I’m not quite sure how that happened but we find ourselves in June already and heading towards the half way point of the season! From a personal; perspective, May has been a mad, crazy busy month with plenty going on with my new business, a few days away golfing in Portugal, kids half term and two of my three daughters birthday plus loads of other stuff, so apologies if this message might be shorter than usual (it might not be – we’ll find out as I type this!).

I started the month with my annual golf trip with a load of ex work colleagues to Vilamoura which proved to once again be a great trip with 20 of us from all different walks of life ‘reuniting’ and having a great time on and off the course. On these trips I always find myself distracted during the final round of golf as I watch the updates coming in via Twitter from the different matches back home. I must say that my golf was decidedly better on the front nine as I followed the 1st XI bowlers restrict Davenham to 118 but it got decidedly worse as I then followed the batting collapse as we failed to chase down the total. It was buoyed however with the scores coming through from the 2’s and 3’s who registered victories that day. I’ve only managed to get the clubs out once since returning and that was earlier this week when Ken Barrett very kindly invited myself and Connor Smith to join him for a hack around Prenton Golf Club. We won’t mention the scores (it’s rude to insult your host!) but what I will say is that it’s a good job Connors over here to play cricket as his golf was woeful at times!!

On to cricketing matters and whilst the league position of the 1st XI isn’t looking as favourable as we’d all like, I have absolute belief that they will improve and that starts this afternoon when they go to Bollington on the back of a superb victory over Oxton on Thursday evening in the T20. They are a talented group of players and with that belief in their own ability they can make the steady rise up the table. On to the 2’s and I have been so impressed with how their season has started. We know how tough 2nd XI Premier Division cricket is having been there in 2017, but the way they have acquitted themselves so far is commendable and I have every confidence their great season will continue as the squad develops and grows. Having stepped up a division also, Ian Sharrock and his 3rd XI are setting the early pace and are doing great things and are all set for a strong season again, ably led from the front with Sawda once again set for a big wicket haul come the end of the season. And finally for our Saturday sides, Ian Bruce and his mix of experience and youth in the 4’s have had some great performances and continue to provide regular cricket where other clubs are struggling. Our two sides who compete on the Sunday; the Ladies XI and Sunday 1st XI are just getting going and whilst the ladies have found life tougher in a higher league, there is so much talent within the group that the results will undoubtedly start to improve. Let’s not forget, this team is only in their second season.

Off the pitch, June is always a busy month as we head towards the ‘marquee weekend’. At the moment, numbers seem to be quite a bit down from where I’d like them, so if you are planning on attending either the Comedy Night and/or Summer Ball, please get in touch with me as I can’t always get round people to ask everyone in person and it makes my life so much easier. This weekend is our major events of the year and really helps bring some money in to the club (as well as being great fun in the process), so please please please help support it and spread the word as we’d love to see people from outside the club come along.

In closing, I wanted to remind you of the “One Club” values we’ve been building for a number of years now. It’s easy to quote the phrase “One Club”, but it’s living out those values that are important for each and every one of you as members whether you play for the 1st team, the Under 9’s or are a social member – everyone has their value and together YOU make the club what it is.

Cheers

Jez Lamb
Chairman