ECKINGTON VICTORY ALL OVERSEEN BY A NEW CLUBHOUSE

ECKINGTON CC 149 FOR 7 HANDSWORTH JUNIOR SPORTING CLUB CC 148
MANSFIELD AND DISTRICT PREMIER AT STAVELEY LANE
25 JUNE 2017 --- 1.30PM

ECKINGTON C C

There was a little bit of self indulgence for the blog this afternoon with a chance to take a look at the new clubhouse at Staveley Rd but the trip was also backed up with a victory for Eckington in this Sunday league encounter.  The visitors posted 148 all out thanks mainly to a sterling effort from Thomas Starkes who fell just 4 short of his half century and in reply Eckington's Josh Vaughan dominated the scorecard with an attractive 70 and with contributions all around the order the home side got home with 3 wickets in the bag and 11 overs to spare.

NEW SCOREBOARD AT STAVELEY RD

Trips to Eckington always seem to take me there on days when it's closed today a Sunday and last year a Bank Holiday Monday I mention last year because Eckington were one of the first cricket clubs blogged.  On that day in May the blog received a warm welcome from Chris Drury who introduced us to Chairman Andy Vaughan who blog readers may well remember enthused lucidly about the club and the mantra of 'we are all in it together' added to this the ultimate project to build a dream brand new clubhouse.  The monies were coming in, tradesman within the club committed to the project and there appeared much enthusiasm within this community set up.  Over the winter months I kept in touch with the club via their social media and even had a few text chats with Andy because you could see the dream coming true.  By the time the new season approached all bar a few finishing touches saw the clubhouse was ready for a bright new era for Eckington CC gone was the old time honoured wooden rickety much loved base and here was the modern build the club so desired.

DRINKS ALL ROUND

Having looked for a fixture to attend early in the season it just didn't happen until this opportunity arose to enter the town on another closed day!
The approach into the town from the bus station is a confusing one with the still derelict toilet block a testimony to better times but now installed is a welcoming arch at both ends of the walk way the town centre one topped off with a nice clock.  With most of the shops shuttered up and the Royal Hotel now boarded up there is a sad feel to the town however there is much history attached to the area with some superbly placed properties leaving the town towards Renishaw Hall, take a look at last times blog for a little more on this.  Turning right to make the small incline towards the ground which is about 1/2  mile out of the town we are soon in sight of the new clubhouse I opted to save the best till last, much like saving your favourite food on a plate till that last moment, walking around the outfield to the left first.
There is a descriptor on last years blog but noticeable is the new remotely controlled scoreboard which has a basic display, travelling round the boundary towards the vineyards of Renishaw Hall we managed to catch up with Mr Chairman, Andy Vaughan, for a quick chat about the club.  As ever Andy's enthusiasm was abound and the club has a tremendous reputation for its youth and junior set ups and in todays game there was a broad mixture from the many teams housed here at Staveley Rd, the future looks good for the club,  Alongside this new development Eckington are receiving more interest locally now in watching the games and hiring out this new venue, long may that continue to encourage the club.  The challenge will be of course on maintaining the build and developing their other structures the club though have proved this is possible for them and hopefully it will only benefit their future off field activities too.

TONY ROPER CLOCK

Passing their mini changing rooms and the newly developed terraced area which very shortly after my initial clubhouse visit was soon wafting barbecue smells around the boundary!  The club house then a 2 storey affair with to the right the business end for the grounds man store room and directly above a scorers room overviewing the pitch.  Also on on this level a function room with small bar and viewing balcony which offers a good view of the action.  Coming back down to the ground floor a larger function/main area with bar and separate kitchen plus toilets in situ so providing most things that any cricket club could desire.  The final touch is the addition of an external clubhouse clock in the clubs green and gold colours dedicated to the memory of club volunteer and enthusiast Tony Roper whose son and grandson are very much associated with the club today, nice touch guys!

HANDSWORTH JSC CC IN ACTION

So the game just a quick look at it, a meandering Sunday League affair with a cross section of talent and experience saw Handsworth bat first and post 148 all out with Starkes early mentioned score being gently assisted by a few others but their failure to use up all their overs probably proved to be the ultimate downfall.  On the bowling front Spencer Birch returned 3 for 19 in 8, a very nice performance.

ECKINGTON REPLY

In reply Eckington, like Handsworth, lost wickets regularly but the glue in the innings was Vaughan who hit 70 with 10 x 4's assisting his creditable knock.  When wicket number 7 fell at 139, 10 short, a moments wobble could have taken over that was not to take into account for Adam Leonard who smashed a maximum and a 4 in the same over to win the game for Eckington.

GREEN AND GOLDS WITH A BIT OF DEFENDING

An enjoyable afternoon with at last the clubhouse viewed in reality alongside a steady game of cricket the future looks bright for Eckington on and off the pitch through all levels of the game.