Senior Presentation Evening Hails National and Local Success

3rd Oct 2017

Friday 22nd September 2017 saw the senior presentation evening celebrate national, local & individual successes. Chairman Roger Griffiths introduced the evening by thanking all those who had played & supported the Club during 2017 both on & off the field. He especially wanted to thank groundsman Craig Thompson, assisted by Liam Dodgson, for their outstanding efforts. A T20 winners medal & some liquid refreshment were gratefully received by Craig.

The 2017 season had culminated in the 1st X1 winning the Nat West Club T20 competition at Derbyshire CCC’s County Ground on Mon 11th September defeating C&R Hawks & Wimbledon. This followed the 11th NEPL Premier Division title in 18 years & success in the NEPL T20 competition.

The 2nd X1 had won the Banks Bowl, become runners up in Division 2, by only 5 points, & were finalists in the James Bell Memorial Trophy, held over to 2018. The newly promoted 1864 X1 had, quite magnificently, finished third in West Tyne League Division 1 & the Academy X1, with the youngest team in the NEPL Sunday Division 1, had become runners up by only 6 points. The Women’s team had played much better cricket than in 2016. Rachel Foreman’s hundred was outstanding !

Individual performances of note included over 1000 club runs for Ru Fletcher, Simon Birtwisle & Calum MacLeod, over 60 wicketsfor Jonny Wightman & Cam Skinner, centuries for Marcus North (3), Calum MacLeod (3), Simon Birtwisle, Michael Harbottle (3), Andrew Doig, John Harbottle, Ru Fletcher, Jonny Craigs, Ollie Fletcher & Rachel Foreman. Cam Skinner had been selected for an U19  Most Valuable Player X1 to represent the East Region but rain had prevented play 

5 wicket takers were Stephen Humble, Jonny Wightman, Calum MacLeod, Simon Birtwisle, Michael Craigs, James Ruddick, Matt Whitty, Allan Davidson, Richard Brook, Cam Skinner, Sree Kanakala, Mani Ragbir, Ru Fletcher, David Harbottle, David Parker & James Hutton.

Special Recognition awards were made to Stephen Humble for 500 NEPL wickets, to John Graham & to Simon Birtwisle for 10000 NEPL runs. All outstanding achievements.

In concluding, Roger Griffiths made special mention of the outstanding commitment & quality catering & bar management of Bill & Susan Kidd & Janice Ramsay. They were the fully deserving the title of ‘Club Team of the Year’

The award winners were as follows:

Women’s             Most Improved Player              Lucy Hobbs.

                               Player of the Year                      Rachel Foreman. (105 v Tillside 20×4 )

Academy X1        Most Improved Player              Eashan Ragbir.

                               Player of the Year                      Ru Fletcher. ( 405 r @ 50.63; 23w @ 13.0)

1864 X1                Most Improved Player              Ross Ward.

                               Player of the Year                      David Harbottle.(142r @14.2; 18w, 8 catches 

2nd X1                   Most Improved Player              Calum Fletcher.

                                Clive Goatman Salver for

                                Player of the Year                      Michael Harbottle. (731 runs @ 66.45)

1st X1                     John Graham Cup for

                                Player of the Year                       Simon Birtwisle. (667r@35.11; 24w@13.21)

Special Recognition.                                   

                                500 NEPL wickets, first seamer to do so, 3rd overall,    Stephen Humble.

                                10000 NEPL runs, second to do so,                                    John Graham. 

                                10000 NEPL runs, third to do so,                                        Simon Birtwisle.

Club Team of the Year                                                 Bill Kidd, Susan Kidd & Janice Ramsay.

Finally, Roger thanked sponsor Roddy Golightly for his commitment to the Club & to this occasion. He reflected on an outstanding year, a most convivial evening & offered sincere thanks to all those who continued to support the Club in so many important ways.