A message from the Chairman:
With the qualification stages for the national competitions complete, an update on how our sides have done.
The o50s did not qualify for the next stage, but they did have a great win against Lincs and retain a great team spirit and enjoyment of the game.
The o60s firsts won every game and won the East group. They now face Lancs, Shrops, Warks, Cambs and Yorks, the winner of this group going to the final.
The o60s seconds qualified for the bowl competition and will be up against Yorks Ridings, Cambs, Beds, Sussex and Middx.
The o70s finished second in their group and qualified for the o70s championship group and will now play Gloucs, Essex, Sussex, Cheshire and Hamps, the group winner going forward to the final.
These are excellent results for the club and reflect a positive, can do attitude from all four of our teams. My congratulations and thanks to everyone involved!
Andy Gregory
Chairman
With the qualification stages for the national competitions complete, an update on how our sides have done.
The o50s did not qualify for the next stage, but they did have a great win against Lincs and retain a great team spirit and enjoyment of the game.
The o60s firsts won every game and won the East group. They now face Lancs, Shrops, Warks, Cambs and Yorks, the winner of this group going to the final.
The o60s seconds qualified for the bowl competition and will be up against Yorks Ridings, Cambs, Beds, Sussex and Middx.
The o70s finished second in their group and qualified for the o70s championship group and will now play Gloucs, Essex, Sussex, Cheshire and Hamps, the group winner going forward to the final.
These are excellent results for the club and reflect a positive, can do attitude from all four of our teams. My congratulations and thanks to everyone involved!
Andy Gregory
Chairman
The victorious Norfolk Seniors side on tour to Malta, pictured after their win over Sussex in the semi-final of the tournament, on 3 April 2019. Tour Manager Harry van Zanten is back row extreme right.
A Norfolk Seniors Cricket team of 13 players, plus umpire Mervyn Mann and some female supporters, took part in a six Counties cricket tournament on the Mediterranean island of Malta in early April. There follows a report by our special correspondent Ronnie 'Rocket' Ashdown.
The first group match was against old rivals Essex and, batting first, Bryn Clarke (27) and Geoff Roper (52) provided the perfect start with an opening partnership of 55. Skipper Andy Gregory’s 21 helped Norfolk to a final total in the 30 overs of 150 for 7 wickets. Trevor Shales (1-15) early wicket meant a slow start for Essex but, just as they were recovering, Gregory (3-37) started a steady run of wickets, with David LeMoir (1-26) and Geoff Saunders (2-14) wrapping up the tail.
In their second match against a combined Kent and Surrey team, openers Clarke (30) and Roper (65) continued their fine form together with a stand of 90 runs. Gregory (45 no) and some powerful hitting from Kingsley Eliff (38 no) saw Norfolk post an intimidating score of 190 for the loss of only 3 wickets. Again tight bowling and some fine fielding left Kent and Surrey 48 runs short of their target.
Into the semi-final with a match against Sussex and, again Roper (35) and Clarke gave Norfolk the perfect start of 76 for the first wicket, Clarke going on to carry his bat ending with 74 not out. Clive Bennett weighed in with 39 allowing Norfolk to set Sussex 169 to win. Bennett (1-26) then struck early and the Norfolk bowlers, especially Shales (1-26 in 6 overs) and Harold Van Zanten (0-16 in his 6 overs), pressured their opposition who struggled leaving themselves 60 runs adrift.
The final was always going to be tough as Norfolk’s opponents, Yorkshire, were by far the strongest team in the tournament with very good batting and bowling strength. In their previous matches they amassed over 550 runs and took a total of 23 wickets. Added to that was the weather, which would have not been out of place in parts of England on a late winters day. Skipper Gregory won the toss and decided to bat but there was to be no opening stand this time as Roper and then Bennett both went early. Clarke did manage to tame the Yorkshire bowling and, again, ended up carrying his bat for 63 of the 123 that Norfolk struggled to accumulate. Despite Gregory (1-10) and Bennett (1-21) taking early wickets, the Yorkshire batting was too strong and they won the match and the tournament without further loss.
There was some consolation for Norfolk as, having received the award from former England spinner Shaun Udal, for the best performance for Norfolk, Bryn Clarke also received the prestigious award of best batsman of the tournament.
Thanks must go to Norfolk’s Harold Van Zanten for organising Norfolk’s participation in the event and it is hoped that Norfolk will be invited to play again next year in Malta’s Seniors Cricket Festival.
_______________________________________________________________
Reminder!
Please don't forget to return filled out registration forms to Joe Perry, Hon. Sec. and to pay subscriptions to Mike Banham, Hon. Treasurer, as soon as convenient.
_______________________________________________________________
Outdoor nets: at OBCC at 13:30 on April 18 for anyone interested –
lasting 2hrs: price £3 without or £5 with a beer.
Norfolk Seniors intra-club trials match now scheduled for Tuesday 23 April at Old Buckenham CC, with thanks to Mike Banham for arranging this. Please arrive at 13:00 and bring your own tea.
_______________________________________________________________
Interim details of league fixtures for O50s, O60s 1st XI and 2nd Rebels XI, and O70s can be found on the 'Fixtures' page of this website. This page also has the latest details of friendly fixtures.
_______________________________________________________________
On 22 February 2019 the Executive Committee responded to the email from Mick Smith of 19 February, with the following Statement circulated to all members:
As far as the Committee is concerned this matter was completely and finally closed on 23 January 2019.
The Committee have investigated these issues and are entirely happy that the AGM Letter was retracted properly and that no further action is necessary.
After a lengthy correspondence between Mick Smith and the Committee, the Committee agreed a Statement which was sent on 23 January to all five signatories of the AGM Letter and to all five of those members named in the Letter, including Mick Smith. This Statement is attached for the information of all Club members, and gives clarification on how the AGM Letter was retracted.
In particular the Committee draws attention to the summary at the end of the Statement: “the Statement of the Club on 6 December concluded that the Overstrand incident and all disciplinary issues following on from it to be finally closed - this remains the case; the Committee will take no further action on this issue; if there are further issues between the authors and those whom the letter named they must be resolved, or otherwise, independently of the Club.”
The Committee believe they have a very strong mandate from the members, expressed at the AGM, to move on and put all issues arising from the Overstrand incident behind us; the Committee believes it will be best for Norfolk Seniors cricket to move the club forwards and to concentrate on playing cricket.
The Committee would also like to make it entirely clear that the Committee makes collective decisions and is collectively responsible for those decisions.
The Chairman does not act alone, but with the permission of and under the authority of the entire Committee.
Regarding the need or otherwise for apologies, the ICC Code of Conduct lists four levels of penalties, but does not mention apologies.
The ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket does not mention apologies. The Norfolk Cricket Board disciplinary procedures do not include apologies.
Our own Norfolk Seniors Constitution, Appendix A Disciplinary, Section 2 lists a range of penalties, one of which (2.1a) is to write a letter of apology,
but this only after an internal Club enquiry has upheld a charge of misconduct. In this case the Executive Committee meeting of 18 December 2018 found there was no need for disciplinary action. The Committee understand that many accusations were made by both sides in relation to the Overstrand incident and its aftermath and consider that, if they were to pursue expressions of apology and regret for all of these there would be no end to the matter.
_______________________________________________________________
On 23 January the Executive Committee sent to all five signatories
of the AGM Letter and to all five of those members named in that Letter the following Statement:
A letter with five signatories was circulated just before and at the AGM on 26 November 2018. The Committee learned that there was likely to be a complaint about the allegations in the letter.
Between 27 and 28 November, the incoming Chairman, Andy Gregory, conducted confidential mediations between the complainant and the five authors.
By the end of 28 November, the Chairman had obtained five separate emails in each of which the author agreed to retract the letter and to support the initiative whereby the Club would issue a Statement confirming an end to the Overstrand incident and all subsequnt issues arising from it.
On 6 December 2018 the Club issued that Statement confirming inter alia that the “The letter which was circulated before/at the AGM has been retracted in full”.
On 7 December, Mick Smith, the previous Chairman, requested “a copy, presumably signed by all 5 members” of the retraction.
On 8 December Mick Smith said he required to see their “retraction in writing, signed by all five” otherwise he would proceed with legal action.
Following the request by Mick Smith on 8 December, the Chairman, Andy Gregory, replied to Mick Smith, saying that, following the 6 December Statement by the Club, these matters were now closed and that he would take no further action on behalf of the Club. However, he agreed to write to the five authors of the letter, raising the issue with them, which he did on 11 December.
On 18 December 2018, the Executive Committee met to consider a complaint against the authors of the letter and concluded that, although the letter contained multiple inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements, there was no need for disciplinary action and that there was no impact on the above Statement, made by the Club on 6 December 2018.
On 24 December 2018 the Chairman received an email from the complainant stating that they would make no further comment or statement regarding the issues concerned, which they viewed as closed.
On 8 January 2019 the Chairman, Andy Gregory, again received a request from Mick Smith for copies of the retraction of the letter circulated at the AGM. Mick Smith’s email was copied to the Hon Secretary, Joe Perry, and to each of the five authors of the letter.
The Committee have emails from each of the 5 signatories to the Chairman, dated 28/11/18, all of which unambiguously retract the AGM Letter. These are confidential as they were part of the mediation process of an official complaint about the AGM Letter. It would be unfair of the Club to release these verbatim. Although they remain confidential, they form part of the official Club records. The Hon Secretary retains copies and confirms that there can be no doubt that the five signatories agreed to retract the letter. We do not have or require a single document signed by all five signatories retracting the AGM Letter.
Between 14 and 16 January 2019, all five signatories to the letter have confirmed that they did indeed retract it on 28 November 2018. Their emails are reproduced below:
(i,ii,iii) a letter that was received from Clive Adams; an identical version was sent by Peter Coote and by John Lund:
Dear Joe,
Please can you inform Mick Smith that the letter which was available at the AGM has been retracted and the incoming Chairman was made aware of this, and for the sake of unity the content will not be used again as we are prepared to accept the committee’s decision which can be seen on the club’s website.
Regards
(iv) an email from Trevor Shales, referring to the letter above from Clive Adams:
Hi Joe,
... am happy for Andy to show you my retraction email I sent him, however I see Clive has slightly amended your document, which I agree with!
Regards
Trev
(v) the email originally sent by Colin Jackson, on 28 November:
Hello Andy,
More than happy for the letter to be withdrawn.
Regards
Colin
In summary:
(i) the Committee dealt quickly and fairly with difficult and contentious issues and acted according to the Club Constitution;
(ii) the Chairman of the Club was witness to the full retraction of the letter by all authors on 28 November; subsequently this was confirmed by the Hon. Secretary;
(iii) the Statement of the Club on 6 December concluded that the Overstrand incident and all disciplinary issues following on from it to be finally closed - this remains the case;
(iv) there was no need for disciplinary action, but the letter contained several inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements, these were placed on the Club website;
(v) the Committee’s decisions on the Club website have been accepted by all five signatories;
(vi) the Committee will take no further action on this issue;
(vii) if there are further issues between the authors and those whom the letter named they must be resolved, or otherwise, independently of the Club.
Joe Perry, Hon. Secretary, 23 January 2019
_______________________________________________________________
A complaint was received by the Committee on 3 December 2018. The Committee met to discuss this on 18 December. The full Minutes of this Meeting and associated documents may be found by clicking (1) the drop-down menu above labelled 'Committee Minutes 2018' and then (2) '18 December 2018'. In future all Minutes of Club Committee Meetings will be published on this website.
A summary of the outcome of the Committee's evaluation of the complaint is given below:
Summary of Executive Committee Decisions following a complaint concerning the letter circulated before and during the 2018 AGM from Lund, Adams, Shales, Coote & Jackson
The Committee discussed the complaint at length and their deliberations are recorded in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of 18 December 2018 on this website. No disciplinary action will be taken. However, the Committee reiterate the warning in Appendix A of the Constitution covering Disciplinary policy, that: “Members are particularly reminded of the dangers of forwarding and broadcasting personal emails containing comments which might be construed as disrespectful.” Any future such communications will be viewed more severely in the post-Overstrand era.
There is no impact of this complaint on the Statement made by the Club concerning the Overstrand Incident, on 6 December 2018.
The Committee checked the allegations in the letter against Club records and were concerned that the letter contained several inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements. These are set out in a separate document. The Committee will not enter into any debate on whether, with further investigation or evidence, the claims in the AGM Letter can be substantiated. For the sake of transparency the Committee states what is in its records so that members can understand why it acted as it did.
On 6 December, a statement was sent to all Club members from the Executive committee stating inter alia that:
The parties to the Overstrand incident will not pursue any historical grievances.
The Committee will not entertain any such complaints, considering them to be time expired.
The Executive Committee of the Norfolk Seniors now considers the Overstrand incident and
all disciplinary issues following on from it to be finally closed.
Fixtures for 2019 are now given, on a separate page (Fixtures 2019)
of this website
The first group match was against old rivals Essex and, batting first, Bryn Clarke (27) and Geoff Roper (52) provided the perfect start with an opening partnership of 55. Skipper Andy Gregory’s 21 helped Norfolk to a final total in the 30 overs of 150 for 7 wickets. Trevor Shales (1-15) early wicket meant a slow start for Essex but, just as they were recovering, Gregory (3-37) started a steady run of wickets, with David LeMoir (1-26) and Geoff Saunders (2-14) wrapping up the tail.
In their second match against a combined Kent and Surrey team, openers Clarke (30) and Roper (65) continued their fine form together with a stand of 90 runs. Gregory (45 no) and some powerful hitting from Kingsley Eliff (38 no) saw Norfolk post an intimidating score of 190 for the loss of only 3 wickets. Again tight bowling and some fine fielding left Kent and Surrey 48 runs short of their target.
Into the semi-final with a match against Sussex and, again Roper (35) and Clarke gave Norfolk the perfect start of 76 for the first wicket, Clarke going on to carry his bat ending with 74 not out. Clive Bennett weighed in with 39 allowing Norfolk to set Sussex 169 to win. Bennett (1-26) then struck early and the Norfolk bowlers, especially Shales (1-26 in 6 overs) and Harold Van Zanten (0-16 in his 6 overs), pressured their opposition who struggled leaving themselves 60 runs adrift.
The final was always going to be tough as Norfolk’s opponents, Yorkshire, were by far the strongest team in the tournament with very good batting and bowling strength. In their previous matches they amassed over 550 runs and took a total of 23 wickets. Added to that was the weather, which would have not been out of place in parts of England on a late winters day. Skipper Gregory won the toss and decided to bat but there was to be no opening stand this time as Roper and then Bennett both went early. Clarke did manage to tame the Yorkshire bowling and, again, ended up carrying his bat for 63 of the 123 that Norfolk struggled to accumulate. Despite Gregory (1-10) and Bennett (1-21) taking early wickets, the Yorkshire batting was too strong and they won the match and the tournament without further loss.
There was some consolation for Norfolk as, having received the award from former England spinner Shaun Udal, for the best performance for Norfolk, Bryn Clarke also received the prestigious award of best batsman of the tournament.
Thanks must go to Norfolk’s Harold Van Zanten for organising Norfolk’s participation in the event and it is hoped that Norfolk will be invited to play again next year in Malta’s Seniors Cricket Festival.
_______________________________________________________________
Reminder!
Please don't forget to return filled out registration forms to Joe Perry, Hon. Sec. and to pay subscriptions to Mike Banham, Hon. Treasurer, as soon as convenient.
_______________________________________________________________
Outdoor nets: at OBCC at 13:30 on April 18 for anyone interested –
lasting 2hrs: price £3 without or £5 with a beer.
Norfolk Seniors intra-club trials match now scheduled for Tuesday 23 April at Old Buckenham CC, with thanks to Mike Banham for arranging this. Please arrive at 13:00 and bring your own tea.
_______________________________________________________________
Interim details of league fixtures for O50s, O60s 1st XI and 2nd Rebels XI, and O70s can be found on the 'Fixtures' page of this website. This page also has the latest details of friendly fixtures.
_______________________________________________________________
On 22 February 2019 the Executive Committee responded to the email from Mick Smith of 19 February, with the following Statement circulated to all members:
As far as the Committee is concerned this matter was completely and finally closed on 23 January 2019.
The Committee have investigated these issues and are entirely happy that the AGM Letter was retracted properly and that no further action is necessary.
After a lengthy correspondence between Mick Smith and the Committee, the Committee agreed a Statement which was sent on 23 January to all five signatories of the AGM Letter and to all five of those members named in the Letter, including Mick Smith. This Statement is attached for the information of all Club members, and gives clarification on how the AGM Letter was retracted.
In particular the Committee draws attention to the summary at the end of the Statement: “the Statement of the Club on 6 December concluded that the Overstrand incident and all disciplinary issues following on from it to be finally closed - this remains the case; the Committee will take no further action on this issue; if there are further issues between the authors and those whom the letter named they must be resolved, or otherwise, independently of the Club.”
The Committee believe they have a very strong mandate from the members, expressed at the AGM, to move on and put all issues arising from the Overstrand incident behind us; the Committee believes it will be best for Norfolk Seniors cricket to move the club forwards and to concentrate on playing cricket.
The Committee would also like to make it entirely clear that the Committee makes collective decisions and is collectively responsible for those decisions.
The Chairman does not act alone, but with the permission of and under the authority of the entire Committee.
Regarding the need or otherwise for apologies, the ICC Code of Conduct lists four levels of penalties, but does not mention apologies.
The ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket does not mention apologies. The Norfolk Cricket Board disciplinary procedures do not include apologies.
Our own Norfolk Seniors Constitution, Appendix A Disciplinary, Section 2 lists a range of penalties, one of which (2.1a) is to write a letter of apology,
but this only after an internal Club enquiry has upheld a charge of misconduct. In this case the Executive Committee meeting of 18 December 2018 found there was no need for disciplinary action. The Committee understand that many accusations were made by both sides in relation to the Overstrand incident and its aftermath and consider that, if they were to pursue expressions of apology and regret for all of these there would be no end to the matter.
_______________________________________________________________
On 23 January the Executive Committee sent to all five signatories
of the AGM Letter and to all five of those members named in that Letter the following Statement:
A letter with five signatories was circulated just before and at the AGM on 26 November 2018. The Committee learned that there was likely to be a complaint about the allegations in the letter.
Between 27 and 28 November, the incoming Chairman, Andy Gregory, conducted confidential mediations between the complainant and the five authors.
By the end of 28 November, the Chairman had obtained five separate emails in each of which the author agreed to retract the letter and to support the initiative whereby the Club would issue a Statement confirming an end to the Overstrand incident and all subsequnt issues arising from it.
On 6 December 2018 the Club issued that Statement confirming inter alia that the “The letter which was circulated before/at the AGM has been retracted in full”.
On 7 December, Mick Smith, the previous Chairman, requested “a copy, presumably signed by all 5 members” of the retraction.
On 8 December Mick Smith said he required to see their “retraction in writing, signed by all five” otherwise he would proceed with legal action.
Following the request by Mick Smith on 8 December, the Chairman, Andy Gregory, replied to Mick Smith, saying that, following the 6 December Statement by the Club, these matters were now closed and that he would take no further action on behalf of the Club. However, he agreed to write to the five authors of the letter, raising the issue with them, which he did on 11 December.
On 18 December 2018, the Executive Committee met to consider a complaint against the authors of the letter and concluded that, although the letter contained multiple inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements, there was no need for disciplinary action and that there was no impact on the above Statement, made by the Club on 6 December 2018.
On 24 December 2018 the Chairman received an email from the complainant stating that they would make no further comment or statement regarding the issues concerned, which they viewed as closed.
On 8 January 2019 the Chairman, Andy Gregory, again received a request from Mick Smith for copies of the retraction of the letter circulated at the AGM. Mick Smith’s email was copied to the Hon Secretary, Joe Perry, and to each of the five authors of the letter.
The Committee have emails from each of the 5 signatories to the Chairman, dated 28/11/18, all of which unambiguously retract the AGM Letter. These are confidential as they were part of the mediation process of an official complaint about the AGM Letter. It would be unfair of the Club to release these verbatim. Although they remain confidential, they form part of the official Club records. The Hon Secretary retains copies and confirms that there can be no doubt that the five signatories agreed to retract the letter. We do not have or require a single document signed by all five signatories retracting the AGM Letter.
Between 14 and 16 January 2019, all five signatories to the letter have confirmed that they did indeed retract it on 28 November 2018. Their emails are reproduced below:
(i,ii,iii) a letter that was received from Clive Adams; an identical version was sent by Peter Coote and by John Lund:
Dear Joe,
Please can you inform Mick Smith that the letter which was available at the AGM has been retracted and the incoming Chairman was made aware of this, and for the sake of unity the content will not be used again as we are prepared to accept the committee’s decision which can be seen on the club’s website.
Regards
(iv) an email from Trevor Shales, referring to the letter above from Clive Adams:
Hi Joe,
... am happy for Andy to show you my retraction email I sent him, however I see Clive has slightly amended your document, which I agree with!
Regards
Trev
(v) the email originally sent by Colin Jackson, on 28 November:
Hello Andy,
More than happy for the letter to be withdrawn.
Regards
Colin
In summary:
(i) the Committee dealt quickly and fairly with difficult and contentious issues and acted according to the Club Constitution;
(ii) the Chairman of the Club was witness to the full retraction of the letter by all authors on 28 November; subsequently this was confirmed by the Hon. Secretary;
(iii) the Statement of the Club on 6 December concluded that the Overstrand incident and all disciplinary issues following on from it to be finally closed - this remains the case;
(iv) there was no need for disciplinary action, but the letter contained several inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements, these were placed on the Club website;
(v) the Committee’s decisions on the Club website have been accepted by all five signatories;
(vi) the Committee will take no further action on this issue;
(vii) if there are further issues between the authors and those whom the letter named they must be resolved, or otherwise, independently of the Club.
Joe Perry, Hon. Secretary, 23 January 2019
_______________________________________________________________
A complaint was received by the Committee on 3 December 2018. The Committee met to discuss this on 18 December. The full Minutes of this Meeting and associated documents may be found by clicking (1) the drop-down menu above labelled 'Committee Minutes 2018' and then (2) '18 December 2018'. In future all Minutes of Club Committee Meetings will be published on this website.
A summary of the outcome of the Committee's evaluation of the complaint is given below:
Summary of Executive Committee Decisions following a complaint concerning the letter circulated before and during the 2018 AGM from Lund, Adams, Shales, Coote & Jackson
The Committee discussed the complaint at length and their deliberations are recorded in the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of 18 December 2018 on this website. No disciplinary action will be taken. However, the Committee reiterate the warning in Appendix A of the Constitution covering Disciplinary policy, that: “Members are particularly reminded of the dangers of forwarding and broadcasting personal emails containing comments which might be construed as disrespectful.” Any future such communications will be viewed more severely in the post-Overstrand era.
There is no impact of this complaint on the Statement made by the Club concerning the Overstrand Incident, on 6 December 2018.
The Committee checked the allegations in the letter against Club records and were concerned that the letter contained several inaccuracies and unsubstantiated statements. These are set out in a separate document. The Committee will not enter into any debate on whether, with further investigation or evidence, the claims in the AGM Letter can be substantiated. For the sake of transparency the Committee states what is in its records so that members can understand why it acted as it did.
On 6 December, a statement was sent to all Club members from the Executive committee stating inter alia that:
The parties to the Overstrand incident will not pursue any historical grievances.
The Committee will not entertain any such complaints, considering them to be time expired.
The Executive Committee of the Norfolk Seniors now considers the Overstrand incident and
all disciplinary issues following on from it to be finally closed.
Fixtures for 2019 are now given, on a separate page (Fixtures 2019)
of this website
The Minutes for the 2017 AGM are available to view under the drop down menu for AGMs.
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Reports of most of the games played in 2014,2015,2016 and 2017 can be found in the drop down reports menu. To access this, just go back up to the brown tab for 'Latest Information'; the Reports page is accessible as a sub-menu from this brown tab.
Reports of most of the games played in 2014,2015,2016 and 2017 can be found in the drop down reports menu. To access this, just go back up to the brown tab for 'Latest Information'; the Reports page is accessible as a sub-menu from this brown tab.
