Newsletter 1st July 2025
View from the Chair
It was great to be behind the bar on Friday night to watch the money roll in for Maggie’s. We’ve totted up the numbers and we raised £528, so thank you to everyone that managed to force down one more drink – it was all in a great cause! This takes our total up over the £3,000 mark and still plenty of activity planned – the next being an auction at the Pie Night (see below) on 12th July. We’re also thinking of repeating the uplift bar on the last night of junior training at the end of August – more details will come out nearer the time. 
The other massive success on Friday was the pizza van. In fact, too much of a success, with all pizzas sold out by 8pm. As we said at the start of the year, the food vans were something new and we will learn from each one – the big learning for this one is 130 pizzas isn’t enough – more like 200 next time!
As we roll into the 2nd half of the season, the weather continues to be glorious, but keep remembering the water and sun cream – particularly when batting. The junior coaches will be vigilant, but please tell your children to ask for a drink if they feel thirsty – no one will say no. I’ve witnessed some nasty sun-stroke a few years ago as the player didn’t feel they could ask for the drink before the actual drinks break – this is never the case (unless it’s every other ball!).
Keep enjoying the sunshine and have a great week.
Cheers
Jon
Booking open for summer cricket camps
Century Coaching is bringing its popular coaching camps to Stamford Road for three action-packed weeks. 
Each week will feature a mix of skills development, net practice, and exciting game-based cricket activities. Camps are open to children in School Years 2 to 8 and for the first week only, younger players from School Year 1.
To book, go to centurycoaching.co.uk/bookings
Beyond the Boundary with Scott Berridge
To help you get to know the people who work behind the scenes to make it all happen, we have a new series called Beyond the Boundary.
In this series, we’ll be asking key members of our club’s team a few questions, giving you a unique insight into their roles, their love for the game, and perhaps a few fun facts you never knew!
In the spotlight this week is Head of Junior Coaching and owner of Century Coaching, Scott Berridge
Describe yourself in no more than five words.
Passionate, dedicated, determined, loyal, stubborn
What’s the most memorable catch (or dropped catch!) you’ve ever been involved in?
I’ve dropped and caught many memorable ones but the one that stands out was losing my teeth at slip in a Sunday game against Wollaton many years ago. After a trip to the dentist, I returned to find the guy still batting and getting a ton.
Who is your cricketing hero and why?
Stuart Broad – For his character and his ability to deliver in big moments.
What are you hoping our club can achieve this season?
That we provide opportunities for all our junior players to have a positive and inclusive experience across their cricketing journey with the club, providing opportunities to play and enjoy the game.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, cricketing or otherwise?
‘Control the controllables’
Cash for cake and a cause on Friday night
Bar volunteer Jennie Silkstone is running a cake stall on Friday night to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. So if you feel like a sweet treat to round your week off, bring cash with you and get ready to choose your cake.🧁
Or you can donate to Jennie via her Just Giving page.
Pie Night – 12th July
Invites went out last week to all our amazing volunteers for our annual Volunteers Night. This year we are renaming it, “Pie Night”, after the success of last years’ pies! We have invited 91 volunteers and their partners, but the night is open to all, so do please come down to thank our volunteers.
Results
Open Age Cricket
It’s been a while since the Happy Half Hour didn’t happen on a Saturday night, but with only 2 wins on Saturday, it meant a full price bar for the first time in several weeks.
The 1s and 5s had very good wins, the 2s came out on the wrong side of a close one and the 3s & 4s very much came second.
At Stamford Road, Cuckney 2s chose to bat first and couldn’t get going against some excellent bowling from all 6 bowlers. Ben Savage’s figures stood out with 4-19, but miserly spells from Dave Lucas (1-15 from 8) and Stuart Plant (1-23 from 10) meant a total of 142 all out was never going to be enough. 5 batters then managed to get themselves out and there was one dubious run-out but Shah Meeran Zia (37*) saw us home with 13 overs remaining.
The 2s were away at Long Eaton and bowled the opposition out for 244 with Josh Sheriston (3-30) and Sam Bennett (3-33) both taking 3 wickets. Bowling them out in the 48th over also meant an extra over would be added to our innings, which almost proved critical. However, despite 55 from 2nd team debutant Sam Fitzgerald, and some lusty blows down the order, we finished 13 runs short with 4 balls to spare.
The 3s and the 4s both batted first and were bowled out cheaply, with only Luke Essex (45) in the 3s making a significant contribution. The 3s were bowled out for 130 and the 4s for 101 and the oppositions both knocked them off without too may dramas, although Durgesh Koli did take 3 wickets in 4 balls at one point in the Awsworth innings!
The 5s travelled to Whatton and were surprisingly asked to bat first. They took advantage of this Nasser Hussain like decision and racked up 270-5 in 36 overs. Skipper Marcus Woolley started the run fest with 49, and then Feroz Salmon (93 from 86) and Josh Darby (72 from 49) went ballistic towards the end. In reply, Whatton were always going to be struggling despite a fine century from their opener and with Hizbullah Farooqi and Jonathan Ebsworth both taking 3 wickets, they ended up 71 runs short at 199-8.
On Sunday, the 6th team unfortunately also came second against a strong Gedling Colliery side who bowled us out for 70 and then knocker them off in 12 overs, so an early finish on a very warm afternoon!
Friday night menu 4th July
Cajun chicken loaded Sweet Potato Fries – £8.00
Halloumi Burger – (salad and onions optional) – £4.50
Add a portion of sweet potato fries £3.00 extra
Tray of regular chips £2.50
Cheesy chips £3.00
Hot dogs – £2.50 (onions optional) with chips £4.50
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.
Get in touch with Dom Evans if you’d like to umpire for our 3rd XI, Justine Robinson if you’d like to score, Jon Sheard if you want to help us with our accounts and John Spragg if you’d like to volunteer to help our 6th team.
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.
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.
