Tributes were paid to former groundsman and close friend of the club, John Smith, when Timsbury Cricket Club held its annual Presentation Night at the Conygre Hall. Both Chairman, Andrew Jeffery, and Captain, Mark Sage, praised the contribution of Mr Smith who had died suddenly at his Tunley home and a minute's silence was observed.
Chairman Jeffery congratulated Sage and the First Team on another good season in the West of England Premier League, but said that it was disappointing that after challenging for promotion in the first half of the campaign, the side had fallen away in the later stages. He felt that the team needed two or three more experienced players.
There had been another good run in the National Village Cup and Jeffery said he hoped next year the team could go all the way. The Chairman was pleased that a number of youth players had been blooded at senior level and said that it was not easy to compete with clubs who were paying players. He stressed that next season would be very important with the restructuring of the West of England Premier League. He thanked Lloyd Davies for his work with the youth
section and Matt Brinkworth, who had stepped in to take over during the season. There had been great feedback from parents of the youth players, but emphasised that more help was needed to keep the section going.
In his speech, the Club Skipper, Sage, revealed that in the first half of the season the First Team had won ten out of eleven matches and in the second part, just two. He chose as his highlights the win away to Lansdown and the National Village match at home to Wraysbury, which the side had narrowly lost in front of a large crowd. He praised some of the young players who had stepped up to the First Team so capably, such as Jack Scrivens, Jesse Bishop, Sam Hoddinott and Ellis Hancock.
Flowers were presented to Eve Bird, Rita Day, Betty Newth and Paula Hoddinott in recognition of their contributions to the club.
The awards were as follows – Youth section – Most Improved Junior (Eddie Strong Trophy): George Brinkworth. Best Performance by a Junior (Graham Bryant Trophy): Jack Scrivens. Outstanding Teenager (SG Taylor Memorial Cup): Jesse Bishop. Senior section – Club Caps: Jon Strand, Stuart Earle, Ed Singleton, Alex Lane, Mark Webb and Jack Scrivens. Fastest Fifty (John Newth Cup): Mark Sage (21 balls v Butleigh). Best Individual Performance (SG Taylor Cup): Mark Sage (173 not out v Butleigh). First Team Player of the Year (Don Brown Trophy): Dave Filer. Second Team Player of the Year (Malcolm Tucker Cup): Nathan Hawkins. Third Team Player of the Year (Colin Weaver Cup): Sol Thompson. Clubman of the Year: Simon Park.