| Castle Park Showdown…. 20:40 - Aug 31 with 2508 views | noah4x4 |
Railway strike frustration means that many U’s fans 2023 won’t travel to the Bescot on Saturday. So, if looking for a FREE sporting alternative, League Champions, Hornchurch CC are the visitors to Castle Park in a first versus (joint) second place end of season 50 limited over finale.
The Bar is open all afternoon and includes an offer of (up to) 10 ciders discounted to merely £2 a pint as the club seeks to clear this surplus stock remaining from its unfortunately soggy cricket & beer festival. Real ales (fresh!) are also available at competitive prices.
Free admission, sunshine, cricket, beer and cider. What’s not to like?
[Post edited 31 Aug 2023 20:45]
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| Castle Park Showdown…. on 21:31 - Aug 31 with 2462 views | wessex_exile |
...and for anyone not nursing a monumental post-cricket hangover the next morning, come along to the JobServe at 10am on Sunday to be part of the massive club and supporters stadium collaborative Eagle seat design endeavour! There are already two of us U'sual regulars signed up, so even if you can only spare an hour or two, come along and be part of it! |  |
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| Castle Park Showdown…. on 07:52 - Sep 1 with 2419 views | noah4x4 |
Sorry, I am the wrong side of 65 Wessex, and my knees won’t handle it, but I can add my praise to this laudable initiative. However, while your have his ear regarding seating, can you ask Robbie to consider installing a few safety handrails? That is the single most requested seating initiative that I hear.
Many of my elderly pals have now given up their high up season ticket seats and must accept a lower, hence inferior view. Others no longer attend because of this issue. The steps lack depth and my size 14s mean that only my heels are supported. I have always had to descend them sideways. These steps are dangerous for the elderly and infirm that already struggle to get to the ground because of a lack of public transport. It’s a fan sector the club has consistently ignored.
One reason the cricket clubs recent refurbishment was so expensive was conformity with disability and like building requirements. It now offers THE most welcoming provision of any Essex Premier League Cricket Club including wheelchair lift, disability toilets in two locations and safety rails, plus elevated viewing position on pavilion patio. Yes, the U’s do offer provision for wheelchairs, but for those walking with sticks or other aids, the stadium is the least friendly and least accessible in the EFL. | | | |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 06:15 - Sep 2 with 2368 views | noah4x4 |
Team news….
CEECC First XI will see Essex Metro Bank Cup hero Charlie Allison opening the batting with Joe MacGregor, and Scotland U19 Mackenzie Jones back too. With Guy Haines, Simon Fernandes and Charlie Fernandes batting at 3 to 5, and beguiling veteran pacemen, Vikas Agawal, Darren Eckford and Ben Stephens back in tandem, league leaders Hornchurch CC face a stiff challenge despite the absence of last weekends CEECC centurion, Joe Austin.
Watch out too out for youngster Jacob Drew, who has stepped up into the shoes of absent Kiwi international, Adi Ashok and is blowing away accomplished batters with his spin. It’s Invasion Colchester in the City with a myriad of super heroes in and around Castle Park. Cricket, Sunshine, cider at £2 per pint, what an awesome seasons end in prospect. | | | |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 06:15 - Sep 4 with 2327 views | noah4x4 |
Confirmed ……Colchester & East Essex CC end the season as Essex Premier League Runners Up.
On Saturday, they blew away league champions, Hornchurch CC for a mere 152, then knocked the runs off with ease, winning by six wickets. Rivals, Brentwood CC failed versus Loughton CC, the latter avoiding relegation as a consequence. But for CEECC it was a season of what might have been. There was positive rejoicing that Adi Ashok was called up for New Zealand, Charlie Allison for Essex and Mackenzie Jones for Scotland U19, but in effect, the ECB scheduling of the Hundred and ODIs ripped the heart out from our local team during the crucial run into the title and their absence contributed to two damaging defeats in August.The weather was also cruel, in that easy 20 point victories became mere 6 points abandoned , plus three days of our cricket & beer festival were washed out.
Saturday sees me back focused on the U’s and football. Sadly,I can’t see our beloved football team mimicking the success of our cricketers….. | | | |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 20:01 - Sep 5 with 2272 views | bwildered |
Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Thain have all been named in a 13-player England Men Under-19s squad for this month’s two Youth Tests against Australia.
Allison is included after a breakout Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign that saw him post 254 runs at an average of 36.28 with a top score of 85.
Congrats to a Charlie on being included in England U19 squad.
Vacancy in doting the balls at Chelmsford ? Up for it Noah ? |  |
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| Castle Park Showdown…. on 23:31 - Sep 5 with 2239 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 20:01 - Sep 5 by bwildered |
Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, and Noah Thain have all been named in a 13-player England Men Under-19s squad for this month’s two Youth Tests against Australia.
Allison is included after a breakout Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign that saw him post 254 runs at an average of 36.28 with a top score of 85.
Congrats to a Charlie on being included in England U19 squad.
Vacancy in doting the balls at Chelmsford ? Up for it Noah ? |
No chance Bewildered!
I intend to stay as Essex CCC “Reserve Notcher” willing to step in at short notice should the future First XI or Second XI scorer (or a video analyst) be absent. I have enough to do with CEECC and Essex Age Group and Development XIs, having retired from a proper job ten years ago.
The County First XI scorer role is incredibly punishing, typically 10+ hours per day with four days stuck in a hotel every championship away game. I love the job in a recreational sense, best seat in the house, and paid, but it is too big a commitment at my age. But having scored at First Class levels for multiple counties, notably during Covid and for seven International touring teams, I am not short of experience. However, there are other candidates with ambition, which I now lack. Funny enough, yesterday was the first time in a decade that I have watched Essex CCC at Chelmsford without actually working. It was dead good to enjoy a pint or three! [Post edited 5 Sep 2023 23:33]
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| Castle Park Showdown…. on 19:47 - Sep 8 with 2155 views | noah4x4 |
Essex rookie contract lads shine again…..
Colchester’s Charlie Allison (44) and Noah Thain (31) of Swarston & Babraham CC top scored today in the England U19 First Innings versus Australia. England only reached 174 all out in 50.1 overs. In reply, Australia are 160-3 with Thain bowling 6 overs, 2 maidens, 1 wicket for a very economical 12 runs.
I have regularly scored matches involving these two youngsters for around five seasons and have repeatedly predicted that Charlie will eventually get a full cap. Charlie in the younger of three cricketing brothers. Eldest brother, Ben, has also played for England U19 and is currently on loan from Essex CCC to Worcestershire CCC. Middle brother, Ollie is also a fine cricketer that has represented Essex at junior level, but has instead turned to golf, where I gather he is very highly ranked (but I am clueless at that sport). Arguably the three most sports talented brothers Colchester has ever produced? | | | |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 16:23 - Feb 27 with 1553 views | SparkfilmsTV |
With the new cricket season approaching it would appear that The Essex Hambo Foundation Premier Division will consist of the same ten sides as last season.
Belhus and Epping who l believe 'won' promotion from Division One have decided not to take up their places in The Prem due to sponsorship issues ( Belhus? ) and l'm not sure what the reason may be regarding Epping.
As for Sunday cricket l cannot see a 'Division 2' listed on the North Essex Cricket League website - unless l am missing something.
Either way, there is always plenty of good cricket to enjoy at Castle Park and hopefully the ground will dry out over the coming weeks. |  | | |
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| Castle Park Showdown…. on 20:20 - Apr 1 with 1287 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Colchester's Joe MacGregor 92 not out tonight for Loughborough UCCE against Kent.
Bell-Drummond and Denly both made centuries in the Kent innings.
Joe and his partner - Edavalath have added 133 for the third wicket. | | | |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 15:53 - Apr 2 with 1187 views | mfb_cufc |
| Castle Park Showdown…. on 20:20 - Apr 1 by SparkfilmsTV |
Colchester's Joe MacGregor 92 not out tonight for Loughborough UCCE against Kent.
Bell-Drummond and Denly both made centuries in the Kent innings.
Joe and his partner - Edavalath have added 133 for the third wicket. |
Joe MacGregor out for 99 today, as Loughborough declared on 377 for 5, to be level on first innings with Kent. |  |
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| Castle Park Showdown…. on 07:10 - Apr 4 with 1123 views | noah4x4 |
A Gazette pre-season review is at https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24229931.colchester-east-essex-cricket-club- . Over half of the side now have First Class experience and yet we (arguably) remain the youngest squad in the Essex Premier League.
No adult fixture this Saturday (waterlogged pitch!), but there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the youngsters and some junior cricket activity. The First Saturday League fixture is May 11th, so no overlap with Colchester Utd, whose cricket loving fans are always welcome. Free admission and a decent range of (bottled) Real Ale. On 27/04 the First XI is away in the KO Cup, but the Second XI host Buckhurst Hill. All welcome. | | | |
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