[JonB]

Think this season coming will be season number 26 although may be 27....been that long I can’t remember when I actually started!! Bowled plenty in that time and if net too much I’ll be injured earlier in the season. Not sure how many I’ll play mins now we’ve got the little one as well. Definitely miss most of August as away in France for 3 weeks.

What level are you at now?

[Westbars Spireite]

Last season was the first year I didn't shamble round the field at all since 2003.

[JonB]

92 I think I started at clay cross properly after I think a few school games and two clay cross appearances where I was a specialist fielder in 91 so I don’t count that one. Suspect I’ve biwled plenty of overs in that time!!

[Westbars Spireite]

My first 'proper' games were 1993 I think (Baslow under 13s). I've got a trophy somewhere for most wicket-keeping dismissals in the Notts & Derbyshire border league that season. I can remember us winning some cup final as well that season at South Wingfield.

I can't recall playing at all between the ages of 17 and 24 but apart from the summer I was out of the country I don't remember why particularly. Can't have been asked (with good reason ).

[JonB]

Didn’t play any junior club cricket and just a few school games here and there with Manor School then Chesterfield Boys where we had a very useful side. My cricket education was bowling to my mate on his drive who was a top batsman so I did a lot of bowling then straight into men’s cricket in the lower reaches of the dccl and Mansfield league. My early dccl years there was none of this north/south division stuff so had some very entertaining trips out to places.

[Westbars Spireite]

JonB, on 08 March 2018 - 06:52 PM, said:

Didn’t play any junior club cricket and just a few school games here and there with Manor School then Chesterfield Boys where we had a very useful side. My cricket education was bowling to my mate on his drive who was a top batsman so I did a lot of bowling then straight into men’s cricket in the lower reaches of the dccl and Mansfield league. My early dccl years there was none of this north/south division stuff so had some very entertaining trips out to places.

To some places that no longer exist I guess.

My adult cricket as a teenager was with Sheepbridge IIs in the mid-90s at romantic Bassetlaw outposts such as Everton, Roses, Anston & Thurcroft. Looking back at the 2003 results (as far back as the league's own website goes) there are plenty of names still doing the rounds.

This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: 08 March 2018 - 07:08 PM

[JonB]

Few long gone ones such as Hatton QCC, Ilkeston Excelsior and probably a few others. Played two Bassetlaw games for what was AGD CC at the time...both away at Everton.

[Westbars Spireite]

In my head Everton was a decent ground. Always helps when you remember with the sun out.

Wooden pavilion and tennis courts at the side? Probably miles off the mark!

[JonB]

Westbars Spireite, on 08 March 2018 - 08:32 PM, said:

In my head Everton was a decent ground. Always helps when you remember with the sun out.

Wooden pavilion and tennis courts at the side? Probably miles off the mark!

Wooden pavilion and tennis courts ring a bell, ground was lower down a bank I think.

[Westbars Spireite]

JonB, on 08 March 2018 - 09:42 PM, said:

Wooden pavilion and tennis courts ring a bell, ground was lower down a bank I think.

Correct. I had a look on Google earth for confirmation.

Played on some shockers though thinking back. A combination of appalling changing facilities, remoteness of shelter and dangerousness of wicket and/or outfield.

The school in Alfreton where their 3rds play(ed?) takes some beating. Brookfield School would be up/down there too. Along with Stand Road Park and Brearley Park.

[JonB]

I played on Brookfield school when it was a ropey artificial in the middle of the running track. Turned out for barbs in a cup game at stand road...wasn’t allowed to bowl by the barbs captain after we saw what the track was doing! Played on a very bouncy wicket on highfield park in a midweek game. Played on some park against Selston 3rds years years ago that was like a beach...we needed to win to get promoted, bowled then out for about 70 that we took nearly 30/35 overs to knock off including our opener scoring 13 from 106 balls! Once played on what is now the nets and car park at the county ground in derby, got changed in the cafe/book shop..was a very nice quick true track as it happens.

That’s probably just scraping the surface of what I’ve played on across the DCCL, Mansfield League, Midweek and other miscellaneous games. Flip side is I’ve played at some very nice and interesting places. The DCCL ground standards means there are some very nice grounds knocking about that have developed over the years.

[Westbars Spireite]

JonB, on 08 March 2018 - 10:04 PM, said:

I played on Brookfield school when it was a ropey artificial in the middle of the running track. Turned out for barbs in a cup game at stand road...wasn’t allowed to bowl by the barbs captain after we saw what the track was doing! Played on a very bouncy wicket on highfield park in a midweek game. Played on some park against Selston 3rds years years ago that was like a beach...we needed to win to get promoted, bowled then out for about 70 that we took nearly 30/35 overs to knock off including our opener scoring 13 from 106 balls! Once played on what is now the nets and car park at the county ground in derby, got changed in the cafe/book shop..was a very nice quick true track as it happens.

That’s probably just scraping the surface of what I’ve played on across the DCCL, Mansfield League, Midweek and other miscellaneous games. Flip side is I’ve played at some very nice and interesting places. The DCCL ground standards means there are some very nice grounds knocking about that have developed over the years.

13 off 106? That sounds like a Pete Whiteley knock

I don't know if it's the pitch you mean but there was one where the Travelodge/Gym is at the County Ground. At least one football pitch on the outfield too if I recall it right. Pretty sure it would have been in use up until the mid-90s.

Sheepbridge got lucky one season in the Bassetlaw in the very early 90s - played Notts Colts who were in the same division and that was played at Trent Bridge.

This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: 08 March 2018 - 10:17 PM

[JonB]

Won us the game so was hard to criticise but we gave him some about boring us too death!

Yep that’s probably the one, played St Luke’s & St Michaels CC there before they moved to play behind some squash centre at Spondon that had ropey changing rooms.

Remember playing at Tibby one Sunday the same day they were racing radio controlled cars all day on the track close by, was a bit fed up of the whining from the cars by the time we’d finished.

[Stents]

JonB, on 08 March 2018 - 06:08 PM, said:

Think this season coming will be season number 26 although may be 27....been that long I can’t remember when I actually started!! Bowled plenty in that time and if net too much I’ll be injured earlier in the season. Not sure how many I’ll play mins now we’ve got the little one as well. Definitely miss most of August as away in France for 3 weeks.

What level are you at now?

Thought I could remember a post saying you'd been playing 25 years recently. It'll be my 10th year this season. Starting off at Sheepbridge with Westbars.

We are YDCL Div 1 this coming year. Similar to 4/5 DCCL I'd say.

[JonB]

Probably about right, Holmesfield came into 4 last year and did well although I’m not sure where they are going as a club. One team, no juniors I think and not exactly a young team. Good batting team but I suspect their bowling will struggle higher up on better batting tracks.

This post has been edited by JonB: 12 March 2018 - 10:14 AM

[Stents]

They will need a juniors soon if they wan't to carry on playing at DCCL Div 3 wont they? Think they are making moves to sort this out.

Did they not get a lot of incomplete wins last year? Due to their inability to bowl sides out?

[JonB]

Think they did get a lot of winning draws by batting teams out of games more than bowling well I think. There is a level you have to have juniors, not sure if it’s 2 or 3.

[dalekpete]

Westbars Spireite, on 08 March 2018 - 10:16 PM, said:

13 off 106? That sounds like a Pete Whiteley knock

If I open I always like to get to double figures before drinks...

I think my first Bassetlaw game was for Old Whitt at Harthill in 1980; I am expecting to turn out again this season.

[SpireiteFitzy]

58 all out without NZ having to change the opening bowling pair, didn't see that coming.

[Mr Mercury]

SpireiteFitzy, on 22 March 2018 - 04:03 PM, said:

58 all out without NZ having to change the opening bowling pair, didn't see that coming.

Root out of his depth as captain?