Newsletter 12th August 2025
View from the Chair
With the summer holidays in full swing now, a lot of what we are doing is already starting to plan for next season! We had our monthly committee meeting last Monday and we agreed that every member of the committee would consult with their teams and around the club so at the meeting after the end of the season we can discuss the following for each area of the club:
What should we continue doing?
What should we stop doing?
What should we start doing?
We also discussed what capital expenditure could be possible over the winter, particularly within the nets area, as they have now been down 4 years and this season, in particular, they have had a lot of use, so what has to happen to keep them playing well and looking good? Also what do we need to do on the square to allow us to use grass wickets more for training and junior games? Do we need to look at a couple of hybrid pitches, that other clubs have started to put down?
The Sports Club is also investigating how we can get more water onto the grass through improved irrigation and what we can do at the front of the clubhouse where the grass isn’t used for playing rugby or cricket, so can we extend the patio area with artificial grass?
As you can imagine, plenty of discussions going on to understand what is possible and when we can do things. We will keep you all informed about progress.
This week we’re down to only 1 junior game as the girls incrediball team take on Keyworth. We are also now down to only 4 games on a Saturday, as the 5th team have completed all their fixtures. However, big games for the 1st team, who have leaders Caythorpe visiting Stamford Road and the 3s are at home to Oxton, who are only 13 points above them. A win should take them above Oxton and into 3rd from bottom, with 2 being relegated at the end of the season.
As ever good luck to all players this week – GO WELL and enjoy the Magpie beer at the weekend!
Cheers,
Jon
£4,480 raised for Maggie’s so far…
We are certainly far exceeding anything we thought would be achievable when it comes to the amount of money raised for Maggie’s. We are now up to an amazing £4,480! There are a few more opportunities planned to raise money and still plenty more matches for hundreds and 5-fers. It would be incredible if we could get to £5,000…
U11s book place in the Regional Cup final
Sunday afternoon at Stamford Road saw West Bridgfordians U11s take on Gedling & Sherwood in the semi-final of the U11 Regional Cup. With a place in next Sunday’s final at stake, the atmosphere was tense but the team delivered in style. Captain Jude Hughes won the toss and chose to bowl first, trusting his side’s ability to apply early pressure. What followed was a disciplined and cagey 16 overs to restrict their opponents to 114 for 5. The standout performance came from Zac Kurien, who bowled two crucial overs in the middle of the innings, taking 1 wicket for just 6 runs. In reply, West Bridgfordians continued their rich vein of batting form. Five players scored 20 runs or more and runs flowed freely. They confidently reached a final score of 144 for 3, booking their place in the final.
This was the final match on the lower pitch for this age group team before they move up to U12s. Over the past two years, as U10s and U11s, they’ve played 17 league and cup games on this ground and won every single one! A brilliant achievement, fortress Stamford Road!
With their opponents yet to be confirmed, West Bridgfordians U11s now turn their attention to the final this Sunday. As a credit to the depth of squad, some children are away on holiday but others return from 2 weeks by the pool and will be giving it everything to win the Regional U11 Cup!
Results
Open Age Cricket
Wins this week for the 1s and 2s, but a mightily close loss for the 3s and less close losses for the 4s and 5s.
We start this week’s round up in Sutton Bonnington, the home of Plumtree’s 3rd XI, where our 3rd team needed a win against the only side below us in the table. Batting first, the way to describe our innings is a steady start and a powerful finish, with some lusty blows from Tim Matthews (47 from 40 balls) and Durgesh Koli (20* from 9 balls) getting us up to a very competitive 188 from 45 overs. In response, run rate was never the problem, but Plumtree kept on losing wickets, with veteran Kulvern Kandola showing his class with 4-34 from his 10 overs. The 8th wicket fell still with 16 needed and then when Kulvern snaffled the 9th wicket, the score was 184-9 – still 5 needed to win. Plumtree had other ideas though, and their #11 actually had a century to his name (back in 2002!), and the accomplished batter finished it with a 6. The 3s are still very much in the scrap for staying up though with the Oxton game this week now absolutely key.
The 1s made the long trek to Anston, with the team leaving West Bridgford at 8:45am. An early finish to the game as well as an early start though, with Anston being bowled out for only 120 (their overseas player getting 79 of them!), and with another Maggie’s £50 for Ben Savage’s 5-24. In reply, there was never any concern and Suraj Rajesh was 46* from only 30 balls when Anston bowled 5 wides to take us to 123-2 after only 20.2 overs.
The 2s had a crunch game against Cavs 3s, who must have also seen it as a crunch game, as they brought a few of their usual 2nd team into the team. But that didn’t get in the way of a convincing win. Set up by the bowling/fielding (Luke Storrar 4-26) in the first half (and by some inept running between the wickets), chasing 160 to win was never in doubt on a beautiful batting wicket at Stamford Road. Sam Fitzgerald led the way with 54 and the winning runs were scored after only 26 overs.
The 4s were somewhat hampered by 3 ducks as they batted first and posted 157-7 from their 40 overs – a score which looked to be slightly under par on a glorious batting day at Adbolton Lane. And so this prediction came true, as Farndon never appeared troubled, even after losing their #1 and #3 to some hostile opening bowling from Sam Robinson. They were 5 down when the winning runs were scored at the end of the 29th over.
The 5s were subject to an onslaught from the Hucknall 4s captain who smashed 16 boundaries in his 105. The target of 284 from 36 overs was always going to be a challenge, and so it was proved with only Marcus Woolley (36) and Dheeraj Sangwan (33*) really troubling the scorers as the innings came to a close after 29.4 overs 131 runs adrift.
Magpie Brewery’s finest on tap all weekend
The taps at Stamford Road will be featuring a fantastic line-up of local beers this weekend, thanks to this weekend’s game sponsors, Magpie Brewery. Starting from Friday night, you’ll be able to enjoy a perfect pint of their much-loved beers: Best, Thieving Rogue, and Raven.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic, traditional pint of ‘Best’, the delightfully hoppy ‘Thieving Rogue’ golden ale, or the rich and smooth ‘Raven’ stout, there’s a perfect local brew waiting for you at the bar.
So, please pop down to watch the games and raise a glass to our sponsors and NG2 neighbours. Every pint you buy not only tastes great but also shows your support for a brilliant local business. We’ll see you at the bar!
Do you know that the Magpie Brewery Tap is open before and after all Notts County and Forest matches? The address is Ashling Court (off Iremonger Road), Nottingham, NG2 3JA (industrial estate behind the Trent Navigation).
Friday menu 15th August
Special – Chilli con carne with chips £6.50
Hot dogs – both meaty and veggie – £2.50 (onions optional)
with chips £4.50
Tray of regular chips £2.50
Cheesy chips £3.00
Are you missing a key?
Does this look familiar? They were found near the nets on Saturday afternoon.
If they belong to you, please get in touch with Jon Sheard.
Junior training dates
We’ll continue to run junior training through August, but the All Stars sessions finished on 25th July. The last junior training dates are:
Last Friday – 29th August
Last Sunday – 31st August
Save the date: Junior Presentation Day!
Mark your calendars! Our annual Junior End of Season Presentation Day is on Sunday, 7th September, from 10am to 6pm. More details to follow soon!
Don’t let winter stop play: book onto 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
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!
Sign up for the 100 Club
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.
Book the Joe Mitchell Nets
Buy new branded kit
Visit the online club shop for new branded kit.
Buy new clothes from the club shop
