Better to be UP and IN than DOWN and OUT!

The season really has drawn to a close with the last matches played this weekend. So now is the time to plan for next year. It's Onwards and Upwards for the NCI Ladies as we are now IN a proper league. (Promotion after only one season! Well done girls.) We also aim to continue to make our mark in the Studs and Stumps League as members of the IV team. A slight concern is the fact the IVs Captain Richard Young has been seen heading Downwards and Outwards. In his usual unnecessarily dramatic style of fielding he ended up sprawling his way to a seriously busted knee. His good knee! Well at least he waited to the end of the season to get his crutches out. Here's hoping the new bionic knee will be working for next season. Get better soon Richi.

GIRLIE CONFAB AT THE CRICKETERS - Wed 20th Sep 7.30pm
I suggest we get together to discuss and plan our agenda for the AGM. We need to be able to put our proposals for coaching, subs, kit purchasing, roles and responsibilities such as Captain, Vice, Fixtures, Cakes Monitor, Website Admin, etc. Being democratic this is your opportunity to make requests or suggestions for what you would like to do or have. So please come along in person and have a sociable pint at least. Further details of the discussion topics are on the Blog. Please post comments if you can't come along.

COACHING COURSES
The club is prepared to subsidise a few select people to attend an ECB coaching course to become an Assistant Coach. If you are able to assist with Junior Coaching next summer, then the NCI Youth Section will contribute to the cost. There is a "women only" course in Feb 07, but women are also welcome on the other sessions in October and November. Email me if you would like further details and an application form.

WINTER COACHING
We are planning some intensive coaching at Fenners before Christmas. It will differ from last year in that we need definite commitment to fund the coach and hall. Last year the club subsidised to get the whole ladies thing off the ground. But I am sure you will agree the coaching was excellent and really launched some promising cricketing careers. If you are interested then let me know or better still come along on Wednesday to the pub.

TWO COUNTIES LEAGUE 2007
Now we have really hit the big time as we will be playing in a Ladies league next year. This will mean 6 home games (on Parkers Piece) and 6 away games, the furthest being Ipswich where we played a friendly last year. This is our chance to seek revenge on the non-appearing Battisford and the teenage tantrum Woolpit. You can see how they all ended up this season on this link; right at the bottom of the page after all the men's results (hrrrrmph!) http://www.twocounties.com/leaguetables.html
We will also have the opportunity to enter the National Knockout Tournament which took me to Lords as 12th man. If you fancy running out on the same ground as Shane and Freddie then sign yourself up for some winter nets.

MEETINGS! MEETINGS!
The AGM is Friday 1st Dec which you are all welcome to attend at NCISSC. You can voice opinion and vote on issues like subs, club officers/roles etc. There is a pre-AGM meeting on Thursday 28th September to discuss what will be discussed at the AGM. (I'm just the messenger.)

END OF SEASON THRASH
Saturday 21ST October at NCISSC. Buffet, bar and boogie for about £15.

CHARITY CRICKET MATCH
If you want to see the cult hero Monty Panesar, Mr 20:20 Darren Maddy plus other cricketers who I don't recognise, then join Charlotte Edwards, England Ladies Captain, at Ramsey CC on Sunday Sept 24th. Her dad died of cancer this year and she is raising money for the Macmillan Trust. See the link for further details.

http://www.ecb.co.uk/womens/international/edwards-holds-matches-for-macmillan-appeal,9961,EN.html

C u Weds. Mine's a pint of IPA.

A Perfect Day for Cricket on Parkers Piece

Despite the fact we had another case of the disappearing opposition, Sunday was a beautiful day for playing cricket on Parkers Piece. We had plenty of support so managed a 30 over game with seven a side. This included yet more new recruits to our development squad. Catherine from Romsey brought her personal coach (and dad) with her, which was an excellent idea as Andy proved invaluable as player/umpire/field placing consultant. Also we had Paula and Caroline moonlighting from Cambridge Papworth. Topped up with testosterone from Steve and Richi. It all made a very close game.

Everybody had a chance to bat (more than once in some cases) and bowl and get some real match style practice. Well done to Margreta for stepping in to bowl her first over – thanks to me inadvertently overlooking the rules for 10 year old bowlers. I would pass the buck to the Child Welfare Officer who should have been on the case but I know her own welfare was a cause for concern due to excessive alcohol abuse the night before. (What an example to younger players Naomi!) Catherine showed a very mature attitude to the game and was very competent bowling despite the fact I made her bowl several yards more than she is supposed to. (Naomi I really need a briefing on this stuff before I get struck off for child cruelty.)

Erica was back with a bang from chasing criminals in Barcelona. They obviously don’t realise this woman kept wicket to Richi AND survived albeit with a broken bone. She also does counselling for abandoned women. What a fine upstanding contribution to society – especially for a teenager. Well done in getting trillions of points in your funny old baccalaureate exams and how dare you go off travelling and abandon the team? We’re all going to need counselling now!

It was great to have the experienced hands of Caroline behind the wicket and trying some of her suggested close in fielding tactics was exciting. Paula scored 56 and showed us where the boundaries were – on all sides. Thank you Paula we hadn’t really noticed them up to now. Sam overcame her nerves to fox a few with her unique bowling style and took a very valuable wicket which brought to an end Caroline’s innings at 31 runs. Beth was really made to feel uncomfortable on the forward defensive (not) and plugged away at a good opening partnership with Paula. Tresco and Straussy have a lot to learn from you.

Our international duo Deepti and Dharshie were their usual consistent all-rounding selves. Some spectacular diving around the field Deepti. Lois made a most valuable contribution getting the urn going at a very critical stage of the game (the end) and bowled really well. Take those positive urn thoughts out with you to bat Lois. Imagine you are batting for the Ashes not tea leaves. Faith came galloping back into the game fresh from a horsy time on Exmoor and faced up to some testing bowling tempting her down the wicket. (Get your parents to stay in the pub a bit longer next time then you’ll get more wickets.)

I managed 21 runs, two wickets and played my part as bowler in what is often referred to by cricket commentators as a “horrible mix up” between Steve and Richi which left the latter stranded at the wrong end. Not a sight we see very often - Richi run out!!! And he couldn't blame Mattie 4 hats umpire for that one. (Thanks for umpiring Matt.)

The only down side of the seven a side is that we clearly had more running to do in the field as my legs are killing me today. Last word for the Woman of the Match – Connie. She took 7 wickets, got three run outs and was 126 not out!! Wow! I hope your boy had a great birthday and that he appreciates the sacrifices you and the team have made for him.

You did however miss a very enjoyable game and great atmopshere. But just when you thought it was all over.........

Practice 6pm Wednesday
Despite the nights drawing in the weather has improved and everyone seems optimistic of a knockabout on Wednesday evening. Pub afterwards is The Eagle not The Cricketers for some reason. Don’t take it personally Audrey.

Sunday Games
Richi is organising a 20:20 match Ladies XI v U13s in the morning.
Followed by
NCI v Romsey Friendly 1.30pm start. Applications from Ladies are welcome for this XI.

Let Richi know for both games as I am away up in Leeds doing a reverse Connie with my Mom.

C u Weds.

The End is Nigh

We have our last game on Sunday 10th September against Battisford. Last chance to hit a four or a six, take five wickets or catches - whatever it is you hoped would be your personal best this season. Would be great if everyone could come along and at least do a bit of fielding.

I would like to be able to quote the total runs scored and wickets taken by NCI ladies, and the total number of ladies who have actually played for us this season at the annual dinner. So let's try and up the total in our final game. In fact guess how many ladies have played for us this season? Prize for the best guess.

Sam has guessed 45. Any advance?

I have a few names already but please let me know if you can play on Sunday. Bring a bit of grub too, our last supper, so homemade cake please Beth. I will confirm start time later but it's Parkers Piece as usual.

Summer Practice
Nets have been taken down at Leys School so we are planning a session on Parkers Piece on Wednesday instead from 6pm.

Taunton - The Home of Women's Cricket
The ECB announced last week that Taunton, Somerset County ground, is the new home of women's cricket instead of Lords. The England Ladies celebrated by getting beat there by India in the second test to loose the series 1-0. Not a good start. It didn't look that exciting on a grey and very windy day last Saturday but I can at least say that I have been in the same showers as Marcus Trecscothick. He wasn't there of course but I used his shampoo. (Blokes are so untidy. The home changing room needed a damn good clean. And hair taking out of the shower plug of course.) Unfortunately Cambridge Papworth Ladies CC failed to score enough runs to hold out against City of Leeds Ladies CC. But I do have a little runners up trophy from the National Knockout finals to start my collection of cricketing silverware. (Or plastic ware.) I was told I deserved it for my very vocal support as 12th man. (Confused the opposition to hear a Leeds voice shouting for the other side.)

Next year I hope to be there as Captain of NCI Ladies, bringing home a trophy. Or maybe just another shower with Tresco. (I think he is also known as Banger. Interesting.)

End of Season Bash
The last I heard it was Sat 21st October. So do let me know if you want to jog along. I will be compiling funny stories about you all and lining you up for awards of course. If anybody wants to give a helping hand with arrangements do get in touch with Richi or myself. Megan is going to decorate the hall I gather? (So are you returning from the home of women's cricket just for the occasion Megs?) I assume Thommo is in charge of champagne. There will be lots of Bolly darling - won't there?

Winter Nets
We are still consulting on this one. Looks like Wed night may clash with hockey for some. Do let me know any preferences for time, duration and night of the week.