Download - Bexley Cricket Club

Issue No 1
4 th April 2013
BEXLEY CRICKET CLUB NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the Bexley CC Newsletter
All current and archived newsletters can now be viewed on
www.bexleycc.co.uk
**PLEASE NOTE ** New editions go on line every Thursday.
Hard copies will be on display in the Clubhouse.
Any news items, photos or suggestions are welcome and can be sent to
Lesley Griggs on griggsys@btinternet.com
The 2013 Season starts here
Despite the very cold weather, training and friendlies have started across the country with players
wearing clothing more suited to the ski slopes!
Is he appealing or jumping up and down to keep warm?
Adam Riley, in Long Johns and Beanie, takes 5 wickets in a pre-season match for Kent v Hampshire, whilst
Adam Ball scored the winning runs.

Bexley CC’s New Director of Cricket
Minal (Min) Patel was born in Mumbai, India and first joined Bexley when he
was 22. His first Test match for England v India was in 1996 and he played
regularly for Kent CC, where he is now on the coaching staff. Min returned to
Bexley for the 2011 season and has since taken 46 wickets and scored 695 runs
for the 1st X1. Many have taken advantage of his expertise and knowledge
and now in his role as Bexley’s Director of Cricket, all ages should benefit.
“I’m looking forward to the forthcoming season with high hopes for success through all the various playing
elevens. Possibly more importantly is the development of the huge number of talented young cricketers we have at
the club. Their progress will be decided by many factors that include following the lead of senior players in both the
match and training environment, their willingness to want to learn and develop, plus finally, the whole club
collectively raising the bar of what we feel are acceptable standards. If the attendance and efforts over the winter
nets are anything to go by, we have definitely started the process in fine style, but we need to maintain this
momentum through to the end of the season. It will be great to have selection meetings where players are pushing
to player in higher sides by weight of performance.
I am also keen that we treat the cup competitions with the respect they deserve. In reality, they are easier to win
than leagues due to how many fewer games you have to play in order to achieve success. Additionally, it also gives
the whole club a boost to play a later round match at Manor Way.
Finally, I want to wish everyone a successful 2013, and in particular, George, the best of luck and my full support in
his first season as 1st team captain.”
Club Captain and Men’s 1 st XI Captain
George Wells joined BCC as an U12 colt under the management of Stuart Bell and
apart from a year at Blackheath, (which we won’t mention again!!) has been an
influential member of the Club. He played for Kent U13-U16 and Surrey U17-U19,
making his debut for BCC 1 st X1 at 16 years. George is an all-rounder, scoring 3285
runs, taking 97 wickets as a fast bowler and 54 catches for the 1 st X1.
Although he very much enjoys Bexley’s social life, he is very competitive and takes all
aspects of the cricket at Bexley very seriously from the U9’s to the 5 th /6 th XI.
We all wish George success in his new role and his ambitions for the 2013 season.
“Firstly, I'd like to express how honoured I am to be captaining Bexley's 1st XI this year. I'm very excited for the
season ahead, and will endeavour to do the role justice. Whilst it's fantastic that we have such a young and vibrant
club, I am also very grateful for the assistance given by the senior players (and ex-players) around me, naming no
names!
In recent years, if we'd finished seasons like we'd started them then we'd certainly be in with a strong chance of
league success. This year, I'd like to see us perform consistently throughout the season. There are many factors that
will contribute to whether or not we achieve that, our level of training and preparation being one of them. Equally
important however, is competition for places and big performances from players in the 2nd XI is crucial. Selection
headaches are exactly what I want!
For a club of our stature, I think 17 years is too long a gap since last winning the 1st XI Kent Premier League title.
Whilst I know that success doesn't come overnight, there is no doubt that winning the league is one of the targets
within the next few seasons. We are blessed with a wealth of talented young cricketers and an excellent colts' setup,
so with application and hard work there is no reason why we can't create an environment that breeds success
for many years to come.”

The Ground
The groundsman, Dave Sealey, has had an interesting winter, overseeing contractors.
In September the grass was killed leaving the square an oasis of green. A new water pipe was laid to the
square and the outfield was levelled. Fresh top soil and grass seed finished the project.
Unfortunately, heavy rain came at the wrong time and patches had to be re levelled and seeded. We
now need some warm weather for the grass to germinate so Dave can get back on his tractor.

Colt’s News
Chairman’s Welcome to the Colt’s Season
“When looking out of the window it’s hard to believe the first outdoor training session is less than three
weeks away! However, with the winter nets firmly behind us, I believe we can look forward, with a
certain amount of optimism, to the new season as the coaches have been extremely complimentary of
the commitment, attitude and improvement shown by all the colts who attended. My thanks to the
coaching team of Jason Benn, Steve Griggs, George Wells, Dave Pask, Mike Dixon, Gary Joyce and
Stanley Wells.
We are all set for the summer season with same format as last season, with each team having a
manager and a coach, this now includes the three girls teams. We will continue to try and play as many
matches as possible at Manor Way. We also hope to run the academy again this summer, as well as the
fielding workshop. Sue Towers is already a long way into planning the Manor Way Festival on Sunday
9th June so please save the date.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome five new team members to the Management and
Coaching teams. Gary Naylor, who will manage the U10’s with Stanley Wells as coach, Rebecca Shanks,
managing the U11 Girls, Matt Cheesbrough with the U13 girls and Maruf Chowdhury coaching the
U15A’s.
The full coaching team for the 2013 season will be
Girls U11’s - Ben Moore, U13 - Matt Cheesbrough, U15’s - Richard O’Sullivan.
Boys U10’s (U11B) - Stanley Wells, U11A’s - Dave Pask, U12’s (U13b) - Steve King, U13A’s - Joe Russell,
U14’s (U15B) - George Wells, U15A’s - Maruf Chowdhury and Jason Benn the U16’s.
I look forward to seeing you at the colt’s registration evening on Friday 19th April from 1900hrs in the
Club house.”
Andrew Furze
Colt’s Training
Training commences Friday 19 th April with the U12’s and U13’s at 6.00 – till dark

Club News
Race Night at Crayford Dogs – Friday 12 th April
The season starts with a fund raising
evening at Crayford Dogs.
Members, relatives and friends of all ages are
welcome.
Tickets for over 18's are priced at £5 and all proceeds go directly to the club.
Under 18's are very welcome and should pay £4.50 on the door.
Doors open at 6.15pm, first race starts at 7.30pm.
Please contact Peter Bleksley on 07747 030989 or email at peterbleksley@msn.com to order tickets.
Cricket Force – Saturday 13 th April
Saturday 13th April will see Cricket Force 2013 taking place at the club, starting at 9 am.
For those of you that have not participated in this event before, it is a nationwide event, run by the England
Cricket Board and sponsored by Nat West, to encourage all cricket clubs to utilise their membership as
volunteers to prepare their cricket grounds for the start of the new season.
Over the years we have been well supported but it would be great in 2013 to see some new faces. There will be
a wide range of jobs to be completed from the painting of the outside of all buildings at the ground, clearing and
tidying of the car park, to the erection of the nets, sightscreens and covers, along with many other tasks. This
support has meant Bexley CC has maintained its reputation of being one of the best kept grounds in the County
as well as saving on costs that can then be utilised for larger projects.
If you can bring rakes and/or wheelbarrows, they will be put to good use.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all volunteers and the bar will be open in the afternoon to reward your
hard work.
There will also be a men’s training session after all the jobs have been completed, so bring your kit or a chair to
watch.
Scoring
All teams are always looking for competent scorers for colt’s or adult games.
Lesley and Steve are running a scoring workshop suitable for all ages and ability on Tuesday 16 th April
7.30 – 9.00 at the Club. No charge, just bring pencil and rubber.
Please send an email to griggsys@btinternet.com for more details or to book a place.

Member’s News
Bexley’s membership increases
Welcome to Jimmy Pierson
Jimmy, our overseas player and his girlfriend, Amy, arrive Friday 12 th April from Brisbane, Queensland. 20
year old Jimmy plays for the Queensland Bulls Cricket team and the same club, Redlands CC, as Alex Kemp,
who was with us a few seasons ago. He has recently played at the U19 Cricket World Cup for Australia and
hopes to use his experience, as a wicket keeper and batsman, to support Bexley’s 1 st XI this season.
Jimmy’s grandparents originally moved from Newcastle 50 years ago to Oz but he is a Chelsea fan. We
promise not to hold either fact against him!! His second sport is fishing, so if anyone would like to take him
out for a day on the riverbank, he would love it. Both Jimmy and Amy are studying part-time degrees, which
they are hoping to continue whilst in England between matches, training and socialising.
“Amy is a fun loving girl who loves to be social and can't wait to mingle with the Bexley 'wives and girlfriends'.
Looking forward, I plan to play the absolute best cricket I can for Bexley, and hopefully play a large part in
winning a flag for the club. Amy and I are both very excited to be involved in such a prestigious club and can't
wait to experience the fun atmosphere we have heard about. Aside from playing and supporting the club as
much as possible, Amy and I are looking forward to also seeing as much of England and Europe where we can.”
Willmo achieves a Hat Trick
Nikki and Ian Willmott welcomed a new edition to their family as baby Doyle joins older sisters,
Leanne and Kirsty. Ian now wants a double hat trick to complete his family.

Finally
£50 Reward
The Club is introducing 2 new awards this season.
Player of the Month – selected by the Cricket Committee
Volunteer of the Month – selected by Main Committee
Each winner will receive a £50 bar voucher in recognition of their achievements, to be spent over the
season at Manor Way. So get down the nets or speak to Chris Woolley about how you can volunteer
some of your spare time to be in with a chance of winning.
Annual Subscriptions
A reminder that payment is due by 30 th April if you wish to be selected for matches. Any difficulties
please contact Kerry Riley on membership@bexleycc.co.uk
Availability
Please complete your availability on BCC Play-Cricket site for Adult matches.
Log in on home page, then click YOUR DETAILS (right side, above Log Out) AVAILABILITY is then on the
left. Remember to SAVE at bottom of availability page.
NEW MEMBERS – you need to REGISTER on home page, complete the boxes with your details and click
SEND FORM at the bottom. You will be approved within a day and can then do your availability.
Any difficulties please contact Lesley Griggs on griggsys@btinternet.com or 0208 300 3524
Good Luck
To all those at school or university taking exams in the coming weeks.
Remember that exercise stimulates the brain and makes it more receptive to studying, so let Bexley CC
help with your revision!