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Reply | Colchester Cricket & Beer Festival
at 15:59 16 Jun 2024
What a treat spectators in Castle Park had yesterday in a rain affected fixture. Colchester moved clear at the top of the league after smashing 219 in merely 34 overs.
Sadly, 195 minutes and hence 56 overs were lost to the weather, but Joe MacGregor and Charlie Allison both hit 70+, Charlie in a spectacular six fest, with one clearing a Catchpool Road roof, without question, the biggest hit I have witnessed in a decade.
Then Loughton were soon reeling at 8-4, recovering to 78-6, with eight catchers around the bat. This was declaration/timed one day cricket at its tactical best. Bowling out any Premier Division side in 30 overs is nigh on impossible. The match was ultimately drawn with Colchester taking 14 bonus points. Next Saturday, it’s the top of the table shoot-out at Chelmer Park, Chelmsford, and the good news is long injured Scottish U19 International, Mackenzie Jones, is expected to be fit to bowl. |
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Thread | Colchester Cricket & Beer Festival
at 07:43 15 Jun 2024
Just a date for your diaries. 24th to 28th July, Lower Castle Park.
30+ Real Ales & Ciders.
Craft Ale in conjunction with Two Brews.
Comprehensive Pavilion Bar.
Quality cricket every day Thursday to Sunday.
Today (15/06) the First XI host Loughton CC (11:00 start) and we welcome the return of England U19, Charlie Allison and Scotland U19 Mackenzie Jones to the Colchester team, which also includes Joe MacGregor (Captain, Loughborough University) and Simon Fernandes (Essex CCC Second XI). The bar will be open , free admission, and the match will also be live streamed via the Colchester Play Cricket website and YouTube.
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Reply | Cricket question for Noah.
at 16:16 10 Jun 2024
Sadly, we have multiple players absent because (a) their Headmasters won’t release them from schools cricket, or (b) they are still away at distant university or (c), holiday absence being taken before the youngsters break up from school and vacation prices double.
Frankly, this happens every year, but is more acute, we having revived the Third XI. But in a few weeks we will probably have so many players return and become available that some won’t get a game. Schools cricket is particularly frustrating. What is the value in our teenage stars hitting 100 every week in junior cricket when they could be challenging in the highest standard of recreational adult cricket?
Both Men’s and Women’s XI’s are topping the Essex Premiership. Just need more strength in depth. [Post edited 10 Jun 16:18]
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Reply | Cricket question for Noah.
at 07:22 9 Jun 2024
Peter Hatzoglou is one heck of a bowler. Last week, at Castle Park, he reeled off 10 overs for a mere 12 runs as Colchester batters carefully saw him off, but we plundered runs from the other end when defeating Buckhurst Hill.
Fortunately Hatzoglou is heading for the Caribbean Big Bash before we encounter Buckhurst Hill again. Seeing him reel off 21 overs in the declaration format might have been daunting, albeit he conceded 57 in his ten overs yesterday. At Castle Park, he failed with the bat as wily veteran bowler Ben Stephens sent him back to the Pavilion with only 8 against his name on my scoreboard. What a game of fluctuating fortunes cricket can be. Buckhurst Hill is also a postage stamp ground, so high scores can be expected.
However, whilst yesterday Hatzoglou hit 185 against Brentwood, fellow Aussie Jordan Silk (174 not out) and James Redwood (90) of Brentwood CC must consider themselves unlucky to be on the losing side. Brentwood hit 341, and at the interval nobody would have bet a penny on Buckhurst Hill getting close to that.
Yesterday, Colchester’s Joe MacGregor again found form hitting a superb 106, backed up by Guy Haines (73) and Scottish U19 International, Mackenzie Zones (33) as they defeated Chingford by 9 wickets. Colchester remain joint top of the Essex Premier League with Chelmsford on 85 points. The talent and hence entertainment featuring in the Essex Premier League is simply awesome.
Next weekend (15/06) the visitors to Castle Park are Loughton CC, start 11:00 AM. Loughton have been the surprise package this season with three victories in five, including being the only side to inflict a defeat on Colchester this season. As ever, it is free admission and decent (bottled) real ale available. Also put 24th July to 28th July in your diary when the annual Cricket & Beer Festival returns. 35 real ales and ciders, great cricket, we just need the sunshine after last year’s biblical deluge. [Post edited 9 Jun 7:37]
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Reply | New Parking procedure at JCS
at 00:51 1 Jun 2024
I didn’t hear about the club’s Facebook response until after I started this thread. The general opinion seems to be that there has been a misunderstanding.
Yes, on a match day, Away Supporters must pay, just like home supporters, but surely there is no intent to penalise those home fans parking to catch the CUSA bus when the U’s are away?
Also, let’s assume an exception does apply where travelling U’s Away support can register their cars. What happens if the CUSA bus doesn’t arrive back until after midnight?
I am sure this can be resolved, but fans need to ask the right questions. |
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Thread | New Parking procedure at JCS
at 04:12 31 May 2024
The new ANPR system is perhaps inevitable, given the opening of the Northern Gateway. If not, people using the various restaurants will use the football club parking rather than the designated leisure park parking.
On First XI match days, all car visitors will pre-pay as normal.
On non-First XI match days, visitors to an event at the stadium must register their cars on the touch screens in Reception for free parking, else they pay. Fair enough.
What is unclear is how it will work for CUSA members that meet at the Stadium and travel to away games by CUSA bus. We typically arrive and park our cars before Reception is open and often depart after midnight when it is shut.
How do we gain exemption, or is the club going to financially penalise its most loyal followers? A solution is necessary, else the club will score a massive ‘own goal’.
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Reply | On the Road for 2024/25
at 22:46 6 May 2024
Unless I am mistaken Wessex, all your calculations are based on one way trips. I reckon we have gained and lost double your numbers. On a previous occasion, we were the most travelled fans excluding those that compete in Europe. Now, there is no dispute. |
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Reply | Football today
at 07:01 5 May 2024
After talking to some jubilant, but concerned casual, non-season ticket holding Ipswich fans in the pub last evening, I think their promotion may do us many favours. Relatively small Portman Road will inevitably enjoy an increase in season ticket numbers while the away accommodation must be enlarged to meet greater demand from the travelling hoards. This will squeeze out many casual football fans that simply want to see a game.
I have always followed my local team, came to Colchester in 2003, and ultimately became an enthusiast, home and away. But whilst an ardent U’s fan, I still take an active interest in Villa, Bristol City and Millwall results and many of the “Col U till I die” brigade perhaps can’t understand this, but maybe they haven’t ever found themselves as a footie fanatic relocating all over the country in pursuit of work.
20+ years ago, I lived with sight of Charlton’s ground in their Premier League era. I had a number of neighbours (e.g. pub acquaintances) that simply wanted to watch decent football. It was impossible to get an on the day of match ticket at the Valley, so our regular Saturday day out was to Millwall FC or perhaps Brentford or Orient, frankly anywhere we could get tickets.
When I first arrived in Colchester, I would alternate between Col U and Ipswich home games, until eventually I fell in with a group of U’s fans, realised my residency in Essex was long term, and nailed my blue & white colours to my wall. I know of a significant number that might (until recently) follow both local clubs, but now won’t get tickets at Portman Road. Others won’t wish to follow the mainstream, and will deliberately support the other local team (us).
I reckon Ipswich success will raise general enthusiasm for all local professional football, and assist our gates, because football enthusiasts won’t be able to secure Ipswich tickets. This momentum will be helped by the Cowley factor and Robbie holding season ticket prices (with additional discount for early birds). I do feel that the Col U revolution predicted by Danny will start in August and the Ipswich promotion will benefit us, especially if Nodge fail in the Play Offs and we become a closer rival, more like Forest and County. Yes, we might suffer some bitter scorn from gloating Ipshite scum, but every cloud has a blue and white lining. |
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Reply | Expect the real Colchester United to turn up at the JCS for historic victory
at 07:59 28 Apr 2024
Best of both worlds for me… ….eventually….
I couldn’t be at the game because I was scoring the Buckhurst Hill versus Colchester & EE Cricket Dukes League Cup first round. Things looked bleak when the pitch was deemed unplayable at the scheduled start, a delay before more inspections, and I then faced the prospect of the umpires calling it off later, with no time to travel back to Colchester, to use my season ticket. Then the likely prospect of sitting in my car in a car park watching SkyGo, hopeful of an Internet signal on the edge of Epping Forest, a known Internet black spot. The U’s match being broadcast live was however a huge bonus as I usually miss the last couple of U’s fixtures and I at least had options.
We got underway at 1300, and I managed to concentrate on scoring with one eye on SkyGo thanks to the cooperation of my colleague scorer, whose diligence ensured I missed no crucial umpire signals (how unprofessional of me!!!!). The tea interval meant I could watch uninterrupted a full 30 minutes without the distraction of cricket, and I did watch the whole game again in the evening.
Colchester secured a fine win by seven wickets, thanks to staying out long enough in fine drizzle to pass the twenty overs required to constitute a result and exceed the DLS target by 24 runs. A couple of wickets might have mathematically swung DLS in favour of the home side, but eventually the downpour ended proceedings, by which time other U’s fans were celebrating in the pubs.
I drove back elated, given the Colchester double (yes, I know the U’s drew), after weeks of Saturday stress. I had been grieving for a week after my relegation from the HGPL, and I hadn’t felt so uplifted in months. Focus now is on cricket, and the Essex Premier League and Cup.
It’s always free admission in Castle Park where the refurbished and comfortable pavilion bar offers decent and inexpensive ( bottled) real ale, plus the return of the popular cricket & beer festival in July. If you are now at a loose end on a Saturday, you will all be made welcome. The quality of local Premier League cricket is remarkable. |
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Reply | Colchester United Chess Tournament?
at 22:56 24 Apr 2024
I have a magnificent hand carved Chess set that I purchased in an artisan woodworking shop in Poland, akin to a World Championship Classic Staunton design but in quality timber (but might be stained pine). It will be a privilege to use it against such a worthy opponent as you Ray.
Do you think I should live stream said contest? How about a spectator’s admission charge for charity? Might Mr Happy run a book on it? Will Jon Waldron publish a progressive match report in the Gazette. Shall we have a small wager for charity? My agent will contact you about contract terms in due course…. |
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Reply | The Final (Season ) Countdown .
at 21:12 24 Apr 2024
I’ve got a cricket scoring commitment, so am praying for rain on Saturday morning. But if not, I can now have one eye on SkyGo. But can my nerves and mental health handle it? I felt physically sick last night.
But the fact is, even if we lose, Sutton need to do more than win and overcome the current four goal deficit. It is actually a five GD deficit (in effect) as we have the higher “goals for” column, so they must do one better to stay level . Frankly, I reckon we must avoid any more than a 2-0 defeat to be safe, as Sutton are highly unlikely to thrash MKD. Yes, MKD will have one eye on the play offs, but leaking three goals without reply against Sutton is surely unlikely, but I wouldn’t bet my house on it. Surely we can’t fcuk this up?
As for the Cowleys, charismatic yes, but I’m not sure whether they inherited a box of frogs or like so many before them have failed to get something from a talented squad. I think it is the former and half the side are not EFL standard. Only the Summer Transfer Window will testify. |
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Reply | Colchester United Chess Tournament?
at 21:50 22 Apr 2024
Throws down gauntlet….I’ll give you a game Ray…
Warning, I was unbeaten in 300 + games during Covid lockdown. What else could we do night after night in a (straight male) “social need” bubble of a mere two with a cooler full of wine to amuse us?
Excessive consumption of said alcoholic beverage did produce a couple of draws, and one stalemate, but my regular opponent rarely threatened my Sicilian Defence. Over time, it got ever more intense as he was determined to eventually beat me before the pandemic got me, but vaccination defeated such ambition. My best tactic was slow play and to delay the end game until he was on his second bottle. I realise that such tactics won’t work with you, but I reckon I could still bore you into a resignation. Maybe we need a Chess Clock?
When I did play league Chess seriously, (40-50 years ago), my worst league defeats always came at the Worcestershire College for the Blind (now renamed for the visually impaired), then located in Powick (Worcester). The wholly unsighted guys there did everything by mere touch and memory on a tiny tactile board with unusually shaped pieces (black had a spike on top). That was arguably, the most inspiring recreational skill I have ever witnessed. But then, I was also once on the losing side whilst top scoring when playing for a Surrey representative cricket XI in a charity event versus “England Blind”. They made us bat first, so we didn’t work out that there are more effective ways of hitting a steel ball with a bell in it than with the toe of a cricket bat. Frankly, I reckon I’d lose at darts too. Amazing and inspiring how some folk can overcome disabilities. Utter respect! |
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Reply | Jim Ratcliffe ran the London Marathon aged 71
at 21:03 22 Apr 2024
I ran my first marathon dressed as a tomato sauce bottle. Came last ,as I simply couldn’t ketchup. I’ve now completed around 1300, if we include Snickers…..
More seriously, as a teenager (around 50 years ago) I twice completed the Young Georgians 50 mile challenge. This event started in Kidderminster at 18-00 and circumnavigated the Worcestershire countryside main roads overnight with negligible stewarding, finishing in the early morning, although in my case my crossing the tape conveniently coincided with the pubs opening as we merely jogged. Can you imagine a few hundred runners/walkers attempting this overnight on modern roads? Back in those days, traffic was so light it simply wasn’t a hazard, but pathway brambles, dog poo and torrential rain certainly were. It would then take three days to recover. I reckon that today I would struggle to jog 50 yards, but will hop, skip and jump home if we get a point tomorrow. |
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Reply | Happy League 2023/24 The Final Tables
at 06:59 22 Apr 2024
Thanks Mick for managing a superb season, albeit a relegation disaster for me. I’m looking forward to your usual analysis of results, so I can adjust my future tactics.
For many seasons I have enjoyed HLPL success by avoiding predicting draws and I suspect that in this last season the incidence of 1-1 and 2-2 have been uncharacteristically high (?), whilst 1-0, 0-1, 2-1 and 1-2 probably feature on far fewer occasions than normal? Extended added time has probably increased the average goals per game (?) and I reckon that is where I need to adjust future tactics.
My formulaic tactics based on historic propensity of some scores to feature most have this season failed me by a huge shortfall of three pointers, despite me being top of the outcomes. Three pointers are crucial, and that’s a reminder to DC and NC as too many draws have also put the U’s on brink of relegation. |
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Reply | And now you're gonna believe us, the U's are staying up!
at 17:49 20 Apr 2024
I reckon our pitch, hence resultant postponements and rearrangements contributed to an uncharacteristic, leggy, weary performance. Fortunately Crawley (almost) read the script and Sutton need to reverse a seven goal difference deficit, but with Doncaster scoring for fun, we can’t yet be comfortable.
This has to be the last season of despair. Almost two decades of decline and latterly four appalling seasons is taking its toll on loyal supporters. 765 travelled today. Let’s hope the Cowleys deliver change. |
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Reply | And now you're gonna believe us, the U's are staying up!
at 16:05 20 Apr 2024
HT, 0-0, the U’s defending well under Magpie pressure, but other than each side hitting the bar, not much in the way of goal scoring opportunities for either. Crawley beating Sutton, so we might be safe irrespective of what happens in Nottingham.
Frankly, I can’t predict the outcome here. A 0-0 draw stalemate might be appropriate based on the first half. However, the U’s are looking a little leggy and weary, the pitch issues and postponements perhaps catching up. But the Magpies have exhausted a lot of energy for no reward. Canny substitutions might determine the outcome. |
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Thread | STH fans Forum
at 19:53 18 Apr 2024
Anybody else watching the live stream? It’s now the HT break.
In the first half, I was impressed with the Cowley’s strategy planning. More like an MBA graduates’s business plan than regular perceptions of football. However, simply presented and most players and U’s staff should grasp its sound principles.
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Reply | Pay the Penalty.
at 07:00 17 Apr 2024
It is six consecutive missed penalties if we include the penalty shoot-out at Cardiff. |
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