Rain Delays Town C.C.

The new season was virtually put on hold for Syston Town C.C. 1st XI by an unrelenting spell of rain in April and at the beginning of May. Not a ball was bowled in their first three matches away at Sileby and Barrow and at home to Newtown Linford. The 2nd XI game at home to Countesthorpe was also called off as was their third game at home to Birstall Village. However the seconds did manage to play in their away game against Leicester University Staff. On a difficult wicket Syston reached a respectable 146 with Ayaan Pathan top scoring with 29. In reply LUS could not cope with Syston’s pace attack and were dismissed for just 69. Babu Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 4-13 and he was well supported by Joe Storer and George Corbett.
The Sunday XI also saw their first games away at Belvoir and at home to Ilston Abey cancelled due to the weather. The Sirens, on the other hand, started on a winning note at Broomleys where they recorded wins against both the home side and Loddington. The Burrough League team did manage to get their season underway at Egerton Park but just lost out in a very close game. The junior teams have also had their start to the season badly affected. Nevertheless we hope to rearrange some fixtures to later in the season and the Under 17s did manage to play at Thorpe Arnold where they comfortably beat the home team.
Despite all the gloom there is some good news. The club was gifted a generous donation to enable it to purchase a portable batting cage which was delivered and erected by Durant Cricket in early May (see photograph below). The cage can be wheeled around to be used on a grass practice strip in the outfield or on the edge of the square. It will be of great benefit as a practice aid to all of our teams young and old. The club is also looking into the provision of a defibrillator in the clubroom and a grant towards the cost has been awarded by the East Midlands Airport Community Fund. Further sources of funding are being explored and it is hoped that the equipment will be purchased and installed during the summer.
Roger Pole