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Letter received 12th May 2004 Cricket on Sunday I started writing this letter on my computer and I had nearly finished what I thought was a brilliant letter and accidentally pushed the wrong key and lost it all so I am taking no chances and writing it by hand for the webmaster to type in. Walking to the ground on Sunday with the sun beating down, the ground looked absolutely magnificent - my congratulations to the groundsman and his helpers - it was really a picture. On the cricket I was really impresssed by our bowlers; they all bowled a good line and length and kept the score to a very respectable score for forty overs of 131. What made me write this letter is, which is not like me, to heap praise on one individual. We all know Stephen Twist's capabilities but the man I am going to praise is Joe Davies and I hope he does not let me down. I always thought he had runs in him being built like an outside brick washhouse but he never delivered what he promised. Joe came in at a very difficult time at 10 - 2 and I thought batted magnificently, for once choosing which balls to hit and not hitting the balls he ought not to hit and for once it was a joy to see St Annes dominating a game and both batsmen playing with such authority. Twisty was middling the ball that well that they would not have got him out if they were still bowling at him at midnight, but it was Joe that got my eye. I hope he learns from this. It was the best innings I have seen him play and if he doesn't score 500 runs in all competitions I'm going to "slag him off" in my end of season report. As we know Joe opens the bowling as well, and doesn't get as many wickets as he deserves but as I said earlier I always thought he had runs in him and I hope he can only go forward from here. Adam Cotton is another that baffles me me with his batting, a big lad who always seems to get out to the wrong ball. To me Adam has runs in him but somehow can't deliver, maybe to me he doesn't move his feet enough to the pitch of the ball but a useful change bowler and well worth perservering with. Maybe Jimmy Adams can give him a few lessons first to get him going and give him the confidence that he seems to lack. I also think that Charles Boucher should be given an extended run in the first team although he failed with the bat on Sunday I think he is a good change bowler. He always bowled well in the second team and bowlers are what we will be short of this season. His batting needs no introduction as we all know he was the highest scorer in the second division last season. I think everyone knows we are not a strong as we were last season losing Geoff, who tied one end up all innings with his bowling, and Gareth who has joined the police, but with Danny and Jimmy Adams coming in we should have adequate batting to see us get some high scores during the season. Just one query for the committee before I close; why was Jimmy Adams allowed to play at Lords on Mayday Sunday? Driving down to London on Saturday night, playing on Sunday, even if he did score a century, and returning late Sunday or Monday morning is not an ideal way to prepare for a game on Monday even if it is only St Annes. No wonder a 15 year old got him out - he must have been tired out with all that driving. I might have got him out if I had been bowling. Not an ideal preparation even if it is only St Annes. Sir Alex would have never allowed that to happen but I suppose the answer is that it was written in his contract. I hope this is not going to resolve into a situation where he plays more cricket away from St Annes. We all remember greed Callaghan who in his last year here only had £50 notes in front of his eyes and he wasn't earning them from St Annes!!! Well, I am going to be a coward now. By the time you read this I will be well on my way to Japan (who said I hope he stops there?) and 3 days in Hong Kong on the way back so I hope we have some good results while I am away and I will be back at the ground all being well on June 5th Cheers "Bazza"	Do you agree or disagree with what Barrie has to say? Click Here to send us your comments or mail them to:- The Webmaster, St Annes Cricket Club, Vernon Road, St Annes on Sea, FY8 2RQ Thanks for your comments Barrie. In Reply We would like to thank Barrie Moorhouse for his positive comments regarding the ground and the team performance in the match against Fleetwood Hesketh. We would correct certain facts in his letter, some of which are incorrect and others which we consider to be derogatory to certain individuals. Jimmy Adams did not play at Lords on the Sunday prior to May Day Monday. He played at Shenley for the Professional Cricketers Association XI against the New Zealand Tourists in a Charity game to raise funds for the PCA. He played for no financial benefit to himself. His participation was with the club's agreement. Facts do not support the comments about David Callaghan who has been one of the best professionals the club has ever had. In the final season he scored 1051 runs at an average of 55. He also bowled 355 overs for 897 runs taking 59 wickets at an average of 15.2. This shows that he was the top all rounder in the league and did perform his duties to an extremely high standard. Graham Tindall - Cricket Chairman
Expectations Too High? After four games of the season many supporters are already expressing their disappointment at the early season performances - and perhaps with some justification. "A bl**dy disgrace!" That was one of the more publishable comments after the defeat by Blackpool and there were many others that can't be published including several from the bitterly disappointed players themselves. Last season was very successful and we all had high hopes for this season. However, the team is once more in a period of transition with key players not always available. The team has a new young captain in Stephen Twist who is still learning the job and the responsibilities that go with it; we have a new "big name" professional in Jimmy Adams who will score runs, but our regular 'keeper is still absent although Danny Hagan is doing a great job in the mean time, our main strike bowler will possibly not be available at all this season and with our record breaking opening bat also not available for many games this season there will inevitably need to be a period of adjustment. So, before we have a go at the team, be a little patient - they are all trying their best and they recognise that their team performance needs to improve. We all have our own views on how to improve the performances: - "move Bouch up the order", "drop Dosser down", "play shots and don't slog", "bring in more kids", "bring back the experenced players", "give them a good b*ll*cking", "give them more encouragement". All these are views that I've heard already and some are possibly right and maybe some will happen and it is, of course, our right to express and debate them. However, it is down to the cricket chairman, the captain, the professional and the players to bring out the best in each other and the team and we should all support their efforts in doing this and perhaps lower our expectations - but hopefully only in the short term! Chris Banting As the webmaster I have to say that these are my own personal views and not those of the club, the committee or the players. You are welcome to respond and/or to submit your comments and we will publish these but please ensure that your name and a valid address and/or e-mail address is supplied. We will withold your name and address if you wish but we will only publish items where a name and address is supplied
Letter received 27th March 2004 Hello to my favourite club I hope you have a good season and hopefully finish top of the pile. I will be looking as per usual for the results through your website. I see you have Mr. Jimmy Adams on board, well that is a good signing for the club and I'm sure he will provide some dazzling innings and hopefully put the ball to all parts of St. Annes - not sure if he will reach Chorley (hehe). So guys, enjoy the season and be positive you never know what's around the corner. Hope Mr Darlington is ok, and my good friend John Cotton is too. If you're wondering where I'm playing my cricket im playing with the MCC3 (Jimmy) would fit in well - all the players are from the Carribean. Have a great season guys Yours The Arkle	Good to hear from the Arkle once more and on behalf of everyone at St Annes I would like to thank him for his encouragement and to offer our best wishes to The Arkle for a good season in 2004.

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