Friday
2nd December
Awards
Dinner
The
Thelbridge Cross Inn was the venue for the 2007 Cheriton Fitzpaine
CC Annual Dinner and Awards Night. Cheriton's
magnificent season was reflected in a higher than usual turn out,
with many wives and partners making the long trip north for the
evening. With
so far to come it was no surprise that the start of the meal was
somewhat delayed, but by 8pm everyone was finally present and
we could get underway.
Once
the sweet was over (apart from those having third helpings) the
presentation got under way, hosted by Club Captain Charles Sheldrick
and Club President Magnus Bowles.
The
first award made was the new trophy for the Junior Section Single
Wicket. The first recipient of the award, sponsored by club chairman
Andy Goddard, was Jim Cutler, with medallions going to the second
and third places.
The
senior single-wicket was won by Nick Guscott, who overcame a strong
challenge from Ted in the Final.
The
Cutler household picked up two more trophies, with Phil coming
out on top of both the Batting and Bowling Averages, despite valiant
efforts by Mike, Ben and, whisper it quietly, David Carr. It was
great to see a real competition for the Averages Trophies this
year, long may it continue.
Charles
clung on to the Catching Cup for a third year running, but again
there was much more competition than in pervious years.
The
Edith Blackburn Trophy for the best individual batting performance
went to Mike Foan for his 108 against the Malpas touring side.
This puts him just above a certain M.L. Bowles (107*) in the all-time
list, the trophy being handed over with all the grace and dignity
you would expect.
The
Cecil Blackburn Trophy for the best individual bowling went to
Kiwi Mike Buttar for his 6-38 - not bad as it was the only game
he played for the club in 2006. It would be great to see a little
more of his bowling (and batting) next season.
This
year saw the last presentation of the Andy Pottle Memorial Shield.
With the Shield now full a new trophy (which will also bear Andy’s
name) has been commissioned from local potter Doug Fitch.
Ben Coe was the final recipient of the Shield, having been voted
Player of the Year for 2006. Throughout the season Ben has shown
a consistently high standard in all facets of the game and richly
deserved the recognition of this peers.
Andy
Goddard’s efforts in organizing the Longest Day Game won
him the vote for the Club Person of the Year, with a bouquet going
to his wife for putting up with him while he did it.
The
Captain's Cup is given to a player whose game has improved during
the season. This year the award went to a player who has become
a genuine all-rounder during 2006. Previously unrecognised for
his bowling he has become one of the main stays of our attack
and ended with better figures than his brother. You guessed it;
the Captain’s Cup went to David Carr. Unfortunately David
was unable to be with us as he was in India and so his younger
brother Will (oh how we laughed…) was invited to collect
it on David’s behalf.
Mention was
also made of two players who recorded landmark achievements in
2006. Firstly Robbie, who yet again took more wickets than anyone
else, his 51 wickets in the season extending his Club record to
665 career wickets. The other player to be recognised was Steve
Stentiford. Steve has been our first choice ‘keeper for
many years and with no sign of a challenger he is assured of a
place for many years to come. A former Captain, Steve has been
a stalwart of the Club through many lean years, and it was fitting
that it was the game against Nomansland that sealed our Division
5 crown was the one that brought him his 500th cap.
In a break
with tradition the Champagne Moment Bat did not go to an individual
this year. The two outstanding moments of 2006 were the breaking
of the World Record and the winning of the NDL Division 5 title.
It was a tough decision, but the World Record came out on top.
In recognition of the efforts of all involved the bat was awarded
to the Club, not the players but to the stewards, tea-ladies,
scorers, umpires and witnesses without whom the efforts of those
who played would have gone for naught.
The
2006 Duck Race was yet again a hard fought contest. Charles started
well with a duck in his first innings of the season, but others
quickly overtook him in the race for this coveted trophy. After
several re-ounts Andy Goddard was finally declared the outright
winner, though in deference to his other award (see above) the
trophy itself was not presented at the Dinner.
Bouquets were
presented to Mrs Reed and Mrs Harvey, with the retiring Hon secretary,
Deniece Kingdon, opting for a bottle instead.
The
final presentation of the evening was made to Mike Foan who raised
more than £600 in personal sponsorship for the world record
attempt. A big thank you to all the cricketers and spectators
around Devon that sponsored him. |
