Club Correspondence
Latest News:
A bit of news on the nets:
There are only two more indoor sessions for the men, March 21st & March 28th, the final session at Writtle, April 11th, is for the ladies only, please put to ask Shirley for details.
As I mentioned on sunday, I'm aiming to get a few of us together for a net & fielding session, probably at Felsted School, in the next few weeks, with maybe more sessions to follow if we get a few to come.
Many thanks, Neil
Net sessions at Skeggs farm continue to go well. Dan, Tom, Simon, Neil, Tony & flash enjoyed a good net on sunday. Neil has indicated that he would like to see a few more people attending, so come on woodies lets see a big turn out next week.
The net can easily handle ten plus players, and as we have two BDICL matches next weekend i would suggest that all players who are not playing indoors and have been thinking of having a net may want to go along. Steve
Dear fellow Woodys, Fed up with this cold winter? Put some weight on? No, maybe that is just us, but with only 2 months to the first ball of the new cricket league season is bowled, we thought it would be a good time to start planning ahead to what we hope will be a very successful season.
I’m sure your intensive fitness regimes are now well underway. Many of you are enjoying a successful time in the BDICL, others may attending the nets at Skeggs Farm. Whatever you have been up to since the close of the 2009 outdoor season, we hope you are looking forward to maintaining the winning momentum currently being enjoyed within our club.
We are keen to speak with as many of you as possible over the forthcoming weeks to firstly confirm you are still around and also to hear your thoughts, expectations and aspirations, for both yourself and the club, for the coming season. We truly believe that the 1st and 2nd X1s are on the up and we are confident that 2010 may be another memorable season. We are both delighted to be entrusted to lead you this season in the T Rippon leagues and feel very fortunate to have such a strong pool of players within the club who, if regularly available for selection, will surely see WMCC amongst the favourites to win their respective leagues.
We, of course, cannot be complacent and must be focussed for the whole game to ensure we get the right result each week. We will need to apply ourselves, as it will not always be easy. Pitches will be different each week, especially at the start of the season, when batting will not be as straightforward as in the nets or indoor! As we learnt last season, one or two key results can make or break our title or promotion ambitions. We are also keen to ensure we get the right result in the right manner, therefore, needless to say, we only want to see fair play and respect for our opponents, in whatever circumstances we face. There will undoubtedly be the odd dodgy umpiring decision and obnoxious opponent. We mustn’t let our standards drop to this level. We simply win the match to have the last laugh.
This season is going to be a club effort. We have a squad of players for a good reason – not everyone can be available each week and you will all have something different to bring to the club. The best teams will be picked and it is our intention to have them announced by Monday evening at the latest each week. Players will therefore be required to let either captain know by Sunday night latest as to their availability for the next Saturday, else risk missing out on selection. Please be patient if not picked for either league team from the start. The opportunity will arise and knowing the talent we have available, we know that whoever makes the starting X1s this season will be an asset to the team and not simply making up the numbers. If you prove that you can deliver, you will remain in the side.
Teamwork will not only be required on the pitch but also off it. There are duties each game that need to be undertaken, therefore, we would welcome volunteers to take a job on rather than leaving all of them to the captains and deputies. You may take on the responsibility for the season (nominating a deputy if you are not playing) or on a match-by-match basis but the jobs are:
·Setting up the ground for home games – moving screens, boundary flags, setting up stumps;
·Arranging for teas to be provided by a player at home games;
·Collection of match fees and taking availability for the next fixture;
·Ensuring the scorebook is fully up to date and accurate;
·Match Ball, Official Scorecard and Match Report – Captains to undertake.
During the course of the match, volunteers to umpire, score and to keep the scorecard ticking over will also be required. There are plenty of players who can train you if not sure what to do.
None of these jobs are onerous but if we all pull together, come 28 August, hopefully, both league teams will be reaping the benefits of a successful season. If you feel you are able to contribute to the team by volunteering for a role, please let us know. Thank you in advance.
In the meantime, keep warm and we will be in touch soon!
Yours faithfully,
Neil Smith & Ian Ball
WMCC 1st & 2nd X1 Captains
The club have provisionally booked the weekend of 27th & 28th March for our first pre-season work party. The work required will be varied and will depend on the weather. The clubhouse will require a good clean up so even if the weather is not good please make yourselves available. Further information will appear here nearer the time.
Could all players please contact Damian, Keith or Steve with there availability. We will be running further works days after the 27th & 28th so if you can't make that weekend please let Damian know when you are available.
Mark Johnson has kindly volunteered to paint the two sightscreens - thanks Mark.
Don will, at some point weather permitting, require help to lay the new concrete plinth in front of the clubhouse. Volunteers for this will be much appreciated.
A quiz night and a darts evening have been proposed for the early part of the season - more information to follow. WMCC
See link to WMCC photo's via: www.JimThurstonPhotography.com
From Neil Smith:
I've booked club cricket nets to start Sunday Feb 28th every week up to April 11th, excepting Easter Sunday. Times are 11am to 1pm, but only one lane available.
Location Skeggs Farm Indoor Cricket facility at Skeggs Farm, Writtle.
Cost TBD, although its £17ph, I suspect split between all attendees.
Many thanks and hope to see you there, Neil
Click on the link below to download the Chairman's Christmas Newsletter/Message.
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Availability for the Braintree League
As Captain of the reserves i would like to point out the situation on availabilities and team selection. I try to contact players at least a week before a fixture, as i think this is only fair. What i am not prepared to do is keep on sending text messages without reply as this costs time and money. If i text a player i need a reply straight away or no later than the Monday before a Sunday game. I do understand that well made plans can change but replies later than this will probably be to late to be considered.
The situation regarding Braintree and the lighting is another point to come out of the reserve game this week and i would appreciate some more feed back on that. Geoff has already contacted the league on this subject. Having not played much in the Leisure Centre i found it dangerous on Sunday and the condition of the changing rooms left a lot to be desired as well.
Steve
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Bank details: Alliance & Leicester Bank plc, Sort Code: 72-06-04, Account: 17732902
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Draft of report to be run in local paper, the maldon and burnham standard. A reporter / photographer was due to visit the ground on Monday 21st to be met very kindly by Richard.
Thieves strike at Woodham Mortimer Cricket Club
The future of thriving cricket club woodham mortimer has been put in some doubt after thieves stole the clubs tractor and gange mower between thursday 17th and friday 18th of september. The club prepares all it's own pitches and cannot operate without this equipment.
Club spokesman Steve Collis said 'this is a real body blow for us. We are a none profit making organisation that is trying to encourage as many people to play cricket as possible at a reasonable cost in these difficult times. All our efforts in the last two years, which have been really successfull, have now been put in doubt because of this loss. We will find it really hard financially to replace what was stolen, let alone all the time it will take people to find replacement items'
The police have been informed and if anyone has information on this incident please contact Maldon Police.
*Members: without a shadow of a doubt your club needs you more than ever now. The tractor and gange mower will cost a lot to replace and we don't really have the money. Any support that you can give will help to assure the future of your club. You will be updated ASAP Steve
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We had a fantastic turn out for the club day on sunday which raised over £300 for Laura and the weather was good as well. Three mixed teams of men and women played two 20/20 games each with the emphasis on having fun. The atmosphere was amazing amongst all the members with a lot of laughter and the usual Woodham banter. Well done to all who bought food for the tea that ran all afternoon!!! The last game finished at about 8.15pm and was followed by a lovely Don Carver BBQ. Not many clubs can create this sort of atmosphere at such games and i'm proud to be a member of WMCC at anytime but especially on occasions like this, it was brilliant and makes you realise how lucky we all are. Just seeing all the members and guests joining in and having so much fun makes all the work throughout the season worthwhile. Steve
