2007 Season Report
Following the launch of the 5ths in 2006 to play
friendly matches, this season saw progression to competing in the
Cheshire CCL (Sunday 3rd XI Division 4). The team was christened
“the fiery fifths” and changing room team talks introduced the
acronym FIRE – only those who take part will ever know what it
stands for ! And many did take part in 2007 – some 34 players in 11
matches of which only the captain played throughout. And many
matches were lost to the weather which potentially makes the
reporting very dismal. However, on reflection there are many
successes and achievements to report.
Firstly, there were two matches played more than last year.
Statistics will also show the 5ths were unbeaten for the 12 matches
in the league. OK five were abandoned but who is to say that would
have made any difference. And the toss was won in 10 out of 11
matches including friendlies !
The strength of the opposition varied. Whilst most sides provided a
mix of seniors and juniors, the opposition seniors were occasionally
remarkable resemblances of normal 1st or 2nd team players. Yet we
challenged well. We managed to play with a team spirit despite the
proliferation of players used, and all players relished in the
opportunities presented to them. The season was not dominated by
performances of any one individual, and different players achieved
the limelight on different occasions.
Dan Quirk quickly achieved a reputation as a promising batsmen with
good scores from the start and intermittently thereafter. Keeper
batsman yours truly contributed with good scores in the early part
of the season, and stuttered in the late season ! James Crossley
either batted very well or had his mind on a new born child. And
Harry Routledge showed he was always up for a run chase when batting
in the lower order. But the report on batting could not go without
mention of two significant achievements.
Firstly a very hot day at Bollington, with home supporters heckling
from a barbeque on “the hill”. Set to chase 224, Brooklands wickets
fell quickly and a loss looked on the cards. However, after some
initial nerves Luke Maitra held solid and achieved 78 runs through
patience in choosing the right ball. He was out eventually probably
through enjoying himself too much and losing concentration !
Secondly, who can forget the majestic 142 not out by Elliot Woodage
at home to Bollington. Unfortunately nobody could stick with him and
it is a pity that such a commanding innings led to a losing draw.
And let no man think the opposition bowling was the prime reason for
this score, since Bollington were certainly no “mugs”.
Mike Holloway was top of the bowling averages, as well as leading
wicket taker for the second season in succession ! However,
observing the performances by juniors was probably the most
rewarding aspect of the bowling, notably the line / length and
“pace” of Jack Bagshaw (U13), Caleb Jones and Rob Leach (both U14),
together with Jamie Andrews (U15) who contributed in the later part
of the season with some consistently aggressive bowling when
targeting the gloves of a keeper standing up. Thanks Harry Routledge
(U18) for the bowling – highest number of overs in this team and
wickets came eventually ! And I must mention Dom Booth (U14) who
became a first choice selection to front the spin attack.
And so to the match of the season, shamefully dominated by the
bowlers. This was THE match where the toss was lost, and Nantwich
put the home side into bat. Brooklands clawed their way to 115 all
out just making it into the 42nd over, and “extras” was the second
highest score. Doom and gloom amongst the home supporters led to a
half time team talk including “bowl like demons and field like mad
men”. Fuelled by this positive attitude (or was it the BCC tea ?),
opening bowlers Eddie Shaw and Tony Darbyshire showed others what
they were capable of. Eddie on the back of poor performances in
higher teams just relaxed and persistently fired in his inswingers
leading to wickets taken “through the gate” or by pad onto stumps,
as well as catches taken at square leg. At the other end, Tony was
an excellent foil with his outswingers leading to confusion in the
batting ranks. Five wickets and four wickets respectively led to the
opposition all out for 32 in 18 overs. A well deserved victory
grasped from the jaws of defeat !
The team finished a very respectable mid table in the league
(probably 4th – final table awaited). No doubt next season will
bring more junior players into the 5ths as others move onwards and
up the ranks. But then this is what the side is all about. Personal
thanks to fellow junior coaches Martyn Andrews, Mike Woodage and Jim
Harper for their support in this team during the season, and a note
of sincere appreciation for advice and comment from those attending
Monday night selection meetings. Thanks also to other players not
mentioned above, and I certainly look forward to playing with you in
2008 !
Pete Whyley
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Archive
for averages, results, fixture records, etc.
Previous Seasons
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