2007 Season Round-Up

 

The worst season on record for matches lost to the weather brought notable successes for the youth sides tempered by harder times for the adult sides.

 

All adult and youth league activities were relocated to the Cardiff University Playing Fields, Llanrumney.  As a result, the Club benefited from reduced journey times and professional, welcoming hosts offering excellent facilities at an affordable price.

 

Summer training for the youngest age groups was held at Heath Park.

 

Winter training activities were again focussed on UWIC and St David’s College.

 

ADULT SIDES

 

The adult First XI had a torrid season despite the commendable leadership of stalwart Mike Norris.  Losing many games to the rain, including several against the weaker sides in the Division, the side finished second from bottom and were relegated from Division Two of the Thomas Carroll South Wales Cricket League to the Welsh Club Cricket Conference.  In the reserve Division Two, Gary Israel’s side secured a creditable mid-table position.

 

The Club’s side in Division Three of the Welsh Club Cricket Conference, captained by the gallant Daniel Clayton, were unable to generate any momentum and finished at the foot of the table.  A late rally by Peter Allen’s Division Three Reserve League side allowed them to finish in mid-table.

 

Under new leadership in the form of Mike Caplan, the friendly side continued to prosper and this season shared an unlikely number of ties.

 

The midweek side led by Peter Allen also secured a mid-table place in the Vale of Glamorgan League.

 

Increasing numbers of past and present youth members established themselves within the Club’s four adult league sides.

 

Two six-a-side teams continued in the Sunday Indoor League, based at Sophia Gardens.

 

A record 105 guests attended the Annual Dinner.

 

William Ricketts Clubman of the Year:                              Clive Brown

 

John Humphry Player of the Year (First Team)               Andy Lloyd

 

Player of the Year awards for other teams were also presented to:

 

WCCC Division 2, First XI                Ed Morgan

SWCL Division 2, Second XI            Luke Jones/Owen Thomas

WCC Division 2, Second XI              Peter Allen

 

The adult tour to West Success was notable only for the rain curtailing all four matches.

 

Captains -       SWCL Division 2, First XI     Mike Norris

WCC Division 2, First XI       Daniel Clayton

SWCL Division 2, 2^nd XI       Gary Israel

WCC Division 2, 2^nd XI         Peter Allen

Friendlies                                Mike Caplan

 

YOUTH SECTION

 

At Under-9 level, the side performed well to finish fourth in the Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan table, winning six of their nine matches to survive the weather.  An additional Club tournament at Heath Park was well supported by all parts of the Club.

 

For the first time, the Club entered the A-divisions of the C&VoG leagues at Under-11 (Dragons), Under-13 and Under-15 levels and each side met with some success, each finishing in mid-table.  At Under-11 level, the growing number of younger players allowed for the establishment of C&VoG B-division side (Griffins) and for a Monmouthshire BS Youth Cricket League side and each of these also finished well-placed.  MBSYC league sides were also fielded at Under-13 and Under-15 levels, the latter finishing runners-up in a strong division.

 

The Youth Section Awards Night attracted over 140 guests and featured the formal presentation of ECB ClubMark accreditation.  Every member of the youth section received an award.

 

Player of the Year -   Under-11  Matthew Edwards

Under-13  Hugh Meatyard

Under-15  Owen Thomas

 

Batting Award -        Under-11  Tom Rogers

Under-13  Taron Ikram

Under-15  Alex Curry

 

Bowling Award -       Under-11  Jordan Bowen

Under-13  Nick Fowler

Under-15  Luke Jones

 

Coaches Achievement Award -        Under-11 C&V Dragons        Owain Griffiths

Under-11 C&V Griffins         Liam Jones

Under-11 MBSYCL               Dylan Johns

Under-13 C&V                       Hugh Price

Under-13 MBSYCL               Rajath Sathyaprakash

Under-15 C&V                       Andrew Robinson

Under-15 MBSYCL               Robert Price

 

Jeff Sullivan Young Cricketer of the Year - Luke Jones

 

Fourteen Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan county caps were awarded to Jordan Bowen, Nye Brown, Nick Fowler, Shivam Goyal, Sakib Ikram, Matthew Edwards, Taron Ikram, Luke Jones, Richard Long, Hugh Meatyard, Luke Morgan, Thomas Morgan, Guru Ravikumara and Joe Williams.

 

Coaches/Managers - Under-9           Clive Brown

Under-11         Dave Edwards (Dragons), Matthew Williams/Martin Williams (Griffins) Rod Bowen and David Flynn (MBSYCL)

Under-13         Ian Morgan (C&V), Gareth Bowen/Ian Tabor (MBSYCL)

Under-15         Rhys Jones/Ivan Jones

 

Gareth Bowen, Zahed Ikram and Matthew Williams qualified as ECB Coaches.  David Flynn qualified as a Level 2 ECB coach.  The Club was grateful for the financial support of Sportlot Community Chest in respect of these training opportunities and to the Lisvane Community Association for its financial contribution towards the Club’s first bowling machine.