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Wednesday, March 10th 2010 Marathon Man Great
Totham's Steve
Whiting is doing the London Marathon again this year and hopes you will
sponsor him. He is raising funds for Farleigh Hospice again. If you would
like to donate just click this link Applications The withdrawal of Rayne Reserves, at the end of the season, means there is a vacancy for membership of the League. Any club, or additional team, that wishes to apply for membership should contact Matthew Hart in writing as soon as possible. His address is 86 Daniel Way, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3SS. Braintree Youth champions again Braintree Youth are the 2009-10 League Champions, a six wicket win over Braintree secured a record ninth title, a record they no longer have to share with Braintree. At the other end of the table Witham kept their slender hopes of salvation alive with a three wicket win over Bocking, but Kelvedon & Feering need only five points from two matches to prevent Witham from staying up. Coggeshall Hamlet are now safe after defeating Shalford. Coggeshall are also certainly now going to finish as runners-up after their win over Kelvedon & Feering. It has been a five year wait for Braintree Youth to finally win their record breaking ninth League Champions and how appropriate that they did so with victory over Braintree at the Leisure Centre. Braintree have not defeated Braintree Youth at that centre in eleven attempts since their last victory in January 2005, and they never looked like ending that streak this time around. Braintree Youth soon grasped the upper-hand and never let their grip slacken off. Jamie Foyster, with 26, was the only batsman to make a decent score as Braintree were dismissed for 87. Three catches behind the timbers for stand-in keeper, Steve Hale, and a brace of wickets for his brother, David. Steve and Dave Denny then both made it through to retirement before it was left to Dave Hale and Andrew Sherry to level the scores. Neither was to have the honour of scoring the Championship winning run though, that distinction actually fell to a wide delivery sent down by James Chalk. So now they will once again grace the County stage, and try to recapture that crown for the League, as I regard it as being currently "on loan" to Fives & Heronians. Coggeshall are ten points away from securing the runners-up berth after defeating Kelvedon & Feering for the third time this season, all three matches almost being identical as Coggeshall have recorded wins of 23, 29, and now, 30 runs. When they met in the Cup in January, Coggeshall scored 130 and Kelvedon 107, this time around it was 133 against 103. Ollie Blackwell, Craig Lesiak, and Jim Rees all scored 25 not out, and Carl Bragg, 24 not out, as Coggeshall closed with 133-1. Conversely, Kelvedon & Feering could not anyone to retirement, a few got close and that made the difference as they were bowled out for 103. Luke Scot top scoring with 22, while Ed Smith and Matt Bridger both departed on 19. At least Kelvedon know that just five points from two matches against Bocking and Coggeshall Hamlet will keep them up regardless of Witham's results against Coggeshall and Braintree Youth. It does not look good for Witham at all, with those two daunting fixtures. However, they did display plenty of fighting spirit in defeating Bocking by three wickets. It maybe too late to save them now, and had such positive play been displayed earlier in the season then they would not in the dilemma now. Bobby Don was largely responsible for making a contest of it, as he hit 48 of Bocking's total of 108, with Will Jackson adding 21. Two wickets for Jamie Rogers, and Rogers was later to play a leading role in getting Witham through to 109-3. His 27 not out, and Kaan Hawes' determined 34 not out, swung the match back in Witham's favour. Third place could well be Bocking's final position but much will depend on their final match of the season against Braintree. Shalford have been doomed to relegation for some time, and their contest with Coggeshall Hamlet probably was their last chance to win a Division One match for some time, as they face Braintree Youth and Coggeshall before meeting Division Two opponents next season. However, Coggeshall Hamlet were in no mood to be generous as they had to secure their own future first. Matthew Hart hit 50 not out, and Robert Cross, 36 not out, as they closed on 144-4. Shalford never got in the contest after that and were bowled out for 98, Dan Grice top scoring with 34, with Lee Parish adding 25. Two wickets for Matthew Hart as well as a half-century. Sampfords almost back in Division Two Sampfords last played a Division Two match in the spring of 1994. Sixteen years of Division Three and Four isolation have followed, but now they are just four points away from returning to Division Two. Four points they should gain from matches against Three Fields and Kelvedon & Feering Reserves. Six points will make them Division Three Champions for the first time as their previous promotions to Division Two have both been as runners-up. Witham Reserves could have secured their position in Division Three for another season had they gained two points from their match with Sampfords, but they were never remotely close to that. Steve Thrower, 27, Ryan Webster, 26 not out, and 23 from Colin Caister enabled Sampfords to close on 122-4. In fact they had scored 32 from the first two overs, and Witham Reserves managed just 33 before being dismissed. No one reached double figures for them as the Sampfords bowlers shared five wickets between them, and Caister claimed four victims behind the wicket. Great Totham last gained promotion to Division Two in 2001, but they have given themselves every chance of getting back there. There may be a pack of dogs on their tail, but a two point lead over Little Bardfield Village and with matches against Coggeshall A and Witham Reserves to come, gives them a distinct advantage. They met another of the pack, neighbours, Kelvedon & Feering Reserves and came out on top by just seven runs. Andrew Whiting, 29, Peter Shortland, 27, and Colin Jones, 20, helping them reach 101 all out, as Josh King claimed 2-16. It was not a massive total for Kelvedon & Feering Reserves to chase, but it must have seemed like a mountain when they lost three wickets in their first two overs to be on 11-3. Josh King, 33, and James Bonvini, 32, did their best to get them back in the match, and they got them well and truly back in before Andrew Whiting trapped Josh King in front off the fifth ball of the final over. Kelvedon & Feering Reserves had made it to 94, but the five points does keep them in contention. Little Bardfield Village squeezed in between them, in third place, after defeating Coggeshall A by 34 runs. Matt Graham, 26 not out, Joe Owen, 25 not out, and 22 not out from Peter Bray helped Little Bardfield Village to a total of 114-3. Matt Graham then dismissed Ryan Parker in the opening over, and with John Blackwell run out for 6 soon after, Coggeshall A's chances soon faded. Terry Hollingsworth top scored with 26, as they were dismissed for 81, Peter Stone taking 3-6. Only a miracle can prevent Coggeshall A from dropping into Division Four after three seasons away from it. Three Fields missed their chance to move into second place, and they dropped to fifth, eight points behind Great Totham, when they were defeated, for the second time this season, by Rayne Reserves. Michael Smith top scored for Three Fields with 23 as they were bowled out in the eleventh over for 90. Phil Wade, 29 not out, and Nick Alen, 21 not out, then took Rayne Reserves through to victory at the start of the final over with 92-4. They moved ahead of Witham Reserves by virtue of having won more matches. To new ball or not to new ball that is the question Braintree Youth's Steve Hale asks an interesting question but to read his thoughts you must go to the Forum. Leisure Centre bar open The bar at the Leisure Centre is now open on Sunday evening's from 7pm to 10pm, but it is important that it is used if it is to remain open in future. Semi-Final officiating Martin Cutmore has selected four of the teams that did not officiate in Sunday's cup ties to stand in the Semi-Finals at the Leisure Centre on March 14th. So in order, they will be: Bocking Reserves; Kelvedon & Feering Reserves; Coggeshall; and, Great Totham. Important Message from the Chairman Enough is definitely enough guys. This message has been endorsed by the General Committee, and sets out in no uncertain way, that we will not accept the level of bad-tempered reactions that are currently undermining the enjoyment and threatening the very fabric of the league itself. Since Steve highlighted two regrettable incidents, several more of you have come forward with similar previously unreported tales. There are three strands to this that have all got to be checked: 1.
Verbal and threatening abuse From this moment forward, I can assure you that we will punish not only the individuals, but dock points from their teams as well, as appropriate. The length of ban and number of points will be decided upon the severity of the incident. Now none of this is what we want to do. We all want to turn up on a Sunday and enjoy playing indoor cricket as competitively as necessary within the spirit of the game. We have seen our league grow attracting new younger players each year. We are proud to be known as one of the best organised, family friendly leagues. Come on guys please let common sense and decency prevail. Please work at this and encourage all of your respective team colleagues to clean up their acts so that we don't have to waste our time anymore on this! Nick Wright Rayne will withdraw a team at the end of the season Rayne, having conceded their Division Two match against Dunmow on Sunday, have informed me through Richard Whiteside that they will withdraw their second team at the end of the current season as they simply cannot find enough players to sustain two teams who may often be called upon to play at the same time. Rayne also lost another five points for only having two officials. Their concession coupled with the loss of points was sufficient to doom them to be the first team this season to know their fate, relegation to Division Three as even with maximum points from their three remaining games they can no longer overtake Dunmow. This will mean that only one team will now be relegated from Divisions Three and Four this season, and a vacancy will arise for next season. February match fees Do not forget, but your teams' February match fees should have been in the hands of the League Treasurer by March 5th. Leisure Centre changing rooms Again this season we have had to remind some individuals that kit must not be taken on to the spectator gallery at the Leisure Centre, as it can obstruct Fire Exits. If their own rubbish bins are in the passageways, then any problems they create are their responsibility, but bags left would be our responsibility and leave us open to legal action. Changing rooms are within 20 feet of the playing area and lockers can be used for the storage of valuables. There is simply no reason why any bags should ever be taken to the gallery. Players coming to the gallery to change between innings also adds considerably to the time taken to complete the match, and the knock on effect affects all matches played subsequently. Forum added Now that I have more free time on my hands and have been able to delve into the features of the host server, I have now set up the BDICL Forum. Users will have to register to be able to add their comments, and there are rules appertaining to the topics and comments that can be posted. I have added a permanent link to the top of the page. Registration & Fines Can I also remind clubs that each team should submit their Registration Fees, and any outstanding fines for non-attendance at the AGM, as soon as possible. A new Registration Form can now be accessed via the link in this column. There are still many teams who have not paid their £10 fees for this season. Registration Forms Registration forms can now be accessed and printed from the link here Registration Form. It is very important that this form is completed and returned for each team as soon as possible. A revised payment form can now be accessed through the link lower down this column. Facebook forum I have created a forum on Facebook.com, just search for the Braintree District Indoor Cricket League group. Match Fee forms for 2009-10 An updated form for the new season will be available nearer the start of the season. For a match fee form simply click here. Teams are reminded that their October match fees should have been in the hands of the Treasurer by November 5th.
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Seasons' statistics Knowing how much players like to know how they compare against other players in the League has given me the idea of publishing the "hidden" statistics for the season. Stats you may not previous have worried about seeing but may have been interested to know. So I shall update the following, as soon as possible, each week. League matches only. Matches
won by the team batting first (Not): 62 Highest
team score: (Not): 168-4 Bocking Total
innings by batsmen: 2,626 RULES LEAGUE
HISTORY 2008-09 COMBINED AVERAGES Bocking
to Great Totham 2008-09 LEAGUE AVERAGES Bocking
to Great Totham 2007-08 COMBINED AVERAGES Bocking
to Halstead 2006-07 COMBINED AVERAGES Abberton
to Great Totham How to find the Centres: CLICK THIS LINK TO FIND THE MAP OF BRAINTREE
LINKS Braintree College Cricket Club Kelvedon & Feering Cricket Club Little Bardfield Village Cricket Club Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship
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Sunday's fixtures March 14th: BDICL
Cup Semi-Finals (Leisure Centre)
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