Acton Cricket Club

Note from the Chairman:

2009 sees the start of a new era for Acton CC. With the formation of a second XI we are continuing to move in the right direction as a club. Hopefully Darren Richardson and Steve Power will get the support of all players to make the decision to enter a second team into the league a fruitful one.

With Adam Cooper stepping down as skipper after one season, the first XI will once again be captained by Chris Miller. I would like to thank Adam for his efforts last year in what proved to be a difficult season and wish Chris the best of luck for the forthcoming campaign. Hopefully Chris can achieve a quick return to the top division after last season’s disappointment of relegation.

Hopefully at nets we will see a number of new faces as well as the usual old ones and everyone will be raring to go for the first league games at the end of April.

Club President Vernon Lever continues to do an excellent job as grounds man and this year with double the amount of home matches Vernon will no doubt appreciate any help you are able to offer throughout the summer.

Finally I would like to wish everyone luck for the coming season. Roll on summer.

John Cole, Chairman

Captains Note:

Well, the standing joke of last season was that I had only lent the captaincy to Coops temporarily, so with that old saying ‘many a true word spoken in jest’, here I am again taking the reins for what I think is the fourth time of asking.

I think we will all acknowledge that the burden of captaincy, wicket keeper, bowling, match day preparation and sorting out the teas (well perhaps not the last two) weighed heavily on Adam’s shoulders and prevented him from not only enjoying his cricket but scoring the runs we know he is capable of. Hopefully, without these additional responsibilities he can return to the sort of form he displayed in previous years.

As most of you will know we have taken the not insignificant step of entering a second team into Division 5 of the League this year.

This is a massive undertaking for a Club of our size and for this reason will be a pivotal year in the Club’s history. Fielding two teams means additional work for Vernon on the square, greater costs in the hire of the hall and the match day requirements and most importantly the need to have an increase in not only the volume of players but their availability throughout the season.

Steve Power, who has kindly agreed to formulate the 2nd eleven has a number juniors who appear to be very keen to get the team up and running, but this will need to be supplemented with a greater level of commitment from us all during the year. We do not want to take this step only to end up another Yeldham, Stansfield or Kedington and fade away after all the recent years of progression.

The Committee have made the decision to withdraw the Club from the Haverhill Midweek League in an attempt to push forward the second eleven and with no mid week cricket this provides an opportunity for a practice evening. With this in mind I am exploring the possibility of purchasing a large roll on/off net and matting for the existing concrete strip. Should this occur this will be a considerable expense for the Club and whilst this will hopefully reflect our commitment to improve the facilities, it will need to be mirrored by the players in their use of these and availability for any proposed practice times.

Nets are starting earlier this year at the end of February and in a new venue, at Great Cornard Upper School, hopefully these will be well attended by both old and new members, as a sign of things to come.

We then begin at home to Haverhill for the firsts and away to Haverhill II for the seconds on 26th April, with both sides going in the unknown this year, visits to new grounds and unfamiliar surroundings await.

I look forward to seeing you all at nets and during the season.
Chris Miller


Nets:

Sessions have been booked at Great Cornard Upper School as follows:-

- Sunday 22/2/09
- Sunday 1/3/09
- Sunday 8/3/09
- Sunday 15/3/09
- Sunday 22/3/09
- Sunday 29/3/09
- Sunday 5/4/09
- Sunday 19/4/09

All sessions are from 2.00 – 3.00 p.m. and will cost £3.00 per person.

Your support and attendance will be greatly appreciated.


Subscriptions this season will be £5.00.

Match fees will be £8.00 per game.


Anybody knowing of players who would be an addition to our ranks, don't hesitate to bring them along to the aforementioned nets.

Tour:

For the 3rd year running we intend to visit West Yorkshire and Ilkley.

Despite the problems being encountered by The Crescent, their brewery are currently in administration, they have provisionally accepted our booking for the August Bank Holiday and having spoken to them recently am told business is good and they are confident they will be able to accommodate us.

I have confirmed the Olicanians game for the Sunday as usual and am waiting to hear from The Hawks on the Saturday fixture, although I am aware that people don’t want to travel as far a field as we did last year.

Unfortunately I am unable to confirm a cost for the accommodation as yet due to The Crescent’s situation, however, I would expect this to be around the £35.00 per night figure.

I appreciate that these are difficult times for us all, but am sure you will not want to miss out on the weekend as it is normally one of the highlights of the season.

To confirm your place please let me have your £30.00 deposit as soon as possible.