I often start making notes for my monthly update during the course of the month and whilst enjoying a nice break away with the family up in the Lakes I was contemplating how I put a positive spin on the fact we’d played no cricket due to the terrible weather, but that wasn’t to be as we’ve somehow managed to survive the weather and have had two cracking weekends of cricket to open the season. Whilst trying not to be biased (because my dad’s involved) the Grounds team have done the most incredible of jobs to get the pitches fit to play and we as an entire club owe a debt of gratitude to them. What brings it into more perspective is the fact that quite a few other games have suffered and we’ve managed to do what it takes to get games of cricket on – thanks to everybody who has helped. It wasn’t just cricket that suffered as I fielded an emergency call from our friends at New Brighton Rugby Club in desperate need of some assistance in drying their rugby pitches for an important tournament they had at it was great to be able to lend them some of our equipment to help them out and get their pitches fit. A great demonstration of two clubs from different sports working together, as they have helped us out in other ways in the past.

Two weeks into the season I’ve been overwhelmed both on and off the pitch. On the pitch all the teams have made encouraging starts to the season with the 1st XI sitting nicely in second place, the 2nd XI top, the 3rd XI third and the 4th XI (despite not playing yet) sixth in their respective leagues. Off the pitch the amount of support we have received is almost unthinkable. For the opening day of the season when the 1st XI welcomed Widnes I counted at one point 75 people watching the game (and I’m sure I missed a few who were at the bar). This is local cricket where two men and a dog typically come and watch – absolutely staggering and one of the reasons we have had to build a new seating area which (all being well) should be ready for to fully use this coming weekend when the 1st XI host Stockport. That huge support is not just limited to 1st XI games, last Saturday saw another huge turnout for the 2nd XI thriller against Warrington, and when I asked (well sort of told!!) the Treasurer (who readily agreed it must be said!) I needed to spend £32 of the club’s money on a high intensity heater to dry some patches on the wicket where water of leaked on, come 7pm I felt that decision was justified! In an effort to increase our reach in the local community, Tom Marsland coordinated the senior squad doing a leaflet drop in the local area during one of their pre-season get togethers. This together with an ‘open night’ has hopefully made people more aware of who we are and what we are about, and I’m pleased to say that on the back of both of those initiatives we have had a steady stream of new social members joining and who can avail themselves of our facilities and become part of the Upton ‘family’.

Now the season is in full swing, it’s great to have the Junior cricket back on a Friday and despite last week’s having to be cancelled due to the weather we’ve had a cracking uptake in membership and so many positive responses to the new structure for paying training fees. To compliment the great work that Matt Owen and his team of coaches do, we have The Yog Bar coming down this Friday (rearranged from last Friday) plus representatives from Love My Club who will share a great initiative that can not only benefit our members, but also the club (more details on that will appear later this week). Continuing with the Juniors, I was extremely proud to hear of the Cheshire selections for eight of our juniors; Phoebe, Gemma, Lily, Charlie, Sophie, Madi, Thomas and Joe - richly deserve recognition for all the hard work and dedication you have put in, well done.

Looking ahead, May promises to be another cracking month and away from the club I’m looking forward to my annual golfing trip to Marbella. Now no pressure on the players, but the weekend I’m away usually means something special happens – two years ago, all four sides registered wins for the perfect “100 point Saturday”, and last year Luca DiStefano scored his magnificent 142 not out . I’m looking forward to sitting in my golf buggy following the action on our amazing Twitter feed and seeing what magic can be created this time round!

To close, a little quote from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs which reflects on life at UCC – “If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”