Spye Park Cricket Club is unique. We are fortunate to play our cricket in a fabulous setting, set deep in proper Wiltshire country. Following the recent completion of an incredible new pavilion, we now have a fantastic place to eat, drink and shelter from the rain.
We are incredibly lucky to have the support of the Enthoven family and all of the staff at the Estate. For those of you that have visited in years gone by, you will recall the humble (albeit built by the hands of members of the Club) shack that was previously our Club’s home (!). The new pavilion (thatched by David Beal - Master Thatcher) truly is a luxury and we constantly have to pinch ourselves to remember that we do play our cricket in the real world. The support of the Estate goes far beyond the construction of the pavilion though - whether it's Laurie Vines helping out with the ground or the time and preparation that goes into the annual Presidents fixture - and we take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Enthoven family and Estate staff. We hope they are willing to put up with us for more many years to come.
Whilst all donations are welcome and we're certainly not ones to look a gift horse in the mouth, the heart and soul of the Club lies in its members, players and life-long supporters alike. We field two Saturday league teams (WCCL league), a Sunday team (sometimes two teams), a mid-week team and have a thriving junior section - all of this would not be possible without huge amounts of time and energy given by many stalwarts of the Club, both past and present. We shan't name names, well let's drop a few in - the Paget's, the Beal's, Lionel Perrett, Andy Ellis, the Dolmans, Chris Beaven, Kevin Clarke, Adrian Mercer and many others - thank you all for making Spye Park CC the club that it is today.
In 1964 with the help of a £50 grant from Wiltshire County Cricket Association, the present pavilion was erected. This was a former RAF building fitted onto a concrete base. Initially it provided two changing rooms, a kitchen, a store and club room.
Our village cricket club commenced its foreign matches on. June 1st, by playing an eleven from Lacock, and, we are glad to say, by giving our visitors a good beating.
We hope to see a goodly company of our friends looking on and taking interest in the game, and we also hope by next match our eleven will not miss so many catches, their fielding was not up to the old form of last season, but we must remember it is the commencement of the season."
and tickets are selling fast however there are still a few left so if you haven't already done so get in touch with Helen to secure your booking. Do it now.
Helen has asked if you can please email her and Paul Macy when you're making a payment for hte Club Dinner (see below). It is the Club's preference that you pay electronicaly and put yourname as the reference - that way Paul will know who's paid. Please make sure you pay before the night as Helen does not want to be chasing you for cash on the day.
. Being a smaller venue numbers will be limited so, to avoid dissapointment please have a read through the menu below and then get in touch with Helen Dolman to confirm that you're coming and what yould like to eat. Please do this sooner rather than later. Helen's contact details are
This Saturday (that's 21st September) coming Andy Ellis will be managing the end of season ground tidy up and will need a few volunteers to help make things run smoothly. Many hands make light work and all that so please do get up to the ground for 10am (free bacon sarnies) and do what you can to help.
Whilst The Website has been on holiday for the last couple of weeks our reporters have still been out there doing their thing us. Here's the report of the 31 run win over Malmsbury last month...
”I was just in the zone today, got my head down and batted well, all the work I have been doing in the nets and gym paid off today. It was warming to see my teammates all on the balcony applaud when I got to my 50 but I would really like to thank Dolly. She has been the one who has believed in me all year and kept my nose up when things got tough, so this knock is for you Dolly!”
After 10 years of hard labour as our fixture secretary Adrian Mercer has decided to stand down from the post. We are looking for a willing (or unwilling) volunteer to take over. Most of the work takes place out of season during the winter. It is your chance to contribute to the running of your Club. If you are interested in standing for the position please contact John Beal to let him know and if you want to find out more about what's involved please talk to Adrian. We'd like to take this opportunity of saying "Thank You" to Adrian for all the hard work he's put in over the years.
It was a lovely summer’s afternoon in beautiful Swindon (sic) and Spye batted first against Swindon Civil Service (SCS). The openers were cautious, keen not to give it away too early. Fen’s and Jonny nudged and nurdled their way through the opening overs, occasionally lashing out at wider deliveries until Jonny was undone by one that did keep remarkably low! Mornement, making his first appearance for the 1
is skied out to Jonny at cow corner but, he drops it and SCS scamper back for 2. So, finally it comes down the last ball of the day. SCS need 2 to win and 1 to tie! Spye need a wicket (or a dot ball) to win. After two years without a win, Dave and Simon decide to bring the field in, put pressure on the batters they said. Then they tweak the field. The non-stricker helpfully informs his partner that all he has to do is get a bat on it and they’ll tie the game – but his partner has been stricking the ball really well, why wouldn’t he go for the glory, after all he’s played a blinder so far in the over? George May meanwhile, cool as you like has been quietly getting himself into the zone. Standing at the top of his run up staring at the stumps 22 yards away, just patiently waiting until everything and everyone is in position, focussing on what he has to do. Finally everything is ready, in he comes, right-arm over the wicket. Full and quicker than before, he beats the batsman and the ball smashes into middle stump – Game Over and Spye have won by 1 run! Naturally there were cheers, hugs and some back slapping, there were even some tears, but hey who cares after 2 years of weekly defeats Spye had finally broken the habit and they’d won.
