Cricket Sports Section Annual Reports  2001
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Out January 2010  2008 top
Cricket Sports Section
By Detective Ch Insp Neil Gregson
The Cricket Section again competed in the Police Sport UK Knockout Trophy and was drawn ‘at home’ in the first round, to play against the West Mercia Constabulary. This game took place at St Anne’s Cricket Club on 14 May.
Lancashire batted first and after losing opener James Ellis early, Gareth Evans and Leo Cook then put on a superb 203 for the second wicket. Gareth finished with 154 and Leo 60; and despite losing some cheap wickets at the end of the innings, Lancashire finished with a very imposing 257 for 6 from their 45 overs. West Mercia never looked as though they were going to threaten this total and lost wickets regularly; and at 120 for 8 the game looked over. However some fierce hitting by their number 10 batsman took them past 200 and the first sign of pressure for Lancashire.
However, the last two wickets fell with West Mercia all out for 202. Pick of the bowlers were skipper Richard McCutcheon with 3 for 21 and Zaffar Hussain with a very impressive 4 for 37 (all clean bowled) on debut.
2nd Round
In the second round Lancashire were due to play Lincolnshire but our opponents were unable to raise a team to travel and we progressed by default into the third round.
3rd Round
This game was played against our old rivals Nottinghamshire Police at Calverton CC, Nottingham, on 24 July. Whilst not at our fullest strength we certainly had a competitive team, which included another debutant in former England international Graham Lloyd. Nottinghamshire batted first and racked up 266 all out in the final over – a good score but on a good batting wicket on a fairly small ground. Matt McGuiness took 5 for 53 with his 9 overs of off-spin.
In reply, Lancashire looked well on the way to passing the target. Gareth Evans scored another ‘ton’ with 111 to add to his first round score; and when he was batting with Graham Lloyd (42) they made it look easy – and at 157 for 2 off 29 overs Lancashire were favourites. However, Lloyd then gave a catch and we continued to lose wickets to fall just short at 247 all out.
So near yet so far – yet again. I keep saying this every year! Just to make matters worse, Nottinghamshire then went on to win the final – but this does show that we are quite capable of winning the national competition, if we can field our very strongest side on the day.
Ben Dowling was again selected to play for the British Police on their annual tour; with Gareth Evans unfortunately unable to play this year due to injury. I’m sure they’ll be joined by one or two others in the coming years, in recognition of our strengthening squad of cricketers. 2007 top By Secretary DCI Neil Gregson The Cricket Section again competed in the Police Sport UK Knockout Trophy and was drawn ‘at home’ in the first round, to play against the Metropolitan Police. This game took place at St Annes Cricket Club on 10 May, with Lancashire winning a close and low-scoring game by 4 runs. Lancashire batted first and after a very promising start (70 for 1; Gareth Evans 28, Leo Cook 32) lost regular wickets and struggled to 136 all out. We felt that this score was probably not going to be enough to defend, particularly when the Met charged to 50 for no wicket after 8 overs. However, particularly tight spells of bowling from captain Richard McCutcheon (9 overs, 3 for 14) and Andy Sidgreaves (9 overs, 3 for 19) completely changed the game and put the lower order Met batsmen under pressure. Gareth Evans and Mark Emery then supported well at the end and the pressure was too much for the Met, with the last wicket falling at 132. A very satisfying win.
The second round saw us drawn ‘away’ again to the current champions, Dyfed-Powys, in a repeat of the fixture the previous season which had seen us watch it pour down all day at Ammanford, Swansea, before the dreaded ‘bowl out’ – which we had lost. Again we had the long drive down through Wales, to arrive at Ammanford in the pouring rain and the ground waterlogged. Another ‘bowl-out’ loomed as the main ground was declared unfit, however both sides agreed it preferable, when the rain finally stopped, to play a 15-over game on an artificial wicket on a nearby playing field. Lancashire batted first and made 106 for 8, with Mark Emery top-scoring with 29. Dyfed just got home in the final over with 107 for 4, the main difference between the sides being their one batsman who ‘batted through’ for 54 not out. Ben Dowling bowled well with 2 for 15 from his 3 overs. So again we had to return from South Wales disappointed.
Gareth Evans and Ben Dowling were both selected to play for the “British Police Cricket Club” in their annual week of fixtures in June – which is recognition of the strength of our current squad of players. Over the last couple of years a number of talented younger players have been recruited to the Constabulary; and we now probably have potentially the strongest squad in memory, and certainly one capable of winning the national trophy – hopefully before I retire! 2006 top By Secretary DCI Neil Gregson Lancashire Constabulary Cricket Section enjoyed a successful season, making good progress through to the quarter-final of the Police Sport UK Knockout. The strength of the squad was also reflected in the selection of two members, Gareth Evans and Ben Dowling, for the British Police Cricket Club tour in June. Both rewarded the selectors by making impressive debuts and will no doubt be invited to represent the national police cricket team again in 2007. This is a great credit to Lancashire, who had not had anyone selected for national honours for some ten years. In the PSUK cup first round, Lancashire travelled to play Norfolk, very much an unknown quantity having never played them before. The game was played on a glorious day, 10 May, in the equally glorious surroundings of Old Buckingham Cricket Club, deep in the Norfolk countryside. Norfolk batted first and in the face of good all-round bowling and fielding made 135 for 9 from their 45 overs. The wickets were shared (Andy Ingham and Gareth Evans 2 each, Gary Bolton, Richard McCutcheon and Neil Gregson 1 apiece) with two runouts refelecting the standard of the Lancashire fielding. In reply, opener Phil Barber departed early and despite losing two other wickets in the fifties, the result never looked in any doubt as Gareth Evans compiled a superb 92 not out, looking a quality above all other batsmen on the day. Lancashire eased home, winning by 7 wickets with 18 overs to spare. Lancashire were again drawn ‘away’ in the second round, to another unknown quantity in Hampshire, with the game being played on another glorious hot summer’s day on 28 June, at the former Hampshire county out-ground, Basingstoke Cricket Club. Lancashire put in another good bowling and fielding performance, although after Hampshire were at one stage 100 for 7, they were let off the hook a little to finish on 171 for 8. The wickets were again shared, with Neil Gregson 3, Gareth Evans 2 and Ben Dowling, Andy Sidgreaves and Richard McCutcheon 1 each. Gareth Evans was again the hero of the batting performance, playing the anchor role with another top-quality innings of 81 not out, although Hampshire made us fight hard, taking wickets regularly at the other end. At 88 for 6 it was looking a bit shaky for Lancashire, but Richard McCutcheon played a great captain’s innings of 34 not out to keep Gareth company and see us home to victory by 4 wickets in the 39th of the 45 overs. In the quarter-final we were again drawn ‘away’ and to play the 2005 reigning champions, Dyfed-Powys Police, at Ammanford Cricket Club, near Swansea. Unfortunately our luck with the weather, and the results, ran out. Heavy rain on the journey down through Wales was followed by further downpours at the ground itself, with no sign of the forecast improvement. Eventually it was agreed that as there was no prospect of even a 10-over game, the result would have to be decided by means of a ‘bowl-out’. This too was carried out in the pouring rain in the ‘net’ wicket, the difficulty of the conditions being reflected in the score of one-one after ten balls each! The contest went to ‘sudden death’ with Lancashire being unable to respond to a further hit by Dyfed-Powys – and certain comments that the batsmen could have bowled straighter than the five bowlers selected for the bowl-out! This was a very disappointing and frustrating way to go out of the competition. We had certainly fancied our chances against Dyfed-Powys, who went on to beat Northumbria and then the Metropolitan Police in the final, to retain the PSUK trophy. However, the rain prevented us from having a proper contest. On a positive note, I remain convinced that we have a strong enough squad to win the national title for the first ever time, with some excellent young cricketers having been recruited recently, to complement some of the more experienced members. 2005 By Secretary DCI Neil Gregson 2005 proved to be a very disappointing season, in light of the optimism at the start of the year with the influx of a number of quality cricketers amongst the new recruits. In the first round of the Police Sport UK Trophy, Lancashire were drawn at home to old rivals Nottinghamshire, and what a close contest this proved to be, at Fleetwood Cricket Club. Batting first, Lancashire recovered from the nightmare start of losing 2004’s star batsman Leo Cook to the very first ball of the game. Lancashire went on to post a respectable 170 all out, in the last of the 45 overs, thanks largely to Andy Ainsworth’s 62 not out. In reply, Nottinghamshire progressed slowly against tight bowling and fielding, but it was always felt that 170 would be not quite enough. Gary Bolton was the pick of the bowlers with a miserly 10 runs from his 9 overs, with 2 wickets and 4 maidens. The pressure was maintained but veteran campaigner and previous scourge of Lancashire, David Fraser-Darling, remained at the crease throughout the innings with 75 not out, and saw Nottinghamshire home off the very last ball of the 45th over. A new development for 2005 was the ‘plate’ competition, which affords each team at least one more game of cricket. However, due to circumstances beyond our control (the London bombings) we proceeded to the plate semi-final without playing another game. We then met West Mercia, again at home, at a new ground for us, St Annes CC, in August. Here came the biggest disappointment. Despite having probably the strongest squad of police cricketers in Lancashire for many a year, the team we fielded that day was a very poor reflection of it, with a couple of people standing in as last-minute replacements, and a couple of others carrying injuries who ideally shouldn’t have played. Despite this, Lancashire put in a spirited performance. Captain Richard McCutcheon took 4 for 14 off 8 overs as West Mercia made 190 all out. However, we never really looked like winning, losing wickets at regular intervals and ending up 40 runs short on 150 all out. There were contributions from Neil Gregson, 29 (probably a personal best for the county and certainly a first ever ‘top score’, so I had to include it!), Mike Foreman, 28 (deliberately run out by Neil Gregson to protect his top score!), Steve Edwards, 25, Leo Cook, 22 and Tony Armitage, 20. However, nobody played the ‘anchor’ role to go on and win the game for us. So, ultimately a very disappointing season. However, the winter has brought yet another influx of good cricketers into the organisation, who have played competitive cricket to a good standard. I’ve been saying this for a few years now, but there really is no better time than the coming season for Lancashire to win the PSUK Trophy for the first time in its history. Surely the luck is due to go our way? But we need to make our own luck, by fielding the strongest possible team to do ourselves justice. 2004 By Secretary DCI Neil Gregson 2004 was another very positive year for the Cricket Section, building further on the resurgence of talented new players the previous year. Another influx of promising talent has emerged this year – clearly the right questions are being asked in the Constabulary recruitment process! The outcome is that we have probably the strongest squad of cricketers for many years, and we should be in a position to make a strong challenge for the 2005 Police Sport UK Cricket Knockout. As in 2003 it was a case of “so near yet so far”. In the first round of the 2004 knockout, Lancashire were drawn ‘away’ to Cheshire, whom we had beaten at the same stage the year before. Cheshire were out for revenge, but were beaten quite comfortably in the end, by 45 runs, in the splendid surroundings of Chester Boughton Hall CC. Lancashire batted first and made 212 for 6 off their 45 overs (PC Leo Cook 76 not out, PC Andy McNicholas 51, DS Richard McCutcheon 39). Although threatening victory at one stage, Cheshire collapsed to 167 all out (Richard McCutcheon 4 for 14). In the second round, Lancashire entertained South Wales Police, historically a very strong side, at Great Harwood CC. Again Lancashire batted first and made 204 for 8 off 45 overs (PC Andy Ingham 66, PC Leo Cook 48). South Wales, after a faltering start, looked well on the way to victory, before the pressure told and the last few wickets fell. South Wales were all out for 184, Lancashire winning by 20 runs (DC Gary Bolton 2 for 22, PC Neil Bibby 2 for 24, DS Richard McCutcheon 2 for 35). The quarter final was played at Great Harwood CC on 8 July, with Northumbria Police the visitors. Heavy rain was falling just about over the entire north of England apart from a one mile radius around Great Harwood, permitting the game to start late and being reduced to 20 overs per side in wet, cold and windy conditions. Northumbria batted first and scored 156 for 2 (PC Andy Sidgreaves 2 for 22), with 28 off the last over (which Richard McCutcheon doesn’t want mentioning!) later proving crucial. The Lancashire reply was always up with the asking rate of nearly 8 runs per over, and the game came to an exciting finish when 12 runs were required off the final over. After the inevitable scampered runs and run outs, a 6 was needed off the very last ball, with retiring skipper Andy McNicholas facing. Making excellent contact, the ball was on its way, unfortunately to the longest boundary on the ground, where it fell just a couple of feet inside the rope, for only 4 runs and defeat by 1 run. Literally ‘so near yet so far’. Northumbria went on to the final where they were narrowly beaten by Nottinghamshire, which just shows, as in 2003, that we are on a par with any team in the country. Perhaps third time lucky this year? Special mention must go to Andy McNicholas who has handed over the captaincy after several years’ sterling service, to Richard McCutcheon, to skipper the younger charges. There would be no more fitting tribute to Andy, and one or two other veterans, than for Lancashire to win the trophy in 2005 before their playing days are over. 2003 By Secretary DCI Neil Gregson 2003 was a very positive, although ultimately frustrating, year for the Cricket Section. Positive primarily because, after a number of years of declining interest, dwindling numbers and ageing of members, this year saw an influx of young new talent and a resurgence of interest in playing county cricket. This bodes very well for the future and has been strengthened further by the emergence of other new players during the close season. Hopefully this will secure the long-term future of the Section, and some older members will be able to retire gracefully! The reorganisation of the PAA Cricket Knockout also saw a resurgence of interest nationally, with the competition being opened up into an “open” draw, rather than through regional qualifiers as before. Thirty-one forces entered the 2003 competition, and Lancashire progressed through the first round by default when Leicestershire were unable to field a team. In the second round, Lancashire were convincing winners over Cheshire in a game played at Fleetwood CC. Lancashire made 240 for 6 from their 45 overs (Gary Bolton 74, Chris Williams 49, Richard McCutcheon 47 not out), and in reply Cheshire were 133 all out (Gary Bolton 3 for 21, Richard McCutcheon 2 for 12, Neil Bibby 2 for 36). Lancashire won by 107 runs. The quarterfinal was played against Staffordshire Police at Great Harwood CC. In a controversial rain-affected game, Staffordshire made 155 for 9 in 45 overs (Richard McCutcheon 3 for 35, Tim McDermott 2 for 13, Neil Bibby 2 for 33). After several interruptions for rain, Lancashire were 111 for 5 after 27 overs, when the umpires brought the players off the field at the appointed time for the end of the game. Lancashire was ahead on run rate and thought victory was theirs. Staffordshire thought otherwise and after lengthy arguments and appeals by both teams to the PAA Cricket Committee it was ruled that the game should be replayed, this time in Staffordshire. On this occasion, Lancashire travelled with a much-depleted team of only ten men, and were soundly beaten. Dave Hayes top-scored with 16 out of a meagre 95 all out, and Staffordshire replied with 96 for 2, winning by 8 wickets. Our frustration at the outcome of the first game was further compounded by the fact that Staffordshire then went on to win the final, played at Somerset CCC at Taunton. It could so easily have been us – perhaps revenge will be ours in 2004. 2002 No report received 2001 By Secretary DCI Neil Gregson The force cricket section is well supported with many talented players. A series of matches during the 2001 season failed to make any notable results.  
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