• For boys and girls aged 5 to 11 years
• End of course presentation
• Full supervision
• Please bring a packed lunch
• Bad weather kit requiSports Days Applicationred
• Bring trainers and/or boots

Cost – just £15 for 1 day and £10 per day thereafter. (i.e. 3 days = £35, 4 days = £45 etc.)

Minimum of 12 required to run the event – please spread the word.

The Sports Days will take place on the following days:

All days runs from 10am to 3pm.

Click here to download an application form.

If you would like more information about the Sports Days please do not hesitate to contact Richard Wilson on 07888 763946 or e-mail richard.wilson@goldenhillsports.com.

Dr Andrew Spicer

During the latter part of last summer popular seam bowler Dr Andrew Spicer joined an exclusive list of only 10 Golden Hill cricketers who have taken more than 100 league wickets and scored over 1000 league runs in their YMCA career. The ‘swing king’ from Redland is in good company with top level performers Hitesh Shah, James Chidgey and the young pretender John Colley amongst the current crop of players who feature in the list.

However, it is former long-serving first team skipper Simon White who surely takes all the plaudits with statistics that are unlikely to be beaten for a generation or more. The experienced campaigner, who now enjoys the relative comfort of the 2nd X1, has already become the first cricketer to surpass an impressive succession of new landmarks as he marched relentlessly towards the 3000 runs and 300 wickets mark which he passed during the 2008 season. With good luck, continued enthusiasim and 795 more runs White will reach the stratospheric heights of 4000 runs and 400 wickets. White’s feat is one few amateur cricketers in the BDCA will have the fortune to experience with the exception, of course, of YMCA’s very own Richie Williams who made a massive impact with bat and ball at the now defunct Horfield CC for many years.

Meanwhile, fourth teamer Shaun Parker hopes he will make his own bit of history this season by becoming only the second player to reach the 2000/200 level. The Backwell based father of two reached the 200 wicket mark last Saturday at Alveston and now requires a further 24 runs this summer to reach his goal.

Bradley Stoke 1st XI v YMCA 1st XI
Bradley Stoke 205/8; YMCA 208/9. YMCA won by 1 wicket.

The 1s edged out Bradley Stoke in a very close game. Last pair Richard Gadd (20 off 17 balls) and Hitesh Shah saw the team home with 21 runs in the final 5 overs to card what could prove a vital victory!! Having lost the toss, YM were sent out to field in the heat but the very dodgy pitch kept everyone on their toes as the new ball behaved  very strangely and the batsmen as well as everyone else did not know how the pitch would react!! Despite this some useful batting got BS to 205 off their 45 overs. Richie Williams was the pick of the YM bowlers with 4-33 off his 10 overs including some late wickets to boost the bowling points!! Captain Matt ‘minus 5’ Wells was in the wars again, with losing a tooth after dropping a spiralling catch, he also managed at one point to throw the ball behind him whilst throwing the ball in, much to the amusement of his team-mates (gaining him his nickname).  In reply, like in the first innings most of the early runs came in extras but 2 grubbers said goodbye to Jones and the luckless Wells as the pitch continued to mis-behave!! YM then were bogged down for a period and after 24 overs have limped to 78-4. However with the BS opening bowler taking a rest, Chris Dowle and Tom Milsom took over and compiled a very useful partnership. Dowle departed with 41 off 65 balls and Milsom took over, reaching his 50 and taking 16 from one over, however he was bowled off the last ball (54 off 36 balls). This left Richard ‘Roll-On’ Gadd and the spritely Shah to see the team home. Gadd, showed that he is more than capable at number 10 and his 20 included a 6 and 2 4s, ably supported by Shah who showed a defense that was not going to be beaten. As Gadd hit the second ball of the final over for 4, the team celebrated knowing what a crucial win this was, in pursuit of promotion this season!! The 1s travel away again next week, to newly promoted Bitton who have won 2 of their first 4 games and will prove another stiff challenge for Matt Wells’ team.

YMCA 2nd XI v Pak Bristolians 2nd XI
Pak Bristolians 196; YMCA 200/7. YMCA won by 3 wickets.

The 2s also won a tightly fought game at home to Pak Bristolians, who were top going into the game. Batting first the PB were bowled out inside their overs for 196. Pete Kirk was his usual consistent self with the ball taking 3-50 from 13 overs and Chris Tebb finished off the tail with 3-7, which proved useful in restricting the PB to below 200. In reply the 2s, like the 1s, also ran out victors in the final over. After a useful start, with Dave Spink making 39 and Martin Allen 23, the 2s were slightly struggling at 92/5 in the 21^st over. However, experience proved the key as Mac McMahon hit an unbeaten 50 to see YM home. He was well supported in partnerships with James Norris and Chris Tebb, 24 and 23 not out respectively as the 2s went top of the league with a 3 wicket victory!! Chris Ball’s team face Thornbury A at the weekend hoping to continue this unbeaten start to his captaincy and wrestle the top spot from Timsbury who are only ahead in the table courtesy of 1 extra bonus point!!

YMCA 3rd XI v Carsons/Mangotsfield 2nd XI
Carsons/Mangotsfield 241/5; YMCA 242/3. YMCA won by 7 wickets.

The 3s continue their unbeaten start to the season despite leaking 241/5 against Carsons/Mangotsfield. On a glorious batting deck the away side compiled what seemed a very competitive total. Meb Hussain finished with figure of 3-51 from 12 overs but most of the other bowlers were largely unsuccessful. However the total was nowhere near big enough as YM raced to victory inside 37 overs. Charlie Collard was the main batsmen to prosper as he hit more runs, falling just 4 runs of his century, but 96 not out just continues to prove his vital worth to the 3s. Matt Smith plundered 40 from just 11 scoring shots including 3 huge 6s, in his first game of the season. Gareth Rees (34) and Paul Davies (26 not out) also scored runs as YM finished winners by 7 wickets to record their 4^th win in a row. The 3s face Lympsham next week after they comfortably beat Bishopston A at the weekend.

Alveston 2nd XI v YMCA 4th XI
Alveston 115; YMCA 119/2. YMCA won by 8 wickets.

The 4s once again produced a very strong performance to outclass Alveston by 8 wickets. Bowling first Alveston could only muster 116 all out inside 37 overs. Steve Finning was once again the destroyer with 5-38 in his 15 overs, to continue his good start to the season, after last year was ruined by injury. He was back up by youngsters Joe Day and Junaid Shah who continued their promising starts to the year with some very tight bowling and a wicket apiece. Not so young but full of experience Shaun Parker and Tony Hus then cleaned up to the tail, with Parker recording his 200^th wicket for the club in the process!! Chasing down 117 did not prove a problem as the two Gerry’s, Davis and Mulholland, were clearly in mood for hanging around in the sun and finished the game in the 18^th over, for the loss of only 2 wickets. Davis continued his great return after he missed last year, scoring 40, and popular club president Mulholland a rapid 37 not out. The 4s take on Frenchay A next weekend, who themselves did not have a game after their opposition cancelled, hoping to prolong their stay at the top and continue to match the long unbeaten run they went on last season.

YMCA 5th XI v United Banks 3rd XI
United Banks 198; YMCA 196. YMCA lost by 2 runs.

One of the closest games in the short history of the 5th XI, saw Bristol YMCA lose by 3 runs against United Banks at St George. United banks batted 1st and there was an early break through from the bowling of Jowaid Shah with some accurate deliveries rewarded with clean bowling the opener. Dan McKimm took the wicket as he switched to around the wicket with a swinging ball and bowled the number 3 batsman. The introduction of Brian Dury’s bamboozling leg spin cause mayhem amongst the United Banks batsman which Bristol YMCA failed to capitalize on with 3 missed opportunities to take the wicket of the opener, who proceeded to cut loose and score 76 runs, eventually stumped by the very impressive James Mckimm as wicket keeper. A welcome return from Phil Wilton’s off spin produced a wicket and also a debut wicket from Arie Johanson for the 5ths meant that United Banks had 2 wickets left when Jowaid Shah was brought back into the attack and finished them off with a clean bowled and a catch by Forbesy at mid off.  Leaving YMCA 199 to win, a well deserved tea break to re-group and re-energize from a baking summers afternoon fielding was needed.

YMCA opened up with Nigel Sara and James McKimm, but after looking good James got his bat caught around his legs and was bowled by the impressive Saad making his debut for United Banks. After another cheap wicket an impressive 30+ run partnership got YMCA back on track between Nigel and Dan Mckimm.  Dan was undone by one of many accurate deliveries from Saad. Valuable contributions from a very youthful middle order 5th XI by Arie Johanson, Tom Chard and Rikken got YMCA to 90 runs off 30 overs leaving 110 to win off 15 overs. In stepped Simon Bell on his YMCA debut after impressing at nets. After batting himself in, Bell cut loose scoring 60, with 3 consecutive 6′s off the impressive Saad. In a tense finish with Phil Wilton and Brian Dury both hitting boundaries in support for the blazing shots of Simon, YMCA needed 3 runs off the last ball just fell short losing by 2 runs, a fantastic game played in a great spirit. The 5s face a local derby against Bishopston B next weekend and should be hopeful that a repeat strong performance will be rewarded with a second deserved victory of the season.

Bristol based hotel chain Hotel24seven has, once again, agreed  – in partnership with Goalbound Soccer – to part-fund the cost of the treatment which uses a child and pet safe product used in many municipal park lands and sports areas. In addition, the senior footballers have also contributed towards the total outlay as a way of helping with the additional works required to make good the areas around the goal mouths after a tough (but successful) winter.

Members and visitors to our lovely ground should start to notice a dramatic reduction in the usual weeds such as moss, dandelions and clover within 7 to 10 days over the whole site.

The winners were as follows:

1st team
Players players – Jason Brown
Managers player – John Leng
Most improved – Adam Llyod
Twat – John Leng

Reserves
Players player – Billy Warner
Managers player – Phil Howard
Most improved – Alfie Strickland

Clubman for the club – Phil Wilton

Photos from the event are shows below…

In the 1s, Richie Williams inspired a comfortable 98 run victory over Coalpit Heath, previously unbeaten this season!! After a shaky start, YM found ourselves 39/3 in the 14th over. But a 4th wicket partnership of 118 between Williams (78) and Chris Dowle (55) steadied the team in quick time. This allowed Tom Milsom and Dave Spink to come in and add some quick runs in the remaining overs to set CH a demanding 219 to win. Williams then stared with the ball as well taking 3 wickets to finish off CH in the end for 120. John Colley was tight from one end and Rich Gadd and Hitesh Shah took 3 wickets apiece to condemn CH to their first league defeat.

150 runs for Williams at the weekend

Williams then went one better on Sunday as he scored a marvellous 127 not out as YM lost to Gloucester Winget City in the Gloucestershire County Cup by 9 runs. YM won the toss and put the Gloucestershire team, who are 4 divisions above our 1st X1, into bat. This looked a good decision at 16/3 in the 10th over, with Williams, Colley and Gadd all taking a wicket. Three crucial drops of one batsman allowed him to score 80 and start to take the game away from YM. However YM stuck at the task well and a final total of 230/9 was a great effort in the field. Particular mention to Andy Hyde and Ashley Forbes, who the opposition clearly took a liking to (maybe), who fielded with great enthusiasm. In reply YM again lost early wickets but Jeet Singh, making his 1st X1 comeback after struggling with a damaged hand, and Williams started to put together a very promising partnership!! Williams especially was taking the opposition on and GWC started to get frustrated as they saw a cup upset happening. Whatever they bowled at him or whatever field was set (sometimes 9 on the leg-side) they had no answer to Williams’ clean hitting. When Jeet was out for 41, 10 an over were needed from the last 4 overs, and despite a very big penultimate over from Williams, YM ended just short in a great effort. Hopefully Williams can continue this form into next week as the 1s travel to Bradley Stoke who themselves have made an encouraging start to the year.

In the 2s, Chris Ball’s side made it 3 out of 3 with an 8 wicket success away at Chew Magna. The victory was based around a 173 run partnership between Jeet Singh and Martin Allen for the 3rd wicket. Chasing 202 to win, YM found ourselves 31/2 but both Singh and Allen saw the team home with over 6 overs to spare. Allen scored 89, including 13 4’s, a top score for the YM and Singh 60 as Chew Magna had no answer to the pair. With the ball, skipper Chris Ball, had done the damage with 5-38 in his 12 overs and Chris Tebb also weighed in with 3 wickets. The 2s face Pak Bristolians this Saturday hoping to continue this great start to the season.

Also unbeaten are the 3s!! They like the 2s they carded an 8 wicket victory. Mark Steer continued his fantastic start to the season with another 5 wicket haul. I am sure Steer won’t mind continuing to buy the jugs each week if his form continues for the season, having already picked up 19 wickets in 3 matches!! Chasing 160 for victory, the ever dependable Charlie Collard scored another YM 50 as the 3s came home comfortably. The 3s welcome Carsons/Mangotsfield to Golden Hill this weekend and will be wanting to keep this early season form going.

Davis - Highest ever score for the club

Ed Hollinghurst’s 4s won their 2nd game in a row after the first game was cancelled, with an extremely easy 241 run victory at home to Kingsweston/Old Elizabethans. This is likely to be the biggest margin of victory in the clubs history!! Gerry Davis continued his comeback with 91, another top score for the club, and shared an opening stand of 96 with Shaun Parker (35). Davis then shared in a 101 partnership with Paul McCoubrie before he fell. McCoubrie scored 82, a personal top score, as the 4s racked up a highly impressive 287/6. In reply K/OEs had no answer to opening pair Joe Day 4-30 and Steve Finning 5-7, as they were bowled out for 46 inside 14 overs. The 4s travel to Alveston next week hoping to continue on an early season run like last year to keep themselves at the top of the division.

The 5s also won the first game they have played this season, with a 5 wicket victory over Hanham. A collective team effort saw Hanham all out for 57, with wickets for Graham Lemon, Sam Munnions (his first for the club), Tom Feather (3), Tom Bartley (2) and Rikin (1). In reply despite losing 5 wickets, Dan McKimm and Tom Bartley, 15 and 9 not out, saw the team home inside 18 overs. A great start of the 5s who will be looking for promotion following last year’s impressive debut season and take on United Banks this weekend.

Seamer Mark Steer stole the show away at Bristol Civil Service with a stunning performance to give the 4s a comfortable 73 run victory. Steer took 8/36 in his 15 overs with accurate bowling which led to Civil Service being bowled out for 81. It could have been a different story however with YM batting first teetering on the edge of disaster at 32/5 when Ed Hollinghurst played a captains knock to rescue the team from trouble!! Ed’s career best 48 was ended in the 44th over when he was caught but had enabled the team to rack up 154/9 in our allotted overs. Steer then rolled through CS, with the help of tight bowling from the other end from both Joe Day and Junaid Shah. From his first wicket ex-Horfield player Steer took 8/7 in a devastating spell with batsmen having no answer. A great start to the year for both Mark and Ed and hopefully the sign of things to come as the 4s try to recreate their dominance of last season. Next up at Golden Hill is Kingsweston/OE 2s who were bowled out for 44 at the weekend, but did take 7 wickets in reply.

In the 1st X1, YM ended up winners by 83 runs after a team batting performance had set Bristol Sri Lankans 233 to win. John Colley then ended up with 6/41 from 10.3 overs to give the 1s their first victory of the season as they looked to get back on track after defeat last week. On a bitterly cold day at Barrow Guerney, YM were put into bat and despite an early set back with skipper Matt Wells given out early LBW, despite the ball looking like it was high, YM had BSL on the back foot with Martin Jones hitting some lusty blows including one over the clubhouse. However wickets continued to tumble with all batsmen getting a start. Martin and numbers 3-10 all made double figures with only Richie Williams taking his innings on to make 40 but his innings was ended when caught on the boundary. Rich Gadd hit a swash-buckling 30 at the end to give the 1s a decent total to defend. BSL got off to a good start, with too many catches hitting the deck allowing one opening batsmen to reach 50 in 10 overs. However Hitesh Shah put a strangle on the scoring and Colley switching ends then ripped through the order to finish with 6-21 in his second spell, including a very good catch from Chris Dowle. The 1s take on unbeaten Coalpit Heath next weekend, hoping to follow up this much improved team performance.

Chris Ball continued his unbeaten start as 2s captain with a 5 wicket victory against last seasons runners-up Bristol Pakistanis. BP totalled 205 all out, finished off in the 44th over. Despite a good second wicket partnership, Chris Tebb and Rich Hall put a hold on the Pakistanis expansive batting and took 7 wickets between them to restrict what could have been a larger total. Tebb ended with 3-19 off 7 overs and Hall 4-13 off 4.1. In reply, a second wicket partnership of 90 between James Steven and Rich Hall, lay the platform for victory in the 43rd over. Steven scored 47 and Hall 58, and despite both falling before the end, Pete Kirk and Razi Ahmed saw YM home. The 2s travel to Chew Magna next week hoping to continue their good start to the season.

The 3s also continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 33 run win at home to a strong Twyford House team. Batting first YM scored 211 for 6 with the main contribution coming from opening batsmen Richard Hughes with 63. He was ably supported by Matt Parker, Paul Davies and Andy Hyde as well as 46 extras. Twyford were often up with the run rate required but YM continued to take crucial wickets at important times, which did not allow any House batsmen to make a big total. House were bowled out for 178 in the 44th over to give YM maximum points. The accurate Andy Spicer and Chris Priest did their usual consistent best before Tim Lush tore through the top and middle order with a 15 over spell of 5-46. The 3s travel to Bitton, who themselves earned a 9 wicket victory over Carsons, next weekend and should be confident of keeping their winning run going.

Please consider making a donation. This can be done by going to http://www.justgiving.co.uk/3peaks-2010.

Kwik cricket sessions: every Saturday from 8th May to 10th July, weather permitting*

Start: 10:00 and Finish: 11:30 followed by refreshments

Cost: £3 per session

From age 5 onwards

Parents are requested to assist our cricket coaches with the running of Kwik Cricket by joining a rota.

* sessions will be cancelled in case of bad weather, please contact Dave Spink on 07796 824166 to find out if the seesion is going to take place.

Kirk - contributed runs and wickets for the 1sts

Taking to the field first Matt Well’s 1st XI restricted Bishopston 2nds to 159/9 off their 40 overs in a match that took place at Westbury Fields. Richard Gadd (1/13) and Martin Jones (1/20) provided a tight opening spell with the ball, with Peter Kirk (2/39) and John Colley (1/26) also amongst the wickets and  Simsangeet Goewal (3/29) cleaning up the tail. YMCA reached the target in the 35th over; Peter Kirk (61*) and Tom Milsom (34) being the top scorers.”

Skipper Chris Ball (3/31) was the pick of the bowlers for the 2nd XI as Twyford House reached 158/8 off their 40 overs. Alex White (2/14), Rich Hall (2/13) and young spinner Meb Hussain (1/34) also picked up wickets for the 2nds. In reply there was a very encouraging knock by Mac McMahon (67) who was delighted to find some form after missing last season with injury. YMCA got home with three wickets and five overs remaining.

The 3rd XI had an unusual game against Cardiff Cavaliers in which only four wickets fell in the entire match. Phil Dowle’s side posted an impressive total of 189/4 off their 40 overs thanks to contributions of Charlie Collard (54) Gerry Davis (46) and Ashley Forbes (34*). However an understrength bowling attack failed to make a breakthrough, as the visitors reached the target with three overs to spare.

Meanwhile, the GHS FC 1st Team kept their promotion hopes alive with a comfortable 2-0 win over Glenside. The Reserves were defeated 2-1 by FC Bristol.