Well, finally it has happened! Promotion for the second team. I am only sorry that it could not have been done a year earlier as then the third team would have been promoted as well. Sorry chaps.
Being brutally honest about things, we lost more matches this year than last and relied on results conspiring in our favour during the last three weeks to get us there, but who cares!
All in all it was a great year for personal performances, hundreds, wickets; catches, great fielding and I have to say that it would be unfair to single out individuals as this was truly a team effort throughout the year.
What a pleasure for me to be able to captain a side that would score between 200 and 250 almost every week, with different people contributing at different times throughout the season. In the field, not many sides scored 200 against us, but I have to comment on one gentleman from Wickham. He scored 168 not out in 88 deliveries and did not play one single defensive shot in his entire innings! I have been playing league cricket for 30 years now and have never seen the like, nor will I ever again.
It has been an honour for me to captain the side this year, particularly as many of the young players of the future have been major contributors to the success of the team. Long may this development continue, and let us never forget that there is no I in TEAM.
On a sadder note for me, but perhaps not for you, I have decided to stand down as captain.
There are a number of reasons for this decision. The most compelling I can offer is simple old age. I can no longer guarantee being injury free for an entire summer and do not want to saddle the side with a liability of a captain, as happened towards the end of this year.
I shall, of course, offer my services to the new captain in any way that he sees fit.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has supported me as captain over the years. Many people come and go, but one person is always there - Lyn Joyce. Thanks Lyn and everyone for everything.
