Competition for team places

The 2022 season is looking to be a good time for Bear Flat Cricket Club.

With the introduction of the second Saturday XI playing in the Monmouth Somerset Cricket League at Peasedown St John CC, places in the Saturday XI playing in the Wiltshire League look to be in demand, with players needing to prove their mettle on the pitch each week.

Supporting this new initiative, the Bears have announced the arrival of a player/coach in the form of Alex Lear. Born and bred in Bath, Lear started his cricketing career at the age of five, inspired by watching his father play for Combe Down CC, which was a huge influence in his decision to play cricket as opposed to other sports.

He joined Hampsett CC at the age of nine where his talent was spotted and coached, reaching the dizzy heights of the first team at the tender age of 15, where he opened the bowling. He remained there as a player until 2011, when he was approached by Midsomer Norton CC.

Under the watchful eye of MSN academy coach and Gloucestershire cricketer Rob Cunliffe, untapped promise in Lear’s batting skills were recognised and nurtured and soon he was their opening bat. He played for MSN for eight seasons until 2019, during which time the club was promoted twice, and his personal best was three WEPL 100s. He played against county and international cricketers at MSN and during that time, broke the MCC as a playing member, playing for two seasons.

In 2019 Lear returned to Hampsett to help them improve their standard of cricket as a player/ coach. It was not to be as Covid then hit and things ground to a halt.

In January 2022, Bear Flat advertised for a player/coach. The new Saturday 2nd team and the freshly implemented Bear Cubs programme intimated to Lear that the Bears were a club with aspirations to go places. He met with club captain Mark Gunning and vice-captain Ross Newman, and was impressed by their commitment and enthusiasm to take the club forward into a higher standard of cricket.

He saw the development plan of the Bears was aligned with his values and ethos, and believed this was a club where he could truly add value. That, and the combination of the excellent Glasshouse facilities was enough for him to decide he would like to come on the Bears’ journey. The scene was set, he signed on the line, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Lear’s vision for the 2022 season is clear. Through coaching on and off the pitch, midweek training, indoor and outdoor nets, and a playing commitment, he believes promotion this season is achievable. He sees a tight-knit bunch of guys, working together towards the same goal, individuals who understand their role within the team, and a commitment to being the best they can be.