Fixtures 2025

[golden duck]

Club have shared the fixtures today. Friendlies at Colchester to start then Southend and Billericay, plus one at Saffron Walden.

First summer of retirement for me... is Second XI cricket worth a visit?

[bwildered]

 Great question GD.
Personally worth a watch but would not go out my way, so only if local and available and weather permitting.

[nat]

Club have shared the fixtures today. Friendlies at Colchester to start then Southend and Billericay, plus one at Saffron Walden.

First summer of retirement for me... is Second XI cricket worth a visit?

Not really. Unless the bar is open which in my experience of Billericay it will not be. Teams parachute players in/out during the 4 day matches.

[Perov]

I like to pop along to a few games if I have some time, the weather is nice and the grounds are convenient. I will hope to visit Colchester, and Billericay,  but the last time I visited Garon Park it was just as windy as I remembered,  so won't  bother again.
Various ex players, some first teamers and coaches  put in an appearance, and are often prepared  to have a chat.
It's a chance to see young up and coming players for Essex, and it's often surprising how many we'll known names appear for the opposition.
Give it a try, if only for a few hours. 

[Slogger]

I used to enjoy the mini festivals at Halstead and, especially Coggeshall. Neither ground features any more. A shame. If it's a nice day you might just see some future stars. My first sight of Sam Cook and Dan Lawrence waa at Coggeshall in 2014.

[Perov]

The Coggeshall  beer festival was always a highlight.

[Crisp]

The only thing that lets the grounds chosen for this season to accommodate the Second Elevens games are the facilities.
Castle Park has a better pavillion now than what was used 10 years ago for First Eleven cricket and the surroundings are unchanged.
Garons is Garons, bleak cold and unless it is 90F its unwelcoming although it still attracts good crowds for all second eleven matches.
Billericay is ok, the wicket caused issues in previous seasons as I don't think there is a full time groundsman any more, but you can get a cup of tea in the pavillion payable to the honesty box.
As for Bishops Stortford, I haven't been for years but it used to be pretty much on the same level as Garons without the spectators.
All of these venues unlike Coggeshall and Halstead do not cater for the public, perhaps they have plans to change that philosophy this season?
One thing is for sure, you will find Keith Fletcher on his chair eating his sandwiches at whatever venue the 2s are at.

[golden duck]

Thanks all, think I will pop along at some point when the sun shines.

[Perov]

In the one day 2nd eleven  4game today Luke Benkinstein got a hat trick, all cleaned bowled.

[nat]

In the one day 2nd eleven  4game today Luke Benkinstein got a hat trick, all cleaned bowled.

Irrelevant. It was against a Dog&Duck XI

[vim]

If a game clashes with a home first XI game. You may see Stuart Kerrison there, as he is getting away from the Premier member who stalks him.

[squarelegumpire]

Keith Fletcher used to attend Coggeshall regularly. It's a great shame that we don't see Essex II's at the Cricket Week thee nowadays.

[kingstonj1]

If a game clashes with a home first XI game. You may see Stuart Kerrison there, as he is getting away from the Premier member who stalks him.

He ought to be concentrating on the god awful pitches. Usually either dead or minefield. Rarely a happy medium and no poor wether excuses by it then it appears the same around the country ECB directive??