Somerset to create cricketing opportunities for the visually impaired.

Somerset CCC are to planning to set up a cricket team for the visually impaired and with this in mind will be running a series of coaching sessions over the forthcoming months.

In the recent past Somerset County Cricket Club has hosted weekend practice sessions for the England Blind Cricket Team and the Somerset Cricket Board is delighted that the Somerset Disabled Cricket Team currently has the honour of being National Champions of the Disabled County Championship.

The Somerset Cricket Board now wish to promote opportunities for visually impaired people to take part in a series of cricket taster sessions.

Cricket for blind and visually impaired cricketers is played with a size 3 "football", with ball bearings inside. This enables the line and length of the ball to be "picked up". Various other adaptations to the rules are incorporated to suit the requirements of different levels of visual impairment.

Andrew Moulding the Somerset Cricket Development Manager said: "The next step forward is that four taster sessions have been arranged to take place at Taunton Vale Sports Club, Gipsy Lane, Staplegrove, Taunton TA2 6LP, all on Saturday afternoons, February 27th, March 20th , April 24th and May 22nd between 2.30pm to 4.30pm."

The CDM continued: "We also propose to continue the sessions for a further hour from 4.30pm to 5.30pm for the older participants, who will be likely to compete in matches in the summer."

For further information, please contact Andrew Moulding, telephone 01823 425330 or e-mail andrewm@somersetcricketboard.org

Somerset youngster scoops top Chance to Shine Award.

Matt Counsell from Somerset scooped the Coach of the Year Award when the great and the good of the cricketing world came together recently in Birmingham to celebrate the work being done by Chance to shine.

The 'Chance to shine Achievement Awards', recognised the efforts of the teachers, coaches and club managers involved on the ground in the country's biggest school sports development initiative.

Among those present were Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board Giles Clarke, who was formerly Chairman of Somerset CCC, England Women's captain Charlotte Edwards, former England captain Mike Gatting, ICC President David Morgan and former England players Devon Malcolm and Vikram Solanki.

The event included a keynote speech by MCC President John Barclay on the Spirit of Cricket and culminated in the Chance to shine Achievement Awards presentation.

Matt Counsell, who is based in West Huntspill where he captains his local side Huntspill and District in Division Three of the Best Western Shrubbery Hotel Somerset Cricket League, but carries out his Chance to Shine coaching at Chard Cricket Club was presented with the Coach of the Year Award by Slazenger's Sunny Singh. 

The judges recognised the 21 year old's commitment to the programme by travelling 80 miles to complete, without fail, his Chance to shine sessions.

In their citation the judges said: " Matt journeys 80 miles to complete sessions. He has never been late or called off a session. He shows enthusiasm and commitment and has a super way of communicating with the children. He has encouraged participation in cricket at all levels from teachers to pupils, including girls, as well as actively promoted Chance to shine in local newspapers. He also assisted with organising the International 20/20 demos at Taunton."

In addition to his involvement with Huntspill and District and Chard CC, Matt, who is currently in his final year of studying for a degree in Coaching and PE at Marjon University in Plymouth was also the team manager for the Somerset Under 12s in 2009.

 

District Cricket 2009-10

After another successful district corner process was completed last summer it is now time for the selection process to start again. All clubs and schools have been contacted for nominations and all these players have been informed of their trial dates. These are listed below.

These trials are the first stage of the selection process for the training and match programmes which will be held in 2010.

The District Corner Programme is a second tier below the county youth teams and gives players an opportunity to showcase their talents to be put forward for county selection as well as giving many players their opportunity to play longer matches on good pitches to aid their cricketing development particularly in the tactical area.

The summer programme will have a change this year as it is felt that there needs to be a more competitive finish to the week. Full details of this will be decided upon in due course.

Pete Sanderson, who has been out in India in his  role as assistant coach to SCCC, who also organizes the Corners District Cricket said: "This is always an exciting time of year  to see the new crop of Somerset's best cricketers coming together to pit their wits against other players to get a gauge of where they are in the cricketing ladder"

The dates for this years Corner Trials is as follows-

FOOT ANSTEY CORNERS CRICKET

2009-2010 TRIAL DATES

North East - Writhlington School Sports Centre, BA3 3NQ

Under 10's - Monday 26th October - 3-5pm
Under 11's - Monday 26th October - 5-7pm
Under 12's - Tuesday 27th October 4-6pm
Under 13's - Tuesday 27th October 6-8pm
Under 14's - Wednesday 28th October - 4-6pm

North West - Merchants Hall Cricket Academy, Withywood School, BS13 9BL

Under 11's - Thursday 29th October - 3:00-5:00pm
Under 12's - Thursday 29th October - 5:30-7:30pm
Under 13's - Friday 30th October - 9:30-11:30am
Under 14's - Friday 30th October - 12:00-2:00pm

South East - Wells Development Centre, The Blue School, Wells, BA5 2NP

Under 11's - Sunday 25th October - 9:00-10:45am
Under 12's - Sunday 25th October - 11:00-12:45pm
Under 13's - Sunday 25th October - 1:00 - 2:45pm
Under 14's - Sunday 25th October - 3:00 - 4:45pm

South West - Centre of Excellence, Somerset CCC, Taunton, TA1 1JT

Under 10's - Thursday 29th October - 9:30 - 11:30am
Under 11's - Thursday 29th October - 12:00 - 2:00pm
Under 12's - Thursday 29th October - 2:30 - 4:30pm
Under 13's - Saturday 31st October - 9:15 - 11:15am
Under 14's - Saturday 31st October - 11:30 - 1:30pm

 

 

JOHN DAVEY PRESENTED WITH ICC AWARD

John Davey who is the chairman of Huntspill and District Cricket Club, has been honoured by the International Cricket Council and was presented with an ICC centenary medal in recognition for his service to cricket.

The presentation to the Huntspill stalwart was made during the Cockspur Twenty20 finals when they took place at the County Cricket Ground in Derby recently, and was made by Paul Bedford, the Head of Cricket Operations (Non First Class) at the ECB.

Since the medal was first introduced it has only been presented by the ICC to 1000 recipients worldwide, of which only 50 have been in England and Wales to volunteers.
 
John Davey has been a member of Huntspill and District CC for over 40 years, where he set up the thriving youth section and where he continues to coach girls and boys of all ages.

There are many players currently playing in Somerset who started their cricket careers with coaching by John Davey or playing in one of his youth sides.
 
In addition to his involvement at Hunstpill and District, Davey is also involved in many aspects of cricket throughout the county. He is a qualified scorer, umpire and club mark assessor and is the long standing treasurer of both the Somerset Cricket Board and The West of England Premier League.

In paying tribute to all of the work that John Davey has done for cricket in the county, Somerset cricket development manager Andrew Moulding said: "For many, many years John has been involved with recreational cricket in Somerset. He has been a driving force at his own club Huntspill and District, where both his daughter and son in law are also involved and his grandson is captain."

The Somerset CDM went on: "John was a leading member of the Somerset Cricket Association which dealt with all aspects of the recreational game in the county before the Somerset Cricket Board was created and he also served on the South West Regional Forum which dealt with cricketing matters across the region."

"Now John is very involved with the West of England Premier League and is currently the treasurer, all of which he does entirely voluntarily."

Mr Moulding added: "Without people like John Davey there would be no recreational cricket."

 

SOMERSET DISABLED CC 'BOWL' TO VICTORY.

Somerset Disabled Cricket Club stormed into the National Championship Semi Finals with a well deserved victory over their Hampshire counterparts at The Rosebowl.

Both teams had difficulty in meeting the demands of a 'bouncy' wicket, however Somerset learnt and adapted their game much better and got their just reward.

Batting first, Somerset found runs hard to come by and lost wickets at regular intervals.  At the half way stage, with the score at 50 - 5, Captain Jon Tucker was joined by James Redwood and together they added 39 runs.  Following Redwood's departure Julian Bellew continued to give valuable support as Tucker took on the Hampshire attack with a masterful innings of 84.  This partnership produced a further 75 runs, the innings closing on a competitive 164 - 7.

Somerset opening bowlers, Nick Dean (3 - 27) and Keiron Cozens (3 - 11) grabbed early wickets, with James Redwood claiming 2 - 5.  A wicket apiece for Richard Packer and Adam Snow reduced Hampshire to 59 all out.

An excellent bowling performance, backed up by good fielding and catching,  completed a comfortable victory.

Coach Dan Hodges was full of praise for the bowlers, who adapted intelligently to the conditions and for Jon Tucker's brilliant innings which set up the victory.  The team are looking forward to the Semi Final with confidence. 

The Semi Final will be played on Sunday August 30th at Taunton Deane Cricket Club.

 

SOMERSET OVER 50s KNOCKED OUT BY WARWICKSHIRE

Somerset's dream of lifting the ECB National Over 50s championship is over for another season when they were beaten by Warwickshire at Taunton Deane Cricket Club on Sunday.

Having finished the regional round with maximum points to qualify for the last 16 knock out stages of the competition the hosts were seeded first and were drawn against Warwickshire who had squeezed into the knockout stage.

Somerset won the toss and made good progress accumulating 72 runs in 20 overs before Paul Ashton (45) dragged a late cut onto his stumps.

Dave Stephenson (41) fell in the same fashion. Norman Botton (6) and Graham Poulton (22) gave much needed but all too brief support to Andy Ashfold.

When Ashfold was joined by Tony Scott the runs came much more quickly and turned from a trickle to a torrent. Ashfold (49 not out) worked the ball into the gaps and Scott (58 not out) hit the ball into the pavilion to help Somerset post 241 for 4 from their allotted overs.

When the visitors batted Botton reeled off his nine overs of left arm seam and swing at a cost of just 25 runs, giving a great lesson in accuracy.

Whilst the ground fielding was immaculate, both openers were dropped off the unlucky Davies as Dawson (57) and Wootton (64) put on 104 before Nigel Belletty popped up stump the former.

Despite the introduction of Brian Brogden who over the course of the season has been the teams most economic bowler Duncan Gardner (81) countered with a devastating assault peppering the adjacent tennis courts with four consecutive sixes as eventually Warwickshire reached 242 for 4 with one over to spare to take their place in the last 8 of the competition and leave their hosts empty handed for another season.

 

BATH WIN LADY TAVERNERS GIRLS UNDER 13 TOURNAMENT

Seven girl's cricket teams from across Somerset took part in the Lady Taverners Under 13 County Tournament that was held at Huish and Langport's attractive ground recently.

The team that took part were- Huish and Langport, Wells, Chard, Westlands, Bath, Minehead, and Huntspill and District, who all played against each other on a round robin basis.
 
The day went ahead as planned without a hitch and was a great success especially because Langport avoided the heavy rain, which fell in other parts of the county.
 
In the penultimate round of matches Huntspill and District met up with Bath which was quite a crunch games because up to that point both teams were unbeaten.

After a contest that was exciting to watch Bath emerged as the victors and the were the overall winners (without loss) at the end of the day.
 
Bath will now go onto the Regional Final on the 16th August in Bournemouth.

 

OVER 60s BEAT WILTSHIRE

Somerset entertained their visitors from Wiltshire in the West of England 60+ competition at Portishead CC which was a picture in the good weather last Thursday.

When the two sides met earlier in the season at Wootton Bassett it was Somerset who triumphed but with a likely runners-up place in the West division at stake, Wiltshire were inserted and made steady progress on an excellent pitch against sensible if unadventurous bowling and some good fielding.

Three early batsmen made scores under 50 before the game turned with the introduction of wily off-spinner Brian Brogden, who took 5 for 37 in his nine overs, ably supported by Mike Brimble's (3 for 19) light swingers that forced the later batters to try to attack in pursuit of runs as they lost nine wickets in scoring 173 in their allotted 45 overs.

Chasing 174 for victory, Somerset openers Peter Slocombe (32) and Derek Robbins (37) set about their task carefully in spite of the former's leg injury and the latter's lack of middle practice this season.

Their admirable stand was finally broken, but left-hander Rod Cooper (26) and a dashing 57 not out from John Thackray saw the team home to 174 for 3 with overs to spare.

Skipper Dave Yorath rates his team's chances as good if they can beat Cornwall on Sunday 2nd August at Bagborough to set up a quarter-final place against Hampshire at Winchester.

Meanwhile Somerset Over 50s are in action today (August 2nd) when they entertain Warwickshire in the last 16 knock out stages of the ECB National competition at Taunton Deane CC.

 

 

TRINITY TAUNTON WIN EWART HEBDITCH CUP

The Ewart Hebditch Cricket competition officially celebrated its 25th anniversary at the County Ground on Monday July 20th when Trinity Primary School, Taunton beat Hugh Sexey Middle, Blackford in a high scoring encounter.

Trinity batted first and amassed an impressive score of 147 for 5 in their 20 overs with Connor Noble leading the way with a fine 71,Louis Gush making 30 and Tom Burgess 22 giving good support.

Hugh Sexey made a confident start and Dan Reasons batted with increasing confidence to score a fine70. However the turning point came when he was bowled by Mark Sanders, which left Hugh Sexey needing four to win in the last over but they fell just short and ended their innings on 145 for 5.

For Trinity Nathan Jones returned excellent figures of  three wickets for 12 runs from his three overs.

At the end of the game, Richard Gould the Somerset CCC chief executive presented all of the players with their medals and the cup to Trinity Primary.

Ewart Hebditch was a committee member of  Somerset CCC and when he died back in the early 1980s Dennis Breakwell and Alan Ranger set up this competition in his memory.

Over the years many schools have supported the competition and many young cricketers have had the pleasure of playing at the County Ground. Several of those who have been involved in the Ewart Hebditch Cup, including Keith and Kevin Parsons, Matthew Dimond and Matt Bulbeck have gone on to play first class cricket for Somerset.

Alan Ranger, who is still involved with organising the competition said: "Special thanks must be given to Somerset County Cricket Club, Somerset Schools Cricket Association and all the teachers and coaches who have supported this competition so well ever since it was started."

 

 

 

ST JOSEPHS PORTISHEAD TRIUMPH IN YEAR 5 KWIK CRICKET

The finals of the Somerset Year 5 Kwik Cricket competition took place at Taunton Vale on Tuesday 14th July.

The first stage of the competition consisted of two groups with matches played on a round robin basis.

Group One which consisted of Bathwick St Mary, Swanmead, Tatworth and Trinity  contested an even and hard fought group. In all 4 out of the 6 games went down to the last over and 2 of the matches to the last ball. Bathwick St Mary and Tatworth tied at the top of the group on 7 points with Bathwick going through the final having scored more runs than Tatworth in their group matches.

In Group Two the competition was no less tight, with Newbridge, St Georges and St Josephs all finishing tied on the top of the table with 4 points. The place in the final went to St Josephs by virtue of scoring 1 more run than St Georges in the group matches.

All the schools then proceeded to take part in the 2nd stage of matches, to determine their finishing position in the competition and to provide the overall Somerset County Champions as a result of which the final placings were as follows :
7th place -  Trinity School,6th place -  Swanmead School,5th place -  Newbridge School
4th place -  Tatworth School3rd place -  St Georges School.

The County Final produced a tremendous game of cricket with the championship decided on the last ball of the match. St Josephs finishing on 243 runs and Bathwick St Mary 238 runs, with St Josephs Portishead securing the winners slot by 5 runs.

Somerset Cricket Board senior development officer Brian Hoyle who organised the event said afterwards: "The standard of cricket played throughout the competition proved to be at a very high level and in the addition the sporting nature during all the matches reflects with great credit on all the schools involved."
 
He went on: "Great credit and thanks from the SCB must also go to all the parents, teachers and Taunton Vale groundstaff for ensuring the completion of the tournament in very wet and windy conditions." 

He added: "The day was a fantastic conclusion to a hugely successful competition arranged by the SCB and next years tournament is eagerly anticipated by all involved."

 

SOMERSET OVER 50 EARN HOME TIE IN LAST 16

SOMERSET Over 50s ensured a home tie in the last 16 of the ECB National Compeition when they beat their Wiltshire counterparts at Midsomer Norton on Sunday.

Somerset captain Paul Ashton won the toss and given the team's recent batting performances opted to bat first.

Following a century in each of the last two games Ashton was dismissed third ball. Dave Stephenson and Simon Reeves restored order before the fomer was run out for 29.
While wickets fell at the opposite end Reeves remained resolute until he was eventually out for 61. Tony Scott and Ian Davies guided Somerset to respectability and when Scott (53) was unable to regain his ground Davies (53 not out) continued to take runs with ease.Nigel Bellety then rounded off the innings with 31 off just 16 balls as Somerset reached 264 for 8 off their 45 overs.

The Wiltshire openers batted cautiously but the ever reliable Brian Brogden made the breakthrough in the 17th over when he had Newport caught behind square for 24.

Slocombe (2 for 23 off 9 overs) and Scott (1 for 22 off 6) kept up the pressure as thre run rate increased. Somerset took their catches well as Wiltshire were all out for 131 in the 40th over, Brogden ending with five for 35 off his 9 overs.

Somerset are next in action when they entertain the Channel Islands at North Perrott CC on Sunday July 19th.

OVER 50s BEAT HAMPSHIRE

Somerset Over 50s reached the last 16 of the ECB national competition when they recorded a 69 run victory over Hampshire at Taunton Deane CC on Sunday.

Batting first Somerset got off to a good start though local hero Dave Stephenson (19) and  Simon Reeves (14)  helped skipper Paul Ashton punish the opening attack but the wickets fell and the hosts slipped to 81 for 5

Ashton remained defiant and was ably assisted first of all by Tony Scott with 31, then Andy Steele with 18 before he perished but not before scoring a glittering 153 off 116 balls as Somerset reached 273 for nine off their 45 overs.

When Hampshire batted the Deane pitch flattened but Scott made good use of the conditions, bowling wicket to wicket to end with 4 for 37 off his 9 overs.

Ever reliable Brian Brogden captured the vital wicket of Chris Wood who made 44 to end with the miserly figures of 1 for 27 off his nine overs as the Hampshire response ended on 204 for 8, 69 runs short of their hosts total.

With five wins out of five matches Somerset are guaranteed a place in the last 16 but need to win their remaining fixtures at Midsomer Norton on the 12th July against Wiltshire and the Channel Islands the following Sunday at North Perrott to secure home advantage in the knock out stages of the competition.

 

 

Hugh Sexey's triumph in ASDA Yr 6 Kwik Cricket compeition.

More than 90 girls from nine different schools across Somerset battled it out in the Year 6 Asda Kwik Cricket finals that took place at Millfield Prep School last week.

A lovely sunny day set the scene for some highly entertaining a closely fought matches and an enjoyable day was had by all of the girls who took part along with their enthusiastic teachers.

The Asda store in Frome set up a table of tasty goodies, which the girls could munch through the afternoon!

At the end of the afternoon is was Hugh Sexey's School from Blackford near Wedmore (pictured above) who were the eventual winners and who will now go through to represent Somerset in the  Regional Finals.

 

Check out the latest in the SCB Knock Out Cups this season.

Thanks to the good weather the Somerset Cricket Board three cup competitions have been able to progress with few hiccups and virtually all of the ties have been completed by the nominated dates laid down by the committee.

In the quarter-finals of the SCB Major Cup, Bridgwater played Taunton St Andrews, Chard entertained Congresbury, Glastonbury hosted Weston super Mare and Midsomer Norton played Knowle all of which produced some high quality and competitive cricket.

As a result of these four ties the two semi- finals that will be taking place on Sunday July 26th will be between WEPL Premier One side Glastonbury and Midsomer Norton, who play in the WEPL Birstol and Somerset Division, while Chard from the Somerset Division will entertain Bridgwater who are in Premier One.

The SCB 2ndXI Cup quarter-finals will between Taunton Deane and Taunton St Andrews, Ilminster or Bridgwater and Staplegrove, Keynsham and Claverham and Bedminster and Knowle.

The SCB Minor Cup has progressed to the semi-finals stages. Wrington, who play in the North Somerset League have won through to this stage by defeating Bridgwater 3rdXI, Weston super Mare 3rdXI and last season's losing finalists Belvedere and will now face Temple Cloud on Sunday July 19th.

North Petherton have reached the last four of the SCB Minor Cup by defeating Kilve, Taunton St Andrews 3rdXI and Huntspill and District and will face either Ilton or Long Sutton in the other semi final tie.

The finals of all three of the SCB 20 over knock out cups will be staged at the County Ground in Taunton on Sunday August 30th.

 

SOMERSET OVER 50s WIN OVERSEAS!

Somerset Over 50s travelled to Ryde Cricket Club on Sunday to take on their Isle of Wight counterparts in the next round of the ECB 50+ national competition.

The home skipper Mike Watson won the toss and chose to bat in humid conditions with threatening drizzle in the air. Both Somerset opening bowlers Dave Counsell and Graham Poulton bowled a miserly line and length to the opening batsmen Watson and Habens, Poulton being rewarded with the wicket of the latter.

Somerset skipper Paul Ashton then directed the varied four pronged spin attack through 34 overs to keep the pressure on the home batsmen with Brian Brogden (3 for 33 off 8) and Tony Scott (3 for 32 off 9) the major wicket takers.

Watson with an innings of 73 not out and Ralph Abbott with 33 were the only two home batsmen to offer resistance to the Somerset attack as the Island innings closed on 151 for 8 off 45 overs, with contained just nine boundaries.

After tea the Somerset batsmen set about chasing their target with gusto, skipper Paul Ashton providing the backbone innings of 59 off 57 balls with 10 fours, vice captain Dave Stephenson 19 of 21 balls with 4 fours and Simon Reeves making 20 runs off 13 balls with 5 fours.

The winning partnership was forged by Ashton and Andy Ashfold who added 95 runs for the third wicket to take Somerset to the brink but with the score at 148 Ashton departed.

This left Poulton to deliver a winning boundary in his 5 not out and with Ashfold 34 not out off 51 balls with 3 fours Somerset secured a comfortable seven wicket win in 24.2 overs with 23 fours in total.

The Somerset Over 50s would like to extend their thanks to those involved at Ryde CC for the transportation and hospitality.

Somerset now have four wins in as many group games and proceed to Taunton Deane CC for the next match against Hampshire Sunday the 5th July.