Club Dinner 2

There were sound cricketing reasons for being there last night. A tradition begun last year was the selection and announcing of team of the year. The team of the year, as you will know, is the twelve players picked to form a well balanced side based on performances during the season. Wickman thanks Fudgey for the following words describing the side...

1) In a season that saw 4 or 5 new faces join the 1xi, the skipper again lead from the front with outstanding performances, culminating in 498 league runs @ 31.13. This impressive haul included four 50s, of which 2 came in the last two nail-biting encounters of the season. A model of consistency, he has now racked more than 1700 runs in the last 4 seasons and remains the best bat in the club. Matthew Davies

2) A much needed experienced head in young a young 3rd XI squad, he could often be found having a quiet word in the bowler's ear at mid-off. A real club favourite, Ol' Soft Hands scored 329 runs @ 29.91, including two 50s and valuable contributions in mammoth partnerships with both Charlie High and Adam Crane. Adrian Risman

3) Another skipper setting the example, especially early season when he scored 262 runs in the month of May alone. A wrist injury in August halted his charge for Fullers League Honours however, three 50s and one 100 meant he finished 2008 with 533league runs and top run scorer in Div 1 2nd xi. As well as his performances with the bat, David continued to learn in his role as captain and improved tactically throughout 2008. David Fudge

4) The most talented player in the club took his time to get going this year, however still contributed massively to the 1xi's push for promotion. Exemplary behind the stumps, he averaged only 4 byes a game and managed to snaffle an impressive 16 catches & 6 stumpings along the way. Add that to 432 runs @ 30.86 and this was a model season for any young expiring wicketkeeper/batsman to follow. Adam O'Mahoney +

5) They call him Mr Average, and that's not a reflection on his famous post match checked shirt & sandal combo, but more to do with the fact that he is harder to dislodge than Rahul Dravid on a flat deck in Mumbai. 4 not outs would have been 5, if AJ hadn't had run him out with the aid of his "runner" Clarky in the 1st league game way back at the beginning of May. 307 runs followed that @ a massive 51.17 and his innings in the promotion deciding final game will live long in the memory. Alex Wright

6) You can play a long time in a cricket career and never have the privilege of witnessing what the HWRCC 2xi did at Ripley on a sultry June afternoon. Despite being sledged "for only having one shot" Paul Hibberd continued to pull, glide, nudge, blast and caress his way to magnificent 151* at the expense of a bowling attack that could only bowl "one type of ball". Committed as ever the talented older brother of the even more talented younger Hibbo, scored 409 league runs for the 1 & 2xis at a healthy average of 34.08. Paul Hibberd

7) Wham, Bam, Thank-you Mam!! What can we say about Charlie High's season that hasn't already been said. The brawn that Charlie has displayed in recent times, was matched this year with a degree of thought and a sense that he has finally worked out his game and the areas to score his runs. Charlie bludgeoned his way to 499 league runs, at a strike rate in excess of 150. Two huge hundreds and three quick fire 50s left Charlie with a club high average of 55.44. Charlie High

8) Mr dependable and another season to remember for this experienced campaigner. A new bat from ebay and new book on the "art of spin bowling" just goes to prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks. A captain's dream, Derek Soppitt excels in every facility of the game. All of his 6 not outs were crucial in either laying a platform or leading the side home and his modest 176 runs where worth double in the context of how they were scored. Add that contribution with the willow to 13 wickets @ just over 10 with the ball and many important catches and 2008 was another great season for the pocket rocket. Derek Soppitt

9) Talk it up!! Passion and desire, matched with improving skills and ability are a dangerous combination. This was displayed in abundance by the 3rd's vice captain and Sunday skipper in what for him will be a season never to forget. 226 nuggety runs and 34 league wickets made Jimmy C a massive fantasy points scorer and the 3xi's most valuable player in 2008. Jimmy also ran the Sunday XI with pride and determination and the club recognises your efforts in what has been a successful season all-round. James Cameron

10) Cut this guy open and Magenta runs through his veins, the longest serving member of the "new guard" and one of the club's original colts. If something, somewhere has happened on a cricket pitch you can bet your bottom dollar he has seen it. The league's most feared bowler, Big Joey clocked up express MPHs on his way to 34 league wickets @ a miserly 11.41 a piece. Experienced, aggressive, yet a gentleman in the bar, Joe is a shining example of how this great game should be played. Joe Ewen

11) A wet season meant conditions were ideal for this talented left arm bowler, yet the skill to exploit such conditions is the reason that David Ford picked up 34 league wickets @ 10.97. A model of consistency in recent years, Fordy has picked up a mammoth 158 wickets in just 4 seasons and his performances are living proof that line, length and patience can triumph. David Ford

12th Man) It is purely a case that this player sets such high standards for himself with both the bat & ball that he hasn't quite snuck into the starting XI despite another fruitful season. 247 runs and 33 wickets are healthy figures for a 1xi all-rounder and although Kamran may have liked more runs with the bat, his contribution and excellent availability have made him an automatic choice for the 1st team skipper in the last two years. Kamran Raza [Here's a pic of the Wick xi + a cupla Websters]