Fletching Cricket Club

 Fletching’s Friday Night Project team proved too strong for a Newick side who possibly had one eye on Britain’s Got Talent; winning by 30 runs.

Star of the show was Jamie Russell’s straw hat, which went about its evening’s work with an effortless style and grace not matched by other garments.

Fletching chose to bat first and skipper Eddie Smith continued in his rich vein of form in this competition, smashing a quick-fire 51. Fellow opener Jamie Russell’s 40 was the other significant score of note as wickets began to tumble as a consequence of trying to maintain the high scoring rate. Some free hitting down the order from Aussie recruit Bart and Ed Hooper enabled Fletching to close on 149-7.

Prior to Newick’s reply; Andy Grant ably demonstrated how not to field with a spectacular tumble as he made his way out of the clubhouse! He was obviously biding his time though as he then followed a wonderful diving stop in the covers off the bowling of the otherwise hostile Ed Hooper with a great catch at square leg to remove the dangerous Saunders.

Bowling at the other end, Disco Junior, on a hatrick having removed tail-enders with consecutive deliveries on Sunday. With a very attacking field for Twenty20, he roared in and we all awaited the wide signal; but it was a well pitched-up swinging delivery that was well kept out by the Newick batsman.

The game hung in the balance until Terry Lucas stopped hanging around in the outfield bowling to the juniors in the nets and had a bowl in the middle. The Newick middle-order had no answer to Terry and Jamie’s accurate bowling and the run rate soon climbed beyond reach. It was then left to Andy Grant and Bart to wrap things up as Newick closed some 30 runs short of the target.

Fletching secured a first win in the competition with a thrilling one-run win over Uckfield at Victoria Park last night. The undoubted star for Fletching was Ed Smith who opened the batting with Sam Newman and soon set the tone with an audacious six back over the bowlers head first ball of the match.

Some huge hitting saw Ed race to 50 from only 20 balls and the big hitting continued as he flew to 98 from only 50 balls before getting caught on the boundary.

With Eddie gone the scoring rate slowed somewhat and Fletching closed on 146-6.

In reply Uckfield got off to a flyer and looked well on course to knock off the required runs. However Ed Smith continued his eventful evening by claiming the dangerous Pete Holman off his first ball. Terry Lucas then came on and stemmed the flow of runs and together with a flurry of wickets the match swung back in favour of the visitors.

With 36 runs required from the last three overs skipper Tom Randle made the bold decision to introduce Ken Newman to the attack. This plan nearly backfired as Ken accurately found the middle of the bat and was dispatched to all parts of the ground.

A typically tight over from Terry Lucas followed and it left Uckfield needing 10 from the final over. Tom Randle took the responsibility and thanks to Derek Durrant’s energetic fielding Uckfield couldn’t quite reach the target, finishing on 145.

You are probably aware by now that 2 years ago I was unfortunately diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Up to 120,000 people suffer with this condition in the UK and a cure is still 5 to 10 years away. More importantly, NOT enough is being done to highlight the condition.

I would really like to help find a cure by raising some money by joining together the 2 cricket clubs that I have played for in Sussex, those being Fletching and Eastbourne Cricket clubs. I have many wonderful memories of playing for both teams –

Nothing will beat the day in 1997 when, as part of arguably the best Eastbourne side to play at the Saffrons, we beat Harrogate to become the Champion Club of England at the finest ground of them all, Lords !!

To then get to the final again at Lords in 2000 was a feat that most club cricketers can only dream of.

Not only did I enjoy 10 years of cricket on the Saffrons at a time when Eastbourne were very successful, I also achieved success with Fletching winning the East Sussex League in 2002. I am now in my 5th season with the club having been captain for 2 years and I hope to be able to carry on playing for the foreseeable future.

I would appreciate it if you would sponsor me to help find a cure for the disease.

Please can you download the sponsorship form (.doc Word document), fill it in and send it back to me as an attachment. (Any problems you can always ring me to give me the amount that you want to sponsor me 01825 769181)

Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you

Dave Meacher

Fletching are out for revenge after Uckfield narrowly squeaked past them a couple of weeks ago.