Captain News & Stans end of season sermon 

 

LOWERHOUSE CC JUNIOR MATCH REPORTS SPONSORED BY H.RIGG PROPERTIES

Thanks

Apologies for the late submission of the weekly news but I have found it difficult to sit at the computer due to the hindrance of the club brush. Over the days since the end of the season the main focus has been the putting to bed of the square. This has involved multiple mowing, multiple scarification’s, multiple spiking, seeding, loaming, fertilising and watering. Plus the erection of a fence to keep out Bigfoots.

I have had as many as 8 helpers in this process. All the usual suspects, so a big thanks to Vinnie, Pete, Bob, Steve, Brian, Dave Blez, Dave Waddo and Keith. For those rubbing their eyes …. Yes Keith. It was a matter of great sadness that during this process, Keith had to leave the arena in order to bury the goldfish. It must have been some wake as it was 2 days before we saw him again.

Special thanks to Waddo who took 3 days off work to help.

The work was completed before the arrival of 350 Scooterists and later 100 punks and soon to be 150 bikers. The scarification of the outfield will continue in a less intense fashion and we are indebted to Carl Denson of Burnley Tool Hire for his assistance with the machinery.

 

Final Results

 

2XI RESULTS 

 

LHCC 2XI – 137 –all out                     Rawtenstall 2XI – 78-all out                                                 

Dec Stansfield 42                                     Jamie Woodall 5-19

Harry Halstead 19

Jamie Woodall 14

Owen Deakin – Pickard 13

LCB CUP SEMI FINAL (played at Orrell Red Triangle CC)

LHCC u11 Bears 266-3             Southport and Birkdale u11 213-8

 

Keagan de Vries 13*

Dec Metcalfe 10*

George Durkin 10

 

LCB CUP FINAL (played at Orrell Red Triangle CC)

 

Glodwick CC 286-2         LHCC u 11 Bears 260-6

 

Keagan de Vries 26

 

Dec Metcalfe 20*

 

Henri Cottam 11

 

There is a full report on these 2 matches on the LCB website. In short our lads are the runners up in the whole of Lancashire. The neutral LCB website describes our fielding in outstanding terms. Indeed as exemplified by the semi-final where 5 of the 8 wickets were run outs.

We are immensely proud, as to how well the 11 players who have represented the Bears this season have performed. Although we could only pick 8 on the finals day, all 11 and indeed the u11 Cubs and Koalas have contributed to this success as an under 11s squad.

It will be an observational marvel to see how these individuals develop through the coming years.

Of no lesser achievement was the under 13s who were beaten finalists some weeks ago in the all Lancashire u13 cup. Whist this was covered at the time it is worth reiterating. As everyone knows, whilst LHCC play to win, we don’t play just to win.

Great credit and thanks to Phil Metcalfe (u11s) and Jim Heaton (u13s) who have guided the teams to this success.

2017

Time prevents me from summarising the 2016 season at this moment in but that same time demands that we look forward to the 2017 season.

There will be some changes.

Charlie Cottam has stood down as 1XI captain as work, business and the cricket progress of children, Henri and Eliza, lessen the time that he can spend on captains’ duties. This is a courageous decision by Charlie and epitomises the selfless spirit in which he has led the team over the last near decade. So thank you and well done to Charlie, our most successful captain ever.

Charlie will be replaced by Ben Heap and I think it is fair to say that Ben’s time has come. We are confident that Ben will carry on Charlie’s great work and naturally add his own stamp. So good luck to Ben and congratulations on his appointment.

Owen Deakin – Pickard will take over from Jamie Woodall as 2XI captain. I am personally grateful that Owen has stepped forward as this allow us to take the onerous task of captaining the 2XI from Jamie. Jamie, a young man of 20 himself, has captained an, on average, even younger 2XI for the last 3 years. He has captained the team well and in difficult circumstances. I know I speak on behalf of the cricket committee when I say that we have felt that the burden on Jamie has become unfair. Jamie has led the team to sixth place finishes in the last 3 seasons and is to be heartily congratulated for this. The team is very young and inexperienced and suffers from repeated depletions due to unavoidable examinations, family holidays and sadly amongst the older ones, music festivals. I know that if we had needed him, Jamie would have again captained the team, but this season Jamie can free to concentrate in his own cricket career. Thanks therefore to Jamie for his period as captain, and here’s wishing success to Owen.

There will also be a change in team managers. The club has recognised that the 2XI requires specific attention in order to harness the talent and focus minds. This requires a holistic approach and Paul Stansfield will relocate from 1XI manager to 2XI manager with both match and training responsibility. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Mick McLeod who has stepped in to match manage the 2XI for the last 2 seasons to assist Jamie at games. Mick’s advice has been invaluable and we thank him for stepping in at a time of need.

Danny Simm will again captain the 3XI and at the time of going to press manager Dave Nicholas is considering retirement. However this pans out I would like to thank David for his enthusiastic work with the team over the last few years. His work, along with John Nicholas in previous years and umpire Gordon Howley has been of huge benefit to the lads individually, team collectively, and club in general.

There will be further reports to follow in the coming weeks