Appleton Cricket Club 2010: the new Club Tie presented to those who performed with the bat and the ball.

Saturday 13th November 2010: Dinner and Awards ceremony. ACC held its annual Dinner and Awards ceremony at the Blue Boar, Longworth and the winners were: The John Douglas Peel Batting Trophy: Alex Gilkes. Bowling Cup: Rob Uren. The TopSport Catching Trophy: Martin Bungay. Roach Dropped Catches Cup: David Manning. Those awards voted on by club members are: The Sir N A Wright Trophy for Clubman of the Year: Roger Gilkes. The Rose Trophy for Senior Player of the Year: Carl McKno and The Jim Griffiths Trophy for Junior Player of the Year: Rob Uren. Photographs of the evening can be seen on the website by linking to Annual Dinner & Awards and the ACC Trophy Winners & Awards for full information. Many congratulations to all the winners.

The club is in great shape, lead by Clubman of the Year, Roger Gilkes and the evening, with speeches by David Manning on the "overseas" tour to the Isle of Wight, Club Captain Martin Bungay with the season's summary, David Roach anecdotes about the fines record, Andy Buck presenting the club ties and Chairman Roger Gilkes Master of Ceremonies came to a conclusion with the raffle prizes! Players, their wives and girlfriends enjoyed an excellent evening and thanks to the Blue Boar for making it possible.

26th July 2010: A Report: Back in the habit… So we’re back from our Overseas Tour to the Isle of Wight which, by the way, was amazing! There were a few sore heads each morning but we persevered and returned without losing a match. Star performers included Tom Crowe for his fifteen over bowling marathon against Porchfield and Martin Bungay for his fluent performances with the bat. Well done, sirs.

Huge thanks must go to Greg “Tour Operator” Alder and our Secretary, John Bennett, for smooth journeys to and from the island.

The following weekend saw the highlight of the year – the President’s XI Match! ACC President, Steve Handscombe, put together a fine team of old and new players to set up a tight fixture against Appleton. ACC emerged victorious but only after stubborn batting and fielding from the Presidents.

For further details on results, photos and fixtures check out our website: www.appletoncricketclub.org.uk. Happy slogging! Dave Manning ACC Press Officer

7th June 2010: To the delight/acute disbelief of his teammates Alex Gilkes has scored his second century in as many matches for Appleton Cricket Club. The unbeaten score of 100 not out came in the final over of Appleton's victory away to friendly side Far From The MCC. He first picked up a willow this season when Appleton won away at Astons where he nonchalantly clubbed his way to 116 not out in wonderful batting conditions.

Those of you who have two dozen or so Wisden almanacs at home will recognise that this leaves Alex without an average. Focus at Appleton CC now turns to getting him a much deserved average and fellow players are hell-bent on contriving to get him out in any way possible (suggestions welcome). If you'd like to help Alex to get an average - perhaps by running him out with some creative running between the wickets - then why not give our Captain, Martin Bungay (07709 338901), a quick call to tell him you're available for the next couple of Sundays? You know you want to. 

P.S. My money's on Alex getting a duck in his next game. Any takers?

23rd May 2010: Competence with a cricket bat seems to run in the Gilkes family. Ed Gilkes hit a fluent 78 runs two weeks ago; but his brother Alex has gone one (or in this case 38) better... The warmest day of the year brought the best out of Appleton with a huge score of 270 runs against Astons CC in the glorious setting of Aston Tirrold. The score was posted after the toss was won by captain Bungay and the decision was made to get out in the heat and have a bat. After a shaky start Appleton soon recovered with Alex Gilkes as the lynch pin forming good partnerships with his brother Ed, captain Bungay, his father Roger and finally vice-skip Buck who finished the innings with him. A splendid knock of 116 not out will prove difficult to forget - especially considering Alex hadn't wielded a blade since late last season. Appleton welcomed back villager Ben Salmon who played as though he'd spent the winter on the sub-continent perfecting his slow right-arm bowling with two Astons players losing their wickets to his wrong'un! Appleton also welcomed Carl "The Bear" Alder who, although not a natural cricketer, took a diving catch at point from Andy Buck's bowling. This Sunday sees a handful of Appleton players take on seven other teams in the annual six-a-side tournament in Wootton. Please come along and support us - food and refreshments are being provided by our hosts! Dave Manning ACC Press Officer

It's two wins in as many matches for Appleton Cricket Club!

The team have travelled well so far this season beating both Wootton and Islip away from home. Yesterday saw another match go to the wire before Appleton finally wrapped things up with Islip requiring only nine more runs to win. Previously ACC beat Wootton & Boars Hill CC by three wickets in the final over of the first 40 over match of the season.

Now thoughts turn to the ACC Six-A-Side Tournament to be held at the Appleton Sportsfield on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May. The tournament will see six teams play one another in quick-fire five over games so expect to see lots of boundaries! The event begins at 10am and is expected to be concluded with the winner announced by 7pm. Those wishing to come along to watch are most welcome and are invited to sample hot food from the BBQ, as managed by our good Secretary Mr John Bennett!

Happy slogging!

Dave Manning

ACC Press Officer

ACC News Items

24th March 2010 - Graham Rose teaches Dave Manning how to use the website to keep the Parish updated with all matters concerning the cricket club. Watch this space...