Members of Christleton Sports Club are very sorry to hear of the recent passing of our friend Bob Lewis.

Bob began his association with our club back in the mid 1960s. This era may now be somewhat shrouded by the mists of time but fellow players and spectators remember clearly Bob’s immense contributions to Christleton Football Club.

At the time, football in this country was enjoying a surge in growth and interest on the back of the national team’s legendary 1966 World Cup win. Christleton Football Club caught the mood of the time enjoying one of its most successful and productive seasons, the club’s first in the West Cheshire League, then a highly physical and fiercely competitive competition. The club swept to a promotion from Division 2 in 1966-67 scoring over 150 goals in the process. By far the biggest contributor was Bob with a season tally of over 60 goals. Those who saw him play remember a hard-working centre forward with an eye for a goal, with good anticipation and fast movement, able to finish accurately with either foot and with his head.

Over six seasons the club enjoyed some of its most prosperous times with high placed finishes in Division 1 and many cup successes including the prestigious Pyke Cup. In 1969-70 the club won the Division 1 title, the holy grail of amateur football in this region at that time. Again, Bob’s goals were at the fore. Records from these years are sketchy but eyewitnesses can’t remember a bad match from Bob, let alone a poor season. Readers will be able to work out the likely goal tally for themselves. Bob played out the sunset of his footballing career at our friends and neighbours Chester Nomads.

Bob re-emerged at our club in the 1990s and this time he demonstrated his cricketing abilities. Bob played for our 2^nd team and was a skilled performer with both bat and ball. In bowling, Bob was a canny medium pacer who would probe away and wear batsmen down with his consistency. When batting, Bob liked to bat around number 5. He was steady, looking for scoring opportunities and rarely giving his wicket up easily. He was 2^nd team captain in 1995.

Bob’s commitment to the club was not just felt on fields of play. He was cricket club Treasurer from 1996-1999 and was main Sports Club Treasurer to boot. Whilst he felt at home both in a penalty area and on a cricket pitch, the world of figures really was his domain. He was a most stringent and exacting money-minder. The whole Sports Club has much to thank Bob for both on and off the pitch.

Whatever sport Bob was playing, he was competitive and liked to win. Off the field, he was the most genial chap you could ever wish to meet, with a ready wit and dry sense of humour.

All at our Sports Club send the most heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family.

Bob’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 13^th September at 2pm at St John’s Church in Ashton Hayes. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear a splash of red and white.

Another weekend is here. It is once again a time of settled, beautiful weather that is crying out for a game of cricket. The wicket would be perfect and it would be boundaries all round. It’s enough to break a batsman’s heart. Time is moving on and we have now reached what would have been Game Day 7 as a May of fantastic sunshine comes to a close. Looking back through the records there are many cases of May abandonments and cancellations. Sadly, the lack of action this year is for different reasons. Game Day 7 would have seen us in action against Ashton-on-Mersey and Wirral. The 2ndXI game would have seen the two teams with the best end-of-season form pitted against each other. Our best wishes go to members at both clubs. News of current cricketing items of interest can be found on page 2 of the newsletter. Here, we’ll continue with a browse through some exciting end-of-May matches of the past.

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Time is moving on and we have now reached what would have been Game Day 6, which is the Bank Holiday week-end. Game Day 6 would have seen us in action against Barrow and Ashley. It is undoubtedly the fixtures against our neighbouring clubs that I am missing most, and the game against Barrow is always competitive and played in the right spirit. No action for us to report on so far in 2020, but there is a pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel with HMG acceptance of cricket nets being acceptable as a suitably socially-distanced form of exercise. Some members have already started to practise again which is very good to see. News of the net practice procedures and the rest of the current cricketing items of interest can be found on further below in this the newsletter. Here, we’ll continue with a browse through some exciting May matches of the past.

1st XI v Ashton-on-Mersey May 2001

On GD6 of the 2001 season we were away to a club appearing for the first time in our fixture card.
The hosts won the toss and took first knock on their picturesque ground ’The Beets’ that nestles into an elbow of the River Mersey. Club stalwart Matt Macgibbon did something highly praiseworthy and very unusual for the home club by carrying his bat throughout the innings, watching all 10 wickets fall at the other end. He finished with 65* out of a total of 95. Well played sir. The Swans bowlers sharing wickets that day were Greg Malkin (2) Matt Parkinson (2) and Dave Hill (1). Chief architect of the hosts down-fall was the affable Aussie Eric Godwood with 5-19.
Obviously, we now all like Australians having watched Amazon Prime’s The Test, which is essential lockdown viewing. However, we really liked Eric back in the day and he had a great impact during his time with us.
After tea, there were one or two wobbles but the to-tal was eventually chased down for 4, with near 20 scores from yours truly, Eric, Dave, and Ian Rule. The last two named batsmen were unbroken at the end in a stand of 40 that clinched the points.
By the end of the season the Aston-on-Mersey men would have seen enough of Eric as he rattled through the top order in the return game with an even more impressive return of 4.1-2-4-6, making 11-23 in the season.

This was indeed quite a season as we were 2nd XI and aggregate champions that year

1st XI v Tattenhall May 2018

Two years ago we had a great win at The Flacca. Josh M-J asked the hosts to bat first and they racked up an impressive score of 237-8. Great bowling efforts from Shavaiz with 5 wickets and Kiwi Josh with 3 gave us a glimmer of hope of the win.
After tea, the chase hit choppy waters at 34-4. At this point Atif Bajwa forged an alliance with Zain Abidin. Zain provided the essential support with 56* while Atif played a quite remarkable innings that will stay long in the memory of those lucky enough to witness it. He is a superb timer of a cricket ball, striking the ball very cleanly with fast hand-speed. He is a classy and powerful player. He scored 142* off 117 balls that day, with 15 fours and four sixes. Atif’s 142* is the second-highest 1stXI innings in the club record book. The unbroken 5th wicket partnership of 204 between Atif and Zain is a club record. Well played Swans– a great win.

The Power of nature

Friday’s winds were highly unusual in their ferocity. Trees in full leaf are easily damaged, and so it proved when large branches of a tree were blown into the next door field. Can you identify it? Also, think long and hard before fielding at the football end– you may have some little friends to contend with.

2nd XI host davenham May 1995

The 2ndXI entertained Davenham 25 years ago. It was a wet May that year and the club had no covers as yet. Sticky wickets were commonplace and most club bowling records come from the 80’s and 90’s. On this day the men from Butcher’s Stile were asked to bat and were all out for 93. there was a wicket apiece for Dennis Reeves, Neil Glover, Bob Lewis and Bob Ellis. However, destroyer in chief that day was the original Silver Fox, club legend Gordon Price. Gordon made his debut in the 1947 team. Here, 48 seasons later, he bowled his spin with extreme cunning and control to finish with an analysis of 8-1-16-6. Eight victims were caught and the catchers make an interesting list: 3 for Neil Glover, 2 for Dennis Reeves and 1 for Bob Lewis. Did these bowlers not trust anyone else? Catches for Derek Bell and Andy Miln completes the list of those who snapped up the chances.

It was not a run-fest after tea but the Swans made controlled progress towards the target with 20’s from Bob Ellis and Andy Miln. It is always good to see fathers and sons enjoying cricket together and, on this occasion, Neil Reeves 22* and Dennis 10* were there at the end to see us home at 94-4 and a 6 wicket win.

Look back to last year

Going back in time to the 2019 season, on the corresponding weekend we were at home to Frodsham in our first-ever game against the Moor Lane men. The 2nd XI were just moving into top gear at this point in the season. When asked to bat first on Terry Dandy’s flat pitch, the Swans did not need asking twice. Rob McNally 21, Harry Morris 33, and Joe Layder 34* all provided valuable support to the afternoon’s main contributor, Russell Crowley. The Baggies supporting veteran displayed a wide range of
shots in scoring an admirable 102. After tea a miserly and accurate bowling attack wrapped up the visitors innings for 78, leggie Dave Phillips (netting yesterday– keen) finishing with a bamboozling 3-9.
You can see Russ pictured below in Matt Jones’ (man with the Canon) excellent photo. Young Swans please note:

• High left elbow;
• Hole in the arms (shape of a number 9)
• Follow through int he direction of the shot
• Good weight transference
• Eyes over the front knee
• Great balance, not over-hitting, top hand in control. Great technique Russ

Staying alert – massive thanks to the County Board staff who are keeping us informed

This week’s ECB update is a Bank Holiday edition with lots of excellent content.

Together Through This Test is a nationwide campaign shining a light on the work undertaken by the game in response to COVID-19 and highlighting new resources available to the public.

The link below gives full details of the campaign, including links to an emotive (and very good) video narrated by Stephen Fry, and plenty of lockdown games and activities for children that can be played in small spaces.

www.ecb.co.uk/video/1670476/the-wait

This week’s other ECB email has lots of relevant information…

• ‘Together Through This Test’
• FAQ’s for safe outdoor practice
• Managing vacant buildings and operating safely
• COVID-19 support from Natwest

See www.ecb-comms.co.uk/1FT6-6VODJ-D6SSQJ4NB2/cr.aspx

Meanwhile, cricket net practice has begun again at Little Heath.

Full details can be found here:

Resumption of recreational cricket practice

Everyone is welcome to practise but please read all of the information thoroughly. The safety of everyone is our overriding priority.

And finally…

Last week I asked you to name the bowlers in 2nd and 4th position on this list. Here they are, together with all 2nd XI 9-for or 8-for’s. The players below should be proud of their outstanding performances.

…this weeks poser

Since 1978 we have been playing league cricket in Cheshire. Name the 3 clubs we have played most 1st and 2nd team games against.

1st with 120 fixtures is ………………………

2nd with 108 fixtures is …………………….

3rd with 98 fixtures is ………………………

Take care and stay safe everyone

The Christleton Cricket Club committee have given a cautious welcome to the ECB announcement that, in line with the latest HMG guidelines, outdoor exercise to include cricket net practice can now be undertaken. Club volunteers have worked hard to make sure our facilities are ready and safe for members who wish to exercise in nets, and a booking system is now setup and open for members to book their session.

The nets can only be used by Cricket Club members who have paid the current nominal subscription for 2020.

As you will undoubtedly expect, there are stringent rules in relation to hygiene and social distancing and these rules MUST be followed at all times for the health and safety of everyone.

If you would like to secure a slot to use our nets, please read the guidance and proceed to the membership and booking details using the link below

Booking a net session

Warmest greetings to all Christleton CC members and friends. The previous spell of beautiful weather seems to have broken for now. Let’s hope for a return of some sunshine which has made such a positive difference to many of us during these extraordinary times. Today would have been game day 3 of the season. Scheduled fixtures were against Stockport Georgians and Oxton. We first played Georgians in 2002 when they became the 65th club we’ve played league cricket against. Oxton appeared on our fixture card for the first time in 2005, thus becoming our 79th opposing club. We send our best wishes to both clubs’ players and officials– we are sorry to have missed you. Current cricketing news can be found on page further down in this newsletter. Here, we’ll continue with a browse through some exciting early May matches of the past.

1st XI v Chester Boughton Hall 07/05/2005

The third game of the 2005 season saw the Swans make the short trip down the A51 to near neighbours Chester Boughton Hall. This was to be our first-ever 1stXI league match against CBH, and what a remarkable match it turned out to be. Heavy rain on the Friday had left some residual dampness, a factor that led to the visitors being asked to take first knock in this 110 overs game.
Wickets fell steadily throughout the Christleton innings as the team was bundled out for 131 in 42.2 overs. The only contributions of substance came from Simon Ratcliffe and Darron Cruickshank. Stylish left-handed veterinarian Ratcliffe battled manfully for over an hour for 25, whilst Cruickshank lost 7 partners before being the last man out with 11 fours in a commendable score of 62. Trinidadian Cruikshank was 19 at the time and playing for only the third time in England.
So often, as we all know, batting looks more straightforward after tea. Although, on this day, the hosts also found runs hard to come by, even though they had a theoretical 67 overs at their disposal. Jason Ashcroft, Darron Cruickshank and Alex Barr all chipped in with wickets. However, skipper Guy Newell decided that Maroof Khan’s bowling was too controlled to be replaced. Maroof bowled unchanged from one end, a spell of 29.5-8-51-5, an exceptional feat of concentration and control. This is the longest spell of bowling in club history and will never be surpassed. CBH were finally all out for 129 as the last man was out caught at slip off Khan in the 59th over of the innings for a narrow victory margin of just 2 runs. [Both sides conceded more than 2 in no balls– just a thought bowlers]. Scorers that day were the meticulous and affable Brian Ruks and Jim Law.
The 22 points earned the hard way on that day helped to kick-start a very good Premier League season for the Swans.

Leg-ends

Some Christleton Legends pictured at an Over 40’s home match in 2006.
11 points are available, one for every player you can name [Ed: I got 9].
Answers below .

2nd XI earn a hard fought victory hosting Oakmere

This week I’ve selected a match that will be fairly fresh in the memory banks for a lot of current players. It’s a home 2nd XI match against Oakmere from early 2017. Triple platinum track ‘Symphony’’ was at #1, surprisingly for only one week. It is approaching 1 billion YouTube views:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatr_2MstrI

Swans won the toss and skipper Ian Mitchell fancied a bat on a Terry Dandy straw-top. The weather was recorded as cool and partly cloudy, similar to today. Swans’ openers Robbie McNally and Joe Wells were cautious and circumspect at first but crucially laid firm foundations by keeping wickets intact. Perhaps the batsmen were just stringing the bowlers along before deciding to cut loose? Runs were shared out that day: Wells 44, McNally 36 (must talk to him about getting out when well set) Mitchell 44, Guy Newell 46, Nick O’Connell 45* and 14 year old Max Wade 17*. It was unusual that the only batsman to miss out was run-machine Dan Hamp, and also for the fact that no-one scored 50 in a final total of 251-5 after 43 overs.

After tea, the men from Overdale Lane had a good crack at trying to reach this sizeable target, before closing at 164 all out. J. Williams scored a stylish 72 for the visitors as Adam Gittins, a very young Jack Harding, and Harisankar Kunhi Krishnan [Hari] finished with 3 wickets apiece in a pleasing win.

Mentioned in dispatches

I am delighted to be able to give our Sunday 3rd XI a mention. In 2007 we were playing in CCCL Sunday 3rd XI Division 1, and on May 6th we hosted a game against Upton from the Wirral.

The visitors batted first and put together a respectable total of 156, the main bowling damage being done by a cunningly flighted mix of off-spin and doosra from Willy Lamb. With 4-11. Richard Morgan-Jones [ever dependable], Dave Phillips and Andy Dyne secured the balance of the wickets that day.
After tea Willy Lamb was hoist with his own petard*, stumped for 30 off airy spin. Cellar master Dave Swift and skip Mal Joyce both hit a rapid 35. Dave Phillips was 48* at the end and the ever dependable you know who hit the winning runs in a nice win.
* Hamlet– classy newsletter this.

Lockdown

Last week I pointed parents in the direction of some skills practices that can be done in small areas, as well as some activities for All-stars aged children. See last week’s newsletter for details.
This week, once again there are some items of cricket news that you may be interested in. The latest ECB update has:
• News on The Hundred [postponed]
• National Programmes [All Stars/Dynamos]
• A link to online umpiring and scoring courses
You can see the update here:

https://ecb-comms.co.uk/1FT6-6UQEX-D6SSQJ4NB2/cr.aspx

On a more local level, the Cheshire Cricket board has done a great job in securing the services of former West Indies batting coach Toby Radford who will lead an online ‘masterclass’ exclusively for Cheshire-based coaches.
This session (date TBC) will be free of charge for all Cheshire club members. All coaches are encouraged to complete the survey and you will then receive an email with a link to dial into the online session:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/master-class

Cricket Sudoko – Level Easy

Who is the missing player? – Level: Hard (Answer next week)

814 runs in 1989
…of which 402 for 1st XI and 412 for 2nd XI

ANSWERS: Christleton Legends pictured 2006.
Back: Norman Goodwin, Mike Field, Jonny Read, Willy Lamb, Geoff Hawkes, Steve Johnson, Nigel Campbell,
Front: Paul Evans, Mike Hollindale, Tony Collard, Terry Jonas.