Newsletter 21st May 2025
View from the Chair
What a brilliant week on so many fronts last week. Wins galore across all formats, culminating in a full house of wins on Saturday for our open-age teams. This kicked off a 30-minute free bar after a new initiative launched this season to celebrate success!
We also had our first food van on a Friday evening, which brought Falafel Baffle into our car park. All the feedback I heard was very positive and they sold everything they brought to sell, so a win for everyone. I can’t wait for the next one, which will be Malaysian Street Food during the Thornbridge Brewery Tap Takeover on Friday 6th June.
As well as the good news, I have one moan. The picture above shows the Crystal Palace fans clearing up Covent Garden before the FA cup final on Saturday. May I ask that this is replicated at Stamford Road please. We are a bunch of volunteers trying to run a cricket club. If you finish your drink, take the empty glass back to the bar or if you have rubbish, please put it in the bin or in recycling.
If you see people leave a table full of empty glasses, please ask them to take them back to the bar.
Thank you!
This week there are games for all age groups apart from the U15s and a full set of 5 open age games on Saturday. The 1st team then have a local derby against Gedling & Sherwood at Regatta Way on Bank Holiday Monday – all support welcome!
The break in the weather looks like it might be happening this week (well, it’s a bank holiday after all), but hopefully it won’t get in the way of all the cricket.
Have a great week.
Cheers
Jon
Results
Open Age Cricket
A FULL HOUSE!!
No 2nd team game but wins for all the other teams on Saturday. The 5th team was via a concession by Oxton, but as we said, 20 points is 20 points!
The 1st team went 2nd in the league with a comprehensive win against Kimberley 2s. An opening partnership of 154 between Jacob Hughes and Ally Pettit started the ball rolling. Dan Hill then hit a quick-fire 63 before Ally carried his bat for a magnificent 111* to take us to 281-4. Kimberley then had no answer to Ben Savage (4-47) and were bowled out for 150.
The 3s had a challenging chase of 240 from their 45 overs away at the small, fast ground at Thrumpton. A cautious start had us at 116-5 from 27 overs, but then Reuben Morley led an onslaught with 82* from 51 balls, meaning the remaining 124 runs were knocked off in 12.5 overs. Ian Huskinson playing a brilliant supporting role with 75*.
Finally, the 4s played at Stamford Road for the first time ever and bowled Sohani CC out for 131 with Eathan Brookes taking 4-30 and Callum Tindall an impressive 4-6 (from 5 overs). The run chase was hampered by a couple of ‘mankad’ run outs, but with Ryan Theron getting 52, the target was reached after only 26.3 overs.
5 league games on Saturday, so it’ll be our first 55 player day, but availability looks OK, so hopefully plenty more wins for all teams.
Junior Cricket
U11 Red game this week
Tuesday saw the first league game for our U11 Red team, at home, against Papplewick & Linby. Batting first we made 275 (Net) with Zac and Laurence top scoring with 17 and 16. Our bowling performance was then excellent! 13 wickets as a team, with everyone keeping to an economy rate of 3.00 or lower! Really good performances from all the players but a particular mention to Zac who top scored with the bat and took 5 wickets from his 3 overs!! Well done Zac! A bit of a wait now until our next game but off to a great start.
U15s game this week
The U15s opened their league campaign with a narrow defeat at Cavaliers & Carrington on Tuesday night.
Batting first, WBCC made a competitive 133-4 thanks mainly to an excellent 51* from Charlie, Liam with 24 and Alex with 17.
Needing a good start, a wicket in the first over (caught by Rory off Liam) was great, and Samarth had the other opener LBW for a low score. Thereafter, the bowling was a little too variable to exert enough control and C&C began to take the advantage. Good ground fielding kept the runs down but loose balls were being punished and extras also helped the score along.
The opposition captain was never flustered and got his team home with 1 ball spare to end on 51*.
A good game overall played in a friendly and competitive spirit.
Raising money for Maggie’s
Following the announcement a couple of weeks ago about our first ever charity of the year partnership with Maggie’s we agreed at the committee meeting last week that we will run the following events to raise money for them. 
a quiz night (date tbc in June)
a fundraising ‘fun day’ (8th June)
a charity uplift bar evening (27th June)
a pre-loved equipment and clothing shop (already launched)
The club will also be donating £50 every time a player scores a 100 or gets five wickets in an open age league game. With 2 ‘5-fers’ (Ben Savage and Dave Lucas) and one hundred (Ally Pettit) already this season, that’s £150 with 17 weeks still to go!
Do you have some time to support the club?
There are several ways you can get involved with West Bridgfordians, whether you fancy being on the field in a white coat, keeping score, just lending a hand for a match or two or managing our money.
We need 3rd XI umpires
Our search for umpires for our 3rd XI is still ongoing. The league they play in (SNCL Division E) has an umpire bonus point system, so for every game where we have an umpire, we’ll gain an extra point. 
For each game you umpire, we’ll pay you £40, and you’ll also get a free tea if the game is at home.
If you’re interested in umpiring at some point this season, even if it’s just for one game, please get in touch with our 3rd team captain, Dom Evans, via email or on 07837 966799.
Could you be our Head of Finance?
We’re still hunting for an accountant to become our Head of Finance. If you have an hour or two a week to spare and you’d be willing to help us out with your expertise, please take a look at the role description below and get in touch.
Occasional scorers wanted
If you like keeping track of the game and have some Saturdays free, becoming an occasional scorer for us could be a great way to contribute.
For each match you score, we’ll pay you £30, and you’ll get a free tea when the game is at home.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please contact Justine Robinson.
Help our 6th XI develop
We’re looking for adult volunteers to support our 6th XI on Sunday afternoons. This team is really important for us, as it helps at least seven of our Under-18 players make the step up to senior Saturday cricket.
We need more adult volunteers to get involved – it doesn’t have to be every match, even just one or two during the season would make a difference.
Whether you’re keen to play alongside our young talent or you’re at the ground with your child and can help with setting up, we’d love to hear from you.
If you’re interested in getting involved with the 6th XI, please get in touch with our team captain, John Spragg, via email or on 07305 932451.
If you can spare some time and any of these roles sound interesting, please reach out using the contact details provided. We’d really appreciate your support!
No break for junior cricket training
Junior cricket training on a Friday or a Sunday will continue throughout half term so it will be on on Friday 23rd and 30th May and Sunday 25th May and 1st June.
Friday night menu
Hotdog – £2.50 (onions optional) with chips £4.50
Tray of chips £2.50
Cheesy Chips £3.00 
Salt and Pepper Chicken Kebab on a flatbread with salad £5 with chips £2 extra
Vegetable Kebab with Halloumi on a flatbread with salad £5 with chips £2 extra
Join the 100 Club and win big
Our 100 Club needs new members! Currently the first prize is £160 and there’s a draw every month. Entry is £5 a month and the more entries we have, the higher the prize pot. We have set ourselves a target of 20 new members this season, so we will give a countdown in this newsletter!
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.
