Cricket Sports Section Annual Reports  2001
2002 2003 2004 2005  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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