2024 season prep is underway
There are just three net sessions (of seven in total) remaining at Ipswich School (Henley Road) Sports Centre before the season begins.
March 17th, 5-7pm
March 24th, 5-7pm
March 31st, 5-7pm
The 2023 season was an up and down cricket year for Earl Stonham Cricket Club. The Sunday side were relegated to Division 3 of the Suffolk County League but the Saturday side finished strongly ending up in 4th place in Division 6 of the Two Counties Championship.
The 2024 league tables are now available:
- Saturday XI: Two Counties Cricket Championship – Division 6
- Sunday XI: Suffolk Cricket League – Division 3
The net sessions will hopefully give a boost to the players to ensure both teams are well prepared and warmed-up for the upcoming season.
Last season was also a year of remembrance; sadly, three former members past away. Below are some fond memories of each club member.
Iain Turner (years active: 2007-2019, 2021)
Iain became a member of our club when Meadlands CC joined Earl Stonham CC many years ago. Those who played with him will remember his rather unorthodox but very effective stance, which worked well at the top of the order on Sundays for many years. Iain’s three sons, Duncan, Stuart and Patrick, were also keen cricketers, and followed his footsteps by switching clubs to Earl Stonham CC around the same time. Stephen Lewis, recalled his favourite memory of Iain: “There was the time he opened the batting with Patrick, chasing a fairly modest total (150 of so perhaps). Patrick was in one of those moods he rarely found but was destructive when he got there, and was quickly on 80 odd. As we approached the target, Iain started hitting out in quite an uncharacteristic fashion. He scored quickly and ended up on 40-something not out, leaving Patrick high and dry not out in the early-mid 90s”.
Dave Wicks (years active: 1989-2003)
Dave lived in Earl Stonham and joined the club when it reformed in 1989. He contributed with both bat and ball and embellished everything village cricket had to offer. One of Dave’s ‘so village’ trademarks was to make a “pchoo” rocket-like sound-effect as he threw the ball into the wicket keeper. Not only did Dave’s son, James, join the club in 1994, who played for many years, but also Dave’s mother-in-law, Mary, regularly turned up to games to make her own copy of the score. Once Dave retired, he set up a restaurant in the village called “745pm”. A tribute to Dave, written by Simon Edgar, can be found in the Earl Stonham Recorder.
Colin Edgar BEM (years active: 1954-1966, 1989-1996)
Without Colin, there likely wouldn’t be any cricket at Earl Stonham today. Colin formed the club in 1954 along with other locals and it continued until 1966. Colin’s own memories of this period can be found on the club’s History page. After the club reformed, Colin began playing once again for ESCC until 1996, after which he continued to follow the club as as supporter. A tribute to Colin, written by Simon Edgar, can be found in the Earl Stonham Recorder.
