Here We Go, Here We Go!!
Since writing my first blog preparations for the season have intensified.  Taking advantage of the adverse weather conditions (glorious sunshine) we have been able to train outside on the grass.  Now the first grass net of the season is always interesting, on one hand you have the bowlers with their new balls in hand raring to go and on the other it goes something like this “Denty do you want a bat?” “Not yet I just want to see if anyone gets their head taken off”.  Practice nets in the past have always been notorious and don’t really replicate the wickets in the middle, but this season credit must be given to the new ground staff of Gordon Horrock’s and Roger Davies for producing some good practice wickets so early on in the season.
We have now got two friendly games under our belt and most players have got some decent game time.  The first friendly against Walshaw couldn’t have gone any better, everyone contributed with bat and ball and I was very impressed with the fielding, all cumulating in a comprehensive victory.  Last weekend we entertained Astley Bridge, and after an initial impressive start by the top order, we had an equally impressive collapse leaving the visitors needing only 135 for victory.  Defending small totals isn’t easy and it’s important you don’t let the opposition off to a flyer.  So we let them get a flyer and the rest is history with only Dale Gabriel and Toby McLean coming away with any credit.  During the season all I want from my bowlers is to bowl one side of the wicket allowing me to set a field so we can control the game, at times this weekend I felt like I was conducting traffic.
With one week to the start of the season the excitement is building and everyone just wants to get going.  As mentioned in my previous blog we will be aiming to get off to a flyer, starting with Nelson at home on Sunday.  Last season we had some good battles with Nelson and I am sure it will be the same this season. I am not going to make any predictions, but as long as we concentrate on our own game and work hard during the week I am confident we can have a good season. 

Here’s to the new season.   Woodsy

Seconds Gear Up For Season

It has been decided by the powers that be Andy Dalby (aka Frank Arnesen) – Director of cricket, player recruitment and serial text pest, that the second eleven need more exposure, hence why I am writing this blog. 

Firstly, I would like to echo Jon Fielding’s comments and welcome all the new players to the club.

 For those who don’t really know me, my background is Rammy.  I have played at the club from the earliest age possible and progressed through the age groups right through to senior cricket. The biggest influence on my cricket with out doubt was Brian Taylor, I played under his captaincy (Little Hitler regime) during my time in the third team and eventually the second team, his tough mentality certainly made several players not just myself into winners, something which I will be looking to do with the current group of players.
My first job during the pre season was to approach Mark Dentith to become my vice, after an hour and a half on the telephone Denty agreed!!! With Denty’s experience I am sure he will do a great job, and I can’t wait for him to team up with Chappy in the dressing room.  

This pre-season has been the best I have known at Rammy, we started at the end of January with Cooey at Woodhey and are currently coming to the end of indoor nets at Old Trafford which have been really useful and have enabled me to look at who has improved over the winter.  We have two mixed friendlies on the 10^th April, as you will see from the teams selected we have a strong group of players at present, something which affected the Second team last season. 

Our aim for the coming season will be to try and catch the impressive Nelson who last season completed the double double, this makes Nelson massive favourites again for both League and Cup, especially if the rumours are true about the Stackstead spitter (ex Rammy player Steve Eardley) joining their ranks.  I am a massive believer in momentum and it will be our aim to get off to a flyer which we have struggled to do in the last couple of seasons and has ultimately cost us any chance of challenging for the honours.

 Ones to watch 

Charlie Hamilton:  Charlie is a young leg spinner who has unbelievable control of the cricket ball for someone so young.  Charlie works really hard on his cricket with his bowling coach throughout the winter and hopefully he will get his rewards.  My first experience of Charlie was his first net session with the seniors, not many of the lads knew much about him, but by the end of the session they were saying ‘who’s this lad’, and the rest is history.  I am sure he will be seen in the first team over the coming years, as long as he keeps working hard.
Tom Parton:  Tom is another young player, who has the promise to progress further at Rammy.  Tom made his breakthrough last season with some impressive batting and wicket-keeping performances for the second eleven.  With the winter behind him Tom looks to have got stronger which will definitely help his batting. 

Matty Lees:  What can you say about this lad?  I see him as a genuine all rounder who has been excelling in the seconds since he made his debut.  An aggressive batsmen with a solid defence and a great temperament as well as medium pace bowler who never lets you down.  I expect to see Matty making a few appearances in the first team this season.

 Until next time, Woodsy