“A grand day for cricket, Gromit!” said Wallace, looking out of the window. The Midsomer Norton Methodists’ Club Captain awoke with a start. Had he been dreaming?
Had the mention of his feat in ‘WHAT did you say stopped play? 25 Years of the Wisden Chronicle’ (compulsive reading for all cricket nutters!) gone to his head?
Big Jim looked out of the window at the deep snow, thought ‘no cricket today’, sighed, and put the finishing touches to his Captain’s Report, to be delivered later at the Annual Dinner.
So, that evening, (Saturday, 2nd February) saw the Club players and supporters assemble at Emborough’s Old Down Inn to partake of Maxine and her staff’s excellent cuisine.
Doug Howarth (Club Chairman) presided, welcoming those present and remembering with sadness the passing of Richard Wilkins, and more recently, Henry Thomas. Our condolences go to their families and friends.
Redfield Road Founding Member, George Smith, had also died during the year, and our thoughts are with his family. It was good to have Graeme and Sarah King, together with Dave Taylor, from the Midsomer Norton Cricket Club. Local Preacher in training, Mark Robinson, asked God’s Blessing on the meal.
Before introducing the Review of the Season, Chairman Doug gave us his ‘thoughts’ on a range of subjects, keeping clear of ‘Brexit’! For readers in years to come, who will have the benefit of hindsight, at present the UK’s future appears uncertain – a bit like England’s cricketers, currently in the West Indies! Thank you, Doug and Jenny for arranging the evening.
Jim Eyles, attired in his fashionable blazer, mentioned the highlights of the Club’s 2018 Season on the field.
Having been promoted to Division Ten of the Bristol and District Saturday League, the team attained a creditable mid-table finish, with notable highlights and otherwise!
He also outlined Richard’s and Henry’s cricket contributions over the years. It was good that the Club now had its own motor roller, (now nearly paid for!) and it is hoped that time spent on the School’s square will improve future performances.
Awards for 2018 were presented as follows: Batting, Best Average – Stuart Green; Highest Score – Alex Nash. Bowling, Best Average – Wayne Higgins; Best Performance – Daniel Shearn. Players’ Award – Mark Robinson.
President’s Award – Josh Potter. Captain’s Award – Dave Sackett.
There are still a few copies left of ‘The History of Midsomer Norton Methodist Cricket Club’ (MNMCC), which has featured in The Journal and also in the national Methodist Recorder.
This limited Edition is entitled ‘Towards Seventy Years of Methodist Cricket in the Midsomer Norton Area – Memories, Statistics, Reports and Miscellaneous 1949-2017’ and may be obtained from the Editor, c/o Midsomer Norton Methodist Centre, High Street, Midsomer Norton BA3 2DR, or from Club Officers.
New players are always welcome. Contact Jim Eyles (Club Captain) or Stuart Green (Team Captain) on: 01761 419396 or Dave Sackett (Secretary) on: 01761 415956.
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 21st February at Midsomer Norton Methodist Centre, commencing at 7.30 p.m. Finally, the Annual Cricket Club Jumble Sale is on Saturday, 30th March, starting at 10 a.m. at the Methodist Centre.
Scribe Emeritus