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County Representative 50+ 60+ and 70+
Warwickshire Over 70
Warwickshire 70+
Don Bates Captain/Manager
We again competed in the Over 70’s County Championship
and played eight matches in the West Division
After 5 weekly nets in the indoor school and 2 friendly
matches plus the addition of a couple of new players we were
probably better equipped than last year, starting the season
with a 10 wicket win in Somerset.
All in all, we played 8 of which we won 2. However, the fact
that we gained 22 bonus points (the equivalent of another
win) took us to third place in the table, below Hampshire and
Sussex, but above Worcestershire and Somerset.
We also played 3 friendlies winning two and losing one.
Sussex went on to win the play off final against Surrey.
Our leading batsman was John Day who scored 306 runs
at an average of 61.2 John scored 60 v Worcs, .68 v Sussex,
53* v Somerset, 46 and 41 v Somerset and Sussex.
Jim Philips plundered 212 with 70 v Somerset and 57 v
Hampshire. Other contributors Mike Timmins 76 v Somerset,
Don Bates 46 v Hants and Phil Budd 37* v Somerset and 36
v Worcs.
The middle and lower order were always quite capable but
hardly ever got a chance as we were only bowled out once.
However they came into their own in the bowling department
bowling up to nine overs per game.
Fred Lewis was consistently steady taking 11 wickets at 24,
John Day 8 at 26, John Bates 4 at 40, Jim Philips 5 at 55 whilst
opening bowler Roy Cooper was always steady particularly
against Somerset when he took 1 for 8 off his nine overs.
Martin Lawrence was reliable and steady behind the stumps
whilst Peter Drake saved us plenty of runs in the field with his
athleticism.
Both John Day and Jim Philips were deservedly selected for
England’s over 70’s tour to Australia in the autumn.
At a lesser level, Fred Lewis and Don Bates were invited
to represent the MCCC in a celebration match against the
Fossils. Finally, thanks to Stratford, Kings Heath, Four Oaks
Saints and Warwick cricket clubs for the use of their grounds,
Dave Fisher our scorer and the tea ladies, without all of whom
this would never happen!
This year saw the retirement of Warwickshire stalwart,
Alan Neal who has represented the county at 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for all he
has done for Warwickshire senior cricket.
As a last thought, we do appreciate how lucky we are at
our age to still be playing this glorious game against folks our
own age in a pleasant but competitive atmosphere. As we look
forward to 2016 please could anyone from age 69 upwards
please get in touch.
We were undefeated in the league for the first time that
anyone could recall, going into the knock out stage with a home
match against Devon. A one week delay due to a massive
storm allowed them to strengthen and the captain to be absent
on holiday. We batted first and posted 267-8 with Hawkes 80
and Eames 85 the main contributors. Gardner smashed 28
off 12 balls at the end. Devon got to 54-2 against tight bowling
but then Loffman and Pyle chanced their arms and put on over
200 runs to knock us out. A gutting result as they then went out
meekly the following weekend.
Can I thank all the players who gave up their time to play,
those named above, Jon Hartley and Richard Cooper. Also
thanks to the Clubs who provided good grounds to play on,
Sarah Sandland for scoring and in particular to Alan Oakman
who’s enthusiasm remains undimmed for the 50+ game and
who administers the whole thing very efficiently.
Warwickshire 60+
A long and hard, but enjoyable season in the National
County Championship sponsored by Seevent with 8 teams
home and away stretching far across the Eastern regions. Early
successes saw us winning 2 out of first 3 games the second
away to Bedfordshire with a four off the very last ball. Whilst we
competed well in further matches we didn’t win again although
we came agonisingly close in losing to Leicestershire away
by a frustrating 2 runs when we were in a good position to do
the double over them. Consolation was that we finished above
them in the final table and whilst we lost 2 games by 9 wickets
those were our worst defeats with other matches being much
closer.
Whilst we had some additional players this season other
Counties always have one or two exceptional players and
although we are still looking for those really class players
our team spirit and morale never waned with everyone really
enjoying the matches. Our batting was much more solid and
the bowlers returned some excellent economy rates which were
generally equal if not better than most of our opponents.
The bulk of the batting was by, newcomers (with top scores)
Neil Spragg (76) and Rob Ball (53), Mike Nason (56*),
Richard Heath (56), John Sanderson (50) John Day (42) and
Roger Wickson (40) with useful contributions from Ali Babar
(34) and Richard Harper (32).
The main bowlers were Chris Bateman, Dave Slade,
Mike Nason, Rob Ball, Roger Wickson and Harold Turner with
useful contributions from Richard Harper, Roger Lewis and
Howard Clay.
Heartfelt thanks must go to the Clubs who generously
donated their grounds for these matches also to our Umpires
and to our regular scorer and Play-Cricket Administrator
Dave Fisher. In addition many thanks to all those who played
but on a sad note Alan Neal decided to retire due to illness. His
valuable contribution to the side will be missed but we all wish
him well.
