LBVCC Top the Table!
Little Bardfield Village Cricket Club have won the Herts & Essex Indoor Cricket League 2024!
Starting the year with good news as Little Bardfield come out on top of the Herts & Essex Senior Indoor Cricket League!
Most of these guys have played indoor cricket together for a while under various guises over the years, most recently as Eastons Cricket Club with whom LBV share a positive club partnership in all forms of cricket. However, after a year away from indoor cricket, and given the majority of the side are LBV players, it was decided that the return to the league in the 2024 Winter should be as Little Bardfield. This seemed to be the impetus that was needed as the team went on to win the league!
Image: Winning Bardfield team following their final fixture in December 2024
Back: Andrew Barnard, Daryl Hymas, Callum Hymas
Front: Richard Linney, Will Slemmings, Sam Register
Having entered the competition last minute Bardfield were required kick off their campaign a week later than the rest of the league and a rusty Bardfield showed the effects of being away from the game suffering a 5 wicket loss to Dunmow CC. However, for many of the side this would be the only time they lost their wicket for the whole season!
Bardfield went on to win all eight of their following fixtures ending the league on level points with Dunmow who also lost just one game. However, having enjoyed some big wins, Bardfield ended up on top with a huge net run rate of 6.81, topping Dunmows 4.43. The biggest wins included beating Ware CC by 127 runs, Bishops Stortford CC - Sixers by 112 runs. and 6 wicket victories over both Watton at Stone CC (chasing 66 in 3.1 overs) and Turnford Tornadoes CC (chasing 126 in 6.3 overs). All of Little Bardfield's results can be seen here and the final league table can be seen below:
Image: Final Herts & Essex Indoor Cricket League Table 2024.
Bardfield ended with 4 batters in the league top 10 with:
Richard Linney - 232 runs, strike rate of 331.43 and a top score of 45*
Callum Hymas - 229 runs, stike rate of 201.98 and a top score of 42*
Will Slemmings - 201 runs, strike rate of 244.44 and a top score of 28*
Sam Register - 191 runs, strike rate of 197.62 and a top score of 46*
There were also three Bardfield bowlers in the league top 10 with:
Daryl Hymas topping the table with 7 wickets, Economy of 10.29 and best figures of 2/29
Richard Linney taking 5 wickets, economy of 10.25 and best figures of 2/11
Andrew Barnard taking 4 wickets, economy of 11.93 and best figures of 2/23
As a result of winning the league Little Bardfield will now progress on the Road to Lords but will have to wait a year to play in the Essex Play-offs (opposition tbc). In the meantime, Bardfield will be hoping to replicate their winning ways outdoors in 2025. Pre season nets begin in early January and the club are welcoming new players to join ahead of the first fixtures in April. If you would like the join the team please get in touch through the website.