Belhus Cricket Club

This year, two registration evenings for new members, both senior and junior, will be held on Friday 16th April and a week later on the 23rd.

If you would like to join us, please come along to our clubhouse on North Stifford Village Green from 6.30 pm and meet some of our current players, coaches and members of our Management Board. They will be very pleased to tell you about how we organise ourselves, how our coaching system operates and how team selection works for the 200 + matches that we arrange during the course of the season.

As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary this year, you'll be made very welcome here at Belhus Cricket Club as we continue to enjoy a reputation for good cricket and camaraderie, as well as a spirit of fun.

We look forward to seeing you.

This year's 'CricketForce' day will be on Saturday March 27th. This is our chance to prepare the club for the coming season. There is plenty of painting and maintenance to do, and a list will appear here shortly. All assistance will be gratefully received. Club will open from 8.30am.

Brian Edwards
Facilities Manager

Go to the 'Club Shop' on the website and download the appropriate form. Then just follow the instructions on the form. Orders must be placed before the end of March and they will be delivered around the same date as the Kukri clothing. Any questions should be directed to Richard Day.

Don't forget to apply for membership before 31st May to qualify for discounted payment, otherwise senior membership fees will rise from £80 to £100. Please go to the 'Join Us' section, download a membership form and send to Jim Robertson to ensure the discounted price.

Many Thanks
Brian Edwards
Chairman

The itinerary for this year's senior tour to Norfolk is:

Monday 5th July v Norwich
Tuesday 6th July v Vauxhall Mallards
Wednesday 7th July v Happisburgh
Thursday 8th July v Brooke
Friday 9th July v South Walsham

The full cost of accommodation for tourists wishing to stay at the 'official' tour Headquarters (The Marlborough Hotel, Stracey Road, Norwich) is £26 per person per night. Early booking (by text to 07889 900263 or email jimFrobertson@aol.com) is essential, and a deposit of £50 per person is required.

Jim Robertson
Tour Organiser
124 Mollands Lane
South Ockendon
Essex RM15 6DL

Indoor net practice is now taking place at The Grays School each Wednesday evening from 8 O'Clock for one hour until April 7th.

Fred Taylor has been busy arranging our fixtures for the coming season. We kick-start the season on Saturday 10th April when the 1st XI visits Chingford and the 2nd XI entertains Sidcup at North Stifford.

The Essex Sunday League gets underway on 25th April when the Sunday 1st XI travels to Hadleigh & Thundersley CC. And the Shepherd Neame Essex League gets in to full swing for all of our 4 Saturday XIs on 8th May, with the 1st XI visiting Epping CC.

See the FIXTURES page above and keep an eye open for other matches as and when they are confirmed.

In the first round of the 2010 Shepherd Neame League Cup, we have been drawn against Ongar CC on Saturday 24th April at North Stifford. The winner will then have a home tie against either Colchester & East Essex CC or Upminster CC on Saturay 1st May.

The ECB fast bowling directives have recently changed, following a two-year consultation process. The outcome is that bowlers up to Under-15 level are now able to bowl longer spells and more overs in a day. Bowlers at Under-16 and Under-17 level are now permitted to bowl an extra over per spell, but those in the Under-18 and Under-19 category have had the total number of overs they can deliver per day reduced from 21 to 18.

Age
Up to 13
Max Overs per Spell 5
Max Overs per Day 10
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U14,U15
Max Overs per Spell 6
Max Overs per Day 12
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U16,U17
Max Overs per Spell 7
Max Overs per Day 18
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U18,U19
Max Overs per Spell 7
Max Overs per Day 18
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These new directives come into effect for the start of the 2010 season. For the purpose of these guidelines, a fast bowler should be defined as a bowler to whom a wicketkeeper in the same age group would in normal circumstances stand back to take the ball.

Belhus CC is one of only seven clubs in Essex to partner the Essex County Cricket Board, 'Cricket for Change' and 'sportessex' in providing cricket for Disabled cricket teams. Ian Wright is the club's Co-Ordinator for Disabled Cricket and along with Cliff Cansdale, has already delivered a number of coaching sessions to various schools.

In 2010, along with South Loughton CC, Springfield CC and Gidea Park & Romford CC, we will be participating in the first ever Essex Disability Cricket Club League. Five league festivals will be organised and our home festival will take place at North Stifford on July 18th. The final festival will be held at the County Ground, Chelmsford in September. For more information or to get involved generally with this new initiative, please contact Ian Wright.