BPCC National knockout Cup final date confirmed Wednesday 13th September at Fischer County Ground Grace Road Leicester

The Draw for the 2017 National Knockout took place at AGM on 11 November 2016 (apologies for the rather later submission of this report!)
The defending Champions Dyfed-Powys will face a tricky 1st round away fixture against Essex whilst Runners up Northumbria will host Scotland who currently hold the Giffard Plate having successfully retained it against North Wales at Blackpool CC last September.

Following the withdrawal of Gloucestershire there will only be 22 teams competing in this years competition however, there will be NO byes in Round one to ensure that 11 fixtures are hopefully fulfilled.

All Forces were contacted by the National Secretary Paul Sims with regards to some proposed amendments being introduced and trialled in 2017 to try and encourage more fixtures to be played. The main one being that ALL Rounds will be played on set dates which has given all those involved 5-6 months notice to submit AL / TOIL applications well in advance of the fixtures. There are no matches set to be played in August during the peak of the Summer holidays.
The Committee are keen to see more matches played as during the last few years there has been an increase in Forces conceding.

A huge thanks to Police Credit Union who have once again agreed to Sponsor the Competition. This will now be their 7th year supporting Police Cricket. Without them PSUK Cricket would find it very difficult to continue having Finals hosted at 1st Class County.

So the 1st Round Draw is as follows:-

A. GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE v SOUTH WALES & GWENT
B. WEST MIDLANDS & WEST MERCIA v HAMPSHIRE.
C. ESSEX v DYFED-POWYS
D. NORTHUMBRIA & DURHAM v POLICE SCOTLAND
E. POLICE SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND v NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
F. NORFOLK v CITY OF LONDON
G. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE v DEVON & CORNWALL
H. CHESHIRE v LANCASHIRE
I. SURREY v METROPOLITAN
J. STAFFORDSHIRE v NORTH WALES
K. MERSEYSIDE v LEICESTERSHIRE
L. BYE
M. BYE
N. BYE
O. BYE
P. BYE

All 1st Round losers will go into the Giffard Plate which will run alongside the Cup on the same dates (excl Final)

ROUND 2 (Weds 24th May)

1. A v BYE
2. J v BYE
3. B v BYE
4. E v BYE
5. C v D
6. I v BYE
7. K v H
8. G v F

1/4 FINALS (Weds 14th June)

2 v 3
7 v 4
8 v 1
5 v 6

1/2 FINALS (Weds 12th July)

9 v 10
11 v 12

FINAL

FISCHER COUNTY GROUND
GRACE ROAD
LEICESTER
WEDNESDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 1200

Finally - On behalf of Paul Sims and David Fraser-Darling our thanks to all Force Secretaries. We know the difficulties you all encounter trying to get staff to commit themselves to play these matches. Numbers are down, time off and leave is at a premium and family time is extremely important.
That said Sport and in this case cricket can be a stress release, even just for a few hours, especially if the sun is out - it's a great game generally played in and against good company and not a bad social afterwards so please do your best to encourage your members both old and new.

PSUK Cricket wishes all Forces the best of luck for 2017 and to the lucky 2 semi finalists a great day at Leicestershire CCC.