Casuals Stepping Up

Newcomers to the Owzat-Cricket Nottinghamshire Premier League Division Two, Notts Unity Casuals CC have undergone some drastic changes in recent years.

They’ve been changes for the better, both on, and off the field of play – however, the more things change, the more things really do stay the same, with several of the ‘old guard’ still remaining, as the new boys begin to strut their stuff.

First Team captain, Mohsin Qayyum, only returned to the club ahead of last season, and the championship, promotion-winning success, he joining his father, Ozzy Qayyum, at a club he was once part of a successful youth side, a lifetime ago.

They were made to work for that title as well, eventually edging Kimberley Institute CC IIs, by just eight points in the final standings, the Unity having collected twelve victories (and a winning draw) from their eighteen outings.

It was to be a success which Mohsin and his side, at the start of that season, were perhaps not even looking at getting anywhere near.

“I started in men’s crickets some twenty years ago now, having played for Unity in their old juniors set-up,” began the first team captain, his father, Ozzy, looking after the seconds.

“I came back because my dad was here, and we did way better than we expected, winning the league at the first time of asking.

“At one point, we were cruising as well, before a couple of postponements halted our momentum; we then lost a couple of games which gave Kimberley a chance to overtake us at the top, but they’d throw it away when they played Wollaton CC IIs, and we never looked back.”

Postponements is one thing, and perhaps the easier to overcome, however, losing players, especially key ones, is more of a hindrance, and that’s what befell Unity after their overseas professional, Muhammad Zafar, was away for trials, missing half a dozen games in the process.

They don’t have Zafar this time around, he’s moved on elsewhere, his replacement though, is of a high calibre as well, former Collingham & District CC batter, Muhammad Naeem, who registered near 3,000 runs (and took 53 wickets) during a couple of seasons (2018-19) there.

“Yes, Zafar was away for a chunk of games, having trials, which didn’t help us,” continued Mohsin.

“It’s weird though, trying to pick up where you left off, and a difficult one as we’ve not had a youth set-up here for a while either, in which to build upon.

“We had a championship-winning youth side when I was first here, so, the next five years, we’ll certainly be looking to build on that.”

As mentioned earlier, the more things change, the more they stay the same, and, although Mohsin returned to the Brian Wakefield Memorial Ground with his father already in attendance, a mainstay at the club has been their dedicated groundsman, John Laurie.

He’s had over fifty years at Lenton Lane, seen some comings-and-goings, witnessed the club through some dark days, but now, the focus has changed, and there’s a community spirit about the place again.

“I dropped down to come back and play here,” explained Mohsin.

“Inside me, the aim was to win the league (last season), but we just took to winning each game as it came, then, all of a sudden, we’re like, seven unbeaten, and the focus changed.

“It’s the same this season, inside, I’d like the title, but we’ll push for that top four, and maybe promotion because, when we’re at full strength, and have our overseas playing, we’re very capable.”

Granted the Unity lost their home opener, dropping a 23-run game against visiting Collingham, Muhammad Faisal with 49, and Adam Majid 33, as they posted 141/9 in reply to Collingham’s 164/8, Oliver Dyson top-scoring with 57 before being run out by Majid.

Now, it’s Balderton away (weather permitting) on Saturday (29 April), their opener, away to Cavaliers & Carrington CC IIs, having been cancelled last weekend.

“Our opener, against Collingham, we did have five players away celebrating EID,” continued Mohsin.

“That made it harder, and they (Collingham) have recruited heavily with the aim of winning the league.

“It was encouraging though, the result, and we’ve plans here to get funding, put a structure in place, and build a good squad to compete on the field, in the first, seconds, and a youth set-up.

“What we’ve already got as well, is a family-orientated atmosphere, which has lacked in recent times, and that’s great, a big step forward.”

Scheduled to play Balderton CC away this Saturday, in the Nottinghamshire Premier League Division Two, you can follow Notts Unity Casuals CC via their socials on Facebook here and Twitter here; whilst their fixtures/results/information can be found here.

Peter-Mann Casuals Stepping Up

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NottsUnityCCC the team are looking for repeated success following last seasons title.

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