HATHERLEIGH Cricket Club is thriving with another season just on the horizon and with the first game on April 16 club coach Richard Tidball is hoping the weather improves to welcome the first new ball. The club has invested heavily in its facilities with the Glamorgan county groundsman spending time in the autumn to work on the square and it has bought a new, heavier roller and a spiker to prepare the pitch. The new season will also see the installation of a new sight screen system. Richard told the Times: 'The First XI will be in the West division of the Devon League with the Second XI in the B division of their league. These teams will be captained by Sean Forrester and Ross Cherrington respectively. Sundays will see a team in division three of the North Devon League under the helm of Gareth Tidball who at 17 will probably be the youngest skipper in the league. 'But there is much more cricket at Hatherleigh - the ladies have joined division two of the Devon Ladies' Cricket League for the first time and they will be holding their annual tournament on Sunday, June 10. 'The veterans have three matches and there will be mid week friendlies against touring sides virtually every week from mid May.' 2006 saw Hatherleigh's first participation in the Buckley Cup - a 20/20 league with five other local clubs. Hatherleigh won 10 out of 10 matches to win the competition and will be proudly defending their title in 2007. The winning side rarely had players aged more than 18 but this year they will probably be fielding players mainly under 16. In the Colts section - under 15, 13, 12, 11 and 10 teams - will play in various Colts leagues and cup competitions. 2006 was a successful year with the under 11s winning the Devon Cup and the U13s losing in the final. There will be a new practice regime for 2007 with club night on Tuesdays when all players will practise and at which selection will be made for the coming weekend. There will be a further session on Thursdays with a top class coach taking small groups in intensive sessions. With the ladies practising on Monday evenings, the U13s on Wednesdays, the U15s on Fridays and the U10/11s on Saturday mornings, there will be cricket at the club virtually every day. The club, says Richard, is fortunate to have two level two coaches, five level one coaches as well as several assistants. Indoor nets have already started at Chulmleigh Sports Hall from 6pm to 8pm and any new players are welcome to join in. Away from actually playing cricket, the Club has a strong social side with social membership for £5. There is an active social calendar starting with a ladies night in April and culminating with the Annual Fun Day on Sunday, August 26, at the ground. Details of membership or more information from Richard Tidball on 01837 810010 or 811188 and from Charles Inniss on 01409 231237.
