Cockspur Cup launches at Lord's
by Alan Rowley, 12th March 2004

Cockspur Rum have renewed links with the ECB National Cup Championship with a launching ceremony held at the Warner Restaurant, Lord's. The company, associated with the competition from 1987 until 1990, has entered into a three-year agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board to sponsor the tournament.

The launch was an ideal opportunity for the Bath and Sandiacre skippers to recall the day in September when they played out a tremendously exciting game which had everyone on the edge of their seats. Sandiacre's John Trueman (pictured left), looking out onto the empty ground on a dull and cold day, recalled his emotions as Sandiacre snatched the game away from the West Country side in a dramatic last over.

Trueman told 'the follow on' that Sandiacre will be there or thereabouts in the Premier this season, but he couldn't hide his disappointment at Jake Needham's decision to move on to arch rivals Ockbrook and Borrowash for the 2004 season. Needham, upset at not being selected for the Club Championship final, moves to Victoria Avenue along with Sawley's Neil Smith and Selston's Chris Dunn.

Trueman said: 'The fact that we were knocked out of the Premier Cup in the early stages probably helped us to the Club Championship victory. It enabled us to focus on the tournament."

Meanwhile, Bath's Ben Staunton (pictured right), accompanied by his sister Amy, told 'the follow on' that the whole side was 'gobsmacked' when Simon Gwilliam was run out with only two runs required for victory. But Staunton issued a warning to the 332 clubs who will be taking part in the 2004 tournament saying: "We'll be back".

Bath have the chance to avenge the defeat in April when they entertain Sandiacre over the weekend of the 17th and 18th. Sandiacre are taking a strong squad down to Bath on the Friday afternoon and will need to go steady with the evening's entertainment if they are to make the 11:30 start on the Saturday morning. The Saturday friendly is against the Bath 1st XI whereas the Sunday fixture sees the Bath A team taking on the Club Champions. The Sunday game starts at a more respectable 12:30.

Sandiacre's John Trueman (left) and Bath's Ben Staunton are presented with a bottle of
Cockspur Rum in recognition of their epic 2003 Club Championship final exploits

Also present at the launch ceremony, organised by TriMedia, were West Indian Cavaliers star Carlos Remy, Caythorpe and ex-Notts Jimmy Hindson, the Professional Cricketers Association's Media Manager and former Kent and England spinner Min Patel. As the England team were preparing to take to the field in Jamaica, Patel said: "I get fed up with the criticism levelled at England's spinners, but I feel that we have the best chance that we've had for many a year of upsetting the Windies."

Frank Kemp

Min Patel

New innovations for this year's competition include an opportunity for the winners to travel to Barbados in November 2004 to play in the Annual Barbados Pro Am Festival. The Cockspur Cup winners will be captained by England fast bowler Darren Gough. Prize money is available for any club that reaches the last 32 as well as for outstanding performances in each round. The ECB's Frank Kemp said:, "I am delighted to welcome back Cockspur as sponsor of the ECB National Club Championship. There will be plenty of competitive cricket played by the top clubs across the country."

Also resurrected by Cockspur is the rankings league which is compiled based on each club's performance in the competition from its founding in 1987. Saffron Walden currently top the list and their skipper Giles Ecclestone was present to accept a bottle of the sponsor's product in recognition of the feat. Local clubs featuring in the list include West Indian Cavaliers (18th), Sandiacre Town (50th) and Caythorpe (102nd). With many more local clubs entering this year, following Sandiacre's success, we can look forward to more representatives in next year's listings.

Min Patel, Dave Smith (Cockspur Global Brand Director)
and Frank Kemp pose for press photographs

Following the launch, the guests were given the opportunity to sample Cockspur Rum with some excellent cranberry punch and orange punch. The extra kick added by the sponsor's product was enough to keep out the bitterly cold easterly wind outside. A first class spread of West Indian food was also enjoyed as the guests sat down to watch the opening overs of the First Test.

Hopefully, 'the follow on' will be back at Lord's in September to watch one of our local representatives lift the new trophy.