The Cricketer delves into a selection of the best stories from the club scene
Smashing the Glass Ceiling: Meet the Northern Irish cricketer whose six sixes make the cricket world talk
Many happy returns
Traditional, garden party, bohemian, nautical, eco-friendly – just a few of the theme ideas you might stumble upon while leafing through a wedding catalog for inspiration. However, Dominic Ascroft-Walker and his partner Alex Youngs decided on a slightly more unusual theme for their wedding: cricket.
The couple married in Ascroft-Walker’s parents’ barn so the captain of Yelling Village CC could watch a game on the neighboring field during the reception while the groom also wore a cricket-themed vest. Other cricket touches of the ceremony included shots served on cricket bats, a cake built around a series of stumps, and of course, going to the soul limbo.
Dunmow CC celebrates 125 years
Dunmow CC in Essex is belatedly celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2021 with a week of cricket celebrations from August 20th to 30th.
Founded in 1895, coincidentally the same year Essex made its County Championship debut, the club began life on Parsonage Downs before moving to Newton Hill, the “Rec” and finally St Edmunds Lane, which it has been since Mid 1960s. Several famous faces have graced the floor, including young Graham Gooch in 1974 and former English captain Robin Fletcher as part of the club’s centenary in 1995.
Essex at Dunmow CC in 1974
The club’s Cricket Week festivities feature a range of activities for young and old, including a junior cricket camp, a softball tournament for women, and a three-day beer festival. For more information, follow @DunmowCC on Twitter or Facebook.
Remarkable achievements
Tim Tector made Irish youth cricket history in July by hitting 241 runs to help YMCA Dublin hit 353 for 2 in a T20 match against Adamstown U19 at Corkagh Park.
The 18-year-old, the younger brother of Irish international Harry Tector, broke Mark Adair’s record in 2011 when the Irish bowling all-rounder scored 204 for Sullivan Upper.
Tector will lead the Irish U19s in the upcoming World Cup qualification in Spain in September this year.
Jon Brockwell set a club record for Wembdon CC
Elsewhere, Jon Brockwell set a new Wembdon CC bowling record when he took numbers 9 for 22 from his nine overs against Minehead in the WEPL Somerset Division. Two of the 30-year-old’s wickets were caught, three were thrown and four lbw while scoring a hat trick twice during the game.
Brockwell, who has been with the club since he was nine, beat Darren Cross’ previous best 8 for 34 before the turn of the millennium.
And 72-year-old Phil Berry turned back the years for Eastcombe CC, carrying his bat on his way to 109, not against Frampton-on-Severn in the Martin Berrill Division Two of the Stroud & District Cricket Association.
Congratulations to 72 year old Phil Barry who carried his racket for an outstanding 109 against @framptonos 3s on the hottest day of the year.
Show me a better innings y’day – I’m waiting #historymaker # philinamillion @ GCBCricket @ECB_cricket @ SDCA16 @StroudTimes @GlosCCL @ThatsSoVillage pic.twitter.com/9Qlfz5daSK
– Eastcombe Cricket Club (@eastcombecc) July 18, 2021
Reason to celebrate at the Caythorpe CC
Caythorpe CC in Nottinghamshire had reason to celebrate with club supervisors Alan Hunt and Bill Bennett, each celebrating 50 years of dedicated service to the club, during its annual President’s Day.
Hunt is the club’s current president and a former First XI captain who led the team to seven consecutive titles in the South Nottinghamshire League during his tenure in the 1970s and 1980s. Meanwhile, Bennett founded the club bar and has held various positions at the club during his half century, including groundskeeper, junior trainer and president.
The occasion also marked the grand opening of the club’s new screens, paid for by Hunt and Bennett, with former batsman Darren Bicknell of Nottinghamshire and Surrey in attendance for the unveiling. The screens were named in honor of Bennett and Hunt.
Chairmen Jon Lane (L), Bill Bennett, Alan Hunt and Darren Bicknell at Caythorpe CC
100 not out
Most clubs opt for a gold plaque, engraved bench, or perhaps a set of commemorative hats to celebrate their centenary season. However, Gloucestershire Gypsies CC chose to honor its milestone year in a less traditional way. Club member Chris Coley, an avid racing driver, decided to buy a racehorse for his court and name it “100 not out” in honor of the club. The horse, an obstacle runner trained by Fergal O’Brien, has so far taken part in a race and finished fifth.
“I thought this would be a bit of fun given our 100th anniversary,” said Coley. “[The members] weren’t surprised to know me and a lot of them enjoy racing so it wasn’t difficult to convince them! “
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