Kilmington skipper Garner confident his promoted team will rise to challenge of B Division cricket

What a setting! The 13th Century parish church of St Giles towers over the cricket field at Kilmington

THE 2018 season could not have gone much better for Kilmington Cricket Club 1st XI, who are looking forward to B Division cricket for the first time this summer.

Following a nip-and-tuck, season-long battle with Sidmouth 2nd XI, Kilmington were crowned champions of the C Division East and earned promotion to the highest level they have ever played at in the Devon League.

Ollie Reed - shared the bowling honours for Kilmington with Rob CrabbThe crowning moment was Tom Gooding receiving the Devon League player-of-the-year award for the 2018 season - an individual award that was a fantastic honour for the player and the club. 

One of the gains of the all-through Tolchards Devon Cricket League has been the opportunity for clubs like Kilmington to play on some of the county’s major 1st XI grounds. The 2019 season takes the team to new venues and unknown territory.

Captain Brett Garner knows there will be challenges ahead in a division where the majority of teams have overseas players strengthening their line-up.

Although Kilmington won’t be going down the overseas player route, they are determined to keep their village-cricket ethos, Garner feels the squad he has will be as competitive as possible and capable of consolidated their position in B Division

“The first-team squad from last year are all expected to be available this season and it is hoped they will all make significant contributions with bat or ball,” said Garner.

“Contributions with the bat and/or ball, from the whole squad, were a key feature of last season’s successful campaign.”

Garner had a point about Kilmington’s performance in 2018. While Gooding hogged the batting limelight with 968 runs at 74.46, new vice-captain Billy Reed (583@48.58), Josh Short (501@38.54), Matt Pile (364@33.01) and the captain himself (332@23.71) all chipped in to good effect.

Ollie Reed (31) and Rob Crabb (31) were joint second in the divisional wicket-taking stakes, Gooding had 23 and there were 17 each for Pile and Tom Olive.

Maurice Beviss, still going strong for Kilmington at 64!While the 1stXI were scaling new heights, the 2ndXI dropped back a division. The team is looking to rebuild under the new captaincy of Giles Dixon in 2019.

There is a significant change in the committee room where Richard Reed – father of Ollie and Billy – has taken over as chairman from Maurice Beviss. 

Beviss, who succeeded Steve Morris in 2015, stepped down at the club’s annual meeting. He joined the club from Somerset side Winsham 17 years ago to combine playing with coaching – and found himself opening the bowling for the first team!

Beviss has been a real loyal servant to the club. He was league rep from 2007-2014 and skippered the first team in 2011. He intends to carry on turning out for the 2ndXI and finding time to play for Devon Over-60s this season.

There were two special announcements at Kilmington’s annual meeting, the first news of a legacy from two friends of the club.

The legacy came from the estate of Gillian Stewart, whose late husband John was a long-standing tourist with the Spar Ramblers, who played club cricket at Spencer CC in Wandsworth, London. 

“John always considered Kilmington to be his favourite ground and the legacy will allow the club to plan for the future with greater certainty,” said David Lavender, the club treasurer.

The second announcement was the election of Guy Lavender as the club’s new patron. He is a cousin of treasurer David.

Guy Lavender, formerly in charge at Somerset CCC, is the current chief executive and secretary of the MCC.

Guy Lavender - Kilmington's new patron“The Hurford-Lavender family has served the club with great distinction as administrators, players, groundsmen and tea makers since Harry Hurford became secretary of the club in 1904,” said Beviss

“It was therefore a great pleasure for the club to announce Guy has agreed to become patron of the club. 

“Although it is unlikely Kilmington selection meetings will become a topic of conversation in the corridors of power, it is of great benefit to the club to have access to Guy’s wealth of experience in sports administration.”

Guy Lavender served in the British Army for 18 years. Since returning to Civvy Street he has held a number of executive positions, including one as regional director for the London 2012 Olympics.

Pre-season nets have already started at Axminster Sports Centre on Sunday evenings from 5.30-6.30 pm.

New players of all ages and levels are always welcome at a club with a busy fixture list,

“We field first and second teams on Saturdays and play long-standing fixtures against local and touring teams on Sundays and midweek during the summer,” said David Lavender, who doubles as fixture secretary.

“The only real requirement is to bring your enthusiasm for the game.”

For more details contact David Lavender (davelavkcc@outlook.com) or see the club’s Facebook page.