Dundrum’s cricketers look forward to the season

Dundrum’s cricketers look forward to the season

16 March 2022

DUNDRUM Cricket Club enter the 2022 season with a high level of excitement with the first and second teams playing in new leagues, the introduction of a women’s team and the development of the junior section.

The firsts will be back playing in Section 1 next season after an eight year absence. The team gained promotion from Section 2 last season after completing the season strongly to finish second. 

James Martin leads the team again for a third season and will be supported by vice-captain Terry Hutley. The team has a good core of young players in the form of Stuart Campbell, Greg Hutley and Conor Moag. 

The team also call upon plenty of experience in the form of Gavin McNerlin, Joel Maguire and Davy Glover (all of whom have plenty of experience in Section 1). 

The first game of the year takes place on April 23 when they host Lurgan at The Meadow. The side also hosts Lurgan in the first round of the Challenge Cup on May 7 and will be looking for a big win and the possibility of facing a Premier League club in the next round. 

James has a strong squad to call upon and will be looking for the team to consolidate themselves in Section 1 in what will be a difficult first season back in this division.

The seconds will also be playing in a new league next season, Junior 6, after dominating Junior 7 last season, only losing two games. 

The team is aiming for back to back promotions knowing the talent within the squad is capable of playing at a far higher level. 

Club legend Lee Connor skippers the side once again and will be supported by vice-captain Jack Martin. The team will be looking to Liam Kearsley, Jack Lambert, Rhodri Phillips and Rahul Sodhi (all of whom will be pushing for first team spots) to push the team forward.

The team has plenty of experience in the form of Gordon Lowey and Ian Wright, who will once again be looking for another good season. 

The thirds are looking to push on this season after their first ever season last year. Dave Crudgington will skipper the side and is aiming to win the league this year. 

However, Dave knows the importance of the side to introducing the younger players into senior cricket. The club will be looking for the likes of Adam Colgan, James Wright and Noah Stafford to push on this year and have a big season in the third side.

The most exciting part of the season ahead is the introduction of a women’s team for the first time in the club’s history. 

The team has had good winter training at Shimna College and will be looking forward to an exciting season ahead. The team will be captained by Sarah Herron, who is looking for the team to enjoy the season and for everyone to have fun. The club aims to grow its women’s team over the next several years and increase its female membership. 

The 2021 season finished on a high with the U-13s winning their last game of the season with a great all round team performance. 

The club is hoping that the juniors can continue the progress they made last year and, with the help of the new club coach and the new nets, can improve the quality and depth of training and allow the junior section to flourish. 

The U-15 and U-13 teams have been entered into the NCU Junior Cup and league competitions, and will all play in exactly the same new coloured kit as all other club teams. 

The club intends to sponsor one U-15 and one U-13 member to attend the NCU development pathways that will occur at the end of the season, more details on this when the NCU announces its plans. 

There will be new club t-shirts for U-11 and mini sections. The club will be hosting their junior summer scheme in July and August with dates to confirmed. 

The club is looking for volunteers to support the growing junior section of the club. No specific cricket knowledge is required. Get in touch if you can help, because these great plans will not work without volunteers.

There has been plenty of developments at the ground over the winter. The club has refurbished the pavilion with new women’s changing rooms and a new kitchen. 

Work on a new double bay net facility will be starting in the coming week which will allow the club to provide high quality coaching for all their members. Work has been completed on the square to improve the quality of pitches. The club would like to thank the volunteer ground staff for all their hard work. 

Overall, there is plenty of excitement ahead at Dundrum this season. The club is aiming to increase participation for all their teams, provide a high level of coaching for all members, be completive on the pitch and ensure all members enjoy their time at Dundrum CC. 

Anyone looking to join the club can make contact through the club’s social media pages.