Bangor Cricket Club AGM 2020
11 min read
Chairperson Review of 2020 Cricket Season
Despite Covid and a truncated season, Bangor Cricket Club had an excellent summer in terms of consolidation and development in identified areas. At last years AGM I highlighted the need for the development of a club ethos and I am happy to report that this was clearly evident by the increased number of members sharing the burden of running the section, the attendance and enthusiasm of team members at training and the excellent behaviour and attitude shown by all both on and off the field. It was heartening to witness the success of all our teams with the season being crowned by our First team winning the Robinson Bowl.
Adam McCusker, Club Captain, Andrew Pyper and Ian Fletcher captains of our senior teams, deserve credit for their good work both on and off the field. While our senior teams performed very well, it was the development of our youth section which pleased me most with Peter McIlwaine at the helm of a really special group of youth coaches. With the average attendance at U11, U13 and U15 practices being thirty, our future is being nicely shaped. Next year, the introduction of a fourth eleven should allow a number of our younger players to experience senior cricket.
Having replaced Downpatrick in Section One for next season our first eleven will thrive if they continue to practice with dedication as was the case this summer. We were fortuitous in having Jonny Parker available as coach for the season and it was clear that his enthusiasm and hard work rubbed off on our players. One of the challenges for next year is to provide a high level of coaching for all our players. I would like to pay tribute to every single player who paid their full sub in the knowledge that matches would be limited.
I would like to thank the committee members for their sterling work throughout the Covid season and the youth coaches for their hard work. Stephen Burns received some much needed help throughout the summer but his dedication in keeping Uprichard Park a lovely venue for cricket is very much appreciated. It will be fabulous to watch four senior teams in action next year and I predict exciting years ahead as our younger age group cricketers start to filter into our senior teams.
Jeremy Stewart – Chairperson of Bangor Cricket Club
1st XI Report
This report will read somewhat like a Groom’s speech at a wedding, just a bunch of thank you’s. But after what the cricket club has managed to overcome to produce some excellent cricket, it is thoroughly deserved. Firstly to the group of players that made this year so enjoyable, everyone stepped up when selected for the 1stXI and put a lot of effort into training even with social distancing and more work involved in sanitising of equipment. It showed with some very clinical performances and we deserved to win all our games.
From our most senior players down to our new Development Squad, everyone played their part. Secondly to the families of those players and the families of everyone around the club. Our games had a great atmosphere and the family environment felt around the club from 1stXI games all the way down to the under 7s was something everyone can be really proud of. On that note, I’d like to thank those in charge of any form of junior cricket, the numbers were incredibly promising and the end of season family event was so well received by everyone, there were even lots of senior players getting involved to which was great to see.
Next I would like thank our 2 player coaches, Jonny Parker and Mike Grossett. Training was something we needed to improve and that certainly was the case this year with better attendance and more structured and effective net sessions. As well as some important performances on the field too. A big thank you must now go to the committee, this year more than ever a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to even make it possible to have people allowed into Upritchard Park, never mind play a game of cricket.
From health and safety procedures, organisation of meetings and fixtures, and putting everything in place for the club to receive its Clubmark Credentials. Finally to Stephen Burns, and anyone else who took time out to help with groundwork. Barney has produced some excellent wickets in trying conditions and it makes it even more enjoyable turning up to UP with the sun shining and seeing the ground look as immaculate as it deserves. Lets hope that whatever next season brings, we as a club can show our determination and willingness to improve and compete at a high level.
Adam McCusker – 1st XI Captain
2nd XI Report
The Shortened 2020 season meant the 2XI were only able to complete 5 of their 6 scheduled games in Junior League 2D. The team recorded a solid 4 wicket victory away to CSNI in their first game of the season after a well-constructed chase by Daniel Young and Stu Johnstone. The second victory of the season came in the final game against Downpatrick where the team recorded a win by a margin of 19 runs after an impressive all-round bowling performance when defending a low total.
The middle part of the short season was marred by tight losses against CSNI and Woodvale. These losses came by margins of 19 runs, 9 runs and a heart-breaking 1 run loss at home to Woodvale after some ‘frustrating’ umpiring decisions from our opponents. However, I feel a lot of the younger players and myself as a new captain learnt a lot from these games and these experiences will hold the team in good stead for a return to a full competitive league season in the future.
Despite only playing 5 games, there were several standout performances during the season. The bowlers put on a brilliant display at Downpatrick to bowl them out for 85. This included an outstanding 4-24 from Callum Houston, who was excellent with bat and ball throughout the season. In the same game, Thomas Boyd scored a gritty 31 in tough conditions to get us to a defendable total. Kris King (126 runs) and Daniel Young (125 runs) consistently made invaluable contributions throughout the season. Andy Beech and Conor Cox were always reliable and it was also great to see the young seam bowling talents of Michael Skelly, Ben Escott and the newly acquired Calum McDaid put in good performances. After a poor 2019 season, the shortened 2020 season has put the 2XI in a great position to challenge for silverware in the seasons to come. With 21 players used across the games, there is now a youthful feel to the squad with a few ‘experienced’ heads also in the mix. It has been a pleasure to captain the team and hopefully, there is success for the squad in the near future!
Andy Pyper – 2nd XI Captain
3rd XI Report
In this abnormal truncated season the 3rds had six competitive T20 fixtures over a five week period winning their league with only one loss. With the national travel restrictions in place availability and player appetite for the game was high which should provide part of the platform for the reintroduction of a 4th team in 2021. One of the most enjoyable matches in the season was a representative 3rd eleven friendly match against the U15’s from which the 3rds emerged as narrow winners. The game showed an untapped depth of talent in the U15’s, with only Michael Skelly, having represented the club in the senior teams which reinforces the need for the 4th eleven. Two new players, Adam Hill and Stephen Skelly, were introduced to the 3rds in the season seeing another Father Son combination join the ranks. Adam, who moved up from the juniors, played a pivotal batting role together with fellow U17 Jack Irwin in the last league match against Saintfield II’s to partner Peter McIlwaine through to a victory that secured the league title. In his only appearance of the season, Peter put in the 3rds performance of the season returning bowling figures of 4-1-7-2 and carrying his bat to 35 of the required 72 runs whilst seeing 4 teammates fall for ducks.
Other noticeable batting performances in the season saw Stu Johnston go 1 run better that Paddy McMillan to reach 50 before retiring and Matthew Quinn returning 81 runs undefeated in his 2 innings (50 ret’d in one). On the bowling front stalwart, Stephen Cumper, was head and shoulders ahead taking 11 wickets, in overall figures of 23-2-94-11, and vying for top wicket taker in the club for the season missing out by two wickets to Callum Houstoun. If only the Holywood II’s match had not been voided!
Ian Fletcher/Paul Houston – 3rdXI Captain
Bangor CC Youth Season Overview
After the frustrations of being locked down in terrific cricketing weather, and with the real threat that there would have been no youth cricket at all, the 2020 season turned out much better for the under-11’s and under -13’s that we ever could have hoped. Not only did they play as many matches as a normal season might have provided but the additional practice sessions that were provided were very well attended and the young cricketers can be proud of the performances they put in. In the end some 36 young cricketers registered at this age group this year and we regularly had 30 turning out to practice right to the end of August.
UNDER 11’s
The Under 11’s played 8 matches, winning all of them and showing some very encouraging development. Josh McMillan stood out for the number of runs scored, assisted by brother Felix on occasion, but the strength of the team was in the all-round performances by so many throughout the season. Selection was made routinely difficult by sound (and straight!) bowling and fielding performances by so many, several of whom were new to cricket this year. More work on batting with urgency over the off-season will stand us in good stead next season. Mentioning names may seem unfair, but the performances of Daniel Rayner, Max Johnstone, Myles McNaught and Cruz Gomes were notable. Congratulations to Josh McMillan on representing the NCU Under 11 team.
UNDER 13’s
The Under 13 age group was sparse in numbers, however this gave the Under-11’s the chance to step-up. Due to the weather only 2 matches were played at this group, both against North Down. But step up the younger players did and to their credit did not look out of place at this age group. The season ended with a very successful club day at Upritchard Park and we hope that the young cricketers and parents return to the club in numbers next season.
UNDER 15s
With a small but enthusiastic group we made the best of a short season. Tuesday night practices were well attended as were the new joint venture with the Club practice on a Wednesday. The intention of this is integrate players into the Senior Club rather than them dropping off after Youth Cricket. The Team was unbeaten in its Junior Matches but the weather took its toll towards the end and we missed the opportunity to play against tougher opposition. Thanks to all the guys that got involved and Stephen Skelly for his support. The season was very pleasing across all age groups. As a section we continue to grow the numbers and improve performance levels.
Peter McIlwine, Chris Escott & Tommy Speers – Youth Convenor
Bangor Cricket Club – Grounds Report 2020
As with pretty much everything else this season, grounds preparation was thrown into early chaos with lockdown coinciding with the time when preseason works would normally have started. With so much uncertainty, budgetary constraints were also to the fore and an early decision was taken not to engage the part-time services of Andy Cousins and to undertake grounds work “in-house”. With little expectation of any cricket being played, only essential maintenance was completed, April through to June, except for the annual shockwave and sanding contract work. A socially distanced work party completed the painting of the picket fence, a job that had been long overdue. This meant that when the announcement was made that a shortened season would commence, mid July, it was all hands to the pumps to get the ground prepared for competitive cricket. Needless to say the drought conditions experienced up till then soon changed once play resumed. It’s fair to say that preseason rolling was somewhat short of the normal 40 hours but nonetheless the standard of match pitches was good although storm Ellen to name but one did its level best to wreck havoc not only on the ground but the covers which were blown off the square and into the perimeter fence. Thankfully no material damage was sustained. After just 2 months of cricket, Upritchard Park hosted the Robinson Services Bowl Final having recovered from the torrential rains that threatened to curtail the end of season showpiece and looked as good as ever for the Final.
After several logistical issues, end of season works on the square were completed at the start of October. The NCU has acquired a scarifier for use by clubs and Bangor, as guinea pigs, were fortunate to have this machine available to give the square a really good clear out. Some 6 weeks on and green shoots are coming through albeit some over seeding in the Spring will be required on the bare ends. Regrettably the usual wet parts of the outfield remain a major issue and whilst drainage works had been planned for 2020, these were always subject to grant support which unfortunately fell fowl of COVID related cutbacks. 2020 was a challenging year to say the least but we are a lot wiser and good preparatory work should see us in decent shape for next season.
Stephen Burns – Grounds Convenor
Social Report 2020
Sadly, the social side of the club was massively affected by Coronavirus. As a club we had to adhere and follow all governing advice and laws that were given. With the clubhouse and bar being closed and restrictions on numbers it was difficult to conduct events that usually occurred through the season, such as the club quiz, night of the races and even a club dinner. With that been said it was encouraging to see that spectators and what limited social events that did occur were well supported and the atmosphere around the club has been welcoming and successful. The highlight was the BBQ and live music that accompanied a 1st XI fixture when social guidelines were eased slightly allowing such an event to happen. Thankfully the weather was perfect and a victorious day on the pitch followed by a beer and a beautiful late summer sun-set was exactly what was needed after lockdown. It was great not just to see those from the cricket side of the club present but a number from the rugby side of the club also enjoying a day at the cricket. Further encouragement came from the wide range of ages seen at the club, from young to old all enjoying cricket and each other’s company. With 2021 nearing and with hopefully the opportunity to return to “normal” (if you can remember what that was) the social side of the club will hopefully return with events that the whole community can be involved in and enjoy.
James M Griffin – Social Secretary
