Hampshire has a fine record in Seniors’ cricket, with the 70s team being crowned national champions in both 2016 and 2017, and several players of that era being capped by England Golden Oldies for ‘Ashes’ series against Australia, home and away.
Now there is a realistic chance that this summer will be the last season when the 70’s team are able to participate in the National 70+ County Cricket Championship.
Manager/captain Peter Green explains: “Player numbers have dwindled dramatically over the past two seasons with Father Time catching up with some of our stalwarts.
“This season, with a small squad of 15 players and minimal recruitment, Hampshire 70’s have been presented with significant problems in turning out competitive teams.
“Counties such as Surrey, Sussex and Kent manage to put out three sides and all have nearly 40 players registered as eligible to play – so we should certainly be able to field one team !”
Seniors enjoy playing at some excellent grounds. This year’s venues have included Sidmouth on the sea front, the former county grounds at Horsham and Maidstone and beautiful settings such as the North Perrott ground in Somerset.
Adjacent
There are currently 21 counties involved in the Championship and fixtures are organised so that teams play seven of their most adjacent counties on a home and away basis before the top eight enter into a play-off and the remainder a subsidiary competition.
Fixtures last from May until September and are played on a Thursday. Matches are either 40 or 45 overs and 12 players are always available to field so that those who need it can have a rest period! Qualified panel umpires and efficient scorers and rotate our home games around local clubs that kindly make themselves available.
Mr Green added: “There may, of course, be a view that county cricket is rather elite and that regular club players participating in the lower county leagues are not up to it. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“Anyone playing at club level regularly would be welcome. New players this year include Mike Brogan of Sarisbury Athletic, whose views are worthy of consideration:
“I was asked if I would consider playing by a former 70’s player. My first reaction was that I wouldn’t be up to it, that I was not of a good enough standard. Although filled with trepidation when asked to play my first game, I was made extremely welcome and was able to relax into my bowling. Despite the fact that wins have been few and far between, I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
“There is a great sense of camaraderie between teams with matches played in a competitive spirit. “We are not mobile and fast-paced athletes so do not feel you will be the odd-one-out of it takes a big effort to touch your toes.
Tremendous
“Having said all that, we play to win – it is a national competition after all - and the enjoyment comes from being competitive and playing well,” he added.
Many Southern Premier League clubs have teams playing in lower divisions of the Hampshire League.
If you know someone who fits the bill for us, please get in touch or ask them to do so. Teams are allowed one 68-year-old, and anyone 69 or over on the day of a game can be registered to play.
It would be a tremendous shame if 70’s County cricket had to come to a grinding halt or we had to put out teams that were not competitive.
Nets, all being well, take place from early February so there is plenty of time to get ready for the season and get to know each other before the season starts.
Anyone who would like to have a chat about playing for Hampshire 70s next season please contact Peter Green (07793 892 571) or Peter Tapper (07772 297 312).
Now there is a realistic chance that this summer will be the last season when the 70’s team are able to participate in the National 70+ County Cricket Championship.
Manager/captain Peter Green explains: “Player numbers have dwindled dramatically over the past two seasons with Father Time catching up with some of our stalwarts.
“This season, with a small squad of 15 players and minimal recruitment, Hampshire 70’s have been presented with significant problems in turning out competitive teams.
“Counties such as Surrey, Sussex and Kent manage to put out three sides and all have nearly 40 players registered as eligible to play – so we should certainly be able to field one team !”
Seniors enjoy playing at some excellent grounds. This year’s venues have included Sidmouth on the sea front, the former county grounds at Horsham and Maidstone and beautiful settings such as the North Perrott ground in Somerset.
Adjacent
There are currently 21 counties involved in the Championship and fixtures are organised so that teams play seven of their most adjacent counties on a home and away basis before the top eight enter into a play-off and the remainder a subsidiary competition.
Fixtures last from May until September and are played on a Thursday. Matches are either 40 or 45 overs and 12 players are always available to field so that those who need it can have a rest period! Qualified panel umpires and efficient scorers and rotate our home games around local clubs that kindly make themselves available.
Mr Green added: “There may, of course, be a view that county cricket is rather elite and that regular club players participating in the lower county leagues are not up to it. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“Anyone playing at club level regularly would be welcome. New players this year include Mike Brogan of Sarisbury Athletic, whose views are worthy of consideration:
“I was asked if I would consider playing by a former 70’s player. My first reaction was that I wouldn’t be up to it, that I was not of a good enough standard. Although filled with trepidation when asked to play my first game, I was made extremely welcome and was able to relax into my bowling. Despite the fact that wins have been few and far between, I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
“There is a great sense of camaraderie between teams with matches played in a competitive spirit. “We are not mobile and fast-paced athletes so do not feel you will be the odd-one-out of it takes a big effort to touch your toes.
Tremendous
“Having said all that, we play to win – it is a national competition after all - and the enjoyment comes from being competitive and playing well,” he added.
Many Southern Premier League clubs have teams playing in lower divisions of the Hampshire League.
If you know someone who fits the bill for us, please get in touch or ask them to do so. Teams are allowed one 68-year-old, and anyone 69 or over on the day of a game can be registered to play.
It would be a tremendous shame if 70’s County cricket had to come to a grinding halt or we had to put out teams that were not competitive.
Nets, all being well, take place from early February so there is plenty of time to get ready for the season and get to know each other before the season starts.
Anyone who would like to have a chat about playing for Hampshire 70s next season please contact Peter Green (07793 892 571) or Peter Tapper (07772 297 312).
