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News item updated :- 29/1/12
Ron Jones, ex Cheshire Cricket League President &
Life President of the Cheshire Cricket League Umpires Association
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the death of our former President Ron Jones, who passed away today (29th January)
following a short illness.
Ron's funeral will take place at Little Leigh Baptist Chapel, Ash House Lane CW8 4RG on Friday 10th at 10am, and afterwards
at Walton Crematorium.
One of Ron’s long standing ambitions was to umpire a Meller Braggins Cheshire League match in his 80th year.
Being still fit and alert The Association had absolutely no problem in agreeing to this request. To complete his umpiring journey he also
wished to umpire a League match with his long standing friend Roy Twiggs. The pair were appointed to a League game at Cholmondeley but
unfortunately Roy was taken ill and in any event the weather intervened. However Ron was given a rousing send off in his last League match
at Ashley Cricket Club.
David Ronald Jones was very much a man of Cheshire. His whole life both living and working took place in Mid Cheshire and it followed that
his cricket took the same route. He played for many years as a batsman at Arley Cricket Club and in fact was delighted to find during a visit
a couple of years ago, that a photograph of Arley Cricket team, including himself, still hung in the pavilion.
When he retired from playing he decided it was only right to put something back into the game and he turned his attention to the umpiring side.
At that time there was a crying need in the Cheshire Leagues for independent umpires and in 1982 he helped form the Cheshire Cricket League
Umpires Association becoming its first Chairman. The addition of Meller Braggins to the title came a few years later when they became The League's
main sponsors.
He steered and built The Association for many years until handing over to the current Chairman, myself, when he felt it was ready for a change.
It will be appreciated that since inception The Association has had only 2 Chairmen and, personally, I am still finding Ron a very difficult act
to follow.
During this time his own reputation as a leading amateur umpire was established and he stood in many local top class matches including those
involved with Lancashire 2nd X1s at Old Trafford.
Initially once the Meller Braggins Umpires Association had been formed there was no question of sitting on his laurels and, along with Ken Merrill
he set about running courses in Cheshire to improve standards of umpiring including giving practical advice to new and up and coming umpires.
Once Ken Merrill retired from the scene, Brian Ludlow took over the training with Ron and a number of members of the current panel remember these
training sessions. I myself came into the picture some 20 years ago and was guided by Ron initially through the then written examination and in
fact he made sure I went a step further and personally took me to Old Trafford to complete the oral. I recall it being an absolutely filthy dark
night, pouring with rain, and Ron’s gentle threat that if I did not pass I could walk back home. The evening did go my way and I’m pleased to say
I returned without getting wet.
After many years the technology of training presentations became too complicated and he decided to hand over the reins of Senior Training Officer
to Ian Bishop.
After an illustrious career in both umpiring and training he then became President of The Cheshire Cricket League itself for 10 years up to 2010,
President of the newly formed Cheshire Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association and Life President of The Meller Braggins Umpires Association. The
unique achievement of being President of the 3 organisations simultaneously still stands and will probably do so for some time.
Although a couple of the presidencies went by the board of his own volition, he did maintain the Presidency of the Meller Braggins Umpires and
continued to show a keen interest in its progress.
Stories about Ron are legion but I always remember clearly a couple. It was fairly well known that he always carried a bag of sweets in his
pocket when umpiring and, on one occasion, having turned down numerous appeals from one bowler, at the end of an over Ron stood in front of him,
took out his bag of sweets, and offered him one with the now famous words 'don’t say I don’t give you anything'.
The other comment, not really a story, came from Tony Barnes who always enjoyed standing with Ron and proclaimed on one occasion,
'I love it ……it’s like standing with the Archbishop of Canterbury'.
Always a great family man looking on his wife Margaret, his sons and his grandchildren with immense pride, a second love, I think I can say,
was cricket.
This is a very sad occasion for all of his colleagues and friends and we are going to miss his wisdom and sense of humour.
I don’t know how we are going to replace him.
Dave Lawson
Chairman Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League Umpires Association
News item updated :- 23/1/12
John Longworth, Ashley CC
An Obituary from long-serving Ashley player Andy Murray
It is with sadness that I announce the death of John Longworth, aged 91. A long-term player, umpire and supporter of Ashley CC,
John joined Ashley in 1972 with his sons, Richard, Peter, Ian and Michael all playing for the club over the subsequent four decades.
John and Shirley have continued to support the club over recent years, including the very generous donation of the covers two seasons ago,
and in earlier years John had been instrumental in arranging favourable loans and funds from Macclesfield Borough Council for drainage and
building, as well as securing a licence for serving alcohol in the clubhouse. This had become necessary when a bawdy first team celebration
got the club banned en masse from their previous home, The Greyhound.
A regular Sunday player and occasional second team performer, John took a Hat-Trick on July 18th 1982, a feat all the more remarkable as
John suffered from double vision and two paralysed fingers in his right hand!
John became a regular first team umpire and quickly gained respect from both Ashley and opposition teams for his fairness, a trait which was
hitherto somewhat lacking in certain Ashley umpires. This fairness led to heated discussions with members of his own team, and John would
often be heard chuckling about his tussles with Ashley's demon fast bowler, Dave Molloy, over a refused LBW appeal. All was forgotten in
the bar after the game.
In a move that many of you may find regrettable, John also introduced me to Ashley CC in 1975. As he and Shirley are also close family friends,
I will be extremely proud to represent the club at Johns funeral, which is being held at Altrincham Crematorium at 12 noon on Thursday 26th
January.
News item updated :- 20/1/12
League AGM Rule Changes, etc
At the League's AGM the following Rule Changes were passed for 2012 season (Full details in next Newsletter)
All other proposals were defeated.
Note that Umpires Expenses now increased to £34 per League match, remain £25 for T20.
News item updated :- 5/1/12
Wirral CC to rejoin MBCCL in 2012
Statement:-
As a result of the decision to expel Sandbach CC from the Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League a meeting of the Cheshire Cricket
Alliance and the MBCCL was held, under the auspices of the Cheshire Clubs Cricket Committee, at Hale Barns CC on Wednesday 4th January
2012 and the following was agreed:-
Sandbach 1st and 2nd XI will be placed in the CCA for the 2012 season.
Wirral CC 1st and 2nd XI will be promoted from the CCA to Division 3 and Division C of the MBCCL.
News item updated :- 9/12/11
Keith Woodcock, Winnington Park CC
Keith was a member of Winnington Park CC for over 60 years, and was active within the club until recent years, before standing down
due to ill health.
The Cheshire County Cricket League paid the following tribute :-
One of the best batsmen ever to be raised in mid-Cheshire, Keith Bernard Woodcock died in a Davenham
care home on November 30th aged 72. His funeral is at Sandiway Parish Church, near Northwich, on Monday,
December 12th at 11.30 am, followed by committal at Altrincham Crematorium at 1pm.
Keith was the son of Bernard and the younger brother of Tony Woodcock, all of whom played for
Winnington Park and Cheshire. A quality left-hander, Keith made his Minor Counties debut for
Cheshire in 1963, scoring two half centuries on debut against a strong Warwickshire 2nd XI at Edgbaston.
He was educated at Sir John Deane’s GS and Liverpool University and played for the Combined Universities in 1960.
A Chester schoolteacher for most of his professional career, he was a one club man with Winnington for 40 years
and later became chairman.
News item updated :- 18/11/11
2012 Fixtures Online!
2012 Fixtures are now online, as are the T20 Cup draws.
Also online are the 2011 Pitch Marks & the Ground Reports.
Averages are up, individual perfs & Fielding stats to be added soon.
News item updated :- 6/10/11
Averages Time!
Time to send me your League Averages chaps! Click here to check what you need to send me.
Note that Averages are required by 31st October, thanks to those who have already sent theirs in.
News item updated :- 1/9/11
Ian Brooke contact details changed
Ian Brooke (chair of Ground Insp Cttee) contact details have changed, see below. Please do not use his old Home number (ending in '99')
as this number is now in use by someone else!
H: 01625 501945
M: 07957 864272
E:
News item updated :- 19/8/11
Umpires Assessment Cards/Emails
At last night's Exec meeting, we discussed the poor performance of some Clubs in sending in Umpires Assessments this season.
Fines income seems certain to jump up again this season!
Don't forget it costs you, the Clubs, £15 a go in fines!
Check that your Club have been sending them in correctly, by clicking here or follow the Admin->Umps Cards link
on the left. Check the Week 18 Newsletter for a breakdown of the Missing Cards.
News item updated :- 19/8/11
Ineligible Player/Emails
Hale Barns 1st XI have been deducted 11 pts for fielding an ineligible player in one match. When Hale Barns discovered that he'd played
some 1st Class in Pakistan over the Winter, they didn't play him again and informed the League. The deduction matches the points gained
in the single match that he played.
News item updated :- 25/7/11
Trafford MV Auction of Memorabilia Fri 26th August, 8pm
Trafford MV are holding a special T20 match & auction of more than 50 collectible items on Friday 26th.
For full details of how to take part, onsite at Trafford MV or remotely(!), click
here or via the 'Events' page.
News item updated :- 20/7/11
Kingsley CC Beer Festival 23rd/24th September
For details of Kingsley CC's Beer Festival, click here or via the 'Events' Page.
News item updated :- 15/4/11
Peter Timms, Ashton-on-Mersey CC
It is with regret that we inform you that the death occurred following a heart attack while playing golf on March
11th of Ashton-on-Mersey cricket secretary Peter Timms, at the age of 70.
A member for 30 years and the holder of many committee posts, Peter was the father of current 1st XI captain Mark Timms,
one of four sons who all play for AOM. A former pupil of Manchester Grammar School, he was employed by Dunlop and later
worked in oil sales.
Peter was heavily involved in other sports, being secretary of Ashton-on-Mersey Golf Club and was a former president and
secretary of Sale United Football Club.
News item updated :- 15/4/11
2nd XI Results
Once again, we ask 2nd XI Captains to let us have your results asap, so we can get the Websites up to date, otherwise we'd have to wait for all the sheets
to turn up at Graham B's (Friday or Saturday following the games!)
Please Email to either of our special addresses
or
or Text to either 07960 851410 or 07752 239187.
Any one of the above will do, but don't forget to send in your Sheets as well (the Sheet is the only official record of the result!)
Special thanks to Barry Bishop of the MBCCLUA for the Text numbers & extra Email address.
Please note that due to (some of) the shortcomings of the Play-Cricket system, 2nd XIs that input their results onto that system rather than letting us know via
the methods noted above, are actually making extra work for us rather than easing our burden!!
Please use the methods described above. Thank you.
News item updated :- 15/4/11
Over Rate Pts Deductions
This season, points deductions for slow over rates are being levied on a weekly basis, so all Clubs get an up-to-date picture.
1st XI Captains are reminded that if they think there are extenuating circumstances for their tardiness, an allowance stating the number of extra minutes
must be agreed with the Umpires at the post-match meeting before the sheet is signed off. If no extra allowance is noted on the sheet, the appropriate
points deduction will be levied as per Rule 15. This season NO APPEALS will be entertained!
And while we are on the subject, don't forget that as per MBCCL League Match Rule 15, the 2hrs 45mins innings time allowed for 45 overs
is inclusive of only one drinks break. If the weather ever gets hot(!), any additional breaks for everyone or just for a batsman should be noted on
the match sheet (and agreed by captains and Umpires) along with the number of minutes taken.
News item updated :- 3/4/11
Club Details changes
Details for all Clubs now updated for 2011. If any details change, could Clubs please let me know using the Feedback link on the Left & I'll update the details.
In addition, a full list of changes can be seen by clicking on the Home->Handbook Changes link.
News item updated :- 5/3/11
Mapping changes
Our Mapping provider (Multimap) has been taken over by Bing. Current Maps still work (for the moment!) but I can't add
any new ones! I am experimenting with providing the same zoomable functionality via Google Maps, but for now I'll add
any new Maps as static (non-zoomable) Google Maps.
News item updated :- 4/2/11
Chelford CC are looking for midweek T20 fixtures - Monday nights only, using County League O40's rules,
ie retire at 30 (no return), max 4 overs.
Contact Richard Munslow - Tel:07900 954296
News item updated :- 22/1/11
Kingsley CC have a 1/2ton petrol-driven Roller for sale.
Alvanley CC have a pair of sight screens for sale.
Got to the 'Promotions' page for details.
News item updated :- 8/11/10
Peter Hancock wins 2010 Sky Sports Coach Award (story reproduced from Cheshire Cricket Board site)
Former League Secretary Peter Hancock
was the toast of Lord's recently when he collected the coveted 2010 Sky Sports Coach Award for
Outstanding Contribution and Services to Cricket Coaching.
England fast bowler and Ashes hopeful Steven Finn made the presentation to a delighted Peter at
a black tie dinner in the Long Room, the venue for the 2010 Sky Sports Coach Awards.
Peter was crowned national champion from a shortlist of eight regional winners after he had previously captured
the North West award at a ceremony at Old Trafford in the summer.
"It was very proud moment to win such a prestigious award," said Peter, who recently retired after more than
20 years of service to Cheshire cricket.
"An excellent evening was enjoyed by about 180 coaches who enjoyed listening to Charles Colville and Steve Finn
talking, amongst other things, about the forthcoming Ashes series."
A Level 3 coach, Peter was first nominated by the Board because of his fundamental involvement in the development
of the Cheshire branch of the ECB Coaches Association, which led to him becoming the North West representative for
the CA.
In 2008/9 he was appointed lead coach on the Emerging Players Programme, introducing physiotherapy screening for
all county players and bringing in coaches from other sporting disciplines to ensure players had a holistic approach
to their development.
Despite retiring from active coaching, Peter remains an integral part of the Cheshire Cricket Board's Coach
Education Programme in his ongoing role as an ECB Tutor and Assessor.
The Sky Sports Outstanding Contribution award was a fitting conclusion to a 26-year coaching career which has seen
Peter inspire and improve countless players and coaches throughout the county.
He received a modern inscribed trophy and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne at the awards ceremony.
News item updated :- 7/4/10
Overseas Players
Info updated 07/04/10. Click on the link below.
New legislation introduced in 2009 makes it much more difficult for non EU nationals and those not in possession of UK passports to enter the country.
The UK Border Agency are threatening to take a much tougher line in 2010 and prosecutions are expected! Given that ignorance of the Law is no excuse, the
League do not want any of our Clubs to be on the wrong end of a hefty fine. We have checked the latest information with the League Cricket Conference, who have
been monitoring the situation.
click here for the latest news!
News item updated :- 28/10/09
New ECB Fast Bowling Directive
The ECB have updated their Fast Bowling Directive re young bowlers and changed the limits. See Admin->ECB Directives
for details.
News item updated :- 23/8/09
Suspensions News
News of Disciplinary findings now on this site, follow Admin->Suspensions link or click here.
News item updated :- 4/5/07
As Promised, details of the Howizee Scratch Card now available. Click on the Promotions button for this novel Cricket Fund-raising idea.
Assistant Secretary
vacant.
Tel:
Assistant Fixtures and Results Secretary
Webmaster:
Graham Coull.
Tel: 01606 47408
EMail: