Optimists Cricket Club

Dear all,

I know many of you will want to know how our victory in the BCF League Division 2 will affect us for 2016.

Firstly, I can confirm that we were duly recognised as Division 2 champions for 2015. Secondly we were eligible for promotion to Division 1.

But, the BCF had already signalled their intention to change the structure of the League, as set out in the attached tables. Basically this means that the number of Divisions is increased from 3 to 4 and this is achieved by splitting the existing Divisions 1 and 2 from 2 divisions of 9 teams each into 3 divisions of 6 teams each, which will play both home and away matches in 2016. So each team in Divisions 1 to 3 will play 10 matches.

Under this arrangement, OCC which ended last season as No 8 in the overall League, will start next season as No 2 of the 6 teams in Division 2. This may seem a disappointing outcome, considering we hoped for Division 1 status as Division 2 champions. But not so disappointing as for Antwerp CC, who avoided being in the bottom 2 of Division 1, but end up in Division 2, or for the Greens and PCCB who drop from Division 2 to Division 4, or for AICC 1, who go from No 4 in Division 2 to Division 3, the same division as AICC 2!

2015 was a brilliant season for OCC and we should not be too disappointed that we end up playing next year in a League Division which comprises 3 former Division 1 teams and the best 3 from Division 2. Winning Division 2 again will be a real challenge and with home and way fixtures against these clubs, 2016 promises a lot of excellent cricket!

Best regards

Rob