HAPPY DAYS!!
27th May 2010

Here we are again a few weeks in to the season and what a start we have had having played 11 games in all competitions and winning 10 and joint top of the league. To be honest even I couldn’t have predicted such a great start especially with the difficulties we have had in securing a regular professional. On that note I would like to welcome Francois Du Plessis to the club and wish him a very enjoyable stay. We are very lucky to have such a great player for a large part of the season and I am sure he will fit in well with the lads and offer us some stability on the professional front. 

So why have we started so well? 

Quite simply our batting has been first class with our ability to pace our innings and build match winning scores being the key to our success. We have literally batted teams out of games and it is no secret that our bowling is also very strong and disciplined so we are always confident that if the batting engine is running well then the rest will look after itself whether defending or chasing targets. I have to say the way we are playing and with the confidence running right through the squad we are a real force to be reckoned with and would back us against any team at the moment. 

The 20/20 competition kicks in this week which I am really looking forward to. Again we should fare well in this format, especially with our pro being a 20/20 specialist with both bat and ball ( he opened the bowling for Lancashire last season ). I am sure the members will have some great Friday nights, especially if we qualify for the latter stages. This weekend also features the second round of the Lancashire Knockout. We play a very strong side in Bamford Fieldhouse who are arguably the favourites for the competition. I am however confident going in to the game, especially with home advantage. This should make for a cracking game of cricket.  

Now that I have settled in and got to know the players a little better it gives me a chance to give you an insight into some of the lads and some of the goings on during match days and training. As some of you may know we begin our match day warm up with a ‘friendly’ game of footy, usually caps versus none caps or oldies versus youngsters. We even tried Bell’s versus the rest but it was too one sided with Dave and Alex coming out 4 - 0 winners. This gives the lads a chance to get loose and kill a bit of time before the  warm up, stretching, fielding drills, throw downs, bowling, slip catching practice etc... A special mention  has to go to our regular sub professional, South African Ross McMillan. He showed huge commitment and skills during these games with some of the lads comparing him to the great Terry Butcher. I was slightly concerned when he informed me that he could only manage 4 overs as he was too knackered to bowl after the football game.

Lets just hope Faf shows the same kind of commitment eh.. 

One of the old traditions I have missed while playing in other leagues is the collection for five wickets or 50 runs. I have to say the lads have been spot on when volunteering to go round the ground and collect for the boys. Andy Caunce uses especially good selling techniques , this accompanied by a big smile and full on spring in his step we recon he increases turnover by 25%. Ross Brown decided to venture further a field and hit Rammy town centre retuning empty handed and a picking up a bill for a new collection box! A special mention should also go to Jack Walmsley and his all round enthusiasm for this task. There is no doubt the collections are increased significantly when JW does the rounds. Dressing room banter is always a key ingredient in bringing the lads together and creating a good team spirit. Whether taking the Mickey out of each other or dare I say it the opposition, the dressing room is always a great place to be. I do worry sometimes how thin the wall to the secretary’s office is and how much Sheila, Rod and anyone else for that matter actually hear! (we hear it ALL mate....Barney) 

Training also brings the boys together during the week with the batters usually in 20/20 mode and the bowlers in fetch and dodge mode. The problem comes when there is a junior cricket match being played directly in front of the nets at the opposite end of the field. Some of the lads seem to use the junior cricketers as target practice! Something I don’t encourage by the way. Mark Dentith in particular being the biggest culprit trying to hit as many straight sixes as possible. They say what goes around comes around and this was true last week when Mark was stood out of the nets putting the world to rights close to where we get padded up. Toby Mclean was batting in the nets and played a wonderful cross batter slog, times the pants off it and hit Mark flush on the knee at a rate of knots. The boys feared the worse saying he would be out for the big game against Hassy and that he had no chance of playing. Frozen peas were found and applied. Luckily Mark after ruling him self out on the Thursday made a miraculous recovery and made himself available for the game. Mark has since started practicing his sweep/slog for the fear of recriminations from above!! 

A quick mention must go the Andy Dalby and Andy Hakin who sub fielded for us in the recent Haslingden match when JP and FDP were injured. Hats off to both of them, especially Andy Hakin who had sunk 5 pints beforehand - I heard someone shout out ‘ we only need 9 men’ which I thought was a bit harsh. 

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members for all your encouragement and support - the lads really appreciate it and gives us a huge boost. 

Until next time  

Jon Fielding
 

Welcome To Pre-Season

Over the coming months I will try to give you an insight in to all things cricket related both on and off the field at RCC.

New Players:- I would like to welcome new signings Andy Hakin ( Nelson ), Andy Whittle ( Lytham ), Jamie Pilling ( Walshaw ), John Chapman ( Bacup ) and Andy Caunce ( East Lancs ). These additions to the squad, along with a top notch professional, Usman Khawaja ( NWS, Australia )  will put us in a great position to challenge on all fronts in both 1^st Xl and 2^nd Xl cricket.

Professional:- We have no doubt signed a good un! Usman is the leading run scorer for New South Wales this season with an average of over 40 and comes over with an excellent reputation. I am sure the whole club will make him feel welcome when he arrives.

Pre Season:- The lads have shown great levels of commitment during fitness training and thanks must go to ‘fitness coach’ cooey for running the Tuesday night sessions. Some of the older lads picked up a few ‘tactical’ niggles preventing them from full participation with only myself picking up genuine strains !!!
Mick Haslam was the only real casualty after he contested a 50/50 challenge with Ady Sutherland in the 5 a side kick about, coming out second best and cracking a rib in the process. Mick will miss most of the net sessions but will be OK for the pre season friendly's.
Monday nights see us down at Old Trafford for indoor nets which is going well. There’s nothing better after a hard days work than facing a red cherry at 85 mph from Toby Mclean!!
Again the lads are really focused and committed which will have a real bearing when we sit down and select the teams in a few weeks time.
Outdoor training begins on Tuesday 6^th April where our coach John Brierley and myself will be working closely with the players to ensure we hit the ground running come the opening weekend of the season.
The first of the  pre season friendly's have been arranged for the 10^th and 11^th April. The 10^th see both teams getting a run out with testing games against Ormskirk (away ) and Walshaw ( home ). The 1^st XL will play Woodlands (home) on the Sunday.

Looking Ahead:- I was lucky enough to be part of the 1992 championship winning team which included Rammy legends such as Jack Simpson, Ian Bell, Brian Taylor, Nick Riley and the great Stesh Hall, not forgetting our current team manager Pecker. They were memorable times and my goal as captain is to bring back the glory days to this great club.

Until next time 

Fieldo