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Derek appointed Bedfordshire coach
January, 2009

Former England batsman and Matlock Cricket Club's Derek Randall has been appointed Bedfordshire coach for the 2009 season.

   He played 47 Tests and 49 one-day internationals between 1976 and 1985, but is best remembered for his magnificent 174 in the Centenary Ashes Test at the MCG in 1977.

   Randall, 57, has built his reputation as a coach at Bedford School – he includes England opener Alastair Cook among his former pupils – and will combine this with his role at Bedfordshire.

   One of the finest outfielders of his generation, Randall spent the majority of his playing career at Nottinghamshire, although he represented Suffolk at Minor Counties level until the age of 50. He also coached at Cambridge University.

   His appointment came on the day Bedfordshire announced that Jonathan Walford will take over as captain. He succeeds James Knott, who has stood down to concentrate on playing.

   "I think we have the basis of a very good team and I am really looking forward to the coming season," said Walford, who deputised for Knott last summer.

Dave Ramsden welcomed back
January, 2009

Matlock Cricket Club are delighted to welcome back ex-captain and player for many years Dave Ramsden who will help groundsmen Clarry Hill and Les Wood in the preparation and upkeep of the playing and surrounding areas of the ground.

   All three groundsmen will have their work cut out this season with no fewer than 65 fixtures being played down at Causeway Lane this coming 2009 season.

Annual Dinner Report
October, 2008

The Club celebrated the 2008 season with the Annual Dinner & Presentation of trophies held on Friday, 17th October, at Alfreton Golf Club, when nearly 90 people enjoyed a very successful evening.

   Principle guests were Club President Clarry Hill and his wife Andrea, Hon Life Vice Presidents David Ramsden, Les Wood and Martin Wood accompanied by their wives.

   Guest of honour for the evening was the well-respected Derbyshire Junior Coach David Brittain and his wife Frances, with David kindly agreeing to present the 2008 trophies.

   Following an excellent meal Captain Steve Pell gave a resume of the 1st XI season and revealed that the batting award was won by Josh Mierkalns, the bowling by Mandla Mashimbyi and the 'Players Player of the Year' by a resounding margin was 17 year old Adam Burton.

   2nd XI Captain Guy Roberts gave a similar report on their season and announced that the batting had gone to Luke Pressland, the bowling to Ian Watson and the 'Players Player of the Year' award also to popular man Luke Pressland.

   The Junior section of the Club was outstanding in 2008 with the Under 14s winning the Peak District League at the first time of trying. The Under 13s finished Champions & Cup Winners of their age group and last but no means least, the Under 12s finished Champions, Cup Winners & Champion of Champions of the Notts & Derby Border Youth League concluding a best ever season for Matlock Juniors.

   Ray Mullaney was first up to proudly present the Under 14s report and declare the winners of batting Joe Pyne, bowling Drew Mullaney, All-Rounder Hugh Wragg and the Managers award went to James Heading.

   Mark Burton gave the Under 13s report and announced his winners as, batting Matthew Roberts, Bowling Cameron Higginbottom, All-Rounder Drew Mullaney with the Managers award going to James Coey.

   The exploits of the Under 12s received acclaim as Manager Ray Mullaney described their success and looked optimistically towards the future of the Club. Trophy winners for this age group were, batting Ewan Fisher, bowling Tristan Kawalek and the All-Rounder award went to Drew Mullaney. The 'Most Improved Player' award this year went to thirteen year old Matthew Roberts who displayed great maturity with the bat in the Under 13s section. The 'Most Promising Award' was won by Adam Burton, a quick bowler who took 36 wickets in Division 1 at the age of only 17.

   The Final award was the 'Clubman' trophy which is awarded for contribution and effort to the Club and this year for their considerable commitment in providing an excellent extension to our Clubhouse, the award went unanimously to our President Clarry Hill and his wife Andrea.

   The Chairman then concluded the evening by thanking everyone for attending, with particular mention to Paul Chadbourne for his organisation of the event and with an optimistic look forward to 2009 and the exciting introduction of a 3rd XI in the Derbyshire County League..

'Champion of Champions' final
confirm U12's status
26 July, 2008

Ashover 132 for 10 lost to Matlock 182 for 2

In a re-run of the KO cup-final Matlock travelled to Ashover to take on their local counterparts on their home patch. Enjoying the best of the summer so far the Matlock squad gave as good an overall display as you could expect from a team at this age group.

   Bowling first, at the request of the home team, Thomas Cruttenden and Marcus Vickery kept the normally lively Ashover opening pair subdued and despite a good attempt at aggressive batting they were unable to score off many deliveries. The taking of the first wicket by Vickery in the fourth over heralded one of the best fielding performances given by these youngsters and there was hardly anything on offer for Ashover in the way of extras.

   Matlock's second bowling pair, Drew Mullaney and Ewan Fisher then came on to be pitted against some good batsmen as the home team adjusted their batting line-up accordingly. However, this reshuffling appeared to back-fire as four wickets went down in the next four overs giving Ashover a run advantage of 'net two'. The third and youngest pair of bowlers for the away side, Edward Blackburn and Harry Wragg, then took the ball and produced displays of bowling mature beyond their years to make it difficult for Ashovers batsmen.

   Losing a further two wickets the home team again had to take a poor return off the four overs with just 10 runs added to the total. Something special was required by Ashovers fourth pairing but Ed Fletcher produced perhaps his best display of bowling this season and refused to let the batsmen express themselves. A further three wickets in the last four overs restricted Ashover to just another seven runs giving a relatively low total of 132.

   Highlights of this session in the field were three run- outs which came as the result of a fine work ethic and clean fielding together with a superb display of wicket keeping by Harvey Hosein.

   What looked an easy target proved to be just that and runs were steadily accumulated first by Cruttenden and Hosein, followed by Blackburn and Wragg who's cover drives for four were a joy to behold. By the time Vickery and Fletcher had done with the bowling Matlock were already ahead of the game and only the loss of several wickets could have turned this around for Ashover.

   However, batting has been a strength of this Matlock squad all season and this was underlined by the final pair of Fisher and Mullaney who accelerated the run-rate well away from the grasp of their hosts to end the game fifty runs ahead and claim a third trophy to end what has been an impressive season.

Double delight for U13's
26 July, 2008

In the U13's KO cup final, sponsored by HSBC, Matlock found themselves up against league rivals Baslow in what was to become a very topsy-turvy, nail-biting match.

   Held at Morton CC's picturesque ground Matlock went in to bat with openers Adam Bedford and Matt Roberts looking to get a solid start to the innings. The pair made steady progress until Bedford had to retire on 25 but with Drew Mullaney replacing him the tempo did not slacken.

   Roberts was bowled by Jackson in the thirteen over for 16 but then Mullaney and Ewan Fisher added quick runs before Mullaney also had to retire with the evenings top score of 26. Both Harvey Hosein and Cameron Higgenbotham were then unlucky to perish early to attempted attacking shots and when David Lander was run out it seemed that the middle order may struggle to make a significant contribution.

   However, with just three overs to go Jim Coey strode to the centre for what was to be a match changing innings. He hit 20 runs off 8 balls to rapidly change the complexion of the match and leave the Matlock total on a competitive although reachable 124 for 6.

   Excellent bowling by Lander and Tristan Pell meant runs were never easy to find but Baslow displayed good batting strength and openers Ross and Rooke set about the task with patience.

   It was not until the ninth over that the breakthrough was achieved for Matlock when two wickets in two balls by Higgenbotham removed both openers and allowed the arrival of East. This announced a significant change of pace and with boundaries beginning to flow the Baslow run-rate accelerated towards Matlocks total. However, East departed after achieving a quick-fire 24 and the committed fielding of Matlock began to tighten the Causeway Lane sides grip on the match. Oliver Easom, Roberts, and Mullaney ensured that few chances existed for quick singles and with wicket keeper Harvey Hosein putting on a superb performance behind the stumps there were few extras on offer.

   Tight bowling in the middle of the innings from Hani Taktak, Coey and Higgenbotham meant that Baslow were never really able to capitalise sufficiently on their good position to be confident of reaching the target. With only twenty runs required off the last four overs the game had swung slightly in Baslows favour but it was still anybodies going into the last over.

   With Baslow requiring five to win, three singles off the first three balls gave them the edge but in an exciting end to a great match Bedford took two wickets and then Mullaney ran out Hague on the last ball to leave Baslow two runs short. This was a fantastic evenings cricket which allowed the Matlock U13 team to replicate their U12 compatriots in achieving a league and cup double, reflecting the hard work put in by the players themselves and by their coach and manager Mark Burton.

Under 12's win cup final against Ashover
18 July, 2008

In a tight game, hosted by Denby Cricket Club, the U12's brought home the cup to Causeway Lane as the result of a fine all-round performance.

   After loosing the toss and being asked to bowl the Matlock side restricted Ashover to 163 at the end of the 16 overs. A fine opening spell by Tristan Kawalek set the tone and with further tight overs from Thomas Cruttenden, Edward Blackburn, Harry Wragg and Marcus Vickery Ashover were having to rely on their most forceful, last pair of batmen.

   Despite attempting to put the ball to all corners of the ground the Matlock bowlers Ewan Fisher and Drew Mullaney kept the runs down and Ashover finished on a competitive but achievable 163.

   A gettable target was made more gettable by the openers Harvey Hosein and Thomas Cruttenden who put on 23 for the first partnership after four overs.

   The second pairing, of youngsters Harry Wragg and Edward Blackburn continued to push the scoring along with the added bonus of no wickets lost during their stay at the wicket. The third pair of Tristan Kawalek and Marcus Vickery took Matlock closer to victory but there was still plenty to do when Ewan Fisher and Drew Mullaney went out to bat as the last pair.

   When Fisher lost his wicket a tight finish was on the cards and Matlock still needed one run to overhaul Ashover going into the last over. With minus five runs to be had as a forfeit for any further lost wickets the game went to the very last ball.

   Mullaney batted out the innings safely, to claim both the cup and the 'man of the match' award from the umpires Tom Rooke and Keith Longdon.

   The cup was presented by Fred Hickton from 'Hi-field' Leisure who had sponsored the U12 competition for this season.

U12's and U13's reach cup finals
15 July, 2008

Both Matlock U12's and U13's have reached their respective cup finals with victories over the same opposition. The U12s beat Marehay at Causeway Lane with the U13's having to travel to Marehay to secure victory. This is the first time that Matlock have had two teams reach finals during the same season with the dates for each final as follows:-

• U12's v Ashover U12's on Wednesday 17th July, 6.00pm start
  (Venue – Denby CC)
• U13's v Baslow 13's on Monday 21st July, 6.00pm start
  (venue – Morton CC)

Come and support the lads if you can.

League championships secured
15 July, 2008

The U12's and U13's have made it a double for both teams with the league titles being added to the cup final appearances already secured.

   The U12's secured their title three weeks ago although they still have one league match to play this Wednesday when they take on their compatriots from Matlock – the Matlock 'B' side, who themselves are mid-table after close, memorable wins against both Baslow and Wirksworth.

   The U13's secured their league title with a comfortable victory against near neighbours Wirksworth. Both titles reflect the commitment shown by the players throughout the season with consistency of player availability making the coaches lives both very easy, in terms of putting out a team but also very hard in player selection and keeping all squad members happy.

   The U14's are also in the running for their 'Northern Dales' league title with two matches to go. They are joint top with Baslow and with matches against Calver and Bakewell to come it is going to be a close and exciting final few days of the Junior season. Victory hear would complete an outstanding season for the junior section and would reflect the enormous amount of time given to coaching from the club.

   With training sessions on Saturday mornings (9.30 till 11.30) always hugely popular, especially at the Kwik Cricket age group the future of Matlock cricket looks rosy.

Matlock Cricket Club "3rd Team"?

A meeting is to be held at the Club House, Causeway Lane, Matlock, on Wednesday 2nd July (8.00pm) to assess the level of support for a third team to play in the Derbyshire County Cricket League from next season – 2009.

   In an endeavour to provide competitive cricket for the increasing number of cricket players currently being produced by the junior section of the club, MCC are considering applying to the Derbyshire County Cricket league for a team to be placed into the league structure.

   Before such a decision is taken, the club are asking for any one interested in either playing or becoming involved in supporting such a venture to either attend the meeting or to contact any of the following club officials:-

Peter Stapleton 01773 834130
Steve Haslam 07778 305220
Ray Mullaney 01629 55589

Under 12's cup semi-final
switched to Causeway Lane

The venue for the cup semi-final against Marehay, to be played on Thursday 3rd July has now been changed to Causeway Lane, Matlock.

   Due to pressure on the Marehay ground, Marehay have asked for the tie to be re-arranged, with the cup match now to be played at Matlock. The Under 12's, who already look to have secured the league title, are hoping to make it a double for the season. Play should begin at 6.30pm.