The clubroom of Timsbury Cricket Club was packed for the annual Presentation evening (scroll down for images) with all three teams well represented. It had been a momentous season with both the first and second teams gaining promotion but also a sad one following the recent death of Club President John Newth and that of club stalwart Colin Weaver earlier in the year. A minute’s applause was observed in their memory.
The Club Chairman Austin Sage praised the efforts of all the players who had contributed to such a successful season. Not only had the three senior teams done well but the under-19s had again enjoyed their county competition while the national All Stars initiative had seen more than 30 youngsters signing up.
Off the field the barbecues had provided welcome revenue for the club and the Chairman thanked Gordon Stewart and his helpers for their invaluable efforts. New covers and nets had been purchased and the Chairman appealed for the players to make full use of them. Sage paid tribute to the many people who had worked tirelessly for the club and in appreciation of their efforts flowers were presented to Ann Sage, Rita Day , Cheryl Bradley, Eve Bird , Claire Sage, Anne-Marie Thompson, Carla Passingham and Mel Hosford.
There were some excellent speeches from the three senior captains. Ashley Davis who had again looked after the third team said that his side had finished a creditable fourth in their division and he had experienced no problem in fielding a side. Matthew Ball who had been the top batsman and bowler was voted third team player of the year.
Ben Hosford in his second year as second team captain celebrated promotion for the second year in a row and the team will now play in the Bristol and District League Division 7. In the seven games that he had played for the seconds Andrew Carter amassed an amazing 514 runs at an average of 129 with three centuries. Teenager Sol Thompson was voted player of the year and his household will have to find plenty of room for all his trophies as he was also voted Young Clubman of the Year, the Outstanding Teenager and the Best Performance by a Young Player. Neil Hulford, whose 67 not out in the last game of the season against BAC sealed promotion, won the club award for the best individual performance of the season.
First team captain Steve Clothier, who is relinquishing the post next year, said that it had been a very enjoyable season with encouraging availabilities. Returning to the West of England League would be a challenge but it was one he felt the club could cope with. The evergreen Mark Sage had again spearheaded the batting and his league total of 651 runs was the best in the Senior Division. Kevin Sibley in his second year at the club had made major contributions with both his batting and bowling and he was voted Player of the Year.
The prestigious Clubperson of the Year award went to Ben Hosford with Dan Hill’s 20-ball 50 against BAC winning him the Fastest Fifty Cup.
Malcolm Tucker
The annual awards were as follows:
Youth Section
Most improved Junior (Eddie Strong Trophy) Will Rawlings
Best performance by a Junior (Graham Bryant Trophy) Sol Thompson
Outstanding teenager (S G Taylor Memorial Cup) Sol Thompson
Biggest 6 Under 15 and below (Steve Nowell Challenge Cup) Will Rawlings
Club ties James Rawlings, Tom Williams and Freddie Hosford
Senior Section
Club caps James Rawlings, Neil Hulford and Lee Hulbert
Centurion ties Nathan Hawkins
Fastest 50 (John Newth Cup) Dan Hill
Best individual performance (S G Taylor Cup) Neil Hulford
First team Player of the Year (Sage Family Trophy) Kevin Sibley
Second team Player of the Year (Malcolm Tucker Cup) Sol Thompson
Third team Player of the Year (Colin Weaver Cup) Matthew Ball
Clubperson of the Year Ben Hosford
Junior Clubperson of the Year (Roger and Eve Bird Cup) Sol Thompson
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