| Castle Park - the place to be… 07:11 - May 25 with 13402 views | noah4x4 |
With the 2024-25 footie season finally over on this Bank Holiday Monday, many boarders on here might be lost for things to do on a Saturday afternoon. I recommended Castle Park Cricket Ground….
One choice is you can pay £50 for each ticket to listen to Texas, UB40, Tom Jones, Pixie Lott, Madness (etc), or listen to any from the cricket pavilion patio for free.
Another choice is paying an exorbitant sum for a can of chemically enhanced lager or instead £4.50 for a decent real ale. How about a burger for £3.00?
Oh, and the cricket……
Unbeaten Colchester & East Essex CC top the Essex Premier League after three fixtures.
Prolific openerJoe MacGregor has now scored unbeaten back to back centuries (admittedly one scored away).
Teenage Essex II’s pace sensation, Daniel Gladwell, is cartwheeling opposition stumps as dramatically as the action in a John Woo movie.
Essex First XI reserve wicket keeper, Simon Fernandes has shown his class.
New Zealand all-rounder, Liam Wheeler has added quality to an already decent squad.
Big games, big personalities, sunshine and beer. Idyllic……
Can even talk to Ray of SparkfilmsTV fame…..or me.
Please read my match reports in the Colchester Gazette on Fridays (not available on-line).
We love it when U’s fans join us!
Always free admission.
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 07:26 - Jun 23 with 3087 views | bwildered |
Up dated (for Sun 22 nd Chelmsford ) the place to be …
First home century for Charlie Allinson at the County ground . |  |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 08:28 - Jul 13 with 2912 views | noah4x4 |
Yesterday, Colchester & East Essex CC put together their most comprehensive win of the season, beating Billericay CC by 171 runs. They move 26 points clear of Wanstead who only managed to draw against Chelmsford. This could be our season!
For once, Joe MacGregor and Simon Fernandes were dismissed cheaply, but Ben Robinson (114) and Joe Austin (80) demonstrated the depth of Colchester batting.
Full scorecard and video highlights can be found at https://colchesteree.play-cricket.com. Look under results.
Put Saturday 26 July in your diary for when Wanstead visit Castle Park. Guaranteed drama between the two outstanding 2025 Essex Premier League teams. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 09:09 - Jul 14 with 2795 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Is it free to watch the cricket? I was near the park on Saturday and thought about wandering in for a bit but wasn't sure if there was an admission charge and I was only going to watch for 10 minutes or so.
Also, who are Ipswich and Colchester? Seems like an odd combination, maybe that will be our name soon. I saw that one of their players got two hat-tricks in consecutive overs!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c17wz7wjvw9o |  |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 16:58 - Jul 14 with 2746 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 09:09 - Jul 14 by RSCOSWORTH |
Is it free to watch the cricket? I was near the park on Saturday and thought about wandering in for a bit but wasn't sure if there was an admission charge and I was only going to watch for 10 minutes or so.
Also, who are Ipswich and Colchester? Seems like an odd combination, maybe that will be our name soon. I saw that one of their players got two hat-tricks in consecutive overs!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c17wz7wjvw9o |
Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club is a charitable status community cricket club where members of the public are admitted free of charge, including into the Bar/Pavilion, which offers competitively priced drinks, including a decent selection of real ales. There is usually a tea bar and a BBQ post match. Many Colchester Utd fans regularly support the club.
The club plays in the Essex Premier League which is the highest standard below the professional game. Matches feature many county second XI players, plus some First XI where county commitments permit.
“Ipswich & Colchester Cricket Club” (Ipscol cc) was only established in 2020. They play in Division Six of the Two Counties Cricket Championship. Ipscol has no affinity with the historically long established “Ipswich and East Suffolk CC” or “Colchester and East Essex CC”. Frankly, their name is rather pretentious, but there is no copyright infringement. Maybe they should play at the Jobserve Stadium….. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 17:42 - Jul 18 with 2659 views | RSCOSWORTH |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 16:58 - Jul 14 by noah4x4 |
Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club is a charitable status community cricket club where members of the public are admitted free of charge, including into the Bar/Pavilion, which offers competitively priced drinks, including a decent selection of real ales. There is usually a tea bar and a BBQ post match. Many Colchester Utd fans regularly support the club.
The club plays in the Essex Premier League which is the highest standard below the professional game. Matches feature many county second XI players, plus some First XI where county commitments permit.
“Ipswich & Colchester Cricket Club” (Ipscol cc) was only established in 2020. They play in Division Six of the Two Counties Cricket Championship. Ipscol has no affinity with the historically long established “Ipswich and East Suffolk CC” or “Colchester and East Essex CC”. Frankly, their name is rather pretentious, but there is no copyright infringement. Maybe they should play at the Jobserve Stadium….. |
Cheers Noah, good to know, I should've wandered in for a bit.
I know very little about cricket but the ball certainly seemed to be travelling at a fair speed from the bowler during the bit I watched whilst walking back to the car.
Yeah I'm not sure they put much thought into that name. Probably just someone from Ipswich wanting to somehow be associated with Colchester. | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 06:47 - Jul 21 with 2582 views | noah4x4 |
After this weekend…..
1. Colchester & East Essex CC First XI top of the Essex Premier Cricket League.
2. Second XI top of Essex League Second XI Division Two.
3. Women’s XI top of the Essex Women’s Premier League Hundred.
Wouldn’t it be great if Colchester United mirrored this success!
A massive day on Saturday when second placed rivals, Wanstead, come to Castle Park (11.00 start). Even if Colchester lose, they stay at least 1 point clear. However, a win could take them up to 51 points clear. Free admission, and a super selection of (bottled) real ales in bar at club prices.
Also free pavilion admission during the August Colchester Music Festival Evenings. OK, you can’t see the stage, but you can hear Madness, Texas, UB40, Tom Jones etc for free. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 07:52 - Jul 24 with 2495 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 06:47 - Jul 21 by noah4x4 |
After this weekend…..
1. Colchester & East Essex CC First XI top of the Essex Premier Cricket League.
2. Second XI top of Essex League Second XI Division Two.
3. Women’s XI top of the Essex Women’s Premier League Hundred.
Wouldn’t it be great if Colchester United mirrored this success!
A massive day on Saturday when second placed rivals, Wanstead, come to Castle Park (11.00 start). Even if Colchester lose, they stay at least 1 point clear. However, a win could take them up to 51 points clear. Free admission, and a super selection of (bottled) real ales in bar at club prices.
Also free pavilion admission during the August Colchester Music Festival Evenings. OK, you can’t see the stage, but you can hear Madness, Texas, UB40, Tom Jones etc for free. |
Saturday’s Colchester & East Essex team versus Wanstead in Castle Park (11:00 start) has been published, and includes Essex CCC contracted players, Charlie Allison and Simon Fernandes.
Wanstead are likely to feature Essex star, Robin Das and former Essex Second XI Captain, Joe Ellis- Grewell.
FREE ADMISSION!
FREE ACCESS TO THE BAR!
There is now added spice to the title race as Chelmsford CC have crept into second place after securing 14 points last week, not the 7 points I reported in yesterday’s Gazette. This discrepancy was entirely my fault as I originally took the information from the automatically calculated published league tables not anticipating a belated manual 7 additional bonus point adjustment benefiting Chelmsford resulting from an extreme time/over reduction due to rain.
Colchester must now play Wanstead both home and away, whilst Chelmsford have already played both Colchester and Wanstead twice, so have (arguably) the easiest run in against teams below them. Saturday is therefore probably a must win for Wanstead, and it is a must not lose for Colchester given their healthy points advantage over both Wanstead and Chelmsford. But with this powerful line up, Colchester won’t be seeking a draw. [Post edited 24 Jul 7:55]
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 07:17 - Jul 27 with 2391 views | noah4x4 |
In a hard fought contest, Wanstead emerged as winners, so Colchester’s lead at the top of the Essex Premier Cricket League was cut to 15 points.
Another huge game in Castle Park next Saturday when Brentwood CC are the visitors. | | | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 09:15 - Jul 27 with 2355 views | SparkfilmsTV |
An absorbing match at Castle Park yesterday with both sides giving everything with some pulsating cricket.
The Wanstead number 4 batsman - Muhammed Hassan Hameed looks a class act.
Wanstead players and followers were very complimentary about this current Colchester side and despite the result they see Colchester as favourites to win The Hambro Premiership.
Wanstead are down in leafy Surrey today taking part in the Quarter Finals of The National Cup.
Next week's clash with Brentwood at Castle Park promises to be another epic with former Colchester player Jack Hebron fresh from an eight wicket haul for Brentwood yesterday. |  | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 15:06 - Jul 27 with 2315 views | bwildered |
Saw Wanstead’s innings on the excellent stream .
Simon Fernandes looked excellent standing up, Wheeler and Gladwell bowled to many four balls, any thought of ColEE getting back into the game were cancelled by Das ably assisting Hameed seeing the chase comfortably.
Next time the big guy umpires Noah, ask him to stand at the opposite end, has standing up at the wicket you could not see the stumps though his other umpire could just see over them ! | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 20:50 - Jul 27 with 2285 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Wanstead are just one match from a Lords final in The National Cup after crushing Ashtead C.C. this afternoon.
Ashtead included former England, player Mark Stoneman who was dismissed cheaply today.
Kishen Velani had a rare day off from working weekends and starred for Wanstead.
Colchester have not made any impact on this tournament for many years but have the potential to do so should the players be available on a Sunday. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 21:14 - Jul 27 with 2288 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 15:06 - Jul 27 by bwildered |
Saw Wanstead’s innings on the excellent stream .
Simon Fernandes looked excellent standing up, Wheeler and Gladwell bowled to many four balls, any thought of ColEE getting back into the game were cancelled by Das ably assisting Hameed seeing the chase comfortably.
Next time the big guy umpires Noah, ask him to stand at the opposite end, has standing up at the wicket you could not see the stumps though his other umpire could just see over them ! |
Glad you enjoyed the live stream (which is my work). The software is identical to that used by Essex CCC with the main difference being me being the sole scorer/video/editor operative which means I can employ only two static cameras, including one wide angle. But I’m proud of the results we achieve.
I no longer add audio because of repeated problems with the YouTube copyright police moaning that we are broadcasting Castle Park music concerts. If they turned their volume down it would assist!
I winced when umpire Courtney Perry took the camera end. I have no control over this. By contrast, tiny Raf Patel is a camera end dream. Frankly, if we had a Cherry Picker to get the camera higher the view would be better, but I am limited to about 4 metres on top of the sight screen.
We enjoy a decent live audience, but views soar to between 600 to 1,000 post match as clubs then analyse the content. However, it’s more about entertainment and sponsorship. Our record audience is for one funny clip that went viral topping 1 million views after being circulated by mainstream cricket broadcasters. Two others have topped 250,000 views. [Post edited 27 Jul 21:15]
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 12:35 - Aug 3 with 2161 views | noah4x4 |
Saturday 02/08/2025
Colchester beat Brentwood to gain 20 points.
Chelmsford beat Hutton to gain 20 points.
Wanstead lose to Fives & Heronians gaining merely 12 points.
This means Colchester now lead the Essex Premier League table by 22 points.
Crucial was Joe MacGregors’s 125 not out, whilst veteran Ben Stephens in his first appearance of 2025 rolled back the years and bowled 16 overs, taking 3-55 at an economy rate of 3.44. What is notably remarkable was he conceded 19 runs in his first two overs , then having removed both openers, he bowled the next 14 overs for merely 36 runs. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 13:34 - Aug 3 with 2137 views | bwildered |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 12:35 - Aug 3 by noah4x4 |
Saturday 02/08/2025
Colchester beat Brentwood to gain 20 points.
Chelmsford beat Hutton to gain 20 points.
Wanstead lose to Fives & Heronians gaining merely 12 points.
This means Colchester now lead the Essex Premier League table by 22 points.
Crucial was Joe MacGregors’s 125 not out, whilst veteran Ben Stephens in his first appearance of 2025 rolled back the years and bowled 16 overs, taking 3-55 at an economy rate of 3.44. What is notably remarkable was he conceded 19 runs in his first two overs , then having removed both openers, he bowled the next 14 overs for merely 36 runs. |
Saw the last ten overs, decent chase in, looked like some dark arts with four overs to go with MacGregor slowing the game down, going walk about and talking to the umpire about something in the deep. Well supported by Wheeler . | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 22:55 - Aug 3 with 2096 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 13:34 - Aug 3 by bwildered |
Saw the last ten overs, decent chase in, looked like some dark arts with four overs to go with MacGregor slowing the game down, going walk about and talking to the umpire about something in the deep. Well supported by Wheeler . |
Presume you were watching the live stream Bewildered.
As the ‘last hour’ commenced late there was never going to be more than the 17 remaining minimum overs bowled. There was therefore no incentive for Joe MacGregor to slow proceedings down, but there is an explanation….
There was a moment of late controversy when two Brentwood players fielding the ball collided on the boundary outside of my camera view. My video cannot be employed in any decision making without proper DRS kit and protocols so I mention this solely to explain why you didn’t see what was occurring . One Brentwood player was briefly concussed and the question then arose, was it four or two runs?
A Brentwood fan had apparently signalled four, but the Brentwood fielders argued only two, whilst Colchester inevitably wanted four. After a bit of debate, plus time for the concussed player to be assessed, the umpires judgement was merely two (fair enough). But that probably explains the apparent delays, which were not Joe MacGregors fault.
Was a thrilling nail-biting end to the game. I was simultaneously following the Wanstead live stream where Fives & Heronians miraculous scored 47 for the ninth/tenth wicket to defeat Wanstead. As I have said all season, the Essex Premier League is very entertaining, and free admission. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 13:42 - Aug 4 with 2063 views | burnsieespana |
Frankly sounds more exciting than T20 and the hundred. |  | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 13:50 - Aug 4 with 2061 views | bwildered |
That explains it all Noah - Thanks.
Looked also like Wheeler pulled up before being out . | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 20:14 - Aug 4 with 2036 views | SparkfilmsTV |
I was in the ground for the final 35 overs - engrossing cricket and Joe MacGregor was monumental in an exciting victory.
I have watched Joe since he was about 11 years old,
I've also been around when Joe has practised hard in the nets -.sometimes with his dad Jamie throwing down ball after ball, hour after hour and sometimes day after day. That's real dedication and Joe is one of the best batsman who has ever represented Colchester & East Essex.
Joe's sister Esmae will be playing for Manchester Originals in The Hundred. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 08:06 - Aug 15 with 1911 views | bwildered |
Essex Academy left-arm seam bowler Daniel Gladwell has signed a short-term professional deal which runs until the end of the month. ✍️
Congratulations, Daniel! | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 22:43 - Aug 15 with 1845 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 08:06 - Aug 15 by bwildered |
Essex Academy left-arm seam bowler Daniel Gladwell has signed a short-term professional deal which runs until the end of the month. ✍️
Congratulations, Daniel! |
Great for Daniel Gladwell, but it now means Colchester & East Essex CC have lost three players to Essex for the devalued Metro Bank Cup just when the Essex Premier League is coming to a conclusion.
This is a consequence of the Hundred, as if Pepper, Cox, Walter, Rossington and Cook were not involved with that, then the Metro Bank Cup would have more credibility.
The ECB need to sort out fixtures so we don’t have these ridiculously clashes and conflicts of interest. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 11:24 - Aug 16 with 1788 views | bwildered |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 22:43 - Aug 15 by noah4x4 |
Great for Daniel Gladwell, but it now means Colchester & East Essex CC have lost three players to Essex for the devalued Metro Bank Cup just when the Essex Premier League is coming to a conclusion.
This is a consequence of the Hundred, as if Pepper, Cox, Walter, Rossington and Cook were not involved with that, then the Metro Bank Cup would have more credibility.
The ECB need to sort out fixtures so we don’t have these ridiculously clashes and conflicts of interest. |
Although not sorted the construction of Championship cricket for the future, T20 fixtures next season will be played en bloc and will be completed before the Hundred commences.
Has this does not help the ColEE course, Metro Cup games will remain until ICC take the 50/50 format off the world stage competition.
All Essex Premier League clubs are potential feeder clubs for the next step pathway for Counties, just like U’s are for Championship clubs and beyond.
Nice to see the local players to do well but it will always be frustrating that before the next step they have helped tthe clubs progress and perhaps with some silverware, unfortunately that does not happen .
But good to see the Colchestrians doing personally well eg Szmodics, Allinsons, Fernandes and Foakes ( although sometimes not wishing some of clubs the success ) ! [Post edited 16 Aug 11:39]
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 21:46 - Aug 16 with 1723 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 11:24 - Aug 16 by bwildered |
Although not sorted the construction of Championship cricket for the future, T20 fixtures next season will be played en bloc and will be completed before the Hundred commences.
Has this does not help the ColEE course, Metro Cup games will remain until ICC take the 50/50 format off the world stage competition.
All Essex Premier League clubs are potential feeder clubs for the next step pathway for Counties, just like U’s are for Championship clubs and beyond.
Nice to see the local players to do well but it will always be frustrating that before the next step they have helped tthe clubs progress and perhaps with some silverware, unfortunately that does not happen .
But good to see the Colchestrians doing personally well eg Szmodics, Allinsons, Fernandes and Foakes ( although sometimes not wishing some of clubs the success ) ! [Post edited 16 Aug 11:39]
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It’s the Hundred that rips out the engine room of many counties. It clashes with the Metro Bank Cup, so that in turn means Essex Premier League players get drafted in to the counties.
But good news, despite the absence of Simon Fernandes, Charlie Allison and Daniel Gladwell, Colchester & East Essex won today, whilst Chelmsford won and Wanstead lost. Colchester now lead Chelmsford by 18 points. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 11:54 - Aug 17 with 1680 views | bwildered |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 21:46 - Aug 16 by noah4x4 |
It’s the Hundred that rips out the engine room of many counties. It clashes with the Metro Bank Cup, so that in turn means Essex Premier League players get drafted in to the counties.
But good news, despite the absence of Simon Fernandes, Charlie Allison and Daniel Gladwell, Colchester & East Essex won today, whilst Chelmsford won and Wanstead lost. Colchester now lead Chelmsford by 18 points. |
Presume by that Noah, ColEE suffer the most from Essex call ups, in the Premier League .
Watching the Metro game at Chelmsford last Friday apparently Surrey had sixteen players absent due to the Hundred , so got a thumping against Essex side that only lost three. | |
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| Castle Park - the place to be… on 07:32 - Aug 18 with 1626 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 11:54 - Aug 17 by bwildered |
Presume by that Noah, ColEE suffer the most from Essex call ups, in the Premier League .
Watching the Metro game at Chelmsford last Friday apparently Surrey had sixteen players absent due to the Hundred , so got a thumping against Essex side that only lost three. |
It is true that Surrey have lost the most players to the Hundred.
Essex have lost Rossington, Walter, Cox, Pepper, Cook to the Hundred
Consequently, Wanstead have lost Das to Essex
Colchester have lost Allison, Fernandes (S) and Gladwell to Essex.
To be fair, Allison and Das are now Essex regulars also playing in other competitions.
No other Essex Premier League Clubs are affected by the 2025 Hundred. Perhaps explains why Chelmsford and Hornchurch were 2023 and 2024 Champions having benefitted from stable sides. To be fair, this seems to go in cycles. In the past, Cook (S) and Beard were plucked out of Chelmsford. Lawrence and Porter from Chingford. The Essex Premier League produces some fine County cricketers. | | | |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 06:39 - Aug 23 with 1431 views | noah4x4 |
| Castle Park - the place to be… on 07:32 - Aug 18 by noah4x4 |
It is true that Surrey have lost the most players to the Hundred.
Essex have lost Rossington, Walter, Cox, Pepper, Cook to the Hundred
Consequently, Wanstead have lost Das to Essex
Colchester have lost Allison, Fernandes (S) and Gladwell to Essex.
To be fair, Allison and Das are now Essex regulars also playing in other competitions.
No other Essex Premier League Clubs are affected by the 2025 Hundred. Perhaps explains why Chelmsford and Hornchurch were 2023 and 2024 Champions having benefitted from stable sides. To be fair, this seems to go in cycles. In the past, Cook (S) and Beard were plucked out of Chelmsford. Lawrence and Porter from Chingford. The Essex Premier League produces some fine County cricketers. |
Common sense at last….
Dan Gladwell who has not played for Essex in the Metro Cup has been given permission to play for Colchester today. Also returning is former Captain, Joe Barnett to replace Simon Fernandes who has excelled for the county. The visitors to Castle Park are Buckhurst Hill CC. Start 11:30.
Then, we are gearing up for Madness and Zutons (playing in next field) . Never before has FREE admission to a cricket ground offered so much value.
So after watching the U’s thrash Barrow, why not pop down. Even if you don’t like cricket you will love the bar and friendly atmosphere. Baggy Trousers…….. | | | |
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