There are many reasons why the Club will want to forget the past season in a hurry.
The news that resident Aussie, Jez Stewart, would return for a further season accompanied by a fellow countryman, expectations were high following the push towards promotion at the end of the 2001 season. Just how quickly, however, those expectations can be tossed away into what was to be a long hard and extremely difficult summer.
Even before the season had started, a number of players were sidelined due to injury which seemed to plague the entire membership all season. Furthermore, former Premier League star, Pete Rogers decided to retire whilst regular first eleven wicket keeper Mark Taylor was seconded down under on work duties for the first half of the season.
Further bad news followed upon the arrival of the Club's overseas player, Jez Stewart, who was suffering back spasms. Unfortunately, this injury restricted his bowling all season. To top it all, opening batsman Graham Hutchins, who had moved away from the area, found the travelling too much and reluctantly decided to leave the Club.
With the loss of so many players, first eleven Captain Steve Adcock, did his utmost to fight an uphill battle from the limited resources available to him. Despite inevitably loosing the League Cup game away to Saffron Walden, followed by two successive defeats in the opening league games, successive victories against Epping and Basildon helped lift morale. The back to back wins were followed by two narrow defeats before inflicting a tremendous 3 wicket victory over Buckhurst Hill. This was to be one of the few highlights throughout a troubled season.
Chasing a stiff target of 271-3 declared, the total was overhauled thanks mainly to a rapid 110 from popular Aussie, Keith Tipping, his second century in a row following a magnificent 147 against Woodford Green. Two weeks later, leading from the front, the skipper helped himself to a ton against Benfleet in another run chase victory. Towards the end of the season, the skipper narrowly missed out on a further hundred against Ardleigh Green, finishing on 95 not out.
The end of season form by Steve Adcock pushed him to within one run of being leading run scorer behind Simon Jeffries with 457 runs. He did, however, top the batting averages with 45.70 and was voted player of the year by his team mates. Close behind in the averages was Keith Tipping who finished with an average of 44.11.
In the bowling department, the best return came from Jez Stewart who took 6-37 in the 4 wicket win away to Basildon. Dave Spennock took 5-20 in the home victory against Basildon, whilst Will Stuart-Jones bagged 5-21 in the home defeat by Southend and Simon Jeffries helped himself to 5-79 at home to Woodford Green.
Despite bowling relatively few overs and well below par, Jez Stewart topped the bowling averages on 18.50. Will Stuart-Jones finished second with a very creditable 21.71 and Dave Spennock followed on 22.21. Will and Dave each claimed 24 wickets.
A total of 26 players represented the 1st XI throughout the season, a number of whom being younger players. Hopefully, some, if not all, will have benefited from their experience. One of the plus points to come out of the season, however, was the emergence of Andy Love who chipped in with some fine supporting knocks and has shown that he is more than capable at the highest level. Another player who continues to grow in confidence with experience is Mark Neal. The Club has high expectations of Mark who, hopefully, will continue to improve and will, no doubt, one day lead the Club into the future. Mention must also be made of Pete Ellis who led the bowling attack at the end of the season and showed he has the pace to worry the best of batsmen.
It was no real surprise the second eleven struggled all season, having lost both skipper, Steve Portman and his deputy, Neal Clark, both to injury even before a ball had been bowled. The latter, however, returned mid season to put in some outstanding performances with the bat scoring 342 runs at an average of 57, which included a top score of 84 not out. Neal's efforts were rewarded as he was voted 2nd XI player of the year. Other contributions with the bat came from Mick Ayres, 316 runs at an average of 45.14 and Dave Powell, 317 runs at an average of 31.70, both of whom scored undefeated centuries throughout the season. Special mention must be made of Larry Stuart-Jones who also scored a century against high flyers Chingford and Chris Sims who scored his maiden ton (129), against Woodford Green.
With the loss of the skipper, Steve Portman, the side also lost its opening bowler. With Steve Andow also sidelined for the best part of the season, no consistency could be found and this is reflected by a total of 24 different bowlers being used. Dean Mitchell, whilst not fully fit, returned the best figures of 7 88 in the last game of the season against Old Parks. Other five wicket hauls came from Pete Ellis, 5-49 against Woodford Green and Andy Francis, 5-48 against Benfleet.
The side are indebted, however, to Andy Francis who deputised throughout the season during the absence of Steve and Neal. Andy was always keen and enthusiastic and it is sad this could not be reflected in some of the results. Unfortunately, the side managed only two victories all season.
Having finally secured a new ground, expectations that the 3rd XI would have a fruitful and enjoyable season were high. How wrong everyones predictions proved to be.
Of the 16 matches played, only four were won, two drawn, three cancelled. The remaining games were all lost. There were very few highlights or notable performances and this is reflected by the fact the only half century recorded all season was in the final game of the season and came from Geoff Page.
Once again, Ian Howe returned the best bowling figures of 6-66 in the drawn match against Orsett. Ian also bagged five wickets on a further three occasions to finish top of the averages on 14.75 with 32 wickets. Predictably, Ian won the 3rd XI player of the year award. The only other contributor worth a mention was skipper Pete Ellis who took 26 wickets throughout the season. Thanks must be given, however, to Tom Stock for his efforts in running the team and deputising when Pete Ellis was elevated to higher teams, particularly towards the end of the season.
Whilst the results were obviously disappointing, many of the younger Colts experienced an extremely difficult baptism at senior level. There are many promising youngsters in the Club and no doubt, in the years ahead, they will look back on the grounding they received with mixed feelings.
Unfortunately, due to a breakdown in communications, the Colts teams were not entered into the respective leagues for a second year running. However, due to an under 13 side dropping out of the league at the last minute, at least one side were able to enjoy some competitive cricket. This did not deter those keen to play and as mentioned earlier in the report, many boys represented the Club at senior level.
Thanks are due to Michael Dick, Rick Paris, Mark Suker and Steve Adcock who organised training throughout the summer, not forgetting, of course, our resident Aussie Jezza Stewart who invariably put the boys through their paces.
The Clubs new President, Michael Wood, certainly enjoyed the annual Presidents Day in more ways than one. Thankfully, the weather remained dry all day for once and those who attended, past and present, witnessed a famous victory for the President over the Club side.
Representing the Club side, 'old boys' Graham Hutchins (59) and Jod Spiro (45) steered the Presidents men to a respectable 217 all out. In reply, Mark Neal (44) led the Club side with some stylish stroke play before departing to what can only be described as a fierce delivery tossed high into the Love Lane skies which barely had enough legs to reach the other end. No prizes for guessing the name of the bowler or what Mark said on his long walk back to the Clubhouse. One thing's for sure, it wasn't 'thanks dad'!!!
Jez Stewart (28), Andy Love (34) and Keith Tipping (33) all chipped in with valuable runs but it wasnt enough to overall the target set and the Presidents XI gained a rare victory over the Club side in many a season.
Finally, at the Club's end of season awards presentation evening, Jez Stewart was awarded the Dick Arnold Trophy for all his efforts over the past few seasons. This was another first for the Club as this award had not previously been won by an overseas player.
