My first year as captain turned out to be a disappointing one for the club in terms of where all 3 teams finished in their respective leagues. However the performances of a number of players within the club and particularly the 1^st team give myself and the club hope for the future.

The season started well for the first team with a good win at home against Belper Amateurs, with Nigel Spencer scoring a very good 88. However the game did not come without problems, we lost Dale Steers to a side strain something that would cost both him and the club dear during the remainder of the season. We were then very unlucky with the weather and had 3 games abandoned. In between the called off games though we easily beat Selston and Codnor with Joseph Kinsey and Dave Swannack taking hatricks in these 2 games respectively. After 6 games we were sat near the top of the league however are batsman had not had much time at the crease due to the abandoned games and the 2 easy wins meaning the batsmen were not getting much match practice, something which would catch up with us.

We were hammered away to a very good Shipley Hall side who went on to win the league by a massive margin, however this was my most disappointing moment of being first team captain. We were rolled over for less than 100 and they knocked them off for the loss of 1 wicket. If their was any positive to come out of this result it was the batting of Matthew Osborne he proved to himself and the rest of the boys just how far he had come since last year and scored a decent 30 odd not out before running out of partners.

After the Shipley game we suffered defeats against Stapleford, Tibshelf and Ashborne. I think we have to put this run of results down to experience, as all season we had been fielding a relatively young and inexperienced team. However if we are to improve next season we must learn to fight and turn results like this around.

Talking of experience though we went to West Hallam run the toss elected to bowl on a wet wicket and Paul Linacre went through the West Hallam batting line up like a hot knife through butter taking the clubs season best figures 0f 7-20 odd. We then knocked the runs off for 2 wickets. I do remember the very unlucky Chris Hendley getting a beast of a ball in this game summing up his 1^st team season he did however show his ability in the 2^nd team winning the averages for the first time, and he must look to improve further over the winter and make an impact in the 1^st team next year.

After the West Hallam game we travelled to the top of the world to play Belper Ams for the second time and were very unlucky to not come away with 27 points however we could not remove the number 9 batsman and paid the price to the tune of 11 points. This would happen to us again before the season was out.

We suffered another disappointing result the following week against a strong Belper Meadows side however I am sure we could have got something from the match if we had held on to are catches. However a number of catches went begging which cost us the chance to defend our modest total of 160 odd and they knocked them off for the loss of 4 or 5 wickets, something else to improve on next season.

We then played 2 very good games against Butterley United and Marehay both games came down to the last over. The game against Butterley could have gone either way with us needing 1 wicket off the last over and them needing 9 runs, however we managed to hold on for a winning draw. The game against Marehay was also very close they needed about 10 of the last over with a number of wickets in hand. The first ball of the last over was smashed out of the ground however Aubrey Ashley got it together and saved the day in great style. Aubrey has deserved a chance in the first team for the past 2 years and was producing; maybe he can do the same next year, adding a bit of experience to the bowling attack.

Neil Pollard had played most of the season with the first however it was not until he was not available that I realised how important he is to the side, this was proved when I worked at the 1^st team averages. Neil had taken nearly 25 wickets at 15 runs a piece, next year I think we need to make more use of his ability to swing the ball. He also has the ability to complement a spin bowler due to the fact that he can keep batsmen quite, something that Joseph Kinsey benefited from last season.

We then had the major disappointment of losing against Codnor off the last ball of the innings. I was gutted with the result after batting the team into a winning position I got out and the rest is history. Dave Swannack was hard done by after bowling 14 overs on the hottest day ever in this country he was the last man to fall. With the ball Dave was having his best ever season and his commitment to the team is second to none travelling up from Stafford every week to play, we are blessed to have him at our club when he has the ability to play at a much higher standard.

Dale Steers was now back from injury and proving he could play with ease within the first team and he was awarded with a Derbyshire Under 15 call up. Finally a Clowne Youngster getting some recognition. However he must improve his shot selection when batting in order to make the most of his natural ability. As a bowler he just needs to build himself up a little to generate that little bit of extra pace and to prevent further injuries in the future.

We then hosted Shipley on Ians wedding day meaning that we had a number of players unavailable, it was also holiday season therefore we fielded a very young 1^st team and managed to hold on for the draw. However it could have been better had we held on to Graham Mcdoungh when he was on 2, he went on to make 102 which took the game away from us. Some highlights of the game were a maiden first team wicket for Josh Womble having the leagues average topper Matt Abbott caught out, and a gritty 45* from the out of sorts Andrew Smalley. Showing if he can keep his head he can be a real threat to any batsman.

We then went on another disappointing run of results. We lost to Stapleford, Tibshelf, and Ashbourne and got a losing draw against the relegated West Hallam. However the 1^st team selection was hindered by the fact that as a club we thought it was worthwhile making the 2^nd team as strong as possible in order for them to remain in 6n next season, something which we successfully achieved.

All the details of the 1st Team perfomances can be found by clicking on the following links :-

1st Team Averages 2003

1st Team League Tables 2003

1st Team Match Reports 2003

1st Team Results 2003

Next season we will benefit from the fact that most of our youngsters have experienced some 1^st team cricket. Players such as Dale Steers, Matthew Osborne, Jamie Fellows, Adam White and Joseph Kinsey must look to establish themselves as key performers next year.

The youngster who I have been impressed most with this year is Matthew Osborne he has proved in a few knocks this year that he has the ability to be a quality player. However other batsman at the club including Paul Linacre Andrew Smalley Nigel Spencer Glyn and myself Long have got to improve next season if we are to be successful. I feel we need 2 or 3 batsmen to score over 700 runs in order to be successful. Another player who has caught my eye in young Matthew Linacre who will make a big impression next year if he continues to develop himself and control his temper. I also expect Jamie fellows and Steve Bennett to make a play for 1st team contention next year, Jamie in particular will have to work on his strength during the winter if he is to achieve this, but he does have the ability to make the grade.

I also feel it is essential to attract 2 or 3 decent 1^st team players to the club in order to add some depth to the talent at the club. These players will also add some experience to the young squad, and I am currently trying to attract some players that fit the bill to the club. If anybody knows anybody who may fit the bill then let me have his details so that I can contact them.

I am also enquired about entering a team into the Chesterfield Mid-Week league for next season as I feel this will give regular players more match practice rather than netting. However the importance of net practice will not be overlooked.

I also feel we require a senior 2^nd team captain, Phil has already indicated that he will not be standing as captain next season therefore I would consider 2 people if they are interested they are Len Wright or Paul Osborne. Paul Linacre would also be considered but I would like to see him play with the first team again next season. Someone of Len or Pauls experience will pass important information to the juniors within the club. They will also not stand for the juniors throwing tantrums on the pitch something that I know happened several times last season. I also think they will instil some discipline and etiquette to the juniors therefore making them aware of what is expected. This will also make the transition in to 1^st team cricket smoother.

I think this is also the time to thank Phil for his effort over the past few years as he has had the hardest job at the club. He has served the club and hope he continues to develop himself as a cricketer over the next few seasons, if he does the club will be far the better for it.

I would also like to see a first team squad system introduced next season so that the best 15-16 players are considered for selection over the course of the season. Selection for the 1^st team would be primarily based on the ‘squad’ players, however if someone outside the squad has performed consistently for the 2^nd team for 5-8 games he will then be considered for selection. Those ‘squad’ players who are not picked for the 1^st team would then be picked for the 2^nd team forming a strong backbone to that team. The rest of the players will be selected from the best of the rest. This will make team selection more consistent and solve one of the major problems in recent years. Last year for example 28 players played for the 1^st team, which has to be a main reason for the inconsistency of the team’s results.

Next season there is also talk of us having a 4^th team in the Sunday league which means we will have the opportunity to play a 1^st and 2^nd team in the Sunday league which will allow us to develop more youngsters in this more ‘friendly’ environment. It will also allow more Clowne players to have a game on a Sunday, me included.

Therefore after a relatively poor season I am still confident for the future of Clowne Town Cricket Club.

All of the above ideas along with other issues will be discussed during the 2 meetings which will be held at the begining of November.

Cheers Ben.

If you have any comments leave them on the Message Board

Related Links:
Player Profiles
Fantasy Cricket
Fixtures