ESCC – Two Counties Div 6 League Champions!

Earl Stonham CC are Two Counties Division 6 Champions, winning our first league title since lifting the Suffolk Premier League back in 2011!

It is a massive achievement for the team. A Two Counties league season is a long campaign with 22 games, but across those matches we showed why we were the best team in Div 6. With the bat, ball and in the field, everyone contributed and played their part in getting us over the line.

The wicket at home was fantastic throughout the summer, with the team consistently scoring more than 250 runs at home, our highest score was 358 vs Kesgrave CC! Despite the scorching weather, it continued to play true and became a dream to bat on.

There were plenty of memorable moments with the ball too. Stephen Lewis produced an outstanding 6/19 against Boxted and later in the season took an incredible 4/0 against Ardleigh, including a triple-wicket maiden! Another highlight was Ant Stowe’s 5/14 against West Mersea, which included a brilliant hat-trick as West Mersea CC collapsed from 40 for no loss to 68 all out.

It wasn’t always easy. There were some frustrating moments and without naming Clubs some very questionable umpiring decisions! We could easily have lost our way off the back of these decisions. However, the team bounced back and in the end we achieved the goal we had set ourselves of becoming league champions.

To finally achieve that goal on the last day of the season, at home against East Bergholt CC made it even more special. After a long season, to win the league title on the final day made it even sweeter. That day that will live long in my memory!

Like last season, it has also been brilliant to see the pavilion and ground so full on match days. There has been a real buzz around the ground this year, with members regularly popping up for a drink and supporting the team. The kind words, encouragement and messages of support throughout the season certainly haven’t gone unnoticed by me or the team – thank you.

I’ve also enjoyed the traditional post-match debriefs in the bar, particularly after a win! With winning comes our traditional game of spoof. I lost plenty of games this year, but seeing the bar full after a victory is fantastic for the club and provides an important source of revenue. Hopefully there’s plenty more of the same next season!

Our attention will soon turn to Division 5, which will bring a fresh challenge for the Club. We know the standard will be higher than last. But after the season we’ve had, it’s a challenge we should all be looking forward to.

Before then though our focus turns to the Annual Awards and Presentation Night on Saturday 14th November. It has been a fantastic year for the club, with the Saturday XI crowned league champions and the Sunday XI also securing promotion. There will be plenty to celebrate, I look forward to seeing you there.

Thanks

Luke