Monmouth Cricket Club

Monmouth CC will once again be looking forward to campaigning in the Worcestershire County League Divison 2.

Before this, both teams have competitive pre season games to get the players in shape for the coming season.

Paul Swingwood will lead his men to Usk once again on the 16th of April before the 1st XI take on Chepstow on the following Saturday (23rd April)

Whilst the first team face a test against Chepstow, Dan Risk will take a Monmouth XI to take on local rivals Ross

All 3 games guarrante to be stern tests for Monmouth and will hopefully set them up nicely for the season ahead

Monmouth CC have confirmed their dates for the pre-season nets to take place.

We will be firstly indoors at the Monmouth Boys School Leisure Centre on SUNDAY MORNINGS, not the original anticipated date of Friday nights

The dates are:

6th March, 13th March, 27th March, 3rd April

All these dates will be 10am to 12pm and we would like to see as many people as possible attend

To maximise the session time, we would like people to arrive promptly at 945am. This will mean people have enough time to chat, catch up and warm up before we starting netting

If current members of the squad are unable to attend, i would appreciate a heads up either by phone (07816076264), email (danrisk32@hotmail.co.uk) or Facebook

We would like to see as many people as possible as we want to push on from last years excellent performances in the league

The cost for each individual to train will be £3 and this will be collected BEFORE training so people don't run off without paying

After these nets, Monmouth CC move outdoors to the Monmouth Comprehensive School Nets in April

The dates are: 7th April, 14th April, 21st April, 28th April (Thursday nights) from 6-730/8 depending on light

Thesenets will be multi purpose that will include batting and bowling in thenets as well as fielding drills and fitness exercises

Again, we want to see as many people as possible training

Details will follow on the training during the session as we are exploring several avenues

All the best, Risky

THREE players at Monmouth Cricket Club have just passed their ECB Coaching Assistant assessments.

Secondteam skipper Dan Risk, teenager Josh Grey and vice-chairman Ian Morganhave successfully completed the UKCC Level 1 course.

The Osbastontrio took the course, which also included First Aid and ChildProtection and Safety in Sport elements, over three weekends atHereford Cathedral School.

Morgan has also been co-opted on to the committee of Herefordshire Cricket Board's Cricket Coaches Association.

TheMonmouth trio have joined Jon Despontin, who already holds the UKCCLevel 1 certificate, and now hopes to take Level 2 in the autumn.

Theclub are following the ECB Clubmark path and they hope to send at leastfour further players on coaching courses before the start of the newseason.

"We have been working hard in the closed-season to try to develop the club in all areas," said club chairman Martin Newell.

"We have secured a grant from Monmouthshire County Council to put our players through coaching courses.

"Thejunior players are the future of Monmouth Cricket Club and it'simportant they are taught basic technical cricket skills byenthusiastic coaches in a safe, fun and stimulating environment."

SteveWatkins, the South-East Wales cricket development officer, is planningto be at the club's next committee meeting on Wednesday, February 9.

Monmouth's youth teams will once again be competing this summer in the Herefordshire Junior Cricket League.

They will be fielding teams at under-11s, under-13s and under-15 levels.

Last season, Monmouth's under 13s were prevented from claiming top spot by rain but excelled to finish second in their league.

The under-15s also showed great improvement to finish fourth out of 10 sides.

Monmouth's under-11 side continued their development, claiming excellent wins over Ross and Wormelow.

MonmouthCricket Club intend to hold a meeting with all parents of the club'sjunior section in March to outline the club's aims for developing youthcricket.

More details on Monmouth Cricket Club's youth section from Dan Risk on 07816076264 or by e-mailing danrisk32@hotmail.co.uk or 

chairman Martin Newell on 07525 616987 or martinnewell72@hotmail.com

Monmouth will be hoping to start pre season training indoors during March before moving outside from April onwards. More news to follow.

MONMOUTH Cricket Club are holding a special general meeting later this month to show their commitment to youth development.

They have signed up to ECB Clubmark, a cricket club accreditation scheme in partnership with Sport England.

The ECB Clubmark scheme prioritises junior development and creates a benchmark for high-quality community club cricket.

Monmouth Cricket Club have held a meeting with Steve Watkins, the cricket development officer for .

Monmouthare holding their special general meeting at the King's Head onThursday, November 25 to update their club constitution. The meetingstarts at 7.30pm.

Club chairman Martin Newell said: “TheECB Clubmark is an excellent scheme and we will be focusing on childwelfare and safeguarding children.”

He added: “We areplanning to call a meeting in the new year to tell the parents of allour prospective and existing junior members about our exciting plans togrow the junior membership.”

Senior members will betaking the UKCC1 coaching course in January and the club ultimatelyhopes to establish closer links with local schools and community groups.

The club runs junior sides at under-11, under-13 and under-15 teams in the Herefordshire Youth League.

To get involved with the club, call chairman Martin Newell on 07525 616987 or e-mail: martinnewell72@hotmail.com

Monmouth Cricket Club Awards Evening 

MonmouthCricket Club held its end of season dinner on Saturday 11 September atthe Jewel Balti Indian Restaurant, Monmouth. A great evening wasenjoyed by all, and awards were presented to recognise the players whohad excelled with bat and ball throughout the season. Club chairmanMartin Newell commended all involved for an excellent on fieldperformance throughout year and spoke of how he hoped the club wouldpush for promotion again in the 2011 season. He also paid tribute toall those involved in the running of the club, who did a fantastic jobof ensuring that the season ran smoothly. In conclusion Newell saidthat throughout his first term as chairman he had gained valuableexperience, which he hoped to draw upon should he be re-elected.

Theawards for batting and bowling in the 1 and 2 teams were presented byPaul Swingwood and Jon Despontin, who had both skippered theirrespective teams excellent 3 place finishes. Jag Saran was therecipient of the 2 XI batting prize, having scored 426 runs, averaging30.43. The 2 XI bowling charts were topped by Richard Shaw, who claimed31 wickets at 17.84, including a career best of 6 for 11. Kiwi overseasstar Cole McConchie had an excellent season with the bat and was thedeserved winner of the 1 XI batting trophy, racking up 807 runs,averaging 57.57 and scoring 3 excellent hundreds in the process. JonRoberts received the bowling prize, having taken 35 wickets at anaverage of just over 17. Roberts also celebrated a league hat trick,for which he received the mounted match ball from the game.

Monmouth'syoung stars were celebrated with awards for the best young bowler andbatsman in senior teams. Promising under 13 talent Calum Philpott tookthe bowling accolade. The leg-spinning youngster took 11 league wicketsincluding a 5 wicket haul for the 2nd XI. 14 year old Matt Jones wasrewarded for a fine season as he collected the trophy for best youngbatsman. Jones scored heavily in the 2 XI, amassing 287 runs with aseasons best of 93 not out. He also made 5 first team appearances,showing excellent maturity in making the transition.

Thecontributions of several club members were recognised with the clubperson of the year honour. In 2009 Dan Risk was rewarded for his hardwork as Sunday captain, under 13 team manager and assistant pressofficer. Risk's efforts were recognised during the evening because thetrophy was unable to be awarded to him following the 2009 season. The2010 club person of the year was then awarded jointly to clubmembership secretary Trevor Slocombe and 2 team tea lady BerniceSlocombe. In addition to his secretarial role Trevor also scored everygame for the 2 team. The pair thoroughly deserved their award after aseason in which they both contributed a great deal to the running ofthe club.

Finally, plaques were given to players who hadscored one or more centuries during the league campaign. These includedMcConchie, Swingwood, David Teague, Jordan Charles, Ian Morgan and TejSaran.

The club would like to thank The Kings HeadMonmouth, Jewel Balti, Ancre Hill Vineyard and anyone else who hasgiven support during the 2010 season.