Captain’s Log by Mike Hodgkinson
Captain’s Log – Mike Hodgkinson, Askham Bryan II Captain
All change!! I think is the best way to describe the season so far. Each week, typically, sees us field a team with at least three or four changes to the previous week. This has obviously led to us using a great many players in order to ensure a full team each week. Mark ‘Head Hunter’ Davies was the latest player to make his debut on Saturday making him the 22nd player to turn out for Askham 2nds this year!!
I think it’s fair to say that we had imagined the fifth division to be relatively easy and that has been proven not to be the case. There are some good teams out there and some very good players. We underperformed as a team in the first few weeks. With so many new players coming in and so many changes each week, it’s difficult to get a settled team. However, I can now say with confidence that we have gelled as a team. No matter which eleven we field, everyone knows their place and knows that they have a significant contribution to make. I am not going to mention individuals as we have introduced a lot of new players this season. Many of these people will confess themselves that they are not from a cricketing background. Each has fitted in well to the team and has made a significant contribution in their own way. From what I have seen and heard, everyone is enjoying playing and being part of the club, long may it continue.
Whilst we lost our first three fixtures, I was not too disheartened. The individual performances were still there. With stats like hat tricks (most of us are still in shock), 8-33, 5-24, 97, and 62 the potential was certainly there! I am happy to say that I am now writing this on the back of four good wins in a row. More excellent individual performances have been matched with great, all round, team performances.
So to next week….. I suspect that Welton and Brough will prove stiffer opposition than of late. However, we are fielding a strong team and so I am sure that we will give them a run for their money! A good cup run is always welcome but it’s back to business the following week with an away game at Malton. That fixture will conclude the first half of the season, doesn’t it go quickly? I predict that we will be firmly set in the top half of the table by this point and well set to carry some momentum into the second half of the season.