Continue reading »]]> Ickleton visited Spring Lane on Sunday for a (I still can’t quite believe it) sunny, uninterrupted game of cricket. Unfortunately, GCC’s cricket did not quite live up to the meteorological conditions as you will read in the soon to appear match report. Here, I’d rather focus on another area of the game where I felt Ickleton gained the upper hand early on with a vice like grip which they never released. It was pretty ruthless but all credit to them for seeing an opportunity to put the opposition under pressure from the get go. It wasn’t as simple as ‘putting the ball in the right places’ (which in my case they absolutely did) or ‘asking the batters questions’ (can you hit this one? for example). I’m referring of course to their Swag….. For example: Matching shirts contained practical information such as where to return the wearer if he/she is found in a state of disorientation and were emblazoned with their favourite animal to spot/eat whilst on Safari. In addition, Bright red caps were free of sponsors’ logos which really helped me to distinguish the two sides especially while they were batting.

GCC in contrast could only offer a few matching sweaters (mine apparently will be delivered in at least ‘two to three weeks’ i.e. just before the season ends), which in fairness do feature a very useful logo which tells you what the time is and what’s more it is actually correct twice a day. There was also one tie which was admittedly tastefully colour coordinated with aforementioned sweaters. I’m afraid the head coverings were a rather wretched mish-mash of ‘sun’ hats one of which was abandoned (presumably as some sort of sartorial protest) at Spring Lane and now adorns a horizontal surface at HQ. Other ‘highlights’ included some logo infested caps although they were at least so faded that I couldn’t make out what the wearer was endorsing and a hat recommending a Florida University.

However, it was not all bad news. GCC had clearly grasped the ‘wear white’ concept rather than the ‘50 Shades of Grey’* approach favoured by our visitors. There was also encouragement in the tea tent. Though I made some of it myself, I must say it was a spectacular spread. Highlight was a logo decorated cake which must be the first consumable Swag seen on (or at least close to) a Cambridgeshire cricket pitch. Maybe this is the way forward and GCC should ‘play to its strengths’ and avoid the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ which, whilst often just outside one’s off-stump, is usually where the Gents/Ladies can be found after a few too many of one’s favourite beverages.

Name withheld by request.

*This is totally unfair, I counted only two or three but I couldn’t resist this cheap contemporary literature reference

ps Please note all quotes can be found in any post match interview with any cricketer and/ or Sir Geoffrey Boycott Esq.

Continue reading »]]> Hello and welcome to the first (if Cap’n Wilson allows them) of the GCC Wags Blogs.
Forget googlies and yorkers and boring things like runs and overs, the real action is all about what happens off the pitch. Although you do all look rather sweet in your white trousers, so do carry on, boys.
This week’s top scandal – GCC’s equivalent, if you like, of Wayne Rooney cheating on Colleen – was the frankly OUTRAGEOUS omission of Mrs Tony Kennedy’s contributions to the tea.
Sue Bailey, emeritus professor of cake-making, claimed it was all an honest mistake but we suspect darker forces at work.  A full steward’s investigation has been launched and Midsomer Murders scriptwriters have been informed of a possible storyline. Sources close to the Kennedys say they will be consulting lawyers, once Mr T has stopped grieving their loss. Watch this space for updates.

So, on to the inaugaural match awards. These will be given on a weekly basis.  Full disclosure: all bribes* are enthusiastically accepted and indeed encouraged. Cash and white wine are the accepted currency.

BEST DRESSED: MR MARK HUGHES
An easy winner. Mark took inspiration from Liz Hurley (Shane Warne WAG) and showcased a beautiful expanse of tanned ankle beneath a virginal white chino (please note that we fashion-conscious WAGS  refer to all socks/trousers/legs in the singular). Teamed with a crisply-ironed blue Paisley shirt, he rocked our world and, presumably, Dawn’s…WAGs, please note, the sartorial bar for this week has been set high.

BEST CAKE: THE BURKITT FAMILY
Amid a sea of shop-bought cakes, one home-made stunner stood out – a Victoria sponge so wondrously fluffy, so beautifully yellow, so towering and, well, spong-ey that it would have sent Mary Berry into paroxysms of delight. Tea-time interrogations brought forward one Burkitt, F, who claimed the cake as his own. Yep, the men are not only cleaning up on the field but also in the Wag awards this week. However, a little more digging and Mr Burkitt confessed that this confection was more of a team effort, his precise words being: “I started it but I had to go out, so my daughter finished it. I whipped the cream, though.” Yeah, right, cos it’s all in the cream, Franny. So this award goes to father and daughter. More of the same this week please, Miss Burkitt.

BEST PLAYER:
Wag-blog has to admit, it had completely forgotten about watching the match, so had to consult its husband about who did well. This may have had something to do with a rather lovely Pinot Grigio being enthusiastically quaffed during play, coupled with a somewhat vague understanding of the game.

Both consumption and understanding will hopefully increase over the course of the season.

So this week’s gong goes to Sam Ludford, who (according to Mr Wag) did really rather well and took lots of wickets, despite almost being taken off after the first over. Well done Ludford. Your prize is a year’s free beer, generously donated by John Roos at the Blue Ball. Um, when we say “generously donated” we actually mean “in your dreams” but we’d love to see you suggest it to him.

*Grantchester Cricket Club’s Wag Blog is exempt from Police Operations Elveden, Weeting and anything else, by order or His Lord Chief Justice Archer.

Maxine Frith
(The female equivalent of Jeffrey Bernard)

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20th May v Conington (home)
Conington: 110 all out (H Fordham 64, T Kennedy 2-16, J Innes 2-12, S Ludford 2-0)
Grantchester:  111-2 (J Innes 67no)
Grantchester won by 8 wickets

16th June v Liverpool Medics (home)
Grantchester:  207-5 (J Innes 75no, R Dovaston 47no)
Liverpool Medics: 61 all out (T Kennedy 3-11, D Foster 4-20)
Grantchester won by 146 runs

20th June v Hemingford (home)
Hemingford:  115-7 (F Wilson 3-17)
Grantchester: 117-6 (AP Stafford 28no, J Innes 26no, Fordham 2-7, Wright 2-10)
Grantchester won by 4 wickets

27th June v Philanderers (home)
Grantchester: 143-4 (AP Stafford 33no, J Anderson 31no, R Dean 2-13)
Philanderers: 108-4 (C Pearson 30)
Grantchester won by 35 runs

10th July v Cambridgeshire Police (home)
Cambs Police: 49-9 (F Wilson 3-13, AP Stafford 3-4, T Kennedy 2-18, M Jones 2-10)
Grantchester: 53-2 (M Jones 26)
Grantchester won by 8 wickets

15th July v Thriplow (away)
Grantchester: 184-9 (J Anderson 49no, AP Stafford 49, C Watrasiewicz 3-43)
Thriplow: 105 all out (H Spotswood 20, F Wilson 2-12, N Woods 2-14, D Crowther 2-24)
Grantchester won by 79 runs

22nd July v Stiffkey (away)
Grantchester:  195-7 (AP Stafford 117no, M Dawkins 45, M Delaney 3-26)
Stiffkey: 113-8 (M Hunter 37, AP Stafford 3-12, M Dawkins 2-7
Grantchester won by 82 runs

29th July v Reach (home)
Grantchester 106-1 (AP Stafford 50no)Match abandoned – Rain

5th August v St Giles XI (home)
Grantchester: 167-8 (AP Stafford 70, M Goulder 41, W Phelps 3-28)
St Giles: 136 all out (H Barker 30, D Fox 5-11)
Grantchester won by 31 runs

19th August v Conington (away)
Grantchester:  214-6 (C Marian 27no, N Wright 2-19)
Conington: 130-9 (K Pittams 26, J Hallisey 25, D Foster 4-9, M Jones 2-4)
Grantchester won by 84 runs

26th August v Girton (away)
Girton: 226-9 (S Clarke 50, M Hobbs 50no, AP Stafford 2-27)
Grantchester: 189-9 (M Goulder 50no, AP Stafford 37, S Shanks 3-26)
Girton won by 37 runs

2nd September v St Radegund (home)
Grantchester: 223-4 (AP Stafford 90, J Anderson 48, J Burberry 3-44)
St Radegund: 67 all out ( J Lawlor- Anderson 28no, D Fox 4-24)
Grantchester won by 156 runs

9th September v Highgate Taverners (Fitzwilliam College)
Highgate: 182-7 (S Smith 65, M Sewards 35, M Jones 3-18)
Grantchester: 102 all out (D Fox 27, A Pervoe 4-12, J Beckett 3-15)
Highgate won by 80 runs

Continue reading »]]> Registration for the Grantchester Fun Run 2013 is now open.

The 2013 Grantchester 10k & 3k Fun Runs will take place on the 6th October. The 10k route will be the same acclaimed circular cross- country route as last year except that it will start from Spring Lane cricket field next to the Orchard Tea Rooms. The 3k will start from the same place and will follow a circular route entirely within Grantchester Meadows.

Once again the Fun Runs are organised by Grantchester Cricket Club. Experienced runners, pure fun runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. As is now the custom, participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt before the race, a bacon buttie and tea or coffee after the race.

The races will start at 10.30am (10k) & 10.45 (3k) from Spring Lane cricket field.

Free Car Parking will be available At Manor Farm Barns and the temporary village car park sited just before you enter the village from Trumpington. The Entrance To The Manor Farm Barns Car Park Is between the Church And Spring Lane both will be Signposted. Please do not park in the Orchard Tea Rooms car park.

As a result of your feedback after last year’s event a number of improvements will be in place, namely:

- More toilet facilities
- Distance markers
- Water stations
- A well defined finish
- Improved timekeeping

Registration fees will remain the same as last year. £12 for the 10k and £9 for the 3k.

Steve Wilson, captain of Grantchester Cricket Club said: “last year’s event was a great success with over 230 runners taking part and over £1,600 raised for the Rosie. Once again we are teaming up with Addenbrookes Charitable Trust (ACT) to raise funds – this year for Children’s Services. The target this year is to raise £3,000. So please get yourself sponsored and help make difference for sick and recovering children”.

Please click this link to register for the fun run.

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Continue reading »]]> Here at GCC we’re kicking off our fund raising events for the 2013, and the first one is sure to be an absolute cracker.

You are cordially invited to enter a team in our Annual Quiz on Friday 22nd February at 7.30 which this year will be held in The Village Hall at Grantchester.

Please click here for more details and an entry form.

Please note that the entry fee of £15pp includes a curry prepared by Flair Catering.

We suggest teams of up to 6 people but that is not a hard and fast condition of entry.

There will be a licensed bar.

All are welcome.

Continue reading »]]> As we move into the new year, I think we all wish for a summer more fitting to those balmy days of youth and rather less like the one we’ve just experienced. Currently the ground is under water again, as you can see below. Rumours of a new years day cricket match have therefore proven to be just that, play has had to be abandoned. Still, at least our boys in India have done us proud, and the thumbnail to this post is something for the ladies (and gents, if that way inclined), to enjoy.

The only thing left to say is thanks once again to each and every one of you for supporting us during this formative first season at our new ground. It has taken an incredible amount of dedication, time and effort to get us this far, and to everyone who is reading this blog and who has contributed in any way, however small, we are truly grateful. For all of those who participated in the fun run, who have attended the various events, who came down to the ground to watch us and cheer us on, who lent us equipment or offered sound advice, the list is endless. To each and every one of you, we wish you the most peaceful and successful of New Years, and look forward to taking this thing called Grantchester Cricket Club forward with you into 2013. Thank you, we are truly humbled by your support and generosity.

Continue reading »]]> Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to present the second Secretary’s Report of the reformed Grantchester Cricket Club.

This has probably been the busiest and most exciting year the club will ever see. This time last year our square had been laid only 2 months previously; now we have completed our first season playing on it. It has been a remarkable journey and a remarkable achievement. On a match day the ground is a picturesque sight and all our opponents have thoroughly enjoyed their first visit to Spring Lane.

It would be appropriate here to pay tribute to the immense amount of work put into the ground by Steve Wilson. He has been on several courses and is showing signs of the perfectionism exhibited by the true Groundsman. He is ably assisted by our ingenious mechanical wizard Jerry Greggain and the always willing Neil Woods and Sam Ludford.
We have an impressive collection of machinery including a motorised roller, outfield cutter and 2 square cutters. We have a marquee, tables and chairs, a scoreboard made by Andrew Houston, numbers donated by Toby Joseph portable sightscreens and a hose and reel. The latter 2 items were bought with a grant from South Cambs Council for which I record our sincere thanks. We have been given machines by generous members and been offered some real bargains by Chas Simpkins. Owen Maddock kindly gave us a trailer to transport the square cutters. Trumpington Farm Company has provided a home for all our gear in a secure barn near the ground. This in turn has enabled us to get it all properly insured. We are grateful for Richard Pemberton’s ongoing support and delighted that he has taken life membership of the club. Following the invasion of cows on to the square Richard not only got a gang of his men to repair the damage but provided a secure removable fence around the square. Richard has also offered to put a chicken wire barrier along the 2 short sides of the ground to minimise time wasted looking for balls. We have also formed a good relationship with the new Farm Manager, David Knott. Lee Milburn has been most generous in loaning us machinery when necessary.

Another massive thank you must go to The Orchard Tea Garden for their generous provision of tea at our home games. We are indebted to the manager Pauline Holmes and to the owner Mr Callan to whom we have presented a club sweater.

The largest part of our finances this year has come from our own fundraising efforts. In particular there have been 2 Fun Runs, The Ringing the Bull World Championships and a Paella and Sangria Afternoon. The recent Fun Run was a great success from which we have learnt many lessons to apply next year. Our thanks go to Francis Burkett for planning the route. Our fundraising team of Steve Wilson, Justin Fairhall and Sarah Fitt have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of these events. Justin has been most generous in making the resources of his company, Flair Catering, available for our events and Steve has driven everything along in his own inimitable way.

The season itself started with the opening match at Spring Lane on Sunday May 20th. The ground was opened by Adrian Frost and Richard Pemberton. In very cold conditions and wearing our new club sweaters we played our friends from Conington. Neil Woods bowled the first ball, Barnaby Perks hit the first run and Tony Kennedy took the first wicket. Grantchester won the match and the pitch played very well. It was a memorable day.
The club played 13 matches, winning 10, losing 2 and one was abandoned as a draw. The champagne moment of the season came at Stiffkey when Alex Stafford hit 117 not out, a club and ground record. The ball only went into the river once, when we were playing St Radegund, whereupon one of their fielders stripped off and went in after it. We now know for sure that cricket balls float.

The club has about 50 members of whom 26 are players. If I have a concern it is that some of us, though still showing traces of skills honed long ago, are certainly in the veteran category. It would be great to have some youngsters from the village in our ranks. We are keen to be inclusive and to this end the Fun Run will be promoted as a community event and our annual Quiz will be held in the Village Hall rather than the Blue Ball. The date of Friday 22nd February has been fixed for that event.

The square has been scarified, top-dressed, seeded and fertilised. It just remains to be aerated and it will be ready for season 2013. Winter nets are being arranged by Sam Ludford and details will go out in due course.

Your committee under the chairmanship of Ben Travers has met 10 times during the last year.

Can I thank our scorer Sarah Fitt for her unfailing good nature and for her willingness to keep the valuables in her handbag.

Dave Crowther, our webmaster, though now resident in Den Haag, has shown that in the modern world distance is no object. His work on the Fun Run was most efficient. Tony Kennedy has been an admirable steward of the finances. Steve Bowller continues to help out with the storage and transportation of materials for which we thank him.

Our special thanks go to John and Karolin for their continuing support and for the warm welcome we always receive at headquarters.

Last season was a very wet one and we never really got to see how a hard, dry pitch at Spring Lane would play. Here’s hoping that next season we get that opportunity.
If I have omitted to thank anyone please accept my apologies. Thanks to you all for your continued support.

David Foster – Secretary