End of Season 2022

The last game of the season was postponed for a week as a mark of respect for the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It took place on Sunday 18 September with the flag at half-mast and began with a demonstration from Sam Peters of the new defibrillator which the Club has purchased, and then a Club photo.

Eric Tracey was then presented with the shield as Club Member of the year in recognition of his outstanding long service to the Club and wise counsel and constant guidance over the last few challenging years.

Then there was some cricket. James Parton's team took early wickets but then Ashley Major's middle-order batters got stuck in with Ewen Moore scoring fifty, and the innings finished with a seemingly formidable score of 197. Young players scored runs including a fifty from Harry Walker (including a reverse-sweep), ably supported by Bertie Aspinall, and progress was steady towards the target though the outcome was by no means certain, especially when Hector Smith got brother Henry out, having been dismissed by him earlier in the day. But in yet another close(ish) game, the target was reached with only eight balls remaining and with another nearly 400 runs scored in the day. This meant that over 7400 runs have been scored this season towards the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The slideshow below shows some action shots.

A barbecue followed, thanks to burgermeisters Andy Knight and Tony Edwards and then the Captains made the rest of the end-of-season presentations: Young Player of the Year - Thomas Parton, Batting Award - Henry Smith, Bowling Award - Jon Sealy, Fielding Award - Finn Edwards, Most Valuable Player - Ed Hobbs.

Thanks were also given to everyone who had contributed to make this such as good season, helping serve teas and behind the bar, preparing pitches and managing the ground, scoring as well as playing.

We also managed to dismantle the covers and sightscreens and put then away for the winter. On Tuesday the square was cut (very) short, then thoroughly watered and three pallets of loam transported to the middle in preparation for end-of-season square renovation the following day. Thanks to Jeremy Quarrie and Ollie and Audrius from the Fonthill Estate team for their assistance. Then on Wednesday 21st, the nets were taken down, the square and practice pitch were scarified and reseeded, and fertiliser and 2.5 tonnes of loam applied before levelling. Now we wait for rain to germinate the seed. Thanks go to Dave Roberts, Tony Edwards and Rupert Murray for their manpower on the day. The slideshow tells the story.

Another season ends and so we look forward to more fun and good company in 2023.

Mark Mikurenda

[Thanks to Karen Knight, Vivienne Parton, Tony Edwards and Matt Riggs for the pictures.]