After a number of successful seasons at Edwinstowe Community Cricket Club (ECCC), 2025 was expected to be one of consolidation, but yet again the Club has progressed and expanded in every area. 2024 saw the return of Saturday senior cricket in the Bassetlaw and District Cricket League and this season came the expansion to a second eleven. The first team enjoyed great success by finishing second and gaining back-to-back promotions to Division four. The second team continued their main aim of introducing young players to senior cricket. A high proportion of the team each week were juniors, boys, and girls, who all made significant contributions throughout the season. This was clearly seen in the end of season statistics by the top three wicket takers being juniors.
This season saw more participants and more teams for junior cricket. In May and June, All Stars Cricket was held every Sunday morning, having close to 60 registered members and the Dynamo age group met on Friday evenings and were supported by ECB qualified coaches and a team of assistants. The more experienced players often took part in tournaments held around the area on Sunday mornings. The Club’s junior membership is one of the largest of any club in the county, something everyone is very proud of.
Four age group teams (under 11, 12, 13s) played junior hardball in the area leagues, with the under-12s winning their age group. To provide hardball cricket for the under-15 age group the Club joined forces with Blyth CC to form one team due to the small numbers from each club. It is hoped that this may change to an ECCC team next season. Easily the largest expansion has been with the girls and women section. In their first season the section grew and played in some festivals and friendly matches, but no-one could have predicted their success this season. The group’s 50 members, with a majority who have practiced on Wednesday evenings and / or played at weekends in festivals, tournaments, or league games, had a team playing in the East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Softball Division 2 North Central who won and remained unbeaten throughout the season. In the Softball cup they reached finals day and narrowly lost in the semi final by one run. Teams entered nine festivals / tournaments, winning at Collingham and Edwinstowe’s home festival.
Edwinstowe’s women are firmly on the map as a force in Nottinghamshire and the region. To ensure more mothers were able to practice, the group even set up a creche for Wednesday evenings. A huge thank you to The Lansbury Restaurant for being the main sponsors of the women’s section and to Kevin Hall (Nottinghamshire) Ltd for sponsorship of the creche. Off field, the Club was a major part of the community, organising many enjoyable evenings, not just for Club members, but also for the village in general. A second annual fun day in June raised funds for the Club and made a significant donation of £2,500 to the Remembrance Day arrangements of the Edwinstowe Branch Royal British Legion. These events only take place through the endless work undertaken by Michael and Ali Baines, the social committee and fantastic bar staff.
The Club installed solar panels, thanks to a grant received from the ECB County Grants Fund and investment was made in the building with redecoration in the spring and new, modern furniture in the Club room. The outdoor season has now finished but this does not mean planning and organising stops. This month sees the start of installation of a two-lane practice net facility, mostly funded by the Section 106 fund set up by Newark and Sherwood District Council. These state-of-the-art batting and bowling lanes will further improve the Club’s coaching abilities, particularly for the development of the younger players and weekly practice for seniors. Plans have also been drawn up and ideas thought out as to how best to get the most out of what little extra room the Club has available. They hope to open up the main room, provide more and better toilet facilities and make several minor adjustments. The Club can only support the various teams, community projects, etc, because of the hard work of volunteers who give so much of their time and effort so freely, together with the generous help of our sponsors from local businesses.
If anyone would like to get involved with this great community initiative, whether volunteering or sponsorship, please contact Jon Garnham 07967 487295 or edwinstowecc@gmail.com.