It�s very much all change at Seaton Cricket Club as they prepare
for life back in the County League �A� Division after last
season�s disappointing campaign. The changes are on and off the
cricket square with the biggest one of all being the appointment
of former Somerset Chief Executive Peter Anderson taking on the
role of Chairman. Outgoing Chairman John Wheeler says it�s a
move that�s been in waiting for a number of years,
�We have been itching for Peter to retire from the
First Class County game and come and be our Chairman and now
we have got that wish.�
On the playing field Mike Cottam takes over as Skipper of the
1st XI whilst the 2nd XI will be led by Peter Lawson while Ian
Hunt will skipper the 3rds.
The 1st team hope to regain Premier Division status having
batted very poorly in 2005.
�We deserved to be relegated" said Mike Cottam
�but hopefully we will have learned a lot to take forward
into the A Division challenge.�
Somerset opener Neil Edwards has been recruited and
Zimbabwean leg-spinner and middle-order batsman, Tyrone Pigors
has returned for a second season. The main strike-bowler Rob
Hutchings has left for Ilminster but Cottam is not worried about
the bowling attack and says,
�Myself and left-armer Ashley Caddy will open and we
have several part-time seamers to help out. Raoul East and
Tyrone Pigors are decent spinners so we do have variety for
all situations.�
The batting is strong with a top-order of Edwards,
experienced Mat Hewer, the big-hitting Raoul East, stylish
Pigors and a good balance of experienced middle and late-order
stroke makers. Mark Jenkins has overcome a serious eye problem
and will keep wicket which comes as a big bonus as he is a
gloves man who likes to stand up to the stumps.
The 2nd X1 did very well to finish 4th in the Premier
Division 2nd XI competition last year and their aim is to
consolidate that status. The club hopes to expose two
up-and-coming 16 year olds into this side both of whom did very
well in the 3rd XI last season. Pace-bowler Phil Collins and
all-rounder Ben Morgan have been showing excellent promise in
the winter nets and both look to have the talent to hold down a
regular place.
The attack is similar to the first team in that there are a
trio of tied and tested seamers together with a couple of
spinners, Dave Field and Ashley Caddy. Veteran Phil Arbourne
will keep wicket, having narrowly avoided an intended move to
North Somerset. Skipper Pete Lawson says,
�We should hold our own on the bowling front but our
batsmen must show patience and application if we are to
mount a challenge for honours. They will need to bat around
big-hitting Shaun Perry if we are to set or chase targets.�
The 3rd XI will again feature a mixture of very old players
and very young ones. 16 year olds Matt Hancock and Ryan Walker
both had good seasons in 2005 and must now kick on to challenge
for a second team place. Very veteran Andrew Carter will keep
wicket and new Chairman Peter Anderson will play �from beyond
the grave� as the younger element of the Club like to describe
it!
Seaton will also field three colts� teams in the East Devon
League at Under 11, 13 and 15 levels. The very popular inter-pub
evening league will also be staged at the club�s ground on
Tuesday and Thursday nights.
A Seaton innovation for this summer is the friendly
inter-club T20 competition between Seaton, Axminster, Exmouth
and Sidmouth sponsored by Somerset County Sports Shop from the
County Ground, Taunton in conjunction with Bradbury Bats. Club
Secretary Darren Rogers said,
�We are very grateful to the sponsors for supplying
the trophy, coloured shirts and white balls. We think the
competition will be enjoyable and maybe lead to a
county-wide competition in due course.�
Apart from all that cricket, there is a full programme of
friendly Sunday and mid-week fixtures.
�Our ground is in use throughout the summer and we
have even managed to fit in some Devon youth games plus an
under 21 representative match� said Chairman Peter
Anderson. �We are also very pleased and honoured to stage
a T20 match against Somerset CCC in aid of Richard Johnson�s
Benefit Year on 23rd June. It is a Friday with a 5.30pm
start so we shall have to double the beer order.�
Colts� training nights are on Mondays 5.30pm onwards, adults
train on Wednesdays and new members of all standards are very
welcome. The Club would like to establish Ladies� Cricket and
Treasurer Judith Wheeler says,
�It would be marvellous if we could form a women�s
team so come on local ladies, how about it?�
Seaton Secretary Darren Rogers says,
�We have very good facilities and there is always a
nice atmosphere around the club due mainly to the welcome
given by Bars Manager John Millet and Facilities General
Manager Ken Winter whose stories shall we say, tend to
stretch the imagination.�
Anyone wishing for further information can ring Rogers on
01297 24942 or Chairman Peter Anderson at 01297 23507. |
