MORTON PARK, CENTRAL ROAD, BLACKBURN

Captain: Shane Thompson

Season Review

After winning one game on the field the previous season in C2, the side was put up a Grade to C1. This was going to be a bigger challenge, but I was up for the challenge to try and get the best I could out of the players and set a goal at the start of the season to win 5 to 6 games. Throughout the season we called on 29 players to represent the Clubs 4th XI. Of those 29 players, 19 players were 16 years of age or younger. Of the eleven games, we played we won 5 and lost 6. Our bowling was our main strength ahead of our batting.

Our batting and fielding (catches that should have been taken easily) let us down in 3 matches that we should have won. In the other 3 losses, we were outplayed by the opposition. Throughout the season I was clearly impressed by the younger player’s development, improvement and commitment.

Of the younger players that played, Andrew Harrison was the only Junior or Senior player to play all 11 matches. Tom Kilkenny played in 7 matches, bowled 81.5 over’s and took 13 wickets at 22.23 with best figures of 4/40 and was runner up in the bowling. Henry Bisman played in 5 matches, bowled 26.3 over’s and took 5 wickets at 29.8, with a best of 2/31. Luke Mason played 4 matches, bowled 33 over’s and took 5 wickets at 23.8 with best figures of 3/32. Sam Gastin played 3 matches, bowled 28 over’s and took 5 wickets at 14, with the best figures of 3/35.

Our best result for the year came in Rnd.10 when we defeated Eley Park’s 3rd XI, the eventual Premier’s by 108 runs. In this game we had our highest opening stand for or against us, with Matt Hill and Arjun Bharath putting on 85. We also made our highest score of 5cc/247. I then followed up our batting performance, by opening up our bowling with two left arm bowlers in Tom Kilkenny and Sam Gastin. They were then followed by Duncan Head and Luke Mason. With great bowling by these 4 bowlers we had Eley Park on the mat all out for 139, a fantastic result. It just goes to show if we put it together for the whole year we would have played finals, I have no doubt about that.

Thanks to those that helped out throughout the season, on and off the field, from the players to the Club and the Committee. Thanks to Jimmy Moore for stepping in to Captain in Rnd.6 in my absence. Thanks to the Executive and Committee for the opportunity and the great work they have done again this year, in running such a great Club. Thanks to Kim, Lisa, Michelle, Mark and others that had our afternoon tea sorted and the Canteen/ Bar stocked and operating. Congratulations to Brad, Warren and Jay for the way they led their sides through out the year and the results they achieved. I hope that whoever takes over the Captaincy next year continues to give the younger players opportunities and responsibilities to ensure the long term success of the Blackburn Cricket Club now and into the future in all grades and levels of the Club.

All the best in Season 2010/2011.

Shane Thompson

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES