There has been a packed schedule for the various Gloucestershire disability cricket sides to start the 2026 season. Our softball, hardball and visually impaired teams have been travelling the country to take on their local counterparts.
If you are interested in learning more about the different sides and forms of disability cricket we offer, visit our website. Our mission is to put bats and balls into more people’s hands. Whether you’re looking to play competitively or try the sport for the first time, we have a form of cricket for you.
Great Start to the season for the Gloucestershire D40 team
In our first game of the season, we played Wales at Hatherley and Reddings Cricket Club. The team included 3 debutants, who made an impact straight away. Fielding first, we bowled Wales out for 165. Debutant Hamish Hassler made an immediate impact, bowling 5 overs for 24, including 2 wickets. Other wickets were from Liara Hampton (2), Shravani Philpot(2), Riley Pearce, plus a run out, and Oli Sutton.
After tea, we went into bat, and newcomer Arlo Pockett scored a controlled 35, while new skipper Paul Ballinger scored a fantastic 75 (retired not out). We had our victory target of 165, with 5 wickets remaining and 10 overs to spare.
Our second game saw us travel down to Dorset, where we were put in to bat first. We scored 216 for 6 wickets off 30 overs. Naomi Forecast and Oli Sutton both blasted their way to 75 (retired not out) with some stunning shots. Dorset came out with the same intent, but rain meant that this match didn’t go the distance. However, the mighty Gloucestershire still claimed victory by 19 runs on DLS.
It has so far been a great start to the season for the D40 team, who are casting their eyes to the top of the table and a potential league title.
Promising start for the S9 Performance team
On a very hot afternoon, Gloucester travelled away to the Somerset ground of Ilton Cricket Club. The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first, looking to use the excessive heat to their advantage.
The wicket was dry, and the ball was bouncing high. Somerset used the conditions to their advantage and got an early wicket as Charlie was bowled out. That left Eli Mei and Dave Smart to hold the fort, but both went in quick succession.
Andre Thomas and Sam Lloyd then came into bat with a lot of responsibility falling on their shoulders. But that partnership didn’t get the chance to grow thanks to an outstanding catch by George Fox-Reid to remove Andre for 1. After the dismissal, Sam managed to find a partner in Liam Clift, and they racked up the scores until Liam unfortunately had to retire injured on 14. Sam held on to score 20 before being caught and bowled. While there were no end-of-innings fireworks, everyone else chipped in and scored a few runs before Alex Alford and Tristan Caudle-Stephens held on to ensure we batted out all of our 30 overs.
After some brilliant tea and a sit in the shade, it was now Somerset’s inning and Gloucester to bowl. Ruben Schubert-Rowles got an early LBW wicket, then 2 balls later got another as he bowled out A Johnson. It was a brilliant spell of bowling that combined economy and danger. Final figures of 5 overs for 17 runs with those two early breakthroughs.
Tristan then came on to bowl and managed to take a wicket as Eli took a nice catch in close. However, Somerset started to increase the run rate. Alex managed to get one last wicket in the 21st over before Somerset knocked off the total in the 23rd over, finishing with a flourish, hitting a 6 off Andre’s bowling.
Not the result we would have wanted against our local rivals. But overall, it was a very entertaining game in the sun, with lots to take from and an enjoyable game. Well done to everyone who played in the extremely tricky conditions.
Gloucestershire S9 Pairs team welcome new and returning players
Gloucestershire S9 pairs travelled to Ilton CC on a hot, sunny Sunday. A team of 7, including 3 debutants and a couple who are returning from a break, showed a strong first match.
Bowling first, they restricted Somerset, showing great fielding and bowling. The highlight was when Felix Turkentine, bowled, missed the catch but had the presence of mind to turn and run the batter out. At the end of the innings, Somerset were on 246.
After a quick break, Gloucestershire went into bat, with Jack Giles and Peter Hales opening. Jack scored well with a few 4’s, while Peter scored steadily when on strike. After Courtney, Saeed Majed and Lewis Jones had batted, the scores were close as the final pair, Felix and Tom Wood, went to bat. Both scored steadily, playing some great shots and showing awareness of the field. At the end of the innings, we were on 267.
It was an enjoyable game, with all contributing, either in the field, bowling or batting, led by Tom, at his first match.
Improving start to Gloucestershire Growlers session
The Growlers started the 2026 season on 19th April at home against Birmingham, and things didn’t quite go to plan.
Our main issue was that we didn’t quite have a full 11, which really impacted our fielding. Batting first, we came up against a really impressive bowling unit. Birmingham managed to restrict our score and would put a lot of pressure on our bowlers. Despite being a player or two down, we took to the field and did our best to limit the away side. However, with gaps in the field, Birmingham were able to chase down our score comfortably.
The second game of the season was a game of firsts.
- International umpire, Sue Redfern, had kindly offered to umpire, her first time umpiring VI cricket.
- Three of Gloucestershire Growlers, Mark, Jamal, and Hanza, scored 50 retired not out
- A Total sight loss player scored their first 50
With Sue Redfern umpiring her first VI match, and the Primary Club Chairman in attendance, the match started with a minute’s silence for team mate Tendai, who had passed away the previous week. After that period of reflection, Gloucestershire Growlers batted first, scoring 181, a really competitive score. However, it was not to be, and despite strong fielding, Cheshire pushed ahead and took the game.
The 3rd game was on the 17th May against RNC College, Hereford. The day started well with nice weather, but a strong wind was blowing across the ground. We lost the toss and were put in to bat first. We managed to replicate our brilliant batting form of the previous game, with Jamal retiring not out on 50, supported by Craig (24 no) and Sheona (20 no). After 26 overs, we had made 207.
After tea, when we came out again, the weather was looking a bit iffy, but the Growlers bowled well despite the windy conditions. At the 7th over, Thomas came into bowl, and took his first wicket of the season as rain, thunder and lightning started, and the match was abandoned. A disappointment, as we had hoped to defend our score. Result a draw.
Good luck to all of our disability teams for the rest of the season!
