Nelson finish earns victory for Lansdown
With cricket making its grand return last weekend, the government has released the latest guidelines players and clubs must follow.
Groups are limited to a maximum of 30 participants, including coaches and officials, and players are to undergo personal symptom checks prior to matches and will be asked not to take part if they demonstrate any COVID-19 symptoms.
Players must use their own equipment throughout where possible and clean their bat when leaving the field of play. No sweat or saliva is to be applied to the ball at any time, hands and the ball should be cleaned at all breaks in play and every six overs. Players will be asked to remain socially distances at all time, with wicket keepers and slip fielders based at least one metre apart.
The use of the clubhouse, changing rooms and toilets should adhere to the latest UK Government advice. Clubs are being asked to keep a record of all those in attendance at each session, including contact details.
Social distancing should be maintained during wicker celebration and drinks breaks and batters will have to run in distinct marked running lines to ensure they are not within two metres of the bowler or other batter.
Before going to press, fixtures had still not been released for the reduced 2020 season which is still due to begin on July 25 in the West of England Premier League, Somerset Cricket League and Bristol & District League, July 26 for the Midwessex League and August 1 for the Dorset League, with the Wiltshire League and North Somerset League still to announce any plans to begin their campaigns.
Recreational cricket had officially been given the green light to begin last Saturday, with teams arranging friendlies last weekend and this in preparation for the start of the league, in whatever forms they will take. It had already been announced previously that no promotion or relegation would be taking place this year.
Off the field, Hampset has committed to over £2,300 this summer on fencing repairs, practice net refurbishment and clubhouse repairs or enhancements to meet COVID-19 secure requirements, while a significant effort has been made to secure funding from government and ECB sources where possible to sustain operations and be prepared for moving forward during the pandemic.
Hampset have maintained their essential ground and clubhouse work and security checks and secretary Kevin Porter has provided vital support to enable the club to progress each time the ECB has released more guidance.
On the pitch, Hampset’s first and second teams took part in an interclub friendly, while the thirds faced their Winsley counterparts on Sunday. This weekend, the thirds are scheduled to travel to Hambrook with the first team hosting Midsomer Norton 2nd and the seconds away at Saltford Fairway. Bath’s third and fourth teams are due to be in action on Saturday too, away at Lodway and home to Bristol Lions respectively.
■ Lansdown were also in action at the weekend. They travelled to Biddestone on Saturday and comfortably won by seven wickets. Lansdown reached 155-3 from their 40 overs with wicket-keeper Brandon Allen retiring after reaching his half-century and captain Oskar Kolk retiring on 23. In reply, Biddestone were all out for a Nelson 111. Among the wickets were, Oliver Gooding (2-29), Reuben Poole (2-9), Joel Parry (2-18), Sam Bowery (2-3), Josh Smith (1-17) and Kolk (1-12). The seconds were in action against Bath.
This weekend, Lansdown’s 2nd side are currently due to host their Bishopston counterparts.
■ Corsham suffered a 45-run defeat at Goatacre on Saturday. After electing to bat, Goatacre posted 181 all out inside 35 overs. Tom Horrell was most impressive with the ball with 3-6, while Tom Foley (2-28), Jack Humphreys (2-8), Jonathan Parker (1-38), Josh Stanley (1-16) and Martin Roberts (1-20) were also amongst the wickets.
In reply, Corsham lasted three more balls than their hosts, but stumbled to 136 all out. The top five amassed just nine between them before Humphreys tried to steady the ship with 36 alongside knocks of 18 from Roberts, 17 from Parker and 16 from captain Foley. This weekend, the thirds are due to visit Chippenham 4th.
Marshfield 2nd are penned in to be away at Combe Down on Saturday, with the thirds at Bradfordon-avon 2nd.
Keynsham 2nd are in line to host Bedminster 2nd, with their thirds welcoming their Bishopston counterparts. Hinton Charterhouse were due to have been action last night at Bradford-onavon with their Saturday side hosting Bear Flat and Sunday side welcoming Babington House.
Bathford were also supposed to have been in action last night against a Stella Select XI before their first team faces Christian Malford on Saturday and the seconds travel to Devizes 3rd. Box are welcoming Swindon United Churches to the Recreation Ground. Combe Down were scheduled to host Bath Venturers last night before their match with Marshfield 2nd on Saturday.
Timsbury have three games penned in for Saturday, the first team away at Bradley Stoke, the seconds at home to Almondsbury 2nd and the thirds at Alveston 2nd. Chew Magna are due to travel to Downend 2nd and Stanton Drew are hosting Carsons & Mangotsfield.
It’s the same for Bitton who are due to see their first team travel to Backwell Flax Bourton, with the seconds hosting Carsons & Mangotsfield and their thirds welcoming Golden Hill 5th. Frys are due to travel to Golden Hill 4th.