Lake of Rage captain Lloyd Thornes has announced his retirement, effective immediately. The 38 year-old took over from Ankit Jamshedji as captain at the start of season 64.

He played 143 OD matches for the club, scoring 5,499 runs at an average of 79.70. He found a new lease on life after moving to opening the batting, with his last full season being his most productive for the club, scoring 917 runs @ 76.42 and a career high score of 205*.

He finishes as the club's leading centurion, with 23 OD 100s. He also scored 2,423 T20 runs at an average of 89.74, and holds the club record 2nd OD wicket partnership of 358* with Jamshedji.

Club manager Mareep thanked him for his service, and gave him a departing Thundershock to go with his entry into the club's Hall of Fame.

This team is a CompBot - a Competitive Bot team. CompBots were created as part of a trial by the GMs to provide slightly stronger opposition than normal bot teams.

From Season 68, there are three different strength CompBots - StrongBots, ProfBots and CompBots.
* StrongBots have all player skills set to Strong.
* ProfBots have all player skills set to Proficient.
* CompBots have all player skills set to Competent.

This team is a CompBot - a Competitive Bot team. CompBots were created as part of a trial by the GMs to provide slightly stronger opposition than normal bot teams.

From Season 68, there are three different strength CompBots - StrongBots, ProfBots and CompBots.
* StrongBots have all player skills set to Strong.
* ProfBots have all player skills set to Proficient.
* CompBots have all player skills set to Competent.

This team is a CompBot - a Competitive Bot team. CompBots were created as part of a trial by the GMs to provide slightly stronger opposition than normal bot teams.

From Season 68, there are three different strength CompBots - StrongBots, ProfBots and CompBots.
* StrongBots have all player skills set to Strong.
* ProfBots have all player skills set to Proficient.
* CompBots have all player skills set to Competent.

The Bins' bid to promote back to De Topklasse failed last week as they were defeated in the promotion playoffs. "We started too slowly last season", said coach Fenners, "and we were chasing the top spot from early on in the season. We need to be above that promotion line come the end of this season so that we don't need to go through the playoffs. But it is achievable, we have plenty of players improving in their skillset, so promotion and then to stay up in the top division is definitely possible".

The Bins' bid to promote back to De Topklasse failed last week as they were defeated in the promotion playoffs. "We started too slowly last season", said coach Fenners, "and we were chasing the top spot from early on in the season. We need to be above that promotion line come the end of this season so that we don't need to go through the playoffs. But it is achievable, we have plenty of players improving in their skillset, so promotion and then to stay up in the top division is definitely possible".

For word has passed around, that the Lake of Rage has got away...from the second division, and made it to the Dutch Championship!

11 seasons after first entering League II.2, the Gyarados finally held off a challenge from a side with experience at the top - this time in the form of Holbrook Swan - and will promote into the Championship from the top position.

Their league-topping team was built on the back of their bowling attack, with Keano Pit taking 39 wickets @ 4.87, Edmund Jeithoon 34 wickets @ 8.97, and Hathun Daniel 30 wickets @ 10.93. All three made the team of the season.

While the season ahead will be their toughest challenge yet, Mareep is determined to make the most of it.

Lake of Rage manager Mareep was reported to be bleating despondently after the last round of season 66.

His team, in their tenth season in Dutch league II.2, won all but one of their matches for the season, led the league for most of it, and were only 0.01 NRR behind leading into the last game.

Despite comprehensively winning their last match, bowling the opposition out for less than their rivals bowled out theirs and chasing it down quicker, this actually hurt their NRR, causing them to finish second.

Reports of thunderstorms near Mahogany Town may only be a coincidence.

The Bins' squad and finances are looking a lot healthier for having a season in Division II of the Dutch pyramid. "The first XI is nearly there", said coach Fenners, "we just need a number 6 batsman and we have the full team. We were hoping for a decent academy youth pull to be the final piece of the jigsaw, but that unfortunately hasn't happened. We have to therefore be patient and wait for either the right player to be available on the transfer market, or from the academy. Either way, it won't be long before we are once again at full strength, and with a young, vibrant squad which will take us into the future for many years to come". Although promotion looks unlikely this season, this could be a blessing in disguise as the team looks to prepare for the coming years with expectation.

The Raiders franchises have had an unprecedented 4 Under 19 international call ups, the most that the club has ever had. The Bins have Maxim Nout for their homeland of the Netherlands, along with Pamu Ibralebbe of Sri Lanka. And staying in Sri Lanka, Cork City have Niranga Kassier, along with Anderson MacHardy of Scotland. Coach Fenners was chuffed to bits: "It shows what a great academy we have, that we can develop 4 players to international level. We can't wait to see them perform at international level, and we know they will do their club and country proud. Not only that, it shows how bright the future is for all of our clubs going forward - its the basis for the overhaul of both the Bins and Cork teams, so that we are competitive for years to come!".

The Bins' yoyo existence continued this season as they were soundly beaten in de Topklasse and take yet another drop into Division II next season. The finances of the club were always going to be a challenge, as well as trying to compete in a very tough division, and so when relegation was confirmed the club moved to sell prized asset Raoul Horsman for over £1.5 million, to keep the club afloat. "With the depressed transfer market, its more important than ever to keep the finances in order", said coach Fenners, "so having players on over £100k a week is just no longer sustainable. We didn't want to sell Raoul but needs must, and its given us an even keel to start afresh from. We now need some good youth pulls to fill in the gaps". So far though, that hasnt happened....

Star spinner Raoul Horsman has been transfer listed as the Bins face financial pressures at the end of their first season back in de Topklasse. "We could sell off the youngsters", added coach Fenners, "but they don't get the big prices anymore, plus they are the future of the team, and added to that we need to trim the wage bill. It all adds up to, very sadly, losing Raoul". Horsman grew up in the Bins' academy and eventually graduated to the first team where he has been a stalwart for many years. "We really didnt want to lose him, but we have overstretched ourselves trying to compete in de Topklasse and it has taken its toll financially. This way we start anew in Division II with a healthier financial position and a good young squad".

Wes de Groen, the leading all-time wickettaker in Dutch U19, is back home!
The 17yo Wes was acquired by Royal to be trained for the Dutch U19 as his then current manager could not give him the required trainingnets.
After taking 22 wickets in 14 U19 games Wes was released to be trained further. As a bowling-allrounder he returns!

Financial bad weather or management has forced me to sell the key players with the highest wages.

I hope they will find a good new home, where they can continue training for the National team.

Marc

Lake of Rage manager Mareep was all smiles today after announcing the addition of former Sri Lankan U19 player Hathun Daniel to his squad.

Daniel was left bereft of a team after WHSCC, his home town club, went under a few seasons ago. Mareep rediscovered the miserly off-spinner while touring Sri Lanka to manage Sootopolis City, and immediately saw his potential.

Mareep is hopeful that the spinner will help round out his team for a solid cup run this year, and will save the team needing to buy or train a replacement for the aging Kapa Nunisa. Dual Dutch-Sri Lankan citizen Edmand Jeithoon is said to be helping Daniel adjust to the cooler climes of Mahogany Town.

The Bins are back in de Topklasse after a season away, and the fans cannot wait to get back involved again! A new, younger squad cantered to Division II victory however a much tougher challenge now lies in wait for the team. "Our aim is clear", said coach Fenners, "we want to get on that honours board. We have never won a Dutch title or cup, nor finished as runners up even. For a club of our stature that needs rectifying, and we are going to aim for it this season!". So far there have yet to be any significant youth products turning up thus far, but there's still time for that to happen. "Its always a long process", said Fenners, "but we know our academy is top drawer so we have to play the waiting game and we will get rewarded, you can be sure of that!".

The Bins' season of revival back in Division II continues, renewing their playing squad and increasing the coffers which this week hit the £2 million mark for the first time in a long time. But the key phase of their renewal is the upcoming new season, and with plenty of draft picks available to them, they are looking for the new breed of Bin to bulk up the playing squad. "We have a nice team developing", said coach Fenners, "the young guys are being trained up well, plus the older ones are popping to some very high levels. But, with all of this we need more newbies to assist with our goal of a fully home grown team which competes in De Topklasse season after season. We must therefore make full use of our draft picks and ensure we get the best possible players to complement the squad".

There were Thundershocks at the Lake of Rage last Friday night, as Mareep expressed his fury at the Gyarados' inability to get a crucial win on the board against their old foes, Binfiejld van Baldicoets.

Earlier in the season, the Lake of Rage manager had stated his high hopes for the team being in the running for a maiden division II championship, owing to the smaller number of human competitors playing this season, with the Baldicoets the most likely impediment to their chances.

But the Gyarados have not turned up with the bat in either match against their rivals this season, and with the Baldicoets unbeaten so far this season, it seems unlikely that Lake of Rage can catch up - hence their manager's own rage at his team.

Rumours that he may have evolved into a Flaaffy are not true.

The Bins continue their season of revival by leading their Division II league, but more importantly is the revival behind the scenes. "The funds are building up nicely", said coach Fenners, "and its all for the long term gain of the club. We have reduced our wage bill significantly, and cleared out some older players, while at the same time managing to stay competitive on the field. Its a difficult balancing act, but so far we are managing it". Asked about the long term plan, the answer was clear : "to have a fully home grown Dutch First XI, playing in de Topklasse regularly, and ultimately to win it - we haven't finished higher than 3rd, or gone to a Dutch cup final - thats what we are after!!!".

The Bins have made a decent start to life back in Division II of the Dutch league, by winning all of their matches so far, and 2 out of 3 in the T20 league. "There are more difficult divisions at this level", said coach Fenners, "but we can only beat whats in front of us. So far we have beaten both of the human teams we have played, and we need to continue doing so throughout the season". Off the pitch, the Bins are also revamping their squad to generate income, reduce the wage bill, and bring in players of the future. "Its a perfect division to be in to achieve all those things - off the pitch is just as important as on it, and if we can make the right moves in both scenarios, then its a win win for the whole club".