Bards celebrate a season to remember
THE Stratford Bards have had a season to remember, with club records tumbling on an almost weekly basis and they crowned it by sealing promotion to Cotswold Hills League Division Three.
Steve Cootes, a regular Bards player this season and club chairman, collected the Division Four runners-up plate at the Cotswold Hills League’s awards event last Friday.
“It’s been a fantastic summer for the club,” said Cootes.
“Every player made a contribution to a memorable season. We’ve seen some youngsters like Finlay Hatch, Tom Whitting and Luke Nardone come through and perform with distinction.
“Sadly, the weather played its part in preventing us from properly challenging for the league title.
“We had five games abandoned due to rain, two of which were against league winners Dorridge and Hockley Heath.
“It’s a real shame as I think both of the games would have been competitive.”
The Bards have now achieved promotion for two successive seasons and they have now firmly set their sights on returning to the league’s top flight.
The club merged with Stratford-upon-Avon Cricket Club in 2011, then competing in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division.
However, as has been the trend across the amateur game nationally, playing membership dwindled and forced the disbandment of the first XI in 2013.
In 2014, the club decided to drop what was effectively the second XI to Division Five to enable them to compete at a level.
When asked what has prompted such a notable resurgence in the club’s fortunes, Cootes added: “Having taken over the running of the club in 2014, I met with Emma Holman-West from the Alscot Estate, home to our beautiful Alscot Park ground.
“I put forward a number of ideas to improve the facilities and bring pride back to the playing membership. Based on invaluable support from Emma and her team, we have combined to refurbish the pavilion and enhance the playing facilities.
“The Alscot Estate has also sponsored kit, giving renewed status and presence to the team, in turn contributing to strong player recruitment of some experienced old heads and emerging young talent.
“There’s an exciting future ahead and we’re all looking forward to next season.”
Anyone interested in joining the club should visit the club’s website at www.stratfordcricketclub.com/contact
