Senior Cricket In Wales

GWALIA WELSH CUP 2013

The draw for the 2013 Gwalia Welsh Cup can be found in full by following the link to the Play-Cricket Website and a paper copy can be downloaded from this site. 

The Cup Organiser is Bill Marchant (Tel 01646 600974) (E-mail).  Other contacts are Robin Varley (E-mail) and Phil Thomas (E-mail)

The Final will, this year, return to the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff and will be played on August 18th.

Clubs will note that there are some changes from last year.

• There are only 61 entries this year (18 in North Wales and 42 elsewhere).  This means that there is need for only two ties to be played in Round 1 (both in North Wales).

• This is a significant fall in entries compared with 2012. However, many matches were conceded in the early rounds last season.  The reasons for the decline in interest by players are many-fold and warrant further investigation but the organisers have decided to revert to geographical zoning up to the Quarter Finals.  By reducing potential travelling times, it is hoped to reduce the incidence of conceded ties this year.  This was a decision made after some discussion and was made in the full knowledge that some clubs had requested a widening of the zones to increase the likelihood of meeting new opponents.

• Copies of the Cup Rules and of the new Cricket Wales disciplinary procedures are available as downloads from this website.   

• The draw was made by Phil Thomas (Chairman of the Senior Cricket Council), Bill Marchant (the newly appointed Welsh Cup Organiser) and Robin Varley (Volunteer Administrator etc for Cricket Wales) at the Cliff Hotel, near Cardigan on Monday, January 21st.  The 61 entrants had been divided into 8 roughly geographical ‘zones.’  A draw was completed for each zone and then a draw was made for Quarter Final ties.  Co-incidentally, the draw produced ties between adjacent zones (honest!).  Finally a draw was made for semi-finals.

• The 8 original regions have been published as 4 sections, following the draw for the quarter finals

• The full draw, the rules and the disciplinary procedures will all be published in the Cricket Wales Year Book (unlike last season).

• Those clubs who have entered other knock-out competitions will probably find that there are clashes with the dates set by some competitions.  The reduced entry numbers provide some relief for those clubs in early May but we hope that their opponents will try to accommodate them if possible.  However, it is important to stress that there can be no extension past the Sunday prior to the next round.  Clubs not entering extra competitions should not be penalised for making the Welsh Cup their priority.

GWALIA WELSH CUP 2012

Congratulations to SWANSEA CRICKET CLUB for retaining the Gwalia Welsh Cup.  In the Final, held at Panteg CC, they defeated Llandudno CC, also defeated finalist in 2011.

Please see the News Report for pictures.

Cricket Wales has received the resignation of Steve Jones, Welsh Cup Organiser for the past two years under the auspices of Cricket Wales, and Organiser for several years before that with the Welsh Cricket Association.  Steve's contribution to the administration of cricket in Wales is truly impressive and Steve has been thanked for his sterling efforts.  He remains heavily involved in the affairs of the South Wales Cricket Association and of the South Wales Premier League.

Gwalia Housing Group has also sponsored the competition for several years and discussions are taking place with a view to continuing our relationship with the Group.

A sub-committee of the Senior Cricket Council met in Carmarthen in mid-September, 2012, in order to discuss the future of the competition.  Detailed proposals will be put to the Senior Cricket Council in mid-October.

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Role of Honour 2012 Season

Gwalia Welsh Cup - Winners - Swansea Cricket Club Runners-up - Llandudno Cricket Club

Swansea Players Leaving the Field at Panteg

Glamorgan & Mons League* Division 1 - Sudbrook CC Division 2 - Miskin Manor CC Division 3 - Monmouth CC

*_{Note - the competition for 2012 has been declared void because so many matches were cancelled}

North Wales Cricket League Premier League - Llandudno CC

Llandudno CC at Panteg

Division 1 - Hawarden Park CC Division 2 - Buckley CC Division 3 - Ruthin CC

Division 4 - Conwy CC Division 5 - Pwllheli CC

Pembroke County League  Division 1 - Carew CC Division 2 - Llanrhian CC Division 3 - Lamphey CC

Division 4 - Camrose & Spittal CC Division 5 - Lawrenny CC 2nds Division 6 - Stackpole CC 2nds

South Wales Cricket Association Division 1 - Swansea CC

Division 2 - Carmarthen Wanderers CC

Carmarthen Wanderers CC

Division 3 - Briton Ferry CC Division 4 - Cimla CC

SWALEC South Wales Premier League  Winners: Ammanford Cricket Club 

Ammanford CC 1st XI

2nd XI League - Newport CC

Welsh Clubs Cricket Conference Division 1 -  Pencoed CC Division 2 - Great Western CC

Division 3 - Crumlin CC      Division 4 - Coedely CWCI CC   Alliance 1 - Ton Pentre Alliance 2 - Cardiff Cobras

West Wales Cricket Club Conference  Championship - Llandovery CC

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Senior Cricket Council 2012

Chairman: Philip D.Thomas, 2 Bridge Villas, Narberth, Pembs. SA67 8RB. 01834 860376 or 07775 953492 E Mail: phil@countyfc@co.uk

Wales Minor County XI – Graham Crimp, 40 Purcell Road, Penarth, CF64 3QN. 02920 708475 gcc40@btinternet.com

Welsh Clubs Conference – Clive R. Franklin, 12 Walnut Tree Close, Radyr, Cardiff CF15 8SX Tel 02920 843034 or 07976 385402. clivefranklin@hotmail.com

South Wales Cricket Association  - Neil Hobbs, 28 Cowell Rd, Garnant, Ammanford. SA18 1NW – 07971 423274  E-mail neil.hobbs2@btinternet.com

North Wales League - Richard Penney, 23 Coed y Graig, Penymynydd, Flintshire, CH4 0XD. 01244 544684  07984 077758  email – treasurer@northwalescricket.co.uk

North Wales Regional Cricket Association – Alun Parry, 3 Vale View, Llay, Wrexham LL12 0NH.  01978 855438.  E-mail jenna.parry438@btinternet.com

West Wales Cricket Club Conference – Alex Pitchford, Cwm Cafan, Ganol, Felin-fach, Lampeter. SA48 8PJ. 07794 632568. E-mail: alex.pitchford@gmail.com

Pembroke County Cricket Club -   Philip D Thomas, 2 Bridge Villas, Narberth, Pembs. SA67 8RB. Tel  01834 860376 (H); 01834 812141 (B); 07775 953492. E-mail: Philip.narberth@virgin.net

SWALEC  Premier Cricket League - Paul Morgan. 07770 958683 email -paul.morgan@torfaen.gov.uk

Glamorgan & Monmouthshire League – Sohail Rauf - E-mail: sohailrauf@hotmail.co.uk

Gwalia Cup Organiser – To be Confirmed

ACO Wales – Dave Carter E-mail:  dave@daveandclaire.plus.com

Sport Wales – Susie Osborne E-mail: susie.osborne@sportwales.org.uk

Child Welfare –Ieuan Watkins E-mail:  ieuan.watkins@cricketwales.org.uk

Chief Executive officer Cricket Wales – Peter Hybart  E-mail: peter.hybart@cricketwales.org.uk

Admin & Communications – Robin Varley, 14 Lon Llewelyn, Waun Fawr, Aberystwyth. SY23 3TP )1970 624403 or 0771 421 9535  robin.varley@cricketwales.org.uk

NatWest Cricket Force 2012

Read and see the fantastic work that has taken place over the NatWest CricketForce Weekend (31st March and 1st April, 2012) at Ammanford CC, Buith Wells CC, Pontblyddyn CC and Llandysul CC.

Some of the paint has apparently made its way on to the walls.  

It is not clear what job was left to the dog!

Ammanford Cricket Club players and officials have also been busy:

PONTBLYDDYN CRICKET CLUB 

Once again we did all that we set out to do. Thank you everyone for all your help and support over this weekend, it has been truly fantastic. Down at the club we completed a tremendous two days of very hard work by all involved and all our major objectives were achieved. Also, thank you weather. 

What did we do? 

We did all this... Prepared the ground and wickets - it looks great - painted and repaired the fences, painted the scorebox and cleared away the rubbish from it, weeded the patio and painted the fencing around it, erected the new net on the net lanes and painted the balcony railings. We also put the 'sails' back on the sightscreens, repaired the boundary rope, repaired the car park holes, cut back the undergrowth on the car park and cleaned the changing rooms. We then tidied up the patio area under the balcony, put hoses and sheets back onto the covers and cleaned up the riverbank and surrounds. 

We also managed to get rid of all of the rubbish - thank you Dafydd! 

We must also not forget the tremendous work our sponsors, Renewable Solutions, have done in refurbishing the bar area and installing new lighting - this really takes the club forward.

We had some fun also! 

Thank you to those who not only helped, but provided materials and to those who kept us going with copious cups of tea and food. Again, thank you for all your help and support - we could not have done it without you. 

Roll on 2013!

 Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Llandysul Cricket Club members have recently decorated the club lounge and the newly constructed conservatory.

The Senior Cricket council will not only undertake most of the functions previously undertaken by the Welsh Cricket Association but will develop new ones as appropriate.  There are many subjects of common interest to Clubs, Leagues and Associations in Wales; the Senior Cricket Council will provide a forum for discussion of these common interests and, importantly, opportunities to drive forward the development of the club game in Wales.

The inaugural meeting of the Senior Cricket Council (SCC) was held on September 25^th 2011 in Llandrindod Wells.  Chaired by Morley Howell, formerly Chairman of the now dissolved Welsh Cricket Association, each of the main weekend leagues was represented.  In addition, representatives of the North Wales Cricket Association, the Wales Minor County XI and ACO (Wales) were present.  Peter Hybart (Director of Cricket Development), Ieuan Watkins (Child Welfare), Steve Jones (Welsh Cup Organizer) and Robin Varley (Admin) attended the meeting.

Being an inaugural meeting, it was a bit like one’s first morning in secondary school – with new rules and contexts being described, not by the Head Master, but by Peter Hybart.  At least, we didn’t have to sing a hymn. 

Peter Hybart explained that the Institute of Groundsmen (IOG)is hoping to expand its activities in Wales.  Four regional associations exist and where the local association enjoys a close link with a league (as in North Wales) there have been notable improvements in playing surfaces.

Council members learnt that there are suggestions that the SWALEC Premier League in South Wales might seek to expand its activities by inviting more clubs into its set-up, in order to create a second division.  It should be stressed that no firm proposals have yet been tabled.

Dave Carter (ACO Wales) reported on the current state of training of umpires in Wales (see their website and elsewhere on this site).  Dave also reported that the former Training Officer, John Owen, is making steady progress following his recent illness.

Ieuan Watkins, a member of the Board of Cricket Wales spoke about recent plans in respect of Child Welfare.  See Child Welfare page for his report. 

The Gwalia Welsh Cup was won by Swansea at the second attempt.  They defeated Llandudno, making their first appearance in the final.  I say ‘second attempt’ because the first effort, the previous day, was ruined as shower after shower emptied over the SWALEC Stadium, leaving much of the rest of Cardiff dry.  Very frustrating.   Council members heard that the postponement posed some problems in the North Wales League who arrange a full league programme on Bank Holiday Monday.

20 October 2011

 The minutes of this meeting, and of the two subsequent meetings held on 27th November 2011 and March 4th 2012 are available as downloads (click)

SCC Meeting November 27th

The second meeting of the Senior Cricket Council (SCC) was held on November 27th.  Again, there was an excellent attendance.

A copy of a draft disciplinary procedure for the North Wales Cricket League had been distributed to SCC members and provoked an interesting discussion.  The draft procedures tabled are heavily based upon suggested procedures for Premier Leagues by the ECB.  The main difference from existing procedures is the definition of four levels of offences and subsequent penalties contained within the procedures.  Many present at the meeting agreed that there is much merit in leagues taking a close look at these procedures, perhaps with a view to adopting the same procedures across Wales.  The adoption of a common policy for leagues sharing the same geographical area is particularly attractive.  A club might have not one but two naughty boys amongst its ranks, each playing for different teams in different leagues.  If they have committed the same offence, it is quite possible that they could be dealt with in different ways – surely not right!  League reps agreed to look more closely at the issue. 

Some of the other items discussed feature in ‘News Items’ elsewhere on the site.  One that doesn’t is the election of three nominees to be put to the AGM in March for ratification before serving on the Board.  Richard Penney was elected as a Board nominee from North and Mid Wales and Clive Franklin and Neil Hobbs received the nod as nominees from the rest of Wales. (At the subsequent Board meeting, the agreed staggering was sorted out – Clive Franklin will serve for three years, Richard Penney for two years and Neil Hobbs will need to seek re-election after twelve months.  After the next elections, Board members will serve for three years before seeking re-election.)

 A Survey of Club Cricket 2000-2012 (Robin Varley)

The 2011 figures for SWCA and SE Wales include the teams from those respective regions playing in the SWALEC Premier League

North Wales CL  

Clubs gained in the period. Anglesey Aluminium*, Buckley*, Maeshafn, St Asaph*

Clubs lost in the period. Flint, Amlwch

 Pembroke County League

Clubs gained in the period.  St.Clears*

Clubs lost in the period. Manorbier, Dinas Cross, Cardigan, Maenclochog, Letterston

SE Wales

Clubs gained in the period.  Tredegar (a merger), Cynon Valley, Maesteg 3rds*, Porth (split from a former merger)

Clubs lost in the period. Barry Plastics, Bedwas, Blaenrhondda, CA Treorchy, Cardiff West Indians, Cardiff YMCA, Cwm, Cwmbran, Deri, Girlings, Hilltop, Llanwern, Maudlam, Nomad Dragons, Owens Corning, Penydarren, Pontllanafraith LC, Shirenewton, Southerndown, Taff’s Well, Tredegar Blue Ribbon, Tredegar Southend, Trehafod, Whiteheads, Wick, Ynysybwl.

SWCA

Clubs gained in the period. Llandysul*

Clubs lost in the period. Hirwaun, Seaside, DVLA, Cwmavon, Ffynone, Hendy, Winch Wen

WWCCC

Clubs gained in the period. Tywyn, Dolgellau (who also play in NWCL)

Clubs lost in the period. Brynamlwg, Llanybydder, Cefneithin, Laugharne (not in a league but still affiliated to Cricket Wales) Rhayader, Aberporth, Llandysul (moved to SWCA)

* Clubs transferring to or from other leagues

Recent Affiliations to Cricket Wales

Hope Hawks SC (Flintshire), Monmouth CC, Old Monmothians, Glamorgan Centurions, Hafod CC, Gilfach Goch CC, Pontarddulais RFC CC, Pontrhydyfen CC, Overton-on-Dee CC

Clubs not listed in 2001 Year Book but listed in 2011 Year Book

Caerphilly & Bedwas,  Johnston, Llanwrtyd Wells, Newport Asians, Millenium CC, St Florence

Clubs listed in 2001 Year Book but not in 2011 Year Book

Knighton CC, Attock, Benllech Treetops, Coelbren (Neath), Cwm Cynon, Llandyfani Dyffryn Cennen CC, Pennallt & Dist, RTB Ebbw Vale, St David’s,  S Llanelli, SWales Police, S Wales Sri Lankans, Suburbian Sports CC, Trehafod, Tycroes, White Hart, Millenium CC, Llanfrynach CC.

 Notes and observations:

• The above statistics have been gathered from a variety of sources – mainly the databases of existing Leagues.  As far as can be established, the clubs listed above no longer exist as clubs playing weekend matches (with a few exceptions).

• The data gleaned from the WCA Year Books is not necessarily totally accurate – this relates to the fact that Leagues and Clubs did not necessarily inform the WCA of any changes in their circumstances so that alterations on the database could be delayed by several years.

• There are many clubs in the borders and in N Wales who are firmly established but who play their league cricket across the English border, although they are affiliated to Cricket Wales (Northop Hall, Colwyn Bay, Prestatyn, Overton-on-Dee, Welshpool, Montgomery, Llanidloes, Newtown, Presteigne, Hay-on-Wye, Talgarth, Monmouth)

• There are clubs playing in two weekend leagues in South Wales.  The West Wales Cricket Association has one club (Sketty Church) that is exclusive to that Association and 19 teams that are the 3rd XIs of clubs whose other teams play in SWCA.  These are not included in the tables above as I do not have data for 2000.  The Swansea Central League consists of 13 clubs, five of whom are affiliated to Cricket Wales (Dunvant, Resolven, Grovesend Miners, Ystalafera, Swansea Civil Service).  One of these (Dunvant) runs two teams and the Swansea Civil Service team is, presumably, the 3rd XI of that club (a SWCA club)

• Using the data supplied by the leagues, but excluding the data for the Swansea Central League and the WWCA, there were 228 clubs in those leagues (or their equivalents) in 2000 and 453 teams.  In 2011 the same leagues had 194 clubs (counting Dolgellau CC only once) and 416 teams.  This is not a definitive figure for all recreational cricket in Wales but is a strong indicator of an overall decline in the fortunes of weekend, open-age, competitive cricket.

• Even making allowance for the possible inaccuracies in the data published annually in the WCA Year Book the following figures are interesting:

Listed Affiliated Clubs 1996 – 2012

1996 – 281 2002 – 230 2004 – 225 2007 – 235 2011 – 230 2012 (est) – 226

Why are we interested in such a survey?  There are plenty of potential answers: one obvious one is that many feel that the club game has much to offer as a stabilising factor in local communities; it is an accepted way, for instance, of introducing young players to the adult world in a reasonably controlled environment.

However, on a more practical level, such a survey is bound to leave us asking what resources will be available for the game’s development in the future.  The demise of some clubs has resulted from problems associated with grounds.  Some clubs in South Wales have reported that they have come under pressure as demands from other potential users puts them under threat.  It is worth asking the question: How much spare capacity of facilities is there for a recovery in team numbers in the future?  This will be a particularly relevant question should the objectives of the recently developed Community Coach programme be realised.  Some are already suggesting that facilities will not be able to keep pace with any significant increase in demand for pitches.

This document was discussed at the Senior Clubs Council and at Board level.  The whole issue is complicated but one thing is clear: those clubs who do not invest in youth cricket are more likely to perish than those who do.