During the 2012 season, a number of sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses and individuals who may be interested in partnering and supporting Greenock Cricket Club, details of which can be found here. If you have a business, or have connections with a business, which may be interested to take out one of the sponsorship opportunities outlined, or, if as an individual, you would be interested in sponsoring the Club through one of these opportunities, then please contact either Peter Hempsey on 0797 499 4069, email peter.hempsey@gmail.com or Maureen Harrison on 0753 883 8086, email mauharrison@aol.com to discuss further.

The 1st XI made it two wins out of two when they defeated Ferguslie at Glenpark on Wednesday evening. Mark Robertson and professional Mpho Sekhoto starred with the ball as Ferguslie scrambled to 71 for 9 whilst Richie Berrington headlined the response as Greenock won by 4 wickets. Peter Hemspey was there to provide a brief report on the game.

** Update - Thursday night's Rowan Cup-tie with Poloc is cancelled again. Trying again next Thursday (24th May)

The 1st XI travel to Ayr on Saturday in the CSL West Premier Division and despite last week's loss to Dumfries, they do so in confident mood, buoyed by the return to the country of overseas amateur, Craig Schlebusch. The team will therefore be at more or less full strength but the chance is taken to blood young Neil Flack who has been in great form so far this season. Chris Hempsey also steps up as the selectors look to bolster the team's batting strength. The match starts at 12 noon.

There are two midweek games this week at Glenpark. Wednesday night sees Ferguslie as the visitors for a West League Cup sectional fixture whilst Thursday is the date for the rearranged first round Rowan Cup tie with Poloc. Unfortunately, the weather forecast would appear to offer no chance of that game going ahead which means another week's delay. We should also not forget that the Under-13 XI start their National Cup campaign also on Thursday with a tie at Ayr.

The Glenpark XI will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday's heavy defeat at Dumfries when they take on the Cambusdoon XI at Glenpark on Saturday, this match starting at 1pm. Dave ' the Snake' Sharma will be in charge this week of what looks to be a very young but promising team and will be hoping to be describe a winnign performance when he provides his usual weekly report on the team's fortunes.

The Hillend XI play Irvine in a WDCU Sunday League fixture at Glenpark on Sunday, the match starting at 2pm, and the team will be keen to maintain their unbeaten start to the season..

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Members will be delighted to hear that the Club's Overseas Amateur, Craig Schlebusch, who had to return home after the Scottish Cup tie with Poloc, will be returning to the Club this week and will be available to play against Ayr on Saturday. In his short stay earlier, Craig made an immediate impression with 2 faultless displays of batting, coupled with his attacking left-arm seam bowling, and he will be warmly welcomed back to the Club.

After the winning delights of last weekend, the club was brought back down to earth with a large bump after both elevens were heavily defeated by their Dumfries counterparts. The 1st XI went down by 111 runs and the Glenpark XI fared little better, losing by 101 runs. Peter Hempsey has penned his usual report on the 1st XI's defeat whilst Dave Sharma details what went wrong in the Glenpark XI's defeat with his first report of the season.

The one bright spot of the weekend was a fine win on Friday by the Under-15 XI against Ferguslie as Neil Flack (63) and Harry Briggs (53*) led the locals to 135 for 1, a score which was far too much for the Paisley boys. The scorecard for this game can be seen here.

All three elevens won at the weekend with the 1st XI defeating Poloc by 86 runs at Shawholm in a Scottish Cup sectional tie, the Glenpark XI defeating St Ninians by 8 wickets in the Western Cup and the Hillend XI rounding things off with a win in their friendly over Innellan. The enjoyment of winning was however tarnished by the shock news that overseas amateur, Craig Schlebusch, was returning immediately to South Africa for personal reasons. After Craig's man of the match performance on Saturday when his chanceless century was the highlight of the 1st XI's performance as Peter Hempsey's report describes, this was indeed news that left the club's players and members stunned.

The Club's top amateur, Richie Berrington, has taken up an offer to join Leicestershire for the month of May on loan from his employers, Cricket Scotland. It was always likely that Richie's involvement with the Scottish Saltires would severely restrict his opportunities to play for Greenock in May but this arrangement makes that definite. However, the Club are delighted that Richie has been given this opportunity and we wish him every success.

Due to Scott Jones having intimated that he is no longer able to score for the 1st XI due to new work commitments, the Club is on the lookout for someone to take over the position. Previous experience of scoring is not essential as training can be provided and it is not “rocket science”!! Young (secondary school age) or not so young, male or female applicants will be happily considered and it is a position which has a remuneration.

Being available for every single 1st XI match is not essential and if more than one person expresses an interest in the position then an availability arrangement could be worked out.

If you would consider helping the Club by doing this important job each Saturday, and on other occasions when the 1st XI have matches, or if you know of someone who might be interested, then please contact either Brian Papworth or Peter Hempsey at the numbers or email addresses as listed here.

The latest monthly draw for the Glenpark Supporters Prize Draw was made on Saturday 28th April and the four lucky winners were Bob McGill, Vivian McLean, Margot Andrew and Martin MacNab. In addition, this month saw the latest Jackpot draw and the fortunate winner of this was Emma Kelly.

The next draw will take place on Saturday 26th May 2012 with the usual monthly prizes.

There are now over 140 members of the draw but additional numbers are still being sought. Remember, the more members, the bigger the prizes. If you wish to join, please contact either Peter Hempsey or Brian Papworth at the numbers or email addresses as listed here.

Junior training will start on Tuesday 17 April 2012. In a change to previous years' arrangements, age groups will now be split, with those aged 12-18 years training on a Tuesday from 4.30pm to 6pm. Those aged 8-11 years will train on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7.30pm. New members will be made most welcome, only having to turn up and thereafter they will be allocated an appropriate training group. All equipment will be provided by the Club.

To assist in complying with our Child Protection responsibilities, participants will be required to fill in an Emergency Contacts Form which can be downloaded here. Completed forms should given to the Junior Membership Convener, Emma Kelly, or any of the club coaches, who will be present at training sessions.

The latest monthly draw for the Glenpark Supporters Prize Draw was made on Saturday 31st March and the four lucky winners were Dave Sharma, Alistair McMillan, Graham Prodger and Brelda Baum.

After the success of the Civic Reception and the Dinner Dance, thoughts now turn to events on the park. The feature match of the season will take place on Sunday 15th July 2012 when a Greenock Select XI will take on the Cricket Scotland President's XI. The game is likely to be a 40 overs per side match and will start at 1pm. More details on this match will be announced in due course.

A Dinner will be held on Friday 28th September 2012 to commemorate the anniversary at a venue still to be decided. Further details will be published in due course.

Anniversary ties are now on sale at the Club for £16. Further merchandise will be available shortly.

Remember to keep checking this website to keep up-to-date with all the events that will celebrate this momentous achievement.

The Club's 150th Anniversary celebrations really took off on Saturday 17th March when a most successful Dinner Dance was held in Greenock Town Hall. Peter Hempsey has provided a brief report on the evening, which includes a link to some photos.

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The Club's 150th anniversary year was given the perfect start when Inverclyde Council hosted a Civic Reception in Greenock Town Hall to commemorate this splendid achievement. 50 past and present club members were present to hear Inverclyde's Provost, Michael McCormick, laud the Club's achievements since its inception.

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