ESSEX U175 TEAM - THE 1997/98 SEASON
This season was one of total dominance. Although Paul Williamson was now ineligible the squad was strengthened as a result of the grades of Bill Saunders and George McNally falling below 175, the return to Essex of Andrew Brett, the more regular availability of Trevor Coote and the emergence of Tim Hebbes as a contender for top board. The captain's main problem was to be who to leave out; all six SCCU qualifying matches were won with a double figure score.
The quarter final against Lancashire did not take place after the match was conceded on the previous evening when it emerged that the Lancashire captain had not, despite advising his County colleagues to the contrary, organised a team. The message did not get through in time to Peter Doye who had a fruitless journey to Syston. To add insult to injury, Peter was, a lifelong Arsenal supporter who had given up the chance to attend the cup final in order to play in the match,
The semi-final proved to be the toughest match of the year as Devon put up a very strong fight. The 9½ - 6½ margin is deceptive, as Bill Saunders won a totally lost position after the match had been decided in the final. In contrast the victory in the final against Yorkshire was as comfortable as the 10 - 6 margin suggests.
SCCU RESULTS
| 8/11/97 | Kent | H | 10 | - | 6 |
| 22/11/97 | Surrey | H | 10½ | - | 5½ |
| 6/12/97 | Sussex | A | 10½ | - | 5½ |
| 24/1/98 | Kent | A | 12 | - | 4 |
| 7/2/98 | Surrey | A | 10½ | - | 5½ |
| 21/3/98 | Sussex | H | 12 | - | 4 |
SCCU TABLE
| Position | County | Match points | Game points |
| 1 | Essex | 6 | 65½ |
| 2 | Surrey | 3½ | 48½ |
| 3 | Sussex | 1½ | 46 |
| 4 | Kent | 1 | 30 |
NATIONAL STAGES
| 16/5/98 | Lancashire | Syston | 16d | - | 0 |
| 13/6/98 | Devon | Wootton Bassett | 9½ | - | 6½ |
| 4/7/98 | Yorkshire | Ratcliffe College | 10 | - | 6 |
PLAYER STATISTICS
Appearances (maximum 9)
9 - Ken Clow, Ian Hunnable, Larry Marden, David Millward, Colin Ramage and Neville Twitchell.
8 - Les Crane, George McNally, Bill Saunders and Ivor Smith.
Points scored
7½ - Larry Marden (from 9), Ivor Smith (from 8) and Neville Twitchell (from 9).
7 - Ian Hunnable (from 9).
6 - Les Crane (from 8), David Millward (from 9) and Bill Saunders (from 8)
5½ - Trevor Coote (from 6)