Newsletter of the Midi Cricket Club!

A new club for enthusiasts of all nationalities.

 

2007 Season Review.

It's perhaps fair to say that Midi CC's 2007 season on the pitch probably witnessed more lows than highs. However, there was some encouragement towards the back end of the season.

The league season was a condensed run of home and away fixtures which got harder and harder as it became more and more difficult to raise a team. Despite a morale-boosting win against Toulouse at the start of the season, the loss of players to injury, and the gruelling schedule contributed to Midi's decline. It was also not until these league matches had finished in June that we had our nets, so no really constructive practising was possible during this period. However, good performances from new boys Paul Rogers and Gavin Mortimer certainly gave us grounds for some optimism.

After the final humiliation of being skittled for an appalling 15 runs against a very strong Tarn side, the players could have been forgiven for packing it all in. But over the summer a hard core practised regularly, and when we came to play the touring sides in September and October, there was certainly a bit more backbone about the team's batting in particular.

Midi actually finished 4th out of 5 in their Barclays League group, with Armagnac pipping us for the wooden spoon.

Some optimism is justified after the September/October friendlies. Midi won three of six matches played, undoubtedly the better side in the first fixtures against the Lee Brothers' XI, but struggled a little bit against Sutton on the Hill and Sheppey. However, our batting never crumbled as it had done earlier in the season, and we even posted 200+ in one innings. Net practices have undoubtedly helped our batting and bowling, but we will need to take a bit more professionalism into our league fixtures next year.

Some impressive performances with ball and bat from the likes of Rob Bowyer, Tim Gupwell and Nick Allison mean that we should have a good base upon which we will be able tobuild next season.

I look forward to seeing you at St.Pons next season.

DG

 

 

See 'WHERE WE ARE' for our location. Parking next to the playing field.

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Team Photo April 2007

 

You're out!

Just checking the rules.........

 

Match vs Toulouse April 22nd 2007:

Update 23rd April 2007

Some photos from our "Start of the Season Family Fun Day" April 15th:

Photos courtesy of Andy Hussey

Update 16th April 2007

The team selection for the match on Sunday 22nd April v Toulouse is:

D. George
M. Dalling
S. Langton
M. Paszkowski (WK)
R. Bowyer
G. Hannaford
T. Gupwell
N. Allison
S. Field
G. Mortimer
P. Rogers

We expect to start at 13.00

Update 6th April 2007

At last, a first practice session at the new ground: St Pons de Mauchiens. We used our new artificial pitch and started to get used to 'the bounce'. Here are a couple of pictures taken at the ground, 5th April:

 

The next practice is on Wednesday 11th April at 5.30pm ish.... Get into shape for the new season!

Update 26th March 2007

Ok, nearly time to get going again. We should be able to have a practice on Wednesday 4th April. This will be on a grass strip, as Colin is still seeding the bowlers' run ups on the new Flicx wicket. Please wait for me to get Colin's go-ahead before we actually do meet up on the 4th.

One last reminder that you need to pay your 50 euros and get a medical certificate, or you simply won't be able to play. Please post all cheques/certificates to Mel at 51 Avenue Henri Mas, 34320 Roujan. In case you aren't aware, your 50 euro playing membership includes your licence fees to France Cricket, as well as an insurance policy which gives you all the minimum legal requirements regarding insurance. Top-up insurances are available for small amounts (7-12 euros at your own cost) and if you're interested in this, please let me know and I'll give you the relevant paperwork.

As you will be aware, we have our Fun Day on 15th April, followed by a home game against Toulouse, then an away game in Armagnac, and another home match against Tarn. We then have a weekend off. I'm concerned that we get off to a good start, notably in terms of having the best teams possible for these first games. So could you please let me know your availability for the 15th, 22nd and 29th April and for the 6th May. Only contact me if you will be UNAVAILABLE. If you do not contact me, I shall assume that you are available for selection.

Update 21st February 2007

April 15 From 12.30pm Start of the season: demonstration game (20/20), Kwik cricket for children, BBQ and bar.

15 avril du début 12.30pm de la saison : jeu de démonstration (20/20), Kwik cricket pour les enfants, BBQ et bar.

Update 19th January 2007

AGM on 25 January 2007 from 18.30 to 19.30 at La Maison Verte, 31 Ave Henri Mas, Roujan. Agenda:

1. To accept nominations for Club officers
2. To elect officers for the Club for the year  
3. To agree financial statement 

Update 17th October 2006

Our ground issue is resolved. We are moving to the village of St. Pons de
Mauchiens, and taking on a hardly-used municipal football pitch. We have
just received the full go-ahead from the council, and the mayor in
particular is very enthusiastic. It's a bit of a "too good to be true"
scenario, as the council will look after the pitch and will offer us a
lock-up and use of toilet facilities. Coupled with our soon-to-arrive Flicx
pitch, we will be able to make some real progress very early next season.
The pitch is totally flat, has a good parking area, a picnic area and a kids
play zone. Couldn't be better really, and being in the village, is better
for visiting teams and supporters.
Dom (Club captain)

Update 4th October 2006

On Sunday 1st October we had our family fun day with the weather in our favour after some initial gloomy forecasts. Two teams were fielded from the club and a few recruits from the audience. Food was provided by club members which everyone enjoyed. Our thanks to all those who helped on the day.The game was good and MCC were the winners!

The 'sevens' team visited Entrecasteaux last Saturday for the sevens' tournament. Not our finest moments with regards to the results (we were beaten in our three games) but we fielded well and had a very enjoyable time. Match report to follow.

Update 22nd September 2006

Visit by the Daily Telegraph reporter, Colin Randall. See the article in the Daily Telegraph. Follow the link:

Daily Telegraph

Update 28 August 2006

The family fun day & cricket tournament has now been rearranged for October 1st. See you there?

Update 30 July 2006

We are sorry to cancel the August 6 Family Cricket Day. We have been advised that due to the extreme heat it would not be wise to hold such an outdoor event. We are hoping to put this event on in September subject to cooler climes. Oh well, makes a change from "rain stop play"!

Update 3 July 2006

Some changes to fixtures list including new match against the exotically named, Zambuca Tigers CC.

News Update 22 June 2006

Our president and co-founder, Robin Hicks has resigned from the club. He is now going on to edit the local news sheet Blahblahblah and we wish him every success. His enthusiasm and energy devoted to starting up this club will be missed. We would like to thank him for all the hard work this has involved.

Our vice president, Teddy Hutton iis taking over as president until the next AGM.

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Just to keep you all up to speed with current progress, this is how the 2006 season looks to be shaping up for Midi CC.

As far as fixtures are concerned, I have lots of "possibles" on the cards. However, we have three home fixtures confirmed. Two of these are against english teams in september, and the other is a three way 20/20 competition on May 7th against teams from Toulouse and the Tarn. I would hope to finish up with around eight home fixtures over the season. There is also the possibility of playing away fixtures.

We have been invited to take part in a competition in Provence in September which looks very interesting, and there is also an indoor 6-a-side tournament in the Dordogne on 26th March. If you are interested in taking part in this tournament, please contact me at inaanddom@hotmail..com

As you may be aware, nets are under construction at the ground. Weather permitting, I should like net practices to begin around the end of February. We will all need to agree upon a day for practices, although on our Tuesday meetings, some people will be able to practice whilst others are playing a match. I will update you all nearer the time as regards dates. I am very keen to make practices worthwhile, and it would be great to get as many juniors as possible coming down. If we can attract enough juniors, then I and some of the other players would be prepared to take time out to do some coaching.  

I have done an inventory of the kit bag with a view to ordering any necessary equipment. As far as bats, pads and gloves are concerned, we are not in bad shape. We also have at least a dozen balls for practices. We need two junior and two adult helmets and a set of spring-back stumps for the nets. I am going to start negociating with an online kit supplier, so that we can do a large one-off order. We should soon have a club logo, so I will be asking them to quote for personalised short-sleeved jumpers and sun hats. Again, if you are interested in purchasing any equipment as part of a "job lot" order, whether it be whites, boots, bats etc, please contact me. As soon as I have any prices, I will let you all know.

Safety is obviously an important factor, and next season we should make sure that nobody bats in the nets or in any form of game without a helmet or a protective box. I will order several protective boxes, and would actually urge everyone to invest in one as it's not always the nicest piece of equipment to share! I would like to place an order by the middle of February. I will hopefully be able to give you an idea of prices by the end of the week.

Dominic