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Stanhope Cricket Club - 2009

Some people get a kick out of champagne, some out of leather whilst others it’s leather and lace. Here at Stanhope Cricket Club it just has to be leather and willow – yes the sun is out (when this was written) the sky is blue and all thoughts turn towards the start of the new season of Division 1 cricket. Your local number 1 team has reached the dizzy heights of premier league cricket within the North East Durham Roseburry League. In two short years the gallant eleven has been promoted twice after some convincing victories at the hands of some tough opposition.

Apart from having a good sense of team play and a Captain as cunning as the Kiwi himself, other factors have proved invaluable in our collective success. Firstly the on-going investment both on and off the field in new equipment and personal skill levels cannot be overlooked. We have a group of players all very close to achieving, or have already achieved Level 1 coaching status, over the winter months S. Campbell has been working toward Level 2 coaching. This will mean even greater focus by Simon and the players on fitness as well as cricketing skills. The management committee of the club has embarked on a project centred around the longer term development of the club.

Stanhope C.C. has become very much a victim of it’s own success and we now need to review our set-up with a view to putting in place a fully functioning Second 11 with a view to entering two teams in the North East Durham League. This plan involves all the current Management Committee taking on extra roles of responsibility to investigate just exactly what actions / foundations need to be put in place. The main driver for this move has been the growing level of support the club has seen from all along Weardale. In particular the growing number of junior players that want to become a part of us. It is these players that are eager for matches that has been instrumental in this program of development.

Equipment wise the Club is investing in new matting for our nets, that should more accurately mimic grass when the likes of “Rockie” Rowell, “Kiwi” Campbell and A. Robinson send down Pearlers for our batsmen to face. I am lead to understand that the Club is also investigating a Slip Catching device to help beef up this part of the Teams game. Edges and nicks could prove to be match turning events at the new level we find ourselves playing. Aside from the general improvement in cricketing skills and tactics one of the most significant investments made in recent years that has helped in our title chases have been the Covers. Who would have guessed that these seemingly basic items of cricketing paraphernalia could prove so decisive. You all remember the rain soaked summer we all endured last year, well Stanhope was able to play more games of cricket than any other team in the League, simply due to a protected batting strip. When all around wickets were rain soaked and unplayable, here at Unthank Park we were able to at least start a good number of fixtures that to all intentions would normally have been abandoned.

This year we are hoping for far more sunshine, but in the unlikely event of rain, or storms, we have in-place the infrastructure to help combat all that mother nature can throw at us.