Chingford Cricket Club

B Team Season Review

By Graem Peters

Division 2 Champions

Played 8 Won 6 Lost 2

The addition of a 3rd division reduced the size of Division 2 and also the number of matches to eight. To ensure promotion, I felt that we could afford to lose no more than 2 matches. The first half of the season looked to be the easiest half and the side got off to a good start against Chingford C and Woodford Green. Then came disaster; two defeats in a row. In one of those defeats we were bowled out for just 26 against a side our Cs had already beaten. This meant that from the start of the new year, we were in effect embarking on a cup run, knowing that a defeat would effectively knock us out of the promotion race.

Our player availability did improve; with Luke O'Reilly joining us and Mike Lyon playing regularly. Another key factor in enabling strong B team selection was the fact that the A team looked to finish mid table. This meant Greg Hales could co-operate by ensuring that Luke, Mike and Matt O'Sullivan remained eligible for the Bs. In addition I was able to strengthen the side further by one off selections for each of the next three games with Mac Meade, Nick Shawyer and Andy Perrin. These three made an impact in their only appearance. We also occasionally benefited from the performances of three experienced indoor players; Stephen Thorne, Peter Joslin and Mark Campbell. For differing reasons, none of these three were available for the whole season; had they have been, our performances would no doubt have been better.

However, the backbone of the side was Matt O'Sullivan, Richard MacGregor and myself playing in all the games. Richard was for the second season running very consistant and economical. Matt and myself usually opened the batting and in the six games we won, at least one of us reached 25.

There was a lot less selectoral chopping and changing this season between the B and C teams. There was also more movement of players between the A and B teams. Despite this, the number of players to play for the Bs this year was more than last year, despite their being fewer matches. However, I would accept this as the preferred norm. Most of our indoor players would prefer to play in division 1 at the Peter May Centre. The seasons objective for the Bs was to win promotion to Division 1. To determindley follow this objective needed the co-operation and support of Greg, Mark and Steve over selection matters. I was not aware of any selectoral disquiet from any player believing that he was being excluded from a higher ranked side. Nor was I aware of any member upset that they were being overlooked for any game or set of games.

I would like to thank all those who have played this year for the Bs. In the end, I think we won promotion because we had a good group of players who were, or became, adept at playing at Wanstead Leisure Centre. Next season in division 1, I believe the B team will need to be different. The size of the venue, the pitch and the ball used are very different. I believe you need to be an experienced indoor cricketer to perform well at Wanstead, whereas at Peter May, you need to be a good cricketer. Playing at Peter May is more like summer cricket and I believe our B team should more resemble the summer 2nd team than it has. Ideally, the side should be made up of the best 6 second team cricketers. Our A team has prospered in division 1 by usually fielding 6 summer 1st XI players. If the B team is to remain in division 1, we will need to ensure that our best 2nd team players are making themselves available for selection.

C Team Season Review

by Mark Campbell

[to follow]

D Team Season Review

by Stephen Thorne

[to follow]

Sunday Team Season Review

by Michael Blake

[to follow]

Under 15 Team Season Review

by Stephen Tall

[to follow]

Under 13 Team Season Review

by Richard MacGregor

[to follow]

Under 11 Team Season Review

by Martin Armstrong-Fox

[to follow]