Dear Member,

It is three months since my last newsletter and the Middlesex County League season ended a few weeks ago. It is good news all round for our three senior Saturday sides in the Middlesex County Cricket League. It was a new experience for Eastcote to have a team in each of the top divisions and they all did us proud.

The 1st XI players, who were looking to consolidate their Premier League status, finished a creditable 7th in the table. Chris Coleman led his team energetically and the team spirit was excellent. These factors allied to a lot of skill and effort helped the side achieve many good performances throughout the season. Good positions were achieved in many matches aside from those that were won and more points would have been accumulated with a combination of a little more luck and/or “killer instinct”. A great example was the penultimate game when a fine performance against Finchley was rewarded by 4 points for a winning draw. Victory and 10 points was only one wicket away – a wicket that was denied us by a call of “no ball” when the last man was bowled!

One cannot underestimate the impact that Premier League cricket has on the club, both from an internal morale perspective and also in terms of attracting new talent to Southill Lane. The standard is high and teams ahead of us have considerably more resources and this makes this season’s achievements all the more praiseworthy.

The second XI, promoted last season after relegation the year before, might have been expecting a struggle back in their top level. But again expectations were exceeded. Andy Roan’s side finished in a magnificent third place after securing seven victories and an impressive total of 78 points! Only the might of Ealing and Brondesbury finished ahead of our side that had a healthy competition for places at a level not experienced for several years. This situation can only be good for the future.

Then we come to the 3rd XI. I was lucky to have been party to their pre-season objective setting meeting. No lack of confidence there! Indeed JS was bullish in targeting winning their league no less. Team selection was just as competitive as for the higher sides with many good quality players not sure of a regular game. Again expectations were fully met and the championship was only missed by a whisker. A victory over Ealing slipped away in the latter stages of the fixture list and points lost (beyond our control) due the Hampstead away fiasco and to the inclement weather that abandoned the Southgate game meant that we had to accept second place – but what a season!

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THESES SUCCESSES INCLUDING THE OFF-FIELD SUPPORT FROM OUR UMPIRES, SCORERS AND OF COURSE, UNBEATABLE TEA LADIES. Also, I would like to congratulate Ramesh (with help from Lee) on getting the ground into such good shape right from the start of this season after a difficult period of weather in March. Well done from us all!

The Chess Valley league on Sunday’s also brought success to the club. Both sides we enter provide opportunities for those that who do not always get them on a Saturday. The 2nd XI did especially well – winning their division. This is a great effort from a side whose main priority is to provide a good standard of cricket for those making the transition from Colts to the adult level.

Tom Scollay, our 2008 recruit from the same hot-bed of cricket talent in Perth that provided us with Luke Towers last year, recently returned home after a successful summer with us. Tom not only performed well in terms of making centuries in a number of matches but also has shown great skill and personality in fulfilling his coaching duties. He has also emulated Luke in being a true team player and a pleasure to have around the club, including occasions when he has helped out behind the bar. We hope to see him back one day and thank him for his efforts. Special thanks to the Dunn family for helping ECC accommodate Tom for nearly 6 months this summer.

The 10th ECC Tour to Nottingham saw an enthusiastic party of players and supporters set off to a magnificently well developed Trent Bridge ground, and the surrounding area, during the week of 4th August. The difference this year was that a good number of players, who have toured as colts over the last decade joined us for the 5 enjoyable fixtures. The touring party definitely enjoyed as much fun as any in previous years. One of the highlights was a very special dinner, kindly arranged for us by David Collier and the Nottinghamshire County Club, in the pavilion on the Monday night. Also on the agenda were old favourites such as Ten Pin Bowling and a visit to Hooters that unfortunately caused some subsequent tummy troubles! The 11th tour will revert to being to being aimed at an U15 colts population.

The summer of 2008 saw a continuation of the enjoyable and successful environment for the colts. We thank all parents for their regular support in this vital and rewarding section of the club. The colts’ activity this summer started in earnest in early April this year and we were particularly fortunate with good weather which on Fridays meant some good takings at the bar, bar-b-q and tuck shop. Nothing makes me prouder of ECC than the fantastic scene around the ground, and atmosphere that we all enjoy, on such successful evenings. Competitively we were more successful at the younger end of the age ranges with the U10’s and U11’s (and their management) worthy of special mention for their successes.

Thanks are also due to Steve Driscoll and his colleagues for developing the innovative and well organised venture on Sunday mornings. This competition (with great team names such as Cougars, Panthers etc) has provided internal exciting but friendly opportunities for youngsters, who do not get too many chances in the colts’ age group teams, to show what they can do while having fun too. My thanks and congratulations to all those involved, and good luck to Steve in 2009 as he takes on even more responsibility within our colts set-up.

Finally I must thank Denise for many years of devotion as Colts’ secretary. She has decided to stand down but will still stay involved in this area as our Child Welfare Officer. Her contribution, notably supported by June Roan, has been immense and I thank her on behalf of the club, hundreds of colts and parents who have benefited from her efforts.

Denise has also been heavily involved in the “Clubmark” recognition project that we have worked hard on now for about a year, and which we have recently been advised by the MCB, is now fully achieved. I cannot thank her and especially Peter Tilsed enough for their dedication to this cause. Peter’s contribution is one that cannot be understated. He has organised and driven this project through to where we are now using many requisite skills with perseverance and great modesty. Alan Coleman’s guidance has also been a key factor in our progress. The original major milestone has been reached but work has to continue, mainly in fully completing and maintaining our development plan. Benefits have already started to arrive with monies received to partially offset our expenditure on the ground and nets.

On the social scene, the bi-annual President’s v Chairman’s XI match took place on 3rd August and the event was given a higher profile than in recent times. Despite poor weather, that the players endured manfully, this social occasion was a memorable success as it provided the chance to meet so many people who love the club, but who we do not see as often as we would hope. Thanks to all those stalwarts who organised the marquees and the food so well, despite the damp conditions. The Fun Day, so successful in the last two years, once again produced a great team effort and a boost in income for the club. This work was led by the indefatigable Sara who even managed to arrange a remarkable improvement in the weather. After a dull wet morning the sun appeared just at the right moment! The Dinner Dance will be held on “home turf” at the club on 8th November this year. This is an exciting prospect and once again Sara’s preparatory and organisational skills have been immaculate. An attendance of about 200 is the target so please add your name on the list if you have not already done so.

Bar takings are up considerably over the last 12 months versus the prior year, despite the downturn in business in most pubs throughout the country! Thanks are due particularly to Sara, Mark Savage and all those who have helped behind the bar. Thanks too to those of you who regularly spend your hard earned cash on the value for money beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and snacks that ECC makes available.


I hope you all winter well and find time to support the planned social events at the club. Also remember that we are always looking for new volunteers. Currently we need to uncover (i) some new team managers for our Colts XI’s next season and (ii) new umpires for the 2009 season (courses available locally this winter). Finally, the AGM is re-scheduled to a later date than in the past and will take place in the clubhouse on the morning of Sunday 11th January 2009. Please put this date in your diary!

Come on Eastcote!

John Clouting
Chairman