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Season Review
Nigel Binks
Successful return to cricket after Lockdown
Back in May, with the country in Lockdown, the prospects of any cricket being played at Grove Park in 2020 looked remote. But, in early July, when Boris Johnson gave the green light for club cricket to return, Yoxford moved quickly to arrange fixtures at both junior and senior level. In all 22 senior fixtures were arranged for the 2 months of the season that were left with junior fixtures being a regular sight in the evenings for most of July and August too.
The senior season began with an intra club game played for the Captain's Cup on 12th July. This allowed the club to test out the new Covid protocols put in place to keep everyone safe as well give players a chance to dust off their pads and shake off any rustiness before games against other clubs began. By the end of the season, the use of hand sanitizer every six overs and no teas had become the 'new normal'!
The first fixture against outside opposition came the following Wednesday when old friends, Halesworth Pumas visited for a T20 fixture before the club fielded two XIs on the following Saturday. Beating Stowupland but losing heavily to a strong Mellis side. Worlingworth were then beaten the following day in a 30 over game.
Fixtures followed against Saxmundham, BT & Waldringfield and Topcroft which all ended in defeat.
With league cricket cancelled for the season, Yoxford entered the Suffolk T20 cup and this produced some of the most memorable moments of the season. Their first game in this competition saw them travel to Hadleigh II and the young Yoxford side gave their hosts an almighty scare when they came within a handful of runs of chasing down 196. This was followed by a comprehensive win over Melton before the match of the season saw last ball drama with a run out securing a tie against Easton II. Although they didn't qualify for Finals Day, Yoxford were not disgraced and a side which regularly fielded up to 7 players under 18 will only benefit from the experience.
Further matches followed with a trip to Woodbridge before return games with Saxmundham, Topcroft and Worlingworth. Two out of those four matches producing victories before Middleton were beaten in a midweek T20 fixture. This was followed by a first trip to Southwold for a number of years where Yoxford narrowly lost a high scoring game.
Bank Holiday weekend saw the fixture with Ipswich & East Suffolk falling victim to the weather, but the annual game against Colletts XI took place the following day. This was the 50th anniversary of the fixture and plans for a big celebration understandably had to be put on hold until next year. An entertaining game was still played with the Horner and Boult Cups handed out to Clubman and Junior Clubman of the year. Mark Bond and Mason Stacey receiving the awards.
As the season entered September, there was time for 3 more fixtures. An excellent win away to BT & Waldringfield saw Yoxford successfully chase a total of over 200, before defeat to Halesworth the following day.
The season ended on a high with a 2 wicket win over Stradbroke.
In all, Yoxford won 8 and tied 1 of the 19 senior games played. But, more importantly, the young players in the side grew in stature and experience which will stand them in good stead when League cricket (hopefully) returns in 2021.
The senior season began with an intra club game played for the Captain's Cup on 12th July. This allowed the club to test out the new Covid protocols put in place to keep everyone safe as well give players a chance to dust off their pads and shake off any rustiness before games against other clubs began. By the end of the season, the use of hand sanitizer every six overs and no teas had become the 'new normal'!
The first fixture against outside opposition came the following Wednesday when old friends, Halesworth Pumas visited for a T20 fixture before the club fielded two XIs on the following Saturday. Beating Stowupland but losing heavily to a strong Mellis side. Worlingworth were then beaten the following day in a 30 over game.
Fixtures followed against Saxmundham, BT & Waldringfield and Topcroft which all ended in defeat.
With league cricket cancelled for the season, Yoxford entered the Suffolk T20 cup and this produced some of the most memorable moments of the season. Their first game in this competition saw them travel to Hadleigh II and the young Yoxford side gave their hosts an almighty scare when they came within a handful of runs of chasing down 196. This was followed by a comprehensive win over Melton before the match of the season saw last ball drama with a run out securing a tie against Easton II. Although they didn't qualify for Finals Day, Yoxford were not disgraced and a side which regularly fielded up to 7 players under 18 will only benefit from the experience.
Further matches followed with a trip to Woodbridge before return games with Saxmundham, Topcroft and Worlingworth. Two out of those four matches producing victories before Middleton were beaten in a midweek T20 fixture. This was followed by a first trip to Southwold for a number of years where Yoxford narrowly lost a high scoring game.
Bank Holiday weekend saw the fixture with Ipswich & East Suffolk falling victim to the weather, but the annual game against Colletts XI took place the following day. This was the 50th anniversary of the fixture and plans for a big celebration understandably had to be put on hold until next year. An entertaining game was still played with the Horner and Boult Cups handed out to Clubman and Junior Clubman of the year. Mark Bond and Mason Stacey receiving the awards.
As the season entered September, there was time for 3 more fixtures. An excellent win away to BT & Waldringfield saw Yoxford successfully chase a total of over 200, before defeat to Halesworth the following day.
The season ended on a high with a 2 wicket win over Stradbroke.
In all, Yoxford won 8 and tied 1 of the 19 senior games played. But, more importantly, the young players in the side grew in stature and experience which will stand them in good stead when League cricket (hopefully) returns in 2021.
Further reading