HUNCOTE CRICKET CLUB

Huncote cricket club was formed well over 100 years ago firstly playing friendly matches then being a founder member of the south Leicestershire cricket league which was formed in 1896. Their first ever league match was against Stapleton on April 18th 1896 where Stapleton made 84 and Huncote replied with 48 all out.

The club has played on a variety of grounds around the village from Croft hill road, Forest road to their present Ground on Enderby Lane, Thurlaston where they moved to with the Football club in the late 70's. The club originally ran a 1st and 2nd team in the south Leicestershire league where they were largely unsuccessful, the first success came when the club won the division 5 title in 1934. Following league titles came in 1949 division 4, 1950 division 3, 1982 division 2 and in 1984 the 1st team won the division 1 title. The second teams only success came in winning the division 6 title twice in 1975 & 1983.

In 1984 the 1st team won the Norton cup and the 2nd team won the Burbage cup. In 1989 the club moved leagues to the Leicestershire senior cricket league where they won the division 2 title in 1992. We have now been playing in the reformed senior league since 2001 after a brief spell in the Leicestershire pyramid league for two years. The 1st team came runners up in Division 1 in 2004 and the following season won the Premier Division in their first season in the top flight. Further success followed in 2006 when Leicester Caribbeans were defeated in the final of the LOROS cup. The Caribbeans gained their revenge in the 2008 final however defeating Huncote to claim the trophy at Leicester Ivanhoe's home ground.

Huncote have also had a side in the South Leicestershire Midweek Cricket League since 2006 and in 2007 gained promotion to the Premier Division by winning division 1.

It has never been recorded if any Huncote player has ever gone on to play for Leicestershire C.C. but quite a few have gone on to represent the league sides with the club staging inter league matches. As for any playing records for individuals many players have scored centuries for the club in league matches, and two players have achieved 10 wickets in a match. They were Mick Stenson against Burton on the Wolds and Barry Walker against Birstall village c.c.

In February 2001 Huncote embarked on their first ever overseas tour to Benidorm in Spain where 28 members enjoyed 7 days in the sun playing three games against Sporting Alfas cricket club. Since then the club has been on 3 tours to Magalluf, Mallorca taking on touring sides and Mallorca Cricket Club. Plans are being put in place for another tour to Magalluf in 2009. The club also participated in the Cromer Cricket week in 2007 and 2008.

2007 saw the formation of the youth section at Huncote and the club has sides this year in the Leicestershire Youth Leagues at Under 13, Under 17 and experimental hardball levels. The Under 15 side in 2008 reached the south Leicestershire district final of the youth league cup but were defeated by Enderby.