2008 Speech

Harspden Cricket Club Dinner Speech 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2008 has been another stellar year for Harspden Cricket Club with nearly 60 people playing for us, at one time or another, over the season. I have no doubt that Harspden is one of the healthiest Village Cricket clubs in the area, and is the envy of many of our opponents.

Of our 45 completed fixtures, we have lost 20%, drawn 20% and won a staggering 60%. The great thing, in my opinion, is that many of those draws and defeats have been to teams we normally beat like Shiplake College, Cranbourne, Henley, Gamecox, Crazies Hill and the Old Josephians – in essence, keeping them interested so that they will come back next year for another mauling.

Among the highlights for me have been the victories over two teams we have not beaten for 3 or 4 years – Reading Lawyers and Greys Green – both great wins, but more on those two later.

2007 was very much the year of the bowler for Harpsden as the grassy pitches and slow outfields gave them significant support. Despite this year’s weather being very similar to last, we have seen many more runs scored and it’s been a bit harder to finish off the oppo. As least four of our matches have finished with the opposition, nine wickets down, and hanging on for a draw. I suspect the new heavy roller is to blame – maybe we’ll have to increase the annual subs for batsmen, and reduce them for bowlers! Having said all that, our bowlers have done a tremendous job and some of their performances have been genuinely match-winning.

As with previous years, we have our annual trophies, generously donated by Tabbits, your first stop in Henley for quality car repair. The first of the trophies is for the young bowler of the year. There have been some tremendous performances in this category: Toby Stevens has had a magnificent first season for Harpsden with 11 wickets at less than four an over, and a best haul of 3 for 11 against Medmenham - and until mid September he’d taken more wickets than his big brother. Toby’s going to be pushing hard for this award for next season, and many seasons after. Johnny Wright has also picked up his first three wickets for Harspden – and I’m sure there will be many, many more to follow. Ben Hancock frequently bowled well and picked up 13 wickets. Last year’s winner, Ed Birkett, had some great bowling displays, not least at the Sixes, but has unfortunately not played anywhere near as much as he would have liked. Harry Williams has taken 12 wickets, at less than 13 runs each, going at only 3.3 runs per over, including a haul of 5 for 36 against Medmenham, and would have been right in the hunt for this award if he’d played a few more games for us, but there have 2 absolutely outstanding junior bowlers this season: Firstly, Tom Nugent who has bowled well beyond his years, putting in some superb performances – but more on Tom later. The young bowler award this year goes to a spinner who has been the third highest Harspden wicket-taker this season – he has taken 24 wickets at 16 apiece, and going at considerably less than 4 an over. His best bowling was achieved against the Fiddlers where he took 5 for 6 – although the Henley Standard gave the credit to his older brother. Those Fiddlers are building a significant dislike for the Cary family! Young bowler of 2008, Alfred Cary. [PHOTO].

At this point I would like to digress briefly onto the Harspden Cricket Club medical report. Ian Reissman has not played anywhere near the amount he would have liked as major surgery has kept him off sport – fingers crossed that we will see more of Ian on the field next year. Just when Rajeev was clicking into form with a lovely knock against Twyford that was cut short by rain, his hamstring gave way – let’s hope Rajeev is another one we see more of in 2009. There have been a few broken fingers, fortunately only for the oppo as Carl Pohl, amongst others have caused significant pain. There was, however, one game earlier this season where 3 of our players were crocked all in one game – if my memory serves me well, both Ian Nugent and Tom Sampson had earlier both done their hamstrings and then Chris Welford came into bat – a lovely shot by Chris out to cover off the back foot, then the next moment he was writhing in agony on the floor having dislocated his knee cap. It was such a shame for his season to be cut short having started so well with the ball, going for less than 3 runs an over in his 26 overs. Good to see you back Chris. Anyway, back to the medical report: we have here a little thank you for Ian Nugent (and Fiona!) who have tended so caringly for all the injured, even the oppo! Ian Nugent [WINE].

We now move on to the bowler of the season award. There have been some great bowling performances this season: James Butler, who having had very bad pneumonia over the winter, wasn’t able to come to nets and also had a late start to the season. However, he picked up a wicket with his very first ball of the year, and had the best bowling average of the top 20 wicket takers, going for only just over 10 runs for each wicket. And what about Ian Whittaker who dismissed Will Stevens and Matt Thomas on consecutive balls in the Chairman’s vs Presidents match, to change the shape of the game? Then there’s Matt Hayward who bowled with tremendous guile and will get a heap more wickets on next season’s firmer pitches, and having just moved back in next to the ground. Nick Adley, it’s great to see you back Nick, who bowled just five balls all season and took 1 for none! Balaji bowled extremely well on occasion, most notably at Holyport, where he took 3 for 15 in 8 hostile overs, ripping out the heart of Holyport’s finest. Mike Devile looks a tremendous find and gave both the Young Lions and Turville something to think about – my guess is that Mike will get a hatful of wickets for us next year. Horatio Cary, who turned in a match-winning performance, with the ball, against Woodley. Tom Sampson has taken 14 wickets and caused many batsmen significant trouble, Mick Greenwood, the winner two years ago, who has taken 15 wickets at less than 4 an over. Will Stevens has bowled magically, particularly at the end of the season having reverted to spin. The top four wicket takers in the adult category: fourth place is Tom Ham who has taken 17 wickets. Time and time again Tom has both restricted runs and got the critical wicket. Tom was very close to the award this year but was probably just beaten by virtue of weight of wickets – a few more matches next season and Tom could have his name on the trophy. Next is last years winner, Tom Hancock, who has bowled very economically, going for only 3 and a half an over, and has been a tremendous strike bowler, but the edge has probably been taken off his performances by the lack of bounce from the wet Harspden wicket this season – Tom, we’ll do our best to harden them up for you next season. Mike Farmar has had another great season, again despite the lack of bounce, and his bowling against Hambleden last week was mesmerising – Mike has taken 22 wickets and his 5 for against Turville in June was nearly a match-winning performance. The bowler of the year this season is somebody who knows a lot about bowling on wet tracks, in fact he knows a lot about bowling on all sorts of tracks – he has taken 46 wickets at 16 each, going for not much more than 3 and a half an over and his 4 for not very many against the Reading Lawyers was one of the reasons we were able to beat a side we hadn’t beaten for about 4 years. Miles is the bowler Andrew Norton frequently turns to when he needs a wicket – and get a wicket he does. Bowler of the year, W.G. Hodgkiss [Photo].

Before moving on to the batting awards – I would like to give a special thank you to someone who turns up to a large proportion of our games and does one of the hardest jobs around. Neil Craig gives a tremendous amount to Harspden Cricket Club and his fairness was epitomised no better than when Woodley last Sunday asked if Neil could umpire both ends. Many thanks to the man who could give Simon Taufel a run for his money as umpire of the year. Neil Craig [Wine].

As I alluded to earlier, 2008 has been Harspden’s year of the batsman with a stunning number of superb performances making the decisions on the awards extremely difficult. Let’s start with the performances by young batsmen:

This award has been won for the last two years by Sam Imlay, and he started well again this year but was busy with exams and is now in Australia. Christian Whittaker, as a result of injury and other sporting commitments, has not played much this year, but his 31 against Turville in June was nearly a match-winning knock, whilst Matt Thomas scored a great 66 against Cranbourne. Another maiden half-century for Harspden was scored by a 13 year old who has spent some considerable time down at Harspden over the years – chasing a target of 99, he opened the batting against Sonning with Andy Grimmer. Adam Birkett, outlasted Andy that day and proceeded to bat through for an unbeaten 51 – a couple of other good knocks suggest there will be a lot more runs from him next year. Tom Nugent has batted beautifully on several occasions as has Alfred Cary but the award this year came down to a choice between two good friends. Firstly, Ben Hancock – Ben has been a rock with the bat all season, helping us to a great victory up at Hambleden, and thrillingly a brilliant knock against Greys Green, which set the scene for a great victory. Will Stevens ran him ragged that day, but although Ben was huffing and puffing he saw us home. Against the Young Lions, Ben opened the batting but was only out having lost 6 partners. Ben has averaged 20 this year but was just, pipped for the award. Young batsman of the year, goes to someone who although he hasn’t played for us much, has shown extraordinary class, hitting exhilerating drives, smashing sixes and leaving the oppo in no doubt that they are in for an afternoon of ‘hunt the ball’. His cultured unbeaten 51 against Ebersley in the first match of the season earned us a draw, whilst his unbeaten 69 against the Wanderers was a pleasure to watch from the very first ball. Young batsman of the year goes to somebody who unfortunately, at the last minute, couldn’t make the dinner – congratulations to Dan Hayden [Photo] but I would be grateful if Ben could come up to collect the award on Dan’s behalf.

Before moving on to the more mature batsmen, a brief fielding interlude. There have been an amazing number of brilliant catches this season – and apologies for anybody I have missed out: Andy Bryan at slip, Miles at very Silly Point, Tom Ham in the Sixes, Andy Grimmer in the deep, Mr Catch, Mike Farmar, all over the place, but our top three this year are: 3rd place, Carl Pohl against Shiplake catching their dodgy left handed opener with a scorching diving one hander in the gully. In second place was Alfred Cary with a brilliant running catch in the deep in the sixes – most years that would have been good enough to win…....by a mile. Not this year though. To set the scene of the winning catch: it was very dark, had started to rain and our winner was at cover – the ball was lobbed over his head, he turned to chase whilst looking over his shoulder, made a few yards, then whilst still running stuck out a hand – incredibly, the ball stuck. What is amazing is that this was with his left hand, whereas the scorching one-hander earlier in the match was with his better right hand. Winner of Catch of the Season – for his second one hander against Shiplake – Carl Pohl [Catch].

At this point I would like to digress again to thank somebody who has put in enormous effort over the years, with 2008 being no exception. I can’t imagine any other club in the area has a fixture secretary as reliable as Suzie Bradley. Suzie does an unbelievable amount of work setting up our fixture list and then trying to make sure teams turn up on the day. I also believe that it’s Suzie’s birthday today – I am glad you’ve deferred the birthday party to be here tonight. We have here a small token of our enormous appreciation to Suzie for all her efforts, and a little something for your birthday. Suzie Bradley [Photo].

We are now on to the senior batting trophy. There have been some superb batting feats this season, not least those seen in the sixes competition. 43 in just 11 balls from Christian Whittaker, Andy Grimmer needing 36 off the last over to win, started 6, 6. Tom Ham and Ed Birkett hammering our very own Harspden bowlers, Miles smashing Greys Green, Andy Bryan scoring an unbeaten 49, followed by an unbeaten 50.

As far as the longer form of the game is concerned, we have had 8 hundreds this season – 8 times as many as last season! A debut Harspden century by Will Stevens against Whitchurch, followed up very quickly by another one against Hambleden, a brilliant century by Carl Pohl against Henley after being out for 99 against the Catchiteers, two centuries by Andy Bryan, the first a brilliant one against Oxford Uni and the second against Hillingdon Manor. Horatio scored his maiden century, against Medmenham followed up with another devastating knock against the Fiddlers. We have an award for our other century maker – he started with us last season, always looking highly correct and liable to make a big score. Even as he started this season he made important contributions with the bat against Hambleden, Rivets, Sonning among others. But it was against Cranbourne that Andy Grimmer made his first 50 for Harpsden, and if that wasn’t enough, he went on to make it his maiden century. For his maiden century, and a prize for most improved batsmen of 2008, Andy Grimmer [Photo].

Just going through some of the other batting feats of 2008 – with nine wickets down, Chris Ham hit his son for 4 to win an extremely tense Presidents/Chairman’s match – I pleased to say that although the Chairman was in Cornwall, Chris pulled the team through to victory! The Mitchells, Tom and Alan produced the top last wicket partnership of the season against the Old Josephians, putting on a very valuable 27. Andrew Imlay has only batted twice for us this year, but his 38 showed that the talent is still very much there. Tom Ham and Ollie Heath added a match-winning 61 for the eighth wicket against Henley Hockey Club. But we have a prize here for the recovery performance of the season: we were 120 for 6 away against Holyport, which was nowhere near enough, and Tom Hancock came to the wicket – he proceeded to work the ball around, and then smash his way to a wonderful 55. He coaxed his partner along, enabling us to put on an unbeaten partnership of 117, which proved to be more than enough for a demoralised Holyport. The award for recovery of the season goes to Tom Hancock [Photo].

Other highlights include Charlie Stevens’ 33 against Hillingdon Manor, a superb opening partnership of 70 between Rob Harris and Miles Hodgkiss in a winning cause against Greys Green, Matt Hayward’s two great forehands that went to the boundary against Greys Green – his 13 off 5 balls enabling us to get home with 3 balls to spare. Alex Jeremy averaged over 50 with the bat, and we hope to see more of him next year, Balaji frequently coming in at crucial times and knocking the oppo around for a few. Mick Greenwood using the long handle to great effect, not least against Woodley, with three crucial sixes. Tom Sampson’s 45 against London Erratics in a winning cause, and putting on 89 with Andy Bryan against Oxford Uni, Justin Bradley, who took longer than usual to keep his run going of getting a 50 every season since the year dot – it took Andy Norton almost as long, but his 95 against Turville was definitely worth waiting for.

We have some awards here for the top partnership of the season – given that the second placed partnership was only broken by a retirement, we have decided to extend the award to the top 2. As both partnerships were with the same person – I will save his mention until the second partnership. With an opening partnership against the Wanderers of 158 (unbeaten) Ian Whittaker [Wine] The highest partnership of the season was a superb match-winning 2nd wicket partnership of 166 against the Catchiteers – would Miles Hodgkiss please come forward. [Photo]. The partner for both of these was the magnificent Carl Pohl [Photo].

The decision for batsman of the year has been very, very tough this year. We’ve even had to get input from Gower and Botham to split the candidates. Horatio Cary has had a marvellous season, and but for a couple of low scores over the last 2 weeks would have averaged comfortably over 50. Will Stevens has scored over 600 runs at an average of more than 50. Miles Hodgkiss has scored over 700 runs with 5 fifties, Andy Grimmer has come storming through with some tremendous displays, but the decision came down to a choice between two people. Carl Pohl has scored over 400 hundred runs at an average of over 100 whilst Andy Bryan has scored comfortably over 500 runs at an average of nearly 60. We have decided, this year, based on the number of matches that have been influenced by his batting, helped by the fact that he has played a few more games, and his stunning performances in the Sixes, to give the batting award for 2008 to Andy Bryan [Photo]. All I can say is that I suspect in many other years, Carl would have won the trophy at a gallop.

Now, as always, we need to give special thanks to the Chairman of Selectors. Jane Burtt continues to do the most amazing amount for Harspden Cricket Club – she makes sure that we have exactly 11 out for each game (and Will Stevens will tell you how difficult it is do that!), somebody is organised to provide tea, and if they’re not Jane does the tea, she runs the bar, she wheelbarrows and then carries the beers to the fridge, she takes the rubbish out, she does the washing up, she turns the urn and hot water on, she organises the annual dinner etcetera, etcetera. Jane, we are all incredibily grateful for all you do, and recognise that we should all do more of these things ourselves, we have here just a small token of our appreciation [Present].

We now move on to the all-rounders. Firstly, the young all-rounder. This is a tough category as the young, understandably, typically don’t get an opportunity to both bat and bowl. This is an award that was won last year by Christian Whittaker, and I’m sure if he’d been able to play a few more games, would have been extremely tough to beat. Other obvious candidates include Alfred Cary with his brilliant bowling, reliable batting and great fielding. Ben Hancock has batted extremely well, averaging around 20, and has shared in five partnerships of more than 50, 4 of them in a winning cause, and has taken 13 wickets. Our winner this year, however, has been our second highest overall wicket-taker with 28 wickets at a stunning average of only 13 – which happens to be how old he was at the start of the season! Each wicket has gone for only 3 and a half runs an over, and other than James Butler, and Rob Harris (!), he has the best strike rate of any our top 22 wicket-takers. He is also a classy looking batsman who because he bowls, doesn’t often get the opportunity – he has been involved in match winning partnerships against the Catchiteers and Woodley – but an example of his batting skill was in the first of the Turville games when he had to block out for a draw - having successfully negotiated his way to the last ball with a couple of wickets in hand, he then proceeded to hit the last ball of the match for 6. Winner of young all-rounder of 2008, Tom Nugent [Photo].

The senior all-rounder award comes down to a choice between 3 people , despite the extremely valuable all-round contributions of Mick Greenwood, Horatio and Tom Sampson. Tom Hancock has been involved in some very valuable partnerships and has taken 18 wickets at only 3 and half an over. Miles has had another superb season, both with the bat and the ball, and is our leading catcher, but all rounder of 2008 goes to someone who has averaged over 50 with the bat, shared 10 partnerships of over 50, scored his maiden century for Harspden, has taken 12 catches, has frequently kept the oppo down to a single when normally they might have run three, has taken wickets with both seam and spin, taking a total of 17 wickets at less than 12 runs apiece and incredibly, going for less than 3 runs an over. All-rounder of 2008, Will Stevens [Photo].

There are a lot of people here who do a tremendous amount for the club but I haven’t mentioned them so far this evening: David Heath, scoring and the finances, Julian Burtt giving Presidential guidance, and is a great sounding board for me, Andrew Norton and Will for their captaincy and leadership skills, and of course Will for all the stats he puts together, Richard Moyle for the amazing number of handyman jobs he does for us – it’s a shame we haven’t seen more of Richard this season – hopefully next year. Ian Whittaker, our very own Del boy as he is always able to find somebody who can provide us with what we need, eg baggy caps, or a heavy roller, in fact Ian is taking orders for shirts, jumpers, caps etc. after dinner. Special thanks must go to the tea ladies, and men, for keeping us fed, the Stevens family for all their work in organising the sixes – Ed Birkett and Ben and Tom Hancock for their paid work on the pitches ….and apologies to everybody who I’ve not mentioned but before going on to the Clubman award, I would like to say a special thank you to all the supporters, Katherine, Josh etc. etc. – but I would this year like to acknowledge the support of Will’s right hand lady, Sarah, who is very happy to share her other half with us and either spectate or read a book. Mildly Reluctant, but very supportive, supporter of the year, Sarah [Photo].

We have always said that Clubman of the year won’t go to one of the Committee and is almost certainly a player, and hence the choice for us came down to 3 people. Clubman is for somebody who goes out of his way to do whatever he can for the Club; Miles won this last year and was a real contender again – the cost of coming to the games has gone up sharply for him since last year given the increased petrol prices, he often stays in the pavilion overnight on Saturday as Harpsden Cricket Club’s security officer, he frequently clears up the pavilion, or should I say his bedroom, after the games, he will always play when we’re short, but despite being one of our best players, will give up his place if we have too many players, will gladly play for the oppo if we are long and they are short, moves the field and changes the bowlers, even when he’s not captain, steers the heavy roller like a captain on his ship – nothing is too much trouble for Miles and it’s great to have him in our club. The next person is somebody who is my motivator and shadow. Adam Birkett has been a great supporter of Harpsden Cricket Club for years, and is now starting to make a real contribution as a player. I am sure, as per the Happy Gilmore movie, that the Cricket Club is Adam’s happy place. Having said that, he goes way beyond that with his desire to help – he spends hour after hour with me raking, cutting and rolling pitches and is always keen to make sure that the ground and pavilion look as good as possible before each game. Just a little token of our appreciation for everything Adam does for Harspden Cricket Club [Photo].

Clubman of 2008 goes to young man who is developing into one of the nicest around. He is always there to help, whether that is scoring, getting the sawdust, preparing pitches even when he’s busy, finding us players if we are short – not only that, but his cricket has come on a treat this year, especially his batting. He will run himself into the ground, just to beat the oppo – against Greys Green, Will called for an absolutely suicidal run, our Clubman running to the danger end ran for his life, with no focus on self preservation, or averages – it was beating Greys Green that mattered. Clubman of 2008, for everything he does for Harspden Cricket Club, Ben Hancock [Photo].

There are two last thank yous I would like to make. Firstly, my long suffering cricket club widow wife. The Club doesn’t just steal me away from her, it also steals her two sons, and then she is required to make the teas and help to cook and help to organise the dinner this evening. Many thanks for all you do, and all you put with – Sally [Photo].

The other person I would like to thank is Joanna Cary. Joanna Cary spends so much time throughout the season preparing for the dinner, taking hundreds of photographs. I am sure I speak for everybody when I say not only how appreciated all this work is, but also how brilliant the photographs are. With many thanks from us all – Joanna [Wine]. By the way, Alfred is selling discs after the dinner with all the seasons photos for a fiver.

Before finishing I just wanted to share with you a comment that epitomises what we are trying to achieve at Harspden. I was watching the game at Turville, and talking to one of their opening batsmen – I can’t say it any politer than, we were mullering them. Colin, however, was very quick to say how brilliant the atmosphere in the middle was when we were fielding. This atmosphere is a credit to everybody in the Club and we should rightly be extremely proud of it. Our motto, invite them, entertain them, beat them – but make them think they enjoyed the experience!

Please raise your glasses to: Harpsden Cricket Club.