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It is always a relief to get the monkey off our backs by winning – the only surprise to me is that we’ve taken until game number 6 to get it – but then again, we’ve had 2 called off, 2 close draws and a very narrow defeat so far, so we haven’t been a million miles away. Saturday was a good performance from all the lads, and I would like to congratulate not only them, but everyone who has contributed to the team this season. There were a number of pleasing things from Saturday including being ready on time (despite our esteemed secretary forgetting to tell the umpires!), sticking together in the field when they were going well at 56-0, and then the way we batted. I thought we showed good positive intent, and we should continue to do this.

One thing that is niggling away a bit is that we seem to be giving our wicket away a bit too easily. We need to make the bowlers work a bit harder to get us out, but overall we are making good progress.

Onto personal performances, it is great to see Simmo in the runs, and he got us off to a solid start once again. Also, I have great confidence in our top order to deliver this year. All of them look good at the crease, and I have full faith in their ability. With Packs dropping into the middle order, we have a nice balance of hitters and blockers in the 5-10 section – and I thought Sprits’ innings on Saturday was full of maturity and quality – key ingredients in a run chase – well done mate.

We welcome Was back on Saturday at Oxford, and I know I speak for all the lads when I say we’ve missed you, and welcome you back to the fold. Oxford II is always a strange one, because you never know who you’re going to be up against. Last season I remember we ended up playing half of their 1^st XI as their 1^st XI were away at already relegated Farnham Royal, so they balanced the two teams out. Whatever side they put out will be strong; any team that has 5 league Saturday sides and a friendly side will be decent. We have an opportunity to get our first away win on the board, and let us not forget we’ve posted scores of 229 and 238 in the two matches we’ve played so far. However, we need to be meaner in the field and restrict the opposition from getting a good score.

Let us ensure we back each other up, work hard to keep the runs down, and one last note – respect the umpires. We’ve had a couple of incidents in the past fortnight that we need to stamp out. My responsibility is to ensure everyone upholds the spirit of cricket, and if you get a bad decision or something goes against you, do not backchat the umpire or give him reason to report you. There is no need for it and as a club we will not stand for renegade behaviour on the field……..off it, is however, another matter J

Enjoy the game and for those going, let’s celebrate Shep’s 40^th in the evning with another 25 points – what a great feeling. Take Care and Be Ready’.

Having reflected on another close run thing at Oxford Downs, sport is often defined by small margins. For example, there is usually less than a hundredth of a second between a gold and a silver medal at the Olympics, football matches decided on penalties, and tennis matches on tie-breaks. Cricket is no different, though at the moment I feel we’re just lacking a little bit of concentration at vital moments, and the inner belief that we are actually doing ok at various times of the game. Take Saturday for example. Although we weren’t running through them, we were very much in the game. We lost our heads in the last ten overs of their innings, which in the end cost us 85 runs. If this had have cost just 60 then we’d have won. Even if it were 75, it would have been closer.

My point is that we need to keep our concentration better, and just because we’re not running through sides like we have done in the past, it doesn’t mean we are out of the game.  Both of our away matches have been played on excellent batting surfaces, and in both matches we’ve scored over 225 runs. We haven’t won either match, which tells me that we’re coming up short of the mark in the bowling and fielding whereas at home, we excel at these disciplines. I want to see an improved bowling/fielding performance on Saturday and for players to ensure that they are concentrating 100% every ball. We made a number of silly mistakes in the field that led to extra runs leaking away. Whilst we took what few chances we had, we need to be meaner and focussed. As for the bowling as a whole, it was a good performance from Simmo although I bet he feels about 90 this week after spending most of the game either batting or bowling. Robbo stepped up, with a good spell at the start, but we must not panic if we’re not getting wickets. We sometimes just need to ‘stay in the game’ and be patient.  

Onto our batting – each of the top 5 has had a fifty this season now except one (you know who you are Packs J), but the middle order has consistently failed. Each time we have been in a position to chase the game down, our middle order has not delivered. Now is the time to believe that you are the one who is going to take us the victory or set a big target. It is important to bat well in pairs. Kenny and Simmo did this wonderfully on Saturday, Tom and Amir did it at Challow, so I know we can do it. We gave away some cheap wickets on Saturday playing across the line – when we didn’t need to panic. We could have played ourselves into a position where we needed 8 an over for the last 10 – but if we’d have had 6 wickets in hand, we’d have probably won. Instead, we had only 2-3 wickets in hand, which means that somewhere we’ve let ourselves down.  

Saturday is an early start – 12noon. Some have expressed an interest in getting down the ground at 9.30am for a net – that’s fine – make sure you’re there – I will be too. Let’s start our weekend off with a win so we can enjoy the football with 25 points on the board. Cumnor come to Manor Fields full of confidence having won a couple so far, so it will be tough on Saturday, but I am confident that if we believe in ourselves just a bit more, and take responsibility then we will prevail.

Take care and enjoy the game. JC

Cricket is a great metaphor for many things in life, and so it proved on Saturday when I went through a whole gamut of emotions during our performance against Bourton Vale at Manor Fields.

Of course, when we reflect on the season during the winter, we will look back and consider ourselves unfortunate to have lost by just one wicket – the narrowest of margins – but we must not feel disheartened by our performance, particularly in the field. Be proud of our fightback and know that we can compete with anyone in this league.

Although I lost the toss (again), I didn’t think it would matter too much, but little did I know that we’d struggle quite as much as we did. I wouldn’t read too much into our batting card on account of the fact that Bourton Vale are considered one of the best batting sides in the league, yet they didn’t do any better than we did in all honesty. I thought Packard and Joraslafsky battled hard for us, yet just lapsed concentration at that vital moment. Amir looked stylish once again – keep it up – the pitches will get harder J. There are others that got themselves out trying to force the pace (you know who you are). The only thing that really disappointed me was that did not bat 53 overs. We batted 33.4. We need to apply ourselves, and score ‘ugly’ runs, dig in, work hard and do not give your wicket away. I am of firm belief we have a stronger batting line up than last season, so do not give your wicket away – there will be someone waiting to pounce to come in this year.

Bowling/fielding wise – what a difference a week makes. Also – when Bourton were seemingly cruising at 65-1, we found another gear, got ourselves back into it. Remember these fighting qualities, and believe that we can always get ourselves back into matches. It only takes a wicket or a bit of luck, and we earned a bit of luck on Saturday with some good pressure cricket. Tom and Wasim started it. Both bowled beautifully, and gave us a real option. Then, Sprits came to the fore – like we know he can. It is an absolute pleasure stood at first slip knowing that every ball could result in either an LBW/Bowled or nick to the slips/keeper – it was a brilliant spell that so nearly won it for us. We took them to the brink, but we should take heart. Bourton are top, and only just got past us. Another day, we would’ve won. We all know we can play better as well.

We need not fear anyone in this league. We have the players and skill to beat any team on our day. We just need to show a bit more application, desire and belief in our ability. Team selection is a difficult business at the moment – never for a few years have we got such a genuine pool of good players to choose from who want to achieve for themselves and Bletchley Town CC.

Horspath on Saturday – they will be buzzing after two consecutive victories. They will come to Manor Fields expecting to knock us over – let us show them what we can do, and what we are made of. Oh, and one last thing – DO NOT BE LATE – we need to ensure we practice properly before the match, and are ready. The car boot is at Manor on a Saturday every Saturday. That is why we meet at 11.30am. No excuses. Come to the game fresh and alert and ready to enjoy your Saturday with your teammates – and let’s get our first win on the board so I’m not the only skipper who hasn’t had one this season!

JC

Saturday v Challow – well, given I was pleased I had lost the toss, as my head said bat first, and my heart said bowl first, and to be chasing 275 to win on our first outing this season, our efforts seemed more than reasonable. Last season, as many know, we struggled with the bat, but this was a new Bletchley Town. A new look, new feel, new belief in our ability. The most impressive thing about Saturday was the efforts of our debutants, and I want to publicly congratulate all of them on their fine contributions to the match.

Bowling - First of all, Wasim Fayyaz. Was has joined us from the ‘auld enemy’ but has come in, taken his opportunity, and despite a niggling foot injury, bowled with control, skill and experience and to take 5-43 on debut was superb. He kept us alive in the game, and his efforts showed how he has been working hard at his game, and I was delighted for him that it is paying off. I know the rest of us can bowl better. We need to concentrate on what we do best – being miserly – not giving the opposition anything to work with.

Fielding – we can field better, but no one ducked out, and although the effort was there, we were sometimes a bit flat footed and slow to the ball. This is something that we all need to work on, because in the words of Gary Player: ‘the harder I practise, the luckier I get’.

Batting – again, big praise to the debutants – Amir Hussain (55 in 41 balls) and Tom Joraslafsky (72 not out). Amir was dashing, cavalier and played a lovely innings – shame he couldn’t go on, but I hope it will give him confidence to go onto a big ton for us shortly. A great start to his career at the club. Tom J – did everything I asked of him – anchored the innings together, showed maturity at the end when closing out for the draw and I am hugely impressed with the attitude shown. The rest of the team – keep the belief that we can bat ourselves into positions where we can win matches chasing totals. We are capable.

Moving onto this week, we play Bourton Vale on Saturday. They are a good side, who have won two out of two, and having won Division Two last season, are in the habit of winning cricket matches. We need to be at our positive best on Saturday and make Manor Fields at tough place for opposing sides to visit. We need big characters out there, and every single person to take responsibility for their own game, and believe in their ability. I have full belief in all of our players, as we have a great bunch of lads who give their all. Make sure we are all up for it. Make sure you are ready.

I’m ready – make sure you’re ready and that we’re ready to take 25 points on Saturday and get our first win on the board. Enjoy the game and as always, play with a smile on your face for Bletchley Town.

JC

ARE YOU READY?!Well, the first friendly is nearly upon us. I am sure Weatherman Ward will be briefing me hourly on Friday to let me know if it is going to be rained off (or not).Those of you who are new to the club or don't know me, I'm the approachable one with the slightly northern accent. Our goal this season is to consolidate our position in the Cherwell League Division One, and to believe in ourselves a bit more.

One thing I would like to see is a bit more commitment from players, like ensuring they always turn up on time, respect one another, be positive and encourage one another.The 1st XI squad is an open door policy, and all players should aspire to playing at the highest level they can whilst enjoying their cricket at the same time. It is a team game, and sometimes the results are the most important statistic, but everyone will get their opportunity during the season.

Be patient, concentrate on your own games, consider what you can bring to the team and how you can help us achieve a top 5 finish again this season.Our best chances of silverware are probably in the Cup because on our day we can beat anyone, but let us enjoy our season, make sure we win some cricket matches, and back all your mates up in the team - always give your best and that is all I ask.

ARE YOU READY?! Clarky