End September 2008

 

 

 

Many things happened during this month – and others just didn’t (like the Brit Embassy matches – no word from them – or the Moose). We still tried to make the best of it, as usual.

The highlight of the month was the visit of our Frome friends. They brought us a roller!!! So here ends the era of unpredictable pitches (Is the square going to turn into a batting track? We’ll know for sure next year!).

 

Lots of runs during that particular week-end (could indeed be the effects of rolling the pitch – or could it be shoddy bowling and fielding…), with Andy scoring 138 on the Saturday (just 7 miserable runs away from Gordon’s all-time Saumur ground record of 145 – too bad), and Matt carrying his bat with a fine 103 not out from 30 overs.

Next year’s Frome fixture will be the 15th anniversary of their first visit, theirs being the oldest fixture in the book. Celebrations will be grand!

 

On Saturday 27, we should have had the Moose to contend with, but we never saw its tail. So we had the 2nd part of the InterClub challenge. With a lot of desertions and sorry-mate-can’t-be-there’s, we ended up staging an 8-a-side (or rather 7 vs 8) using Ken Barrington rules. Which meant that runs and wickets would not be included in the season statistics… (find the stats in the Season Analysis part).

And in the end, youth prevailed, with the Nantes VII (averaging around 30 years) defeating the Saumur VIII (averaging closer to 45 years) by, I think, 8 runs.

 

The Annual General Meeting should take place during the autumn school vacation (sometime between October 24 and early November).

 

Saumur indoor practice: we have a possibility on Saturday mornings, sharing the Gymnase du Vigneau with our federation cousins of the base-ball club.

 

Finally – a few photos from the English Tour (taken by Nadia & Nico)

 

Early September 2008

 

On August 31, Entente Saumur-Nantes won the first ACNO-Siddalls’ North-West Cup. You can find the complete results by linking here.

Andy German again blasted the ball around the ground of Les Ormes (118 not out… with 10 fours and 6 sixes), and Peter Valace made a timely comeback into the runs with a fine 52. Together they posted a 130 runs partnership !

Here are a few photos (sorry they’re not too good – I really must get a new phone)

118* - WHAT A SHOW!

52, just at the right time! (no he’s not 52)

 

 

 

Roger, Jagrut, Marco, Mac, Vincent, James, Raj

Guillaume, Peter, Andy, Matt

 

More news: the 6 a side tournament was cancelled (or is it postponed???). The visit of the British Embassy seems doubtful (no news from them). In any case, we’ll have practice on Saturday 6, with perhaps a Ken Barrington game.

If all goes well, the Frogs vs the Rosbifs match should take place at St Jean le Thomas (Normandie), at Jean-Marie Portier’s new club, on the week-end of 13 and 14.

After that, our Frome friends will be visiting.

Still to be confirmed: the visit of The Moose at the end of the month. I’ll let you know

 

End of July 2008

 

Coming soon (hopefully…): photos from the England and Brittany tours.

In preparation, for next April: the 2009 tour could very well take us to the Caribbean – namely St Lucia, Pete Valace's island home. We'll try to keep the money side of things tight. More info on that shortly.

As usual, no home matches in August.

On the radar:

     The 3rd Edition of the Six-a-side Grand-Ouest Tournament (reminding you that we won the 2 first editions) will take place on Saturday August, 16 at Gourin. Marco is in charge of the Team, so get in touch with him (use our contact@saumur-cricket.com address).

     The Finale of the 1st Coupe ACNO-Siddalls' at Les Ormes on Sunday, August 31.

     A busy September – report to the fixtures list – with a lot of matches to be played!

 

29 May 2008

 

Trust me, you don't want to know. I could hardly believe it myself. The pitch is flooded. Again.

Must be the 3rd time this year. It's that damn rain. Obviously we can't play on Sunday, unless we take up water-polo.

The Saumur-Nantes rematch is postponed until further notice. Probably October.

 

26 May 2008

 

3rd match of the season, being the return game of L'Entente Saumur-Nantes vs Le Moulin CC. What you can call a convincing and definitive win by L'Entente, as we won by 162 runs. You can find the report (in French) by following this link.

We qualify for the finals of the Coupe, played on August 31 at Les Ormes. Against whom? Odds are that the likely opponents will be CC des Ormes.

Peter, Chris, Matt and Marco at Fontaine-Couverte

 

Next match, on Sunday June 1, is the second game of the "home" series between Saumur and Nantes

Practice on Saturday May 31 during the afternoon – weather permitting of course…

 

Just couldn't resist – had to buy it. I know everyone of you would love to be the happy recipient of… the 2008 Saumur Ducky Trophy. So you can shake a tailfeather in anticipation, here it is (and yes, it's big). According to the stats, Guillaume is the current Wing Commander…

 

 

 

20 May 2008

 

2nd match of the season, Saumur and Nantes sections playing against each other, like we did last year in June. This year, we’ll play a 2-match series, with the return match on 1 June. Nantes win the first match and take the Trophée home for a fortnight. Will they keep it until next year? Who knows? You can find a selection of photos by following this link.

On Sunday 25, we go away to Le Moulin, for the return game, with a view to winning and qualifying for the finals of the Coupe.

 

12 May 2008

 

Started again, at last, on Sunday 10 May. 1st game of the season vs Le Moulin CC in the newly born Coupe ACNO-Siddalls’. L’Entente Saumur-Nantes win by 3 wickets. You can read the report (in French) by following this link. For stats, go to 2008 results page.

 

The following day, l’Equipe de France was scheduled to play a team of Volontaires (with players from Balbyniens CC, Bourgogne CC and CC des Ormes). Andy German was part of France, but Peter Valace, who was supposed to play for Les Volontaires, was drafted by France, and is thus the first St Lucian to ever play – and win - for France !

 

Andy and Peter

 

End of 2007 season

Practice started on Monday 26 November.

Gymnase du Clos Coutard.

Everyone is invited to join in…