Cricket gets stronger all the time at Goodwood

Goodwood CC held their annual meeting in the Lennox Room at the Goodwood Hotel.

It started with a vote of thanks to the Duke of Richmond and his staff led by Adam Waterworth and Phil Helm for their support and help in developing cricket at Goodwood in 2018.

Chairman Richard Geffen, captain James Mayne and treasurer John Clifton reported on an excellent season on and off the field.

Goodwood won 67 per cent of matches with significant performances from the likes of Matthew Bennison, Matthew Geffen and Matthew Beard. This year brings new fixtures against Petworth and Fernhurst as well as 20-plus regular fixtures.

Geffen said: “The Goodwood and Chichester alliance continues to work well and develop. The Sussex v Duke of Richmond’s XI match in Priory Park in September, the ECB women’s softball tournament at Goodwood and the 200-plus adults and juniors who played for the Goodwood and Chichester last year underlines the continued enthusiasm for cricket in and around Chichester.”

There will be a repeat of the women’s softball tournament on Sunday, July 21, after which the Sussex women’s team will play Goodwood.

The Duke and his senior management gave the goahead for the reconstruction of the cricket square in September.

Work was undertaken by AT Bone Sports Solutions.

The estate and both clubs are grateful to Andy Mackay (Sussex head groundsman) for advising and drawing up the specification for the work.

The seed has taken and a thick new squad of grass now covers the 13-pitch square.

Goodwood will hold nets at Westbourne House School on Tuesday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 9 (6pm-7.45pm) and welcome new players wishing to play Sunday cricket.

Contact James Mayne on

james@marchwoodifa.co.uk if you are interested in playing for Goodwood or see www. goodwood.play-cricket.com – and all are welcome at the club’s annual Natwest work afternoon on Saturday, March 30 from 2pm.

Goodwood CC officials elected for 2019: Chair Richard Geffen, Vice-chair Tim

Odell, Secretary Henry Whitby, Treasurer John Clifton, Fixture Secretary Steve

Miles, Captain James Mayne, Vice-captain John Heyworth. Tim Pitman continues as Welfare Officer.

Send pre-season cricket news to steve.bone@chiobserver.co.uk