France: French cricket to field three leagues this season

Three regions will contribute clubs to a French Cricket Championship which will climax in the National Final being played at the 110-year-old Standard Athletic Club, just outside Paris, on September 11.

Greater Paris (known in French as 'Ilie de France'), the South East and the South West will conduct league competitions this season, eventually contributing clubs to the four team national semi-final series.

Greater Paris will absorb three clubs from two suspended competitions, North West and Centre West, which this year are in limbo due to lack of numbers.

The Parisian-based league, traditionally by far France's strongest, is split into two pools:

Pool A - Northern 1st XI, Standard AC, Dreux, Eclavar (Tamil Union), Paris Universite 2nd XI, USCA, Stains, Millenium

Pool B - Paris Universite CLub 1st XI, France Gymkhana, CST 93, Mantes-La-Jolic, Evry, Saracens, Chauny, Creil, Northern 2nd XI

While the Greater Paris clubs qualifiers for the semi-finals will travel south heavily favoured, home ground advantage may be a sufficient enough boost for the South East and South West clubs to spring an upset.

The favoured Greater Paris clubs are 1999 champion, Northern, last season's runner-up, PUC, the most consistent club in French cricket during the '90s, and Standard Athetic. Gymkhana and Dreux can topple any team when in the mood.

Both the South East and South West will comprise of five clubs each.

According to France Cricket South East Development Officer, Phil Martin, the season is shaping up this way:

"Marseille have a stronger team this year and Julien Biggs looks in good from with the bat, and newcomer Asif, their opening quick bowler finding the hard quick surface at Entrecasteaux to his liking.

Montpellier are also looking good with two fine University players, Andy Shands ('keeper batsman) and Greg Quick (all-rounder).

In Cabris' first league match vs. Montpellier the home side won defeating Montpellier by six wickets. Jonathan Griffiths won the man of the match award with a fine 72 not out out of the team's 133 winning score. Next match is June 3rd Cabris v Sophia Antipolis.

This year, Entrecasteaux have also a side to play in the league, making up the five competing sides: Cabris, Sophia Antipolis, Marseille, Montpellier, Entrecasteaux."

The South East competitions comprises almost entirely expatriate players.

There has been some indigenous involvement in the South West, with Development Officer, David Bourdes, confident of fielding under age representative teams.

The five clubs are Bordeux, Eymet, Periguex, Demamzan and Saint Aulaye.

Thanks: Andrew Durnford, Phil Martin, David Bourdes