Newsletter September 3rd 2025
View from the Chair
In our committee meeting on Monday night, it was all about what needs to be done to wrap up the end of the season. We are now just 2 weeks away from handing the ground over to the rugby club, there are a few junior games this week and then 2 more open age games – the 1st XI with their last league game of the season on Saturday and the 2nd team with their last league game of the season next Saturday.
We will be celebrating a hugely successful season on Sunday with the junior players and their parents and then we have just booked the Larwood & Voce for the open age presentation evening on 17th October.We then have the final act of turning the cricket pitch into 2 rugby pitches on Sunday 14th September before we focus on how we make things even better next year.
In next week’s newsletter, I will focus on the many highlights that have taken place over the last 5 months. This week, I just want to thank everyone reading this for what you have done for the club this season. We can’t be as successful as we are without you. Whether you’re a junior parent who transports your children around the county, or a senior player who gives up their Saturday afternoon to play for our club, or one of the 100 odd volunteers who coach, score, umpire, serve drinks, serve food, captain, grow/cut grass, organise events, send social media posts, edit newsletters, shift fencing, weed, paint, empty bins, write surveys, run shops or one of countless other things that have to happen to make us who we are. THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!
This week we sadly lost one of our Vice Presidents, and when he came to the club in June, he couldn’t believe what we have become.
But there is so much more that can and will be done.
Have a good week everyone and for all those playing, GO WELL!
Cheers,
Jon
This Sunday: junior end-of-season cricket celebration
What a fantastic season of junior cricket it has been! To celebrate the incredible hard work, amazing progress, and fantastic team spirit shown by all our young players, we are delighted to invite you to our junior cricket end-of-season celebration.
Please join us on Sunday, 7th September at WBCC, Stamford Road for a great day of friendly cricket and awards.
The day will be split into two sessions, with each one including games and a short presentation to recognise the players’ achievements.
Session 1: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
For boys in years 1, 2, 3, and 4, and ALL girls in years 1-6.
Session 2: 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
For boys in school years 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and ALL girls in school years 7-10.
(Please note: The school year refers to the year your child was in before the summer holidays.)
What to expect on the day
Our young cricketers will have the chance to play in two fun, softball games during their session. The club will provide all necessary equipment, but players are welcome to bring their own bats (wooden or plastic).
Bacon cobs and sausage cobs will be available in the morning session and hot dogs and burgers in the afternoon session. For parents and supporters, the bar will be open from 12 noon serving a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Please join us
This invitation is for ALL our junior members from both the Friday night AND Sunday morning groups. We would love for as many children as possible to attend.
To help us organise the day, please confirm if your child(ren) can attend by filling out this short Google form.
Sign up for the junior end-of-season celebration
How you can help
Support on the day is always welcome and greatly appreciated! If you’re able to help with scoring, umpiring, or even joining in the games, it would add to the fun of the day.
We look forward to seeing you on the 7th of September to celebrate a wonderful season together.
Results
Open Age Cricket
Last week’s report focussed on what was needed by each team to either gain promotion or avoid relegation.
The good news is that mathematically, the 1st team are still in the hunt for promotion, but it will need us to beat Mansfield and Notts Unity to beat Caythorpe and then let the cricketing gods decide, as it will be down to Net Run Rate (NRR) between us and Caythorpe. No one has managed to work out what has to happen, but the NRR swing is only 0.1, so we think that if we beat Mansfield by about 150 runs or we knock whatever runs required at about 7 an over, we have a chance.
Saturday’s game was curtailed by rain, but an excellent bowling performance limited Cuckney to just 218-9 from their 50 overs. Ben Savage (1/18) bowled 5 maidens in his first 6 overs, Joe Holding picked up 4 wickets (4/46) and Reuben Morley finished the tail off with 3/23.
In reply, we were well on course when the rain came at 91-1 from only 17 overs, meaning an easy decision for the DLS system to award us a 9 wicket win.
More good news was that the 2nd team did enough to secure their spot in Division B next year, as they limited Long Eaton to 159-9 from a shortened 35 overs as Michael Wright got his first 5-fer for the club, earning another £50 for Maggie’s. In reply, we were also well on the way to a deserved win at 99-1 from just 18 overs when the captains called it a day, with the required 10 points in the bag for WBCC.
There was less good news at Adbolton Lane, where the 3s came up against the now promoted Caunton. Their batters managed to pummel 233-2 from just 32 overs which left too tall an order for a strong batting line-up, but not strong enough, despite a fine 75 from Ian Huskinson. This loss left the 3s 14 points short of staying up, so a return to Division F next year.
The final league game this week was for the 4th team against Awsworth, who did a great job to avoid the rain during tea and then stayed onto complete the game despite worsening weather. However, it almost turned into a classic, as WBCC put in a great shift chasing an unlikely 235 to win from 40 overs. Tom Godfrey got the innings off to a good start with 61 from 86, and then the middle order started to up the run rate. There was still 105 to get from the last 10 overs with 6 wickets in hand, and Tim Matthews kept things exciting with a wonderful 43 from just 23 balls, but with just under 2 overs to go, the innings came to an end 32 runs short.
Marcus managed to arrange a friendly for the 5th team where they had a last ball classic of a T20, when needing 12 off the last over they came agonisingly short with a 1 run loss.
The 6th team were back in action on Sunday for their last game of the season and they unfortunately came up short against Ellerslie despite a 7th 50 of the season for Charlie Robson.
Junior Cricket
U13s v Ellerslie
What a weekend! The sun was out as we were welcomed by our neighbours, Ellerslie, for the U13s’ final league game of the season. Charlie won the toss and chose to bowl, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start – running out their opener in the very first over on what was a lightning-fast outfield. Ellerslie’s middle order dug in and posted a challenging 132 for 7 from 20 overs, but our bowlers kept things tight throughout.
It was a tricky start to our chase, as we found ourselves 10 for 2. Then came the match-changing partnership between William and Jack. Both scoring at better than a run a ball, retiring unbeaten on 38 and 37 respectively. Suddenly, the target started looking within reach again. With Luke and Josh chipping in with useful knocks, we found ourselves needing 7 off the last over. Josh managed a single before being caught at cover, handing the crease to Laurence with tensions sky-high. On the penultimate delivery, Laurence flashed his bat through backward point and the ball raced across the outfield for four! What a finish, lots of celebrations and a great way to end the season. Well done everyone!
Starting next week: Century Coaching’s autumn/winter programme
As the outdoor cricket season starts to draw to a close, development doesn’t have to stop! The autumn/winter junior coaching sessions run by Century Coaching are the perfect way for young players to hone their techniques and build confidence during the off-season, ensuring they hit the ground running next spring.
All sessions are held at West Bridgford School and the schedule is below.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays (running from September to March)
Tuesdays, 6pm – 7pm: Softball Development (for school years 3 & 4)
Tuesdays, 7pm – 8pm: Hardball Development (for school years 5 & 6)
Wednesdays, 6pm – 7pm: Softball Development (for school years 2 & 3)
Sundays (running from November to March)
12:30pm – 2pm: Junior Performance (for school years 5, 6, 7 & 8)
2pm – 3pm: Hardball Development (for school years 7, 8 & 9)
Click here to book your child’s place
Let’s get behind Eddie and the Prostate Plodders
A familiar face at West Bridgfordians, Eddie Burke, is taking on a big challenge this October for a very important cause.
Eddie and four of his former cricket teammates and school friends, known as the “Prostate Plodders,” will be walking 45 miles along the North Norfolk Coastal Path. Their three-day journey from Hunstanton to Cromer aims to raise money and awareness for the charity Prostate Cancer UK.
Support Eddie and his friends by donating to their cause
We wish them the very best of luck!
John Robinson RIP
It is with deep sadness that we announce the sad passing of John Robinson, one of our long standing Vice Presidents.
John’s health had suffered over the past few years however the timing still comes as a great shock.
Along with his father Ken, John was an integral part of the club starting his playing career in the early 60s as one of the founder juniors to don the WBCC colours.
His playing career spanned four decades playing as an elegant opening batsmen and occasional off-break bowler.
John’s philosophy and one admired by many at the club was to retire to the bar to take onboard refreshments whether he had scored a second ball duck or a dashing 100!
This relaxed approach served him well throughout his career.
In the early years John’s wife, Delph and their two daughters were always in attendance at matches, along with many of their close friends, which provided a lovely relaxed social environment for all, and a long lasting relationship with a great many at the Club.
To conclude, John’s sporting prowess was also recognised with spells at both Meadow Lane and the City Ground where is graceful ability on the ball was evident to all.
RIP ‘ Robbo’
Join the 100 Club
The 100 Club plays a crucial role in repaying the outstanding loan on our clubhouse redevelopment. We pay out £320 in prizes every month. Our income is split 40:60, with 60% going directly to the loan repayment.
We’ve already raised an incredible £56,000, but with just over £33,000 still to go, it’ll take about six more years at our current rate. More members mean bigger prizes and a faster path to a fully paid-for clubhouse!
Are games and training on?
Yes! Unless we tell you otherwise. If we have to cancel either training or games, we will communicate (via email and socials) so if you don’t hear from us, please turn up as usual.
Book your nets
Club members can book a one hour slot all week round at available times.
Buy new branded kit
Visit the online club shop for new branded kit.
