| 18/07/2006 |
TVCL MID-SEASON NEWSLETTER - ICI RESIGN FROM LEAGUE |
| |
|
|
TVCL Obituary Column!
Further sad news in an already bad year for some of our member Clubs. Last May I reported on 3 stalwart Club members who had sadly passed away after “lengthy innings”. Since then I have 3 more passings on of which to inform you. Firstly, Mike Furse of Amersham CC, former Club Secretary and ex-president of the Club Cricket Conference. He was also a member of the TVCL Umpires panel and a regular attendee at the TVCL Awards Dinner each year. Secondly Peter Wesson, former captain of Farnham Royal CC in the late 1990s was tragically mown down and killed whilst riding his bicycle. Although he had moved away, Peter still played in special games for the Club, such as their President’s XI. Thirdly, during the epic TVCL match on Sat June 10th (Chiswick & Latymer 1st XI racked up 400-2 decl. against OMT 1st XI - OMT replied with a staggering 388 all out), Chiswick’s Captain Clyde Scott’s 7-year-old daughter Sophia was taken ill whilst out for the afternoon with Mum Jane. On seeing a doctor, Sophia was immediately taken to hospital for further checks. 3 days later, during surgery, she sadly passed away. Clyde was due to play for the League Rep side at Kew CC shortly after but understandably phoned me to pull out of that match. Our hearts go out to Clyde, Jane and their family after such a tragic loss. Bravely, Clyde re-appeared for Chiswick on 1st July at Datchet CC. Datchet scored 310-7, Chiswick scoring 312-5 to win……Clyde Scott scored 94 runs. Words cannot adequately describe the depth of feeling and respect that goes out to you Clyde from all around the TVCL.
League Update!
Just past half-way through the TVCL season and lots going on as usual. Kew 1st XI set a blistering pace at the top of the pile until coming unstuck against Harefield 1st XI on Sat 15th July. Kew 2nd & 3rd XIs are also doing very well. Newly merged Hillingdon Manor seemed to have gelled very well, with 1st & 2nd XIs also doing well. ICI Paints have formally resigned from the TVCL at the end of this season. The parent company will no longer sustain their ground and facilities. Both teams are doing well at the moment though, it seems the players are intent on going out in style. We hope to see as many of you as possible around the League still next season. ICI Paints have been excellent TVCL citizens, they will be a sad loss to the TVCL.
League Expansion Plan!
A quick update on our intention to expand and strengthen the TVCL. I’m pleased to report that, following our advertising campaign, 13 new Clubs have applied to join the TVCL. Our Development sub-committee is frantically processing these in order to get a proposal framework ready for the AGM in December. The 13 Clubs cannot be named yet, as it is protocol to liaise with their current Leagues first. TVCL will do everything by the book and keep all relevant parties informed accordingly. We also have the support of the ECB on this plan. All applying Clubs will be visited during the remainder of this season. This is an exciting opportunity for the TVCL which needs to be properly managed to ensure the right Clubs are integrated in the next 2 years, you will all be kept informed of any progress.
Club Administration!
11 Clubs were reminded in April of their obligation to improve on last year’s administration with regard to the submission of League paperwork. Unfortunately 1 of those Clubs has repeated the errors of last season and has had a 5-point penalty imposed on their 1st XI. We are very serious about the standard of administration required to properly manage our League and will take whatever action necessary to ensure this is maintained.
Mid-Season Transfers!
Every year we get one or two players requesting to transfer from one Club to another during the season. Nothing wrong with that, mostly there are genuine reasons for it and they are handled with openness and respect between Clubs. Why then have I been inundated with transfer requests during this season??? This is a burning issue for me (due to the paperwork it generates and time it takes), can anyone come up with good reasons why?…I’d be interested to hear any theories!!! I have my suspicions on the subject, which I will keep to myself. Some transfers have been turned down and it is fair to say the League Rule on transfers (5(a)2 page 77) is designed to discourage mid-season transfers.
League Rep Matches!
Sunny June saw the first of 3 Rep games this season, played on Wed 28th at Kew CC to mark the Club’s 125th anniversary. Captained by Del Salina, TVCL batted first scoring a moderate 161 all out (so much for my stellar batting line-up!). Kew, captained by regular skipper Rob Tindall, replied well and were cruising to victory, when the introduction of 2 wily spinners dramatically changed the game. Kew fell just 13 runs short in the end on 149 all out, despite a valiant batting effort by Kew’s Ali Jaffer. Greg Quow of Marlow Park, a last-minute replacement in the side, won the man of the match award. The next match is at Amersham CC on Wed 19th July, as part of the Club’s 150th anniversary.
League Rules!
Two main Rules were amended at last year’s AGM – how are they doing??? The Player Eligibility Rule was simplified, but with the proviso that it would be more rigidly enforced from this season. I’m pleased to report from our sub-committee that their findings so far indicate a very good level of understanding in all Divisions of the TVCL. One or two enquiries have been lodged regarding certain players, on every occasion they have been swiftly and thoroughly investigated and found to be 100% within the League Rules. Well done to all Clubs for adopting this so well. The new Over-Rate Rule has had a few teething problems, but, as a completely new rule this not unexpected. 5 Division 1 Clubs have had small points penalties as a result. But things seem to be working a lot better now. This is never going to be a popular Rule but it is very necessary to help ensure slow play is eradicated. Also if most Clubs can achieve the required rate, why should a few slower Clubs be permitted to get away with it????
League Discipline!
A subject never too long off the agenda – but only 2 incidents reported by Umpires so far this season. Both of these look to be quite serious though. Nothing more said until our highly experienced panel has dealt with both matters. Hopefully we can keep it less than 6 reports dealt with in both of the last 2 seasons. Any players banned will be notified to the ECB’s new Disciplinary database, as well as local Leagues and Counties.
Silver Jubilee!
Two of our League Officers clock up 25 years service this year on the League Management Team. League Chairman Neil Doody of Finchampstead CC and Treasurer Martin House of Slough CC both hit that milestone this season – well done to both of you and heartfelt thanks for their years of service to the TVCL. Neither want any fuss made about it, but if you do bump into either of them, a pat on the back is definitely in order. Without Neil’s and Martin’s tireless efforts, the League would not be as strong as it is today.
Player Performances!
Having had two very contrasting months of weather in May and June, there has been no shortage of outstanding performances going in each week as the sun continues. Tim Alldis, Captain of Datchet 1st XI has 6 centuries already. Aftab Khan of Burnham 2nd XI hit a 175, including 34 off one over (bowler not mentioned!) In the bowling arena, Steve Hall of Harefield 3rd XI has a 9-51 against Boyne Hill 2nd XI. 3 other players have had 8 wicket hauls, too many to mention have had 6 & 7 wickets at a time. There have been 6 hat-tricks this season, of which two were actually 4 wickets in 4 balls – Mark Tennant of Wooburn Narkovians and Ed Rainsford of Harefield.
And Finally!
Don’t forget, if you have any good digital photos from any of your League matches, I’d be interested to see them (via email – JPEG format preferred) for consideration of inclusion in next year’s League handbook.
The TVCL Website is going through a final revamp before taking on a new look. The long term aim for the website is to migrate it to a database environment, thus making it more interactive with Clubs and their Officers.
There are only two weeks remaining to register Overseas players for this season. The same applies to completion of players’ transfers, although I’ve had more than enough to cope with already in 2006!
Please note for future reference, my kevinfraser58@yahoo.co.uk email address will shortly become redundant. All future email correspondence to my other address please:- kevin.fraser@ntlworld.com.
Play well, stay injury free and enjoy the remainder of 2006 season……….…………KF
|
© 2010 Wooburn Narkovians Cricket Club
|
