PRESENTATION NIGHT 2012
A monumental event in the history of the club in many ways, the 2012 presentation night on Saturday October 20th was just another in a long series of successes this year. Held at the pavilion, boasting its new (nearing completion) extension and double bar, the senior cricket and rounders event was attended by upwards of 60 players, friends and family who had negotiated the specially-lit path for the occasion.
Chairman Scott welcomed everyone, and reflected on how 2012 was not just a year of gentle progression but of huge leaps forward. Starting with the victory in Benidorm, there has been a catalogue of successes in our 125th anniversary year. Three massively successful anniversary events - the meal at the Man Yuen attended by more than 150 people, a sports day that even two failed attempts due to the weather didn't spoil, and a terrific golf day and evening meal at Greenmount CC that ended the planned events in style - were just bookends in what has been another year of hard work and dedication by everyone. Other successes include the progress of not one but two junior sides, the integration of many of the promising kids into the senior teams, notable moments on the field for both sides, the Benidorm tour success already set to be repeated in 2013, and of course the new extension, the result of a LOT of hard work by the committee, Les and his team and fundraising left, right and centre.
If that wasn't enough Scott then alluded to yet more developments in the pipeline - a new car park, access to the pavilion, a hint at extension sideways AND upwards, the possible two lane multipurpose cricket net installation, coaching qualifications in progress, level 2 coaching for the juniors in 2013, and the chance to buy the ground going forwards. Want more? There's a lot more to come, including the Boxing Day event which we'll be hosting again - as it's the 50th anniversary of that too, it promises to be a huge affair.
A series of games got everyone into mood and then special guest Dave Coffey was on hand to present the cricket trophies.
2012 was a decent season on the pitch, despite the loss of several senior players for long periods - indeed Si and Doc would have led the first division batting and bowling averages had they qualified with batting averages of 70 and 50 and bowling averages of 9 and 7 respectively; but with sides forced to put out a core of promising youngsters, and those barely blooded into the U15s, to finish 3rd and 5th was a really promising effort - indeed one or two dropped catches at ELPM may even have cost the 1sts the title - testament, sadly, to a much weakened NMCL this year, but also reflection of the spirit at the club, certainly the best in the last 20 years.
Awards were presented as follows:
A special note on the two special awards. Ry Marsh became the youngest player in the club's history to take 1st XI wickets, and has represented the club in more games at U15, 2nd and 1st XI level in one season than anyone else in memory. He should be justifiably proud not only of his progress but of his commitment, encouragement of others and all-round maturity this year. Mike, nominally 2nd XI captain, gave up huge chunks of his summer on non-cricketing efforts on the ground, with the juniors, on representing both teams where possible, helping to organise and run almost every event this year, and in building and bar work - a worthy winner.
The rounders girls then had their presentation; the winners and season stats appear on their website.
All in all, a hugely successful celebration, and with Boxing Day still to come, 2012 is set to go down as one of the most important years in our history - and 2013 could yet top it ...
