4TH XI REPORT 1995

Well another season has passed and it's time to reflect on the highs and the lows. As far as lows were concerned there were only two, one was the fact that none of the juniors were registered with the league and therefore unable to play. Secondly the lack of players available to play, but perhaps the first had a bearing on the second. In the 1996 season however all thirteen year olds and above have been registered so hopefully this will rectify the problem. Well that's enough of the lows let's consider the highs. Firstly there was a very good team spirit and this made playing the game enjoyable for everyone who played. Because of the lack of juniors it meant that the team consisted of more mature players, i.e. Bill Payne (nearly 55), Derek Green (nearly 59), Pat Merrin (nearly 61) and Rob Randall (nearly dead!). But it was due to these players and others like them that we managed to end the season in a respectable position. It's hard to single out names from a season when there are players like Pat Merrin bowling superbly week in week out and who  could forget Derek Green's catch at Thurgarton, but people like John Phillips, Paul Hart, Chris Warren, John Whiteheadand all played an important role in the team's achievement. But one name worthy of a mention is Stuart Walton, who at the age of nine, was brought into the side, normally at two o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, always batted at No. 11, never bowled and fielded at fine leg both ends, he never complained but played the game solely for enjoyment. Well that is about it for my report except to thank our umpire Barry, scorer Wendy and groundsman Nick Walton for making the games possible and with their support and the players in 1996 make it another enjoyable season.

Tony Eatherington. (Captain).