Football is almost done… now it’s overs to the cricket

“As far as our Second XI are concerned, we prioritise finding teams of a similar standard for friendlies that everyone can enjoy, with a focus on providing new opportunities for people to develop their skills. Some of our highlights from previous seasons have included tail enders making match-winning contributions with the bat and taking that confidence forward. I’d love to see that happening again, alongside our youngsters getting more experience in adult cricket.”

Looking to have their two sides playing a fixture on as many Sunday’s as possible, he says: “If there’s enough appetite for a game, we’ll make sure we find one. In the height of summer, we’ll also try and squeeze in as many midweek evening T20 games as we can. There’s a real demand for it at the moment and we’ve appointed a specific T20 Captain for the first time this season. Our teams are usually a real mix of ages. We have some awesome youngsters coming through who we’ll probably see more in the second half of the season after their GCSEs and A-levels, right the way through to seasoned veterans who have been playing for over 30 years!”

Looking to continue their rivalry against LMV, Morris says: “We always make sure we squeeze in a number of friendlies during the season, and games with LMV are always one people look for on the fixture list. We’ve got a couple of double-headers this year where both our XIs are playing against LMV XIs at the same ground, which should give rise to great occasions. Those days, with over 40 Jewish cricketers on the pitches together, are always a real highlight.

“This year, in addition to games that are focussed on rivalry between the Jewish clubs, we’re also looking to bring the clubs and the community together for a game to remember our founder, the legendary Ronnie Palester, a real stalwart in the community who sadly passed away during the winter. We’re look forward to celebrating his memory during the course of this season.”

And as to what he feels the club offers away, off the pitch, he added: “We pride ourselves on being a really good, social group of people that enjoy each other’s company as much as the cricket, so the enjoyment of the day often extends beyond the 40 overs and extends to a drink in the clubhouse after the game.

“We don’t prioritise winning above all else and, particularly for our Second XI, the focus is very much on the social and community side of the club, developing youngsters and giving cricketers the opportunities they might not otherwise get in an environment where being competitive and winning is the be all and end all. After all, if you don’t get the opportunities in matchday scenarios, how can you ever improve? There’s been some great skills on display during our winter nets and I can’t wait for everyone to turn that into success on the pitch.”

Anyone interested in playing for BECC can contact Adam on email:  Adammorris55@msn.com

LMV will also be fielding two sides in the forthcoming season, their First XI will be competing in the top Division of the Chess Valley League, with the Second XI taking part in the North Herts Leagues Division Two.

Speaking about the upcoming campaign, acting Club Chairman Adam Brand said: “We always aim to try and finish in the top three of the Chess Valley as we are competing against teams who mainly play in strong Saturday League’s and a number of those players will also play Chess Valley. Our aim for our Second XI is to push for promotion, having only joined the League last year, where we finished fourth out of nine teams.”

The club also boast a healthy junior set-up, with last year’s season being their most successful ever campaign. The club’s vice-President Anthony Wise explains: “We had over 70 Juniors playing for the club, our U15’s claimed a first ever Division 1 title, and our U11’s won Division 2, also for the first time. We’ll be running four sides this year, playing in the Middlesex Junior Cricket Association (North area).”

Fielding one U11 side, two U13’s and one U15, Wise continues: “We’re the only Jewish cricket club with a Junior section. We’ve been training indoors since October and will be switching to outdoor training just after Pesach. We welcome all Juniors, boys and girls, from years 3-10, irrespective of ability or previous experience.

“Our goals for this year is to build on the success of last year, to continue to improve the standard of cricket and to welcome new Juniors to our club.”

The club has a rich history behind it, as Wise explains. “Many fathers and sons have played and in fact the club was formed by Martin Brand, whose son Adam has played since 1992 and has now come full circle as the club Chairman”, he says. “We run an important winter programme for our juniors and in the last few years created a weekly winter season for our young Elite squad. We hope these players will form part of our 1st and 2nd teams in the years to come. Every year we run a club day aimed at parents and players to come together in a fun tournament. In the past we have contributed a number of players who have represented GB at the Maccabiah and we are proud of the standards we set.

“I’m very much looking forward to another successful season and we are always looking for juniors and adults to join LMV and for anyone to invest into our Junior section. The future of our club lies with our younger members.”

Anyone interested in playing for LMV should email: Brando202207@yahoo.co.uk