This was won by the Norfolk Alliance by 6 runs in an exciting match that went down to the last over.  Two Counties bowled first and restricted the Alliance batting early on and the shackles were only really removed when the middle order comprising Mark Jones (who we remember from his days at Felixtowe and Frinton) with a half century, partnered by Chris Cooper with 42.   The Alliance were bowled out for 209 in the 47^th over with local lad Jonah Handy a standout 7.4 overs 5 for 38 and the Clacton pair of Dan Williams and Imran Sheikh also amongst the wickets. This seemed a very gettable target on an excellent Mildenhall track.  In the chase though wickets fell regularly with no-one able to take the game by the scruff of the neck and the Two Counties were unfortunately bowled out for 203, Mark Jones and Michael Seago with a couple of wickets each …….  Dan Williams and Imran Sheikh also contributed with the bat with 40 and 39 respectively and Graham Ford of Worlington got a useful 32 opening the batting. Both teams clearly enjoyed the occasion and it is hoped to repeat the fixture next season.   Our thanks to Mildenhall CC for hosting and Lloyd Edwards and Rob Humphries for their work in getting the two teams together.  A useful and interesting add on to the occasion was the discussions that took place within the Two Counties team on the day about possible rule changes in Division 1 for next season and this will be followed up shortly by the MSC before the Two Counties AGM in October.

This weekend’s matches will almost certainly take place in similar condidtions to those earlier in the season……  All players and officials are asked to refer to my posting dated July 15th with regard to strategies that should be adopted by players and officials………

The Two Counties team for this match is as follows:

Lloyd Edwards (Coggeshall – Captain)
Tom Sinclair (Clacton)
Graham Ford (Worlington)
Ryan Vickery (Halstead)
Josh Wells (Halstead)
Tom Piddington (Hadleigh)
Daniel Williams (Clacton)
Imran Sheikh (Clacton)
Kane Addison (Coggeshall)
Lewis Millions (Hadleigh)
Jonah Handy (Mildenhall)

Looks a half decent team to me!  Should be good enough to claim the bragging rights??

All support welcome……………

Ipswich Cricket Club will be hosting The Colonel’s 12 over Tournament Day on Sunday 28th August 2022 at Clay Hall and you are invited to come along and enjoy the day with us.

Four teams will contest the tournament with the first round matches commencing at 10:15am followed by a cricket tea lunch between 12:30pm and 1:00 pm

The tournament will feature a round robin style league with everyone playing each other once. The top two sides will then contest the final. Roughly around 6pm.

Refreshments will be available all day from the bar. We will also be having a BBQ on from around 4pm till roughly 8pm, with a small charge for food.

Friends and families are all welcome

It would be great to see both new and old faces for the day and supporting the club as well as remembering the much loved Colonel (Paul Crane)

We look forward to seeing you and enjoying a great day of competitive cricket

John Howe (Secretary,  Ipswich Cricket Club)

 

The event below will take place at Mildenhall CC on Sunday 14th August at 12pm.

This is the first time for this and let’s hope it becomes an annual event.  Any such match can only improve communication between players in the Feeder Leagues and as such the MSC is delighted to support the initiative.. The MSC will provide the match balls free of charge.

The match will be a 50 over match in white clothing ……………..

Our thanks go to Lloyd Edwards of Coggeshall CC who will organise the Two Counties side and Rob Humphries who will do the same for the Alliance. And of course to Mildenhall CC for hosting the event.

The event below will be staged at Gandish Road on Sunday 31st July ……. Knowing East Begholt’s capacity to drink, I’m sure that the odd Rum Punch may well be drunk!  The match will be a 35 over match.  Come along and support – entry is free!

Historic Grenada Cricket Day(2)

Below is the statement from the EAPL regarding EAPL2 and the rest of this season:

“Statement EAPL Championship (Division 2)

Further to a meeting held on Tuesday 19 July, 2022 between the EAPL and the Feeder League Clubs with regard to the implementation of a second division.

Whilst there was much positive feedback, several Clubs requested further information before making a final commitment.

In view of the limited timescales involved and in order for the feeder leagues to plan for the 2023 season. The EAPL Management Committee have decided to postpone any implementation until 2024 should the players of the Feeder League Clubs decide that they wish to proceed.

With this in mind the EAPL will engage with all parties between October 2022 and the end of January 2023 in order that confirmation is established prior to the commencement of the 2023 season.

The EAPL will therefore revert to a 12 team League for 2023, which will necessitate a Play Off between the winners of the relevant feeder Leagues in September 2022.

The Draw will be as follows:-

Saturday 17 September, 2022 – Winners of the Two Counties Cricket Championship v Winners of the Norfolk Cricket Alliance

Saturday 24 September, 2022 – Winners of the Cambridgeshire & Hunts Premier League v Winners of Game 1.”

Good luck to all our Division 1 teams striving to become top of their league and in the subsequent play-offs

 

 

Although the temperatures are lower and the conditions fresher yesterday and this moning it would be wise to take note of the text below sent by Rob Jones, Suffolk Cricket Operations Manager

“As I’m sure you’ll know we’re expecting a heatwave over the coming days so although I appreciate you’ll have factored this in, the following advice (which includes tips from the ECB) will simply either reinforce or maybe provide additional tips;

EXTREME HOT WEATHER

1. Ensure that there are regular drinks breaks; which, when possible, are taken in the shade (please see signs and symptoms of dehydration pdf below).
2. Apply a broad-spectrum product with an SPF 30 or higher, paying special attention to your ears and nose, as well as other exposed areas prone to burning.
3. Using a sunscreen applicator, stick, or cleaning palms with a small towel and alcohol gel, is a good way to avoid a greasy grip whilst playing.
4. Once applied to the skin, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you are prone to excessive sweating, or playing hard!
5. Remember to wear a cap, and when fielding a brimmed hat which offers greater protection.
6. After the batting helmet comes off, remember to reapply sunscreen (it will be wiped off) and top off with a wide-brim hat.
7. Fielding but the sun is in your eye? Wear wraparound sunglasses keep your eyes safe from all angles.
8. Wear light clothing that protects arms and legs. Consider flipping the collar up on tops for added protection, and using sun sleeves which provide flexibility when pitching and bowling.
9. The sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm so, if possible, look to play/train outside of these hours, particularly on clear, sunny days.
10. Get into the habit of applying sunscreen before you start outdoor activity.
11. Whilst spectating or waiting for play do so in a shaded area, out of direct sunlight.
12.  Consider setting up gazebos to protect your team if there is no natural shade available.

U18’s (Additional information)

Coaches and managers have a Duty of Care with Under 18’s playing in youth fixtures or open-age cricket, and they should consider the guidance below.

Hydration

• Ensure that there are regular drinks breaks; it is suggested ten overs maximum between drinks, which, when possible, are taken in the shade.
• All under 18 will wear helmets when batting or standing up, keeping wicket. Umpires should regularly check for signs of overheating and, where necessary, have additional drinks breaks. A wicket-keeper could be wearing a helmet for their entire game.

See below pdf.
This includes the Pee test; copies should be in all urinals to raise awareness.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration pdf

Sun Safety

• Encourage all to wear long-sleeved shirts with collars up and a floppy hat rather than baseball-style caps.
• Advise youngsters not to play casual cricket before a match or between innings. They should be encouraged to wait in the shade.
• Sun blocker/creams should be provided by parents/carers and have spare available to top up. A minimum SPF 30 blocker should be applied liberally to all exposed areas with special attention to ears and noses by parents. Parents must be consulted to ensure there is no risk of an anaphylactic or allergic reaction to any product.

Playing Regulations

If you cannot move the date or starting time when the sun is strongest, consider:

• Using smaller boundaries
• Decrease the number of overs bowled.
• Playing 12 or 13 aside to enable rotation.
• Ensure batting side wait in shade during game

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code

Sport Sun Safety Guidelines

Hydration info from NHS

Of course the advice not only applies to players, but umpires, scorers, coaches, spectators, grounds people etc as well.

I hope that helps and that everyone has a safe and enjoyable week of cricket.”

Many thanks Rob …………

 

Following a decision agreed at East Anglia Premier League AGM in November 2021 to investigate establishing a second tier Premier League competition, it has been confirmed that their intention is to commence a second tier Premier League competition described as EAPL Championship (EAPL2) for the 2023 season. There has been very limited information provided to Feeder Leagues and the plan awaits ratification by EAPL which is likely to be achieved at EAPL AGM in November 2022. This offers little time for Feeder Leagues and clubs to introduce the necessary restructures that will be needed if this proceeds.

In the absence of substantive clarity from EAPL and the unreasonable speed with which they wish to proceed the Two Counties League Committee are presently opposed to the establishment of EAPL2. We are engaging in dialogue with the other Feeder Leagues affected by this plan, and also speaking to ECB and EAPL. It is clear that this proposed plan will have an impact on Feeder Leagues and the clubs who are members of those Feeder Leagues, and also logically for players of those clubs. Due to the absence of information from EAPL and their unwillingness to provide details of the proposed EAPL2 beyond broad generalisations it is not possible to undertake an impact assessment on the behalf of all our member clubs.

We are keen to have clarity around the following issues urgently as it may lead to restructure of our own leagues and indeed some amendments to Two Counties rules to protect the interests of our member clubs, and their players.
1. Intended teams to be invited from Two Counties Championship
2. Promotion and Relegation systems to be applied
3. Umpire/Scorer provision
4. Transport implications
5. Additional cost implications

It is our understanding that a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 19 July 2022 by EAPL with clubs who may be considering joining EAPL2. The Feeder Leagues understanding is that the meeting will discuss the proposals relating to EAPL2 with the clubs. The Feeder Leagues approached EAPL to ascertain whether they would be welcome to attend the meeting to listen and observe, and as a result be better informed. EAPL have confirmed that the meeting is scheduled and solely for clubs, and that Feeder Leagues will not be welcome to attend. This is naturally disappointing for all the Feeder Leagues who are seeking to ensure that the interests of all their clubs are fairly and properly considered.

We will continue to press EAPL for answers to these and other pertinent questions that may arise. Once we have these answers and can therefore provide our member clubs with a fully informed impact assessment of the plan we will communicate this to all clubs and stakeholders.

Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Two Counties Management Sub Committee

So what is remarkable about that you may ask…………….?

What is remarkable is that this was in Division 7 of the Two Counties Championship by a young lady of just 16 years of age. Bella Johnson of Chappel and Wakes Colne CC scored a run a ball ton for the 1st team in the match against Maldon on Saturday last, out of a total of 231 for 1 in their allocated 45 overs. They went on to win the match, bowling the opposition out for 214…..

Bella has been at Essex CC since the age of 7 and is now in the Essex Ladies 1st XI squad. She also bowls, her stats for the season for Chappel and Wakes Colne show she has taken 11 wickets @ 18 at an average of 26.

Clearly a name to look out for in the future and I hope that this will encourage many more youngsters to become interested in playing our beautiful game. Well done Bella …….!

A Twitter account for the Two Counties Championship has been set up to assist with communication.  It is felt that maybe the method of website postings and emailed Circulars could be perceived as a little “old hat” and it is hoped that this will improve things, particularly with the younger element.  The posting below will be our first Tweet ………