Intermediate Cup Final (9 August)
Laurelvale II will contest their fouth intermediate cup final in five years when they take on Muckamore Second Eleven at Pollock Park (Lurgan) on Saturday assuming the weather improves.
Ryan Cornett has sensibly opted to retain the team which has got his side this far already. The team is :
Ryan Cornett (Captain)
Wesley Best
Daryl Henry
Graeme Martin
Dean McAlinden
Stuart McClelland
Adam Pearson
Scott Pearson
Graeme Steenson
Brian Vennard
Alan Wylie
Ian Vennard (12th Man)
This is a very well balanced side with every single player capable of producing an individual match winning performance but also operate as an excellent team with a superb spirit and the ability to dig deep when required.
Muckamore are the opponents on Saturday and some neutrals have rated them as favourites as they are currently third in the league and have a good blend of youth and experience. In Benny Craig and and Andy Clement thay have experienced campaigners and some good young players in Van De Merwe and Drummond.
Ryan Cornett has complete confidence in his team and is approaching the weekend in confident mood. "I don't see us as underdogs given the all round strength of the side and that nine of this side has already enjoyed a number of cup successes on the recent past".
I would just like to wish the team the very best of luck for Saturday and hope that we can all celebrate on Saturday night.
Come on The Vale !!
Bruce Topping
Outdoor netsOutdoor nets will commence on Thursday 17 April. Unfortunately it has not been possible to start earlier due to the poor weather. This year Wesley Best, Denver Pearson, myself , Ranjit Pande (when he arrives) together with Charlie McCrum and David Sinton will be looking after practice nights. We intend to greatly improve the quantity and quality of practice available for all members. It is also up to all players to attend practice regularly and seek out the coaching advice that is now available. My bowling machine will be available on most practice nights. Please attend on Thursday 17 April as even if it wet as we can discuss the new practice and coaching arrangements for this year. In addition, our new kit supplier will be in attendance. Bruce Topping 12 April 2008 Indoor NetsOur first indoor nets will be on Friday 14 March between 7.30 and 9.30 pm in the Banbridge Leisure Centre. The bowling machine will be available for all to use. This is an invaluable asset which can help us improve our batting considerably and allow much more batting time. All players are welcome. A second session has been organised for Friday 28 March at the same time and venue. If these sessions prove popular further indoor nets can be arranged. 9 March 2008
Flood - Message of ThanksI would like to thank our Insurance brokers, T Oscar Rollins, for the swift action they took on the day which seen Claims Assist (NI) Ltd and Clean Tec Restoration Services on the job the same day as the flood. We are grateful for all the work these companies did and are still doing to ensure we can return to normality as soon as possible. We would also like to thank all our members who have supported us even when it has been uncomfortable in the Clubhouse. If we get ‘a fair wind’ all should be well by the time of the first match. Tom Irwin
Yypres/Verdun/Somme TripFor my sins, apart from being Honorary Secretary of Laurelvale Cricket Club, I am Honorary Secretary of the Friends of the Somme Portadown Branch. We have organised an eight day trip to Ypres/Verdun/Somme from 26 June to 3 July 2008 to visit sites of WW1 action at these locations. We have 2/3 places left on this trip so if there is anyone out there that would be interested in going please contact me on 38840897 or at fotspb@tomirwin.co.uk Tom Irwin
Charity EventsThe friends of Stuart Fletcher are organising the following events to raise funds for PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm). 1 March 2008 : Bed Push - The ladies of Laurelvale will undertake this bed push from Laurelvale Cricket Club to Tandragee. 1 March 2008 : Charity Football Match - The men of Laurelvale will play the police and fire brigade. 22 March 2008 : Charity Fun Day I would all urge all members to support these very worthy events. 16 Feb 2008
Football Club EventsRed Dakota will play at the football clubs next Rock Night at the cricket club on 23 February 2008. Admission is £6. A Night at the Races will be held at 8pm on 1 March 2008 in the cricket club. 16 Feb 2008
Flood UpdateOur insurers have responded very efficiently following the flood in the clubhouse. The damage has been assessed and work should start very soon on the necessary repairs. The repairs will take place over the next seven weeks and should be finished just in time for the new cricket season. Fortunately it has been possible to arrange the work so that the club can remain open for business during the next seven weeks. Most events will continue as planned and the the bar opening hours remain unchanged. 16 Feb 2008
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Clubhouse FloodedFollowing heavy overnight rain, the club and number of nearby houses were flooded. The level of the water reached the height of the bar seats causing significant damage. Fortunately the water level has receded and several people have worked all day to clear the mess and lift the carpets. It will however take sometime for the clubhouse to dry out and be fully repaired. See the photo gallery on about us page for more pictures. 21 January 2008
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Ranjit Pande set for returnThe club has invited Ranjit Pande to come back to play for Laurelvale next season. We hope he will be with us for the full season once his travel arrangements are completed. Ranjit is from Pune in the state of Maharashtra in India and in past years represented his state side. He is of course no stranger to Laurelvale having played as the club's overseas player in three previous years and we are delighted to welcome him back again. |
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Ranjit has the unusual distinction of being the only overseas player to have scored a century for Laurelvale. He is an elegant batsman and is capable of scoring a lot of runs in Section 2 next season. In addition to his batting ability, he is also a fine opening bowler and was affectionately dubbed "The Pune Express" by Paul McCrum during his last visit. His all round ability will considerably strengthen our first eleven and hopefully he will help us push for promotion this year. More importantly, Ranjit has also undertaken further coaching qualifications in India and will be a great asset to the new coaching team at Laurelvale. The club has recently set up a new Cricket Development Committee with the remit of formalising the coaching structure at the club and we intend to greatly expand the quality and quantity of coaching available to all club members but especially the young players. Jan 2008 |
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Annual General Meeting
The Club Annual General Meeting was held in the club on Tuesday 11 December 2007. There was an excellent turnout of members and discussions went on late into the night. The following items were discussed and agreed during the evening:
- The club President, Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Match Secretary and Honorary Treasurer all agreed to continue in their roles and were all returned unopposed.
- Charles McCrum and Denver Pearson were returned as captains of the First and Third Elevens respectively. The second eleven captaincy was not filled.
- The Honorary Secretary produced an excellent annual report which was adopted by the meeting.
- The Honorary Treasurer produced a detailed financial report accounting for all expenditure during the year. This report was also adopted.
- The club adopted a Child Protection Policy Statement to be included in the club rules/constitution.
The Office Bearers must be thanked for agreeing to continue in their roles as many have been giving freely of their time for many years. Without their work the club could not function !
Jan 2008
NCU announce Section 2 Fixture List
The NCU recently released the fixture list for next season for Section 2. We start off the season with a home match against Holywood on 26 April followed by an exciting derby home match on 10 May against Lurgan who were relegated from the Premier League last year. We look forward to their visit and the return match on 5 July at Lurgan. We face our other derby rivals, Armagh, away on 7 June and at home 9 August.
We have been drawn at home to Section 3 Cooke Collegians in the first round of NCU Senior Cup on 3 May and would hope to progress into the next round. It would be great to repeat last years cup run when we reached the quarter-finals.
In the Ulster Shield we have been drawn away to Creevedonnell on 1 June in a repeat of last years first round encounter. Who can forget last years entertaining match played at Glendermott when Charles produced a magnificent spell of bowling to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Glendermott hosted us in style and the return bus trip proved to be an entertainment in itself. Don't miss this one this year !!
The full fixture list is detailed in the fixtures section of the website. The second and third eleven fixtures have now been posted.
Jan 2008