The 2015 cricket season is now only 157 days away. 157 days may seem a long time, but it is there, on the horizon, a beacon of hope, a new season and a new beginning.
Prior to the commencement of the 2015 league season, Pembroke Cricket Club are hosting a new competition. On Saturday 18 April 2015, Sydney Parade (the home of Pembroke Cricket Club) will see the first “Bowl-Out Challenge Cup (& Saucer)”.
The purpose of this is to start the 2015 season with an event which will give everyone an opportunity to win some silverware and, more importantly, bragging rights.
It is envisaged that such an event, at a time of year when the only cricket that gets played is done so in multiple layers of clothing or indoors, could attract multiple entries from players of all ability who are experiencing the anticipation of a new season and are as eager for cricket as a young bull is for an open gate. Part of the competition’s appeal is that bowl-outs can be won by anyone. Taverners or Internationals, it does not matter. This element of a level-playing field together with an open draw will mean no favourites for trophies, but maybe crowd favourites will emerge.
Of course it could just teem down with biblical rain and nothing gets played at all, although that sounds like a case for a bowl-out...
Teams will consist of 5 persons, young or old, male or female, talented or otherwise. They may come from existing teams or clubs or be cobbled together as 5 individuals. The cost, for there is always a cost, will be €5 per person (€25 per team). There will be no reduction in entry fee for female or youth players, although they are encouraged to enter as part of a mixed team in terms of age or sex or as a specialist female or youth team.
Two competitions will be run on the day with every team entered into the First Round of the Cup. The winners of these matches will continue in the next round of the “Cup” competition, whilst the losers will get a second chance of silverware in the “Saucer” competition. Both competitions will be open knock-out draws similar to the LCU Cup competitions with no seeding.
Each match (or bowl out) will consist of the five persons from each team bowling one ball on the prescribed wicket. The winning team shall be the team which records the most hits. If both teams score an equal number of hits, then the contest shall become sudden death (the team bowling in the original order). When an equal number of attempts have been made and one team has scored more hits, then that team shall be deemed the winner and advance to the next round.
As this is a delicate time for the preparation of grounds and wickets, no spikes will be permitted and the wickets to be used will not be actual wickets, but either cut strips on the outfield or in case of poor weather in the days leading to the event or on the day, the Pembroke nets.
Limitations regarding the number of teams will mean that entries are accepted on a first come, first paid basis. An entry form will be sent to interested parties upon request by email to craig100465@gmail.com.
It is envisaged that invitations will be posted to Clubs in the New Year and each club may enter as many teams as they wish (limited only by the total entries). This event is NOT a LCU-sanctioned event. Further details will be posted in the New Year.