Surrey Senior Cricketers Association Chairman Roland Walton takes us through the highlights for our county’s senior sides this year.
Given that we were expecting to be cricketless in our normal season and all the formal leagues/competitions being cancelled there is always “life in the old dogs” if you are aged 49+. Witness that between July and October 2020 the teams that make up our Association, over 70 matches were actually played from a schedule of over 100 matches amongst our sides below:-
3 x 50+ X1’s
4 x 60+ X1’s
2 x 70+ X1’s
Results wise all sides recorded more wins than losses playing neighbouring County sides, so there were bragging rights won as well as taking the opportunity to give all our playing members match time. The current outstanding side is our 60+ 2nd X1 who have now a three year undefeated record and looking to carry this on into 2021 and win more silverware! Even our 70+ side is outstanding.
Looking ahead to 2021 our ECB 50+ X1 are anticipating a good run in the competition (its been 16 years since we last won the National Cup) having a squad with three players who now have International playing honours for England and India.
All age groups now have International matches and the 50+ World cup was held in South Africa but unfortunately curtailed due to the pandemic. However, our Association had a successful pre World Cup tour there and below is a beautiful shot of our side playing at Boland Park, Paarl which is another one of S.A.’s international grounds. We have other 50+ sides playing in a Home Counties League and a vey competitive Southern Counties competition both for County 2nd X1’s.
To maintain motivation during lockdown we held a recent Zoom meeting where we finalised our post season review and set expectations for 2021 to include weekly formal zoom fitness sessions pre netting and welcomed Surrey stalwart Rikki Clarke (former Godalming and Guildford CC player) as our guest to discuss and share his joy of playing for Surrey, fitness regimes, his Academy plans and his Testimonial year.
We are aligning our 2021 playing and training gear with Surrey CCC’s Adidas supplier so we will look more like the professional team and hopefully match the County honours in our competitive County matches. Our aim as part of the Surrey Family is to be a credit to all concerned with Surrey County Cricket Club in all its forms both on and off the field.
The Association has a full social programme which includes a 36 hole internal golf competition, a 5 Counties over 50’s golf competition, horse racing hospitality at Plumpton and Windsor, Overseas tours to Holland in August and possibly Montenegro in October if Government restrictions allow. An Annual AGM Dinner and Ladies Dinner/Social is being planned as well as many informal events.
To join this thriving Association as a player you need to be approaching 49 and should contact Chairman Roland Walton e mail rolandwalton@hotmail.com or Secretary John Hall e mail hallj6@sky.com for an application form. We also welcome Umpires, Scorers and non players to sign up for a modest £10 annual subscription.
From our per match levy we remain Charity providers to Chance to Shine, Professional Cricketers’ Association, Lords Taverners and grateful for the continued support of Surrey CCC and the Surrey Cricket Foundation.
