captains log

There was a distinct air of progress about the 2009 season. The all important first league win achieved v St Aulaye at home on a rather wet Sunday afternoon but, the progress went deeper than just the win. We have started to become a competitive team at home with strong performances both against Bordeaux who beat us with one over to spare, and a frankly faultless fielding display restricting to Eymet to 120 all out. The latter slightly marred by one of our infamous batting collapses. I think we have to hold our hands up to Angouleme and admit we were totally outclassed home and away so well done to them.

The away performances unfortunately lacked the competitive edge of the home games, and often we suffered from problems of our own making. I don’t feel this is the right place to air those problems, but we must ensure they don’t happen again!

The great thing this year, both in the league and the friendly’s we had some really good team performances. I must applaud all those that played this season and the effort they put in the matches. You immediately see the difference when two or three people are getting a score, and the fielding starts to catch up with the standard of the bowling.

I must of course mention Jean-Paul’s performance during the season, always difficult to face with the ball in hand. The mix of in and out swing bowling and the slower ball gaining 12 wickets at a average of under 14 runs per wicket, add to this his occasionally outstanding knocks with bat, well done JP.

The friendly end of the season progressed extremely well, mainly and very ably captained by Ian Philby in my enforced absence. Five games played, three won including a superb team performance against Toulouse in the last match. Hopefully the line up will form of the core of team that will play in the league next year. I’d like to mention the new arrivals at the club this season and their contributions.

 - Martin Kavanagh reliable knocks down the order adding some stability to the  
   batting

 - David Hutchinson’s solid wicket keeping and increasing confidence with the bat

 - Rob Allan’s fielding, batting and general dry wit on and off the field

 - Ken Keeble’s stylish batting and the devastating 7-for in a friendly

 - David Smalls fielding which has been nothing short of superb

A special mention for a few other people is also needed, firstly John carter’s unstinting support of the club. Typical of the man he played against Eymet (away), having withdrawn earlier in the week after a fall, and badly twisting his ankle. We had six players so without him we would have forfeited the game.

The next is Alf Tingey, I don’t think many realise the hours he has put in to pitch this year, and the ground is credit to all his hard work. The last and by no means the least is Ken Sutton, who like Alan Frank before him has taken on all the work behind the scenes which is not inconsiderable.

Without these people there is NO club, we need to support them before they become extinct- ‘PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY’ I would also like to thank all the people on behalf of the whole team that made the cricket teas throughout the season, Don Gardener for arranging the home player ‘man of the match award’. Hugh, Alf and Keith for their umpiring and scoring throughout the season. Well that’s it for another year well done to everyone again, now it’s time to get all that DIY done that you have been promising to do, and remind the children/grandchildren that you do exist. Have a good hibernation.

See you for pre-season training next year.

Simon Coldrick