Second XI captain Andy Kellett on his teams 2001 season

Third XI captain Graham Tindall on his teams 2001 season

A Spectators view of the 2001 season

The Fylde League Division Two

4TH TEAM REPORT
By Skipper Tim Rawstron

A close 4th in Fylde League Division 2 and losing finalists in the Wareing Trophy were the return on the Fourth team's season.

As long-serving skipper I was well satisfied on a personal note as this was my first knockout final in twenty one years of captaincy, although I have experienced championship success in 1983 and 1993. I also took many positives from the season that was inevitably difficult at times and when the ability to turn out eleven players was an achievement.

Although the main purpose of the Fourths is to provide a first experience of senior cricket for St. Annes Juniors, it is equally important that the older and more experienced players play their part and it was from this group that the leading batsman and bowler came this season. For the third successive year, Nigel Connolly won the batting with an average of 46.80 and 234 runs in 7 league innings. Tom Heap who will be 60 next May won the bowling with a typically whole-hearted effort throughout the season and he missed only one game. His 22 wickets cost 16.69 runs each.

There were many other fine perfomances. With the bat, Mick Renshaw battled injuries to average over 25, whilst Mick Auty showed great grit and committment as he continued to develop as an opening batsman. Roger Hughes went off the boil a little after a tremendous start to the season, but this chirpy and big-hearted character bounced back and his undefeated 69 on Blackpool's main ground in the cup was just reward. John Dougall was a late starter through injury and did not score his usual weight of runs, but as the season progressed, his confidence soared and runs started to flow. The bowling was evenly shared out with Auty and Connolly the main contributors. Paul Wilks also bowled well until his promotion to the Thirds where he continued to take wickets. Mention should also be made of Roger Hughes who, on a day when the team was stripped of three regular bowlers, bowled unchanged up the hill at Kirkham for 20 overs and took 6 for 86. The fielding was variable and ranged from the brilliant to the woeful but was never less than enthusiastic. Mick Auty and myself worked hard to stoke everyone up and we both finished among the leading catchers with seven for Mick and six for myself.

School commitments robbed me of the more regular services of the likes of James Atherton, Peter Jackson and David Hartley but they impressed each time they played, not just with bat and ball, but also in the field where they were sharp and tigerish. The McCabe brothers, Paul and Ben, did not appear until later because of injury but Paul is surely destined for much higher things next season whilst a full season in the Fourths should benefit Ben and the team. Chris Cairns and Michael Baer should also be ready for next season.

There are players who may not always be picked on Tuesday night but a late call before the game will see them willingly slot in and put in a whole-hearted effort. Adrain Speakman and Martin Robinson were particularly notable here and I will be keen to give these lads a more regular spot next season.

Although sadly washed out for the last match of the season when a win could have propelled us into third place, the boys are already looking forward to next year. There are no retirements planned and I will be happy to carry on as captain if elected. Ideally a a blend of six "old" and five "young" would be ideal for next years team, but a larger than usual number of young graduates to the Thirds during this season increased the average age a little! It is no bad thing, though as I believe that loyalty to all players of all ages is crucial and is one of the factors behind a happy team.

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