At Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s AGM the week before Christmas, members (playing and non-playing) reflected on a cricket season which saw the club make important progress on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, First XI Skipper, Martin Cox, reported on the best-placed finish – second place in WEPL Premier 2 – since the creation of the WEPL pyramid. Winning nine in a row in the second half of the season left the club thirteen points short of top spot after beating champions, Taunton Deane, in the last game of the season.

Jake Rowe was the leading run-scorer and Dan Chard the leading wicket-taker, but the Captain emphasised that success was due to teamwork.

On the last weekend of the season, both the Second and Third XIs won their matches to secure promotion. Midsomer Mavericks, who are Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s Women’s cricket team, retained the Somerset Cricket Board’s Softball trophy at Weston-super-Mare on the last Sunday in June, after beating the top teams from across the county once again.

Off the pitch, new changing facilities were built and opened, with an extensive refurbishment of the clubhouse completed.

The club received an award from the Town Council at a special community service at St John’s Church in June, and hosted the successful Outfield Festival in August. Planning is already well in hand for the 2020 event, which takes place on 30th August.

Along with the team Captains, Chairman, Graeme King, thanked all those who support the club in preparing pitches, making match day teas and refreshments and scoring. The club’s social activities continue to expand, with the Friday night socials for younger members and their families proving especially popular.

After the reports had been made, elections for club officers saw Martin Cox and Niel Brooks re-elected as First XI and Second XI Captains respectively. Simone Sproates was elected as the Skipper of Midsomer Mavericks in 2019.

New players of all ages and abilities, and social members, are always welcome at the club. For more information, contact Nick Potter on: 07872 383499 or: [email protected] or Phil Mortimer on: 01761 413725 or: [email protected] or Jennie on: [email protected]

Charlie Matthews