End of Season Awards 2017

Having hoped for a really large turnout for the end-of-season game, it was a little disappointing that only 17 turned up to play. However thanks to their enthusiasm, we had a good game, and a nice barbecue to follow - thanks to Vivienne, Karen and Nicola for managing the cooking. The game was in the form of a pairs competition where players were paired up at random and faced 3 x 8 ball overs with a penalty of -6 for getting out. This provided its own champagne moments, such as Andy Knight sending a mighty hit to within inches of the boundary and then admiring it but failing to take a run. Then there was Jonnie Power's great diving catch (facing upwards) at long-on, Ashley Major's stumpings in his new role as wicket-keeper, and Dave Roberts' (in his new metier as an outfielder) throw from square on to hit one stump to account for one of my several dismissals run out. The competition was won by Ashley ("support your local fishmonger") Major and Alfie Power, with a score of 39 off their 24 balls, (though in fact this was actually 35 balls as they benefited from rather a lot of wides and no balls in Tim Jones' first over). Thanks must be made to Eric Tracey and Nick Power for their stoical umpiring and mention must also be made of Jonnie Power who had the distinction of taking the first and last wickets of the season.

End of season awards were made to Ed Spicer (for Batting), Andy Bazen (Bowling), Tim Jones (Fielding), Ferdie Spicer and Alfie Power (Young Players), Henry Smith (Most Valuable Player) and Simon Prior (Clubman of the Year) for all his work pre-season over the years in organising the fixtures.

Eric Tracey read out your nominations for “Champagne moments” and the actual bottle of fizz was presented to John Salisbury for bowling the ball that took the wicket of ex-England all-rounder Ronnie Irani in the match against Simon's Young Guns. It was acknowledged that others were also involved in this great moment, umpire Eric Tracey himself for adjudicating that this full toss was not a no-ball, and Mark Mikurenda for finishing the job by the small matter of actually catching it.

Next week, the grounds team will start work on scarifying, aerating, reloaming, reseeding and fertilising the square. Then there will be a working party on the weekend after next (30 Sept/1 Oct - date and time tbc) when we need YOU to come and help dismantle the nets, covers and sightscreens and put everything away for the winter.

Mark Mikurenda

Hon.Sec.