SHIRESHEAD & FORTON CRICKET CLUB

History of the Junior Section

CLICK HERE TO PROCEED TO THE BEGINNINGS IN THE 1970s
Click here for Jonathan Lamley's reflections {c1990}
Click here for Tom Battarbee's reflections {1995-2000}

INDEX OF JUNIOR TEAM PHOTOS
The first junior team in 1976
1977: a star in the making
A group of juniors c1982
Under-13s at Old Trafford
Lads v Dads in 1985
Yes, Andrew Flintoff once played at Shireshead
The Under-16s in 1995
Under-13 League Champions in 1997
On the way to Under-16 League Championship in 1998
Under-15 County Champions in 1998
Runners-up in the U-15 County Championship in 1999
Under-16 Cup Winners 2000
Under-16 League Champions 2002
Shireshead Show Ponies 2005
Victory for the Show Ponies in 2007

THE FIRST JUNIOR TEAMS — PROGRESS IN THE 1970s
A junior section of the club was properly established in 1976, though before that teams representing the village youth club, of which Terry Mansfield was leader, had played some matches on the club's ground against neighbouring villages. One of these, between Forton and Scorton in1973, is of interest because Dave Richmond, Phil Winstanley, Colin Twiname and Mark Yates all played, two on each side. Their individual achievements make interesting reading. Dave, playing for Scorton, took 5 wickets for 1 run, one of his victims being Colin bowled for a duck; then Colin replied by taking 5 wickets for 11, and he also caught out Dave off the bowling of Mark Yates, our current club Chairman. These achievements were hardly pointers for the future, for none of the three developed as leading bowlers! Phil Winstanley played for Scorton and had a poor game, scoring just one run and taking only one wicket for 10 runs; he later became a star bowler and good batsman for Shireshead and subsequently for Garstang.

The first match in June 1976 was a friendly against Garstang when we were captained by Ian Twiname, with Andrew Cragg as wicketkeeper.
Here is a photo of that first team
  

In our two friendly games against Garstang in August 1976, the young Clifford Wellings scored 43 and 23 no and Shireshead lost both encounters, but we did achieve our first win against another club (Heysham) that year with captain Ian Twiname scoring 32 [Heysham 46/8, Shireshead 47/3]. This was the first of many fine contributions by Ian in those early years.

In 1977 we entered a structured competition for the first time. It was organised by Eddie Richardson of Carnforth and involved U-16 and U-14 teams. The U-16s played weekly, and though there was no formal league table it was soon known that Shireshead represented strong competition. These were the U-16s results in 1977 [20 overs per side, max 4 per bowler]:

May 16th: Shireshead 83/5 (C Cox 34) Warton 72/5
May 25th: Morecambe 67/4  Shireshead 69/1 (I Twiname 38 no, D Jolleys 22 no)
May 30th: Torrisholme 78/7 (M Kirby 3/22)  Shireshead 82/2 (I Twiname 49 no)
June 8th: Carnforth 95/4  Shireshead 87/7
June 23rd: Shireshead 79/7 (S Adams 22) Heysham 59/7 (S Adams 3/4)
June 27th: Lancaster 83/4  Shireshead 86/3 (S Adams 33 I Twiname 28)
July 7th: Shireshead 60 (C Cox 20) Warton 61/7 (A Walton 3/7)
July 11th: Morecambe 50/9 (J Carr 3/3, I Twiname 2/5) Shireshead 53/1 (I Twiname 33 no)
July 18th: Torrisholme 37 (M Atkinson 3/6 A Walton 2/3  J Carr 2/4) Shireshead 39/9 ( J Carr 16)
July 28th: Carnforth 87/6 (T Mawson 49 no) Shireshead 31/6
August 8th: Heysham 59/8  Shireshead 62/3 (I Twiname 24)
August 17th: Shireshead 76/7 (I Twiname 19) Lancaster 80 (Hoyle 35 no  Elridge 38 n o)
PLAYED 12 WON 8 LOST 4
Ian Twiname's captaincy as well as his own personal performances played a huge part in the successes in 1977.

SO MUCH POTENTIAL!

Phil Oliver in 1977 and 2007
These photos indicate the value of the club's youth policy.
Who in 1977 would have predicted that this small boy would soon become our finest all-rounder?

Seasons 1978 & 1979 will not be analysed in detail, but a few particular achievements should not be overlooked.
On 21st June 1978 Shireshead U-16s played a Carnforth team containing several names now familiar: D Derham, R Nelson, P Weatherill and R Clarkson. Ian Twiname clean bowled the first two of these cheaply, and Shireshead won handsomely reaching 86/4 in the 15th over in reply to 82/9, David Jolleys scoring 50 no. On 26th June 1978 there was a fine victory over Lancaster U-16s, with John Carr making 34 no. We were, however, easily beaten by Torrisholme U-16s, for whom David Haywood scored 30 no. But the greatest excitement was to come on 10th August 1978 in a U-16 match between Shireshead and Dumfries. Keith Thornton, who had played a major part in our success in the early 70s, had moved to Dumfries and joined the excellent cricket club there. They had a good junior section, and a coach party of juniors and adult supporters travelled up for the day. Our strong junior side struggled against some good bowling and only one player reached double figures — John Carr made 101 not out in a total of 146/8 out of which the rest of the team only contributed 33 from the bat. Although the match was only a "friendly" it was a remarkable performance and it was the first century ever made by a player representing Shireshead. This fine innings was not an isolated achievement by John, for in the 1979 season he made 65no and 48 no against Morecambe and 51no in a fine win over Lancaster at Lune Road. The Lancaster IX included Graham Clarke, Duncan Hall and Danny Welbourne. The scorebook has one entry in John's innings which is rare indeed: he was credited with 9 off one ball from Danny Welbourne when a shot just failed to reach the boundary, a misfield allowed 5 to be run, and then in the confusion there were 4 overthrows. In 1978/79 Andrew Cragg appeared in most U-16 games and Tim Mansfield and Phil Oliver appeared for U-14s and U-12s.

In 1980 junior cricket in our area entered a new phase with the introduction of the Junior Section of the South Lakeland {now Westmorland} League.

SHIRESHEAD JUNIORS IN THE 1980s

The South Lakeland League introduced a Junior Section in 1980, under the leadership of Eddie Smith (Milnthorpe) and Terry Mansfield (Shireshead). The competition was for under-16 teams (league and knock-out cup), and 28 clubs entered in the first season. In the Lancaster area the former under-14 knock-out cup competition was replaced by an under-14 league, though still competing for the former trophy and still organised by Eddie Richardson. Shireshead also entered that competition. Our junior section had expanded rapidly and now, 5 years after its formation, there were 52 members.

We won no trophies in 1980, but some personal achievements are worth recording. In the first league match against Galgate, Mark Rogerson made 51 n.o.and later against Morecambe he made 49 n.o. [at that time there was no rule requiring batsmen to retire on 30] {Mark was a good all-rounder, and he later joined the RAF, playing as an off-spinner with significant success against some county 2nd XIs. He returned occasionally to play for Shireshead when he was on leave}. The U-14s had significant wins at Morecambe and at Lancaster, Tim Mansfield being top scorer in both (59 n.o. at Lune Road). In an U-11 friendly played at Morecambe Phil Oliver top-scored with 32, and then took 4 wickets for 7 runs including that of Phil Thornton (later a Morecambe 1st team star) for six. In an U-13 friendly against Longton on 22 June 1980 Gavin Moss scored a splendid 102 n.o. out of a total of 137/1. On 13th August 1980, we first encountered Michael Armstrong in a friendly — playing for Lancaster U-12s he made 40 n.o. To conclude the 1980 season, on 20th August we had a U-16 friendly against a strong Penrith team for whom Chris Stockdale {later a big star in local and minor counties cricket} made only four, while for Shireshead Graham Thorley made 62 n.o. as we successfully chased Penrith's total of 123/9.

The 1981 season brought the first trophy for the junior section of the club — we won the U-14 competition organised by Eddie Richardson. This preceded the U-13 league now under the management of the Westmorland League. There were some memorable victories, beginning with one at Carnforth where the home team were bowled out for just 17 which included 9 extras. Shireshead made 19/0 of which Paul Dennison made 17 n.o. with a six and two fours. At Bentham, Jonathan Timmis scored 44 n.o out of Shireshead's 95/6 and the home team made 71/7 (Phil Oliver 3 for 7, Peter Mansfield 3 for 9). In the home game against Heysham we made 75/7 and the visitors were bowled out for 41 (P Mansfield 4 for 6). At Torrisholme we scored 86/3 (Gavin Moss 32, Paul Dennison 27 n.o.) and tight bowling restricted the home team to 63/3). With these wins behind us, we knew that if we beat Morecambe on 16th July, no-one could overtake us in the chase for the trophy. Morecambe batted first and could only reach 72/8, and we made 73/2 helped by an unbroken stand of 40 between Peter Mansfield (30) and Giles Hindle (14).

We do not have a photo of that winning team, but some of the key players are seen in this group thought to be from 1982

Giles Hindle, Darren Watson, Peter Mansfield, Simeon Glen, Sean Whatmuff
Michael Armstrong, Neil Casson, Lloyd Thompson, Stephen Hodgson, Tony Metcalfe

1981 was not a great season for the U-16s, but in one game at Westgate on 24th June when several of the regular players were unavailable, 13-year-old Peter Mansfield joined the team and took 4 wickets in 4 balls, ending with figures of 6 for 14. Two of his victims were Andrew Wilson and Nigel Parkinson, both of whom have distinguished themselves over many years for Westgate.

The 1982 season brought no trophies, but several players who later made many appearances in senior cricket made great progress: Paul Dennison, Stuart Dennison, Simeon Glen, Michael Armstrong, John Bleasdale, Tim & Peter Mansfield, Philip Oliver, Scott Lee. The U-14s had a great win at Morecambe, scoring 124/2 off 20 overs (Lloyd Thompson 53 n.o., Paul Dennison 25, Peter Mansfield 31 n.o.) and restricting the home team to 85/6. Anthony Sixsmith, Scott Lee and Tim Mansfield all made 50s for the U-16s during the season (this was before the introduction of the rule requiring retirement on 30).

The U-16s in 1982

The 1983 season is still remembered for the achievement of the U-13s in the Lancashire-wide 8-a-side competition. Managed by Colin Wilcock, they lost only one game in the north of the county, defeating some major clubs from the Northern League and in the Furness area.
Some notable victories:
v Thornton ICI (Paul Dodd made 24 and there were cheap wickets for Stephen Taylor and Paul Yates)
v Morecambe (Paul Dodd made 16 and there were 3 wickets each for Paul Yates & Stephen Taylor and 2 for Allan Smith)
v St Annes (Phil Oliver top-scored with 20 and took 3 wickets for 8)
v Fleetwood (Phil Oliver 27 but once out, i.e.19 added to the score)
v Furness (John Bleasdale 16, Stephen Taylor 4 for 18)

After defeating Furness, the team qualified to appear at Old Trafford along with three other teams, and though we lost in our semi-final to Roe Green the great occasion will never be forgotten by the young players and the large number of supporters who accompanied them. The team changed in the dressing rooms used in county and test matches, and were served in the restaurant like VIPs.

The 9-man squad in their Shireshead colours outside the famous pavilion
Stephen Taylor  Allan Smith  Andrew Thornton  Andrew Oldham  Andrew Taylor  Paul Yates
 Paul Dodd  Philip Hurst  Philip Oliver John Bleasdale

On their way to the middle: Paul Yates & Philip Oliver

Captain John Bleasdale leads his team down the famous steps

Another team group from the same year

Other notable moments in 1983:
Michael Armstrong hit 3 sixes when scoring 50 in a fine victory over Kendal in the U-16 cup and was run out for 40 in a tied cup game v Morecambe OB.
Paul Dennison made 50 as we beat Morecambe in the U-16 league.
We lost to Westgate U-16s thanks to a 50 by Peter Wilson.
Philip Oliver hit 4 fours and a six in a rapid 31 which set up a victory over Lancaster U-16s at Lune Road
For several years Galgate & Shireshead U-16s competed for the "Sep Wilson Cup". The game in 1983 was a thriller: Shireshead 102/8 (P Mansfield 45, M Armstrong 20) Galgate 103/9 (M Denver 24, G Bleasdale 23).

The 1984 season
Stuart Dennison and Paul Dennison (not related) became regular opening bowlers for the U-16 and very soon they would be making their way in senior cricket. Stephen Taylor took a hat-trick in his 4 for 9 v Galgate U-16s. Peter Mansfield made 54 n.o. at Heysham where Stephen Taylor again excelled, taking 4 for 4, all 4 in one over. At Westgate on 25th July we made 93/5 (P Mansfield 42) and Peter Wilson fell for 0 to Paul Dennison as they replied with 89/8. There was a brutal little knock of 26 by Phil Oliver against Morecambe, with a six and  4 fours. Mark Sutcliffe played some good innings for the U-16s giving a foretaste of things to come.

The 1985 season
Even more players who would soon make their mark in senior cricket began to show their abilities for the juniors. Andrew Larkin and David Carter both played for the U-16s. Phil Oliver continued to develop his taste for hitting boundaries, for example in the first U-16 game v Bolton-le-Sands he made a quick 22 n.o. with 4 fours, then at Carnforth on 10th July he made 52 n.o. with 3 sixes and 6 fours. Another hard-hitter and feared bowler was Stuart Dennison, who made 50 n.o. against Warton (in a 2nd wicket stand of 76 with Phil Oliver) — he was soon to become one of the most effective bowlers in the 1st division, though sadly for only a short period. The U-16s had an excellent season, and qualified for the league play-off against the Northern Section winners, Kendal. We lost a low-scoring final on 15th September at Milnthorpe (Kendal 76, Shireshead 62) but it brought a memorable bowling performance from Phil Oliver who took 6 for 14, all bowled.

LADS v DADS IN 1985

The 1986 season
John Bleasdale (50 n.o.) and Philip Swarbrick (32 n.o.) made a 1st wicket stand of 86 v Galgate U-16s until John had to retire under the rules prevailing at that time. Phil Oliver made 53 n.o. (6 fours and a six) in the first round of the U-16 cup against Ingleton, and in the next round Andrew Larkin demolished Coniston with 6 for 1. In the 3rd round at Westgate John Bleasdale (43) and Phil Oliver (35 with 5 fours and a six) helped us to 117/7, then Stephen Taylor took 4 for 14 as the home team were dismissed for 62. Sadly, we then lost the semi-final to Morecambe despite some good batting from John Bleasdale. The regular opening bowlers for the U-16s were Phil Oliver and Paul Yates.

22 May 1986  Andrew Flintoff at Shireshead
These were the scorecards when Shireshead's U-13s played host to to a Dutton Forshaw team, two members of which were Chris & Andrew Flintoff

This was 8-a-side cricket in which batsmen played in pairs for a set number of overs, losing 8 runs for every fall of a wicket. Each team was credited with 200 at the start. Shireshead batted first and scored 89 from the bat, but were deducted 16 for the loss of 2 wickets: the final score therefore was 200+89–16=273. Dutton Forshaw made 200+22–16=206. Andrew Flintoff made 10 with 2 fours, but his bowling analysis was the worst in the match (0 for 19 off 3 overs) — he was, however, only 8½ whereas most of our players were 12 or 13.

These neat scorecards were kept by Angela Murphy

WE WERE MOST GRATEFUL TO JONATHAN LAMLEY AND TOM BATTARBEE FOR WRITING THESE PERSONAL ACCOUNTS: SOME REFLECTIONS ON PLAYING FOR SHIRESHEAD AT JUNIOR AND SENIOR LEVELS

Jonathan played for the juniors from the late 1980s to early 1990s

I suspect it was because my Dad knew Terry Mansfield that I joined Shireshead. I can only have been 10 or 11 when my mum dropped me off at Clifton Park for the first time for an evening practice session. I knew some faces already, including Ian MacNicholas, Jason Park, Tommy O’Neill and Simon Carr, who I had played football with for Dolphinholme. I had also been at primary school two years behind Rajeev Balasubramanyam. I still remember that night, which was run by two of the senior side in glorious weather. I had the opportunity to bat and bowl, and had a great time. And so began a ten year association with the Club, during which time I captained the U13s, U14s, U16s and played for each of the senior sides.   

I have some fairly random memories of my early years at the club.  We started one season with 4 spinners: Dunk, Matt Yates, Rajeev and me. Dunk took it upon himself to learn to bowl some pace, with mixed results! Dunk was a character, bringing his girlfriends to practice nights, and choosing between 2 bats each time he went out to the middle.  Matt had the most peculiar bowling action I had ever seen, but he turned it a mile. The other memory I have of Matt is him taking a ball in the mouth at Galgate which split his tongue. Fortunately there was a doctor on hand (Tommy’s dad) to assess the damage.

One year I was involved in a long drawn out single wicket competition, taking several goes to beat Matt Yates in one of the rounds, and then after 3 attempts to resolve the final (against Matt Walmsley?), we couldn't, and because it was so dark we called it a day and shared the trophy.

Most of the games we played were 20 overs matches on Wednesday evenings.  One year we made the long trip to Coniston for a cup match, and I think we won by 1 run from the last ball of the 19th over. This was just as well, because I had miscalculated and it would probably have been Gareth Darwin to bowl the last over. Anyone who remembers Gareth will recall occasional huge sixes, but not many wickets!  In a game at Warton, Peter Bunting (now back at the club) had figures of (something like) 4-4-0-2, and yet we still contrived to lose having set them about 80 to win. And in another, a game I didn’t play in, Peter Sharpe was bowling the last ball of the innings, from which the opposition needed 6 to win. I hardly need to complete the tale!

We also played the odd longer game on Sundays.  I remember a home game against Arnside, who had Kevin Howarth (later pro at Carnforth and Lancaster) in their side. Though we annhilated them, the main memory for me was needing a helmet to face Mr Howarth. Nowadays of course, helmets are compulsory.  We played another one (I forget against whom) in which I scored my highest score (to this day, I think) of 76 not out. I remember running out Leo Buckingham and later having to face Terry Mansfield, who summed it up rather well, telling me to me the run out had been 'bad'.  We lost that game, but I think we only had 10 players, and an exceptionally young team as most people were on holiday.  What was common to both games, and to most of those I played, was the fantastic support we received from parents and players.

<![endif]>I often wonder whether some of my fellow juniors are still playing.   I remember a lot of the names, those mentioned above plus Stuart Thomson, Chris Buckingham, Martin Ashton and  Danny Acton who played right through the age groups, and more latterly James Cook, Charlie Appleyard, Matthew Potts, Matthew Wilson, who I played with at LRGS. 

I was fortunate to have plenty of opportunities to play for the senior sides whilst a junior. I remember my first game (aged 13) for the 2nds, away at Ambleside. Here I found out that you didn’t always bat first on winning the toss, and that it was a good idea to keep my opinions to myself in the dressing room. I never really got to grips with the latter, but I put it down to youthful enthusiasm.  I played in the 2nds side that was promoted to division 2, whereupon nearly the whole team disappeared the following season. Wily old pro and captain Tony O’Mahony could not have envisaged the season we then had: all out for 9 at Westgate (I was one of seven ducks), and only just able to field eleven players each week. How times have changed, with the club able to put out three very competitive sides each weekend.        

<![endif]>I will always be grateful for the opportunities I had at Shireshead.  A summary of my junior years wouldn’t be complete, however, without a massive thank you to all those people down the years who prepared pitches, catered, umpired, scored, drove us to away games and who looked after a spirited bunch of youngsters. Key to all this was, of course, Margaret Mansfield. 

 Tom Battarbee - Personal Reflection of Playing for Shireshead Juniors 1995-2000

I will always look back fondly on my time as a junior at Shireshead.  On a cricketing level, I was extremely fortunate.  I was a member of some really strong sides; I received lots of encouragement and I was given lots of opportunities.  Yet on a broader level, I am very thankful to have been part of a community and amongst people who really cared and wanted the best for each other.

I suppose we are all guilty of taking too much for granted, and from personal experience I think cricket obsessed youths are no exception to this.  You all too easily assume that winter nets and Tuesday practice will just happen, that you will inevitably receive supervision and coaching at both, that all the match details from transport to ensuring everyone knows who is playing will simply be arranged, that you will have an umpire and scorer for all your fixtures, and a wicket to play on.  It’s only when you take a step back that you realise all the effort that is required and all the voluntary time and energy that people so selflessly give to make junior cricket function.  What is even more remarkable is the persistent dedication and self-giving of certain individuals, none more so than Colin Twiname.  With the exception of scoring and preparing the wicket (thank you Mrs Mansfield/Harold/Bill/Craggy), Colin pretty much did the lot whilst I was a junior (and in truth, I’ve no doubt he would have taken on these roles if push had come to shove).  It’s impossible to express sufficient thanks for all Colin did and was for us.  Some people give an incredible amount but do it in a begrudging manner.  Not Colin, whose energy and verve was truly inspiring and who cared so passionately that both the team and the individuals comprising it would reach their potential.  Yet coupled with that was just a deep desire that we would enjoy our cricket and grow as people. 

I was fortunate to be in some really strong teams, not just in terms of cricketing ability but also in terms of team spirit.  In terms of cricketing prowess we won the league and cup during my stint in the juniors.  It was a very successful period and there were so many guys who contributed.  In the years immediately above, there was Robert Skipworth, Sean Twiname, David Bradshaw, Phil Savage and Graham Swindlehurst, who were all talented cricketers.  While in my year there was Tom Jacques, Richard Bradshaw, Stuary Pye, Danny Hagen, Kev Brier, Graham Wilson and Stuart Nisbet who were all good cricketers in their own rights.  I know I have missed a number of guys out and that is not even to mention those in the years below who all played their part.  In addition to the cricketing strength, we always had a really strong team spirit.  Again we must say a massive thanks to Colin who helped to foster this, but it also came from the guys themselves who really got the fact that ultimately it was only the team that mattered.  As I write this I’m feeling quite nostalgic, as it’s very rare you get such solidarity.  Sadly I’ve not kept in touch with these guys, (with the exception of Tom and Wilz when I have popped back to Shires).  I want to wish them well wherever they may be and whatever they are doing.  I don’t know if they are still playing any cricket, I hope so, but I know that like me they will have happy memories of that time as a junior at Shireshead. 

Memories that stick out are beating Lancaster twice at home, once in a bizarre low scoring encounter, and another when Stuart Pye played a fine innings.  Others are less specific, but just make me smile such as Stuart Nisbet’s golden arm, Swinny rallying the troops and just the general enthusiasm of everyone.

The reflection wouldn’t be complete without a broader comment on the community that Shireshead nurtured.  As a junior you always felt that you were part of something bigger, and the senior guys always showed interest in how things were going.  I was fortunate as a junior to play quite a lot of senior cricket, especially under Craggy in the second team.  Again this was a really good experience and I know that so many juniors have benefited on a cricketing and personal level from playing alongside the seniors.  Overall, as a junior you knew that Shireshead was a community that cared and wanted the best for you.

Best wishes for the new season (2008) and thanks again for some great memories.

The Under-16s in 1995

 Under-13 League Champions in 1997

 1998

Under-15 County Champions in 1998

 Runners-up in the U-15 County Championship in 1999

Under-16 Cup Winners 2000

2002

Shireshead Show Ponies 2005

When the U-24 Show Ponies won the league's knockout cup in 2007, defeating Warton who were the firm favourites, all the players apart from Rahil Shah had developed their skills under Colin Twiname in the junior teams. We warmly congratulate Colin on this result which was a fine tribute to all he has done for the junior section of our club.  Go to scorecard

Colin Twiname (manager) Matthew Liptrott  Simon Harrison  Liam Parkinson  Dave Jack  Adam Lawson
Jack Dodd  Robert Charles  Graeme Swindlehurst (capt)  Robert Jacques  Rahil Shah  Graham Wilson

A SCORECARD TO REMEMBER!
Man-of-the-Match: Dave Jack

Innings of Shireshead Show Ponies

A Strachan 8-3-25-0    A Batson 8-0-32-1   A Thistlethwaite 8-0-27-3
N Jones 8-0-38-1   J Winder 8-0-36-1

 Innings of Warton Wildcatz

 D Jack 6.4-2-15-6   L Parkinson 6-1-12-4