The Club Cricket Conference Yearbook 2020

- 26 - coruscating; led by Niall Solomon (East Molesey CC) with 48 not out, Conference secured the win by eight wickets in the 23rd over. Very disappointingly, the CCC’s next fixture, an Under 25 match against Bucks Academy, was abandoned due to persistent rain at Gerrards Cross CC, rain interventions had already reduced the game to 28 overs aside, the CCC closing its innings on 146-9 (Darren Ironside 40). Further rain ensured that Bucks could not begin their reply and the game sadly, was abandoned. The last of the Men’s representative fixtures of the season was against the MCC at Harlow CC, hosting the Conference for the first time. The day proved to be a wonderful celebration of our special sport, as the Conference had also helped in securing a game on Harlow’s 2nd pitch for the touring California Cricket Association Under 11 squad, against the club. Added to that Harlow CC provided a truly exceptional day as hosts, selling tables for the mother of all lunches that ensured a full house for the day and a lengthy, very liquid evening to boot. Sadly, the Conference chose this day to put in its most lacklustre performance of the term, being bowled out for only 170 in the 36th over of a 50 overs game. On paper, it was inconceivable that such a thing might occur, with a strong and generally inform batting line up to call upon. A wide range of poor shots did for the Conference batting however, against disciplined bowling from “The Club”. The CCC’s bowlers proved equally ineffective as the MCC cantered to its required total with only two down and plenty of overs to spare so frustratingly, we could not put on the cricketing show that the day itself deserved. Despite the disappointment of the final game in the calendar, the 2019 representative cricket season proved to be both an enjoyable and a successful one. The cricket programme continues to be a platform for club cricketers to highlight their ability and to experience a level of cricket in different formats, beyond their clubs’ fixture card. As ever the CCC is indebted to all those who enable it to provide representative cricketing opportunities to our members’ players. Without doubt, the support of Hampshire CCC, Essex CCC, Kent CCC and Middlesex CCC and their willingness to provide a slot in their itineraries for the Conference, is a huge boost to those of us that are involved in the playing and management of this programme. We are deeply appreciative of the Counties for enabling us to have such quality ‘blue ribbon’ fixtures. Equally important, the clubs that hosted us in 2019 provided wonderful support and use of their facilities and supplied top notch catering for us and our opposition. To Cranleigh CC, Billericay CC, Canterbury CC, Winchmore Hill CC, Teddington CC, Bishops Stortford CC, Southgate CC, Gerrards Cross CC and Harlow CC, many thanks for all you did to facilitate the CCC during the season. Aside from the representative cricket, the CCC also had three President’s fixtures, to help member clubs celebrate anniversaries of varying degrees. These matches provide Conference with an opportunity to look at players recommended by their clubs and to identify the next crop of cricketers to be moved up to representative level. Barnes CC were celebrating their centenary in 2019 and our match against the club produced an extraordinary tie. Barnes were bowled out in the first innings for 213, Dharmarajsinh Jhala (North Mymms CC) doing most of the damage with 4-35. The