Where to start a review of the 2009 Cricket Season, particularly when
your first (and probably only) effort following on from our League President who has completed approximately 35 of these annual reviews.
I suppose we should start from the perspective of each of our 14 Member Clubs, all of them undoubtedly looking forward with great optimism as the date of the first match of the fixture calendar looms large. However in this instance I am starting my review somewhat earlier in the year, as Clubs were obliged to struggle to understand and comply with the continued moving goalposts of the new Managed Migration Scheme - Overseas Professionals to use my shorthand.
Despite the best efforts of the League to assist Clubs with information and practical advice which included inviting the Secretary of the League Cricket Conference (who had been involved in many discussions and debates with the ECB) to address all our Member Clubs — it was dear that there would continue to be difficulties for Clubs seeking to employ an Overseas Professional in 2009 as many of the “rules & regs” which would apply to us as Recreational Clubs had not been drafted or agreed never mind set in stone. Hence Clubs wishing to sign an Overseas Professional for the upcoming season would find themselves enmeshed in administrative rigmaroles and nightmares, jumping through as well as in and out of hoops over many weeks and months to secure the Professional they required. In some cases Clubs just simply gave up after weeks of delays and headaches, changed course and stayed homegrown. Maybe this was all part of the overall scheme by the ECB, a cunning Baldzickesque plan (or should it be Gattingesque) to “persuade” Clubs at our so called “Recreational” level to employ only home based Professionals. I think we’re entitled to respond to the ex-England Cricket Captain, and any others who share his views - Get your own house in order at 1st Class Level before you start telling “Recreational” cricket who we should or should not employ in our own Clubs as a Club Professional.
Those of us involved in Recreational cricket, be it at League level or Club level, understand what is required from us - 1) to provide a safe and fun environment for youngsters to enjoy and learn cricket - 2) to provide resources and facilities which will enable players to improve their abilities so as to have the opportunity of reaching the highest standards possible- 3) to try to produce players of sufficient ability to progress to the County system and County Standard.
At that stage our “responsibilities” in this area are passed onto the various County Boards to develop these players further into hopefully 1st Class and Test standard players.
League Clubs up and down the country continue to provide all Counties with plenty of the raw materials i.e. players - and with the greatest respect to Mr Gatting and others, he and they would be better served addressing the issue of Overseas Professionals at County level rather than at Recreational level — at least at our level we only employ one Overseas player, and that one player not only plays but helps to inspire and coach our young players — so helping to maintain the “raw material” cycle to Counties.
Ii is not my intention in this 2009 Season Review to cover every single match or every single Club or individual statistic, but to merely give a flavour of the Season as a whole. Anyone who wants to know more about individual matches or performances can check out Paul Rayment’s excellent website or contact our League Statistician Stephen Merry.
I said earlier that all 14 Clubs would doubtless be looking forward, with varying degrees of optimism, to the upcoming season — I doubt if any Club was anticipating the Season more than Walkden CC who in 2008 swept all before them, winning almost every Competition they entered and starting the 2009 season as Lancashire Knockout Champions and looking to become only the 2nd Club in BCL history to win 4 successive League Championship Titles. Who would be capable of stopping them - Farnworth. Greenmount and Egerton all looked strong arid were deemed favourites to push Walkden for Honours - FSC with a strengthening of their amateur ranks and welcoming the return of David Parkinson as Professional would clearly be possible contenders - Eagley and Horwich both had match winners in their respective line-ups but could they maintain a season-long challenge? Tonge, Bradshaw and Heaton would doubtless be delighted to get near to LKO place at season end, whilst much would depend on new West Indian Professional Jonathan Carter at Kearsley and Waqar Ahmed at Little Lever CC. For Westhoughton. Their anticipation was not just confined to playing; theirs would be a momentous season as their plans for a new ground would come to fruition (more of this later). Whilst at Astley Bridge much would hinge on their signing of Australian Tim Paine as Professional - unfortunately for them he was to do so well at home for both his State and Australia A that when injury hit the touring Aussies in their quest for the Ashes, the nearest we all got to seeing Tim Paine was on the TV rather than playing for ABCC - which was a great pity for all of us wanting to see top class Professionals in the League and of course a huge disappointment to ABCC as on the TV evidence he looked a very good player indeed. How many future County prospects might he have helped inspire in his playing and coaching role at Astley Bridge - oh dear, don’t let me go down that road again!!!
Included in any review of a Cricket Season must be thanks and credit to the countless people who strive to improve their Clubs and Cricket in general, even though their own playing days may have long since past. In the BCL we are fortunate indeed to have so many people who fall into this category and the League are enormously grateful to all of you for your continued efforts. However, in 2009 we were delighted to see 3 of our Lila Members receive National recognition for their Immense contribution to cricket:May Barlow - after a lifetime, and I really do mean a lifetime’s service to Little Lever CC in particular but to Cricket in general throughout our area received Awards from both the ECB and LCB. Congratulations too to May’s husband Eric who was the 2009 recipient of the Hubert Pendlebury award for services to cricket.
John Roberts - associated with Tonge CC and the BCL man and boy, as both amateur player and professional. As a Coach stretching over several decades and still continuing today. John has helped develop and inspire literally thousands of youngsters to enjoy, participate and learn the game of cricket - there could be no more deserving recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award than John Roberts.
David Morris — our newest Life Member received National recognition from the Institute of Groundsmanship at a presentation ceremony hosted at Emirates Stadium for his commitment to Bradshaw CC. It is one thing to be fortunate enough to have a ground in a picturesque setting such as Bradshaw, but it is then down to sheer hard work and commitment to ensure that the Club’s playing surface, surrounds and facilities not Just match the setting but actually enhance it David would be the first to thank his right hand man over recent years for all his help in winning this award
- Jeff Brockbank — who so sadly and suddenly passed away in mid season
- the award will serve as a fitting tribute to David and provide a lasting memory of Jeff. Many congratulations - May — John - David - from us all in the BCL.
One of the great pleasures of the 2009 Season was seeing our Inter League teams at both Senior & Colts level achieve almost 100% success - I say almost, because unfortunately the weather intervened to prevent our Colts team playing their Inter League Final against the Central Lancashire League. As we go to press it is hoped that a suitable date can be arranged between both Leagues for early in the 2010 season to play their adjourned Final. Its never advisable to pick out individuals in a team game but congratulations at Colts level to Adnan Ghana for his bowling performance against the Saddleworth League and Andrew Lane for his batting against the Lancs County League, with thanks to all those who helped and assisted the Colts throughout the season particularly Richard Dearden.
At Senior Inter League level it was success all the way for Chris Barrow and his team — unbeaten all season. In the 1st Round of the Inter League Competition we played host to the Saddleworth League at Eagley and few could have predicted the absolute domination of their bowling attack to such an extent that a record breaking batting performance ensued — a score of 330 plus being made mainly on the back of a superb century from Luke Perry and an icing on the cake innings of 70 odd in 40 balls from Chris Barrow. Next up was a renewal of friendly hostilities with our neighbours the Bolton Association at Astley Bridge, batting first we produced a solid if unspectacular performance which, thanks to the tail wagging, meant a score of 220 would be a tough target. The Association began in style before losing crucial wickets, but whilst Jim Cutt was still at the crease there remained a chance, however shortly after reaching a well made 50 he too was dismissed and the match began drifting away from the Association — despite a late flurry of runs for the last wicket It was too late and the League would meet the Ribblesdale League in the Final at Horwich. With all due respect to our friends from up’t’valley the match was virtually decided after just 15 overs of the first innings with the Ribblesdale League having no answer to an excellent bowling attack, which reduced them to 20 for 5. There was to be no recovery and the League coasted to an easy victory and won the Competition for the 2nd successive year.
To complete the Inter League Season the 8(1 met the Association in the annual Axford Trophy match at Darcy Lever, and despite awful weather in the days preceding the match and vet,’ wet conditions for players and spectators alike Darcy Lever are to be congratulated for getting their ground ready for the match and hosting the event superbly. Throughout the whole match only one player on either side managed to overcome the difficult batting conditions - Rick Northrop played a superb innings in bowler friendly conditions, mixing powerful hitting with brilliant running between the wickets to ensure that the League posted a match winning score. lt would be kinder to our opposition to gloss over their batting performance as the League team never allowed the Association to get the slightest glimmer of victory. Congratulations to all those involved in a successful Inter League - particularly the players.
The Hamer Cup in 2009 will doubtless be remembered for the appalling weather that led to the Final being suspended almost bang on the halfway stage and then no further play being possible for nigh on a fortnight before finally the Final was finalised!!
Horwich and Kearsley had both fought through tough earlier Rounds to earn the right to play each other at Farnworth Social Circle, who as expected had pulled out all the stops to get their ground ready for hosting the Hamer Cup Final. Play began on time in front of a good crowd with Horwich’s pro Dheeraj Jadhav having arrived back in England the day before from India specifically to play in this match. It remains a mystery therefore - bearing in mind the weather forecast, and the rumour that Jadhav would only be available for this one day before returning to India - that Horwich won the toss and elected to field. Liam Bones bowled magnificently for 1-lorwich throughout the entire Kearsley innings, even when Jordan Thornley and Ricky Hamblett were hitting the ball for boundaries and sixes, at the other end, in the only time really that the bat dominated the ball in the entire match. Having put on almost a century partnership both batsmen departed at the same score and when Bones trapped the Kearsley professional LBW and repeated the dismissal with his very next ball. Kearsley had slumped from a position of dominance to a precarious 114 for 5. Thanks to a very sensible, play each ball on its merits, innings from Dave Whittle he single-handedly manufactured the rest of the Kearsley batting — batting out the remainder of the overs to post a score which was always going to be something of a test in a Cup Final. During the tea interval the dark clouds rolled in and there was only sufficient time for Horwich to bat 5 overs in reply — losing the important wicket of James Reynard before the rain came pouring down. Despite the best efforts of Captains, Umpires. FSC officials and helpers no more play was possible and we all hoped to be able to finish the next day — or the next day - or the next day. Little did we think that the weather would ensure no further play would be possible for almost a fortnight? Unfortunately, with no Jadhav available for Horwich the Kearsley score took on even greater significance and even though Grant Long made a very good 50 for Horwich as soon as he was dismissed the Fat Lady began warming up and Kearsley celebrated winning the Hamer Cup Final and collecting the superb Trophy.
In the Birtwistle Cup Greenmount and Little Lever made it through to the Final and a good-sized crowd witnessed a very good match hosted by Greenmount. Little Lever batted first and posted a very respectable score of 170 but Greenmount, thanks in the main to an unbeaten innings of 70 from Richard Long. did enough to reach their target with 4 Wickets in hand and collect the Cup.
In the League, at 2nd Xl, Westhoughton were looking to achieve back- to-back League titles and throughout most of the Season they remained in pole position and as the final match of the Season arrived they traveled to Kearsley knowing that a win would guarantee the League Championship. However, any slip up would allow Farnworth the chance of overtaking them at the last if they could beat Tonge in their final fixture. In a nerve tingling pair of matches, with the threat of bad weather ever present, and mobile calls being exchanged to and from each match by both players and spectators alike - it was Westhoughton who suffered defeat at Kearsley and with Farnworth beating Tonge it was Farnworth who Claimed the 2nd Division Championship - many congratulations to Michael Daley and his team. l said at the outset that I wouldn’t go into too much detail with regard to individual statistics, as these are available elsewhere, but two players are deserving of a special mention at 2nd level - Marcus I-lamer, still an Under 18 player at Greenmount, played a remarkable innings of 176 not out in a Birtwistle Cup match and Steven French from Farnworth Social Circle scored in excess of 1,100 runs throughout the entire League programmed - congratulations to you both.
In the 1st Division Championship race the League title invariably goes to the best team, the most consistent team — over the course of a 26 match League programmed more than 1 or 2 players have to perform, match winning performances are required from all members of the team — whether that is scoring a century or taking a 6 wicket haul — a crucial 20 not out or a massively important 3 wicket spell, or special catches and stumping are just as important in the course of a long season. At Farnworth Social Circle throughout 2009 all the ingredients were in place - whether it was solid batting - sharp fielding — or incisive bowling — Matt Parkinson’s team had it all - including terrific off field support from their Committee and spectators as well as the shrewd input from Ian Edwards as 1st Team Manager. Every single player at some stage of the season contributed and consistency of performance was undoubtedly one of the keys — with 5 of their batsmen scoring in excess of 400 runs and all of their bowlers chipping in with wickets. I had the pleasure of presenting the League Championship Trophy to FSC at their end of season Dinner and Presentation of Trophies where a packed Clubhouse paid tribute to their Championship winning team - was asked to make only a short speech. I thought this was because FSC know that once I get going I can talk forever - but I soon realised that I would be following their 3rd Xl Captain and by the time he concluded his remarks last orders” had already been called!!! (Sorry Mark — but no one at FSC can accuse me anymore of talking a long tune). Anyway I’ll repeat my speech in full here - Congratulations to FSC on winning the Warburton Cup, you were fully deserved Champions.
Greenmount pushed FSC all the way but were always just too far adrift to apply any real pressure however special mention must me made of their dual bowling spearhead - I know he’ll Forgive me for calling him evergreen but Mark Stewart continues to get wickets and long may he continue - whilst Phil Heaton returned to the Club after playing several years across’t’pennines to take 100 wickets in all matches throughout the season
• Congratulations Phil and Mark.
Egerton and Farnworth were in the hunt at various stages throughout the season but could not quite ever get dose enough to the eventual Champions whilst Horwich will be justifiably proud of their Season both in the League and in the Hamer Cup - special mention here to Darren Wilson of Horwich who won (jointly sharing) the League’s Wicketkeeping Prize - a great effort Darren. Walkden will be disappointed with their season’s efforts, which does not bode well for everyone else, as they wilt undoubtedly be looking to return to the winner’s enclosure in 2010.
Eagley, with Ingy and Fozzie, had their moments — Tonge put together a great finishing run after a poor start to the season - and Kearsley and Little Lever both lacked consistency in the League. mainly for Kearsley after David Morris suffered a severe knee injury (hope to see you back in 2010) but they will be more than happy as Hairier Cup Winners. Astley Bridge will be looking forward to an easier season in 2010 particularly on the Pro front (see my earlier comments) but congratulations to Rick Northrop on another superb season personally whilst both Heaton and Bradshaw will doubtless be looking to make improvements — talk of improvements must therefore be my cue to mention Westhoughton CC.
2009 saw the culmination of what must have taken years of planning with Westhoughton moving to their new ground in early August. 1 hesitate to think of all the meetings, headaches, discussions, arguments, negotiations and all the other thousand and one things that must have been required to ensure the Club reached this successful transition.
Westhoughton have compiled a very readable Handbook commemorating their history at the Tyldesleys to their move to the St Georges Oval, so its not necessary for me to go into great detail here suffice to say that their new ground is magnificent with facilities to match and all of us in the BCL wish Westhoughton as successful a period at their new home as they had at their previous home.
As I said at the beginning of this Review - this will be my 1st and probably only effort, so I apologise to those who feel l have missed things out which would in the past have been included.
It is impossible to mention everyone or everything in a Season review of just a few pages - but now that I’m nearing the end it would be wrong of me not to congratulate the Players Player of the Season - Chris Barrow - who had a fantastic season both as a member of the Championship Winning Club Farnworth Social Circle and as Captain of our unbeaten Inter League team - well done Chris.
Finally, thank you to everyone who made 2009 a successful season — Umpires, Clubs, players, spectators, committee reps, volunteers et al - and here’s to an even better 2010 (Or everybody.
Thank you
Derek Kay
March 2010