Fen Ditton
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Fen Ditton
CRICKET CLUB
DITTON GOING PLACES ACROSS ALL AGES
By Michael McCann
@MLMC_123
www.fendittoncricket.co.uk
L
ocated
just
outside
Cambridge on the banks
of the River Cam, Fen
Ditton Cricket Club has a
flourishing youth and senior set-up
that actively welcomes new players of
all ages and abilities.
The 1st XI are chasing a promotion
from the first division of the
Cambridgeshire Cricket Association
Junior League that would cap a
remarkable recent rise. This would
be a fourth elevation in five seasons,
including being crowned champions of
Division 3 in 2011 and Division 2 in 2014.
The latter triumph was sealed through
nine consecutive League wins, and five
more in succession at the start of 2015
made it 14 in a row, a club record.
Though defeats have been suffered
since, Ditton still have a fighting chance
of promotion, superb given that both
previous stays in Junior 1 ended in
instant relegation. Skipper Adam
Wilson has been an inspirational leader
with bat and ball throughout, whilst last
season Adam Brown set the club record
for highest individual score (150*) and
most runs in a season (685).
Recent years have seen Ditton
establish a talented and ambitious
group of players, but success has not
come simply through this. There has
been an important emphasis on the
social side of the game, with events
throughout the year well-attended by
villagers and players alike. This includes
the off-season, with shirt sponsorship
from local pubs The Kings Head &
The Ancient Shephards, in addition to
automotive traders AutoKare, reflecting
a truly village feel.
This allows the club to charge very
reasonable membership and match
fees compared to surrounding teams.
Moreover, many are prepared to serve
the club in ways more than playing various current players serve on the
committee in a wide array of roles.
Most notably Andy Hayward has
been a secretary and player since 1982,
when the club first formed, including
managing all aspects of an impressive
club website.
1st XI players Brown, David
Laflin and Mark Vaughan-Shaw have
designed and implemented the junior
coaching programme, which began
Images courtesy of Michael McCann
34 Issue 42
Fen Ditton Club Info - www.fendittoncricket.co.uk - Twitter : @fendittoncc