Brief History

Originally Bowling Mission, Bowling Baptist Cricket Club have been constant members (with the exception of the years 1939-1948) of the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League (BMSSCL) since 1923. As the name suggests the League was developed around the many Methodist, United Reform & other Churches in the late 1800's, early 1900's. More details on the history of the league can be found below: BMSSL League History The Bowling Baptist Church closed some years ago. The club also had its own ground adjacent to Sticker Lane in Bradford not far from the Bowling Mission. This was sold some time ago and for many years home games were played at Yorkshire Martyrs School ground on Tong Street however for this year due to building work and the ground no longer being available we are ground sharing, at the other side of Bradford with another BMSSCL club; Cross Roads-Daisy Hill. This can can be found here. There are now only a small number of current League teams with direct links to local Churches and a quick look at the teams in the League today reflects the multicultural society that we now have in and around the Bradford District.

Overview of our previous YM Ground Fantasy Cricket For the 2007 season we are operating a Fantasy Cricket leage based around our own players & fixtures. There is a £10 entry fee of which £5 goes to club funds and £5 to the winners fund. Points are gained for runs scored, wickets taken, catches, run outs & fielding points whilst ducks & drop catches will see points deducted from a players total. More details and updates here soon but if you would like to participate please contact Tim who can be contacted via e-mail by using this link for details. It would be great to hear from any other league players or umpires who would be willing to help support our club.

Honours Members of the League 1923-1939, 1948-To date Division B Runners Up 2003 Division C Champions 1997 Division D Champions 1955, 1966, 1975, 1981

Club Officials 2007 Chairman: Harry Fawcett Secretary: Stephen Benn Treasurer: Chris Atkins Team Captain: Stephen Benn Team Vice-Captain: Andrew George

2007 Season Following on from a rather disappointing 2006 the new season not only sees us playing on a new ground but also with some new faces both on the field and behind the scenes. Stephen "The Voice" Benn continues as club secretary but has also taken on the role of team Captain for the season and is joined by Andrew George as Vice Captain. We also have a new treasurer in Chris Atkins. On the field we are pleased to welcome new players John Askham & Temba Dube who have already turned in some valuable performances early season and we have one or two other new faces waiting in the pavillion. Despite finishing last season in 7th position (sounds better than 2nd bottom !) we avoided relegation and remain in Division B. We will play each team three times & this includes three Interdivisional fixtures against a Division A team to avoid a free weekend. The start of the season has seen us start well with four victories and a winning draw in the league. The only defeat was in the 1st round of the Cup to Omars in game that was, for the most part played in steady rain. There have been some good performances already with both bat and ball, notebaly Akhtar Hussain who has a century to his name and some fine bowling figures too.

2006 Presentation Evening Our annual presentation evening took place on the 25th November 2006, for some years now this has been a joint event with Bradford CAMRA CC. A very good evening was had by all. It was also an opportunity for club members present to express our thanks to those that keep things ticking over and this year Stephen Benn was deemed to have been Club Person of the Year 2006 and received the Martin Herring Cup. This award goes to the club member (playing or non playing) who is seen by other club members to deserve recognition and our thanks for their contribution and hard work for the club. Thanks Benny ! On the field the 2006 seasons final club averages saw Jonathan Appleby lead the way with the bat and take the Batting Award with an average of 20.63 from 12-1-227 whilst last year winner of the batting award Ghanzafar Bashir won the Bowling Award with an average of 15.04 from figures of 96.1-22-331-22, his best figures during the season were 5-19. Akhtar Hussain ensured his name was again on the All Rounder Trophy with a batting average of 20.40 from 10-0-204 and bowling average of 15.88 from figures of 129-26-429-27 with a best of 6-35. Not to go without recognition Harry and Anne who without fail have produced our top notch teas when playing at home received recognition for their quality from the league umpires so special thanks and congratulations to them. Well done to everybody !

Presentation evening - from left to right: Jonathan Appleby receiving the 2006 Batting Award, Stephen Benn receiving the Club Person Award and Anne Fawcett receiving a certificate from the League Umpires Association in recognition of the quality of our home match teas. For your entertainment the .wav clip below provides you with you with the unique voice of Stephen "The Voice" Benn, accompanied on the piano by Andrew Sutcliffe performing a classic Boomtown Rats number later on in the evening (Sorry Bob, you don't want any Royalties do you ?) - those of a nervous disposition please turn your speakers OFF ! Thank you. Clip 1

El Ray - The King of Spin (not Spain)

Results & Statistics Links to this and previous seasons results and statistics can be found at the bottom of the page. A short explanation of the Points System Games in the BMSSCL start at 14:00 and consist of 40 Overs per team (Max). Win - 6 Points The team batting first Score x runs and then bowl the team batting second all out for less runs (a win by n Runs)........or......the Team batting second score more runs that the team that batted first (a win by n Wickets). Winning Draw - 4 points The team batting first score x runs but the team batting second do not score the required total but yet are not all out ! Draw - 3 points Scores exactly level - doesn't happen very often ! Losing Draw - 1 point - possibly 2 ! Reference Winning Draw above but the single point goes to the team batting second who do not reach the required total. As an incentive to chase totals a little more a bonus point is available for a losing drawn should the team batting second gain 90% of the totals runs required without being all out. Defeat - Nil, Zilch, Zero points You bat first and score x runs. The team batting second reach the required target and score 1 or more runs........or........The team batting second are bowled all out for a lower total than the team that batted first. Should a game be called off or not completed due to Weather 1 Point is awarded to each team. Simple !

There are some useful Links on the Cricinfo web site with regard Cricket Rules and explanations of terms: The Laws of Cricket A description of the game for spectators with an explanation of Cricket Rules & Terms....... ......the less detailed explanation goes something like: You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in goes out and when he's out, he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. When both sides have been in and out, including the not outs --- that's the end of the game. Other Cricket Links Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League website BMSSCL pages on the ECB Play Cricket website ECB - Play Cricket Home Page Yorkshire County Cricket Club Lords - The ome of Cricket CricInfo - Cricket on the Internet The Primary Club - The Cricketers' Charity for the Blind and Partially Sighted Local and Other Cricket clubs Bradford CAMRA Cricket Club If you would like your Club or Page listed here just let our Webmaster know and we'd be glad to add a link, vice-versa a link to our page would be most appreciated from others. Other Local Links Soccer Bradford City FC - The official Club Site The City Gent - One of the UK's longest and most established established Club "Fanzine" with news, photos and information. For more historical facts and figures about both Bradford City FC and Bradford Park Avenue visit the alternative City Gent Site. Rugby League Bradford Bulls The Bradford Area The Bradfordian Mailing List - a discussion group for all things Bradford Bradford CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) - not that any of us drink - hic ! Bradford Council Home Page.Doing a great job for all of us ! Bradford University All Pages Copyright Bowling Baptist C.C. 1996-2007 Comments to our Webmaster