May 2018 News

Mount vs J.W.T. Wilcox XI, Sunday 3rd June 2018. 1200 Start.

I hope you are well and thoroughly rested following our 2 week hiatus.

We return to action on Sunday with our annual fixture against John Wilcox’s XI. We start at 12 noon, and the day will include lunch at 1.30pm and a light tea at around 4.30pm. Players should aim to be at the ACG by 11.15am. Match fees are £10 for those not on the monthly subs scheme.

This promises to be a fabulous day - good cricket, great food and refreshments and, following the biblical rainfall of recent days, a very pleasant looking weather forecast.

Spectators, friends, family and supporters are most welcome and I urge you to come along for all or part of the day if you can make it.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Go Mounties!

Bill Foley; Wednesday 30th May 2018 @ 1425

Next Fixture/Availability & Tour

I trust you are rested after our weekend off from Cricket although another successful net session attracted a decent number of playing members on Sunday.

We don’t have a fixture this Sunday, but this is more than compensated for by The President’s summer party – I hope to see many of you there.

Our next fixture is vs the John Wilcox XI on 3rd June. I am still some way short of a full side so if you are available and haven’t let me know yet, please do so asap. I believe that John may be fielding 12 players so I would like to do the same if at all possible.

I hope that you will have seen the note from DT via Bob Palmer regarding the 2018 Somerset tour. Numbers have been a real struggle this year, and in an effort to improve player availability, reduce the impact on limited annual leave and, to lower the cost for tourists, we are exploring the viability of a shortened tour. This will run from the Sunday to Tuesday with fixtures against Dunster, Bagborough and Timberscombe. Your support would be greatly appreciated – this includes the entire membership, playing, occasional or otherwise. It would be a terrible shame to cancel the tour entirely. If you can help or can entice someone who could please let myself, Simon or DT know before the weekend.

As always, many thanks for your support.

Bill Foley; Tuesday 22nd May 2018 @ 1047

Mount Tour 2018

It has become clear during the last few days that this year we do not have enough players to run a full tour.

As a compromise we have decided to make it a three day tour from Sunday to Tuesday, leaving on the Wednesday morning. This does mean losing Bridgetown and Kilve, but we must be realistic. This is a committee decision and may help financially and domestically. I shall assume that those listed below as 'definites' will all come and be available for all three games if required. Any changes please let me know immediately.

I am so sorry to be the bearer of this news, but this way we can salvage three games, which I hope you will enjoy.

Definites: * Simon Jackson * David Jackson * Richard Hair (1-2 games) * Mark Smith (2 games) * Clive Lambert * Jamie Lambert * Toby Lambert (Reserve) * William Wilcox * Max Dun + friend * Tim Murari * Peter Shaw * David Thomas (if required) * Clarissa Clement (Scorer)

Fixtures: * Sunday - Dunster * Monday - Bagborough * Tuesday - Timbercombe

David Thomas; Tuesday 22nd May 2018 @ 0839

Mount CC - Player Availability Request

I would be grateful if you could let me know your availability for the following upcoming fixtures:

  • June 3rd – vs John Wilcox XI – ACG
  • June 17th - vs Canewdon – Away
  • June 24th - vs Brentwood Victorians - ACG
  • July 1st – vs The President’s XI – ACG (Grudge match!)

Numbers have been fantastic thus far and, once again, a big thank you to all those who have made themselves available and performed so well in our unbeaten start.

Let’s keep it going as we head towards the busier, middle section of the season.

Go Mounties!

Bill Foley; Monday 14th May 2018 @ 2126

Match Report - Mount vs Canewdon

After some initial fears over the weather, Sunday turned out fine and Mount continued their winning start to the season with a 5 wicket victory over Canewdon using the experimental 2 innings T20 format. Mount won the toss and put Canewdon in to bat. A disciplined bowling and fielding performance restricted the opposition to 105/6 off their 20 overs. The wickets were shared between the bowlers with even those failing to strike doing a fine job in keeping the run rate low.

In Mount’s first innings, progress was steady rather than spectacular with the exception of Smith who made a rapid 43. The damp surface and some tidy bowling made batting trickier than anticipated. However, all those to bat made a contribution as we closed on 122/6 - a lead of 17.

Canewdon veered away from the agreed “reversed batting order protocol” for their second innings and made a good start, taking on the Mount attack from the off with no little success. It was not long though before Summers and Duffin stemmed the flow of runs. As the pressure, built wickets started to fall with D. Cox taking 2 and Montellier and Jackson, 1 each. This strike force softened up the opposition to such an extent that even the skipper was able to get amongst the wickets! Canewdon reached 110/7 leaving Mount 94 to win.

Having reversed the order, Mount chased their target down relatively comfortably but not with the odd scare - with 5 wickets falling on their way to victory. However, with Williams making 40 and Green “the run machine” unbeaten on 31, we always had plenty in reserve.

Another great team effort with everyone contributing and a very enjoyable format that proved an almost unanimous hit. The music and commentary added to the day - mostly!

Congratulations to the team for another win and thanks for your efforts gents. It was great to be back at the “ACG” and lovely to see so many supporters turn out.

Finally, a big thank you to Mrs Foley, Mrs Duffin and Mrs Montellier for putting on such an impressive tea.

We have 2 weekends free now and I would remind playing members of our arrangement with Westcliff CC – if you are available on either 19th or 26th May, please let me know.

Our next fixture is against the John Wilcox XI on June 3rd, and I will send a separate mail regarding availabilities for this and the following 3 games shortly.

Go Mounties!

Bill Foley; Monday 14th May 2018 @ 2114

Teamsheet: Mount vs Canewdon, Sunday 13th May 2018. 1300 Start.

I hope you enjoyed the lovely weather over the long weekend. Our season got off to a winning start against Old Westcliffians at a sunny Chalkwell Park on Sunday. Batting first, we posted a solid 198/6 from our 30 overs. All those to bat making a contribution, with Lockhart’s 72 and a pugnacious 40 or so from Frankel the highlights. Some late “hare’em - scare’em” batting saw a flurry of quick singles and run-outs to close out our innings just shy of 200.

Chasing 199 to win, Old Westcliffians were always in the game – scoring at or around the required rate from the off. However, a steady loss of wickets just about kept them in check. Lockhart featured again with the ball getting amongst the wickets alongside Duffin & Montellier. Just as OW seemed to be getting on top of a tight contest, a miserly, and decisive spell of bowling from either end by Wilcox and Hatton first slowed the run rate, and then, cleaned up the tail as the pressure built with Old Westcliffians closing on 166 all out. Full details and stats on the website soon.

Well done to everyone for their efforts on Sunday – a great way to start the season. The new “justice” system was trialled with numerous penalties meted out and a team song is starting to take shape! – Lots of work needed!

We can work on our vocal skills on Sunday when we host Canewdon for our first home fixture of the season – using an experimental 2 innings T20 format – it should be great fun and probably a little chaotic. Apologies to the scorer in advance!

The following have been selected:

  1. Bill Foley
  2. Dave Summers
  3. Toby Duffin
  4. Justin Montellier
  5. Paul Offord
  6. Simon Jackson
  7. David Cox
  8. Paul Cox
  9. Ged Williams
  10. Richard Green
  11. Noel Smith

12th man/standby: Martin Hare

This is a 1pm start - all players to meet at the ACG at noon for ground duties/set up.

As always, supporters are most welcome for what promises to be an exciting afternoon’s cricket. Refreshments will be available – a reminder to please let players and match officials get their tea first though. Tea will be provided by Mrs Foley - many thanks in advance to her.

If anyone requires any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me, vice-skipper Dave Summers or one of our Players’ Reps (Monty & Paul Offord).

I look forward to seeing you there and thank you again for your support.

Let’s keep the winning start to the season going!

Bill Foley; Tuesday 8th May 2018 @ 1152

Mount Summer Party

Congratulations to Mounties following their first game and a 100% winning streak so far!

Given the gaps in the cricketing calendar this season it seems an appropriate opportunity to take advantage of this and celebrate all things that are great about the Mount. So we are inviting you to a summer party on Sunday 27th May from 12.30. Food from 1.00pm

Families, partners and other hangers on are all welcome, but please indicate numbers by return.

Looking forward to seeing you all then!

Simon Jackson; Sunday 6th May 2018 @ 2036

Teamsheet: Mount vs Old Westcliffians, Sunday 6th May 2018 @ Chalkwell Park

Following the disappointment of last weekend’s postponed Tri-series cup, I am delighted to see that the weather outlook for this weekend is a lot more favourable and that we have another strong line-up to take to Old Westcliffians on Sunday.

Please note that this is an away fixture at Chalkwell Park (the Westcliff CC pitch) and in a change to the published fixture list, it is now a 2pm start.

The team selected for Sunday’s fixture vs Old Westcliffians is as follows:

  1. Bill Foley
  2. Dave Summers
  3. Toby Duffin
  4. Justin Montellier
  5. Ilan Frankel
  6. William Wilcox
  7. Richard Green
  8. Paul Southward
  9. Steve Johnson
  10. Charlie Lockhart
  11. Alex Hatton

12th man/standby: Martin Hare.

A big thank you to all the above for making yourselves available.

Please meet at the Westcliff CC pavilion in the park by 1.15pm.

For any supporters that would like to come along, as always, we would love to see you there. I am told that the bar will be open throughout and Old Westcliffians will be putting on a bbq towards the end of play. If anyone needs any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me, vice-skipper Dave Summers or one of our Players’ Reps (Monty & Paul Offord).

I look forward to seeing you there and thank you again for your support.

Bill Foley; Tuesday 1st May 2018 @ 1252