Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Your Cricket => Topic started by: wasted_talent on November 05, 2013, 09:57:21 AM
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I was wondering if we had anyone in the forum that plays in the Herts/Home Counties Prem leagues... I see the Herts clubs have voted 19/5 to leave the Home Counties Premier League, so they can form a Herts Prem. Just wondering what people's views were on this? Given the HCPL was arguably one of the strongest Premier Leagues in the country... And that by leaving they have essentially reduced the strength of the League as a result.
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Have they given any reason as to why they have chosen to leave?
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Have they given any reason as to why they have chosen to leave?
I believe it is because the clubs are sick of playing Time pennant but the league is refusing to switch to 50 overs.
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Was going to stick a topic up on the subject. My old man is a standing HC/Feeder umpire and get's to see most of the teams and the relative strength of the leagues, plus he is well connected in the HC/TVL and knows some of the management board.
I don't think the Herts clubs leave until 2015 though.The Herts League got the best deal of all the leagues feeding in to the home counties. They had their own Eastern Feeder League going into the Home Counties Prem. As a result they were normally the first teams to get relegated from the HC. The TVL, the strongest of the 3 leagues had to share the Western Feeder with the Cherwell League. TVL Div 1 in particular is very strong with a number of quality teams effectively blocked from getting into the Western Feeder with only 1 team going up each year. The Cherwell has been growing and the top teams are pretty decent as well. Losing the 4? Herts teams out of the Home Counties won't weaken it much as there are plenty of quality sides in the Western Feeder and TVL1 to replace them.
Spare a thought for the 5 Herts teams who voted against. Most likely those still in the HC and possibly the promoted Eastern Feeder teams. Unhappy won't even come close to their feelings. Part of being in the HC is attracting top league players, whatever the drawback of the 11.30 starts and 120 over games. By going back into a Herts Prem they will undoubtedly lose some top players.
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Biggest problem with the present structure is the feeder concept. It works on an "ideal" concept of 1 team from the eastern feeder and 1 team from the western feeder getting relegated from the HC each year. Anything else ie. 2 TVL/2 Herts and the structure has a massive chain reaction that can be compounded or helped by the feeder leagues below. It's probably time to look at the feeder concept again and decide whether the Cherwell/TVL should have separate feeder leagues or create a HC Div2 along the lines of today. Possibly even look at a geographical restructure of the TVL to incorporate the Cherwell?
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Its most likely that the TVL and Cherwell will stay seperate because the geographical issues would be too incconvenient when it comes down to third fourth and fifth XIs playing on a Saturday.
To be honest I think this is probably a good thing - very few Hertfordshire clubs have been competitive in the Home Counties 1 and there is a marked difference between the two divisions of feeder clubs; indeed, there are clubs in the top two divisions of the TVL that would be more than competitive in feeder East!
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It's all kicked off big time - read the twitter feed!
http://www.homecountiescricket.com/ (http://www.homecountiescricket.com/)
North Mymms, Flitwick, Pottars Bar said no . Potters Bar are fuming! High Wycombe want them kicked out straight away. Farnham Royal have lost their star players and want relegation.
very entertaining!
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To be honest I think this is probably a good thing - very few Hertfordshire clubs have been competitive in the Home Counties 1 and there is a marked difference between the two divisions of feeder clubs; indeed, there are clubs in the top two divisions of the TVL that would be more than competitive in feeder East!
Old man said the same about the Eastern Feeder games he's umpired in. That's because it's the same as TVL Div 1, as the two divisions above are a mix of cherwell/TVL/Herts. Eastern Feeder is Herts Div 1.
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From the various tweets I have seen, its a combination of issues..
Seems like some of the herts clubs were paying "big money" to players to stay competitive in the HCPL. I think it got to the stage where they are fed up and dont want to maintain that, as its not easily done for the long term.
Its possible it will happen for the 2014 season, the HCPL have called an emergency AGM. However, for it to happen for the 2014 season they require a 2/3 majority vote, which is unlikely as the Herts clubs also have a say in that.
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also from various tweets ive seen several of the clubs didnt ask their players what they wanted before voting to pull out of the HC league.
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I saw the Wycombe Chairman going on about "investing" in players and spending money. Not really right for what is still an amateur league. Wycombe of all people ought to keep quiet as they nearly went bankrupt a few years ago paying players! Henley also pay players. My old club Marlow will never be a HC Prem team for that reason, we can't pay players.
Interesting comments about players not being consulted and the bottom level Herts teams effectively voting out the top teams.
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I saw the Wycombe Chairman going on about "investing" in players and spending money. Not really right for what is still an amateur league. Wycombe of all people ought to keep quiet as they nearly went bankrupt a few years ago paying players! Henley also pay players. My old club Marlow will never be a HC Prem team for that reason, we can't pay players.
Interesting comments about players not being consulted and the bottom level Herts teams effectively voting out the top teams.
On a side note i played against Wycombe a few years back in the conference cup - we got absolutly smashed, really strong team, great ground one fo the best ive played at but possibly the worst teas ive ever had though. A few of our spectators had a roast dinner whilst they were there and we were quite excited what might be in store for us espoecially when we went up staris and saw the industrial sized kitchen. They laid out 2 plates of sandwhiches which they had tucked into first leaving us not a lot and a small plate of packet cakes. Shocking.
We also had an overseas player who went on to play for Marlow - a Kiwi called Nathan McNally - do you know him?
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I think it is really a tough thing to broach.
I played for a few seasons in the HCPL and it is a very good standard, definitely on a par with Middx and Surrey in terms of the quality. But as I have said previously, I now play in the TVCL and this is going to have a knock on effect on the league structure there (Saying that, I have just picked up a lad who was playing for Farnham Royal) and I know that is all up in the air at the moment.
It is true that the teams from the Herts league generally struggled going into the HC1 but they earnt their right to be there. I really do not understand why Herts would remove their teams from this, I heard it is down to securing sponsorship for their new league, but this could be wrong (so dont quote me).
There are alot of teams in the HC Div2 West who have very strong teams (Gerrards X, Oxford, Reading etc.) but with the Herts teams leaving (And I KNOW their guys will be devastated), the league will be weakened for a while, and that is a bit of a shame for all concerned.
High Wycombe - They spend HUGE sums of money on the playing side, as do Henley. They need to be successful to substantiate the investment so kicking out strong opposition and replacing them with relatively weaker is a strategic thing for them.
Farnham Royal - Have definitely withdrawn from the HCPL and want to be placed back in the TVCL as they have lost their entire 1st XI.
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I think it is really a tough thing to broach.
I played for a few seasons in the HCPL and it is a very good standard, definitely on a par with Middx and Surrey in terms of the quality. But as I have said previously, I now play in the TVCL and this is going to have a knock on effect on the league structure there (Saying that, I have just picked up a lad who was playing for Farnham Royal) and I know that is all up in the air at the moment.
It is true that the teams from the Herts league generally struggled going into the HC1 but they earnt their right to be there. I really do not understand why Herts would remove their teams from this, I heard it is down to securing sponsorship for their new league, but this could be wrong (so dont quote me).
There are alot of teams in the HC Div2 West who have very strong teams (Gerrards X, Oxford, Reading etc.) but with the Herts teams leaving (And I KNOW their guys will be devastated), the league will be weakened for a while, and that is a bit of a shame for all concerned.
High Wycombe - They spend HUGE sums of money on the playing side, as do Henley. They need to be successful to substantiate the investment so kicking out strong opposition and replacing them with relatively weaker is a strategic thing for them.
Farnham Royal - Have definitely withdrawn from the HCPL and want to be placed back in the TVCL as they have lost their entire 1st XI.
Farnham Royal lost their entire 1st team? Wow... From what i have heard, most of that 1st team was sponsored by individual players.. Is that true?
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Farnham Royal lost their entire 1st team? Wow... From what i have heard, most of that 1st team was sponsored by individual players.. Is that true?
I heard alot of their players were coming from far afield and it only took a few players to leave to start the landslide - but yes, there was money being banded around.
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We also had an overseas player who went on to play for Marlow - a Kiwi called Nathan McNally - do you know him?
Met him but after my time at Marlow. Very well liked and got Marlow up to TVL1 a couple of seasons ago. Quality player.
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I heard alot of their players were coming from far afield and it only took a few players to leave to start the landslide - but yes, there was money being banded around.
Yeah I know at least one guy, Javed Khan, was travelling from East London to go and play up there.. He'd playing been there for several years. Interesting to see where all their "stars" end up..!
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Have alot of time for Reading, wonderful setup and terrific depth. Gerrards X are on shifting sands as historically they have paid players. Two of our lads went there and effectively they ran a paid XI and 1 other team. Signs are they are starting a 3s now and thinking towards youth development.
How on earth Harfield attract the players they do I will never know. It's ground is ok and the teas superb but even so. Played against Dougie Hondo 2 weeks in a row there once! Filled in for the ones the first week and had to block Dougie out to get a batting point. Following week back in the 2s, again at Harfield, and there he was. Smacked him over extra cover this time! Before anybody get's excited, Dougie was playing with a fractured back in a brace!
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never quite understood the point of paying players in ameteur cricket,they just move on to where ever the biggest cheque is stifling most clubs long term plans
it happens under the counter in the middx championship
Henley i did know a acouple of guys who played there a couple of years ago,my mate was playing with chad keegan,ex middlesex
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Aston Agar was at Henley this season. They make a fortune from renting out the ground as a car park for the Henley Regatta. Probably have a few "Sponsors" from the town as well, it can put Marlow to shame for wealth. You would have to go some to trump Gerrards X though!
I'll do some digging, more out of curiosity than anything else. Will update if I hear any whispers. Didn't realise I knew as many people in the HC/TVL/Bucks setup as I did, until I started looking at some of the websites. Was on the TVL Rules Committee years ago. Now that was a frustrating experience!
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Old man said the same about the Eastern Feeder games he's umpired in. That's because it's the same as TVL Div 1, as the two divisions above are a mix of cherwell/TVL/Herts. Eastern Feeder is Herts Div 1.
I would say, with respect, that the standard is closer as a whole to TVL 2 than 1, and that some of the better sides in 3 might even compete. The TVL covers most of three counties with bits of two more - even more with the Cherwell included, so the equivalent TVL side to the bottom of Eastern feeder last season was (according to my very rough maths) Hayes in 3a...
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I would say, with respect, that the standard is closer as a whole to TVL 2 than 1, and that some of the better sides in 3 might even compete. The TVL covers most of three counties with bits of two more - even more with the Cherwell included, so the equivalent TVL side to the bottom of Eastern feeder last season was (according to my very rough maths) Hayes in 3a...
Might be right. I don't remember what my old man said but it wasn't flattering. Interestingly enough, OMT's are in the TVL and based in Croxley Green, near Watford. That might be a possible route for the 5 who want to stay in the HCPCL. Join the TVL? Then again, anybody fancy driving on the M25 to Potters Bar away on a Saturday?
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The relegation problem sound the same as the West of England premier league issues. Massive chain reaction the whole way down which isn't right.
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Might be right. I don't remember what my old man said but it wasn't flattering. Interestingly enough, OMT's are in the TVL and based in Croxley Green, near Watford. That might be a possible route for the 5 who want to stay in the HCPCL. Join the TVL? Then again, anybody fancy driving on the M25 to Potters Bar away on a Saturday?
I don't think that the TVL would be too amenable to that idea - unless it was as simple as the five clubs affiliating for the purposes of being able to play in the HCPL, which they seem to want to continue to do. I can't see a trip out that far going down well for players from, say, Fleet or Cove!
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Don't think many teams are keen on travelling down to Cove either! Falkland gets a fair number of moans as well.
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I traveled down to play on Cove's 2nd XI ground once... Would have been better to have played rugby on it!
If you play for Kew and you have to travel to Falkland - you are looking at about 2 hours already.
It is a big old area to play games in, and I know Jeremy Davis and the rest of the TVCL board try their best to make it easier for teams, but further expansion East or West would make it an expensive process for the majority of teams.
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Hate Kew. Not the players just the bloody ground, lack of parking and people using the public footpath going across the pitch.
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nice for a jaunt into Richmond post match thou. lively and always lots of birds about
couple of teams from middx joined up with TVL and never looked back. I'm hearign a couple of others are looking to move over there too. :)
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Use to be alot more when a large part of the TVL was the Lee 75 league. Use to go to some nice grounds, Hampton Wick Royal, Richmond Town, Chertsey, Barnes etc . Then we joined the TVL and many of the clubs went into Middlesex and Surrey leagues. Which clubs are thinking of coming back?
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I nailed their 1st XI left arm off-spinner back over his head and knocked a woman off her bike at the pub end of the ground. Good times!
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british airways and hayes went from middlesex(championship) to TVL.
sheen park have gone back to the surrey league from middlesex(championship)
and I have heard a couple of teams looking at the TVL league
middx are losing teams quite quickly,the middlesex county league thou has the established regular sides like ealing,finchley,eastcote etc
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Those Middx teams are basically teams of pro's or former pros. Id be interested to see if they are paid...
Playing against Hayes and British Airways is great fun......
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hayes i know from the old games in the championship,BA side has changed a lot since we played them
the county league(above us) yes lots of pro's or ex pro's
eastcote i think have ravi patel,adam rossington,david goodchild,alan coleman
sam robson i think plays at finchley,ealing have chris peploe
in our league it's not allowed unless you are retired for 2 years(i think)
the prob is we come across overseas players that clearly are pros but not declared on registration
and it's one overseas per team, so in the seconds we come across some quality players
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Playing against Hayes and British Airways is great fun......
against Hayes yes...as long as its not AT Hayes!
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Watching this with interest as we play below Cherwell, but long term plans to move up the structure.
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against Hayes yes...as long as its not AT Hayes!
Fond memories of Hayes, got 60* in a league game about 20 years ago. Is it still a dump then?
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Watching this with interest as we play below Cherwell, but long term plans to move up the structure.
What's the standard like in the Mid-Bucks League? Is it just the cherwell you can go into?
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Fond memories of Hayes, got 60* in a league game about 20 years ago. Is it still a dump then?
Yes but they are currently rebuilding their clubhouse. I really enjoyed getting their overseas out - even more so when I found out he played for Delhi Daredevils U23! Though apparently they will be massively weakened next season as their team is massively populated by Navy personnel and they are shipping out.
All I know about BA is that they are consistently in trouble with the League Disaplinary Panel...
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I played in the TVL and HCCPL for years before moving away a few years back. I (like most people have said) don't think that the standard will be an issue as there are some excellent clubs in the West feeder (Gerrards X, Reading, Oxford) and also in the TVL Div 1 (Finchampstead, Chesham) and Cherwell (Thame).
What will interest me is what they decide to do with the restructure. It is a massive undertaking as it effects a huge amount of clubs, 3 leagues (plus the others that feed into them). There is also the question of who to replace the Herts teams in the HCCPL Div 1 with. I mean do 4 clubs now go up? and so on.... and so on.
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What's the standard like in the Mid-Bucks League? Is it just the cherwell you can go into?
Probably is Cherwell in future but working our way back up divisions after trying 4 counties for a couple of years.(Left as travelling was issuefor 2nd team)also now 40 overs win lose apparentlybigger clubs may put 3rd/4th teams in league as travelling is an issue-n countie n big leages.
Re standard top of prem division probably bt somethinglike div 5-6 but long time sincei played Cherwell. Could be higher or lower.
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To sum it up, I played HCPL 2 seasons ago, and it was very comparable to when I played 2nd XI cricket in my early 20s.
I play in the TVCL now and the standard is still very very high in the top two/three leagues - and an increasing number of young, quality players coming through. I feel like an old man @ 29!
I think it's a shame that the highest level will be weakened... BUT as I am sure the brave five, which rejected leaving the HCPL, will know is that whatever guise the HCPL takes next year, the league will be back to full strength in two years and will become even tougher because of the teams that are waiting to take the places of the Herts teams (Finch, Datchet, Amersham etc) which are well run but with sides young and developing all the time.
In the short term, it is a shame. IMHO it will be a 4 team competition next year in the HCPL (Henley, Slough, High Wycombe and Banbury) with newly-promoted Oxford being a dark horse to break into that top 4.
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Fond memories of Hayes, got 60* in a league game about 20 years ago. Is it still a dump then?
That wouldn't be entirely fair - they have a nice pavilion, good atmosphere and do the best teas in the league - but the wicket was relaid four years ago and just keeps getting worse, with no bounce at all.
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I play in the TVCL now and the standard is still very very high in the top two/three leagues - and an increasing number of young, quality players coming through. I feel like an old man @ 29!
who do you play for out of interest?
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http://www.club-cricket.co.uk/news/details/317 (http://www.club-cricket.co.uk/news/details/317)
Long but really interesting article here, well worth a read.
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[url]http://www.club-cricket.co.uk/news/details/317[/url] ([url]http://www.club-cricket.co.uk/news/details/317[/url])
Long but really interesting article here, well worth a read.
very interesting, top spot!
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I've played in both the TVL and Cherwell (div 4 highest in both) and from my experience I would say that the TVL is considerably stronger at that level than the Cherwell league.
My club won our league this year so I'll get to experience TVL 3 next year, looks like a few changes will be made from what I've heard from the TVL AGM on Thursday.
I'm sure that someone will be able to confirm or correct me as I've heard this second hand as I wasn't at the AGM, but apparently the best 3rd place finisher from 3 and below is being promoted with just one team relegated. I'm not sure how this will affect div 2, I'm guessing best 2nd placed will go up? I understand that Farnham Royal have been placed in div 3 and that some of the divisions have been slightly rearranged to make them a bit more travel friendly. The divisions were released to the people present at the AGM but I haven't seen a copy myself so unsure how big the changes, if any, are.
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Here's an update:-
SHCL Premier League to Start in 2014
At a follow-up meeting, after the decision to form a Saracens Hertfordshire Premier League and Championship, held on the 11 November last the 24 clubs attending unanimously agreed to begin the new divisions for the 2014 season. With the agreement of the HCPL committee all of our clubs within that structure will withdraw their first elevens forthwith.
This is an exciting time for the Saracens League. For 2014 all our best teams will now be playing within our League increasing the standard and, we hope, building a strong base for the future development of the League and all of our clubs. A cricket sub-committee has been formed which will meet next Monday , the 18 November, to finalise the details of the composition of the new top two divisions - the Premier League and the Championship - and the playing conditions and match rules.
We will post details after that meeting and the full executive committee meeting that follows it on the 25 November showing the effect that all this will have on the rest of the structure. Although this is good news at the top of our structure it is also central to our plans that the whole of the League develops and reflects all clubs’ aims and aspirations.
We propose to suggest amendments to match rules throughout the League and will go out to clubs with those proposals by the end of November.
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Seen this from Tring Park:-
We have received an invitation to join the Herts set up, but obviously no decision to change has been made.
While Tring is in Herts, it's on the border and a Bucks Cricket Association club who host minor county games. Surprised Bucks haven't had a word with Herts CA about this. Sounds a bit like poaching to increase the strength. I would be surprised if they quit the Home Counties for Herts but depends on the travelling. They are a strong well organised club so the Home Counties would have more appeal imho.
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A few TVL clubs have received offers to the new Herts league, if I recall correctly I think it might be as many as 12, but unsure as to who they are or whether they will accept. Tring Park is obviously one and we could probably have educated guesses as to who the others might be based on their geographical location.
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Let's have a go :)
OMT, Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Peter, Chenies & Latimer, Beaconsfield, Harefield, Gerrards X, Hillingdon Manor, Ickenham, Tring, and maybe Farnham Common or Farnham Royal.
I would be very surprised if they went much further out as it wouldn't make sense travelling wise.
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But let's be honest;
NONE of them will go unless they want to drop down a level.
Can't see Amersham - they just won Div.1!
Beaconsfield and Chesham - Can't see that happening!
Chalfont St Peter - Div 3 with teams like Hayes and Kew... All quite close traveling wise.
Gerrards X - Not a chance!
The others... Who knows but can't see any of them giving it any serious thought... Unless there is something being offered in return...
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Never underestimate people and clubs lust for winning ! Regardless of level
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Doubt Farnham Common, too far for us
Maybe Farnham Royal, but not many players left
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Let's have a go :)
OMT, Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Peter, Chenies & Latimer, Beaconsfield, Harefield, Gerrards X, Hillingdon Manor, Ickenham, Tring, and maybe Farnham Common or Farnham Royal.
I would be very surprised if they went much further out as it wouldn't make sense travelling wise.
Would have been the ones I would have said too, probably minus both Farnham clubs. Reckon High Wycombe might have got an invite but don't think they would accept. Maybe Ruislip and Eastcote?
As Gingerbusiness said, I can't see Amersham going and Chesham's twitter feed makes them seem quite happy at being promoted so they probably won't be going anywhere either.
I wouldn't be surprised if they would try to get a couple of the Cherwell clubs as well, in particular Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley Town, Great Brickhill, Wolverton Town and Long Marston. I would add Cublington but as they only joined the league 2 or 3 season ago I don't think they would want to move over to the Herts league so soon, if at all.
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Let's have a go :)
OMT, Amersham, Chesham, Chalfont St Peter, Chenies & Latimer, Beaconsfield, Harefield, Gerrards X, Hillingdon Manor, Ickenham, Tring, and maybe Farnham Common or Farnham Royal.
I would be very surprised if they went much further out as it wouldn't make sense travelling wise.
Can definitely refute one of those. Suspcet Ruislip more likely than ourselves, Hayes and Ickenham
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Hayes defo aren't going.
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Watching with interest as Tring host bucks games. As well ashavng a number of Bucks players.
We haven't received an invite yet. Lol
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Doubt High Wycombe would get an invite after their chairman's comments! High Wycombe is a fair trek to many of the herts clubs. You might as well invite marlow or slough!
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Doubt High Wycombe would get an invite after their chairman's comments! High Wycombe is a fair trek to many of the herts clubs.
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They won't go... There's no money in it! ;)
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Doubt High Wycombe would get an invite after their chairman's comments! High Wycombe is a fair trek to many of the herts clubs. You might as well invite marlow or slough!
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Bit of a geography fail by me there!
Looking at it from another angle, are any of the Herts clubs wanting to stay within the existing HCPL set up or are they all moving to the Herts league? I believe 5 clubs voted to remain part of the HCPL - are they all going?
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From what I was told by a man in the know was that they were 'expelled' from the league. It is a shame for the five clubs. I assume they can reapply to go back in, but this would mean disowning the Herts League and hoping that the TVCL (Or whatever it becomes) votes to let them back in.
Its a nasty state of affairs. We are in Div.3 of the TVCL and we have no idea where we will be playing our cricket next season yet - its all up in the air!
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They won't go... There's no money in it! ;)
I'm coming to the conclusion that separate county leagues aren't a bad idea to an extent. Keep the home counties as a single or two division setup but make promotion into the setup by invite only. Clubs without money or have no wish to spend money can stay playing a competitive standard in a more regional herts/bucks/Berks/oxon setup and the truly ambitious clubs winning these leagues on a regular basis could accept an invite if they wished. Would maintain the links to all the league's without obligating any club to join.
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I'm coming to the conclusion that separate county leagues aren't a bad idea to an extent. Keep the home counties as a single or two division setup but make promotion into the setup by invite only. Clubs without money or have no wish to spend money can stay playing a competitive standard in a more regional herts/bucks/Berks/oxon setup and the truly ambitious clubs winning these leagues on a regular basis could accept an invite if they wished. Would maintain the links to all the league's without obligating any club to join.
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Will this not create a list of have and have nots though? I mean, I know the ECB are trying that anyway with Focus/Coubmark clubs already but this just sounds like a way for the few rich clubs to monopolise and probably end up with 5/6 teams and then other clubs getting g one/two teams if possible just making up the numbers
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Will this not create a list of have and have nots though? I mean, I know the ECB are trying that anyway with Focus/Coubmark clubs already but this just sounds like a way for the few rich clubs to monopolise and probably end up with 5/6 teams and then other clubs getting g one/two teams if possible just making up the numbers
I know without clubmark, we like many other smaller clubs out there, would be in a bit of trouble. We already have to fund raise and work our backsides off just to keep the club running.
I think it is a shame some clubs use their vast finances to take advantage of professional players but it also increases the level of cricket in the TVCL as the 'normal' first team players filter into the 2nd and 3rd XI teams. I mean, I really love playing against Slough 2s when I come in at 12-5 to face a guy who was playing Pakistani state level the week before - bowling 80mph+ bouncers at the skipper and myself...
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We have haves and have nots already and always will. Top club players expect to get paid. I don't agree with it but the top clubs will pay and take the best players. Why not just let them get on with it but leave the door open for strong clubs to join rather than force promotion or relegation. Many clubs are happy to develop youth and play a good standard with good facilities. Busting the bank doesn't make sense for a well run club. The 5 herts could still play home counties in that situation without being outcasts or forced into a hertz setup they don't want.
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Sounds like fun Gingerbusiness...thankfully, I believe anyway, Slough went up so you won't have to face him next season! We should also be going up to 3A for next season so not having to face that will be a relief!
We've never paid anyone to play for us before and that won't be changing next season. We've got a very good crop of youngsters coming through at the moment so that will stand us in good stead going forward. Talking about clubs paying players, Bracknell in div 4 of TVL have paid one guy to come down from Birmingham to pretty much keep them in the division and once safe from relegation he doesn't play! Apparently on £200 a game. When we played them this year they also paid for 2 other players to come down from Watford, one of whom was a pretty handy spinner. Very bizarre club although their teas are very nice.
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We've never paid anyone to play for us before and that won't be changing next season. We've got a very good crop of youngsters coming through at the moment so that will stand us in good stead going forward. Talking about clubs paying players, Bracknell in div 4 of TVL have paid one guy to come down from Birmingham to pretty much keep them in the division and once safe from relegation he doesn't play! Apparently on £200 a game. When we played them this year they also paid for 2 other players to come down from Watford, one of whom was a pretty handy spinner. Very bizarre club although their teas are very nice.
Know the guy. Loved it when one of my colts got him out at their place couple of seasons back, admittedly after the game was sorta finished. When they came to ours, the two had "words" at the start and the colt won within three balls! Been trying to control his ego ever since
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Sounds like fun Gingerbusiness...thankfully, I believe anyway, Slough went up so you won't have to face him next season! We should also be going up to 3A for next season so not having to face that will be a relief!
We've never paid anyone to play for us before and that won't be changing next season. We've got a very good crop of youngsters coming through at the moment so that will stand us in good stead going forward. Talking about clubs paying players, Bracknell in div 4 of TVL have paid one guy to come down from Birmingham to pretty much keep them in the division and once safe from relegation he doesn't play! Apparently on £200 a game. When we played them this year they also paid for 2 other players to come down from Watford, one of whom was a pretty handy spinner. Very bizarre club although their teas are very nice.
Yeah - I have heard rumours that Wargrave and T&T have got some good young lads coming through.
Mahmood was on at least £200 a week and probably the worst team player I have ever seen in my life - But I agree, the tea on the pool table is pretty awesome. On the whole, a really good bunch of lads.
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There are a few clubs with decent youth set ups in the TVL at the moment!
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Just seen that the tvl are reorganising the divisions. So teams at the same level for 2014 are being placed in a and b divisions based on geography.
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Yeah - I have heard rumours that Wargrave and T&T have got some good young lads coming through.
Mahmood was on at least £200 a week and probably the worst team player I have ever seen in my life - But I agree, the tea on the pool table is pretty awesome. On the whole, a really good bunch of lads.
I'm at T&T so probably not the most impartial view but we've got 3 or 4 very good youngsters coming through at the moment, and a couple more who should be pushing 1s in the next season or two. Each one had a significant impact last year on at least 2 occasions with one of them being our leading run scorer in the league and another (13 year old) opening the batting and scoring 300 or so runs.
Wargrave are a young team, the majority of them in their mid 20s I would say. They've got one very good 14 or 15 year old, Euan Woods I think his name is. Classy left hand bat and a good spinner too. Their pitch is an absolute road so could be a good one to book a holiday for if you're a bowler ;) They've got a quickish opening bowler, French, but he spent most of the time banging the ball in as short as he could which is a bit of a waste considering the state of some of the pitches, including ours, that we play on!
I wouldn't have paid Mahmood £200 a match, very good bat but would always give you chances. He bowled a lot for them in the 2012 season and the buffet he provided came close to matching their teas!
Manormanic - agreed! Cove and Eversley had some very good youngsters in their 2s when we played against them. I'm sure there are plenty of other clubs out there who have some good youngsters who I haven't played against!
uknsaunders - if you see anything can you share the divisions? I'm hoping that our skipper will send something out but not holding my breath on that!
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I'm at T&T so probably not the most impartial view but we've got 3 or 4 very good youngsters coming through at the moment, and a couple more who should be pushing 1s in the next season or two. Each one had a significant impact last year on at least 2 occasions with one of them being our leading run scorer in the league and another (13 year old) opening the batting and scoring 300 or so runs.
Wargrave are a young team, the majority of them in their mid 20s I would say. They've got one very good 14 or 15 year old, Euan Woods I think his name is. Classy left hand bat and a good spinner too. Their pitch is an absolute road so could be a good one to book a holiday for if you're a bowler ;) They've got a quickish opening bowler, French, but he spent most of the time banging the ball in as short as he could which is a bit of a waste considering the state of some of the pitches, including ours, that we play on!
I wouldn't have paid Mahmood £200 a match, very good bat but would always give you chances. He bowled a lot for them in the 2012 season and the buffet he provided came close to matching their teas!
Manormanic - agreed! Cove and Eversley had some very good youngsters in their 2s when we played against them. I'm sure there are plenty of other clubs out there who have some good youngsters who I haven't played against!
uknsaunders - if you see anything can you share the divisions? I'm hoping that our skipper will send something out but not holding my breath on that!
Well I am at Hurst CC. We look forward to hosting you at our place - Oh and I am the eldest in our team @ 29.
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Well I am at Hurst CC. We look forward to hosting you at our place - Oh and I am the eldest in our team @ 29.
Left arm bowler? If so then I played against you the year you went up to div 3. Lovely ground and good bunch of lads, we were disappointed when we saw you go up (from a purely selfish point of view!)
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No. That's our opening bowler, Andy. (I am the other ginger/blonde. I was injured when you played at our place in 2012. I remember playing at your place though.)
Unfortunately, he has moved to London now (Loved up with his Mrs!) but we have two new opening bowlers coming in this season, one from Beaconsfield and one from Farnham Royal so they will replace Andy and A.N.Other.
Div3a will be REALLY strong this season coming. Looks like BA and Wokingham 2s are coming down, Wargrave and yourselves coming up - The standard in 3a was always lightyears stronger than 4b but its just been reinforced this year.
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Ah ok, I think I know who you are then - I injured myself batting at our place due to being unfit and attempting to run! You still got your off spinner who turned into your opening bowler in the latter half of the 2012 season?
We've heard that div 3 is a big jump up compared to 4. Our main aim is to avoid the drop and build from there. As far as I'm aware we don't have any new players and we might have lost our Indian bat and leggie, which would be a huge loss for us as he's moved into London. He used to play on Sundays with Abi (I think that's the name of your Indian guy?). As you can probably imagine, with our facilities it's not particularly easy to attract first team players to our club!
We played against a few of the BA boys in a Sunday friendly and they had some serious upheavals behind the scenes which resulted in them losing half of their first team for 2013 season. It looks like they started to get their act together at the end of the season so I would expect them to be strong next season. I'm hoping that Stoke Green have gone up, there weren't many sides who we didn't get on with but they were definitely one!
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That would be me. I bowl the odd bit of pace now and then when we are a little short.
Yeah, we still have Abi. He was bowling SERIOUSLY quick in the last league game of the season. He had an operation early in the season so could only bat for a few months. I remember bowling at Kumar? at your place - He was VERY concerned about his average. Batted 40 overs for 48 runs!
Stoke Green play hard, but they are mostly a good bunch of lads off the pitch (Their skipper is a bit annoying - especially as I am sure he is in as a specialist captain as he doesn't seem to be able to bat, bowl or field very well...). You always have to be wary of them as they always seem to have 'friends' coming back to their club from some of the bigger local clubs around them (Slough, Beaconsfield, Burnham etc - rumours of money being used. Aziz their left arm spinner was in the Burnham 1st XI as their front line spin option in 2012! He just 'decided' to drop 4 leagues 'for the fun' of it).
It will be interesting to see who are the weaker teams this season. On last years performance, you'd say Henley 3s plus one other but you never know.
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I have a photo of the divisions. Will stick up this evening.
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Cheers uknsaunders.
I played against Stoke Green's opening bat from the 2012 season in an end of season friendly against Wooburn and he was a nice bloke - the older guy not the Asian. Maybe we got them on a bad day but they were just outright abusive as opposed to sledging/banter. Sunny, that's the one yep. He moved to play for Burnham and I think spent most of the season in their 3s. Nice bloke and I have a lot of time for him but yes he was concerned about is average! There were a few internal issues that season and had he remained captain last season then there were 3 or 4 guys who said that they were going to go to you guys. Thankfully for us that situation was avoided and with more or less the same squad as 2012 we won the division.
Was Parker still playing for them? Far from quick but didn't give much to hit, was far too good for div 4 but maybe less of a threat against most div 3 teams? If what I've heard is correct then they've been promoted as best 3rd place across div 3.
I would expect Henley to be one of the weaker teams. We always play Purley pre-season and have always held our own against them, they seem to be around mid-table year after year and that's a position that we would happily take come next September!
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Purley's biggest problem was losing Nick Holman mid-season last year in my opinion. The guy is rapid for about 6 overs and can do a lot of damage. Plus they put FAR too much pressure on Pat Allen to score all of their runs. I know he rates himself highly, but they cant always go to him to get them out of trouble and could eventually be their downfall if he has a poor season.
Parker is still there. He gave our No.9 alot of stick because we stitched him up and told him that Parker was rapid so he backed away from his first ball...! Parker came down, gave him some stick... The next two deliveries disappeared for 6. But in all fairness, Parker does seam the ball all over the place!!
That would have been Clive Bourne you'd have spoken to. Nice guy. He is in their Saturday 2s though. Parker is the only guy in their 1s who isn't from sub-continent parentage...
Does Cook still bowl all the overs and take most of the wickets for you? I think we are two of the nicer teams in the league so can see why some of your players would come to us. We knew that you lot were after Abi at one stage.
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I believe Ash was trying to get Abi over yes. Cook still bowls a lot of overs, can be unplayable early season when it's green and wet but can become a bit of an up and down bowler when it becomes dryer and harder. He's now our captain. Purley are a decent bunch of lads but we might think that way because we play them quite a lot every season so we all know each other quite well.
Clive, that's the guy. He was saying that he was expecting to be in their 2s for 2013. Very nice guy. They had three white guys when we played them, Clive, Parker and their keeper although I think he was filling in that week as he literally couldn't catch a cold against us.
I didn't realise Purley lost Nick but yes he would be quite difficult to replace. They place a lot of emphasis on Pat to score runs, I think he had quite a major injury/operation over the winter so it took him a while to get back into things. They've got a couple of other decent batsmen but they overly rely on him.
You still got the Smith brothers? I'm guessing they're both scoring at div 3 as they're both very good bats.
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Yeah the Smiths are still here - First team stalwarts now! Both of them are very good, but for totally different reasons.
Greg scored 700 league runs (1500 in the season). Lewis, is now 1st XI vice captain, scored 400 league runs (1000+ in the season) this year opening the batting.
We seem to bat all the way through now though. Our skipper (300+ league runs) and our No.3, Abhi and Myself (250+ league runs) plus others with 200+, its an exciting time. Especially if you consider the average of our 1st XI is 22.
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Stoke did go up to div 2.
The captain is a specialist captain. Can't do much else apart from that and throws like a girl. Mouthy lot they are. Think it's the 3rd season in a row that they've gone up.
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Thats true - Good luck Div.2!. The way they sign 'friends', fully expect them to bring in Shahid Afridi and Mohammed Aamir soon!... ;)
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Wouldn't surprise me if they did.
Core of the team is the same and they bring guys in on a game to game basis. Won't surprise me if they pick up a few farnham royal ex 1st guys
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Manormanic - agreed! Cove and Eversley had some very good youngsters in their 2s when we played against them. I'm sure there are plenty of other clubs out there who have some good youngsters who I haven't played against!
My lads did pretty well on this front - we had one game where we had seven guys under 19 in the first XI!
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My lads did pretty well on this front - we had one game where we had seven guys under 19 in the first XI!
Good effort! I'd have felt even older in that team than I did in mine and I'm only 29!
We bat all the way down, our number 11 is a genuine 11 although he likes to think otherwise :) We can be quite susceptible to England style collapses but we were rescued more often than not with pretty much everyone in the team making a significant contribution with the bat at some stage in the season to dig us out of several holes. Certainly sounds like exciting times at Hurst and T&T.
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Good effort! I'd have felt even older in that team than I did in mine and I'm only 29!
We bat all the way down, our number 11 is a genuine 11 although he likes to think otherwise :) We can be quite susceptible to England style collapses but we were rescued more often than not with pretty much everyone in the team making a significant contribution with the bat at some stage in the season to dig us out of several holes. Certainly sounds like exciting times at Hurst and T&T.
Now watch the inevitable batting collapse which always comes after declaring confidence in anything batting related! :-[
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Now watch the inevitable batting collapse which always comes after declaring confidence in anything batting related! :-[
I'm sure we'll have a few next year too :-[
I'd be more than happy if you happened to have 2 next year against us, I don't want to be watching the Smith brothers hit us around Hurst again for fun :D
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Found 3B courtesy of Chesham's website:
Beaconsfield 2, Chalfont St Peter, Chenies & Latimer, Chesham 2, Kew 2, Marlow Park, OMT, Reading 2, Teddington Town and Wooburn Narkovians.
By process of elimiation I think make 3A, not in alphabetical order:
T&T, Hurst, Wargrave, Eversley 2, Wokingham 2, Purley, Henley 3, Ascot, Falkland 2, Newbury.
Pretty sure Eversley have come up as best 3rd place finisher. Farnham Royal seem to have gone into 4A. I'm guessing that their 2s have become their 1s, 3s the 2s etc?
If I'm right then Ascot have a relegation reprieve, reasonable side or one you expect to struggle again? I'd imagine Wokingham and Falkland will be useful, no idea about Newbury. Eversley, if they've come up, are a useful side and they've found a couple of good batsmen to back up their good bowling unit. Nice local league which is always nice :)
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I saw Ben Saville was playing for Eversley 2s last season - 1st team captain the season before! Very classy bat.
Ascot... IF they have stayed up, it will not be a nice game between us and them this coming season... They know why...
Newbery have a few useful players - Charlie Anstey being their main threat. Opens the batting and takes a lot of wickets with his off breaks.
I did read somewhere that Farnham Royal are definitely going into Div 3... Though you would have thought if Farnham Royal were in 3, they would be in B, not A, due to the proximity to the other teams.
Wokingham and Falkland will be very decent indeed.
I have a feeling there will be a few disciplinary issues in 3A looking at the teams involved BUT the stronger teams from A (Kew and Chalfont) have moved across so could be a very open 3B.
Very Interesting... if that's the case! Over to UKSaunders!
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I thought Farnham Royal were doing into 3 but they seem to be in 4a along with Chesham 3s.
3A does look very open which will hopefully make for a very competitive league. Was looking forward to playing Kew as we always had a few beers with them when we last played them.
Reading can probably feel pretty aggrieved that they're in B and not A. I think they will be weak next season, their 3s were very very weak and they said that the club as a whole had lost a lot of players.
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Reading are in real trouble, in all sorts of ways which I am sure you have heard about.
Kew are another team with a mental captain! The rest of them are good lads, esp their opener who I swear I have never played against when he has been sober/severely hungover! We always got there early and went for breakfast - but not missing having to park there on a Saturday!
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Ascot will struggle again - their keeper is a quality bat, their bowling is division 5 standard! Only team we beat all season!
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Manormanic - I got bowled by one of your lads who cut the ball back about 3ft from outside off stump! He will be a very decent bowler when he gets fit
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Is their captain still the Asian chap, usually comes in around 3 or 4, Kohli I think his name is? When we played at their place last their umpire had a bit of a shocker and he absolutely laid into him when he was talking to our guys during the rain break. I can understand if you're not happy with your umpire but this was something else, called him a couple of very unpleasant things. Their umpire then gave him out caught behind off of a big nick, he then proceeded to properly verbally abuse him as he was walking off! Certainly don't miss parking there.
I've heard bits and pieces about Reading but not really enough to warrant their collapse in the lower sides, care to shed a bit of light on it for me? The thing that has struck me the last 2 years when I've played at their place is the lack of a club spirit about the place. On both occasions we outnumbered the Reading people in their bar after the game and on both occasions they had two sides at home! We don't have our own bar but after every Saturday game, weather permitting, we always have at least 20 players from our 3 teams in the pub afterwards.
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Here you go. I think this was distributed to the clubs at the TVL's AGM last week:-
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-awUbe686Gd0/UpJvNn8wzQI/AAAAAAAAM28/RNWkRp-RHko/w531-h708-no/20131124_120656.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VindU3mWFqs/UpJvSa5wH7I/AAAAAAAAM3I/O_9MvCoC9cY/w531-h708-no/20131124_120706.jpg)
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I played a fair bit in Div 4 and a little bit in 3. 3 is a big step up and you need some very decent batters and some serious bowling to survive. I remember some Aussie Academy player trying to bounce me in the dark at Wokingham 2s. Div 4 is decent but in my time nobody couldn't be beaten with a half decent side.
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Kohli is still there - He is another one I definitely won't be missing!
I never understood how T&T survive without a bar. We rely on bar take for a lot of money that keeps the club running. That's the only thing that annoys us is when people disappear without having a beer! LOL!
Unfortunately, Reading's downfall has been going on slowly for about 10 years. People just haven't realised. They are very fortunate to still have the likes of David Hartley there that keeps the 1st XI going at the level it is. The lower teams... A lot of the money there has dried up and there is no strength in depth anymore. People got annoyed with the culture and attitude of the place and A LOT of players jumped ship.
It is a shame, but I for one have no sympathy for what has happened there. Everytime I have played there, the atmosphere was terrible and, in a lot of cases, alot of selfish players trying to be run by a few good-hearted people.
UKNSaunders - Good work on that. Glad to see the league took the opportunity to resort teams into proximity. Big thumbs up for my petrol bill in the summer months!
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Thanks for that uknsaunders. From what I've been told, and confirmed by Gingerbusiness on here, it's a big step up from 4 to 3. I'm looking forward to the challenge.
Not easy surviving without a bar. We do quite a lot of fundraising which helps a hell of a lot but considering the amount of alcoholics in our club if we had a bar then we would have a lot more money!! Even more if we hire out sleeping bags on a Saturday night!!!! Unless we've had a particularly nasty game with the opposition then we always stay behind for a beer when playing away. I think we had a couple at your place last year and then went for a curry in Twyford afterwards. We get annoyed when the opposition don't hang around but I can see why they might not want to go to a pub to have a beer afterwards.
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I think the league might resort the divisions on a yearly basis going forward. Last year a number of bucks clubs were discussing a breakaway 3rd xi league due to the overs /travelling issues. I think they were working towards this because of that.
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How marlow park get to put a scratch 2s straight into div 7 I will never know! They were paying players in various ways a few years ago until it all went tits up.
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Thanks for that uknsaunders. From what I've been told, and confirmed by Gingerbusiness on here, it's a big step up from 4 to 3. I'm looking forward to the challenge.
Not easy surviving without a bar. We do quite a lot of fundraising which helps a hell of a lot but considering the amount of alcoholics in our club if we had a bar then we would have a lot more money!! Even more if we hire out sleeping bags on a Saturday night!!!! Unless we've had a particularly nasty game with the opposition then we always stay behind for a beer when playing away. I think we had a couple at your place last year and then went for a curry in Twyford afterwards. We get annoyed when the opposition don't hang around but I can see why they might not want to go to a pub to have a beer afterwards.
I remember when we played at your place I disappeared off as I thought that's what was going on as most of you had gone and your skipper was the only one left. Only when I got back to Hurst was told by our Chairman that you all go for a beer next door! Felt like a bit of a tool!
UKNSaunders - ...And it went belly up in the most spectacular of ways! Datchet Cranbourne 2s in 9a will walk away with that league.
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I remember when we played at your place I disappeared off as I thought that's what was going on as most of you had gone and your skipper was the only one left. Only when I got back to Hurst was told by our Chairman that you all go for a beer next door! Felt like a bit of a tool!
UKNSaunders - ...And it went belly up in the most spectacular of ways! Datchet Cranbourne 2s in 9a will walk away with that league.
Yeah we drink just down the road. Not sure why we don't drink in the social club next door as that would be more convenient.
I will be very surprised if Cove 2s don't win 4B this year.
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Manormanic - I got bowled by one of your lads who cut the ball back about 3ft from outside off stump! He will be a very decent bowler when he gets fit
Really? Wierd thing is, our under 17s made it right the way to the county finals and he did not even get a bowl on finals day!
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Looks like our paths will cross first weekend of the season at your place, Gingerbusiness!
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This is how the home counties will shape up from now on:-
http://hcpcl.com/HCPCL%20FIXTURES%202014.pdf (http://hcpcl.com/HCPCL%20FIXTURES%202014.pdf)
Just a straight Div 2 - no league or regional split
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Looks like our paths will cross first weekend of the season at your place, Gingerbusiness!
I look forward to it! That time of year will be interesting on our track!
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I look forward to it! That time of year will be interesting on our track!
I'm sure it will still be better than ours regardless of what time of year it is!