BURTON CRICKET CLUB

Well the cricket season has flown by for yet another season and it has ultimately been a season of moderate consolidation across the men's teams.

The first eleven, under the guidance of Robbie Neill, managed to stave off relegation after a pivotal home victory over Pembroke Dock. Jon Scale was instrumental with the ball, taking 3-9 from a miserly 11 over spell to restrict the visitors to 145 all out. Although wickets fell at regular intervals during the chase, young Toby Hayman steadied the ship with a knock of 37 which displayed composure far beyond his years, only falling with the target within touching distance. The introduction to the team of many promising youngsters such as Toby, Gavin Campbell and Jack Davies is probably the highlight of the season and maintaining Division Two status will only help the boys to further progress and there is general optimism that this season's 8 th place finish can be built upon next term.

In their first season back in Division Four, the 2 nd team consolidated themselves admirably in mid-table and ended up finishing 6 th . Again, there is plenty to build upon, especially with an encouraging end to the season which consisted of two wins and a draw from their final three matches so challenging for promotion will surely be the ambition next season. There was also a notable run in the Alec Colley Cup competition for 2 nd teams which was only halted in the semi-finals by a Cresselly 2 nd s side who play two divisions higher and went onto to secure the trophy for a fourth successive year, so there was no shame in a defeat where they ran the undoubted favourites relatively close.

The ambition of the 3 rd team is slightly different to the other two sides and in this sense; their season too was a good success. The club have a third side predominantly to give young and new players a chance to develop their skills in a more relaxed environment and this was once again the case this season. There were also however, a number of competitive performances including inflicted one of just three defeats suffered across the season by
eventually promoted Camrose & Spittal 2nds after a gritt display. Although the team ultimately finished 8 th in Division Six, it is undoubted that improved player commitment across the board would have made a significant difference and hopefully that is something which will be obtained next season.

The youth team were disappointed not to make it through to the final of the Ormond Youth Plate competition after suffering semi-final heartache at home to Stackpole. Useful contributions from Toby Hayman and Gavin Campbell got Burton to around a par total but some wayward bowling allowed Stackpole to get ahead of the rate and this was a position they never relinquished. However, the entire team were 16 years of age or younger and so in a competition that allows all players under the age of 18, it is an exciting prospect that will be an almost identical squad that will compete again next season.

So it was left to the Ladies team to pick up the club's only silverware of the season, outshining their male counterparts with an outstanding performance against big rivals Hook to secure the 2011 Skelfayre Cup trophy. The platform was set in the first innings as stalwart Elaine Scale carried her bat for an imperious 53 not out, ably supported by daughter Wella who added 27 in a total of 126/7. Some tight bowling from Ffion Ashman (2-18) then restricted Hook to 102/2 to give Burton a 24 run lead at the half way point. On a pitch that was becoming increasingly difficult, Burton scored a second innings total of 90/5 with Elaine's other daughter Finola leading the way with an excellent 42 to set Hook 115 to win. Ultimately they never got close with all of Burton 's bowlers delivering excellent economy figures to leave Hook stranded on 81/2 and the cup in Burton 's hands. Well done Ladies!

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