April, 2014
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Wicket work starts at the Fram
On a roll, Sam Coleman busy at work
All Change at The Fram Frampton Cotterell Cricket Club can look forward to an exciting 2014 season after all three of its senior sides earned promotion last year. The first XI returns to division two after a couple of seasons in division three, but they will be without captain and all-rounder Jimmy Dickinson. With shoulder surgery imminent, Dickinson has handed over the reins to last season’s vice-captain Gary Winsor (pictured) who is certainly up for the challenge: “After promotion we are looking to build on what was an excellent 2013 season. Jimmy was the leading wicket taker last year and losing him to injury is a huge blow but I am confident we have the players to ensure we step up to make us competitive in division 2. I hope the performances and the weather from last year is seen again this summer at The Fram” Club secretary Phil Cordy is convinced the club is in good hands: “Gary is a tremendous player with an astute New Captain Gary Winsor wants to lead cricket brain. The club is right behind him and we are from the front sure that under his leadership we can go from strength to strength.” Fram’s season kicks off with a friendly away to neighbours Coalpit Heath on Saturday April 19th. If you are interested in joining The Fram, please contact fcccsecretary@hotmail.co.uk for further information.
Cricket underway at Coalpit Heath The Heath’s Matt Toms looks ahead to the new season at Ram Hill. With Spring now here the players are looking forward to getting stuck into the new season. A couple of pre season friendlies will see the side travel to Tetbury and Weston Super Mare as well as a shorter trip down the road to Frampton Cotterell.
With the 1XI promoted last season they have a tough challenge in Division 2 of the Bristol and District League, starting with a run of away games to Bristol Pakistanis and then local rivals Hambrook. The 2XI have games at home against the same sides and the 3XI will be playing YMCA and St Mary Redcliffe. The youth league will also be starting, with teams at under 11, 13 and 15 age groups playing local sides. The club is always looking for new youth players, so if you are interested in giving it a try come along to their training nights which are held at the ground on Fridays at 6:30pm.
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If you have walked past the cricket square up at Crossbow fields recently (the Fram as it is affectionately known) then you may have noticed a change in the colour of the grass. No, it’s not global warming but a sure sign that spring is in the air as the small team at Frampton C.C. have started to prepare the wicket for play by cutting and rolling it, Sam Coleman reports. In less than a month, the sound of leather on willow of our traditional summer sport will replace the shouts of football and rugby on the Park. All three sports ensure that the facility is well used throughout the year and whilst the fields are maintained by the council, the cricket squares in both fields are lovingly cared for by volunteers from the club. The ever- present head groundsman, Jimmy Dickinson, said that “We are bit behind after all the wet weather but the ground is now quite dry and the square is actually looking pretty good”. Asked if there were any secrets to preparation, he replied “No, not really, just hours of going up and down!” The club plays a couple of friendly games towards the end of April and then league cricket matches start on the first Saturday in May. Anyone interested in playing this coming season should email fcccsecretary@hotmail.co.uk for information or alternatively, come along on a Saturday afternoon soon and become inspired.
Frampton Snatch the Indoor Cricket Crown from the Winterbourne Dragons Frampton Globetrotters gained revenge on Winterbourne by winning the Bristol & Somerset Indoor Cricket Network’s Spring league. Winterbourne won the Autumn league comfortably, but were this time pipped to the crown by just a couple of points. The two matches between the sides were shared at one win each, but Fram went the 2nd half of the season unbeaten while Winterbourne slipped up and were ultimately left to rue 2 dropped bonus points in the final round of games. Meanwhile, Super Heath finished 3rd in their league with 5 wins and 5 losses. After a packed winter of indoor cricket, all three local sides can now look forward to the outdoor season, but hopefully noone will be complaining of burn-out!
Email: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk