Don Macaulay Cricket Week 2016 at Upchurch Cricket Club - Amount Raised and Thank You

Monday and the game against Chatham Nomads was won by the Nomads, chasing down a modest total of 160 from Upchurch's total set in 40 overs. This could be a fitting end to the Nomads games as they folded as a competitive club many years ago, but have been reforming annually for this fixture. Rumour has it one or 2 are getting on a bit and may decide to go out on a victory high !!

Tuesday bought a TKW electrical XI down to Holywell Lane. Upchurch batted first setting over 220 runs form their 40 overs and TKW chased this down with only 1 over remaining in what turned out to be a good game for the batsmen but not so enjoyable for the bowlers !!

Wednesday and the game was a similar affair with Rainham CC coming down and batting first again, scoring a decent total of over 220 and after the tea interval Upchurch were on course at several times but kept losing wickets at vital times and in the end they couldn't quite keep up with the rate and fell short once again.

Upchurch.

Borstal.

Frindsbury.

Winners - Leeds & Broomfield.

Thursday was contested by four u19 teams who for the first time were playing for the Don Macaulay 20/20 Cricket Week Cup. Play started at 11:00am with 2 semi finals on the 2 pitches Borstal were drawn against Frindsbury on pitch 1 and Upchurch were drawn against Leeds & Broomfield on pitch 2. There were some talented youngsters on all 4 sides but it was Frindsbury and Leeds & Broomfield who emerged victorious from their respective semi finals and would later go on to contest the final.

After a tea break the 3/4 play off was between Upchurch and Borstal. The Borstal captain made an impressively powerful 96 not out and took full advantage of some ill disciplined bowling and fielding including 4 dropped chances. Upchurch were left to chase a daunting 160 odd runs, they set about it well but again kept losing wickets at vital times and the pick of the batting came form the youngest members of the team with u15 Lewis Ball scoring a 50 ably assisted by Max Colley, but despite their efforts Borstal turned out winners condemning Upchurch to yet another defeat from cricket week.

The final contested by Leeds & Broomfield and Frindsbury turned out to be a very one sided affair, comfortably won by Leeds & Broomfield who batted first scoring 170 and Frindsbury despite their best efforts couldn't get close to Leeds who are an impressive outfit, and after speaking to their coach who informed me they had been playing together since the age of 9 this turned out to be their last competitive match together at this age group. The team are the first ever winners of the Don Macaulay 20/20 Cricket Week Trophy, donated to Upchurch Cricket Club by BDL Gas services who hope the trophy is contested for many years to come.

Marylebone Jelly playing Don Macaulay Cricket Week 2016 at
Upchurch Cricket Ground.

Friday evening brought the curtain down on Upchurch Cricket Club's cricket week in memory of Don Macaulay and it proved to be a great finale to the week. On the cricket front Upchurch didn't enjoy much success but never the less the weather allowed the week to be played out in its entirety.

The evening started with the Upchurch Football Club having a 20/20 match between themselves on the 2nd pitch while in front of the Kent Trade Frames Pavilion 4 marques were up with a curtain sided lorry waiting for Marylebone Jelly to play to over 300 people. As the evening went on, the threatening dark clouds dispersed and a picturesque summers evening formed the background to a fantastic night of music, food and plenty of fund raising.

Much fun was had and an unbelievable £4743.53 was raised throughout the week to go to Macmillan Nurses and in memory of Don Macaulay.

A massive thank you to Annmarie from the Crown public house who not only emptied her pub of Friday night regulars, but also helped sell raffle tickets all evening and loaned the Cricket Club her catering and outside bar facilities. The event would not have been so successful without her help.

Upchurch Cricket Club would also like to thank all the week's sponsors, BDL Gas services LTD, Rainham Physiotherapy Centre, DGL Testing Services LTD and Hidsons who helped fund the week and allow all proceeds from the ticket, food, raffle & auction monies to go direct to the charity.

Over the last 3 years it has been a privilege and honour for myself and Dave Lloyd to run the Cricket Week on behalf of the Cricket Club and in Don's memory. The event has seen over £14500 raised over 3 years for the Macmillan Nurses and in Don's memory.

We are stepping down now and have invited the Cricket Club to find other willing people to run the week. We wish the evnt every success in growing year on year and remaining a permanent fixture in the calendar. We would also like to thank everybody who came to the Friday evening and supported the event it wouldn't happened without your support.

Proud sponsors of Don Macaulay Cricket Week 2016 were:

BDL Gas Services Ltd Tel: 01634 232048 www.bdlgasservices.co.uk

Rainham Physiotherapy Centre Tel: 01634 377638 www.rainhamphysio.co.uk
DGL Testing Services Ltd Tel: 01795 411518 www.dgltesting.co.uk
Hidsons Tel: 01634 377244 www.hidsons.co.uk

Kent Trade Fames Tel: 01795 431600 www.kent-tradeframes.co.uk

Lee Stepney & David Lloyd

Upchurch Cricket Club: www.upchurch.play-cricket.com
Macmillan Cancer Support: www.macmillan.org.uk

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