THE Under 11 players, parents and coaching team gathered at a sunny Ipplepen Cricket Club on Sunday 8th September for their end of season social and awards presentation.
Families were split into England and Australia teams, with everybody sporting the appropriate colours of red,white and blue's or Aussie Gold and Green. The sporting attire ranged from T-shirts, shorts, headbands to hair colours!
First up was a 8-a-side players match. The format was 16 overs per side, 4 overs per batting pair, 2 overs to bowled by each player and -5 for each wicket lost. To spice things up there were bonus runs available for boundaries in 3 MAX zones (2x boundary) and Joker overs (x3 and x5 for runs scored and wickets taken).
To add to the atmosphere there was the obligatory loud music cranked out by MC Kempy and in-match commentary (top quality tosh) and Karaoke performances by Mr Paul or was it Neil Diamond.
James Pugsley the England Captain won the toss and elected to field first. The players lined up for the national anthems and got into the true spirit of things by sledging each other - nothing better than that said Bricey the Match Referee!
Australia posted a challenging 224, after starting on 100. Standout batting from Joe Gillett and Henry Alsop and bowling stars to Matt Whalley. James Pugsley and Elijah Pyne. The telling factor in the Aussie innings was over 16 where they played their Joker and scored a stunning 65 runs.
England's inning built steadily but never hit the heights it needed to take victory - sounds like the Men's efforts. The innings closed on 134 after the number of dismissals took their toll. So a big 90 run victory for the Australian team. No batting standouts, but more a combined team effort from England. Bowling stars to Ed Wilson and Rory Oram-Evennett.
Each team had also been challenged to provide some extra Dance entertainment for the supporters during their fielding time. England bust some moves to the Los del Rio classic Macarena, whilst the Aussie's cranked out Kylie Minogue's The Loco-Motion. Next step is Britain's Got Talent?!
Next up was a cracking Buffet to satisfy the hungry players and supporters. After a good 'fill up' it was on with the awards.
TM Bricey reflected on the highs, lows and individual successes of the season, the question of "Can we play Gwent every week?", the ESCA Festival at King's College and the joys of coaching young cricketers at the early stages of the player pathway. Thanks was extended to all the parents for the invaluable support they provide to not only their own son but also to the whole squad.
2019 Trophies were then presented to the following Award winners:
Batter of the Year
Winner: Henry Squire (201 runs)
Runners Up: Alfie Mason (187), Tobias Alsop (183) and Ed Wilson (141)
Bowler of the Year
Winner: Matt Whalley (15 wkts)
Runners Up: Alfie Mason (11), Joe Gillett (9) and Henry Squire (9)
Fielder of the Year
Winner: Rory Oram-Evennett (100 MVP Points)
Runners Up: Ed Wilson (80), Archie Shawcross (60), Matt Whalley (60) and Harry Witcher (60)
'Duck' Cup
Winners: James Pugsley (4) and Matt Whalley (4)
Runner Up: Harry Witcher (3)
Sally Ashman Cup (Awarded for contributions during the season, both on and off the field of play)
Winner: Ed Wilson
Runners Up: Tobias Alsop, Harry Witcher and Basil Crosthwaite-Eyre
Player of the Year (T20 Format)
Winner: Alfie Mason (47.00 Average MVP Points per game)
Runners Up: Matt Whalley (31.83), Joe Gillett (24.67) and Archie Shawcross (18.67)
Player of the Year (40-over Format)
Winner: Henry Squire (62.50 Average MVP Points per game)
Runners Up: Rory Oram-Evennett (42.00), Matt Whalley (40.22) and Harry Witcher (33.29)
To end the day on a high a very competitive game of 'Diamond Cricket' was played. This allowed the parents to dust off those skills and show the young ones who the boss really is. After a hard fought 45 minutes of action, Australia failed to get 3 runs off the last ball and had to settle for a tie!!
Big thanks must go to Ipplepen Cricket Club, and especially the Alsop Family, for hosting the day and providing the entertainment equipment.
