British Police CC 2012

British Police had a new look both in playing personnel and off the field support as the 2012 squad clocked in at their Ibis, Reading HQ.

On the field there was just one last minute replacement required to the originally 16 selected players - with two new caps, Duncan Midgley the first ever representative from North Wales and last gasp inclusion Phil Gray, taking the place of fellow Met man Dan Turner. The squad showed a dramatic reduction in age and caps to previous Tours, following an ongoing transition period during the last couple of years.

Could this inexperienced group, under new Captain Steve Greig (Met) and V/ Captain, Gareth Morris (Staffs), rise to the challenge in the scheduled 3 x 50 over and 4 x T20 matches and reverse the recent decline in results? The 'off field' duties would be shared by Secretary David Fraser-Darling, Graham Shaw (Coach) and Simon Young (Fitness coach) - what would the 'Three Amigos' bring to the week?

A further welcome addition was former secretary Dick Argles, now qualified as a Sports Therapist who had been recruited to deal with our Sports injuries and day to day fitness niggles.

MATCH REPORTS AND SCORECARDS CAN BE SEEN ON
www.britishpolicecc.play-cricket.com

Summary...

British Police are back!!

This was the loud and clear message this squad sent out from this cricket week, with a fantastic 100% success rate in the 7 fixtures.

'Beefy' said before a ball was bowled that he had a good feeling about this group of players and the week in general.

His feelings were fully justified. The whole group jelled both on and off the field, with a common purpose of winning cricket matches and enjoying the week.
Most importantly out in the middle, the quality, vitality and hunger to win were there for all to see.

If the majority can be kept together for the next few years, BP will surely be back to being the formidable unit of previous seasons.

As for "The Three Amigos", well, they pooled together their vast experience, dovetailing and coordinating the weeks' effort and achieved their targets.

Thanks...

We are grateful as ever to all our sponsors, Group 4 Security, Pay Plan, George Burrows, Police Mutual, Arc Legal Assistance, and Reynolds Dawson Solicitors. They give us such fantastic support and it was good that so many of them found the time to attend the matches they make possible.

Our very special thanks go to the Secretary, David Fraser-Darling. His drive and personality keep the British Police CC functioning and competing at a high level and the whole of Police cricket moving forward. He is an inspiration and in these difficult times police cricket without doubt owes him a huge debt of gratitude. It was nice that at the end of this cricket week that the players recognised his contribution, with a presentation.

Thanks also to Dick Argles who managed to get his thumbs into most of the squad! Never has so much blue tape been stretched over so many bodies! He did a great job mending and repairing the team and we wish him every success as he gains experience and furthers his new sports injury treatment career.

Thanks go to all our opponents for assisting us in taking this early tour, rescheduled due to Jubilee and Olympic commitments. Thanks to all the players, umpires, scorers, administrators, ground staff, coaching, fitness and catering personnel and all those people behind the scenes who help to put on this cricket week and maintain such high standards.

Berkshire CCC 171 all out (43.4 overs)
Richard Grant 3-26 Ted Roe 2-14 Rob Fisher 2-33 Gareth Morris 2-40

BPCC 174 - 5 (36.4 overs)
Russ Bryan 44* Duncan Midgley 25 Steve Greig 24* Phil Gray 21
*********************************************************
Army 235 all out (41.2 overs)
Gareth Morris 3-35 Russ Bryan 3-42 Steve Greig 3-43

BPCC 239-6 (42.4 overs)
Duncan Midgley 71 Greg Gillespie 70 Huw Evans 34

*********************************************************
T20 v Royal Navy
Match 1
BPCC 169-5 (20 overs)
Dave Jackson 41 Ted Roe 34

Royal Navy 124-9 (20 overs)
Gareth Morris 4-12 Dave Morrell 3-13

Match 2
Royal Navy 142-6
Gareth Morris 2-25 Russ Bryan 2-25

BPCC 145-5 (17.2 overs)
Ted Roe 54* Pete Barnett 31*

*********************************************************

BPCC 270-7
Huw Evans 68 Greg Gillespie 35 Ray Doyle 33 Phil Gray 33

CCC 190 all out
Gareth Morris 4-26 Steve Greig 3-51

*********************************************************

T20 Day v RAF
Match 1
BPCC 138-5
Ray Doyle 51 Greg Gillespie 43

RAF 116 all out (18.2 overs)
Rich Grant 3-16 Nige Fretwell 3-29 Russ Bryan 2-24

Match 2
RAF 167-8
Dave Morrell 3-40 Gareth Morris 2-23

BPCC 168-5 (18.4 overs)
Rich Grant 81* Russ Bryan 32


Report compiled by Peter Mitchell
(Scorer / Statistician)