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YORKSHIRE SENIOR SCHOOLS CRICKET ASSOCIATION President - Robin Smith TD., LL.B., DL. Chairman - Dennis Richards Temporary Secretary - Dennis Richards, St Aidans C of E HS, Treasurer - Adam Punt |
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Ian Frost gives his Annual Report below. The 2007 St Peter’s cricket festival will unfortunately be remembered for being one of the wettest for many years. The matches against Yorkshire Academy and Nottinghamshire Cricket Board were particularly badly affected and were ultimately washed out, but all our fixtures were subject to delayed starts and wet conditions which created problems throughout the week. As a result of the inclement weather, opportunities for all the players were somewhat limited and this was a considerable source of frustration. However, when play was possible the squad produced some excellent cricket and achieved victories against Lancashire, Durham and the XL Club whilst losing only once against Leicestershire. Captain Matthew Pickles proved to be an excellent leader on and off the field and he also contributed well with the bat adapting well in the middle order where he played crucial innings in the victories against both Lancashire and Durham. Harpal Ryatt scored an excellent 85 against Leicestershire and Adam Waite and Charlie O’Kelly scored half centuries in the XL Club fixture. However, Charlie O’Kelly’s most impressive batting performance was in the tense low scoring match against Lancashire where his vital 32not out saw us home in the final over. Michael Abbott, Andrew Duckworth and Stephen Nuttall all scored useful runs and on the whole the batting looked strong. It was therefore particularly unfortunate that the wet weather significantly reduced opportunities for the batters during the week. Opening bowlers Adam Wilson and Max Davidson bowled well throughout the festival showing good control and considerable effort. However, left arm spinner Dan Craven was the leading wicket taker for the second year running with 7 and he proved difficult to get away. Against Lancashire Dan’s figures were 2 for 10 in 9 miserly overs. However, Charlie O’Kelly produced the best figures of the week with his off spin, achieving 4 for 15 also in the Lancashire fixture. The wicket keeping was shared by Rob Nicholson and James Tattersall and was of a high standard all week as was the ground fielding and catching, and this played a key role in the success that was achieved. The Laurie Bennett Player of the Week Trophy was won by Dan Craven for the second year running, this being the first time that any player has won the award twice. This year’s squad proved to be a very pleasant group and once again this made the job of the manager much easier. I would like to thank Glenn Roberts, Ryan Bradshaw and Keith Jones who all helped with residential duties during the week at St Peter’s and Lee Margerison who assisted with both trials. John Chambers once again meticulously organised the festival week and was ably assisted by Roy Gittins. Both have served the association for many years with great distinction and it was fitting that Roy should speak so eloquently of John’s service to Yorkshire Senior Schools, over so many years, on the final day of the festival as John has now scaled down his duties as secretary. We are delighted that John has continued to act as festival administrator. Thanks must be made to St Peter’s School for allowing our association to use their facilities once again, particularly to the Catering and Grounds Departments wh | |||||||||