HCCC Chairman’s 2019 Update.
Chairman of Huntingdonshire County Cricket Club Adrian Cade looks back at the 2019 season:
HCCC Chairman’s 2019 Update.
2019 has not been a dull year in the history of the ‘The Club’ in numerous ways in my view.
We provided competitive cricket for our senior side in terms of opposition and had a mixed season in terms of results. My thanks has to go out to Robin Vitas the 1st XI manager, who committed his time and energy again to get the most competitive HCCC team onto the ground for all games. My thanks also go to Ketton CC who were able to host our ‘home’ county games.
We hosted Northants Academy, The Army, Leicestershire Academy, MCC Cambridge, and the RAF. Travelling to Cambridge University 1st XI, but unfortunately, we couldn’t fulfil the Army fixture at Aldershot. Results were mixed, but we achieved the goal I set to be competitive in every game.
We provided a new unique playing kit for the HCCC women, and hosted a festival day again at Ketton CC where we played the Herts and Norfolk women. We also travelled to Harlow to play Herts CCC. My thanks once more go to Phil Lewis, who has had his own personal challenges within the local cricket set up in 2019, but committed to HCCC Women none the less. This area of the club could hugely progress in the coming seasons in my view if commitment from players coming from the HCB CAG (County Age Group) system increases, and we are not overlooked by the new ECB women’s set up in 2020 which I am currently fearful of.
I have attended every ECB meeting possible during 2019 covering development of the regional game for both men and women, with very mixed results in terms of progression. We presented to the head of the MCCA and ECB growth and participation to make a case for ‘The Club’ to enter any form of competitive competitions going forward I’m afraid with no positive result, whilst our county neighbours benefit from the ability and the work done by our coaches and administrators from the CAG and Cricket East partnership.
Our U25 Development side once again competed in the regional competition this was overseen by Russell Marsh the match manager, without his organising and logistic skills this would have been a struggle. We had successful results against Cambs and Beds only to have the Cambs result reversed due to us playing an ineligible overseas player. The rest of the games were competitive, and I think the players involved gave their all in every game.
The HCCC over 50 team once again competed in the regional division of the national competition, ably run and organised by Bob Milne. Playing sides from all counties in the eastern region and East Midlands. Bob is always looking for players that are either about to make the leap into the 50’s or that have decided to put the boots back on and enjoy the comradery and good cricketing banter.
HCCC is coming to a fork in the road, in my view we are in danger of having our cricketing identity diluted as we are finding it harder and harder to motivate players to commit to playing for the county, once the proudest day of a local cricketers career. We have also stalled from any progression in terms of competitive cricket, having no ‘carrot’ offered to work towards. A sobering view but one of realism and stating what is actually happening.
2020 will be a massive year for Huntingdonshire in cricket terms, here’s hoping ‘The Club’ evolves in a new direction with new involvement, ideas, and energy.
Adrian Cade (Chair)
.jpg)
