IT MAY not have felt much like cricket weather recently but at Minehead Cricket Club pre-season is well underway ahead of the 2023 season.

Despite the heavy rain falling through March and April, Stuart Tudball and his team have got the ground looking in great shape and the players are enjoying outdoor net sessions when weather permits!

Sadly, the first pre-season fixture against Wellington was cancelled due to a wet pitch, but the First XI are looking forward to another pre-season game against Taunton today (Sat) while the Third XI take on Ashbrittle in their first West Somerset League game, both sides away from home.

This season Minehead welcome several new and returning players to the club, and the number of playing members is looking much healthier than last year.

MCC also look forward to welcoming Jakob Shrader from New Zealand for the summer, who becomes the 20th player from the Taranaki region of New Zealand to join Minehead CC, in a special partnership with friends from the other side of the world dating back to 1979. During this time 16 Minehead players have experienced a summer of playing cricket in Taranaki,

In a partnership which can continue to thrive now Covid restrictions have passed. Jakob will only be eligible to play in the Third XI at Minehead, due to the Somerset League not allowing overseas players to participate.

The club has already hosted several very successful social events including the Cheltenham and Grand National fundraisers which were brilliantly organised by Steve Archer. The events raised a combined £800 in funds for the club.

The clubhouse also hosted the Minehead CC Darts Championship on early in the month, which saw 25 entrants and plenty of spectators who raised great funds for the club in the way of entry fees and bar takings. A great night was enjoyed by all, and this will be sure to be an annual or bi-annual event.

Anyone who has been at the club recently will notice that a great deal of work has been carried out behind the scenes, revamping the bar ahead of a busy season. Darren Richards, Steve Archer, Ellis Taylor, Barry Swann and Paul Marsh have all played a great part in making the bar look fantastic, so a huge thanks goes to them all.