[Cricket] Local cricketers. Would YOU like to play here...?

[Peter Grummit]

One of the circuit umpires told me that Sunday cricket is a problem for sides in Sussex at the moment. What's the situation with your group ?

It's very tricky. I am chair of Hove Unicorns CC and we just play friendly village cricket. Every week is a struggle to raise a team. At Ferring for our first match this year the average age of our team was over 50.
PG

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

We absolutely would welcome players of all abilities and experience. We don't take ourselves too seriously.

Oh really? I've had conversations with people over the years regarding playing cricket and it's always come down to 'what level have you played at before' (I haven't followed by 'buy all the equipment then maybe', somewhat missing the point that I'm unlikely to own anything if I've never really palyed before.

Don't get me wrong, fully get supplying your own equipment and all that but that logic always struck me as the same as buying a car before your first driving lesson...

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Oh really? I've had conversations with people over the years regarding playing cricket and it's always come down to 'what level have you played at before' (I haven't followed by 'buy all the equipment then maybe', somewhat missing the point that I'm unlikely to own anything if I've never really palyed before.

Don't get me wrong, fully get supplying your own equipment and all that but that logic always struck me as the same as buying a car before your first driving lesson...

If you were playing league cricket I guess some ability would be handy! That's really not what village cricket is about. There's room for everyone.

As for gear - all you need is a pair of whites (£10 from Fat Mike Ashley) a white polo shirt and some trainers. Maybe pay Fat Mike £5 for a box (you don't really want to be borrowing one of those...) Everything else - pads, gloves and a bat - you'll always be welcome to borrow.

 

[Paul Reids Sock]

One of the circuit umpires told me that Sunday cricket is a problem for sides in Sussex at the moment. What's the situation with your group ?

It is very much so in the Berkshire league as well. Think we have managed 1 game from 5 so far.

There's one team that has struggled to eve get it's Saturday games and has cancelled everything other than the 1sts. Annoyingly I am in our 2nds and have them next weekend. Was looking forward to it but doubt it'll go ahead

 

[Gullflyinghigh]

If you were playing league cricket I guess some ability would be handy! That's really not what village cricket is about. There's room for everyone.

As for gear - all you need is a pair of whites (£10 from Fat Mike Ashley) a white polo shirt and some trainers. Maybe pay Fat Mike £5 for a box (you don't really want to be borrowing one of those...) Everything else - pads, gloves and a bat - you'll always be welcome to borrow.

Oh don't get me wrong, these haven't been anything special in terms of quality (as far as I can tell), just a bit of a different attitude I guess...similar to sunday league teams who are convinced that they really belong in the PL, if only the right scout would turn up.

You paint an inviting picture I will admit and a quick googlemapping suggests that it's not that long a drive from Lancing/Worthing way.

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

We have 4 Saturday teams but often struggle to get a Sunday side out. Its a big commitment to play both games in a weekend given it takes up the majority of the day and many in our club would rather play competitive league cricket on the Saturday than a Sunday friendly.

 

[St Leonards Seagull]

I've often fancied a go at playing cricket. I played whilst at school but not since.
Living in St Leonards I think it might be a bit too far for me though.
Anyone know how I might find a local team for me to have a go?

 

[redoubtable seagull]

I've often fancied a go at playing cricket. I played whilst at school but not since.
Living in St Leonards I think it might be a bit too far for me though.
Anyone know how I might find a local team for me to have a go?

http://www.escl.org.uk/index.htm

The East Sussex Cricket League website has a club directory.

 

[dazzer6666]

We have 4 Saturday teams but often struggle to get a Sunday side out. Its a big commitment to play both games in a weekend given it takes up the majority of the day and many in our club would rather play competitive league cricket on the Saturday than a Sunday friendly.

Our club often has 5 teams out on a Saturday (plus ladies and colts during the week) but can't get a Sunday side out unless it's the county T20 comp (and even that can be a struggle).

Said it before but anyone fancying a friendly game of traditional village cricket should get in touch with @HKFC - Parham really is ace. Nice group of blokes, lovely setting, all standards and ages made welcome. Me (old, crap) and my lad (a bit better) played a couple of games last season and thoroughly enjoyed it, will hopefully be back once exams are over.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Our club often has 5 teams out on a Saturday (plus ladies and colts during the week) but can't get a Sunday side out unless it's the county T20 comp (and even that can be a struggle).

Said it before but anyone fancying a friendly game of traditional village cricket should get in touch with @HKFC - Parham really is ace. Nice group of blokes, lovely setting, all standards and ages made welcome. Me (old, crap) and my lad (a bit better) played a couple of games last season and thoroughly enjoyed it, will hopefully be back once exams are over.

Look forward to seeing you both back up there!

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Ahhh gentle village (declaration at tea) cricket on a Sunday afternoon .....

Just checked my records and I played at Parham Park just the once in 1993 scoring 59 out of 124-7 on a tricky April season-opener wicket.
It was against Harry Baldwin's Occasional XI, Who? you might ask. Well these chaps are all actors, thespians and authors and opening the batting for them that day was none other than "Fatty Batter" himself Michael Simpkins. We bowled them out for 95 and were in the pub by 7:30.

Happy days .....

 

[dazzer6666]

Ahhh gentle village cricket on a Sunday afternoon .....

Just checked my records and I played at Parham Park just the once in 1993 scoring 59 out of 124-7 on a tricky April season-opener wicket.
It was against Harry Baldwin's Occasional XI, Who? you might ask. Well these chaps are all actors, thespians and authors and opening the batting for them that day was none other than "Fatty Batter" himself Michael Simpkins. We bowled them out for 95 and were in the pub by 7:30.

Happy days .....

I see Harry Baldwins are on the Parham fixture list this season

Michael Simpkins spoke at our club dinner a couple of years ago - he was excellent. Very funny.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Ahhh gentle village (declaration at tea) cricket on a Sunday afternoon .....

Just checked my records and I played at Parham Park just the once in 1993 scoring 59 out of 124-7 on a tricky April season-opener wicket.
It was against Harry Baldwin's Occasional XI, Who? you might ask. Well these chaps are all actors, thespians and authors and opening the batting for them that day was none other than "Fatty Batter" himself Michael Simpkins. We bowled them out for 95 and were in the pub by 7:30.

Happy days .....

I see Harry Baldwins are on the Parham fixture list this season

Michael Simpkins spoke at our club dinner a couple of years ago - he was excellent. Very funny.

HB XI are letting our ground for two fixtures this season. Seem a good bunch.

 

[Eeyore]

Splendid Sunday afternoon below the Downs at the Plumpton Agricultural College today. Sunday's are made for bat 'n' ball.

 

[Peter Grummit]

Fantastic 1 wicket win at Alfriston for Hove Unicorns . Perfect afternoon for cricket in a bucolic setting.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

I've often fancied a go at playing cricket. I played whilst at school but not since.
Living in St Leonards I think it might be a bit too far for me though.
Anyone know how I might find a local team for me to have a go?

Hastings & St Leonards definitely have lots of teams - they seemed a friendly bunch when we played them earlier in the year.

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

7 wicket victory in the important match on Saturday and a losing draw yesterday (including 5 wickets for yours truly). There's not a lot better than a friendly Sunday game in that weather!

 

[Dave the OAP]

Fantastic 1 wicket win at Alfriston for Hove Unicorns . Perfect afternoon for cricket in a bucolic setting.

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I remember playing many times at alfriston...couple of big scores too, but once had a very nasty incident with some woman who lived in one of the houses at the bottom of the hill. I hit 5 sixes and all of them landed in her garden, one of them destroying her bird bath. She marched up towards the wicket shouting obscenities and threatening to do unspeakable things to me with my bat.

The alfriston boys were rolling about on the ground and I was a feared for my life.

Eventually she calmed down and was escorted off the pitch muttering darkly.

Anyone remember playing at Jevington on an evening when the sun was going down and before they changed the orientation of the square they had a bowler in his 60's who would only bowl the last few overs of an innings. He would toss the ball into the sun and if you were batting, it was a case of swinging wildly and hoping you would connect....he bowled me a Beamer and it smacked me in the left ear...I didn't see if at all....never wore a helmet in the 45 years of men's cricket.

 

[ForestRowSeagull]

I remember playing many times at alfriston...couple of big scores too, but once had a very nasty incident with some woman who lived in one of the houses at the bottom of the hill. I hit 5 sixes and all of them landed in her garden, one of them destroying her bird bath. She marched up towards the wicket shouting obscenities and threatening to do unspeakable things to me with my bat.

The alfriston boys were rolling about on the ground and I was a feared for my life.

Eventually she calmed down and was escorted off the pitch muttering darkly.

Anyone remember playing at Jevington on an evening when the sun was going down and before they changed the orientation of the square they had a bowler in his 60's who would only bowl the last few overs of an innings. He would toss the ball into the sun and if you were batting, it was a case of swinging wildly and hoping you would connect....he bowled me a Beamer and it smacked me in the left ear...I didn't see if at all....never wore a helmet in the 45 years of men's cricket.

Is Jevington the club that do brilliant teas? If so I remember eating enough for a team of 11 one Sunday there.

 

[Eeyore]

Is Jevington the club that do brilliant teas? If so I remember eating enough for a team of 11 one Sunday there.

Jevington is indeed the club of the legendry teas. They have no trouble filling their fixture card.