Heywood Cricket Club captain Bobby Cross gives his thoughts on another season at Crimble.
It’s been an unremarkable season in some ways – finishing fifth and losing before the really big rounds of the cup knock-outs – but it has been notable for other reasons.
Chris Kaye finished the season with 90 wickets – the best by a Heywood amateur since 1913 – and Cross himself has passed 10,000 runs for Heywood. Amazing achievements.
What are your thoughts on the season as a whole?
I am extremely proud of what is essentially a very young side. My aim is always to see players develop and I think we have seen genuine progress from a lot of the lads.
It has been another frustrating year with the professional difficulties but credit should go to Aggers – he was terrific around the club and played some memorable innings for us.
A solid season from pro Andrea Agathangelou
Overall to finish 5th is a little disappointing as I am convinced the league is at a pretty low point in terms of overall standard, but having said that I am really proud of how the lads stuck together over the summer and to take 20 points from the last four matches showed a lot of character and it was epitomised by the display in the field against Royton last game.
Had we managed to convert a few of the close defeats earlier in the season into victories we would have been right up there. As a young side we will learn from those defeats and become better for them.
Which players have impressed you most over the course of the season?
Chris Kaye has had an unbelievable season, 90 wickets is something that he should be very proud about.
Humza Naeem, at the age of 15, has opened the bowling in every match and has shown real talent allied with a very thoughtful approach and I really do think he can go a long way in the game.
90 wickets for Chris Kaye
Ross Zelem, similarly, has had a really good season with some important contributions and his game seems to be developing well.
Hamish Paterson has been a real asset to the club, both on and off the field, and it was fitting that he should take six wickets in the last game as he has bowled really well all summer without much luck. I really hope that he can come back next season.
You passed 10,000 runs for your career at Heywood Cricket Club. How pleased are you with your contribution?
I have been really disappointed with my own form as I haven’t scored anywhere near as many runs as I should have and that has been a significant factor in the number of games that we have lost. It will be important next season to put that right.
A lot of other players have produced important contributions when needed. How pleased have you been with their contributions to the cause and how do you see the future on the field?
Humza Naeem is a class act
There have been important contributions over the season from Lee Grogan, Steven Wallwork, Rob Slawson and Danny Pawson, as we have come to expect, and it has been great to see the likes of Dale Latham and Adam Fawcett getting into the side and playing an important part in the team.
In terms of moving forward I think there is a lot to be optimistic about. We have a lot of talented young players coupled with some experience and as always we will give young lads a chance.
And how optimistic are you over the future of the club as a whole?
Off the field the club is moving forward. The new frontage is underway, there are plans to build changing rooms and artificial nets and we have obtained ClubMark and have become a “Chance to Shine” club. This means that we will work more closely with the local schools and give more children access to cricket coaching.
There seems to be a really positive feeling around the club and I am really pleased to be a part of it all.
How important is the contribution from members – both of the committee and of the club – in the ongoing success of the teams on the field?
On behalf of the players, I would like to express my thanks to the ground staff who provide us with the best ground in the area to play on – it is a privilege to be able to play on Crimble.
Similarly thanks to all those who come to watch us and have supported the team so well both home and away. It means a lot to the players to have that support and we are very grateful for it.
Any last thought?
I would urge everyone to keep supporting the club through the winter, good things are happening at Heywood and we want everyone to be part of it and to help keep the club going.
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