At the time these notes are being written “The Willows” presents a bleak prospect with the ground submerged under flood water. However we can look back on an outstandingly successful cricket season.

The early Premier League matches during late April and early May were marred by rain with the subsequent loss of potential points in the Championship. Nevertheless the players responded magnificently and won the competition by beating Barton in the last match of the season.

On Sunday 30th July the club also won the prestigious “Brewery Cup” competition for the fourth time beating Tutbury by 20 runs in an exciting match in front of a large crowd at Belvedere Park. The club thereby achieving “the Double” to add to its similar success in 1988.

The biennial fixture against an MCC eleven on 17th August resulted in the first victory for Rolleston in four encounters. In a magnificent high scoring game Rolleston eventually won with inches to spare.

The Club now faces some sterner league competition when they enter the 2nd division of the Derbyshire League in 2001; but the members are confident that they will acquit themselves well.

Alan Partington, President.

Rolleston are the new holders of the Burton Breweries' Cup after a 20-run victory over Tutbury at Belvedere Park on Sunday 30 July. Rolleston skipper Sean Green (left) and top scorer Darren Yeomans are pictured celebrating victory.
	The Rolleston side plus scorer Paul Burton (back left) savour the taste of victory. It was Rolleston's fourth triumph in the cup.

Congratulations go to the first eleven who won the first final in the new Millennium of the Burton Breweries Charity Cup competition after a closely fought encounter with our neighbours, Tutbury.  An enthralling match was witnessed at a packed Belvedere Sports Ground with Rolleston running out winners by 20 runs in the last but one over of the game.

The Premier division of the League is also entering a vital stage of the season with Draycott, Tutbury and Rolleston all very much in contention for honours.

Elsewhere on the playing side the youth sides have had mixed fortunes with the Under-13s being the most successful although the Under-17 team reached the final of the Fred Lowe Trophy before losing to a strong Dunstall side.

A successful end to the week’s Millennium Celebrations held in the village was enjoyed at the cricket club where representatives of the Parish council and all Millennium organisations were present.

By the time this publication is released the season will almost be at a close but work will then start in preparation for our first season in the Derbyshire County League next season.  To this aim we are looking for sponsorship and assistance to enable us to compete to a higher level.  Anyone wishing to help the Club in this, or any other way is asked to contact myself at 73, Station Road.

J. Shakespear (Chairman)

At the time of writing the start of the new season has been delayed once again by the inclement weather. This is a familiar story and the Club is not helped by the low lying position of the cricket ground.

This season sees new captains at the helm for all of the senior sides and we wish them well in our last season in the Burton League. As from season 2001 the Club will participate in the Derbyshire County League which will hopefully give us the chance to climb the ladder to a higher grade of cricket. We are also running a third eleven on a regular basis in the league with home matches being played on Pirelli’s ground. It is hoped that this will enable the Club to satisfy the growing demands of players who wish to play for Rolleston Cricket Club on a regular basis.

The Youth sections continue to prosper and once more we shall be operating at four age group levels. This requires a high level of input from senior members to ensure that the players of tomorrow are brought up in the spirit of the game and we are always looking for assistance with the running of these sides. We would welcome offers of help from anyone interested especially from the parents of these players.

Off the field the Club continues its forward thinking into the development of the Club and we are currently awaiting the result of a Lottery application which it is hoped will enable us to make further improvements to the ground and practise facilities.

Looking ahead to later in the season we shall once again be hosting a fixture against the M.C.C. as well as participating in the village Millennium Celebrations – please look out for advertisements for these events.

Finally, we would like to extend a friendly welcome to all villagers to come and see us at "The Willows" as we are always looking for new members to join us, non-players as well as players.

J. Shakespear (Chairman)