2018 fixtures

[Slogger]

Just seen the second XI fixtures are out on the ECB website. From a quick glance I can't see fixtures at Halstead but Coggeshall hosts Kent in a three day game starting on 31 July and a one day game on 3 August

[Perov]

I can't see Halstead either, unless they will play a 3 day friendly there, which has yet to be arranged.
Looks like Coggeshall also have Lashings there again on Friday 27 July, it was a good day out last year.

[Postman]

It looks as though there's nothing at Halstead, which is a shame because it's usually a very good day out, but there is a match at Bishops Stortford in June, which there wasn't last year.

[squarelegumpire]

Pity the Lashings game isn't on a Sunday, but at least the beer should hold out. Which it didn't last year.

And both it and the two Kent games are in school holidays, which has to be good news.

[Perov]

The Unicorns v Essex match on 1st May is listed as TBC, but with Unicorns playing Hampshire the day before at Saffron Walden, I wonder if that might be the venue.

[Observer]

A great shame if they have ditched Halstead, always popular with the ECCC committee members. Looks like their usual late end season fixture has been moved to Billericay, there were some rumours kicking around last season may be their last.

Link to full list.

https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/602610

[Andy]

Whilst it's good to see these venues being used for these matches, particularly in that part of beautiful Essex, is there a big turn out?

[Slogger]

Halstead on a nice day draws over a 100. The club have a marquee and do a lunch on one of the days. Coggleshall gets a few more and with its beer tent is a bit of a festival highlight now Colchester week is no more

[nat]

Halstead on a nice day draws over a 100. The club have a marquee and do a lunch on one of the days. Coggleshall gets a few more and with its beer tent is a bit of a festival highlight now Colchester week is no more

'100' - friends and family.

[Andy]

Halstead on a nice day draws over a 100. The club have a marquee and do a lunch on one of the days. Coggleshall gets a few more and with its beer tent is a bit of a festival highlight now Colchester week is no more

'100' - friends and family.

Indeed. Perhaps you should go Nat. 

[Slogger]

No it's more than friends and family. Quite a few stalwart Essex members and a lot of local cricket scene people went.  And of course it is one of the nicest parts of Essex, the ground being out in the countryside on the road out to Sudbury. I am, of course, highly biased, having been born just up the road in Castle Hedingham. When the sun's out it's a lovely place to be. It was part of the Halstead cricket week so the marquee was in good use most evenings.

Coggeshall is similar but a bit of ramp up with its excellent beer festival. Last year I opted to go to Coggeshall rather than the last day of the tourist game at Chelmsford and saw a super day of cricket and sunk quite a few local and Surrey ales (Surrey were the opposition) at £3 a pint! The marquee was packed out for the ladies' day lunch.

[squarelegumpire]

Halstead are putting a lot of effort into encouraging junior cricket. Seems a shame to withdraw the County match under those circumstances.

[Andy]

Slogger! My mother was was born in Castle Hedingham. Certainly would agree about the location.

[Slogger]

Slogger! My mother was was born in Castle Hedingham. Certainly would agree about the location.

Yes a lovely part of the world. My Dad and his Dad were also born there

[sixNout]

Should be 2 extra games in April, not currently on website - Sat 7th April v Norfolk at Billericay and Sunday 8th April v Suffolk at Copdock.