16/08/2009 Notice of Players Meeting 2009 - Friday 11 Sep at The Nevill ..

Your Committee have decided to hold the Players Meeting in September this year, as many important issues will be tabled, and we want to provide the opportunity for as many people as possible to attend, hopefully before full-time education kicks in, and while memories of the current season are still fresh.

The date set is Friday 11 September 2009 from 18.30, and The Bar will be manned !

Alan Cutts, for The Committee

11/07/2009 TWCC retain Kent Super 8s Cup ...

TWCC became Kent Super 8s Champions at Gore Court on Sunday, retaining the trophy that we won in 2008.

Around 60 clubs entered the kwik-cricket tournament for players under 9 years of age. Wells entered 2 teams: one was victorious in 7 out of its 10 matches in the qualifying rounds over two weekends against local sides, yet just failed to qualify for the finals; but the eventual tournament victors won all 8 of their qualifiers to become one of 24 teams to reach the finals at Gore Court.

In the early rounds we beat Whitstable, Marden, Sevenoaks in a particularly tight match, and Plaxtol. In the final we faced Old Dunstonians and ran out convincing winners scoring 244 against the OD’s 186.

Jock Paterson, said, “I thought that winning last year was my proudest moment but to come back and retain the trophy is very satisfying. The boys and the coaches have put in so much hard work and the team played with great spirit, skill and uncanny maturity for boys so young”.

The squad which was led by captain Julian O’Riordan was: Hugo Williams (vice-captain) Williams, Joseph Pickett, Joshua Fung-on, Harry Holford, Ben Meek, Alfred Shankland, Harry Witty, Zac Brockman, Alex Crickmore, Joshua Lord, Tom Nicholls, Louis Tipper,

The coaching team included Dick Latter, Geoff Richards, Benjamin Watts and Matt Bailey.

Alan Cutts, for David Marshall

10/09/2008 Roll of Honour ...

Congratulations to all of the league XIs on meeting or exceeding their objectives :-

Sat 1st XI - Premier Division for 2009

Sat 2nd XI - Runners Up Premier Division 2nd XI

Sat 3rd XI - Champions KCL(W) Division 1a and promoted to KCL Division 5 1st XI

Sat 4th XI - Champions KCL(W) Division 2a and promoted to KCL Division 5 2nd XI

Sun 1st XI - Nearly champions - Aero League Premier Division

Thanks to all those who have played, and especially to those who have helped in the running of your club throughout the season. Multiple roles are likely to be available for next year and can often be constructed around your preferences/strengths/interests. Please contact Nigel Keess (nkeess@hotmail.com) if you or your family/friends would like to get involved in any capacity.  

Dates for your diary :-

Players' Meeting - date to be arranged in late Sept/early Oct. (probably a Monday evening at The Nevill)

KCL Dinner - 14 November (contact Simon Routh)

KCL(W) Dinner - 21 November (contact Steve Niker)

Indoor Six-a-Side - potentially Sundays from October-March (contact BJ Allatt)

AGM - 26 January 2009

Nigel Keess

03/09/2008 Message from Chairman re Sat 6 Sep ...

The situation :-

Sat 4th XI - Champions

Sat 3rd XI - definitely top three, probably top two, need 12 points to be certain to be Champions

Sat 2nd XI - definitely top four, almost certainly top three, probably runners-up, could be Champions but depends on other results

Sat 1st XI - currently 8th out of 10 level on points with side in 9th. Could finish anywhere from 6th to 10th depending on other results. To avoid relegation must get at least the same number of points as Lordswood and 7 points to be sure to be above Sandwich Town (possibly less depending on how many points Sandwich Town win)

Scorer required for Sat II (contact N.Keess) ...

Nigel Keess and Selectors

20/08/2008 Message from Chairman following Selection ...

1. Curry/Awards Evening - Sat 6 Sept after the matches or at 19.30 if rained off. £5 for U13 and younger, £10 for all others. It's a good evening - please be sure to attend. Money and confirmation to your captain or Steve Green please.  

2. Thanks to all those who made a special effort to make themselves available for selection this weekend. There are some important fixtures - 1st XI are battling to retain a place in the Premier Division, 3rd XI need to keep winning to be sure of gaining promotion to the county wide Kent Cricket League, 4th XI need 12 more points from two matches to be sure of promotion to the county wide Kent Cricket League. 2nd XI can take a big step towards becoming Premier Division Champions with good results on Saturday and Monday.  

3. There is a 2nd XI league fixture on Monday at The Nevill. Please come along to support. Bar open from approx 1630 and may be earlier.  

4. Sat 5th XI needs a captain/organiser this week. Please contact Nigel Keess (nkeess@hotmail.com) if you can help.  

5. Fantastic availability this weekend has made the job of your Selection Committee very challenging. Two of the captains have withdrawn from their XIs to minimise the need to move people who have been loyal and have performed well down XIs.  

Good luck in achieving your objectives.

Nigel Keess and Committee

28/07/2008 Mark Smith reaches The Double for TW First XI ...

The TWCC First XI game against Lordswood on 26 July 08 saw a notable record fall to the Club's leading all-rounder Mark Smith when he picked up his third wicket in the visitors' innings at The Nevill. Mark brought his tally of wickets to exactly 100, to go with the 1636 runs he has made already, thus reaching the rare 'Double' of 1000 runs and 100 wickets for the First XI. In addition he has taken 25 catches and achieved 2 run-outs.

This is an extremely praiseworthy achievement for the Club, and for Mark personally, and we wish him our sincere congratulations upon attaining the landmark.

Alan Cutts

14/07/2008 TWCC U9s win the Super 8s at Gore Court ...

TWCC under 9s became Kent Champions at Gore Court on Sunday from an original entry of 65 teams; the first time that the Club has won this prestigious Mini Super 8s title.

In the qualifying rounds, TW won 8 of its 10 matches over two weekends against local sides, to become one of 24 teams to reach the finals at Gore Court. In the early rounds we beat Beckenham and Platt juniors and then went on to beat Blackheath, excitingly off the last ball of the match. We triumphed over Ashford in the semi-finals to face pre-tournament favourites, Marden in the grand final. In a tense game Marden scored 198 with 5 wickets lost and we rattled up 228 for no wickets, to take the title on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run.

Jock Paterson, who led the squad, and who has coached youngsters at this age at the Club for over 10 years said, “this was my proudest moment: we have coached very talented players over the years but this group came together with such spirit and determination that it makes all the hard work so worthwhile; some of the batting, bowling and catching was superb. And to think that three of the team were only 7 years of age is all the more remarkable”.

The team which was astutely led by captain William Shields was: Edward Springett, Zachary Brockman, Josh Lord, Julian O’Riordan, Conrad Perkins, Jack Merriman, Jolyon Ward, Thys van der Zanden, and Harry Whitty. Hugo Williams, Daniel Faure and Christopher Dubec played in the qualifying rounds

Jolyon Ward snr was assistant Team Manager and the coaching team included Geoff Richards, Nick Brown, and Benjamin Watts.

David Marshall

14/07/2008 Another duty for Alex with the Kent XI ...

The Kent First XI have asked Alex Williams down to Taunton to act again as Twelfth Man ... this is another magnificent opportunity for the TWCC First Teamer, and we wish him well in his endeavours for the Team. On the Wednesday (16/7), Kent won the toss, and fielded ... and Alex spent most of the day 'subbing' for Yasir Arafat, who had had to leave the field with a stomach problem after putting down four overs ... so a baptism of fire !

Alan Cutts

06/07/2008 TWCC League XIs all triumph together again ...

For a third time, and twice now in 2008, all four TWCC League XIs won their games on the same day, to match 31 May 08 and 5 May 07. For the First XI this was especially sweet as the result propelled them into second spot in the Premier Division, the best placement since the glory days of 1987/88. The Club now embark on the 'return nine' to see how the various campaigns finish up.

Alan Cutts

23/06/2008 TWCC supply Kent 20-20 XI with 12th man at Beckenham ...

On 22 June, Alex Williams was invited by KCCC to perform the duties of one of the 12th men supporting the XI in their demolition of Essex at Beckenham. The experience was extremely enjoyable, important and worthy, and Alex received every encouragement from The Kent XI. Our congratulations go to Alex in this notable selection.

Alan Cutts

01/06/2008 Four League wins out of four ... again ...

On May 5 2007, TWCC set a standard when all four KL XIs won their respective games on the same day ... on 31 May 2008, TWCC did it again. All players and selectors, supporters and followers can be justly proud of this on-field achievement.

The TWCC Think Tank also have the view that as many as 28 'Youth' players (current and recent) were part of this effort, from a total of 44 persons involved ~ which may well be a record at the moment ... and likely to be surpassed ?

All four League XIs took 20 points from the encounters concerned, with full details on http://tunbridgewells.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp.

Alan Cutts

13/05/2008 Youth Cricket ...

Youth Matches (U15 so far) are now being posted in synopsis format on this website for all our fans of the Border League and the National Cup Competition - you know ... that one that TWCC won in 2007 ... !!!

Alan Cutts

25/03/2008 KCB announce TWCC as part of Kent FCCC ...

The KCB have today named those Clubs involved in FCCC. Kent Director of Cricket Development Jamie Clifford stated that “the world of cricket club management has changed. These clubs are leading that change. I sincerely hope that with KCB support they can take the development of cricket in their clubs to a new level.  It is very exciting times for everyone involved with the sport.”

TWCC have graduated via the Clubmark program and now stand to benefit as one of 45 Focus Clubs Community Clusters in Kent announced today. The development of these Clubs now has the official blessing of the central County authorities. The 45 Clubs concerned are -

Alan Cutts and David Marshall

05/03/2008 Support your Club - New Social Events ...

Notes for your Diaries ... BJ Allatt and the Social Gang have put together a list of events to tantalise your darker sides ... the list comprises the following :-

(1) March 23 ... 15.00-18.00 The GREAT TWCC EASTER EGG HUNT - Pub afterwards ...

(2) May 3 ... 19.30 onwards QUIZ NIGHT at the Clubhouse ...

(3) June 28 ... 19.30 onwards RACE NIGHT at the Clubhouse ...

(4) August tba ... GOLF DAY (venue to be announced) ...

(5) Sep 6 ... 19.30 End of Season Curry Night ...

Please also note that the AGM for 2009 has been set already and will be held on Monday 26 January 09 at the Clubhouse to start at 20.00 ... we have formed the view that attendance can be greatly enhanced with long distance forewarning of the date, and other conflicting activities have been factored in ...

Alan Cutts

28/02/2008 TWCC U15 receive an Award at TWBC evening

The Annual Awards Ceremony at Southborough 27 Feb 2008, held by TWBC, produced further recognition for the TWCC U15s in the Young Team category, for their 2007 achievement in winning the National Portman Cup. A large Shield will be held by the Club for a year in respect of this award, whilst a commemorative copy shield will be kept in perpetuity as a mark of the success.

Alan Cutts

13/02/2008 TWCC awarded Focus Club Status (FCCC)

The Kent Cricket Board (KCB) has selected Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club as a Focus Club Community Cluster (FCCC). This recognises the role the Club is playing in the community especially in developing young cricketers through its innovative cricket programmes.

In his letter to the club, Andy Griffiths, KCB Community Cricket Manager, said, “the achievement of Clubmark and now FCCC status shows that the Club is well run and ambitious, clearly having aspirations beyond current activity. KCB wants to help you achieve them in the future. Support will be provided to clubs in the realisation of their plans, and ensure that the game in the county remains healthy. In turn, it is hoped that this will lead to further success for KCCC and Kent Women as more talented players emerge”.

As input to the FCCC process, the Club had to submit detailed plans of its cricket programmes, facilities, and resources to the KCB and ECB. Our development plans focused on creating further adult sides on Saturdays and Sundays, extending our winter training programmes for youth players, helping other clubs and schools where feasible, and the redevelopment of hard net facilities at The Nevill.

Alan Cutts

07/02/2008 New Chairman of the Kent League Committee

It is with pleasure that it can be announced that our Chairman, Nigel Keess, has been voted in as the new Chairman of the Kent League Committee. Nigel succeeds Howard Smith, who has been 'in post' for nine years, and under whom the present format of matches has evolved.

We therefore wish Nigel every success in this new role, in addition to his local TWCC duties, and trust that the prosperity and happy guidance of the League will prevail under this new leadership.

Alan Cutts

13/01/2008 New Sponsor announced for TWCC Youth Cricket

Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Mother Goose Mortgages is to sponsor its highly successful Colts programme in 2008.
Mother Goose is a brand new high street based mortgage broker that offers straight-forward mortgage advice in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere to local people. The first outlet recently opened in London Road, Southborough.
David Marshall, Head of Youth Cricket at the Club said, “we are delighted to welcome Mother Goose to support us with the continuing development of our young cricketers. That a young, energetic company should support the development of local young people is an ideal fit for us”.
Nicholas Coffin, Partner of Mother Goose said, "we are very pleased to be able support so many enthusiastic young people from all over the Tunbridge Wells area and wish the club continued success for 2008 and beyond”.

Alan Cutts and David Marshall

19/11/2007 Kent Cricket Board unveil new Team ...

Kent Cricket Board's new team for the delivery of ‘Building Partnerships (the England & Wales Cricket Board Strategy) started this week (12/11/2007). The team will ensure that cricket in Kent continues to be at the leading edge of the sport's development.
Jamie Clifford, Director of Cricket Development, commented: “I am very excited about the team we now have in place. I appreciate it has been an unsettling few months for everyone involved in cricket in the county and would like to thank them for their patience and continued support. The team are looking forward to building on and supporting the great work going on in the county and making a real difference.”
Go the links page on our play-cricket website to access the KCB website - then go via this link.

Alan Cutts and David Marshall

18/09/2007 TWCC receive Spirit of Cricket accolade 2007

The TW First Team won the Brian Luckhurst Award for 2007, reflecting their onfield spirit, behaviour and conduct, a worthy tribute after some trying encounters -

THE BRIAN LUCKHURST PREMIER 'SPIRIT OF CRICKET' AWARD 2007 final table

Scores between 75 % - 100% indicates good to excellent Score between 50% - 75% indicates acceptable to good.

1 TUNBRIDGE WELLS 87.17
2 ST LAWRENCE 86.61
3 SEVENOAKS VINE 85.83
4 BICKLEY PARK 80.99
5 BROADSTAIRS 76.00
6 BECKENHAM & SYDENHAM 75.45
7 LORDSDWOOD 71.31
8 GORE COURT 71.09
9 BLACKHEATH 70.69
10 BROMLEY 70.31

Alan Cutts

01/09/2007 The Fourths create new TWCC batting record while getting promoted ...

During a boundary-blitz at Foots Cray, TWCC IV XI - now officially ratified - have won promotion in their debut campaign. In posting four individual half-centuries, the team set a new Club record, somewhat unlikely to be equalled. The players concerned are named on the play-cricket site, with full scorecards, but may be recorded as follows - Jan Ball, Dave Thomas, Charlie Phelan and Tom Dowding.

Alan Cutts

22/08/2007 TWCC U-15s lift Portman Cup at the Finals ...

The TWCC U-15 Dream continued, and climaxed in a performance in the Finals which was both clinical and ultimately of the highest standard.
Losing the toss in the first Semi-Final, TWCC were inserted on a wet top, and, had several early chances been held, might have been troubled. Mansfield (Nottinghamshire) were unable to translate these moments into dominance, and handed Tom Elliott and Chris Williams the initiative, and these two needed no second invitation. After ten overs, 102 delightful runs had been posted, and Tom had retired with an undefeated 53. Chris, as so often is the case, followed soon after, but the innings pushed on to a massive 158-5 after the 20 overs, and Mansfield had it all to do.
Opening spells of great speed and accuracy from Sunny Mohammed and Caspian Paget were augmented by clever spin from Tom Elliott, and the ever-miserly Tom Jenner, and the Nottingham boys had no answers. The innings never got going, and wickets fell regularly. A final total of 66-9 propelled Wells into the Cup Final by a stonking 92 run margin.
Newport (Wales) this time promised sterner opposition, and, batting first, raced to 80-0 after 12 overs, skipper Imran Hassan spearheading the effort with a retired not out 50, but thereafter Wells contained the runscoring so well that the target was held at 124 and 6 wickets were captured.
This pony had only one trick, however, and Wells showed why they have persevered so successfully throughout the competition, as a splendid recovery was mounted after the early loss of Chris Williams. Needing to bat out 18 overs and maintain an asking rate of 6.3 runs per over, and faced with 6 men on the fence from over 8, Sam Stickler and Tom Elliott played handsome mature cricket and did all that was asked as 100 runs were added for the second partnership.
Sam retired for an unbeaten 50, then Tom was needlessly run out, but these two lads had piloted the innings to 118 off 18.3 overs and a four from Max Thorpe nailed the Trophy as Wells romped home by eight wickets.
The Elliott/Stickler partnership was almost professional in its concepts, execution and finesse, and deservedly set the basis from which the victory was achieved. Thus it was that the Cup came - for the first time - to a Kent XI, and TWCC could be justly proud of their players and coaches, and the massive complement of well-wishers who made the journey to Bournemouth in support. A day not to be forgotten by participants and parents alike, made memorable in the outcome and in the allround sportsmanship displayed by a very fine set of young players.

ECBtv video footage on this URL www.ecb.co.uk/domestic/tunbridge-wells-are-portman-u15-champions,14584,EN.html

Alan Cutts

18/08/2007 Inaugural Langdale Cup won by TWCC U-17 for 2007 ...

Tunbridge Wells CC U-17s won the 29th Annual Colts Festival yesterday at The Nevill. This year's Festival, sponsored by solicitors Donaldson West, was the first year in which the new Jonathan Langdale Trophy was awarded. It was wonderfully poignant therefore that Wells became the first winners of the new cup for the festival started by Jonathan in 1979. A number of the players in the winning line-up had greatly benefitted from Jonathan's coaching.
That Wells won the trophy at all was in itself a shock towards the end of the day - Bexley on 115 for 1, chasing only 167 to win, and with 20 overs remaining, were seemingly confidently pacing their march to inevitable victory. Momentum started to swing back towards an even contest when Tom Jenner ripped out the stumps three times in quick succession to wipe out the middle order in an inspired spell of 3-18. And sensing that they really could push on to win it, Tom Elliott then spun out three more in his last two overs. Caspian Paget and Chris Williams also took wickets. In the end, all was well as the Trophy was won narrowly by 28 runs.
Wells had got off to a good start with skipper Will Stickler and Alex Williams putting on 62 for the first wicket, with Will scoring 53. The rest of the innings rather fell away, with Matt Ody taking 4 wickets, and Wells feeling they were shy of a really competitive total.
In earlier rounds Wells (171-7) beat Lingfield (139 a.o.) with notable performances coming from Theo Burley with 45, Will Sticker 30 and James Sharp 31. Will then took 3 for 7.
Wells (141-2) also overcame St. Lawrence & Highland Court (140-9) with Alex Williams scoring a brilliant 80 not out and brother Chris Williams taking 3-26.

Alan Cutts

15/08/2007 Simon reaches 350 First Team League appearances ...

The game last Saturday against Blackheath was the 350th First Team KCL appearance for Simon Routh, a sequence which began as long ago as 1980. This is a major achievement, not only in terms of fitness and ability, but also loyalty and perseverance. Very few players in the Kent League have attained such a pinnacle, but there are other notables (such as Kent Chairman Carl Openshaw) who have touched these heights for Tunbridge Wells CC. The missing factor on this occasion was a nice win, but Simon has seen all of the vicissitudes of the KCL over this timespan. Hearty congratulations to Simon upon reaching this milestone in his career.

Alan Cutts

07/08/2007 Donaldson West to sponsor Colts Festival

TWCC is delighted to announce that Donaldson West is to be the sponsor for the 29th annual festival of under 17 cricket to be played at the Nevill ground from August 14th to 17th.
David Marshall said: “We are delighted to welcome Donaldson West this year for what we hope will be an excellent festival and are very pleased that they have chosen to support the development of some of the region??(tm)s finest young cricketers.”

Pauline Donaldson, Senior Partner of Donaldson West said, "we are very pleased to support the Festival and its tradition of bringing together players from all over the County, and hope it is a great success"

Alan Cutts

09/07/2007 First Team post record total at Gore Court ...

TWCC flagship First XI notched a record One-Day Premier Division total when they posted 320-6 at The Grove (against Gore Court). Wells have seen more runs scored in the two-day League but in this format, the score was a record for the Club. There have been occasions when in Division One the Firsts reached 300 but this is the best at this level. David Else collected a personal best with a not out 132, and guest Kent Player Min Patel hit up 99.

Alan Cutts

12/06/2007 That ball ... the Brough story in full ...

Away at Canterbury in the League, Peter Ford finally succumbed to that 'leg' after five balls of his seventh over, and Brough Cooper was picked out by skipper Nigel Keess to complete the over. Not noted by the cognoscenti for his profound bowling skills, Cooper sent down an innocent-looking ball outside the off stump with an offbreak action. Demonic revolutions and supernatural forces enabled the ball to spin wickedly past the Canterbury Number Three, who had incautiously shouldered arms, and into the wicket, to general disbelief and consternation.
'Puppy' thereby took a wicket with his first ball in the Kent League ... indeed his only ball so far, for, having completed Ford's over, he was mysteriously returned to the ranks ...

Alan Cutts

05/06/2007 Fourth XI join the '3 x 50' club ...

In just their fifth match, the 're-born' Fourth XI joined their League colleagues when posting three individual half-centuries in one innings. Blue Star II were the victims of this effort at their home ground.
The Second XI achieved this feat twice in 2006, the Third XI last in 2003 (away to OD CUACO), and the First XI have to look back some time for their most recent such achievement ...

Alan Cutts

03/06/2007 Welcome back to Grant Stephens ...

Unscheduled 'sub' at The Foxgrove (Beckenham) was Grant 'Grunty' Stephens, now resident in the approximate vicinity ! Grant was part of the victory push for Wells, notching a safe catch in the process ! GS was Club Captain in 2000, when Premier Division status was re-attained, also in 2001 and 2004, just before Mark Smith took over.

Alan Cutts

22/05/2007 Barney shines as history repeats itself ...

Barney Shaw hit an unbeaten 129 in the TW IV XI game at Beckenham on 19 May, echoing the effort ten seasons earlier on the same ground by Richard Cutts, who made 117*, also in a Fourths league match. For Barney, this was his second hundred within twelve months, having made 110 in a Sunday game in 2006 - the two tons representing a feat without parallel as far as the records show. The Archivist writes : the youngest known player to have notched a League ton remains Richard in 1998, aged 13 ... Barney was 14 at the time of his remarkable innings.

Alan Cutts

09/05/2007 Clinton Auty gets in touch again ...

For all you folks who can remember Clint, he was our Aussie 'Overseas' in 2001, and a thoroughly lovely guy. He and Mel now have three boys, and he doesn't play cricket now (possibly connected facts !). Anyone who wants to mail him in WA, please contact me for his address.

Alan Cutts

07/05/2007 2 x 200 partnerships ...

5 May saw Mark Alexander and Will Stickler post 247 for the second wicket (a new record) against Sibton Park II - each notching unbeaten centuries. 6 May, the feat was repeated (though not in the League) as Rob Sharma and Theo Burley scored their maiden tons for the Club - adding 201 for the second stand against Frenford CC, who have now conceded three centuries in two matches, Richard Cutts being the player concerned in 2006.

Alan Cutts

05/05/2007 5 May : 4 wins out of 4 !

Four League Wins in one day !! TWCC notched up a record on May 5 2007 with all four Saturday League XIs winning their respective encounters on the same day for the first time. Hitherto there have been occasions when the top three sides recorded League wins, but this was one better, and hopefully can be repeated ! Altogether, six half-centuries were obtained, two being taken on to unbeaten centuries. There was one sole instance of a five-wicket-haul !

Alan Cutts

21/09/2005 Buy your picture!

Most of you will have noticed Bruce Elliott taking photos during our matches this summer.

Bruce has linked up with Photobox so that you can buy any of the photo's from this year's games.

Please go to www.photoboxgallery.com/beep to see if you ae there and then follow the simple process to purchase any shots that you fancy!

Tim Luckhurst and Alan Cutts