Exciting start to the 2022 Season

The 2022 season started on Easter Saturday with the traditional intra-Club Vice Presidents match, in lovely warm summer weather (and yes it was only mid-April), under a blue sky with the ground looking in great shape. James Parton’s team batted first and scored a formidable 186 with Harry Walker hitting the first runs, the first 6 and the first 50. The first wicket of the season went to Ed Hobbs and Henry Comyn took the first catch, a spectacular diving effort off his own bowling. Ashley Major’s men responded with everyone chipping in towards their target total and Jonnie Power hitting a four to win the game with only three balls remaining. Over 360 runs scored, a very close game, a good workout for everyone involved, including the large crowd of spectators who kept the volunteer bar team busy: a great start to the season. The previous week, a small number of volunteers had set up the nets, covers and sightscreens, and had also contributed to preparing the pitch, practice pitch and outfield.

Chairman Eric Tracey said a few words at the end of the and declared that the afternoon had been a success with money raised towards our first charitable donation to the Disasters Emergency Community Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, and another win for Fonthill Park!

He then took the opportunity to present Helen and Jimmy Street with their Life Membership certificates. This was in recognition of Helen’s contribution to the Club in its early years at Fonthill Park, managing the bar and the clubhouse and keeping the accounts, and Jimmy’s contribution to the Club and its community as Captain, Pitch and Ground Manager, his promotion of the Club and encouragement of new members, his major part in the transformation of The Pyt House Players CC into The Pyts at Fonthill CC and then Fonthill Park CC and overseeing the replacement of the old clubhouse with the modern pavilion we now enjoy. Jimmy responded by saying he was pleased to be back after his few years’ sabbatical absence and especially to see so many new members and that the Club was clearly thriving. Ever eager to get involved Jim had done a stint as umpire and happily was not called upon to give anyone out!

Thanks to Mark Mikurenda, Shaun Spencer and Sam Peters for the pictures.