Greenwood Park too Strong for Potten End by a (Social) Distance

Whilst they fall a little short with the bat on Sunday vs Chalfont St Peters.

Greenwood Park started their shortened league campaign off with an 8 wicket win against Potten End this Saturday.

After losing the toss, Potten End elected to bat first and Greenwood Park started off really well with the ball. They kept it tight early, making it difficult for Potten End’s openers to score and after good consistent pressure Greenwood found the breakthough and took a few quick wickets.

Greenwood Park continued to bowl well which was backed up by some great fielding and they managed to reduce Potten End to 112-9. However some wayward bowling as well as some great ball striking from Potten End’s number 10 and 11 helped to lift Potten End’s total to 181.

After losing Gray early on in their response, Greenwood looked to gain back control. Naveed (85*) was in great touch from the start and he consistently found the the middle of the bat and then continued to find the boundary; he was however lucky to survive after hitting an easy chance to mid-on early on and then to survive couple more difficult chances later in his innings.

Naveed was supported well by Capitan Kent (70), a great partnership which was worth 168 before Chris was caught with 13 runs needed to win, trying to clear the boundary as he had done with a lovely shot a few overs before.

Naveed then proceeded to punish a couple of no balls and a loose delivery which mean he hit 15 runs of 1 legal delivery to finish the game in the following over, taking Greenwood to a 8 wicket win with 11 overs to spare.

A great win and good confidence to be taken for next week when Greenwood Park host Cheshunt Rosedale II’s.

On Sunday Greenwood Park unfortunately lost to Chalfont St Peters in a friendly game arranged on the back of the Chess Valley League fixture being cancelled for 2020.

Greenwood Park won the toss and decided to bat first, however they struggled with the bat on what was a spicy wicket – Only posting a modest total of 132.

They then put in a good effort in with the ball to make it a close contest, however Chalfont managed to chase the total down with some intelligent batting and with 3 wickets remaining.

Played in good spirts and it was great to see some new faces as well as some old ones that we hadn’t seen for over 5 years.

Next Sunday we host Mayfield CC in another friendly match.

A socially distanced beer after the win on Saturday

The 2020 Season Starts this Weekend for GPCC

After the unfortunate delay to the start of the cricket season, Greenwood Park have a full weekend of Cricket this weekend.

On Saturday we travel to Potten End in the first game of the Herts League and on Sunday we host a friendly against Chalfont St Peter CC who we would have faced in the Chess Valley league before it was cancelled for 2020.

Please see below the information around the COVID rules for this year:

  • You must follow government guidance on Covid-19, which includes on travel and minimising car sharing where possiible. Please read the below additional guidelines and adhere with these.
  • Please follow specific instructions from captains especially in regard to set up/putting away and guidelines at the ground (e.g boundary markers/ropes etc). If players do not adhere by set guidelines on an ongoing basis then the committee may decide on disciplinary action.
  • Ensure you are clear of any COVID-19 symptoms in line with Government Guidance. If you develop symptoms, please report to the captain/committee member immediately that you will not be able to play (this includes during a game);
  • The only facilities we expect to be available at the ground are the public toilets, the changing rooms will not be in use. Therefore, ensure you are ‘ready to go’ when you arrive at the ground, this means dressed in your whites.
  • Please bring your own hand sanitiser and maintain strict hand hygiene where possible.
  • Please ensure you bring your own refreshments, no clubs will provide Tea’s or Drinks of any kind
  • We would ask that you arrive no more or no later than 20 minutes before the start time, in your whites ready to play;
  • During play, no saliva or sweat is to be transferred to the ball at any time;
  • Hand sanitizer should be used at any break in play and strictly before consuming food or drinks;
  • Every 6 overs or 20 minutes (whichever is first) the ball must sanitized by the fielding captain;
  • Bats and wicketkeeping gloves must be sanitised after use;
  • Wicket Keeper to return ball to bowler in most direct route;
  • At the fall of each wicket the ball must be returned to the base of the stumps, NOT to the umpire. In fact NO items may be passed to the umpire, including hats or jumpers
  • Social distancing must be observed at 2 meters on the field, with the exception of the slips and wicket keeper who must remain at least 1 meter apart;
  • In the event of rain, participants should return to their own vehicle to maintain social distancing if there is insufficient outdoor cover from the rain to maintain social distancing. 
  • We would ask the scorer to also update the scoreboard, use rubber gloves when doing this task and to safely dispose of these when complete; 
  • To reduce handling of change please ensure you bring the correct change where possible (£10 Match Fees); and
  • Please ensure you bring the following kit: Cricket whites, Trainers, Batting box, Batting gloves and helmet. No kit can be used before cleaning by another person.

These rules are in line with the ECB’s return to recreational cricket guidance, if you wish to read further please visit the ECB website (link above).

Ajmal Hussain Wins Leading Bowler

Ajmal Hussain claimed yet another award for his 2019 season, winning ‘Leading bowler’ in Division 7A of the Saracens Herts League.

Ajmal took an astonishing 35 wickets at an average of just 10.69.

The right-armer also claimed two five-wicket hauls, with career best figures of 8-17 coming against Datchworth.

Well done on a great year AJ!

Awards Announced

Ajmal Hussain, Arslan Khan and Todd Jenkins were the recipients of Greenwood Park’s annual awards at this year’s celebratory curry.

Bowler of the year was awarded to Ajmal who took a hugely impressive 36 wickets, including a magnificent 8-17 against Datchworth.

Arslan deservedly took Batsman of the year after scoring 567 runs at an average of 27, notching four fifties along the way.

Todd, in his debut year, won the coveted Fielder of the year trophy with four catches and three run-outs to his name.

The big award of the night, Player of the year, went to Ajmal to cap off an incredible year.

Along with his 36 wickets, he also contributed 359 runs with a top score of 65* in what was a sensational season.

Congratulations to all the award winners!

President’s Day 2020

Presidents’ Day will be on Sunday 7th of June at Greenwood Park.

The event will see two sides pitted against each other in a friendly game between two GPCC teams.

The day will also feature a bbq, raffle, bar plus other entertainment, making it a great day for all the family.

All current and former players are welcome, plus any new faces who want to get involved.

Get the date in the diary and let us know if you can make it