Stokenchurch (From The Oxford Times)

Stokenchurch

1:55pm Thursday 16th February 2006 in Cherwell Cricket

Club e-mail: pwitney1@ntlworld.com
Website: www.stokenchurchcc.org.uk

Chairman - Peter Langford, 'Whitegables', Northend, Henley on Thames, Oxon RG9 6LF
Tel: 01491 638636

Treasurer - Gary Murton, 'The Old Post', Oxford Road, Stokenchurch, Bucks HP14 3SX
Tel: 01494 485538

Secretary - Paul Witney, 15 Evelyn Way, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16 6NB
Tel: 01932 882861

Fixture Secretary - Dave Knight, 9 Parrs Road, Stokenchurch, Bucks HP14 3QF
Tel: 01494 482745

1st XI Captain - Gary Murton, Tel: 01494 485538, Mobile: 07967 388274

2nd XI Captain - Dave North, Tel: 01494 482248

How to reach the ground
The Cricket Ground, Stokenchurch. Tel: 01494 484004. Coming from Oxford, exit the M40 at Junction 5, turn left and proceed along the A40 into Stokenchurch. Turn right into ground just past the Total petrol station.

Another successful season for the 1st XI was tinged with a touch of disappointment at only finishing second for the second year in a row. With only one loss all season and the double over the champions again, with a bit more luck with the weather and the toss of the coin we could so easily have ended the year as champions. Consolation take the form of promotion to division five and the Cherwell League batting award to Hasnain Raza who scored a record breaking 1,236 runs at an average of 106, including six centuries.

When you add his 44 wickets you can see why we are pleased to have him turning out for us again this year. The second team faired less well and after a promising start failed to turn a number of good positions into wins. The positive side to the performances of the second team was the significant improvement of the younger players, some of whom were unrecognisable at the end of the season from those who started the year. For the coming season the 1st XI aim to consolidate their position in division five and the 2nd XI hope to build on the performances of the younger players at the end of last year to compete strongly in all matches.

Away from the league the colts programme continues to bear fruit with a number of players representing the county age group squads and an increasing number participating this coming year. The U13s performed particularly well in their county age group and we hope to have more coaches qualified over the winter.

The new covers at the ground contributed to the steady improvement of the playing surface and it was a great sight to see our young opening bowler being able to get the ball up around opposition batsmen's heads with the new ball. We look forward to meeting some old friends in division five and can assure them they will all be made most welcome.