www.lisvanecc.co.uk
Adult Cricket – Clive Brown, 029 2075 9709
Youth Cricket – Ian Morgan, 029 2076 3728
lwcc_committee@yahoo.co.uk
2008 Season Round-Up
The year saw the dawn of a new era in the Club’s history with the move to the old YMCA ground at St Mellons. The efforts of the cricketing and local community, focused through two NatWest/ECB Cricketforce events meant that by the end of the Summer all outdoor youth training was being held at the new ground and benefited from a new artificial pitch. The Clubhouse and patio were nearing completion along with an access path and a ground-enclosing picket fence. Attention was turning to the changing rooms and, crucially, net practice facilities. The wicket had been laid and was expected to be in use of some kind from 2009. The joint efforts of the club and community meant that on October 13th representatives were asked to attend a luncheon at Lords hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board as the Welsh nomination at the annual OSCAs (Outstanding Service to Cricket Awards) ceremony.
On the pitch, another wet summer brought further notable successes for the youth sides and consolidation for the adult sides after recent tough seasons.
All adult and youth league activities were again played at the Cardiff University Playing Fields, Llanrumney.
Winter training activities were again focussed on UWIC and St David’s College.
Perhaps the highlight of 2008 came off the pitch. In September 2008 Lisvane Cricket Club was awarded the 2008 OSCA for NatWest CricketForce in a glitzy ceremony at Lords, the home of cricket. Beating off competition from over 1300 clubs across the country Lisvane’s project was described as, “an outstanding example of the community coming together in unison to develop a cricket facility that will be the envy of clubs across the region.” Gary Morgan, Chairman of Lisvane CC, was there to receive the award and said, “This nomination is an honour for all the volunteers - players, club members, parents and members of the wider community - who contributed so much of their time and skills to make NatWest CricketForce 2008 such a great success at Lisvane. It was the first time that we had taken part in this annual event and we are delighted with the results. In particular we want to thank the YMCA for their support and all the local companies who contributed, especially Chris Williams at CJS Electrical, James Griffith (Carpentry and Joinery), Rob Sherrard at Wolseley Build Center and all the staff at Asda Pontprennau and NatWest Bank.”
ADULT SIDES
The adult First XI had a difficult first season back in Division 1 of the Welsh Club Cricket Conference as Steve Griffiths side avoided relegation on the last day of the season with victory over St Fagans III. In Division 1R, Gary Israel’s Second XI secured a creditable third place.
The Third XI in Division Four, captained by David Flynn, and the Fourth XI in Division 3R each gained a creditable mid-table positions.
Under Mike Caplan, the friendly side continued to prosper with a full season of friendly fixtures.
Once again the midweek side, led by Peter Allen, secured a mid-table place in the Vale of Glamorgan League.
Past and present youth members continued to establish themselves within the Club’s four adult league sides and there were notable First XI performances from Alex Curry, Luke Jones, Matthew Williams and Robert Williams.
Two six-a-side teams continued in the Sunday Indoor League, based at Sophia Gardens.
YOUTH SECTION
At Under-9 level, the side performed well in the matches that managed to avoid the rain in the Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan table, winning six of their nine matches to survive the weather. Additional Club tournaments as part of the CricketForce day and Lisvane Festival were well supported.
In the U11A division of the C&VoG league the side finished second to St Fagans. In the play-off final they were narrowly beaten by St Fagans. The young and emerging Under-11B side finished in a creditable 6th place. The U11 side in the Gwent Division 1 West comfortably won their league.
Both C&VoG sides at Under-13s finished third in their respective A and B Divisions and the U13 Gwent side secured a mid-table slot.
The U15A side finished fifth in the C&VoG A Division. The Gwent U15 side shared the title in Division 1 West with Rogerstone.
Jordan Bowen, Jessica Cripps and Taron Ikram became the Club’s first players to represent Wales.
Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan county caps were awarded to Jordan Bowen, Nye Brown, Nick Fowler, Sakib Ikram, Taron Ikram, Hugh Meatyard, Luke Morgan, Thomas Morgan, Tom Rogers, Joe Williams and Alex Woodman.
2008 ended in fine style with the Memory Lane Cakes Glamorgan Junior Cricket League played at Sophia Gardens. The U11 side retained the title they collected in 2007 and the U15 side won their league. The U13 side narrowly failed to win their league and finished second to a strong Newport CC outfit.
