Download pdf - NEWSLETTER Page 2 Useful Resources€¦ · NEWSLETTER Pre-2018 Season Edition Page 1 NEWSLETTER ... Following results of the ECB player survey, a blueprint was presented to all clubs

We would like to thank Lane Plumbing & Hea6ng for con6nuing as our main sponsors for the 2018 season.

Chairman’s Pre-season Review

Stuart Russell2nd XI Captain

Pre-2018 Season Edition

NEWSLETTER Pre-2018 Season Edition Page 1

NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER

Contents

2 Useful Resources

3 Chairman’s Review

4

5

The RoyalsThe Royals

NEWSLETTER

AHer a challenging winter we are on the verge of another cricket season. Lets hope for a good summer so all our members, junior, senior and social can enjoy the worlds greatest game.

Changes are coming to the senior game that will impact on all of our teams. Following results of the ECB player survey, a blueprint was presented to all clubs over the winter for a significant re-structure of West Midlands cricket. Put simply the proposal is that from the 2019 season, the Birmingham League will become a 2 division 1st XI compe66on. 1st XI's who make up Divisions 2 & 3 at the end of this season will revert to their county leagues from next season. Should we not win promo6on this season, our 1st XI will from 2019 play in a newly cons6tuted Warwickshire Cricket League Premier Division. Promo6on to the Birmingham League will be via a play off between the winners of the 4 county leagues (with 2 promoted). As for the 2nd XI, the proposal is to end the 2nd XI compe66on within the Birmingham League with all teams being placed at

an appropriate level within their county leagues (in our case probably Division 5 or 6). This will reduce travelling and hopefully make cricket at this level more compe66ve with there being both promo6on and relega6on. A re-structure of the Warwickshire League will also impact on the 3s and 4s hopefully meaning full divisions which will not be the case in 2018.

The above proposal has been approved by all leagues and the various County Boards. I am happy to discuss this in more detail with any member who wants greater background.

On the playing front we have sought to recruit new members and I am pleased to welcome Mayur Patel, Asim Tanvir, Ben Cook and Maa Appleby to the club. I am also pleased that Tom Finn who played his junior cricket at Suaon is returning. Joe Berry is returning aHer his shoulder injury which kept him out all of last season. I am also delighted to report that Dinushka is also returning as our overseas player for the 2018 season. Welcome and welcome back to one and all.

On the junior front, the Junior Commiaee has been working hard to get everything organised for all our various age groups. They have made a number of changes to registra6on, which will be explained to all parents. Our junior sec6on is a hugely important part of the Club not least because the juniors of today are tomorrows 1st XI players. It is clear from my conversa6ons with Mike Mackey & Rob Haines that we have some real talent coming through so I hope all junior members will take advantage of the opportuni6es to develop their playing skills as well as hopefully having a lot of fun.

Over the next few weeks we will be looking for help gecng the ground ready for the season. Mike Hepburn in his role as Grounds Chairman will be organising several work par6es. Can I ask all members, junior and senior to come along for a few hours and help ensure the facili6es are ready to go. It is in your interest as players, don't just leave it to the usual few!!

This year sees a major change to Data Protec6on legisla6on within the UK with the introduc6on at the end of May of the General Data Protec6on Regula6ons. This applies to any organisa6on who holds personal data on others. To ensure compliance, we are making a number of changes as to how we gather, use and store your data. We will be asking all members to complete a new membership form this year which will include a reference to our privacy policy and seeking your agreement on how we store and use your personal data.

All members MUST complete this form if they wish to be registered to play or to receive any communica6on from the club. Registra6on days will be held for all senior and junior teams. Roy Hopwood and I will be in contact with Vice Presidents, Social members and so forth prior to the end of May. Again, if anyone requires further informa6on on this please speak to Roy or myself.

Finally we hope to organise a number of social events over the summer to build on the success of our Annual Dinner. Can I once again thank Paul Heron for his fantas6c efforts in arranging an excellent night and Ashley Giles and Adger Brown for the great entertainment. I am looking for some help with the social programme so if anyone would be prepared to join in please drop me a line to the club e-mail address [email protected] . All help of any kind gratefully received.

By our next newsleaer the season will be in full swing so here hoping for great weather and great performances from all our teams.

Matt Appleby 3rd XI Captain

Dave Hands4th XI Captain

Lee Thomason1st XI Captain

Captains for the 2018 Season Main ContentsPage 2 Useful Resources

Page 3 Cricket & Grounds Chairmens review

Pages 4 & 5 2018 Season Fixtures

Page 5 Matt Appleby 3rd XI Team Captain

mailto:[email protected]

NEWSLETTER

President: James Ross

Chairman: Steve Russell

Secretary: Roy Hopwood

Treasurer: Jim Hobbis

Cricket Chairman: John Howard

Grounds Chairman: Mike Hepburn

Child Welfare Officer: TBC

Communica6ons & Website Manager: Roy Hopwood

1st XI Team Captain: Lee Thomason

2nd XI Team Captain: Stuart Russell

3rd XI Team Captain: Maa Appleby

4th XI Team Captain: Dave Hands

Fixture Secretary: John Howard

Junior Sec6on Secretary: Roy Hopwood


In 2018 the club will take part in a T20 veterans league (over 40s) against the likes of Tamworth, Aston Unity, Four Oaks Saints etc...the 1st match is away at Walmley in May with a date yet to be fixed. The venerable Mike Hepburn will manage the team with Paul Heron co-ordina6ng fixtures etc. Hopefully we will organise a couple of training sessions before the 1st game...we'll need them! Watch out for a full fixture list coming soon. If you are interested in playing contact Paul on 07792 794427.

Suaon Coldfield Cricket Club stalwart Andy Biddle can't wait to play for the Vets and says "It'll be great to meet old friends and renew a few cricke6ng rivalries." He added "Looking at the teams involved it should be very compete6ve, but it'll be played in the right spirit."

Useful ResourcesSuaon Coldfield Cricket Club Website

Newsleaer Editor: Roy Hopwoodemail: Roy Hopwood

If you wish to ‘CONTACT US’ please use the form on our website:

2 prizes drawn each month1 number - £2.00 per monthPrizes will grow as more people join Direct Debit forms can be obtained from behind the bar, or you can follow this link and download the forms from our website:

Each junior and senior age group has a qualified ECB level 2 allocated to it with specialist sessions provided by ECB level 3 coaches. Coaching will take place on the following days:

Monday U14-U17 6.15pm – 8.00pmTuesday Seniors 6.15pm – 8.00pmThursday Seniors 6.15pm – 8.00pmFriday U8-U13 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Friday Nights: Friday night tends to be Junior Club night where not only does the coaching take place, but parents are welcome to stay and watch as well as use the bar facili6es. In addi6on, the BBQ is available for food from 6.00 - 8.30pm every Friday night. Parents, children and friends are all welcome during the evening.

NEWSLETTERThe RoyalsThe Royals

The Clubhouse is available for:A party or birthday, func6ons & social events

Good rates for members and friends

Contact: John HowardClubhouse Manager

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Hire The Club

Coaching Nights

Club Officials

SCC 200 Club



The Club is very grateful to sponsors of 1st X1 matches for 2018. Sponsorship covers match costs such as the umpires fees and teas. Sponsors can enjoy hos6ng a party of 4 with a reserved table with flowers in the bar to watch the cricket, a free drink and a cricket tea. Most sponsors are friends of the Club but it is an ideal way for a small company to host clients at a very reasonable cost (nego6able depending upon requirements). The 1st match against Walmley on 28th April is kindly sponsored by Bizzy Bees Taxis. There are several matches s6ll available to sponsor - 12th May v Astwood Bank, 2nd June v Aaock, 1st September v Coventry & North Warks and 15th September v Penkridge. Please contact Paul on 07792794427 if you wish to sponsor one of these matches.

The fixture book is being prepared and there are s6ll one or two pages available for adver6sers if quick!...again contact Paul asap on 07792 794427 if you wish to adver6se.

Sponsor a 1st X1 Match Or Adver6se In Our Fixture Book

Suaon Coldfield Cricket Club Veterans

Hire the Clubhouse

http://suttoncoldfield.cricketclubwebsite.com/default.aspx

mailto:[email protected]

http://suttoncoldfield.cricketclubwebsite.com/contact/default.aspx

http://suttoncoldfield.cricketclubwebsite.com/pages/page_29982/200-Club.aspx


Grounds Chairman Pre-season Review

NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTERThe RoyalsThe Royals


Cricket Chairman’s Pre-season Review

Welcome to the start of a new season albeit it very wet at present.

Such is the weather the Birmingham League has already agreed to move the fixture on 21st April back to the August Bank Holiday Monday and hence start the season in earnest on April 28th.

We have now pencilled in a friendly with Four Oaks Saints for the 1sts and 2nds for Saturday 21st however, unless we have a rapid turnaround in the climate, we are unlikely to play.

At this point I am asking we all help Mike Hepburn get the grounds in good order when he asks for help – the weather has leH us way behind with our prepara6ons as you can see below.

The first week of prac6ce has already been called off and let’s hope we can get outside next week. We must get some prac6ce in before our league season starts in earnest.

Although disappoin6ng we’ve had a few players in lower teams leave us we have retained all the 1st XI with the welcome return of Dinushka plus we have some key addi6ons to the senior squads and about 10 players in all joining to play for Suaon this year.. I am also pleased to see the return of Jacob Squire-Wood from serious back injury and am looking for him to be challenging with his bowling to play 1st XI cricket this season.

Lee and Stuart remain as 1st XI and 2nd Xi captains, which will help with con6nuity. I welcome the appointments of Maa Appleby and Dave Hands as 3rd and 4th XI Team Captains respec6vely and trust they will con6nue the

The Flooded Grounds

Nobody will be surprised that with the dreadful weather which we have had, the ground is in need of serious TLC and I can only again thank all those who helped, to date.

There are a mul6tude of jobs to be completed all over the grounds, and I hope that we have poten6ally beaer weather in week commencing 16th April and leading up to Saturday 21st April, where there is to be another working party, so that a lot of these jobs can be done.

It is extremely URGENT that as many people aaend on the 21st April, in oder that work can be carried out to the grounds.

The League Season has been adjourned and the ground is not fit for cricket BUT we will get there with members assistance.

This is a short report sta6ng the obvious - HELP is required.

M R HepburnGrounds Chairman


tradi6on of helping juniors move into senior cricket and enjoy playing their cricket, along with playing in the right spirit, which should be an integral part of anyone’s game.

The Sunday league (40 overs) starts on Sunday April 29th with a game against Kenilworth Wardens, who were promoted with us last season. This year it is win or lose. We are always keen for players to come and have a game or two on a Sunday so if you fancy it please let me know.

Many thanks again to Lane Roofing for being our main Club sponsor and support. Gary and the team are very suppor6ve and always offering sugges6on and ways to improve our Club and facili6es.

Also thank you to Amo’s Bizzy Bees who have offered key support this year.I’d also like to thank Ann Sargent for all her support over the years in many capaci6es and the last few as Child Welfare Officer and we will miss her energy and input greatly.

Finally, we were sad to see the passing away of Roger Coombs recently – whilst I was Chairman he was a great and generous supporter of the Club and certainly a help to me in my 6me in that role.

I hope as a Club we can con6nue in the spirit Roger helped give us.

John HowardCricket Chairman



2018 Season Fixtures

1st XI Team Fixtures

We would like to thank Lane Plumbing & Heating for continuing as our main sponsors for the 2016 season.

3rd XI Team Fixtures

2nd XI Team Fixtures

4th XI Team Fixtures




2018 Season Junior Fixtures (Home) Matt Appleby 3rd XI Team Captain

We would like to thank Lane Plumbing & Heating for continuing as our main sponsors for the 2018 season.

Under 9 Hardball Pairs (Sunday morning, Lower ground)

Sunday 27th May - NuneatonSunday 3rd June - Walmley 3sSunday 24th June - Walmley 1s

Under 10 Pairs (Group 5) Wednesday evening, 6.00pm, Lower ground) (Walmley 3s have replaced Warwickshire’s Girls)

Wednesday 9th May - Nether WhiaacreWednesday 23rd May - Marston GreenWednesday 30th May - WalmleyWednesday 13th June - Water OrtonWednesday 11th July - Walmley 3s

Under 11 Pairs (Group 2) Monday evening, 6.00 pm, Lower ground)

Monday 14th May - Castle BromwichMonday 28th May - WishawMonday 25th June - HandsworthMonday 9th July - Aston Manor

Under 12 Pairs, Thursday evening or Sunday morning, Lower ground

Sunday 20th May - Four Oaks SaintsThursday 31st May - DorridgeThursday 28th May or Sunday 1st July - WalmleySunday 22nd July - Marston Green

Under 12 League, (Group 1) Thursday evening or Sunday morning, Lower ground

Sunday 13th May - Bablake Old BoysThursday 24th May - AmblesideThursday 21st June - Walmley 1sSunday 15th July - Nuneaton

Under 13 League (Group 3) Tuesday evening, Lower Ground

Tuesday 8th May - HandsworthTuesday 22nd May - Aston ManorTuesday 29th May - Walmley 'C'Tuesday 12th June - Water OrtonTuesday 10th July - Weoley Hill

Under 14 League (Group 1), Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evening, Lower ground unless stated

Monday 21st May - Bulkington Wednesday 30th May - Walmley u13 'C' (Top Ground)

Tuesday 19th June - WishawTuesday 26th June - Walmley

Under 15 Championship, Sunday morning, Top ground

Sunday 3rd June - Alcester & RagleySunday 10th June - Moseley AshfieldSunday 8th July - CorleySunday 22nd July - Olton & West Warwicks.

Under 19 T20

TBC


I'm Maa Appleby and I will be the 3rd XI captain in 2018. I won't be playing every week, but I hope to be available for every home game. I was recently captain of the 5th XI Team at Walmley Cricket Club and I also play in the Over 40s League.

I enjoy captaincy and scoring, which is just as well considering my bacng is rather modest and I haven’t taken a wicket for over 30 years (the fact I had a 30-year cricke6ng sabba6cal has liale bearing on this unfortunate sta6s6c!). I try to captain with tradi6onal cricket values: everybody’s enjoyment is the priority; every player is involved, we umpire with honesty and thought, we respect the game, the opposi6on and our team mates and we only say on the pitch what we would say off it. However, we take the game seriously, and we play to win. I am passionate about passing on the spirit of the game to the next genera6on and I’m par6cularly consumed with ensuring the LBW rule is applied properly! I also have a 15-year old son at the club – Miles – who can oHen be found trying to knock my head off in the nets.

Maa Appleby3rd XI Team Captain

Friday Night Registra6onText Starts here

NEWSLETTER Pre-2018 Season Page 6


Roger Coombs An Outstanding Wicket Keeper


Issue 3 January 2017

Roger Coombs was born on the 23rd September 1934 in Suaon Coldfield and went to Hanley Castle a boarding school for boys in Worcestershire. During his school’s summer holidays he would be seen sicng on a bench between the two grounds in Rectory Park watching cricket with his cricket kit in its bag beside him; in the hope that a player would be late arriving. Lateness was something the 1st team captain, Pat Bowerbank, would not tolerate. Like in all story books, one day a player failed to arrive on 6me to take the field, so Pat enquired whether Roger had his kit with him and, with his posi6ve response, Roger was told “Get you kit on you are playing”. So Roger made his cricket debit for Suaon in the 1st team at the age of 16 – 17 years in 1950 or 51. Having played cricket at school, he had learned the hard way, from his school sports master about always turning out with clean and well prepared kit. He was once dropped from the school team as they were about to take the field, because he had not whitened his pads. From then on Roger was an extremely smartly turned out cricketer throughout his playing career.

In 1954 Roger received his Na6onal Service call up papers to join the army and was sent to learn to drive a 10 ton truck before being posted to Germany and based in the Berlin area. During the next two years he not only drove around Germany, he also became a very important player in both the regiment’s cricket

and hockey teams. Back in “civvy street” in September 1956, Roger resumed his associa6on with the Suaon Coldfield Cricket Club for the start of the 1957 season, playing most of his cricket in the 2nd team. For the

past fiHy years the club had possessed wicket-keepers of the highest class in club cricket, and this period was no excep6on. Roger would have gained a place in almost any club's 1st team, but with Suaon Coldfield he was

unfortunate in that he had to play "second fiddle" first to Geoff Pritchea and then to P e t e r L o w e . I t w a s o n l y w h e n t h e Warwickshire County Cricket Club were trying to persuade Peter to sign professional terms that Roger was allowed frequent opportuni6es to wear the pads and gloves. Peter was moved by his employer, ICI, to a job in the Bristol area and in 1996 Roger became the regular 1st team wicket keeper. Through the early 1960’s Roger had featured as a very capable batsman finishing in 1960 & 61 seasons with the 2nd team highest aggregate bacng runs; totalling 657 and 619 runs respec6vely. As the 2nd team’s wicket keeper Roger had established a club’s record in 1961 when claiming 76 vic6ms behind the stumps during the season, a record that s6ll stands today in 2018. However, with Peter’s departure, Roger became the 1st team wicket keeper for the next 10 season. In 1971 when he was elected 1st team captain, he could not be persuaded to relinquish the gloves to James McDowall a Cambridge Wicket-keeper Blue who had joined the club.

Roger was an outstanding wicket-keeper for Suaon Coldfield for over 30 years and regularly had 50 vic6ms a seasons and in his career had close on a total of 900 vic6ms. He would have clearly made the 1,000 mark if the umpires standing at square leg had been as quick with their eye as Roger was with his reac6on to the batsman’s back foot being liHed.

Roger regularly toured with both the Warwickshire Pilgrims and the Warwickshire Imps to Eastbourne and Sidmouth respec6vely. He also tours with the Mayflies to the Gliffaes Hotel playing clubs around the Abergavenny area. The highlight of Roger’s playing career was to play at the famous Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in 1975 when he was selected by the Midland Club Cricket Conference to tour South Africa as the team’s wicket-keeper batsman. Because of Apartheid the tour went under the Kingfisher name. He was also the ground secretary from 1974 un6l to about 2000 and, re6ring from playing around 1980, and took on the white coat and umpired with the second team for several seasons.

One can’t conclude without referring to the fact that Roger joined the Suaon Coldfield Hockey Club in September 1956 playing in the 1st team un6l 1974. He rejoined the Suaon club aHer a short spell playing for Kings Heath Hockey Club, but the drink and drive law became too much of a challenge so he returned to Suaon playing in the social 4th Xl un6l he re6red in the early 1980’s.

To sum up Roger spor6ng prowess; he was a hard but honest compe6tor, played to the best of his ability and in the right sprit, and was the most amicable man in the bar aHer a game.

Roger passed away in his sleep at Good Hope Hospital on the 6th February 2018 aged 83, leaving two devoted daughters, Laura and Helen. Peter BellArchivist/HistorianSuaon Coldfield Cricket Club