End of 2021 Season at Fonthill

21 players turned out for the end of season Captains' game and presentations. Over 450 runs were scored with Ashley Major’s X scoring 227 off 35 overs, only to have that score overtaken with three balls to go by James Parton’s XI. New man Harry Walker impressed with both bat and ball and hopes to play more next season, while Sam Peters took a wicket with his first ball for the Club.

There was a pause between innings for a Club photograph seen here with Chairman Eric Tracey and Vice-President Peter Brooke both happily restored from illness over the last two years. Eric thanked members of the Committee and Captains for their efforts in keeping the Club running and leading forward through another very enjoyable season. Presentations followed with Ashley Major and James Parton looking back over the high points of another very enjoyable season.

After receiving the Golf trophy from previous winner Jon Sealy the previous week, Rupert Murray was given the batting award and Will Scott-Masson was recognised for his bowling, including his excellent figures of 6-19 against Chilmark. With over ten wicket keepers in the club this season the Fielding award went to Martin Haines. Austin Andrews received the Young Player award recognising his wicket keeping performances and his 100 against Chilmark, and also with his centurion’s club tie alongside Ed Spicer. Ewen Moore was named as Most Valuable Player of the year and also recognised for his achievement in lowering the average age of the Committee. Dave Roberts was thanked for his sterling efforts in managing the bar over a very difficult year with multiple changes in Covid regulations, and awarded with the Club Member of the year shield, for his important role in keeping players hydrated.

The captains both agreed that the outstanding Champagne moment of the season was Charlie Prior’s hat-trick. Because he is still under 18, Charlie was given a £20 sports voucher with the Champagne kept in trust (?) by his father Simon Prior who had taken the vital catch to secure the hat-trick.

Finally, Ashley Major was presented (again) with the Paul Gahan Memorial trophy for leading the team which beat The Boot in the annual charity match. Using the payers’ match fees and profits from the bar, barbecue and raffle at this event the club was able to donate £350 to the Wilts Air Ambulance Appeal, £350 to Solent Mind in support of Ashley and Ruth Major’s 10k charity run where they were “Running for Ruby” and £164 to Seeds4Success. A further £250 was donated to ACE-SMA following Andrew Sweerts’ charity match to support children with spinal muscular atrophy. This means that the Club has donated a total of £2546 this year to these charities, which is a great achievement thanks to everyone involved.

Thanks to Tim Jones for pictures of the day, https://photos.app.goo.gl/jKjrfLoPg4DyDnw27

a selection of which are shown here and in the gallery.

Mark Mikurenda