Countdown commencing: 3...

Happy Easter. Happy April. Happy cricket month! Yes - just three weeks to go until the first round of matches in the 2018 season. And doesn't it feel like cricket weather...

Firstly, thanks to all the players who made it to the player meeting on Saturday. It was at least an attempt to engage before the start of the season, discuss rule changes, check on availability and readiness for the season, and just say hello. I'll confess it was a little unstructured - but it was our first attempt at this. Hopefully we'll do better next year (and avoid a bank holiday weekend...), but its a start.

As far as we're aware everyone is ready and raring to go with a couple of exceptions - we'd like to pass on our best wishes to Immy Mehrban and hope he feels better soon, and Dale Pinkerton who has informed us that due to work and family commitments he will be unavailable for this season. Hopefully we will see both of them from time to time at the matches, and if circumstances change, perhaps they'll see some game-time. If anyone else is unavailable for the first couple of games who hasn't let us know already, could they do so as soon as possible please?

And a reminder to the players - there are two more Sunday morning net sessions left so if you can, try to make it to them to hone those skills in readiness. If you've been doing your own training - some I know have - well done, great commitment.

The club facilities are in good condition, with all repairs and maintenance just about complete. But there are major concerns over the pitch - the incredibly persistent wet weather has wreaked havoc this winter with most of the ground submerged for over two months. Even though all the standing water finally drained away last week, this weekends rain and the forecast snow on Easter Monday have prevented any work from beginning on the pitch so far. Unless we have a miraculous couple of weeks of warm, dry weather there is a serious risk that the pitch will not be ready for the first match. Can anyone provide a heatwave?

Our first game is on April 21st away at Crossflatts. The following week we are at home against Haworth. Hope plenty can come support the team this year as we look to bounce back from last year's disappointing season.