Newsletter ~ June 2005

I thought I'd write a quick note as we head into June with a few observations and comments.

So far we have been playing for 8 weekends, and there are 14 left - so we are now getting into the body of the season.
These are the matches that really make the season and set up a good position for the run at the close.

So far the Club have played 53 matches, won 29, lost 15, draw/win 2, draw/loss 2 and no result 5 times. Therefore we virtually have a 75% rate of not loosing and 54% of the games we win. These ratio's are where we want to be at this stage of the season, while I'd like to see a higher winning ratio by the end of the year.

In terms of league position, we are top of our leagues for the 1st and 3A XI, 2nd for 3rd & 4th XI and eighth for the 2nd XI. The 4B have started well, although they have lost a couple of matches, including one to a mixed Tunbridge Wells 2's / 3's side.

The website will be updated more frequently now that my broadband is up - which means keep an eye on the teams and results page ~ there are links to all the results, scorecards, league positions, averages etc ~ as well as showing who the opposition will be for the coming week. Its usual to post the teams by Wednesday, latest Thursday, but this year there have been some delays on final selection, which means that the teams have not been set in time for posting.

We certainly have enough players - in terms of quality and quantity. This week we were 3 players away from fielding a 7th XI - and had we known that 3 players were available on Thursday morning and not later in the afternoon, we would have built the side. Therefore I'll stress again - make sure that provide your skipper with accurate information about availability as soon as possible ~ It makes the process much more efficient. Always assume that you are playing, even if you don't hear by Friday - That is usually because the teams have not been finalised.

The atmosphere in the bar after the matches is very good this year. Keep going back and keep up the spirit. Although there is a need for team solidity remember that you are part of a bigger Club ~ and it's been good to see how players from all the different sides get stuck in for the beers. Try and make an effort to get up to the Club after the match - it makes a real difference. More to the point - keep rolling out the opposition very quick and very early, so that you can catch the last few overs of the game at the Rectory !!

A couple of faces that we'll miss round the clubhouse - who have fresh challenges on Saturday afternoon .. Kam Raja and Peter Dean. I'm sure we will see them again, just not so regularly. Thank you both for your contribution to the Club.

The Women's Section is starting to get into gear - It's early days, but the numbers look good and they are starting to play some games. Ask friends, family and colleagues if they want to join the section .. as with the men ... more the merrier

What's coming up ?
Subscriptions ~ if you have not paid membership for the year - please do so without needing to be chased. We have enough admin, with out asking for money. Give cheques, cash, postal orders, luncheon vouchers (!) to your captains. If you want to do a standing order, there is a link on the web

Midweek ~ Match against the Melbourne Cricket Club on Wednesday 22nd June
Midweek ~ Cricket Week ~ First week of August ~ 5 days of cricket at the Rectory. Put your name down asap

As for the season, the aims remain pretty much the same

1st XI - promotion
2nd XI - top 3 (still possible)
3rd XI - Promotion to Div 3 of the Kent League (for 1st XI's)
4th XI - Promotion to Div 3 of the Kent League (for 2nd XI's)
3A - Win the South Thames League
4A - Now that we are beaten (one of the orginal aims), the focus is to strong enough to win any league that we enter next year

Sunday 1st XI - make the final of the Dukes League
Sunday 2nd XI - build enough momentum to spin out a Sunday 3rd XI

Women - play 12 competitive fixtures by the end of the season

U16 - make the top 2 of the North Kent Junior League ... and progress playing into the senior teams.

That's it for today.
Hope the weekend was successful and enjoyable.

Cheers
Jt