Newsletter and History
See Match Reports for full details
Midi CC Presidents Day
Sunday 28th August
Midi CC's annual Presidents days popular CT Petanque Championship was won by ousiders Amanda and MarieClaire Wilson - defeating several hot favorites on their way to the Final. A sucessful BBQ and 'Family'T20 cricket match followed, with Amanda Wilson (spurred on by her earlier sucess), making her debut appearance on a cricket field. An itinerant Frenchman was also pressganged into an appearance, although whether he will be converted into a regular player appears unlikely. Many thanks to the supporters and the few cricketers who made an appearance and helped with the organisation.
Midi CC Family Day & BBQ Monday 25th April 2011
A successful day with the the French youth taking to the grass under the instructional eye of Marc Dalling. Good to see that several stayed on to watch the game - although what they learnt from a some what lacklustre batting performance must be questionable. Some other junior cricket activities in the outfield, whilst the less mobile members and the the hung over members of the NoHope XI enjoyed a petanque competion under the watchful eye of organiser Jack Wilson. Winners were ?????
A sucessful and filling Lunchtime BBQ from the Ken Miller organisation ensured that fielding was suitably lethargic and kept a record number of early season supporters satisified and promoted the sale of quantities of alcoholic beverage.
The weather was suitably kind , with the storms circulating and threatening, but not reaching the St Pons venue.
2010/2011 Winter Club Dinner
Thanks to everyone who came to the Midi Cricket Club Spring fundraiser and made it such a success. My special thanks to those who worked so hard behind the scenes and without whom the event couldn't have taken place, especially Ken Miller,David Amoros, John McBurnie, Peter Hall, Colin Trickett, Steve Field, David Cole,Nick Allison and several players' wives. I hope I haven't forgotten anybody!
Quiz Winners - Les Tosseurs - for answers click here
Raffle Prize Winners click here
Midi CC captain looks ahead with optimism to new season
Midi Cricket Club captain Dom George is looking ahead to the club’s sixth season with a heady optimism based on the prospect of two or three new players adding some strength to the stalwarts who provided the backbone for the team last year.
George, who has led by example with both bat and ball in past seasons, is confident that the squad, boosted by more than a month of regular weekly practice sessions, will go into the round of league matches in May and June better prepared than in past seasons.
With only four clubs battling it out in Pool D of the Midi-Pyrenees Division, George is confident that MCC will get the season off to a flying start with a win on home ground against Armagnac on 1 May.
The match will provide a good litmus test for the team’s prospects in 2011 following their defeat at St Pons at the hands of Armagnac in the same fixture last season.
“A win would put us the in the right frame of mind going into the weekend away matches against Noe Gascogne on 14 May and Armagnac again on 15 May,” George said.
Away fixtures have always been problematic for MCC. “The issue for us is always away games, for home games we can always raise a team. Away games are always tricky,” George said.
However, with the injection of a few new players and the retention of most of the squad from last season, numbers might not be a problem on the road in 2011.
George has the luxury of a tried and tested opening partnership in Paul Rogers and Nick Allison who have in the past provided a good foundation for MCC. With George himself, John McBurnie and Rob Bowyer, providing support in the batting line-up, Midi always have the potential to post a competitive score. George has also been impressed with the progress of resident American Ken Miller, who has finally realised he is playing cricket not baseball, and Alex Lalljee, who has been increasingly difficult to get out. “We also have potentially two or three new players which will strengthen the squad this year.”
George, Rogers, Allison, McBurnie and Bowyer will also provide the spearhead for the bowling and if MCC can back up tight bowling with consistently good fielding, particularly in taking catches, George feels that not only can MCC improve on their previous league performances but also progress in the knockout Siddells Cup competition. The cup brings together teams from the Midi-Pyrenees and the Aquitaine League and MCC have never progressed beyond the second round.
Vice-captain Marc Dalling, dependable wicketkeeper Steve Field and mercurial Frenchman David Amoros have set the standard in the field and George is looking to the whole team to follow their example.
“If we hadn’t dropped a catch last season, we would have been very difficult to beat. We lost at least two games last year because we dropped catches,” George said.
The recent good weather has provided the squad with the opportunity to hone their fielding skills ahead of the season curtainraiser against the No Hope XI at the club’s Family Day on Monday 25 April.
“We will have another three or four practices before our first game on the 25th April. That will, I hope, make a big difference. We are also going to start videoing this year to highlight issues with bowlers and batsmen,” George said.
Veteran spinner Dave Mickleborough will also be providing fielding training during practice sessions.
George wants the Family Day on 25 April at the St Pons ground next to the Mairie to showcase the club and bring in more non-playing members.
“We have stagnated a little bit in terms of overall club membership, which is why we are hoping that days like the 25th will generate some interest. People don’t have to be playing members, they can be a supporter by paying just 10 Euros. This year is very important in terms of generating more members.”
The Family Day will feature a petanque competition in the morning from 10 am to midday, which is open to all, along with cricket workshops for juniors from six to 16 which will be run by some of the MCC players.
MCC’s own traiteur Ken Miller will host a barbeque from midday ahead of the match against UK visitors, the No Hope XI, which starts at 1 pm.
The No Hope XI name is deceptive. Last season, MCC fell 122 runs shy of their formidable 323-run target.
The friendly match against the No Hope XI will be followed in September after the summer hiatus by a series of friendlies against at least three other UK touring sides.
Raffle Prize Winners
1st : One week luxury mobile home rental at Argeles or Sitges: Martine Morelle
2nd : Meal for two at L'Entre Pots, Pezenas: Liz c/o Les Packer (yellow 116)
3rd : Meal for two at a Night Out hosted by local traiteur Ken Miller: Chris ? (blue 09)
4th : Wine tour for two with Languedoc Wine Tours (courtesy of Dom George): Leezar Gratton (yellow 30)
5th : Vie at Home Make up voucher for 25 euros (courtesy of Pam Kay): Bernie ? (blue 52)
6th : case of 6 bottles of wine: Pat Gilbert (green 192)
7th : case of 12 bottles of english ale: isabelle c/o paul rogers (green 89)
8th : large size luxury easter egg from "Lallemand, Pezenas": Wendy and Rob c/o Joy
9th : Magnum of wine: Felix Lalljee (yellow 165)
10th : Magnum of wine: Annie Foucret (brown 30)
If you have not received your prize please contact
Marc Dalling 0681243756
2010 History
of Newsletter
Midi CC Beer Festival 15th Oct
About 60 people enjoyed a Selection of English and Local Beers served with Sauerkraut, frankfurters and Bratwurst, accompanied by a selection of German drinking songs.
Presidents Day - 29th August
Many thanks to all of you who participated in petanque, the BBQ, and/or the cricket, helping to make it a successful an enjoyable day.
Colin Trickett
9 May 2010 -Weather forces cancellation of opening League game
2010 - Easter Monday - HIGH SCORING START TO THE SEASON!
Midi kicked off the 2010 season under sunny skies on Easter Monday, with a friendly match against the oddly-named “No Hope XI”. They arrived at Midi having soundly thrashed the strong Entrecastaux club the day before in a 20/20 match.
The day began with a well-attended pétanque competition and a Great Ken Miller BBQ, both of which, along with the bar helped to raise valuable funds for the club.
The AGM was held on 10 February 2010 -welcome to the new Commitee MemberAlex Lalljee .
All members should have received a copy of the Report by Email.
2009 Xmas Party
Thanks to everyone who supported the Midi Cricket Christmas Party - very sucessful event, good quiz, good food and good drink. I think that everybody looks forward to a repeat event next year. The Steven Frost and Alexis Table won the Quiz by a mile. The Raffle - with 17 prizes- has now scattered prizes all over Europe - many thanks to organiser Marc, ticket sellers and all of those who generously donated prizes.
Presidents Awards 2009
CLUBMAN AWARD
Many people have worked hard this season and particular mentions for David Cole and Steve Field for help on the ground and, in particular, their unstinting efforts on all home games. Also on the subject of home games, no club has offered better cricket teas than Midi, my sincere thanks to all and particularly Jill,Joy, Christelle and Jacqie. Behind the scenes thanks to Joy Powell , John Holmes, Steve Field and Peter Hall and also on groundwork thanks to Terry Gratton, James Luckes, Teddy Hutton and Barry Deveraux.
However this season the Clubman of the Year award is shared. My enormous gratitude to Stuart Rogers and Martin Haskins for ensuring we receive visiting teams with such an excellent outfield.
PLAYER AWARD
There were some excellent performances on the field this year. Notably, Rob Bower with the ball, although his averages do not do him justice, and David Cole with important wickets at important times. An invaluable contribution with bat and ball from Paul Rogers, it is great to have him back and some superb and brave performances behind the stumps from Steve Field.
However there was one player who consistently led from the front with bat and ball and my Player of the Year is , our skipper, Dominic George.
Presidents Day 30th August 2009
The day was blessed with fantastic clear blue skies and warm sunshine. It started with a competitive but fun petanque competition, the midi cup went to very popular winners, the young Davids (Cole and Mickleborough) and the shield to no less popular “Hangover” Dan Wilson and “Bomber” Steve Field.
This was followed by the most anticipated part of the day, namely the bar opening and brilliant Ken Miller American BBQ. 85 people came and enjoyed what can only be described as a royal feast provided by Ken and Alison Miller ably assisted by Bobbie T and Jill F. At the same time David C and Joy P manfully kept pace with demand on the bar.
Kwik cricket was then enjoyed by some of our younger supporters and then the less serious 15 over thrash with most people involved. David Cole doing more running than the cricketers, up and down to the pavillion restocking the bar. Umpiring proved to be more exacting than usual due to the distraction of some stunning lady players. Nick A,s team with the “Barcelona” boys to the fore “stuffed” Marc,s team pretty comprehensively!
My thanks to everyone for making it a very successful and enjoyable day
Colin Trickett
END OF SEASON DINNER 2008
A very sucessful event to coincide with the visit of the Economist Intelligence Unit Cricket Club, with entertainment provided by a vist from the FNB (The Friday Night Boys) on their European Tour 2008, and groupies. Many thanks to Joy Powell and all the others who helped in the organisation, and those people who supported the club by attending. For an overview of the cricket at the weekend please visit Match Reports. The EIU CC made up for their on pitch performances by winning the 2 rounds of the Table Quiz. For anyone wishing to see the correct answers please click here.
For an alternative view on the night- here is an article written by Tom Moss who spent the latter part of the week with us in France with the FNB (Friday Night Boys). It does take a bit of working out in places but will mean a lot of things to different people. It was published in this months area local mag in SE cornwall along with a photograph.
FNB- Sans Frontieres
Mid September. A spine jarring thud – expectant pause – another rivet poppng thud with a violent lurch to port and a shriek of tortured tyres, is the deftly controlled accident/arrival of the flight from Bristol. O’Leary’s pilots obviously attend the same school of finesse as the cabin crew.
Out into the sunlight. No hi-viz jackets or gun toting police, unrestricted free parking and pick-up/drop off at the terminal doors; no belligerent apparatchiks, just “Bonjour M’sieur” and a smile from the Douane. This must be France, Great!
Beziers to be precise, Languedoc region S.W. France; twixt Monteplier and Perpignan, jumping off point for the FNB’s European Tour 2008.
Base camp in the nearby small town of Pezenas is a converted convent – converted to apartments not an alternative religion – the Novices and Sisters long gone but Mother Superior remains, now reincarnated as Mother Hughes.
The former novice’s quarters are enclosed within a pleasant walled courtyard. A swimming pool, shady trees with hammocks slung and a long table which serves for communal ‘al fresco’ meals and bar, enhances the gallic charm.
This is home for the week for the FNB, WAGS, Groupies, three cats, two goats – Steve and Fi – a fox who enjoys late night take-aways and a distant baritone insomniac donkey.
Jan Stewart’s daughter Anna, an expat local resident is on hand as local liaison officer, also interpreter when the traditional shouting fails to obtain the required response from the natives.
The opening concert is on the following Saturday, which gives plenty of time for practice with vins rouge and blanc, beer and occasional solid stuff. Mike (Bass) provides quality assurance.
A bout of wine fuelled euphoria sets in, late on Monday night, with an impromptu band session which has the locals switching on lights, opening doors and windows to shout encouragement – or its thought that’s what they are doing – while the fox, cats and donkey provide a vocal backing group.
So the week passes in a haze of wine, beer, sunshine, loafing about, more wine/beer, long candle lit late night sessions at the long table/bar and serenades from the fox/cat/donkey combo.
Mid week is a night ‘on the town’ and dinner for all at a small Vietnamese restaurant. Vietnamese! In France! Well, suppose there is a French connection. The small tables in the restaurant are expertly re-arranged by Mother Hughes, in one minute and forty five seconds to provide the now familiar ‘long table’ for fourteen people, to the astonishment of onlookers and proprietor. An excellent meal nevertheless.
Other days provide opportunities for local sightseeing, and to Montpelier, Rocquefort for cheese and to Lord Norman Foster’s superb viaduct 1,125 feet high and 1.5 miles long, at Millau.
Mike Luker even braves French driving habits on a cycling trip, Caroline accompanies in the event of cardiac arrest.
Concert day dawns. All decamped to the very ancient and charming village of St Pons de Mauchien. The venue is the spacious and well equipped village hall. The hosts, the MCC (Midi Cricket Club) are a team of Brit expats and their WAG’s who provide a warm welcome, with the club secretary Joy, managing the event. Botham is thankfully not present, we have enough problems with alcohol as it is.
Coincidentally a visiting British Team ‘The Economists’ are also present. For those who may wonder, economists are people who can’t take the adrenalin rush of funeral directing. To lend an air of dignity the local Mayor and civic colleagues are in attendance.
At this point it should be said, regrettably but understandably, Paul & Lorraine are absent, also John & Debbie due to business pressures.
Therefore, Bern Stewart is volunteering his professional vocal skills, recruited local expat talent Mario, son of Anna (keyboard) Barry (guitar) and Russ (strange little thing with strings attached) not Russ - the instrument - provide additional welcome support. Barry also provides electronic equipment and drum kit – much appreciated Barry.
Thus the FNB are on stage with a massive audience of at least ninety nine.
An excellent evening of music, wine, food and dancing ensues. The economists are initially reluctant to join in the dancing but quickly submit to non too gentle persuasion from the FNB’s WAGS, Chris & Sue, also Caroline who was spectacularly efficient in this activity and clearly has missed a promising career as an MI5 spook; armlocks and half Nelson’s I kid you not.
Bern gives a solid performance while Mike (Bass) has the joint a jumping with his Rooty-Toot piece and David Hughes thumps his bleeding fingers on the box double base.
The hosts provide a very tasty Paella buffet at the interlude, so enjoyed by one of the FNB group it requires two changes of tablecloth and a hose down. We will draw a veil over the other incident which earns Art the nickname ‘Twyford Tinsley’ (you don’t want to know!).
The second half deteriorates quite nicely, the FNB manfully overcoming the effects of alcohol, while the dance floor is a seething mass of latent exhibitionists (economists) and happy inebriated people wildly gyrating to the music and enjoying the occasion.
The Monday return flight means that back at the convent (hangover city) Sunday is an ‘everything must go’ day.
The long table groans with the weight of food and drink from mid-day to midnight while Bern, Mike (Bass) and Groupie JM re-enact the Munich Beerfest; JM starts strongly only to concede defeat and retire non too gracefully at 10pm.
Monday morning. Two cars depart for the airport while two trucks laden with empty bottles/cans depart in the opposite direction.
La Belle France, Great! Au Revoir.
NB Tour DVD’s can be obtained from the French Office du Tourisme!
Tom Moss
PRESIDENTS DAY 31st AUGUST 2008
A message from your President
Hello everyone and thanks to all of you who came and supported our petanque competition, feasted on the BBQ and watched the fun cricket.
We hope you all enjoyed your day and we hope to make the event a regular annual event. If you have any ideas on improving the day please let us know.
For those who didn’t see the finals of the petanque the cup was won by "pointer" Stuart and "bomber" Norma Parkway. The shield, much to the disgust of Amanda and Marie Claire who hammered them, was won by our own Steve Field and Bob Wilson. Our congratulations to the winners and to all who participated.
On behalf of Midi Cricket Club thanks again for your support.
Colin Trickett
South East France v SouthWest France - Representative game
played at St Pons de Mauchiens 10/11 th May 2008
Over the weekend of the 10th and 11th may Midi played host to the prestigious representative games for both seniors and juniors between SW France and SE France. On the saturday the weather was kind and we saw cricket of a very high class in the Siddalls cup game for seniors. We had two representatives in the SW team and Dominic George bowled a very impressive spell but alas the SE were too strong in all areas.
On the sunday, again a beautiful day, we were treated in the morning to some fabulous cricket from the under 14,s in the Siddalls cup. Again the SE proved to be too strong. In the afternoon the seniors " Beer" match was great fun with some fantastic hitting. Despite a superb spell from the SW,s best bowler, our own Rob Bower once again the SE prevailed.
With a few improvements to our slightly unpredictable strip we hope to welcome the teams back at St. Pons next year. If they do return I would urge everyone to come along and see cricket of a very high order, not least from the under 14,s!
see a slide show of photographs here
2007 Season Review.
It's perhaps fair to say that Midi CC's 2007 season on the pitch probably witnessed more lows than highs. However, there was some encouragement towards the back end of the season.
The league season was a condensed run of home and away fixtures which got harder and harder as it became more and more difficult to raise a team. Despite a morale-boosting win against Toulouse at the start of the season, the loss of players to injury, and the gruelling schedule contributed to Midi's decline. It was also not until these league matches had finished in June that we had our nets, so no really constructive practising was possible during this period. However, good performances from new boys Paul Rogers and Gavin Mortimer certainly gave us grounds for some optimism.
After the final humiliation of being skittled for an appalling 15 runs against a very strong Tarn side, the players could have been forgiven for packing it all in. But over the summer a hard core practised regularly, and when we came to play the touring sides in September and October, there was certainly a bit more backbone about the team's batting in particular.
Midi actually finished 4th out of 5 in their Barclays League group, with Armagnac pipping us for the wooden spoon.
Some optimism is justified after the September/October friendlies. Midi won three of six matches played, undoubtedly the better side in the first fixtures against the Lee Brothers' XI, but struggled a little bit against Sutton on the Hill and Sheppey. However, our batting never crumbled as it had done earlier in the season, and we even posted 200+ in one innings. Net practices have undoubtedly helped our batting and bowling, but we will need to take a bit more professionalism into our league fixtures next year.
Some impressive performances with ball and bat from the likes of Rob Bowyer, Tim Gupwell and Nick Allison mean that we should have a good base upon which we will be able tobuild next season.
I look forward to seeing you at St.Pons next season.
DG
Team Photo April 2007
You're out!
Just checking the rules.........
Match vs Toulouse April 22nd 2007:
