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Groundsman in shorts horror.....John Pilcher with ex Challow overseas players from Tasmania Jason and Scott Pearce, and Gary Crawford.



James Phillips in Oz
'I arrived in Queensland at the beginning of October to play the season for Redlands Tigers in the Brisbane grade competitions. Since then I have had the opportunity to play and train in very different conditions to back home which has been very beneficial. It has also been good to play both one and two day cricket which require a variety of different skills. Before Christmas I worked my way up through the grades and played my first game for the 3rd grade team last week against University of Queensland and scored 65. I have been working hard on my game during the week with Blair Copelin, former Challow player and head coach at Redlands, who has been a massive help for me. During November I had the chance to bowl at both the Australian and West Indies players for a couple of days leading up to the Brisbane test match which was a great experience. Happy new year to everyone, have a good pre season and I look forward to returning home in March ready for the start of the new season.'

2009 season averages now available

1st XI averages > batting , stands and  bowling
and 2nd XI averages here


Club Dinner

A club dinner for all members, partners and friends will be held at the club on Friday 13 November, 7:15 for 7:45. There will be a three course meal, cricket awards and a disco. The guest speaker will be Ralph Dellor who works on sports radio.  He’s a very experienced sports journalist, with a strong lean towards cricket.  Ralph is very well known in the coaching world, having been one of the original officers in the old association of cricket coaches, and was instrumental in the formation of the ECB Coaches Association.  He has also been a driving force on both coaching and board development in Berkshire, and even coached the Norway team!

Tickets at £30 a head are still available from John Pilcher, Dave Pilcher or Mark Roche. Let them know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements. Do come along and bring a party with you – the more the merrier!

Now the cricket season is over we are planning some more quiz nights and the first one is planned for Saturday 5 December – more details to follow.

Challow clinch it
Challow & Childrey beat Great & Little Tew by 34 runs to leapfrog their opponents and so claim the second promotion place in Division 2.
David Slade was Challow's hero, taking 5-27 as Tew tumbled to 143 all out.
Earlier, Challow had posted 177-8 after choosing to bat first, Ian Demain top-scoring with 52, while James Phillips chipped in with 37.
(Oxford Mail 7th September 2009)
 
Sun Aug 2 and the only time this century that we have lost to the MCC.
On a rare, fine sunny day Challow did well to restrict M.C.C. to 225-7 in 54 overs.  The declaration left Challow 41 overs to make the runs and despite a good start we lost quick wickets in this challenging run chase to be all out for 184.  Many thanks to John Pilcher's hard work in organising this festive cricket day and to Rupert Evans for bringing the M.C.C. team. 
(pictures by Dave Hislop)







Sunday 19th July saw the third CCCC Don Pert Memorial Kwik Cricket festival with 8 teams of Challows own U9 and U11s competing and despite the rain all matches were completed. This was followed by a BBQ and a lads v lassie match. The ladies won.............
 
This years award winners were
 
U10 - all juniors went through skills awards and were award either bronze, silver or gold certificates.
 
U11 - batsman of the year - James Wiltshire
       - bowler of the year - Ross Packham
       - most improved player - Ben Cox
 
U13 - batsman of the year - Henry Wiltshire
      - bowler of the year - James Smith
      - most improved - James Wright
 
U15 - batsman of the year - George Hook
      - bowler of the year - Conor Jones
      - most improved - Tom Webb



Rolling back the years with the Steve Penney XI (or 15 to be more accurate) v the Club
on Sunday, 21st June 2009. Spot any Old Timers you know?



Bernard Tollett Oxon Knockout Cup

Quarter-finals:  Shipton 171-5  Challow & Childrey 128-7

Second round: Challow & Childrey 136-5 (N Hume 42, J Phillips 35), Cropredy 77-6 (B Jones 3-10).

First round: Challow & Childrey 192-5 (N Meadows 77, N Hume 50), Cumnor 129-9 (A Morteza 55, N Meadows 5-32).


 Challow Fantasy Cricket
Check out http://www.challowccfantasy.350.com.  Hopefully some fun and definitely not just for players, select your fantasy side and email it to Ian Demain along with your team name to challowcc@live.co.uk.Coaching Bowlers
Ted Heape will now be running the 'Coaching Bowlers for Coaches' session at King Alfred's East Site on Sunday Mar 29 from 10:00 to 12:30 (remember to set your alarms as the clocks go forward!). The course is aimed at coaches at all levels from U11 to seniors and will feature video analysis.  Bowlers who would like to improve their technique are also very welcome.
    Other coaching news - Nigel Hume has been training at the Gary Palmer Academy since the start of the year and James Philips has trials with Northants this weekend.

League Cup
The draw for the first round on April 18th gives the 1st XI a home tie against Oxford and the 2nds  an away trip to Banbury XX.

The player's meeting has been scheduled for Sun, Mar 1st at 11:30

The next golf day is on Friday, 27th March at Carswell GC. 
The first tee will be about 10.30am, with coffee and a bacon roll on arrival.  Back to the club after for a meal, probably chili and jacket potato. The cost will be about £27

Do you recognise this captain?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/jan/15/harry-pearson-kevin-pietersen


Preliminary 2009 Friendly Fixtures available here

Quiz night
Congratulations to 'The Jolly Farmers', ably lead by captain Ian Pert, on winning the quiz.  Thanks to Geoff Harries, Stef, Val Langford and all who helped on a very enjoyable club night.  Watch out for the next quiz which will be in February.

CHALLOW & CHILDREY CC 3rd XI

If you have not already heard, as of the 2009 season Challow is looking to enter a 3rd XI team in the Cherwell League.

After many years supporting the Saturday team at Wantage & Grove CC they are now in a position to take over the fixtures in the OCA in their own right. This was always the long term goal. We remain good friends with Wantage and indeed will continue to do much of the ground preparation and play most of our home fixtures there.

This as a great opportunity to re-establish the identity of the 3rd XI within the club under the continuing captaincy of Francis Brown. Once again playing under the Challow name will bring all 3 teams closer together and encourage development and progression through the teams.

Whilst of course some players will choose to remain at Wantage we hope as many as possible, especially the younger players, will see the benefits of playing for Challow and register with the Cherwell League next season. Please be aware that the league rules currently do not allow players to register for both the Cherwell and OCA leagues.

 We will also continue with a Sunday XI playing mostly friendly fixtures with the majority at Challow. The plan is to introduce the more talented Under 14/15’s to the longer format of an afternoon game.

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact:-
Francis Brown - 01235 770661 or francis4cricket@btinternet.com
Stefan Pilcher - 01367 820978 or stefandkaz@supanet.com 


 Quiz night on Saturday 22nd of November starting at 7.30pm.
There will be 10 rounds of 10 questions each plus a picture round which those taking part can try and match name to picture during the evening. Each team should consist of between 4 and 6 people. There will be a cash prize for the winning team and depending on how many teams take part, hopefully a prize for the runners up. The entry fee is  £1 per person.


The Challow & Childrey CC golf day will be at Chaddlesworth on Friday 7th Nov, 1st tee is 12 noon. Cost will be £25 which includes a bacon roll and coffee on arrival, 18 holes of golf and then some food back at Challow. We currently have about 20 interested parties, but more are welcome. Could I please have a deposit of £10 if you wish to play, in the event of bad weather preventing us from playing, this will be refunded. I am informed that buggies are available, please arrange these when you arrive, again bad weather may prevent there use.
                                                                   Dave    

OCB Award

The club have won an award at the recent inaugural Oxfordshire Cricket Board youth cricket presentation evening.
The silver salver was presented in recognition of the support of Challow & Childrey Cricket Club to Oxfordshire Youth Cricket.

Aug 08
Just when you thought it could not get any more trivial....
2nd XI profiles

1st XI squad player profiles
Cricket Bat, music, football team, ice bath buddy (yuk) ,hero (any), favourite drink, - food,  -film, -TV, pet hates
Trivia

Summer Holiday - Junior Cricket Courses
The courses will include practical and tactical work, and are aimed at players who have already developed the basic skills.
Click for further details   and a booking form


The 1950's  Gerald Wixey's latest perceptive analysis.  A fascinating chronicle of Challow cricket from a bygone age.

Statistics for the first team at the halfway stage in the season - batting averages, bowling averages, highest partnerships and of course the all important six hitters league standings.  Thanks to Tubes and our scorer Noel.

batting                                                     bowling                                              partnerships/ 6-hitting

Nick Meadows (519) and James Philips (334) lead the batsmen. Robbie Owen must do better, his strike rate is a paltry 334.  If the rest of the team had followed his example we would only be scoring 1002 in 50 overs.  James (24) and Nick (16) also lead the bowling with  Mikey on 11 and  Olly on 13.

27/6/08 Nigel Hume and Harry Smith compiled a fantastic 251-run partnership to steer Oxfordshire to victory over the Isle of Wight in their ECB Under 15 County Cup tie at Kidlington.  Both scored their maiden county centuries, with 'Tubba'  Hume hitting nine boundaries in his magnificent 134.

In the first of an ongoing series of club profiles we talk to Nick Meadows, First Team Captain for 2008.

Nick,how did you arrive in Oxfordshire and what are you doing while you are here ?

Having completed my PhD in Brisbane, Australia and working for a year in research I decided that it was a good time to travel, both personally and it is also encouraged for research scientists to travel abroad and learn new skills in a different environment.  My partner, who also completed her PhD at the same university, held similar ideas and before we knew it we both had job offers at the Medical Research Council in Harwell. I’m currently working on a candidate target for treating diabetes type II.

 Where do you hail from and what do you miss most about your place of birth ?

Having grown up in Brisbane I was accustomed to a culture involving trips to the beach for a surf whenever cricket wasn’t on, as well as anything outdoors on the weekend (golf, tennis, rugby). Things are obviously different here, but we are enjoying the history associated with Oxford and the great countryside surroundings. Although I am suffering major withdrawals to visit the beach on a hot day!

Tell us a bit about your cricket history and pedigree ! What clubs have you played for in Aus and what level did you play ? Which Aussie stars have you played alongside ?

I’ve have been a mad cricket lover since I was 6 and I joined my local cricket club at 9. I joined the University of Queensland Cricket Club when I was 14 and played for the same club for ten years right up until the time that I left Australia. Along the way I was fortunate enough to be involved with a series of Queensland development squads, which included players such as Shane Watson and James Hopes who have since moved on to represent Australia.  
    At UQCC I played in 5 different teams over ten years. Under 16 age restricted, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st grade. Playing in 1st grade is obviously the highest level of cricket that I achieved and I’m proud to have played games with Australian representatives Michael Kasprowicz and Martin Love. Making 1st grade at UQ was no easy task and apart from Michael and Martin much of the side is composed of very good cricketers who are Queensland and fringe Queensland representatives looking to play cricket at a professional level.
    My progress through the grades was not straightforward and it included ups and downs. Most of the promotions were based on consistent scores over at least a season. Its also a reflection that you don’t need to go straight to the highest level and that you can learn a lot by playing a senior role in your team before stepping up to the next grade.

Which other famous “CCCC imports” have you played with in Aus ?

It’s no coincidence that I am playing with CCCC now. In Brisbane I have played in the same teams as Steve Farrell, Mark Ellison, Dan Maroske and Michael Phillipson who have all spent time at CCCC and who all speak highly of the club.

Any other interests outside cricket ?

My interests outside of cricket are surfing, golf, tennis and anything competitive. I try to participate in charity runs to keep up my fitness and I love travelling.

What are your hopes and aspirations for CCCC this season ? What are your perceptions on how we can progress as a club this season ?

I’d like to see all our teams in the top four with two games to go. All the teams have the players and the skills to achieve this. The trick is getting the full potential out of each player every game. This last point especially refers to the first team. I think last season they had the skills they just didn’t reach their potential.

How will you be looking for the club to train and play this season and do you have any new "traditions" that you would like to get people to subscribe to ?

I’d like to bring some techniques that have developed naturally at UQCC regarding Team training and individual preparation. By training once a week together as a unit I’d like to see a bond within the team. I think this is already a healthy aspect within the teams at CCCC. Players enjoy their cricket and they enjoy the company of their mates in the club.   
    I’d like to help players develop their skills individually and in pairs or threes. Without relying on an overburdened Ted (who does a fantastic job helping with technique and skills) there are some tasks that players can do at training that can help fine tune their game for the weekend.
    I will also be looking to introduce some match day routines that will build on the work done in the week and hopefully gives us an extra edge over our opponents.

 Thanks Nick and we all wish you every success in your leadership of the First team this season.

Nick Meadows was in conversation with Spence. If you would like to be profiled in this series, please see  at the club.

Dan Maroske claimed 4 for 61 for Western Suburbs against Gold Coast in their first innings of the Queensland First Grade cricket premiership Final at Allan Border Field.  Wests were then dismissed for 232 to give Gold Coast a first innings lead of 66 to take into the last two days of the match next week.
 


                               The angelic host whitewash Challow




Dangerous Dan Maroske took 5 for 78 in 22 overs in the final round of the Queensland First Grade competition for Western Suburbs who are now through to the semi-finals.

 Please Note - the new club email address is cccc47@live.com

CCCC 100 Club
Many thanks to all those people who have renewed their membership for 2007/2008.   If you have yet to sign up for another year, please send your payment to Phil Cox to ensure you are included in future draws.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

XMAS BAZAAR SUNDAY NOV 25 between 11 - 3pm at clubhouse.  Lots of stalls, prize draws as well as Santa Claus.
 
QUIZ  NIGHT SATURDAY  DEC 1 starting at 7.30pm - teams of 4 costing £6 per team. 
For more details give Stefan a ring on 01367 820978.
 

Review of the season 2007




The club coach, Ted Heape reflects on the past season here
Owen helps Ted with his recruitment drive

     
Loam Sweet Loam


A groundsman's
work
is
never
done.
End of season party

Nobby showing his chicken legs.
 The deleterious effect that a season at Challow has had on Michael Philipson (he even let old Ashley Holznagel run him out in the opening grade game)



before
 after

Sunday Aug 6          M.C.C. game

As part of the clubs 60th Anniversary celebrations we again hosted the MCC in a bi-annual fixture.  The weather played its part with the hottest day of  the year tempered by a cooling breeze. The ground was in magnificent condition set off by a marquee for our guests that include founding players from 1947 and past members who helped establish the current ground.

As ever the MCC skippered by Rupert Evans batted first and despite an early wicket for occasional seamer Neil Podbery all the bowlers were put to the sword by opener Graham Charlesworth who struck a magnificent 139 and with Joe Porter (40) added 106 for the 3rd wicket. A very sporting declaration by the MCC at 246 for 4 from 51 overs set up the match perfectly.

The Challow innings almost mirrored that of the MCC and yet again the crowd were treated to another excellent display of batting as openers Owen Dimbylow and Nick Meadows put on 70 for the first wicket. At the start of the last twenty overs Challow were 125 for 2 but with both Nick and Steve Burry going well, they added 147 for the 3rd wicket. Nick was eventually run out for 124. Thereafter Steve took over and steered Challow to a 7 wicket victory with 8 balls to spare on an undefeated 71 not out. He was accompanied to victory by 14 year old Nigel Hume who gave a brief glimpse of his talents with a quick fire 15 no.

Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup

Challow & Childrey stormed into the quarter-finals with a convincing ten-wicket victory over Hanborough on Tuesday.
Batting first, Hanborough scored 103 all out, with Matthew Busby contributing 55. Michael Phillipson returned 3-13
Phillipson then starred with the bat, making 57 not out as he and opening partner Nick Meadows (40no) passed the target without loss to earn a last-eight tie at home to Oxford Downs next Tuesday.

Hanborough 103 (M Busby 55, M Phillipson 3-13), Challow & Childrey 104-0 (M Phillipson 57no, N Meadows 40no).
( Mike Knox - Oxford Mail  29/6/07)

13/6/07
Quote of the week

 "Scoring 197 at Challow was probably worth 150 on another wicket as it such a good track." Rob Williams just misses out on a double century in Oxfordshire's seven-wicket victory over Herefordshire.

Challow & Childrey have become the 14th club in Oxfordshire to be awarded the Clubmark accreditation from the England and Wales Cricket Board and Sport England.
 The award recognises the "safe, effective and child friendly" practices within the club. Challow's Clubmark manager Steve Penney said: "The main benefit is the profile the scheme brings and the positive messages it sends out about the quality and safety of the club's junior section." Oxfordshire Cricket Board chairman Chris Clements, who presented the certificate, said that Challow should be commended for their approach to club development.

Hume leads way as county crush Gloucestershire
Nigel Hume steered Oxfordshire Under 14s to an emphatic six-wicket victory against Gloucestershire in their ECB County Cup clash. The opener hit 74 to lead his side home after Oxon's bowlers had produced a solid display.  Hume and Os Miller dominated the opening attack, putting on 57 in just 11 overs to get Oxon off to a flying start.  A further stand of 64 between Hume and Harry Smith (33) for the third wicket ensured that Oxfordshire cruised to a comfortable win, getting home with 6.5 overs to spare.  (from the Oxford Mail, Jun 9)

15/5/07
Fixtures List on the move....
The 2007 fixtures list is now available here as a download for your iPod or other MP3 player that can accept .txt files and display them.  There is also a useful help file, it is a bit dated as the screenshots relate to a previous version of iTunes but the instructions are still good.

The Fun Day was a great success despite the bad weather earlier in the day. The sun shone and lots of people came and enjoyed browsing the stalls and watching the events - especially the tug-of-war and the happiest dog competition. Many thanks to Sarah for organising it all and to everyone who helped throughout the day or who just came along to support us. We  raised  some money  towards the 60th anniversary celebrations - exact amount still being worked out!




Club History
Gerald Wixey has updated the seventies section, adding match summaries and some colourful recollections for each year.  Facts, figures and fantasies

Precise Irrigation UK Ltd
Precise Irrigation UK Ltd, based in Denchworth have been generously supporting the club over the past 4 years. This season they have become the principal sponsor of CCCC. Their sponsorship ensures that the large bill that we get each year to purchase match balls for league cricket can be paid.   We would like to thank Maggie and Richard Vaughan for all their efforts and the Cricket Committee would ask you to visit their web pages via the Sponsors Link to find out more about their business and reciprocate your support to them.

Kit
We have new playing shirts, training/warm-up t-shirts and training/warm-up shorts. The whole set will be £35.   This year if you are representing the 1st or 2nd Team, you are expected to wear the above kit on a Saturday, including the correct clothing for the warm-ups on match days.  Please come and speak to Archie regarding the kit or call him on 07747 097574.

7/4/07 Challow Fun Day – Monday 7 May from 12 noon
Pony rides, tug-of-war, happiest dog competition, cream teas, barbecue, Aunt Sally, tombola, stalls etc etc.
Please come along and support the club – we are fundraising for the 60th anniversary celebration and to support the junior cricket.
Volunteers are also needed to man the various stalls and events. If you can help please contact the club challow@challow.wanadoo.co.uk or ring 01235 763335.   Thanks very much.

4/4/07 Challow and Childrey CC are providing the venue for the Easter Cricket Holiday Activity days run by the Vale of the White Horse DC. Mark Podbery will be assisting the Vale's coach and hopefully there will be a number of juniors attending who trained with Challow last year. Unfortunately, the courses are now full but should you wish to find out further information about Sports Development within the Vale, click here to follow the link to the Vale's website.

27/3/07 Steve Penney Nominated for Award

CCCC Club member, Steve Penney was shortlisted for the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership Volunteer of the Year award at a dinner held at the Witney Lakes Resort.  The nomination was in recognition of Steve’s work as Secretary of the Vale of White Horse Cricket Development Group and Challow and Childrey Cricket Club with particular regards to their attainment of Sport England Clubmark accreditation.  Steve said “I was pleased and proud to be shortlisted for this award.  There are a lot of volunteers doing loads of good work throughout the county and closer to home at CCCC. I accepted this shortlisting on behalf of the club.”  The award went to Mike Minch of Witney RFC with David Ward of Abingdon Vale CC also shortlisted.  Steve was slightly disappointed not to win “Sports Achiever of the Year” which was won by Olympic Triple jumper Nathan Douglas.  Oh well there is always next year Steve.

26/3/07 CCCC – Clubmark Award – Its official !!

Clubmark is a cross-sport quality accreditation for clubs with junior sections that ensures the well-being of young people whilst in the care of adults, other than their legal parent(s)/carer(s). It is administered by Sport England.  National governing bodies, in our case the ECB,award Clubmark to proven high quality clubs.
After much hardwork, the Challow and Childrey Cricket Club has finally gained accreditation and we should receive our ECB certificate within the next few weeks.  We join a select band of clubs of which there are only about 2’500 in the UK across 25 sports and become one of a handful of Clubmark registered clubs in Oxfordshire. The aim now is to drive forward with our implementation of best practice in our provision of coaching to young cricketers in our community.We should all feel proud of this achievement for our club. 
Steve Penney
Clubmark Administrator, CCCC

Cricketers
The season is virtually upon us and Ted reckons it about time we started the usual net sessions.... it would be nice for us all to pick up a bat and turn the arms over before the first games. The first friendly fixture is on April the 14th with competitive games starting 2-3 weeks later.   It is suggested then that the usual regular net sessions, that is 'development group and 1st XI' on Tuesdays and 'everyone' on Thursdays, begin this week on Thursday Mar 29th at 6pm and continue next week and thereafter (weather permitting of course). Those of you who have been saving yourselves for the season can now come out of hiding.

Also, its important that we prepare the ground for the matches in the coming weeks, and so we are asking for volunteers this Sunday morning at 10am (the 1st April, no thats not a joke) to help up at the ground with unwinding the sightscreens, and painting them, and doing the various other little jobs around the place.

Michael Philipson  

i
is joining us for the summer.   He plays for Queensland University and is a right hand bat and off spin/seam bowler.  Dan reports that " although Michael Philiipson is a skinny gut he can crank his bowling up to Mike and Ollie's pace".   Michael finished the grade season in style with 97 against Redlands.

Kit
Mark Podbery is organising the kit for this year.  This will include new shirts, more of the boundary sports shorts, plus training T-shirts.

25/2/07 The 2007 Newsletter is now available here

Oxfordshire county games at Challow in 2007
27      May    sun        Gloucestershire
10-12  Jun    sun-tue   Herefordshire
17      Jun     sun        Wiltshire U15
15      Jul      sun        Dorset U15

25/1/07 Diamond Jubilee
2007 sees the 60th anniversary of Challow and Childrey cricket club.  This diamond jubilee will be marked at the match against the MCC on Sunday, Aug 5.  We are hoping that past and present members of the club will join us on the day.  More information will follow nearer the time.


Email Contacts
We are trying to compile a database of member's email addresses.  This will help to keep you informed of forthcoming events at the club.  To enable this please send an email to challow@challow.wanadoo.co.uk  including your name in the body of the text. 


13/11/06 Dangerous Dan

Olly has been in touch with Dan Maroske.  Dan has regained his place in the first grade and has been selected by Cricket Australia to bowl in the nets for three days before the Test Match at the Gabba.


Dan playing Vaughnie back into nick.


   Arch solves the problem of next year's overseas player.  There are some questions about Glenn's age but Lumby thinks he is a mere stripling.

Donald Pert (1934 - 2006)

Don Pert, the clubs spiritual captain died on Saturday morning (7/10/2006).  A huge loss for both the club and
his family More


Don and Mikey at Challow on Sep 17

'Don Pert, seen by many in the local cricketing world as 'Mr Challow & Childrey CC', died in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, on Saturday. He was 73. The club president, he held virtually every office at Challow during his time, including chairman, treasurer, secretary and club captain.  Pert, of East Challow, played cricket while in the RAF and also represented the Combined Services in the Far East.  In 1955, at the peak of his playing days for Challow, he took 69 wickets at a remarkable average of 3.13 runs apiece.  He had a huge impact on the club's development as they survived losing their ground for nine years from 1965-73 to rise from a small village outfit to one of the top grounds in Oxfordshire, regularly hosting Minor Counties matches.  Although, he suffered ill health in his later years, he maintained his great enthusiasm for the game and followed Challow home and away.

Paying tribute, club trustee John Pilcher said: "I have been involved at Challow for 45 or 46 years, and he has been the fulcrum for the whole thing in that time - it revolved around him.  He drove us from a tiny, village club from sparse circumstances to what we are today.  It is due to his vision and energy and all the time he put in.  The cricket club was his passion to the day he died. It was something that consumed him 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Everyone remembers him for his commitment to the club."

As well as cricket, he enjoyed travelling, visiting 49 countries - some many times - and followed the fortunes of Reading and Charlton football clubs.  A painter and decorator by trade, he leaves a widow Mary, a son Robert, a daughter Christine and four grandchildren, Rebecca, Lizzie, Chloe and Sebastian.  A funeral service will take place at St Nicholas' Church, East Challow on Tuesday (2pm), with his ashes to be left in his favourite corner of Challow's ground, overlooking the Downs.'
(Russell Smith, Oxford Mail, Oct 11)

6/10/06 Constitution
The club rules and constitution are now available online here

30/9/06 Ash steadies ship

Sep 30.  Queensland fast bowlers Ashley Noffke and Andy Bichel went head to head at Norman Gray Oval in the clash between South Brisbane and defending premiers Sunshine Coast.

Noffke bowled with pace and bounce to claim 6-43 as Souths were dismissed for 154, with captain Lance Kahler (40) and allrounder Peter Reimers (39) contributing the bulk of the runs.

Not to be outdone, Bichel, in his first game since returning from a County cricket stint with Essex, ripped in early to take 3-11 before Scorchers captain Ashley Holznagel, a former Souths (and Challow) player, steadied the ship to score 50 not out.
see...

17/9/06 Celebrity charity match
Alan Ball, who helped England lift the 1966 World Cup, and ex-Southampton star Matt Le Tissier, who represented his country in the 1990s, were members of the Lambourn horseracing side, who beat their Newmarket counterparts at a canter by 77 runs.  Ball opened the batting for Lambourn, but made only seven.  Le Tissier, however, was in good form, hitting 63, before trainer William Knight smashed 88 to take Lambourn to 230-8 from their 40 overs.  Newmarket were then bowled out for 153, with trainer Nick Gifford (6-33) doing the damage.

Lambourn 230-8 (40ovs, W Knight 88, M Le Tissier 63), Newmarket 153 (S Mitchell 31, N Gifford 6-33).

West Indies legend Michael Holding umpired the game which it was hoped would raise more than £100,000 for the Rhinology and Laryngology Research Fund, Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance and St John Ambulance.  The match was organised after Lambourn trainer Barry Hills recently underwent treatment for throat cancer.

(report taken from Russell Smith, Oxford Mail, Sep 18, 2006)

Club History
Another chapter in the colourful history of Challow from our venerable scribe, Gerald Wixey features a review of the 1971 season and the averages for 1971 to 1976 , 1971-76.

22/4/06  Club History
Our resident archivist and historian, the venerable Gerald Wixey is producing an informal history of the club.  This new section starts with a vivid and colourful review of 1976, Duckett's season.

17/4/06  CLUBMARK
During the 2006 season a number of initiatives will be made with regards to the structure of the club’s junior cricket programme. Foremost of these initiatives will be the work that is being done to gain accreditation to CLUBMARK.  This will enable the club to meet its responsibilities for the safety and welfare of members, volunteers and visitors, including spectator’s parents and members of opposing teams.  The CLUBMARK team hopes that we will secure full accreditation by the end of 2006.  Please visit the CLUBMARK pages over the season in order to view new information and procedures as they come in to practice.

11/4/06 Letter from Mark Ellison
A seasonal email  and appreciation from Mark, he is missing us already..

11/4/06 Sponsors News
This season our Aussie Dan Maroske, will be driving round in a shiny Red Nissan Micra thanks to a generous sponsorship from The Oxford Van Company. We would like to thank The Oxford Van Company for their support and if any club members need to hire a van or car, buy tyres or get an MOT call them on 01865 748811 or visit them at www.oxvan.co.uk
Lets hope that Dan can drive better than the Aussie Test Team can bat ! (Sorry Dan and yes I look forward  to batting against you in the nets - Steve Penney)

2/4/06 New sponsor's web page launched

12/3/06 Farrell v Holznagel
Steve and Ashley were the opposing captains in the 2006 Queensland grade final.  But after a year of captaining Challow anything else is really easy.  Ash and the Scorchers triumph in final! - see the bulls website for more

1/3/06  Tour dates confirmed
We are returning to The Molesworth Arms in Wadebridge, Cornwall to play two matches and a game of golf or whatever you want to do on a day off.  Details are
 
Tuesday 25 July                Travel down
Wednesday 26 July           Golf and then 20 over game in evening against Wadebridge CC
Thursday 27 July               Afternoon game against Falmouth CC
Friday 28 July                   Travel Home
 
Cost is £27.50 per person per night on B&B basis sharing room. A deposit of £30 is required now. Contact Stefan on 01367 820978 or stefandkaz@supanet.com

21/2/06 Aussie Player
Our overseas player for this season is 22 year old Dan Maroske from The Queensland University Club in Brisbane which is the same club that Mark Ellison plays for and Steve Farrell captains.. He is in the middle of a dual degree course in law and business management and is a qualified cricket and basketball coach. He is taking a year out before completing his studies and will arrive in plenty of time for the pre season matches.  We need to find accommodation for him and a casual job so if anyone knows of a spare room or any work please can they let Stefan Pilcher know.  Dan is a left arm opening bowler and so we look forward to the traditional sound of the cricket season, leather on bone...
 
13/2/06  The 100 Club
The 100 Club has been running for over 10 years and has provided much needed funds for the club.  The recently completed extension to the changing rooms has created some financial pressure within  the club.  In order to keep subs as low as possible, it is vital to continue to raise money via the 100 club and make a positive contribution to club funds.  Membership forms are now available here

6/2/06  Newsletter
Latest newsletter available now - team captains, cricket force, calendar, tour, training, new kit and much much more..

5/2/06 ECB 'Cricket Force' day on April 8th
With the coming season quickly approaching, there are always a raft of tasks to be undertaken enabling the club to be ready for the first
matches. This year working together with a new ECB initiative called Cricket Force the club is going to organise an activity day for members to get involved and have a bit of fun as well.  Cricket Force in association with NatWest are providing resource packs for clubs to organise a day of activities around tidying, litter picking, equipment organisation and general sprucing up.  The hope is to have a barbecue for the volunteers and, undoubtedly, have the bar open.  If you would like to volunteer to help on the day (8th April, 2006) please call John Pilcher on 01235 867254.

25/1/06 Steve Farrell blast
Challow old boy and now Queensland University captain Stephen Farrell helps his team to win the inaugural Queensland grade 20/20 competition.  He blasted 69 off just 26 balls, with his half century coming off just 19 deliveries. 'The burly right-hander smashed seven sixes, including one into the top deck of the northern stand at the Vulture Street end and another into the lower tier of the new section of the Gabba stand at the Stanley Street end.'  see report at www.bulls.com.au