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NEWS
Local News
Wednesday May 31 | 2017
PAVILIONED IN SPLENDOUR: Derek Underwood and the Mayor David Neve lend their support as Capel Cricket Club unveil their renovated clubhouse
Festival’s future hangs in balance as Kent complain about the Nevill Andrew Tong reports on the furore surrounding the council and cricket week QUESTION marks hung over the Nevill ground like dark clouds last week as Kent prepared to take on Sussex beneath glorious blue skies. The future of the town’s Cricket Festival now hangs in the balance after more than 100 years. The county club considered moving the match to their headquarters in Canterbury because of concerns about both the pitch and the outfield. Parts of the square were flooded because it was not covered to protect it from rain, while other necessary works were not carried out. Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club [TWCC] has accused the Borough Council, which owns the ground and is responsible for its upkeep, of undermining the cricket week because of the costs involved. A huge effort by Kent’s own groundstaff and club members permitted the match to go ahead. Kent romped to victory over their local rivals by 147 runs. But officials made it clear they will not tolerate any repeat of the ‘fiasco’. The council use contractors Sodexo to carry out the works, and problems began to surface after the head groundsman Jon Buddington left in February and was replaced by another Sodexo employee. Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club Chairman Mark Williams says: “It was clear to me he was not experienced and indeed has never worked on a cricket ground – but he had worked on a golf course.” The new groundsman was off sick for several weeks and not replaced – during which time no work was undertaken to get the ground in a fit state for the new season.
Mr Williams says: “The lack of supervision of Sodexo has been appalling. We complained to the council but they did not react positively. So we started work on the outfield ourselves and informed Kent we had concerns.” The county’s Chief Executive Jamie Clifford visited the Nevill ten days ahead of the big match and told Sodexo about the specification required to make the ground fit for first-class cricket.
‘This is incredibly naive and shortsighted. It ignores the massive benefits the festival brings’ “Jamie contacted the council for an urgent meeting at the ground on Friday [May 19],” relates Mr Williams. “We agreed with all that he said, including the inadequate staff and the fact Sodexo had employed someone incapable of preparing a firstclass pitch. We asked Kent to stay – and they did.” Mr Williams complained to the council’s Chief Executive, William Benson, and the local MP Greg Clark. He claims: “It had been made clear to us that the council are not interested in the county game as they see this as an expenditure and cannot see what it brings to them. “This is incredibly naive and short-sighted and it ignores the massive benefits the festival brings to the town. We understand the cost is nominal and amounts to the toilets that are provided.”
The festival welcomed more than 7,000 spectators over the four days. Mr Williams insists: “TWCC are very clear in wanting the Council to properly supervise the contract they have with Sodexo, who have been inept. “The Council must be honest and transparent, and state what they will do from now on. “Whether this involves the club taking more ownership or third-party sponsors becoming more involved, it is vital we save county week.” The Nevill is the only ground used by Kent that is not owned by the county. Canterbury’s St Lawrence HQ and Beckenham are the other two venues. Tunbridge Wells had already lost its popular and highly lucrative annual Twenty20 match this year because of a change in the timetable. Kent’s CEO, Mr Clifford, told the Times: “We love to host cricket around the county but there are certain standards we need to meet to ensure the comfort and safety of players, officials and spectators. “The festival week is an integral part of the Kentish cricketing summer but with public funding scarce, it’s great that our commercial partners can support us in keeping cricket at Tunbridge Wells. “We thank Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club for their continuing hospitality and hope the schedule allows us to bring first class action and visitors to the town in the future.” The council responded: “We will be talking to Kent about the comments they have made and their plans for future fixtures in Tunbridge Wells and how we might work together to achieve this.”
PHOTO: Craig Matthews
‘Deadly’ helps to breathe new life into Capel ground CRICKET: LEGENDARY bowler Derek Underwood was on hand for the unveiling of Capel CC’s refurbished pavilion at Five Oak Green. The Kent and England left-arm bowler, nicknamed ‘Deadly’, was among a throng of spectators which included the outgoing Tunbridge Wells Mayor David Neve, Mayoress Jill Neve and the town’s Tory parliamentary candidate Greg Clark. The opening saw a match played between Capel and Douglas Jardine’s XI which the visitors, captained by Reza Maroof, won with ease. The club was founded in 1892 and has always played at Five Oak Green recreation ground. It folded in 1972 because the club was struggling to get a team out. But Capel CC reformed in 2011 and the Tom Tolhurst Pavilion, which was originally built in the 1930s, was renovated by players and supporters. However, it still had no changing rooms or toilets and players had to use the nearby village hall. But over the past year it has been extended – again by the members – to provide these facilities, along with a verandah and bar.
Captain Williams puts Hartley to the sword but chase falls short CRICKET: TUNBRIDGE WELLS gave the Kent Premier League champions Hartley a fright as more than 600 runs were scored at Culvey Close. The home side chose to bat, and a dominant second-wicket stand raised 234 in 36 overs. Kent’s James Hockley scored 136 with 17 fours and three sixes, while South African Dominic Hendricks was run out from the boundary for 124. The mayhem was not over yet; James Thompson (57 not out) thrashed a 19-ball half-century as Hartley closed on 326 for 3. An injury led to two overs of the reply being docked and a DLS revised target of 317 was set. After both openers were dismissed, captain Alex Williams and Michael Waller turned the tide with an excellent partnership of 167. Williams (103) continued in his rich vein of form, smiting the home bowlers for seven fours and seven sixes as he romped to an 82-ball hundred. Waller was run out for 58, but Nick Sale took up the challenge and raced to fifty off 29 balls. Hartley’s captain Andrew Tutt removed Williams as he picked up 3 for 40. Then he successfully kept Sale off strike. He remained unbeaten on 62 but the visitors faltered and were restricted to 305 for 7, losing by a mere 12 runs. In Division One, Linden Park humbled their hosts Hayes by bowling them out for 43. Freddie Hulbert was the star of the show with figures of 8 for 28. Linden Park posted 233 for 5 as Driaan Brewer compiled a highly impressive 124 not out. He and all-rounder Hulbert (42 not out) added 94 towards the end of the innings. Hayes’ reply lasted a mere 18 overs and included five ducks as they went down by 190 runs.