From Robbie Houghton
It has been an honour to captain Sefton Park Cricket Club after nearly 20 years as a 1st team cricketer.2008 was a challenging but enjoyable first season as captain of the club. At the beginning of the season I set myself several goals. Firstly, as a 1st team our aim was to consolidate our position in Division 1 and if possible better the league position we achieved in 2007. Secondly, I was determined for us to enjoy our cricket and compete.
Looking back I am of the view we achieved most of the targets we set. I must praise the players from the outset for their support and enthusiasm during an enjoyable season.
My final goal was to continue the good work of my predecessor and ensure the teams in the club were unified. I was determined not to have a ‘them and us’ culture at the club, something I believe that has much improved in the last couple of seasons.
I believe I was not far away in achieving all my goals and am generally happy with the way things went last season.
Below shows a comparison of league positions 2008 and 2007;
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|
P |
W |
D |
T |
L |
ND |
AB |
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|
|
|
|
PTS |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Sefton
Park 2007 |
26 |
11 |
4 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
334 |
|
Sefton
Park 2008 |
26 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
292 |
2008 was a season of ups and downs with some great wins and a number of poor losses. Defeating Northop the eventual champions twice was a highlight but heavy defeats at Orrell and Rainford were disappointing. However, in the return against Rainford we achieved our highest score of the season and beat them convincingly.
Somehow, we need to be more consistent as a team. This is a continual challenge at Sefton given our annual availability issues. We used 26 players last season in the 1st team; a telling statistic
Some of the highlights of the season are shown below;
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Highest Total |
271 v Rainford |
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Lowest Total |
76 at Rainford |
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Individually |
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Centuries |
P Horton 119 v Rainford at
Sefton Park |
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C.Bellis 118 v Liverpool at Sefton Park |
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J Jackson 150* at Elton
(Cockspur Cup Round 1) |
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Hat trick D Baird v Wavertree at Sefton Park |
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Best Bowling |
7-26 P.Calrow at Highfield |
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7-40 R.Houghton v Ainsdale at
Sefton Park |
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6-43 P.Kelly v Northop Hall at
Sefton Park |
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6-61 R.Houghton at Skelmersdale |
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6-84 R.Houghton v Liverpool at
Sefton Park |
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5-26 D.Baird v Skelmersdale at
Sefton Park |
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Objectives for 2008
The 2010 season will see a new Competition format of 3 leagues of 12 teams. The end of the 2009 season therefore will see 4 teams go down from our Division to the new 2nd Division. It is my view that our aim for this coming season should be to do more than just avoid relegation. We have now had several years of transition and consolidation due to a new era on and off the field. It is now time to move forward and push for promotion. Ben Moore will be a big loss to the club but it is now the responsibility of the current players to take the lead.
We have several youngsters coming through who are not far off the first team and will play some part this season. In addition, we have recruited several players locally and have been fortunate to enlist a 1st grade cricketer from Perth called Ryan Duffield, who is a fast bowling all rounder. He has been recommended by Paul Horton and is coming over to play this season. The influx of new players will help us look to the coming season in a more positive frame of mind.
Finally, I would like to thank a number of people for their support. The players, who have been a pleasure to spend my Saturday afternoons with and make it all worthwhile; Dave and Graham Smith, who have been a considerable help in making my job so much easier; the staff and committee at the club who create a welcoming environment and the members/spectators who despite seeing some below average performances at times support the team week in week out. I appreciate all your support.
Rob Houghton
Club Captain