There is just a month until our first league game - the Men's Saturday 1s are away to Stowupland for their first Division Five fixture on April 18. That game is followed by 21 more tough league games over the successive weeks - can Tom Sidhu and the boys make it two titles in a row?

The Men's Sunday 1s are bidding to make it three titles in a row and their Hunts Division Two season starts on May 3 at Long Melford.

The Men's Saturday 2s do not start their league fixtures until May 9 when Eddie's team are at home to Brightlingsea 2nds. Before that we have a friendly T20 at Framlingham College on Friday April 24.

Overall there are plenty of fixtures and plenty of opportunities for everybody to play their part in a busy season - make sure you are up for it. Go to https://meltonstaudrys.play-cricket.com to see all the fixtures and perhaps peruse your past performances and statistics. Set yourself some targets for 2026. Make sure you are registered as a member of the site for full access.

Men's training continues on Wednesday nights (7.30 until 8.30 at Woodbridge School dome) and we will start outdoor nets after Easter.

But to make all that possible on the field we have a momentous but exciting challenge off it - to raise enough money to help buy the ground. We are in negotiations with Hopkins Homes as part of the Sports & Social Club and a number of individuals are putting in a huge effort to make it possible. We hope to secure various grants but the target is still a long way off. But every one of us can make a difference - are you supporting YOUR committee and officials to secure the future of cricket at Melton?
Go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/staudrys-club-freehold and back Melton's Big Appeal. Individuals or businesses can donate as much or as little as they can manage - every little helps.

And, of course, we have our 24-hour net practice challenge on March 28-29. I hope we can rely on everybody joining in, either by taking part, turning up to offer support - or just by donating. We have four players who are planning to carry out the full 24-hour challenge - Tamsin, Charlotte J, Lily M and Natty - and they have organised their own sponsorships. Why not give them a boost by making a donation? In addition Eddie and Mark are both taking on 12-hour stints as coaches/organisers.

Thanks to some great work by our various managers and coaches all of our age groups are taking part and there is considerable rivalry to see which group can raise the largest amount. Many thanks to Woodbridge School for making this possible by offering the use of the sports dome.
This is a great opportunity for the whole club to work together - make sure you play your part. Because it is the weekend when the clocks go forward the full challenge is from 8am on Saturday to 9am on Sunday - that last hour may be the hardest of all. Can you turn up and cheer them on to the finish line?
And it is also a great opportunity to carry out some intense personal training. Coaches will be on hand to offer advice and the bowling machine will be available on request. Of course you will have aches and pains afterwards - but you will have earned the right to be proud of those minor inconveniences as they demonstrate that the summer is edging ever closer.

To set you up for the season I encourage you to look at the link below, written over a century ago.
Twas ever thus!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/08/from-the-archive-1921-the-return-of-cricket

Malcolm Grubb, Chairman MSACC

Malcolm has once again done a grand job in compiling all of the Men's and Women's scorebooks and stats for the full 2021 season. Click on the buttons below to find out who took the wickets and catches and who scored the runs!

It was a great end to our Cricket Week, particularly after the disappointment of losing Friday's activities to heavy rain. The sun came out for the Legends and so did a number of familiar faces from the past. Stuart D looked like he'd never been away, starting with a sharp catch in the opening and another at the end and then adding a 30+ retirement with the bat. Joe launched himself for a spectacular one-handed catch, Darren refreshed his memory as he opened the bowling and Richard hit the stumps three times (which would have met with approval from Stefan). Josh S would have enjoyed cleaning up Josh B with his seldom-seen seamers and we were happy to share the occasion with a Legend from another local team as Bruce collected another wicket to add to his vast haul for Woodbridge over many years.

The Melton Sunday side total was a manageable 137 and with retirement scores from Tom Sid and Stuart the Legends got home with five wickets and six overs to spare. This included two good wickets for Max and two for skipper Tom, who prevented the senior legend from adding to his club total.

It was good to see a few other Legends who put in an appearance - presumably Adam, Jack and Mick are now too old to play proper cricket (!)

And, of course, there was another chance to see Dougie behind the timbers. It was another tidy performance to add to the 500+ appearances he has made since 1996. Dot was there to support him and us - as she has done for all of those 500+ days of cricket. Also off the field we were grateful for Peter and Co for providing the barbecue and for Kate for keeping the finances and the scorebook in order. It was pleasing that the day created some more Melton memories and also raised additional funds for the club's ambitious future plans. It all helps to ensure more Melton Legends will be created over the years to come.

The match was an opportunity for the Legends to see the promise of the younger players coming through at Melton; for those younger players to appreciate the dedication and loyalty behind the runs and wickets on the records of the Legends; and to reflect on those who were unable to join us on a lovely day in the sun.

Malcolm has been busy tracking down and compiling all of the Men's scorebooks and stats for the 2020 (half) season. Click on the button below to find out who took the wickets and catches and who scored the runs!

Hello! Hello!

A unique season actually started on July 11 with an enjoyable inter-club friendly. Team Stokes were triumphant against Team Bowyer in the battle of the Joshes.

There was some good cricket played at times, several neatly-taken catches and the usual fireworks from Jothi. We slowly got used to the new routines including six-over breaks for hand sanitiser, not returning the ball around the fielders, etc. Most people got a bat and/or a bowl, a few looked like they may have played the game before while others looked as if it was the first time they had ever seen a cricket bat!! The teas were great (everybody brought their own) and a cheeky bottle of beer afterwards went down well. And with an 11am start it was all done and dusted by 5pm. That could be the way forward - we shall see.

We have a 10-match programme against local sides to come, with two teams in action. Let Phil/Eddie and/or Malcolm/Mark know your availability and we can look forward to some good times on the cricket pitch in July, August and September.

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Club Dinner, to be held at the club on Friday 22nd November, from 7pm.

Join in the celebrations as the whole club acknowledges the stars of 2019.

There is a two-course dinner, followed by our annual club awards for Men's and Ladies' teams, as well as a raffle.

Dress to impress!

MENU:

Main Course

1/ Roast turkey with chipolatas and bacon roll, homemade sage and onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, cranberry sauce, bread sauce and gravy
2/ Poached salmon supreme with a prawn dill and cream sauce
3/ Homemade puy lentil and nut roast with a fresh tomato and basil sauce

All of the above are served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes

Desserts

1/ Homemade Apple pie with cream, custard or ice cream
2/ Homemade Christmas pudding with custard, cream, ice cream or brandy butter
3/ Chocolate and orange cheesecake
4/ Fresh fruit salad

Fresh filter coffee / tea and mints

Tickets are £22 per head (£17 for under 18s) if paid for in advance* - why not book a table? To book your tickets please phone Dot Andrews on 01394 411037 or email Deane Weller with number of tickets required and your menu choices, by 15th November.

* or £25 / £20 if paying on the night. To pay in advance please transfer the relevant amount to the club's account online (20-98-07 | 13479102) or give cash / cheque to Dot or Deane.

N.B. For senior players currently paying by monthly standing order, one ticket is included free in your subscription - additional tickets can be purchased for £22.

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Club Dinner, to be held at the club on Saturday 29th September, from 7pm.

It's sure to be a fantastic night for everyone!

There is a two-course dinner, followed by our annual club awards for Men's and Ladies' teams, as well as a raffle.

Dress to impress!

Tickets are on sale now for the annual Club Dinner, to be held at the club on Friday 29th September, from 7pm.

It's sure to be a fantastic night for everyone!

There is a two-course dinner, followed by our annual club awards for Mens and Ladies teams, as well as a raffle and a live band after dinner.

Dress to impress!

Indoor training for senior players starts on Sunday 1st February.

We have booked the sports dome at Woodbridge School from 10.30am - 12pm every Sunday in February and March (with the exception of Mother's Day, 15th March).

Cost is £4 per person, payable on the day. FREE for members who are currently paying by monthly standing order.

New players welcome!

Suffolk Cricket have announced the appointment of our very own Melton Chairman Nick Shrubshall to the role of Chairman of Suffolk Cricket Board from January 2015.

The role involves overseeing the evolution of Suffolk Cricket Board, particular helping manage the ECB’s expectations and requirements of the County Board. Nick's role as Chairman of Melton St Audrys and Melton Achilles Youth Cricket Clubs will be unaffected.

Congratulations to Nick on his appointment from all at the club.