2017 2017
Review
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After our unprecedented success in 2016 when we lifted no less than 3 SNEL Division titles, as well as being crowned Champions of the prestigious ECB National Indoor competition at Lord's, we had no grand expectations for the 2017 season. But in the event, and despite a record number of unfortunate player injuries and bodily operations, we were quite pleased with the season's eventual outcome - our 3rd XI won their SNEL Division after their promotion in 2016; our 1st XI reached the SNEL League Cup Final for the very first time; our 2nd XI achieved their highest ever position in their SNEL Division and the Sunday 1st XI finished a creditable 3rd in the Premier Division of the Essex Sunday League. And although our youth teams didn't lift any trophies, there were some outstanding performances across all of the age groups. All in all, the club can look back on a satisfactory playing season.
3rd XI SNEL Champions
Whenever a team gains promotion, there is always hope that they can just 'hold their own' in the higher division the following season. But our fighting 3rd XI went one better than that by winning their SNEL Division 3 and adding another trophy to the Belhus CC Trophy Cabinet (see our website side-menu). It was a magnificent performance by all those who played, but particularly Richard Waters who emerged the leading run-scorer in the Division with 536 runs at an average of 53.60 and the consistent Alan Maidment who was the leading wicket-taker with 38 wickets at an average of 13.71. Impressive.
3rd XI SNEL Champions 2017
Centuries
With a total of 12 centuries across all of our XIs, we didn't quite achieve the same number as in 2016 (18), but it was pleasing that Keith Dhannie and Josh Clarke both registered their maiden centuries. The final tally of centurions was...Joe Joyce (5), Josh Clarke (2) and 1 each for Keith Dhannie, Dan Dreher, Charlie Lewis, Wayne Read and Zak Wilson.
'5fors'
Our bowlers recorded a total of 14 '5fors' during the season (compared to 20 in 2016). Those who achieved the feat for the club for the first time were...Matt Doran, Danny Joyce, Aidan Mason, Ashir Saleem, Suraj Thapa - and other '5fors' were registered by Connor Day, Joe Joyce, Dale Kenyon, Jack Martin-Hussey (3), Dan Norris and Alan Maidment. And with a total of 23 recorded instances of 4-wickets-in-an-innings, we will surely climb greater heights in 2018.
New club record runs in a season
Continuing his consistent performances of recent years, Joe Joyce enjoyed a terrific 2017 season and established a new club record for the total number of runs in a season in all matches - notching up a total of 2,111 runs at an average of 68.10. It was a magnificent achievement that included 5 centuries along with, unluckily, 4 scores in the 90s. Majestic.
Joe Joyce
Club record runs in a season
Oldest and youngest
The game of cricket is played by young and old alike. 2017 saw Wayne Read become the oldest batsman to score 1,000 runs in a season (at 49 years 22 days) and Josh Clarke became the youngest batsman to score a century in a senior match (at 14 years 250 days) when stroking 103 for the Development XI against Horton Kirby CC on 2nd July. And at 16 years 80 days, Zak Wilson became our youngest batman to score 1,000 runs in a season in senior matches.
Cliff Cansdale made his debut for the Essex Over 60s against Sussex in May, and John Lewis and Deepak Sinha continued to represent the Essex Over 50s throughout the season. Their continuing enthusiasm for the game is much admired. And at the other end of the age spectrum, Charlotte Waters represented Essex Girls Under 11s and Lewis Blake the Essex Boys Under 10s. Well done to them all.
SNEL League Cup Final
After some exciting matches against Westcliff-on-Sea, Hutton, Woodford Wells and Southend-on-Sea & EMT, we met Chingford CC in the Final at Wickford Cricket Club's ground on 28th August. Chingford batted first and posted a respectable total of 285 for 8 from their allotted 50 overs, thanks largely to a fine century by skipper Alfie Taylor. After tea, and despite a brave attempt and a stoic half-century by skipper Danny Joyce, we couldn't quite chase down their total and came up short to lose by 78 runs. Well played Chingford.
The 90s Club
No less than 15 scores in the 90s were clocked up during the season compared to 7 in 2016 - and Zak Wilson and dad John Wilson became new members of the Belhus CC 90s Club after being dismissed for 95 and 93 respectively.
Club record fastest century
Our 2nd XI met top-of-the-table West Essex CC in a SNEL match on 10th June and took first knock. Dan Dreher marched to the crease in the 29th over and proceeded to crash 50 off of 35 balls. And he continued to maintain his momentum by reaching 100 in 51 balls (9 x 4s and 8 x 6s) and establishing a new club record for the fastest century. Brilliant. And we won by 88 runs to boot. It was to be Dan's last match of the season before undergoing back surgery - we hope that he will be fully recovered in time for the 2018 season.
Dan Dreher
Club record fastest century
Equal record number of outfield catches
Until this season, there had been only three instances of a Belhus CC fielder taking 5 catches in a match - Geoff Morrant (against Rontays CC in 1969), Dean Bettles (against Downshall CC in 1983) and Scott Bayford (against Upminster CC in 1998). And Wayne Read joined this merry band in 2017 when he clutched 5 catches in the Sunday 2nd XI match against Frenford CC on 20th August. Well held sir.
National Village Cup record
After defeating Matching Green CC in the first round of the National Village Cup, we were drawn against Horndon-on-the-Hill in the next round at North Stifford. Batting first on a pretty flat pitch, we posted a highly respectable total of 323 for 6 from our allotted 40 overs with Joe Joyce stroking a fine 133. In the reply after tea, openers Tom Stone (138) and Jack Walsh (102) made light work of the run-chase by batting superbly to see their side to 326 for 2 off just 36.1 overs to achieve a magnificent victory. And the match total of 649 runs was a new record for the aggregate number of runs in a National Village Cup match since the competition began in 1972 - easily surpassing the previous record of 622 between Bells Yew Green CC (Sussex) and Underriver CC (Kent) in 2006.
Another member of the Hat Trick Club
Only 1 hat trick was performed in 2017 - by Aidan Fourie for the Under 12s against Dunmow CC on 11th June (with an analysis of 4 wickets for 2 runs from 2 overs). It was just the 14th instance of a hat trick in a youth match since our Youth Section was formed in 1975. Well bowled Aidan.
Aidan Fourie
Hat trick
Youth and senior tours
The year marked the club's 13th Youth Tour. Based in Hemsby in Norfolk, our squad performed magnificently and returned home undefeated. Terrific. And we arranged our 32nd Senior Tour since our very first tour senior 51 years ago. Based in Norwich, our visit to Norfolk was our 15th and with 3 victories and 1 tied match it proved hugely successful as well as thorughly enjoyable. The club's enviable record of touring since its very first tour to Northern Ireland in 1966 is unparalleled among clubs across the county - testament to the spirit of fun and adventure that underpins the culture at Belhus CC. And long may it continue!
Youth Tour at Old Buckenham CC in 2017
Leading run-scorers
In addition to Joe Joyce (2,111 runs at an average of 68.10), the other notable run-scorers during the season in all senior matches were Wayne Read (1,368 @ 42.75), Danny Joyce (1,247 @ 41.57), Zak Wilson (1,084 @ 22.12),
Michael Cansdale (856 @ 22.53), and Ryan Wells (818 @ 25.56).
Leading wicket-takers
Overall, our bowlers performed reasonably well, if not spectacularly, during the year. In his first full season with the club, left-arm spinner Matt Doran was our most successful bowler with a total of 54 wickets in all matches at an economy of 20.09). He was followed closely by Alan Maidment (46 @ economy of 3.18), Dan Norris (42 @ economy of 4.39), Billy Maidment (41 @ economy of 4.08) and Joe Joyce (40 @ economy of 4.62).
Matt Doran
Leading wicket-taker
At-a-glance tables displaying all players' batting and bowling performances in SNEL League matches in 2017 can be viewed by double-clicking the .doc links below:
SNEL Batting 2017.doc
SNEL Bowling 2017.doc
And to view the SNEL final tables for 2017 please double-click on the .doc link below:
SNEL Final Tables 2017.doc
For all player batting and bowling performances in all matches in 2017, please enter the PLAYER AVERAGES and PLAYER STATISTICS tabs on the top bar menu of this website.
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Player of the Year Awards (Senior)
Saturday 4th XI - Ryan Prendergast
Saturday 3rd XI - Richard Waters
Saturday 2nd XI - Imram Mohammed
Saturday 1st XI - Matt Doran
Sunday 2nd XI - Joe Tomlinson
Sunday 1st XI - Joe Joyce
Player of the Year Awards (Youth)
Under 9s - Alex Newell
Under 11s - Lewis Blake
Under 12s - Teddy Waters
Under 13s - Alex Blake
Under 15s - Josh Clarke
'Club Member of the Year'
Paul Dudmish
2017 2017
Review
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