2007 Season Review

The 2007 season was another year of growth and success for the Youth section of the club. We were able to field a record number of teams across the age-groups from U9’s to U17’s and to deliver a structured coaching programme for nearly 150 youngsters. The terrible weather experienced in June and early July played havoc with the fixtures in what is always a compact season of 12 weeks.

However we were able to play in excess of 100 fixtures and a big thank you goes to Paul Maynard and the ground staff at Finchampstead for providing a range of wickets during the season and often at very short notice. Our pitches and facilities at the Memorial Ground Finchampstead are undoubtedly the envy of many visiting clubs.

Team Performances

The performance of the U11’s age-group deserves top billing for 2007. The strength of this age-group meant we were able to enter two teams in the BYL for the first time in many years. The Falcons team provided cricket for 20 boys and girls many of whom were relatively new to cricket and finished in a creditable mid-table position in the league. The Eagles team had a cracking season winning 5 out of 6 games in the group stages to progress through to the knockout rounds where progress to the final followed after wins against Purley and Kidmore End. The final against Maidenhead and Bray was a very nervous affair with Finch being bowled out for only 71 runs before top fielding and bowling managed to restrict Maidenhead and Bray to 62 runs off the allotted 20 overs. This was a great team effort from all the boys involved. A great season for the Eagles was rounded off by winning the Finchampstead 6 a side competition.

The U17’s team also had a very successful season and resulted in some silverware returning to the club. Out of the 16 BYL and TCL games played, the team only lost 2 games and won the TCL Herald Cup on home turf at Finchampstead in July. 2008 will be the final season of youth cricket for this team, many of whom have played together since U9’s. There are high hopes they can finish in style by winning some more silverware for the club.

Our U13’s boy’s age-group again benefited from strong numbers as they fielded two teams in the BYL. Both squads put in creditable performances with the Falcons finishing mid table in their division and the Eagles winners of their division to progress to the Quarter finals where they beat North Maidenhead. Progress to the final was sadly decided on the toss of a coin in a rain filled week where the Eagles met Henley. On a cold and blustery evening the Finch boys performed admirably but were beaten by a stronger team. In the TCL the two squads combined to finish mid table in their division. With most of this age-group remaining as U13’s in 2008, Finchampstead should be very competitive in all competitions.

In only the first year of playing league matches Our U13’s Girls team had a great year, coming second in the BYL and also reaching the Semi-Final of the Hurst 6-a-side competition. It was encouraging to see increased numbers of girls regularly attending weekly training and this resulted in a big improvement in the overall skill levels of all the girls. With the solid foundations of a girls section now established, it is planned to attract more girls to play cricket and therefore enable teams to be fielded at the U11 and U15 age-groups.

Our U15’s squad were confident winners of their division in the BYL only to lose to arch rivals Wokingham in the Quarter-Final. Good strength in depth of 23 boys meant the team were also able to compete in the TCL where the team finished in a mid table position.

Finally to our U9’s who, thanks to some excellent organisation, managed to provide coaching and matches for over 50 youngsters! The emphasis at this age-group is very much one of fun and participation rather than league results with plenty of hands-on coaching to ensure the key skills are mastered. Even with this emphasis, both the Eagles and Falcons squads qualified for the quarter finals of the BYL. A further “Development” side comprising some of the less experienced players and in some cases U7/U6 players also played a series of matches and performed very well. It is very encouraging to see such strength of numbers at this age-group. It is also great to see so many youngsters being given their first taste of cricket in such a well structured environment.

County & District Representation

As a club our structured playing and coaching programme continues to help produce a steady stream of quality cricketers who are selected for the Berkshire County and Wokingham & Bracknell district teams across all the age-groups.

Those lads playing county cricket in 2007 were: Charlie Alexander, Marcus Bazely, Andrew House, Daniel Lincoln, Piers Reeve, JJ Dewes, Richard Reed, Billy Beswick, Max Stevenson, Adam Dewes and Max Snadden.

While those chosen to represent the district teams were: Alex Jones, Tom Mitchell, Robert Cooper and Darius Snadden.

While all these lads performed well at the higher level, Daniel Lincoln’s maiden century for the Berkshire County U13’s at the Taunton festival was a great achievement.

Youth Players in Senior Cricket

A record number of Youth members played senior cricket in 2007 with over 25 getting the opportunity to test their skills in the adult environment. This is an excellent reflection of the development work the club have carried out in delivering a structured coaching programme over the last two seasons. The “fighting” 5th’s in their fourth season continued to provide the opportunity for many youngsters from U13’s upwards to get vital experience of senior cricket for the first time. Playing in division 4 of the Berkshire League, the team were skippered expertly by Alan Jones who ensured there was plenty of Welsh “hywl” in every performance. The team played 9 games winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 3 to finish secure in 7th place. This was a very creditable performance considering they finished above several clubs 3rd XI’s.

The top individual batting performances by youth members playing for the 5th’s were: Charlie Alexander 100 against Theale & Tilehurst; Andrew House 88 against South East Reading and 60 NO against Ruislip Victoria and Dan Lincoln 56 against South East Reading. Top individual bowling performances were: Matt Bell 5 wickets for 24 runs from 10 overs against Knowle Hill and Dylan Augustus 3 wickets for 4 runs off 5 overs.

Once again it was good to see a number of new senior faces in the 5th’s as fathers of youth members dusted off their pads and took the opportunity to play competitive cricket with their sons. Unfortunately the relegation of the Premier team last season and the resulting loss of senior players has lead the club to reach the difficult decision to suspend the 5th XI for the 2008 season. There is no doubt it would have been a struggle to fulfil a full season of fixtures with the vital and necessary balance of seniors and youth in the team. There is no doubt the 5th XI was a tremendous success in helping to bridge the gap between youth and senior cricket. I am sure once the club stabilises it’s playing resources in the first two XI’s, this development side will be re-introduced. I would like to thank Rik Alexander for all his hard work, good humour and at times bloody mindedness in helping to make the 5th XI such a success. It is clear, thanks to Rik, there really was a special atmosphere which existed within the 5th’s where winning was important but everybody enjoyed their cricket!

It was good to see many “alumni” of the 5th’s gaining regular places in the other Finchampstead senior sides.

Matt Jones and Darron Augustus continued to be regulars in the Premier team and these two were joined by Simon Bell for a number of games in a tough season for our top side.

Charlie Alexander, David Bellis, Nathan Clarke, Matt Morris and Tony Smith played for the 2nd XI with Richard Madgewick and Adam Davey playing 3rd XI cricket for much of the season. James and Scott Osler made it a family affair in the 4th XI as they were skipper by their Dad, Bob, with Anish Koshal also playing for this team.

I would like to thank the Chairman of selectors and the captains of the senior sides for the positive way they have integrated youth members into the senior sides. There is little doubt without this support youth members would not have progressed so rapidly and be so keen to play senior cricket.

Annual Presentations

Our annual Youth Presentations event was held on a bright Sunday afternoon in early September when we welcomed Robin Brown to make the presentations. Robin is a long standing player and committee member with the club and a strong supporter of the Youth section. The managers of all the teams gave a brief overview of their team’s season before presenting the following individuals with trophies for their outstanding performances and effort. 

 6 a Side

We were blessed with excellent weather for our fifth annual 6 a side tournament on August Bank Holiday Monday. With a record entry of teams and over 220 boys and games competing in some 50 games, an early start was necessary to ensure the finals were not played in darkness! The teams who competed in the finals were as follows: 

The success of this day was a real team effort with senior youth members standing as umpires, managers and parents manning the kitchen and barbeque. The good news was that our efforts were not only rewarded with a marvellous day of cricket, but over £850 was raised to help fund our coaching programme. I would like to thank Naomi Beswick and Sheila Porter in particular for organising all the fixtures and tabulating the results and Sarah Griffiths and Denise Lincoln for masterminding the catering supplies and rotas! Finally thanks to Paul Maynard for proving such excellent wickets which enabled quality cricket to be played.

Off the field activities

Throughout the season the Youth section committee met regularly to ensure the smooth running of the section. I would like to thank all the Youth team managers, coaches and other members of the committee who have put a lot of hard work into helping us provide a better cricketing experience for all our members.

With the poor weather leading to many games being called off, we were unable to run as many social events as we would have liked. However the kitchen was once again a raging success on Saturday and Sunday mornings generating invaluable funds for our section. Many thanks to all the parents who did their stint in helping out and if you didn’t get involved then we will forgive you (this time!) but hope that you will volunteer to help in 2008.

As a club we encourage as many members as possible to play and train in Finchampstead kit as we believe this is important in establishing our identity as a club. Many thanks to Ian Huggan for overseeing all the ordering of kit during the season. For 2008 the club has a new shirt sponsor and have also introduced a new range of training and leisurewear and we hope to see as many members as possible turning out in the new kit.

The conclusion of the 2008 season will see many of the existing committee step down from their roles as their sons will no longer be youth members after this season. So we really need some volunteers from the younger age-groups to step forward to help from next season. Please contact your age-group manager or myself if you would like to find out more about how you can help Finch to run as a successful club.