After eight years of playing in the Worcestershire County League, Ross Cricket Club have formally requested a return to the Marches League for 2017.

The decision to switch was taken at a recent players meeting where it was unanimously agreed that the enjoyment of playing for both senior and junior players alike was the first priority and that this objective would be better served by returning to the Marches League.

Club Secretary, Jim Lewis told the Ross Gazette: “The club recognises that cricket is being played by fewer people now than it was a decade ago and this decision was taken with the future very much in mind.

“We have always had a pathway for junior members to break into senior cricket and they need to feel comfortable with the environment around them when stepping up to play in the first team. By making this switch we know that the gap between 1st and 2nd XI playing standards will be smaller and the win at all costs attitudes encountered in recent times will be replaced with a more socially acceptable cricketing experience. So, whilst the competitive edge will still remain, I would expect that the pathway set out for our youngsters will see them striving for success whilst enjoying their cricket, telling their friends and, hopefully, this will lead to more interest and morebpeople playing cricket.”

The club made their views known directly to the Worcestershire League a year ago and asked them to work with them but there was not a very satisfactory response so they took the decision to resign from the WCL and, subject to final approval at the Marches League AGM, come back home.

The decision was announced at the recent awards night and very well received by the 80 or so members in attendance. A great night took place with James Tiffen taking both the batting and bowling awards for the first team. Tom Edwards (batting) and Charlie Cole (bowling) took the second team honours with junior breakthrough awards being presented to Adam Davies, Cameron Hill and Alexander Springer for making the step up into senior cricket.

Junior award winners were as follows;

U15 batsman – Charlie Cole, bowler – Cameron Hill, player of the year – Marcus Bailey.

U13 Herefordshire League batsman – Ethan Lerego, bowler – Chloe Tingle, player of the year – Adam Davies.

U13 Leadon Vale batsman – Robbie Nixon, bowler – Alexander Springer, player of the year – Alistair Cook.

U11 batsman – Mikey Nixon, bowler –Tom Moor, player of the year – Will Morris

Thanks to sponsors Nigel Morris of Morris Bricknell and Mike Goodwin from Harrison Clark Rickerbys for making the presentations.

Finally, once again the ‘bake off’ competition was well supported and this year the winning entry was provided by Sandra Middlecote with her Olympic themed cake of medals.