SKIPPERS REVIEW 2006

First Team 2006 Report

2006 saw continued improvement from the first team.  Indeed with a bit more luck, we could and should have been promoted to County 1.

The first thing I d like to make a point of was the team spirit and atmosphere within the team last season.  It was a pleasure to be a part of, as I’m sure many people will agree, and made the job of captaining relatively easy.  Everyone was available and wanted to play.  Only 14 different people played throughout the season, which was one of the main reasons for our successes.  Thanks one and all who contributed to this.

The batting never quite fired as it did in the previous season with many of the batsmen getting starts, but not able to push on.  Rob and Kev more often than not gave the team a good start.  Kev in particular enjoying one of his best seasons with the bat for many a year, and deservedly winning the batting award.  I myself should have taken advantage of good form and posted more runs, Wrighty got out too cheaply too often when he got himself in.  Hopefully we ll see the best of Wrighty this season once he has his wedding out of the way as he is probably the most talented batsman we have.  Ben showed glimpses of what he can achieve with the bat, never more evident than his display at the Presidents game.  He produced a couple of match winning knocks during the season, and will hopefully return next year to do the same.

Dave has all the talent in the world coming in at 6, but gets out too softly too often.  If he concentrates on playing his natural game, combined with the experience he now has, we can expect a better 2007.

With the batting line up we have, not forgetting Nardus, Paul, Richie and the ever improving Luke and Keith, many clubs would gladly swap theirs with ours.  The talent is there in abundance.

We struck gold with Nardus this year.  Good bowler, and his batting improved immeasurably during the season.Excellent news that he ll be returning this year, and lets hope he asks the question soon, cos the he can stay for longer!!

The bowling was simply awesome this year.  With the addition of Nardus, and perhaps more importantly the return of Paul, plus Ben and Richie, we had the best bowling attack in the league.  Several highlights althouth the South Wilts game cracks me up as they fielded half of their second team to get a result.  We then bowled them out for 40 with Whits taking 6-3.  With the back up bowlers of Wrighty, Dave, Keith and especially Luke, the future looks great.

At this point I d like to say a massive thank you to Luke and Keith.  Both played every week and showed great enthusiasm and fielded brilliantly, and bowled with great potential when called upon.  I know it couldn’t have been easy for you guys with not getting much of a game, but you contributed more than you ll know.  I d love for you both to play again next year, as you are first team cricketers and are part of our team and contribute to an atmosphere which is second to none.

For next year, I d love the team to remain roughly the same.  I would also like the practice sessions for Wednesdays to continue throughout the season. 

I d like to thank Rob with being vice-captain, Paul for his continued support and experience, Trev for his umpiring, Chiv for standing in on occasion, Mike for the couple of times when I had to borrow Ewan, Mike and Sean for preparing awesome wickets, and Sue for the gorgeous teas and finally all the players.  You make this job a lot simper than it should be and for that I thank you all.