The Old Druids of SICC aka The President's XI returns this year with intent to teach the new generation Imperials why they are still the masters. They will arrive, once again blowing smoke rings armed with tobacco pipes, jousting poles, sharpened branch sticks, barrels of ancient ale, and a surprise new recruit weapon called Jim Embury. The Imperials stare down questioningly at their jugs of Aussie imports following a defeat to Wibbandune last Sunday but manage to utter a "Brrwig it on..." war croak.

This event marks 21 years of SICC. Availabilities in by Wednesday.

Also, don't forget there is FREE outdoor nets on Thursday evening 7-9pm, Tiffin Sports school in Kingston. An opportunity for everyone including the Presidents XI to warm up those cricket starved muscles before the match. Please let me know if you are going. And finally, just to keep you up to date with the Imperial's progress so far...they won yet again! And it was their most proudest one yet as they faced a most formidable Kingston team. That makes 4 wins out of 5! Vacancies for cheerleading are now open...

Yours, Tej.

MEMBERSHIP: Annual subscription £40. Key benefits of joining are: Guaranteed first preference for selection for each match. Match fee is £5 for members (£10 for non-members). Net sessions will £5. You will get to be captain for one or more matches. Membership fee for OAP, overseas and under 16s is £20.

VENUE AND FIXTURES: We have a record 23 fixtures this year (see attached). Our first match commences on 27th April and then every Sunday until 21st Sept inclusive. Our home ground is again in the picturesque setting of East Molesey, at the Old Tiffinians ground (10mins walk from Hampton Court station). Of course, we are a Sunday social side cricket team but if any of you are interested in playing on some Saturdays also, let me know as Old Tiffs often need some players.

TOUR: This year's tour will be a weekend break in Hampshire (yes again, but different venues!). More details to follow.

START OF SEASON: Our customary start of season bash is currently penned down for 26th April (eve of our first match). Elliott, our new social secretary, will notify you of details soon.

COACHING: Those of you who are keen on honing your skills, or want to learn a few more tricks, then let me know, as weekday evening coaching lessons at the Oval can be arranged. Also tell me which evenings would suit you. Of course as mentioned earlier, a couple of coaching sessions are already booked at Guildford nets.

ETIQUETTE: Please adhere to the traditional etiquettes of this gentleman's game. Whites must be worn for all matches. Anything borrowed from the Club kit, return straight after use. Do not borrow other player's items without their consent, and even then there should be no reason to, as everything needed is provided by the club kit, including latest issue of Playboy, and Insect World Weekly

Be courteous to our oppositions (you can be rotten to your fellow team mates). These are social friendlies, our opponents are our friends including those bastar... I mean nice lads at Hersham. No, they really are good lads; just let's please beat them this time, its not funny any more losing to them every blasted year!

RESPONSIBILITIES: Everyone is expected to voluntarily help out with ad-hoc preparations and wrap up duties in every match. Such duties include setting up the stumps, placing boundary markers, umpiring, and scoring e.t.c.,

Captaincy is rotated from member to member. As captain, you will enjoy the usual responsibilities of organising your players effectively to try win a match, delegate umpiring duties, collect match fees (£5 members, £10 non members), and writing up a match report for the website. I, Steve and other SICC veterans will always be at hand to give you advice of any uncertainties you may have, so don't hesitate to ask.

Team Manager
Tej Dyal

Close season practice net preparation for each new season begins with several months of net sessions starting in earnest in January and finish before the season starts in May. In the last few years we have run two main sets of sessions; a set of mid-week evening sessions in Guildford and a set of Sunday morning sessions in Battersea. The nets will cost £5 per session.

A total of twenty Sunday morning net sessions have been organised at the Latchmere Leisure centre in Battersea commencing Jan 6th 2008 and running into the third week of May. A block booking of nine mid-week evening net sessions have also been booked at the Surrey County Cricket Club coaching centre in Burpham, Guildford. These sessions commence on March 19th 2008 and run until May 14th 2008

Details can be found under Practice Nets.