NEWS 2003
20 October - Annual dinner and AGEM have both been and gone with a good response to both. Reports will appear here soon.
13 September - So that's it then, another season over with. We weren't that good, we weren't that bad, just average really. Another couple of players we might be better but who knows? We've enjoyed it, it's better than working and I can't wait for next year.
31 August - In a disappointing finish to the season Fairford were defeated by 7 wickets by relegation threatened Kings Stanley. In a game that typified the season the majority of the home batsmen made starts but no-one took responsibility to make a major innings. After tea a magnificent century by Alan Jones ably assisted by a plethora of extras saw the visitors to a comfortable victory.
The seconds were defeated by league winners Cheltenham Saracens despite a career best innings from Steve Williams. Highlight must have been the opening bowler's comments on taking the first wicket "About f****** time" and then turning to the non striker " Don't know what you're f****** laughing at, you're next." Suggest he tries to play first team cricket if he's that f****** good.....................
24 August - Winning run comes to an end with 6 wicket defeat in competetive game at league winners Cinderford. Half centuries from Nick Brothers and Adie Newport helped Fairford to 170-9. In reply Cinderford cruised to victory in the 41st over despite 2 wickets each for the impressive Rich "well bowled meee" Moreing and Ed Bird; and a sensational legside stumping by Bully Gray.
The seconds were unfortunately without a game as Aston Ingham could not raise a side.
Sunday team defeated visiting Chalford with 58 from Paul Freeman and an unbeaten 80 from Matt Williams taking them past their target of 220.
17 August - Fairford increased their winning run to 5 and ensured division one cricket in 2004 with a convncing 171 run win over Witcombe. Captain Mark Leadbeater anchored the innings with an unbeaten 83, Del Townsend playing another superb innnings off 56 before walking off and then a violent 67 not out from Mark Greener took Fairford to 263 for 4.
In reply Wicombe lost a wicket to the first ball of the innings bowled by Adie Newport, who ended with 2-6. Ed Bird continued his good run with another 2 wickets before Rich Moreing turned in a marvellous spell of off-spin bowling to finish with 5-25.
The seconds continued their push for promotion with an interesting 4 wicket win at Churchdown. After 5 bowling changes in the first 7 overs Paul Morris took 6 wickets as the hosts were dismissed for just 75, then after a small tea the fun began. Fairford found themselves 0-3, then 10-5 before runs from Aiden Messer, Morris and Cliff Taylor took them to victory.
10 August - A tense game on a wicket of variable bounce saw Fairford take a step closer to avoiding relegation with a one wicket win. Ed Bird continued his return to form with 5-20 well supported by Adie Newport (2-12) and Rich Moreing (2-10) as Newent were dismissed for 101.
After looking comfortable at 60-2, with Del Townsend contributing another cameo innings, an horrendous collapse saw Fairford slump to 68-8. Colin Bullock once again proved to be the hero guiding the side home with an unbeaten 23, with fine support from Sid Peyman and Ed Bird who hit the winning runs.
The seconds continued their win one, lose one, win one sequence with a convincing victory over St Stephens. Batting first Fairford scored 285 for 9 with remarkably nobody scoring a half-century. St Stephens were then dismissed for 101 with Martin Bond taking a hat-trick.
To complete a clean sweep for the club this weekend the Sunday XI defeated Kempsford, Shep Bennett making an unbeaten 66 and Aiden Messer taking 4 wickets.
4 August - The winning run goes to three with a 4 wicket win over Frampton-on-Severn. After winning the toss and inserting the opposition Fairford took control with Ed Bird taking his first five-for of the season to leave Frampton on 68-6 after 24 overs. With an early finish in sight the tailenders batted resolutely to set a target of 152. A sparkling innings of 51 by Del Townsend looked to have secured a comfortable victory but 3 wickets in 6 balls saw a mid innings collapse before Captain Leadbeater with 46 saw his side home with assistance from Colin Bullock and Mark Cook.
The seconds roller coaster seaon continued with defeat at Westbury-on-Severn. The home side chalked up an impressive 210 for 4 and despite 69 from occasional player Simon Embleton-Smith Fairford were all out for 184 in reply.
27 July - Rain wins the day. After winning the toss and inserting Kingsholm on a damp track Fairford performed the rare feat this season of dismissing both opposition openers before the score reached 30. Unfortunately the persistant drizzle became heavier until the umpire had no option but to abandon the game.
The seconds had no fixture but I'm sure if they had it would have been the only game played in the county!!!
23 July - Two thrilling finishes result in a rare double for Fairford.
Invited to bat the firsts scored 237 for 6 with Mark "Bruno" Greener scoring a rapid 73. Contributions from all the other batsman and extras resulted in Fairford's highest league score this season.
Stone were unfazed by the total and batted steadily throughout to keep wickets in hand. A late assault saw 14 required from the final over and despite a 6 from the 3rd ball Fairford held their nerve to win.
Unfortunately the game was played in poor spirit, both teams upset with the others umpiring skills (or lack of them), with an undercurrent of poor feeling throughout which overshadowed an excellent game of cricket.
If the county league wants to be taken seriously it is high time it made sure all division one games have at least one umpire (as per league rules).
The seconds racked up amassive 245 for 8, no-one scored fifty but there were impressive contributions from Cliff Taylor, Bryan Jobling, Matt Williams, Rich Bennett and John Watts.
As with the first team game the opposition got too close for comfort and led by their captain's century fell just 4 runs short, Jobling and Paul Morris leading the bowling attack with 2 wickets each.
12 July - First team finally win a game !!!!! Shurdington chose to bat and were looking at a disappointing total until they smashed 64 from the final 4 overs to finish on 204 for 5. Once again Fairford's failure to take early wickets cost them dear in the latter stages, Rich Moreings off-spin was the pick of the bowling.
After losing Nick Brothers first ball and Clive Gray soon after to leave the score at 17-2, Fairford recovered with 3 successive 50 partnerships. Mark Leadbeater, Del Townsend, Adie Newport, Mark Greener and Colin Bullock on his return all made significant contributions as the target was reached with an over to spare.
Second team lost heavily at Birdlip as the hosts racked up 224-2 after being asked to bat first and then skittled Fairford out for just 104 on a worn track.
6 July - Mark Leadbeater takes over as captain from Derek Townsend. A much improved display from the first eleven but another defeat, this time by 55 runs at Tewkesbury. After keeping the run rate down for the first 35 overs, wickets in hand allowed the hosts to hit out successfully at the death to post 189 for 5. In reply Fairford played the overseas opening fast bowler successfully but lost wickets at the other end. Apart from a belligerent 48 by Clive Gray no batsman was able to make a major contribution and the innings fizzled out at 134 for 9.
Seconds hammer Stinchcombe with Paul Freeman, Cliff Taylor and Colin Bullock all making half centuries in a total of 258 for 4. In reply Stinchcombe were bowled out for 96 with the experienced Steve Williams and youngsters Nick Clare and Andy Forrester all taking 3 wickets to give Fairford maximum points.
29 July - Running out of words to describe first team losses, this week to another previously winless team Kings Stanley by 15 runs. Normal problems, lack of penetration with the ball, lacklustre fielding and a failure to turn good starts into a big innings. They had 3 blokes in double figures - 2 got 50's, we had 8 in double figures and no one got to 30. I'm getting pissed off writing about our defeats every week when with a bit of extra effort (or luck) it could be so much different..............
Seconds lose to Cheltenham Saracens by 6 wickets after posting 174 for 9 with Paul Freeman coming out of retirement to score 69 and manage a whole game without injury.
One ray of sunshine came in a victory over a weakened Frocester Sunday team. Accurate bolwing from Newport, Greener (who doesn't bowl on Saturdays), Oli Taylor (who doesn't play on Saturdays) and Andy Forrester (who lives in South Africa) restricted the hosts to 179. After losing Tim Forrester to a suicidal run out, Simon Embleton-Smith (who doesn't play on Saturdays) smashed a brilliant 67 and along with Clive Gray, who stroked a cultured 63, knocked off the majority of the runs. Forrester the younger with a little assistance from Newport finished the job off. And Stella was less than £2 a pint ......
22 June - First team hammered again, this week by 10 wickets at home to Cinderford. A disappointing batting display against an average attack left Fairford with little chance of victory as they only mustered 136. Cinderford showed how good the track was with both their openers reaching 50's as they cruised to victory in the 25th over.
The seconds were unable to improve their league position as Aston Ingham were unable to raise a side.
18 June - Season goes from bad to worse as previously winless Witcombe thump Fairford by 46 runs. Lackluster bowling and fielding combined with a small, fast outfield to allow the Witcombe top order to play their shots to full advantage as they racked up 250. In reply Fairford fell short despite Mark Leadbeater's maiden fifty for the club and cameos from Adie Newport and Mark Greener. A big improvement is needed in all aspects of the game if Fairford are to drag themselves out of trouble.
In contrast the second's stormed to an 8 wicket victory over Churchdown. Excellent bowling by Paul Morris well supported by the father and son combination of Matt and Steve Williams dismissed the visitors for 89. Cliff Taylor and Williams Jnr appeared to be heading towards a 10 wicket win but an unnecessary stop for tea with just 20 odd needed resulted in a couple of lost wickets and it was left to the experienced Paddy Bullock to guide the side home.
9 June - Another disastrous collapse sees the first team crash to another defeat. From the strong position of 140-3 after 35 overs Fairford were all out for 159. In reply Newent stormed to victory in just 25 overs with their opening batsman hitting a brilliant 106 not out. The seconds also lost after posting 161 with extras contributing a fine half century, St Stephens then knocked off the runs for the loss of 4 wickets with overs to spare.
To complete a memorable weekend the Sunday side lost a friendly to Poulton by 4 wickets in spite of Ian McHardie-Jones scoring an unbeaten 53. Credit should be given to both captains for playing the game in the right spirit with a number of (very) young and (very) old players being given the chance to shine.
6 June - Against the common trend of developing young players Fairford seem to be promoting the older brigade. This week 3 players from Fairford represented Gloucestershire Over 50's in their match against Staffordshire - Graham Clark, Dick Tugwell and Ian McHardie-Jones. While Gloucestershire were victorious it is unknown as yet how our talented trio performed. Sponsorship from SAGA would be most welcome.
1 June - Fairford lose again, this time by 4 wickets to Frampton-on-Severn. Some fiery pace bowling had Fairford in big trouble before captain Del Townsend and Sid Peyman took the score to 115 all out. Colin Bullock and Adie Newport both took two wickets but some lusty hitting took the hosts to victory.
In contrast the seconds storm to victory by 7 wickets chasing 202. Paul Morris was unbeaten in the 80's for the second time this season and young Matt Williams made his first senior half century and went on to an undefeated 67 as the pair added 163. Earlier Morris had claimed 3 of the 5 wickets to fall and his outstanding early season form has led to a first team call up this coming Saturday.
25 May - Kingsholm win at Park Street after posting 197 for 8. In reply Fairford were all out for 184 in spite of all the top 7 reaching double figures, Graham Clarke top scoring with 38 with support from Adie Newport with 30.
17 May - 1st XI game at Stone called off after heavy rain. Despite covering the wicket Stone were forced to admit defeat when a heavy downpour arrived at 1.00pm. The seconds were involved in the only game in the whole County League but were on the wrong end of a drubbing from Cheltenham Civil Service.
12 May - First team visited Shurdington and won by 6 wickets. On a wicket described by the home team as "a piece of shit" Shurdington collapsed from 45 for 2 to 59 all out, with Adie Newport taking 5-9 and Sid Peyman 3-2. In reply Fairford stuttered to 24 for 4 before Rich Moreing and Lee Clark guided them home.
Second team beat Birdlip by 4 wickets, Paul Morris scored an unbeaten 87 well supported by Colin Bullock and Matt Williams. Earlier Bullock had taken 3 wickets as Birdlip reached 159 for 5.
Bredon win in the village knockout by 71 runs after an already injury hit Fairford suffered when 5th bowler Mark Greener picked up an injury after bowling 4 balls. Some enforced pie throwing gave Bredon an over par score which Fairford were never able to match despite good innings by Graham Clarke and Mark Cook.
4 May - First team get stuffed by 9 wickets at home to Tewkesbury. From a position of strength at 68 for 1 on a difficult wicket an amazing collapse saw 9 wickets fall for 21 runs. With the wicket drying out the visitors had no problem in knocking off the runs required.
The second team game at Stinchcombe was called off on Friday night as the week's rain prevented any work on the wicket.
27 April - First game of the season at Cirencester was cancelled.
20 April - Don't forget Cookie's Quiz Night on Friday 25th April at 8.00pm!
The club is now open Tuesdays and Fridays for nets and work on the clubhouse and ground. All help is appreciated. At the moment the ground is looking a picture thanks to Geoff Telling and a few club members.
First league fixtures are on May 3rd with the firsts hosting Tewkesbury and the seconds visiting Stinchcombe. Call Del or Cliff with your early season availability.
An order for shirts and caps will be going in soon, you should have received a newsletter with an order form, if you didn't e-mail fairfordcc@btinternet.com and I will send you one.
10 April - Don't forget Cookie's Quiz Night on Friday 25th April at 8.00pm.
