O 27 batsmen had an average of 25 or over (32 in 2013).O N. Ross (Macclesfield) was the only League batsman to score 1,000 runs.O 8 batsmen scored 500 runs or more (31 in 2013).O 19 centuries were scored (28 in 2013). Most by N. Ross and R. Moore (Oulton Park), 2 each. O Highest individual score: R. Moore 165* v Brooklands.

DINNER NEWSLETTER: 10 FIRST DIVISION BOWLING

Overs Maidens Runs Wickets BB 5 wickets Avge.O C. MOORE (Cheadle) 221 62 814 51 8-32 5 10.14D. HANCOCK (Davenham) 185 45 589 51 8-69 4 11.54P. SPERRING (Cheadle) 122 36 386 32 6-38 2 12.06W HOLMES (Cheadle) 138 32 460 35 5-26 3 13.14C PAGE (Timperley) 144 29 478 37 6-56 2 12.91N ANDERSON (Didsbury) 187 29 573 44 7-28 1 13.02R. HALKON (Sale) 199 50 560 42 7-9 4 13.33J. FAWCETT (Didsbury) 167 33 466 34 5-57 1 13.70OT. HYSLOP (Oulton Park) 127 24 457 32 5-31 3 14.28o J. BURTON (Cheadle Hulme) 288 66 970 65 7-34 6 14.92O 16 bowlers qualified for the averages (29 in 2013).

O 4 bowlers took 50 wickets or more (6 in 2013)O There were 25 analyses of six wickets or more (22 in 2013)O Best bowling analysis: C. Moore (Cheadle) 8-32 on debut v Sale. SECOND DIVISION BATTING

Inns. not out Highest Total 50s 100s AverageO. THOMPSON (Tattenhall) 19 4 105* 831 6 2 55.40OW. CORNWALL (Weaverham) 17 2 117 759 3 3 50.60J. LEWIS (Weaverham) 15 6 74* 445 5 - 49.44T. KIDD (Stockport) 16 4 132* 523 2 1 43.58oK ADAMS (Warrington) 13 6 42* 261 - - 37.28C. KIRBY (Warrington) 16 2 73* 481 3 0 34.35oD. POWER (Tattenhall) 21 3 93 617 5 - 34.27D. NEWMAN (Irby) 19 1 70 596 4 - 33.11H. RASHID (Heaton Mersey) 16 2 72 463 5 - 33.07oM. STRETCH (Congleton) 21 3 151* 563 1 2 32.38O 26 batsmen had an average of 25 or over (29 in 2013)O 9 batsmen scored 500 runs or more (19 in 2013).O 15 centuries scored (nine in 2013). Most by W. Cornwall (Weaverham) 3. O Highest individual score: oM. Stretch (Congleton) 151* v Poynton. SECOND DIVISION BOWLING

Overs Maidens Runs Wickets BB 5 wickets AverageK. DOUGLAS (Weaverham) 122 41 281 28 6-21 2 10.03M CLARKE (Weaverham) 110 29 313 30 5-8 1 10.43S. SHEPHERD (Northwich) 214 45 630 59 8-29 6 10.67o J. MANNING (Stockport) 117 24 333 30 6-54 2 11.10oW CORNWALL (Weaverham) 209 39 651 52 7-46 3 12.51R McMILLAN (Weaverham) 161 38 408 32 4-36 12.75oK ADAMS (Warrington) 323 761 789 76 7-25 6 13.01J. DUNLEY (Stockport) 146 37 383 28 5-16 1 13.67O WILLIAMSON (Tattenhall) 164 41 457 33 60-34 3 13.84K.WATERHOUSE (Weaverham) 116 30 372 26 8-20 1 14.30O 27 bowlers qualified for the averages (31 in 2013)O 4 bowlers took 50 wickets or more (seven in 2013)O There were 26 hauls of six wickets or more (24 in 2013)O Best bowling analysis: K. Waterhouse (Weaverham) 8-20 v Northwich,

Best Pitch & Outfield marksBEST Pitch marks during the 2014 season were attained by Christleton with an average of 18.71 (maximum 20). Others with average returns of 18 and above were: 2. Chester Boughton Hall 18.57; 3. Middlewich 18.29; 4. Didsbury 18.20; 5. Alvanley 18.10; 6. Tattenhall 18. Lowest marks: 35. Poynton 14.67; 36. Northwich 14.55. Bramhall achieved a perfect mark of 20 for their Church Lane Outfield. They were closely followed by 2. Neston 19.89, 3. relegated Heaton Mersey 19.88; 4. Christleton 19.86; 5. Tattenhall 19.70. 6= Middlewich, Urmston 19.50. Lowest marks: 35. Brooklands 17.36; 36. Poynton 16.78.

DINNER NEWSLETTER: 11

JUNIOR SECTION AGMTHE League Junior Section Annual Meeting is to be held at Warrington Sports Club on Sunday, October 12, starting at 5.30 p.m. All full and associate member clubs have been circularised by secretary David Vallance, who urges a full attendance to consider many important agenda items. David Vallance contact tel. is 07889 495 076. O The next League Management Committee meetings are on Wednesday, November 19 at Timperley and Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Bowdon, which doubles up as the AGM.

10 Years AgoHighlights from the October, 2004 issue of Newsletter

GARY YATES became the first cricketer to win the ECB Premiership Player of the Year award two seasons running at the League’s 30 th Presentation Dinner at Mere Golf & Country Club. Yates scored 491 runs and took 64 wickets to help Bowdon complete a hat-trick of titles. He was to enjoy a benefit at Old Trafford in 2005. The scorer of 934 runs with four league and cup centuries, Warrington skipper Malcolm Agar won the Division One award. Aussie Peter Manser won the Division Two trophy taking a divisional record 70 wickets to help Cheadle win Division Two – their first honour since founder membership in 1975. Hyde’s left arm pace bowler Tom Young, who took 50 league wickets, was named Young Player of the Year. Tom helped the League win the North-West Colts Trophy and also appeared for Lancashire 2nd. Other winners included: Performance of Month award – Robin Fisher (Chester); Most Improved club - Christleton; Eddie Howard Fair P lay Shield - Upton; Aggregate Trophy – Oulton Park. Speaker at the dinner attended by 270 people was David Kendall ‘The Bank Manager from York’

FORMER Brooklands batsman Mark Chilton, 28, was named Lancashire’s captain for 2005. He was to succeed Warren Hegg who took over from ex-Warrington player John Crawley when he moved to Hampshire in 2001.

BURNAGE and Sale were admitted to the League for the 2005 season replacing relegated Weaverham and Stockport Georgians. Didsbury decided not to re-apply for a further vacancy in the Central Lancashire League after losing out to Monton & Weaste in 2004.

THE deaths were reported of three former League stalwarts namely Denis Ridyard (Poynton), Len Thompson (Cheadle Hulme) and Vice President Jack Eastaway (Winnington Park).

PRESIDENT of the League in 2005 / 2006 was to be Garry Hambleton, currently chairman of Cheadle Hulme, a post formerly occupied by his predecessor the late Douglas Bourne.

1st and 2nd XI fixtures for the 2015 season (April 18 – September 13) will be issued ASAP. Clubs are asked to notify the Competition Secretary of any special dates (mid-summer balls, archery

etc.) so they can be integrated, as will Cheshire fixtures when home venues are known

THE NEXT NEWSLETTER IN MID – NOVEMBER WILL INCLUDE A DIARY ACCOUNT OF HIS BOTSWANA TOUR BY SKIPPER TOBY DRUMMOND, OF TOFT

mike.t-b@virgin.net …..October 6, 2014.