Ist XI Season Review and Averages 2001

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Final Warwickshire League Division 1 Table

Atherstone's preparations for their first ever season in Warwickshire's top division could have hardly have been worse when the Spring saw the departure of skipper and influential all-rounder Brian Thompson back to Ireland and the retirement through injury of veteran paceman Nick Maling. Although the club gained the services of wicket-keeper Adam Gough from Tamworth, the loss of a number of other regulars from the Division 2 championship side left the Ratcliffe Road side with very little choice but to try and consolidate their position and ensure survival which was finally guaranteed after the win over Allens Cross on August 25th.

This win and 3 others, against Kenilworth at home and Bournville home and away, were the highlights of the season which also saw a number of hard-earned draws against superior opposition. On 4 occasions, the Adders had the opposition 9 wickets down and 1 more wicket in each case would have added another 32 points to the final tally of 211.

On the other side of the coin, defeats in the last 2 matches of the season will ensure there is no complacency over the winter and will add some urgency to efforts to strengthen the squad in time for the 2002 season.

One area, which remained strong despite the turmoil on the pitch, was the Club's ground, which remains one of the best in the area and consistently received high marks from visiting teams and umpires. The new scorebox, which was completed in time for the start of the season, was a considerable improvement and also drew good reviews.

Batting (Qualification: 5 completed innings)

Also batted: Rob Boal 6*, 2, 14*, 27, 5. Ray Faulkner ; 1, 0. Nick Bates ; 0*. Matt Jones ; 4*, 13. Adi Williams ; 15,0. Ian Niblock ; 0, 0*, 6. Simon Wordsworth ; 11, 17. Gareth Williams ; 12, 47, 0. Mark Goddard ; 0*.

The side relied heavily on the experienced core of batsmen following the departure of 2 of last season's first five in Thompson and Gareth Williams, who missed most of the season with exams.

Dave Blower once again led the way with 5 half centuries and the top average of 36.78 while Simon Grayson was the leading run scorer with 575 which included 4 fifties. Wicket keeper Adam Gough made a vital contribution, adding 317 runs to his 9 catches and 7 stumpings, while Vic Clements chipped in with 2 fifties and made the highest individual score with 95 at Bronze in May.

Jody Peacock showed his potential in several hard hitting knocks while Paul Oldham, Steve Healey and Justin Hadley all played vital innings in a number of pressure situations. For the first time for a number of years, no individual centuries were scored.

Bowling (Qualification: 10 wickets or bowled in 10 matches)

Also Bowled: Tom Brockton ; 26-3-263-3, Rob Boal ; 30-5-100-7, Jon Radford ; 1-0-6-0, Adi Williams ; 20-0-82-3, Gareth Williams ; 40-7-153-4, Adam Gough ; 1-0-9-0, Alan Miller ; 0.2-0-5-0.

Bowling was perceived as the team's weakness coming into the season following the departure of Thompson and Maling and the continued absence of Williams, 60% of the 2000 attack. However, Manny Alcock and Vic Clements took the opportunity to revive their bowling careers as skipper Dave Blower tried various options in an effort to support stalwart Steve Healey, who was once again the leading wicket taker but who by the season's end was playing as a batsman as wear and tear injuries caught up with him.

Both Clements, the eventual average winner, and Alcock claimed 2 five wicket hauls and neither conceded runs at more than 3 an over. Alcock recorded the best 2 individual hauls with 8-103 against Aston Manor and a match-winning 7-23 against Allens Cross while Healey's 6-36 was an important part of the win at Bournville in August. Justin Hadley provided variety with his left arm seamers and once again impressed in limited opportunities with 17 wickets.

Catches and Stumpings

Catches:

10 - Simon Grayson
9 - Adam Gough, Vic Clements
8 - Steve Healey
4 - Dave Blower
3 - Jon Radford, Jody Peacock, Tom Brockton, Paul Oldham, Martin Cooper, Chris Horton, Ian Niblock, Matt Jones
2 - Manny Alcock, Alan Miller, Ray Faulkner
1 - Rob Boal, Justin Hadley, Gareth Williams, Adi Williams

Stumpings:

Adam Gough - 7
Martin Cooper - 1

Results

In view of the resources available and the last minute change in captain, the Adders final position of 9th, while hardly spectacular, has to be seen as a success which the club will be looking to build on over the next few years after their rapid rise through the ranks from Coventry League Division 4 (as recently as 1993) to the current status.