Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Forum News and Suggestions => Old Advertisers => Admin Board => Vitas Cricket => Topic started by: Vitas Cricket on December 12, 2015, 08:22:42 PM
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Hi guys,
Some of you may have seen at the forum event or thanks to our recent social media activity, that we are now the UK licensee for the Perth based brand; Focus Cricket.
What this means is we essentially run the brand as we see fit in the UK, as well as having exclusive distribution rights of course. We took this decision partly due to the outstanding quality of the gear that is on offer, but also because we have wanted to have our own brand for a while. Our own Lion bats are OK, but we don't have the time or patience required to get the name out there enough, or slog through the back and forth in terms of getting samples right with stickers, pads, gloves, bags etc. Instead, we have essentially started up with a brand that already has a following (hopefully some in the UK are aware of the brand) and also extremely high quality stickers and softs. The stickers with their mirror effect chrome are some of the best I've seen, and the softs come from a superb manufacturer with a great reputation.
All bats are UK made barring the performance which comes from SA, with the top grades being genuinely limited in number. We have complete control over bat shapes (which we have already tweaked slightly from the Aus profiles) and we are also able to make custom shapes for customers. Please note we probably won't reply to messages asking for 45mm edges, no concaving at 2'8 ;)
The bat grading is as follows
Butterfly - Made to order, we won't hold these in stock
Performance - Not a fan of the name, and will change longer term, but for now its the best fit on out sticker sets. Good quality willow and all nice light weights
G2 - Very high quality, please don't look down on it because it is labelled as 'grade 2'
G1 - Lovely bats and likely to be the best sellers alongside G2
G1+ - Premium willow genuinely limited in number by availability of suitable clefts
Black Label - The best of the best, available if (not when) we can get our hands on it. We have 4 currently
As I said we are operating the brand in this country, rather than simply re-selling other peoples products like we do with other brands we stock. In the longer term this means we can make decisions to introduce certain things to the range (a proper sausage finger glove is a high priority for example) but for the short term we are offering the range pretty much as it looks in Australia, save for the addition of a top quality duffle bag which we have managed to get in stock already despite only being signed off for manufacture in November.
We have made our first move into sponsorship by providing gear to Leics CCC and former Eng U19 player Rob Sayer. We have provided him with cricket shoes since he signed as a professional at Leics as he's a Peterborough lad that we have known for a while. Now we have our own brand it's been fantastic to fully kit him out. Being a retailer running a brand rather than just running a brand, our sponsored players have quite a few advantages when it comes to bat choice. Rob is currently trialling bats from a number of the best batmakers in the world, sourced through our retail accounts and various connections in the industry.
Here is a quick teaser photo of the gear we have. Some of the imagery I have nabbed from Focus Australias social media, but the gear is identical to the stuff we have.
(http://i.imgur.com/4rMsHnvh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vgNaskLh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vUDW6YLh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Sf0dOhmh.jpg)
Thanks for having a look, all the gear is now listed on our website if you would like to make a purchase. Please also follow us on twitter if you have a spare moment. I've hyperlinked the text below, so all you have to do is click on our twitter handle to take you straight to our profile.
@FocusCricketUK (https://twitter.com/FocusCricketUK)
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Look very nice indeed am sure they will do very well for you :)
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Bats and stickers in particular impressed me at the forum event a couple of weeks ago. Look forward to seeing the whole range om my next visit.
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Bats and stickers in particular impressed me at the forum event a couple of weeks ago. Look forward to seeing the whole range om my next visit.
Pads and gloves are as high quality as I had hoped and suggested mate, feel free to come by for a look :)
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Really like the branding and the stickers, classic but modern look. Good luck
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Pads and gloves are as high quality as I had hoped and suggested mate, feel free to come by for a look :)
Loving the look of the plain white gloves, what's the design plan for the sausage finger gloves?
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My bats lovely!
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I hope it's a sausage glove with pittards!
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They look like quality sticks. I live on the east of Australia and have never heard of them until now
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Most eastern staters don't know there's another side to Australia.
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Hi Lads,
hope all is well.
Just quickly, we would like to say that we are genuinely excited to be partnering and launching Focus UK with the guys at Vitas Cricket.
We couldn't have found better people to work with in Jake and Robin, both whom are extremely professional and knowledgeable with all things cricket in the UK. Looking forward to having Rob Sayer onboard as our first County Pro and hopefully he has a enjoyable and successful ride with the lads at Focus UK.
Finally, for all our UK followers, please forward all your future enquiries to Vitas Cricket....
Take care and good luck.
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They look like quality sticks. I live on the east of Australia and have never heard of them until now
Hi Jenko, where do you live... We have agents based in SA, Vic, Tas, Qld and NZ
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Most eastern staters don't know there's another side to Australia.
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Dunno about that mate, I'm Western Australian through and through! Born in the Pilbara, don't get much more Sandgroper than that :)
Focus, I am currently in Tamworth NSW. Would be keen to try some gear mate, the cricket is pretty big in Tamworth.
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Hi Jenko, where do you live... We have agents based in SA, Vic, Tas, Qld and NZ
And I'm in Newcastle NSW and I've never heard of Focus either. And cricket in Newcastle is at an extremely high level
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And I'm in Newcastle NSW and I've never heard of Focus either. And cricket in Newcastle is at an extremely high level
Hi Mate, sorry but no agent in NSW at the moment. I have someone considering the role in Newcastle NSW who has 3-4 bats to view but its probably not best to discuss this through the CBF forum as we are not official sponsors (hope you understand).
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Dunno about that mate, I'm Western Australian through and through! Born in the Pilbara, don't get much more Sandgroper than that :)
Focus, I am currently in Tamworth NSW. Would be keen to try some gear mate, the cricket is pretty big in Tamworth.
cheers... as you know we are not forum sponsors so can't discuss much on here - please email me
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Hi Mate, sorry but no agent in NSW at the moment. I have someone considering the role in Newcastle NSW who has 3-4 bats to view but its probably not best to discuss this through the CBF forum as we are not official sponsors (hope you understand).
There was a guy acting as an agent for focus just recently, offering Australian made bats over facebook. Can you confirm they are Aussie made?
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Who is your agent in Qld, mate?
Jake, any chance of some profile shots?
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Congratulations @VitasCricket. Quality sticks and softs. No doubt you're onto a winner here. All the best!
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Decent looking gear, liking the designs. But all these G1+ , Black Label etc. mumbo jumbo just got to go, it gets too confusing for mere mortals. Not just you guys everyone seems to be doing it. Someone in the industry got to take a stance and standardise it all.
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Great looking kit Robin/Dusty you will enjoy getting into moulding your own Brand and watch it Grow
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Decent looking gear, liking the designs. But all these G1+ , Black Label etc. mumbo jumbo just got to go, it gets too confusing for mere mortals. Not just you guys everyone seems to be doing it. Someone in the industry got to take a stance and standardise it all.
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Whilst i agree with you to a point, that horse left the stable long ago unfortunately.
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Hi jake what are the price points on the bats please
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It looks nice gear Jake, the bats I saw at your event looked decent, have we got any buyers from here yet to do a review?
What is the size of the duffle?
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It looks nice gear Jake, the bats I saw at your event looked decent, have we got any buyers from here yet to do a review?
What is the size of the duffle?
@tommo256 has a Butterfly model which he has reviewed here: http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=36610.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=36610.0)
The duffle is essentially the same as the H4L and 2015 B&S duffle you may have seen when you visited the shop?
All listed on our website @simonmay5 :)
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@tommo256 has a Butterfly model which he has reviewed here: [url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=36610.0[/url] ([url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=36610.0[/url])
The duffle is essentially the same as the H4L and 2015 B&S duffle you may have seen when you visited the shop?
All listed on our website @simonmay5 :)
Thanks mate
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Thanks Jake, as I already have the H4L duffle from last year I will focus my attentions on a different one then, if there is no real difference..
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Can't see anything different or better than what's already available in the UK.
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Can't see anything different or better than what's already available in the UK.
You're being cheerful as ever I see :D
The gear looks nice and it provides another option for those not wanting to use a "big brand" so I can't see Focus entrring the UK market as a negative really.
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Can't see anything different or better than what's already available in the UK.
Not sure where you've seen me claiming Focus is different or better? There are only so many ways to skin a cat, and save for something truly left field such as Mongoose, any brand launching in the modern era isn't going to offer anything different, there are swarms of little brands out there all doing the same thing. I'm hoping our track record with customer service etc gives us a head start, as will the image of the brand as a whole, and specifically the bat stickers, which have attracted a number of people in the industry like moths to a flame when they have been in the shop recently, all 'oohs' and 'ahhhs' and positive comments.
I outlined our reasons for wanting to take on the brand in the first post.
Chiefly it's to have something we can be in control of. I can't tell you how nerve wracking it is come June/July looking at what stock is left and trying to second guess what the brands are going to change or discontinue, and weighing up the gamble of putting stuff in a sale or not. With Focus we can plan ahead with far less worry as we know nothing changes unless we decide to change it.
It's a useful string to our bow and amongst other things allows us to help fledging pros like Rob Sayer. We've provided shoes to him since he signed terms with Leics but in his specific case sorting a kit deal with him has been hard work as we can't give another brands kit away in a sponsorship. He's too laid back for his own good and never chased up H4L and B&S who we told him to contact and who were both keen.
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Evo shaped bat and the Evo gloves for me. I think the gloves are well sexy!!
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You're being cheerful as ever I see :D
The gear looks nice and it provides another option for those not wanting to use a "big brand" so I can't see Focus entrring the UK market as a negative really.
Yes Cam but how do know the bats are not made by a big brand
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Yes Cam but how do know the bats are not made by a big brand
We think far too much into things on this forum...
Two people walk into a shop, let's call them Senior and Player.
Senior has always used *insert big brand here* while player has no preference and is after a decent bat at a good price.
Senior goes straight over to the *insert big brand here* display, and picks the bat with stickers the same as he has seen his favourite player using on the tellybox. This bat is a generic big edged, concaved shape that costs £320
Player looks for profiles he likes. Having selected a few bats he waves them round and decides on a couple he likes the feel of. He then picks up a mallet and tests which he feels is the most responsive. He ends up with a light bat, with a full shape and the wood looks just as good as, if not better than, Senior's top of the range *insert big brand here*. Player then pays for his bat, which is £180.
By being broad minded you can have a nicer bat for a lower price. How a new brand offering more choice, that could lead to a better value purchase, is a bad thing I do not know. At the end of the day, if it's a decent bat at a good price, 95% of buyers won't give a stuff where it's made.
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Good luck fellas, your own control is something you've wanted for a while. Looks decent and the quality will be as good as anything given its all made in the same few places anyway.
Shame you've gone with high prices rather than be different and go lower but I sure it'll sell well and increase year on year.
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Don't want to go too far into our pricing or the reasons behind our price points but I will say the following
Disregard the black label as these are genuine one offs and I don't know if or when we will have more, or where they will come from. No doubt when they are gone we will get an email or two asking for one, from people assuming they grow on trees (no pun intended)
This makes G1+ our top of the line bat. £275 for a genuine top end piece of willow from a VAT registered business (rather than a bedroom seller/hobbyist like so many smaller brands these days) isn't overly high in my opinion.
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These look lovely! So many new bat makers are making lovely stickers with lovely bats! It's a shame you're too far from me, for me to come test one out!
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Don't want to go too far into our pricing or the reasons behind our price points but I will say the following
Disregard the black label as these are genuine one offs and I don't know if or when we will have more, or where they will come from. No doubt when they are gone we will get an email or two asking for one, from people assuming they grow on trees (no pun intended)
This makes G1+ our top of the line bat. £275 for a genuine top end piece of willow from a VAT registered business (rather than a bedroom seller/hobbyist like so many smaller brands these days) isn't overly high in my opinion.
Good luck lads looks quality equipment right through the range...
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We think far too much into things on this forum...
Two people walk into a shop, let's call them Senior and Player.
Senior has always used *insert big brand here* while player has no preference and is after a decent bat at a good price.
Senior goes straight over to the *insert big brand here* display, and picks the bat with stickers the same as he has seen his favourite player using on the tellybox. This bat is a generic big edged, concaved shape that costs £320
Player looks for profiles he likes. Having selected a few bats he waves them round and decides on a couple he likes the feel of. He then picks up a mallet and tests which he feels is the most responsive. He ends up with a light bat, with a full shape and the wood looks just as good as, if not better than, Senior's top of the range *insert big brand here*. Player then pays for his bat, which is £180.
By being broad minded you can have a nicer bat for a lower price. How a new brand offering more choice, that could lead to a better value purchase, is a bad thing I do not know. At the end of the day, if it's a decent bat at a good price, 95% of buyers won't give a stuff where it's made.
Nice post Cam but has Pro Cricketer has stated ( beat me to it) looking at the prices that's not the case is it. Which in some ways was my original point.
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Nice post Cam but has Pro Cricketer has stated ( beat me to it) looking at the prices that's not the case is it. Which in some ways was my original point.
As jake said, it's not silly money like many brands though.
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You pay for what you get, you know if you buy from @Vitas Cricket if said bat breaks through our old friend storm damage or something that wasn't related to either over use or impromper use that they would be there on end of the phone trying to help you resolve the issue, you also get the luxury of them hand picking said bats again so do many others on the forum, but then again that's the benefit of this forum! Not often do we see planks come up for sale!!
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Nice post Cam but has Pro Cricketer has stated ( beat me to it) looking at the prices that's not the case is it. Which in some ways was my original point.
Your original point seemed overly negative and generic, like pretty much most of your posts recenty.
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@Seniorplayer @ProCricketer1982
The only bit of the range that I feel maybe doesn't look quite right is the 'G2' price point, which seems a little high for grade 2. We are bound by the pricing of our suppliers of course, and a UK made bat of decent quality still costs them the same to produce in terms of labour and materials (aside from the cleft itself)
I'll provide some examples of these bats tomorrow as in my opinion they deserve better than a grade 2 sticker. If we were to rename it '5 star' or something similar I don't think many people would bat an eyelid. I know this was part of your previous point SeniorPlayer, and in the medium term, the grading names/stickers may change for the UK range. In the shorter term we went with the exact stickering used in Aus, for convenience more than anything.
With the above in mind we have already moved to address the glaring gap in the price points. These cheaper bats perhaps won't be UK made, they are unlikely to be Indian, they might well be Souh African (wink nudge) and no doubt will prove popular.
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As jake said, it's not silly money like many brands though.
That said you can get an hand made g1 custom bat to your own specs for less.
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Your original point seemed overly negative and generic, like pretty much most of your posts recenty.
Chris without an explanation it's your post that is generic.
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Chris without an explanation it's your post that is generic.
👜
Can we leave it at - looks quality stuff, but if it's not you're cup of tea then Fair enough
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Do love the look of this gear! Much nicer than some of the bigger brands out there for sure. Much prefer the stickers over what's on my Kippax... ;)
Also keen on the gloves - and the pads! What size are the pads - as every pad size seems to differ! I've currently got Gray Nics Mens, but before had GM Mens and they felt huge!
@Vitas Cricket - If you could let me know a size for the pad compared to a GN pad, it might be something to look at for me!
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Do love the look of this gear! Much nicer than some of the bigger brands out there for sure. Much prefer the stickers over what's on my Kippax... ;)
Also keen on the gloves - and the pads! What size are the pads - as every pad size seems to differ! I've currently got Gray Nics Mens, but before had GM Mens and they felt huge!
@Vitas Cricket - If you could let me know a size for the pad compared to a GN pad, it might be something to look at for me!
GM have come up a little big in recent years. I wear GN Legends and the Focus pads fit pretty much the same :)
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Revisiting some of last nights discussion, here are some of the G2 offerings, which to me look superb.
(http://i.imgur.com/DklzcCnh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AfIOiMTh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vXbHgU3h.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bCBqZdxh.jpg)
@Wickets-then-runs the Focus profiles in Australia may well be different. We control the brand in the UK and our decisions on bat shapes were of course influenced by UK tastes. That being said here are some EVO, GTS and GTR profile shots.
GTR, fullish profile and large edges, spine runs into the toe
(http://i.imgur.com/mZWLKaBh.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/hgQg4EWh.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/SfY4Yvjh.jpg?1)
EVO, based on the duckbill shape, large edges, some concaving
(http://i.imgur.com/aSa4L5Xh.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/DPBajLoh.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/RaDHqSvh.jpg?1)
GTS, smaller edges and no concaving
(http://i.imgur.com/5xvgNWRh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VAfH3Z8h.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/QowJ2SRh.jpg?1)
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Thats a very good selection available from the brand. Like the stickers . hope the brand gains popularity and works out for you guys [emoji106]
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They look great Jake, love the shape of the Ego.
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Good luck with it @Vitas Cricket exciting times when you have the chance to see something you've nurtured grow.
Cracking looking clobber.
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Profile of the Focus GT-S bat is amazing ... Finish on these bats remind me of the Hunts county bats.
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Completiy unrelated but all this GTS and GTR reminds me of my Nissan skyline how I miss that car some days.
Car themed name to the brand as well as the models, any ideas why Jake?
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Completiy unrelated but all this GTS and GTR reminds me of my Nissan skyline how I miss that car some days.
Car themed name to the brand as well as the models, any ideas why Jake?
On my list to own :)
but not sure it will happen
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(http://i.imgur.com/ERKVljzh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CMqVMpWh.jpg)
At Grace Road today with Rob Sayer arranging his gear including shiny new @StrettonFox Sports protection, many thanks George :)
Love the shotgun sound https://vine.co/v/ime5MUFL6Xr (https://vine.co/v/ime5MUFL6Xr)
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Good luck with the brand. I think the gear looks quality! Impressed with those G2 bats!
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Again, visiting the topic regarding grading/pricing. I did mention we would introduce a lower grade bat that is much more affordable. For now they will be called 'performance' as this is the best fit from the options on our current sticker sets. It may change going forward. £135 and this particular one weighs 2'7 exactly.
(http://i.imgur.com/4qqQkjoh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/75bPh1Ph.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AkRgZ3qh.jpg)
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Nice looking bats..
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Can't imagine anyone could argue with that for value!
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Nowt wrong with that jake, cracking looking for £135, does it ping well?
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Is that the only profile that will be made available in that grade?
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Is that the only profile that will be made available in that grade?
By and large they are the all in this shape
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Addition to the pads, I'd not mind owning a bat with those stickers on! But with 2 kippaxs, a hunts, a newbery, a new balance, etc. it'd be hard to find room! :(
Will speak to you regards pads in New Year Jake.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYcLubOWMAAnfCa.jpg)
A lovely Focus GTR out the door today to a pleased (even though he doesn't look it!) member of my club
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Pleased you wouldn't have guessed it....
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYcLubOWMAAnfCa.jpg)
A lovely Focus GTR out the door today to a pleased (even though he doesn't look it!) member of my club
Jesus!!! Colin Firth's piled the pounds on hasn't he?
I like the way he's sponsored by 'snax' :D
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If that's pleased what does he look like when he's miserable? ;)
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If that's pleased what does he look like when he's miserable? ;)
Lol, this made me laugh... I've netted with him.He's not someone i would be making light hearted comments about. defo a big unit but certainly not sluggish!
Bats do look good... great stuff by vitas once again
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Cant knock him when he made a bit effort to coordinate his wardrobe with the bat grip and stickers.
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That's one of tough customer to please.
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Continuing the theme of stern mugshots, here's @Maverick79 with his lovely new Black Label.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZZ9yjYWkAAJpsF.jpg)
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Haha once again another "Happy" customer
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Is it Anthony McGrath? Or stick a ginger caterpillar on his top lip and it's Davey Warner!
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They have both got to be forum members haven't they? We are a seriously miserable bunch on this forum.
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'Serious face' for serious willow :D
Is it Anthony McGrath? Or stick a ginger caterpillar on his top lip and it's Davey Warner!
Shame I can't bat like either.....
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David Warner??? Brilliant
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At least he supports a decent rugby team!!! I mean im now gutted I didn't get my own focus photoshoot
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At least he supports a decent rugby team!!! I mean im now gutted I didn't get my own focus photoshoot
Atleast your wig got in the first guys picture.........
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Bring a mankini on Monday Tommo and we will sort you out with a photoshoot
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Bring a mankini on Monday Tommo and we will sort you out with a photoshoot
Im bringing my new 3 piece suit, I mean there is a chance some hunnies might see this, got to look my best!!
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Atleast your wig got in the first guys picture.........
That bloke looks slightly like a twin to me @smilley792
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That bloke looks slightly like a twin to me @smilley792
You may well be twins
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h76/smilley792/0E029B11-C671-444D-828D-241E16A98283_zpsy15xzx2a.jpg) (http://s61.photobucket.com/user/smilley792/media/0E029B11-C671-444D-828D-241E16A98283_zpsy15xzx2a.jpg.html)
But the wig sharing is a little disturbing to me.
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Jesus Smilley, i had tried to put it to the back of my mind that i will be playing with those two big lumps this Summer, thanks for the visual reminder lol.
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Jesus Smilley, i had tried to put it to the back of my mind that i will be playing with those two big lumps this Summer, thanks for the visual reminder lol.
Dammit there goes my bargains and good service from vitas...... Sorry all
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I've knocked about five Focus bats this season and sought opinions from another bat repairers here in Australia and generally there is high praise for them amongst players. Pressed well, nice profiles and good pickups. Knocking in a GTR Performance at the moment for a UK lad playing over here and its ok for their fourth tier grade.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160123/418a29df0f09e52477a8d42788c59e8d.jpg)
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Any idea who's making them sarg?
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Popped in to see the boys this afternoon, lots of lovely timber on offer! Managed to have a net with my new focus, which is lovely. Didn't manage to get my photoshoot done with the bat :(
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Ooops, forgot again. We'll get one soon don't worry :)
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I think we got a better one anyway ;)
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Any idea who's making them sarg?
Funny story that. I asked the agent....he said Wrights. So no idea.
Made india. Last one was pressed better than the first 4 i did. Predominantly indian feel in the design and heavy use of concaving. I'm not sure.
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Funny story that. I asked the agent....he said Wrights. So no idea.
Made india. Last one was pressed better than the first 4 i did. Predominantly indian feel in the design and heavy use of concaving. I'm not sure.
Just for clarity, I know you are referring to the Aus market, but just want to mention it for those who may be casually skimming the topic. Focus UK bats are UK made. :)
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Just for clarity, I know you are referring to the Aus market, but just want to mention it for those who may be casually skimming the topic. Focus UK bats are UK made. :)
Thats good to know. Perhaps the Australian ones will be soon too. Just say Australian designed atm. This one had cnc/ moulder marks on it, but polish smoothness was good. Who uses them in india? GN, SG, FC Sondhi
Edit:
I assume these lines are cnc/moulder. Happy to be corrected. Other than that the finish is very good, smooth and shiny.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160126/8fab76bb1cb7c416dae04759916a62d5.jpg)
Cork inserts and fine binding doesn't look like FC Sondhi.
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160126/d38814da053c1c7704ac56c34cb40e36.jpg)
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Hi all, hope everyone is well and gearing up for a big season of Northern Hemisphere cricket....
Ok, Ive just noticed some some comments regarding where our bats are made, so this will put an end to all the rumours as its from the "Horses Mouth" so to speak.
Focus UK bats as sold by Vitas Cricket (our exclusive UK distributor) are 100% UK made bats......
This gives the lads at Vitas Cricket full control over the bat making process, so all Focus UK bats are more in line with whats required for your UK market. Vitas cricket have full access to cleft selection and they can adjust the shape and pressing of the bats in line with your current seasonal trends ensuring only the highest quality of bats are made for Focus UK. Im extremely excited that Vitas have full control over this process as it keeps me abreast with whats happening in your market and gives Vitas the licence and freedom to grow Focus UK with how they see fit......... Exciting times ahead.
Focus Bats sold in Australia were originally UK made bats but due to the weakening $AUD and the strength of the British Pound we have been forced to secure the services of a highly reputable Indian manufacturer to undertake the bat making process of our own designed bats (not generic Indian shapes). All our bat shapes before they get released to the general public are painstakingly sampled over the winter months until we are 100% satisfied with the final shapes and the degree of pressing, to deliver the best balanced and performing bats possible. We have worked tireless with our bat maker on the pressing and finishing attributes of our bats and feel that we are now getting some of the best finished and performing bats we have had in a long time.
As you know, most Australian bats are made in India these days so we are no different to Kooka, Spartan, Puma, NB, etc... However as a progressive cricket company we are constantly evolving our process and should the $AUD improve against the British Pound, we might explore joining Focus UK and being 100% UK made once again :):)
Finally, we have 3 models of bats - GTR, GTS, EVO..... The GTR and GTS bats are full shaped bats with no or very minimal concaving, the EVO bat has slightly more concaving to offset the massive profile and lower middle in order to give it a lovely pickup for the fast bouncy Australian pitches. The UK bat shapes might slightly vary to these.
I hope the above will set the record straight... Im very rarely on here but feel free to ask any questions (if its not exploiting the admin rules)...
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Thanks for clearing that up Mark. As i said there is high praise for the Australian bats and I totally agree that being indian made is not a criticism its a reality and a necessity.
We both wish the AUD$ would improve.
Goodluck to Vitas and Focus with this venture and i look forward to it reading the reviews on the forum.
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Thanks for clarifying that focus, looking forward to the UK shapes. Not sure if you can disclose this but any hints on who in UK is making your bats?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cricket/peckers-teenager-blake-gutsche-breaks-darren-lehmanns-record-to-etch-his-name-into-history-books-with-matchwinning-double-ton/news-story/f4c1fcd161228c76930449fdaf833568 (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cricket/peckers-teenager-blake-gutsche-breaks-darren-lehmanns-record-to-etch-his-name-into-history-books-with-matchwinning-double-ton/news-story/f4c1fcd161228c76930449fdaf833568)
17 year old Focus player breaks Darren Lehmanns record.
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I have to say, there is something about the Focus branding that I really like - I think it's spot on!
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I agree @FattusCattus - looks simple and clean. Well designed basically.
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Must say a big thank you to @Vitas Cricket and @Focus Cricket . Sent me through one of their new Trucker style caps and it's one of the few that fit my giant noggin and looks pretty good too.
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Must say a big thank you to @Vitas Cricket and @Focus Cricket . Sent me through one of their new Trucker style caps and it's one of the few that fit my giant noggin and looks pretty good too.
Now that's something I don't think we've covered on the forum yet - hats/caps. I foresee a whole section on them in the future! :)
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17 year old Focus player breaks Darren Lehmanns record.
Jake, focus cricket on here mentioned about Cricket Balls? Can you shed some light please?
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Jake, focus cricket on here mentioned about Cricket Balls? Can you shed some light please?
Yes focus offer balls and I have been trialling them at our club nets, early signs seem very good
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Yes focus offer balls and I have been trialling them at our club nets, early signs seem very good
Ahh ok! Wouldnt mind helping you out with that!
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CezjpEvWwAAXlHv.jpg)
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OMG!!!
Somebody smiling at their purchase!!!
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OMG!!!
Somebody smiling at their purchase!!!
Don't jump to conclusions, he might not have handed over the cash yet :D
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OMG!!!
Somebody smiling at their purchase!!!
Well he nearly is....
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Steady now - this is the bloke that re-fills the water fountain, they simply shoved a bat in his hands on the way through!!!
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Love the look of the kit. Been following Focus on instagram for a while and think it looks amazing. I may well make the trip from Bucks up to Peterborough to get my hands on some before the season starts.
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I emailed last night (obviously didn't expect a reply on a Sunday though), just a matter of finding a date I can head up as I think my boss wants me to work next weekend :(
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I emailed last night (obviously didn't expect a reply on a Sunday though), just a matter of finding a date I can head up as I think my boss wants me to work next weekend :(
Hi mate. Yes we are open next Sat 9-3 but i won't be here for very long if at all as my season has now started. Neil will be able to help and he is very capable.
Alternatively in the week we are open 11-7
@mohawks94
Here's another little Focus belter out the door recently.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfniOeAW8AAvF3R.jpg)
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Say cheese!
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Any bundle deals going?
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Any bundle deals going?
We aren't actively promoting any currently. But if you are looking at bat, pads, gloves and a bag then feel free to get in touch i'm sure something can be arranged.
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We aren't actively promoting any currently. But if you are looking at bat, pads, gloves and a bag then feel free to get in touch i'm sure something can be arranged.
A few of my juniors are making the step up to senior cricket this year and have bought bundles on. World cricket or somthing like that. It's a good idea!
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Economies of scale make it a good idea.
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Really liking the focus sticker scheme and shapes, could be in touch within the foreseeable :D
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Here's another little Focus belter out the door recently.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfniOeAW8AAvF3R.jpg)
Handle looks very thick. I like that. Has he just added a couple of grips or are they normally larger in size?
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Handle looks very thick. I like that. Has he just added a couple of grips or are they normally larger in size?
They aren't spaghetti strings, but that is a bat with two grips :)
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Hi guys,
Hi, if you 2.8 bat let me know, thx
Some of you may have seen at the forum event or thanks to our recent social media activity, that we are now the UK licensee for the Perth based brand; Focus Cricket.
What this means is we essentially run the brand as we see fit in the UK, as well as having exclusive distribution rights of course. We took this decision partly due to the outstanding quality of the gear that is on offer, but also because we have wanted to have our own brand for a while. Our own Lion bats are OK, but we don't have the time or patience required to get the name out there enough, or slog through the back and forth in terms of getting samples right with stickers, pads, gloves, bags etc. Instead, we have essentially started up with a brand that already has a following (hopefully some in the UK are aware of the brand) and also extremely high quality stickers and softs. The stickers with their mirror effect chrome are some of the best I've seen, and the softs come from a superb manufacturer with a great reputation.
All bats are UK made barring the performance which comes from SA, with the top grades being genuinely limited in number. We have complete control over bat shapes (which we have already tweaked slightly from the Aus profiles) and we are also able to make custom shapes for customers. Please note we probably won't reply to messages asking for 45mm edges, no concaving at 2'8 ;)
The bat grading is as follows
Butterfly - Made to order, we won't hold these in stock
Performance - Not a fan of the name, and will change longer term, but for now its the best fit on out sticker sets. Good quality willow and all nice light weights
G2 - Very high quality, please don't look down on it because it is labelled as 'grade 2'
G1 - Lovely bats and likely to be the best sellers alongside G2
G1+ - Premium willow genuinely limited in number by availability of suitable clefts
Black Label - The best of the best, available if (not when) we can get our hands on it. We have 4 currently
As I said we are operating the brand in this country, rather than simply re-selling other peoples products like we do with other brands we stock. In the longer term this means we can make decisions to introduce certain things to the range (a proper sausage finger glove is a high priority for example) but for the short term we are offering the range pretty much as it looks in Australia, save for the addition of a top quality duffle bag which we have managed to get in stock already despite only being signed off for manufacture in November.
We have made our first move into sponsorship by providing gear to Leics CCC and former Eng U19 player Rob Sayer. We have provided him with cricket shoes since he signed as a professional at Leics as he's a Peterborough lad that we have known for a while. Now we have our own brand it's been fantastic to fully kit him out. Being a retailer running a brand rather than just running a brand, our sponsored players have quite a few advantages when it comes to bat choice. Rob is currently trialling bats from a number of the best batmakers in the world, sourced through our retail accounts and various connections in the industry.
Here is a quick teaser photo of the gear we have. Some of the imagery I have nabbed from Focus Australias social media, but the gear is identical to the stuff we have.
([url]http://i.imgur.com/4rMsHnvh.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i.imgur.com/vgNaskLh.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i.imgur.com/vUDW6YLh.jpg[/url])
([url]http://i.imgur.com/Sf0dOhmh.jpg[/url])
Thanks for having a look, all the gear is now listed on our website if you would like to make a purchase. Please also follow us on twitter if you have a spare moment. I've hyperlinked the text below, so all you have to do is click on our twitter handle to take you straight to our profile.
@FocusCricketUK ([url]https://twitter.com/FocusCricketUK[/url])
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@Chauhan1947 yes we have a range of bats at 2'8, including some Focus.
Please email me jake@vitascricket.co.uk to discuss further.
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The 1st Focus 50 of the season (to our knowledge) was scored on Saturday, Josh Gallimore with 64 off 65 balls for Ketton Lions CC
(http://i.imgur.com/Kx12jdvh.jpg)
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Is Robin the only one these skin tight shirts suit?
This guy is clearly not fat, yet even he looks like he's had a pie!!!
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@Vitas Cricket is there a CBF discount or promotional offer?
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@Vitas Cricket is there a CBF discount or promotional offer?
@Churchy1989
There was, in late 2015 when we launched.
It's April now and we are unable to keep up with demand. We had more EVO softs arrive last week and they are nearly all gone again.
We offer free delivery and I'm happy to knock in any bat purchased for free.
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Pete Rowe with 79 for Ketton Lions against Saffron Walden
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjuJIOyWgAEmElA.jpg)
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I just bought a GTS direct from Focus here in Aus in the grade 1 willow and must say I am pretty impressed! It taps up really nicely and picks up a dream!
It cost me $550au inc delivery and compared to what bats are being sold for these days, it is an absolute bargain as far as im concerned.
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These brothers are less glum looking than some previous mugshots :)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpXT9hjWgAA-3BY.jpg)
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I prefer the haircut on the left. The one on the right is a bit 'Flock of Seagulls'!
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Bit of slow going over the Winter, but we have a couple of new models launching soon that carry some different stickers. The models already in the range all continue.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0M74JoW8AAFaN_.jpg)
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Looks nice that! What are the new profiles, or do we have to wait?
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Looks like a very nice Stick!
Any ideas if you are going to stock the Focus scuff sheet?
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No plans for the scuff sheet, I'm sure the quality is good but they are presumably expensive (based on who makes them) and i have always thought of them as a bit gimmicky. The clear scuff sheet we sell on a roll is superb quality, i see no need to look at anything else.
Profiles wise, the bats are in production so all will be revealed soon. This particular bat is my own.
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#teamfocus teasers..... now available exclusively at Vitas Cricket for all UK enquiries.
(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_6679_zpsllyfuurw.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_6679_zpsllyfuurw.jpg.html)
(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_6703_zpsdo63eo4t.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_6703_zpsdo63eo4t.jpg.html)(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_6129_zpsm1euivvt.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_6129_zpsm1euivvt.jpg.html)(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_6702_zpsykh7yv3l.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_6702_zpsykh7yv3l.jpg.html)(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_7878_zpsp4l6ibu3.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_7878_zpsp4l6ibu3.jpg.html)
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Now you see @Focus Cricket - I'm going to be a grumpy old man of a certain age here!
What is the point of these teasers, this doesn't tease me, this frustrates me and annoys me! These are beautiful looking bats, sexy stickers and very nice grains, BUT I WANT TO SEE THE WHOLE THING!!!
The profile and sight of the amount concaving sells the bat as much as the face in my book - DON'T TEASE ME, FULLY AROUSE ME TO THE POINT OF PURCHASE!!!!!!
I blame you for this @Vitas Cricket !
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That photography skills is simply delicious :D
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DON'T TEASE ME, FULLY AROUSE ME TO THE POINT OF PURCHASE!!!!!!
are you into voluptuous figures ???
(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_7881_zpsgubll12a.png) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_7881_zpsgubll12a.png.html)
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Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! You're pushing the right buttons!!!
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Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! You're pushing the right buttons!!!
Sex wee?
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Where are the softs?
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A quick snapshot of the new 2017 Focus UK softgoods arriving into Vitas Cricket next week..... don't delay as these are Limited by name and Limited by quantity available.
Nothing but the absolute highest of quality here.
Hope you enjoy...
(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_7924_zpsjndu4yxk.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_7924_zpsjndu4yxk.jpg.html)(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_7926_zpsqhycsmtq.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_7926_zpsqhycsmtq.jpg.html)(http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/s572/markmanolini/IMG_7923_zpskgqdaxp7.jpg) (http://s1306.photobucket.com/user/markmanolini/media/IMG_7923_zpskgqdaxp7.jpg.html)
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Are the GTS and Evo softs still going? Absolutely love the look of the new softs, but I don't see them on your website, are they sold out already?!
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@mohawks94 Check out @Vitas Cricket they have some Blue GTS softs.
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@mohawks94 Check out @Vitas Cricket they have some Blue GTS softs.
I've spent most of my bank holiday prepping stuff for sale and making a shopping list of Focus stuff for when my B3 goes...
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I've spent most of my bank holiday prepping stuff for sale and making a shopping list of Focus stuff for when my B3 goes...
[/quote
Doing the same, have listed some stuff on a site already, its hard part of going 'I like it but, I'm not going to use that! '
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I've spent most of my bank holiday prepping stuff for sale and making a shopping list of Focus stuff for when my B3 goes...
[/quote
Doing the same, have listed some stuff on a site already, its hard part of going 'I like it but, I'm not going to use that! '
Exactly, old stuff I don't use or stuff that I don't need (why should a bowler have a full keeping set?!) is going on a popular auction site!
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Nothing but the absolute highest of quality here.
Not doubting they are very good but....I wonder if there are any manufacturers prepared to say "actually, tge quality here is a bit shoddy" :)
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Not doubting they are very good but....I wonder if there are any manufacturers prepared to say "actually, tge quality here is a bit shoddy" :)
How about a satisfied customer?! Used the softs for the first time in nets and a match this weekend. Supremely comfortable, the towelled back to the straps is super soft, especially wearing shorts in ther nets, the suede leather instep is great and the quality is up there with the best I've seen. The gloves have top protection on every finger and the triple jointed thumb is great.
Absolutely recommend them 100%
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Are the GTS and Evo softs still going? Absolutely love the look of the new softs, but I don't see them on your website, are they sold out already?!
We have some GTS left, new softs haven't been listed online yet, but we do have stock, feel free to get in touch :)
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I'll be posting a review of a UK made G1 Focus Raw later this week on my Facebook page.
Overall I was really impressed with the pressing and finishing of the bat albeit it is a bat supplied for review specifically. I have knocked the indian made Focus bats and they were fine, but the finish and press on this is top shelf.
I'm not really into short blades or square toes, but this was a nice bat.
(http://u.cubeupload.com/CricketBatInfo/IMG2086.jpg)
(http://u.cubeupload.com/CricketBatInfo/IMG2087.jpg)
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Made by Chase?
Looks very similar to the velocity.
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That's very nice that, looks massive too! Imagine a nice butterfly cleft in that shape... What weight is it @sarg ?
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This is the Aus range of bats, different makers to our range in the UK.
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That's very nice that, looks massive too! Imagine a nice butterfly cleft in that shape... What weight is it @sarg ?
2.10.
Definitely the Australian range. UK made. Review will be on my page soon.
Oh and the other bat has L.Simmons on the bottom, but you'd know that if you follow my page on facebook.
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Continuing the theme of stern mugshots, here's @Maverick79 with his lovely new Black Label.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZZ9yjYWkAAJpsF.jpg)
So I used this bat on Saturday. Scored 113no as we chased 290. Safe to say it's a decent stick 😳
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So I used this bat on Saturday. Scored 113no as we chased 290. Safe to say it's a decent stick 😳
Safe to say you a decent batsman too!
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Will you be getting in the new Electric blue pads and gloves in stock? Just seen a picture of them on their Instagram.
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Who’s taken on these as the main UK distribution now?
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Who’s taken on these as the main UK distribution now?
Happy to chat to anyone genuinely interested.... With all due respect, the role of a distributor involves a capital investment in stock, so unless you can invest in stock to display and sell, please do not apply.
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Focus Cricket uk currently running with bats only.
Raffle on focus Cricket uk Facebook page
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Looks like Focus Cricket have a new UK distributor.....
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq942a6h4iD/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=dwm9anraspai (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq942a6h4iD/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=dwm9anraspai)
https://www.exclusivehockey.co.uk/collections/focus-cricket (https://www.exclusivehockey.co.uk/collections/focus-cricket)
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Exclusive hockey selling cricket kit. Is that not like a vegetarian restaurant selling steak and chips? ;)
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Been selling them all season I think. Sticks look nice. I was told they're SS Ton made?
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZZ9yjYWkAAJpsF.jpg)
UK made. :)
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UK made. :)
I was told although they used to be UK made they're now SS. I could be wrong but was definitely told that recently.
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^ One in the pic is UK made.
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Exclusive hockey selling cricket kit. Is that not like a vegetarian restaurant selling steak and chips? ;)
Due to holidays all orders placed after 30/06/19 until 16/07/19 will be dispatched on our return (https://thailandchatter.com/images/smilies/coffee%20in%20thailand.gif)
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Due to holidays all orders placed after 30/06/19 until 16/07/19 will be dispatched on our return (https://thailandchatter.com/images/smilies/coffee%20in%20thailand.gif)
Nice to have a holiday now and again.