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The village cricket club at Poulton, between
Cirencester and Fairford, used their wits when they decided to switch from the Cirencester
League to the County League at the end of last season.
"With the Cirencester League and the Stroud League due to become
feeders for the County League, it was probably the last chance we would have to move
without having to win promotion," said secretary Mark Leadbeater.
"We didn't win the Cirencester League last season. Chedworth did
that but they felt the travelling would be too much in the County League."
The decision has worked out well for Poulton, who celebrated their
centenary seven years ago.
"We haven't found it to be much different, to be honest,"
Leadbeater said. "We were told a few horror stories by clubs in the Cirencester
League about the places and the pitches but if anything the games have been better."
"We've won all three so far. We beat Cheltenham North by five
wickets, Old Patesians by nine wickets and Speech House by 60-odd runs."
Tomorrow takes them to Ashleworth to play Woodpeckers and Leadbeater
said that going to different clubs was the big plus from the move.
"We decided we wanted a change after years of playing in the
Cirencester League," said Leadbeater, who appears to have been motivated by the
change of scenery as well as anybody.
He made 108 and took 5 for 95 with his off-spin against Speech House at
the weekend, an achievement which was all the better because it was done with a hangover
from his 30th birthday celebrations the night before.
Poulton are a well set up club and their ground is a pretty one, in the
shadow of the village church. They have their own groundsman, Wayne Tinson, for whom the
work is a hobby.
Leadbeater has just taken over as secretary from Joan Nunn, who did the
job for 30 years.
"We have between 20 and 25 playing members and an under-16 side
with regular coaching for about 20 under-11s on Sunday mornings," Leadbeater said.
"We're very much a village team, although we've got one new player
this season - Richard Young - who used to play for Winchcombe."
* By Derek Goddard
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