This season for me has been very short, but still enjoyable although I sat out most of the season.
We have had some great games and some close ones, even down to one run on one occasion. There were three new fixtures this season with the visit of Godshill (New Forest) and away fixtures to Beduins (Wimborne) and Rogate (West Sussex). We all enjoyed our trip out to the sticks at Rogate, where bets were offered on the first batsman to put a ball through the window at the village pub. A great knock of 104 from Simon Orr and 54 from Neil Goodman which put us in a great position before they both retired (tired). Simon did manage a couple of six's onto the pavilion roof and a neighbouring garden. Then, in came Dom with his eyes firmly set on the church spire a little further than the pub, only to be caught on the boundary by a young New Zealand lady for 8. Still a great day was had by all and few beers before we left at the village pub with its windows still intact.
There were several other good batting and bowling performances through the season with 100's from Steve Bayliss, Ozzie and Steve Joyce and great bowling figures from Les Orr, Robbo and Harry Walklin. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters that have turned out every week to cheer us on and help with the teas and washing up etc. as most players seem to forget these little jobs that have to be done. I would like to give a big thank you to my wife Elaine and Alex for their support, scoring and helping with the teas and finally I would like to thank Oz for all his help and kindness, who took over from me in May until the last few games due to my illness. Thank you once again to all the players and supporters and let's hope next year's weather will be kinder and we can enjoy another summer of cricket.
Andy Dowland
Keith Hammond's Report
This is my second term as Sunday captain and this report will read very similar to the previous one. Youngsters again dominated with only five players over thirty playing during the season. Those youngsters who played for me in my first term as captain are now established first and second team players. They were replaced by lots of colts and not one looked out of their depth in adult cricket.
The standard of oppositions was mixed. Sometimes we were too strong and sometimes the opposition was too strong. On only four occasions did we have close games. The best of these was against Bedouins where we lost by just one wicket thanks to good late bowling.
Although still young in age more experienced players were to dominate the batting with four hundreds being scored. Matt Journeaux with release from the pressures of Saturday captaincy, scored freely including two hundreds. One of these was to help us win against Ventnor. Most of the time Matt's batting was to lead us to good scores. Simon Orr scored one hundred and some other good scores including 85 not out in one of the close games against OPCS. Easily the most improved batsman was Sam Freemantle. He scored two hundreds on a Sunday [one for me]. His 145 against Trojans was his first hundred in any cricket. When these three players played we had better results. Dom Ducellier and James Davies also got fifties. James also kept wicket very well, as he did in the last month for the first team.
The younger players dominated the bowling. The only five-wicket haul was taken by Matt Quinn with his off spin. He had an excellent summer and is a good prospect for the future. Josh Curtiss bowled well taking two cheap three wicket hauls. Jake Scott also bowled well and nearly stole us a victory against Beduins. The bowlers could have had better figures this summer if the fielding had been better. There were lots of dropped catches including ten in one game against Gosport. It was not ability but lack of concentration. I hope the bowlers next summer get more help in the field.
I really enjoyed Sunday cricket this year. Captaining young players can be difficult but all those who played for me made my job a pleasure. It was fun to play with Mary, the rude boys and co. It was great to see so many colts perform well in the third and fourth teams.
I would like to thank all the tea ladies, my mum for scoring every week and my Dad [fixture secretary] for twice managing to arrange alternative matches when the opposition cried off. Lastly congratulations to Robbo and the Seconds for gaining promotion. I hope to stand next year if wanted.
