The 2005 season was a big disappointment to say the least. A number of factors got in the way of what was billed as our biggest ever season, not least the fact that we had a few key players missing. Hawksey, who had been our rock for years and years was forced to pull out because of a recurring leg injury, and the usual fifteen overs that goes for nothing was totally blown out of the water. Fridgey, who is without a doubt the key player in the team, played only a few games throughout the campaign because of work commitments, which again blew a hole in another fifteen overs. To be fair it was a massive ask to ask the part-timers to perform to the levels of the aforementioned, and although we gave it a good go, you simply can't expect to win games with your two star bowlers missing. This is something that we have to look at very seriously in the coming months, because the situation is unlikely to change.
A special mention goes to Jason Castaldi, who bowled superbly when called upon, and was surely one of the main reasons we weren't chasing 300 regularly, as he tied batsmen down just long enough for a wicket to tumble now and again. Another mention goes to Mike, whose leg-spin is providing us with some light relief and is keeping things tight when all carnage is breaking out. As a team we must begin to realise that we are no longer as dominant in the bowling department as we have been over the last five years. If we are to move on it must be recognised that unless conditions suit us perfectly, we are unlikely to knock over side for next to nothing like the good old days, a luxury the batsmen had for so long may I add. It is due to this factor that the batsmen must start raising their games, by a significant amount.
Next season will be the same old same old for many of the batsmen as we go back to slightly easier bowling, and teams that will give chances. But these teams still have to be beaten if we are to return to division three. We will have to treat people like Fridge as a luxury should he play, but recognise that we can't rely on him alone to put in first rate bowling performances. It is no use from now on saying that we would have won games if we had had such and such. I've also realised that it's the first time in my life that I've used two words twice, in a five word phrase with 'had had such and such'. That's an achievement in itself.
The batting must improve by a marked amount. We found it difficult in 2005 to score quickly against teams who tied us down with some accurate bowling that wasn't particularly threatening pace wise. That suggests a few things. Firstly, we were not 'got out' very much last season, but rather we continually gave our wickets away in frustration at not scoring. Secondly, we are quite poor in the singles department, something which must be addressed rapidly. We as a team have stroke players who like hitting boundaries with repetitive nature, but when the four balls dry up, we are pretty limited as a team. Strike rotation needs to be addressed. And thirdly, we are still not batting out our full quota of overs, which suggests that many players cannot handle the last ten overs either to score or to survive. This is perhaps something that can be solved with a flexible batting approach, and perhaps we have to tinker with the order a little to strengthen the middle-lower order. This is one sugestion, another more simpler answer is that the players currently occupying these spots must start contributing. There is no excuse for having a poor average if you bat in the middle-lower order. Hopefully this season the top order batters will find their form again and so we won't have to rely too much on the lower order, but all runs count. All in all, the better batsmen let the side down for the majority of last season, and that must be addressed also.
Our fielding was okay throughout, although some games we were careless. One thing that needs to be established for this season is an overall professionalism. Too many times last season preparation for games was poor, and that goes for myself as a primary target. We can have our fun and we are generally an easy-going team with a lot of banter. But concentration levels must be there, and too many people were not focused in the field, for whatever reason. This made it harder for the bowlers because catches were dropped in a season where catches had to be taken. For this reason there needs to be some sort of system in place that ensures that preparation is a vital part of the season. As mentioned first up, the season was a disappointment in so many ways. But we must be positive for the 2006 campaign, and most importantly we must enjoy ourselves. Perhaps the time has come to realise that Hirwaun are slightly less dominant than before due to a number of factors, and that we must move on in whatever form. For the next few seasons it is going to be important that we play with enjoyment, and perhaps not beat ourselves up so much if results don't match those of a few years ago. As a team we'll give it a good go to incorporate some of the things mentioned above, and hopefully put in a good show.
