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New 2XI Captain

  
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Friday, October 15 2010 @ 02:35 PM BST
Contributed by: committee
Views: 834
I have logged on under committee due to the fact I am unable to find my login details but it’s Tom Hughes.

People may not be aware of the events of the AGM last night (14/10/10) but I shall no longer be second eleven captain from here on in. The opportunity has somewhat eluded me to give a formal account of my time in charge over the last three years or a chance to say thank you properly so I am hoping people will read this.


I was asked to captain the second eleven three years ago at the age of only nineteen after having played in and around the side for years predating this. It was the view of the club as a whole that a young captain would be preferable, to learn along with what was slowly becoming a very young side and that the two would be able to grow as one, learning side by side. To begin with it gave me a chance to work with friends I had played cricket with for years, a man I hugely respect and I’m sure many people would call him my mentor, including myself, Dave Watson. It also included our overseas companion Steve Mattock and ever loyal Phil Barrow. It was really a transition year that was obviously difficult for myself but I grew a lot from my experiences and knew that the following year the side would look different again.

The final two years of my captaincy I feel I moved from strength to strength. For this club to be a major power in the county set up we have always been aware that the first stepping stone was to become the best side in the city. This year that mark was achieved. More important for me and what provides me with a great sense of personal pride is not only to have helped achieve this fate it’s the fantastic improvement I have been lucky enough to witness in my players. Seeing young lads mature into real cricketer’s was, in hindsight, the job I was always the most committed to seeing. Every person I have played with the last three years has made my Saturdays on the field a real pleasure and although there are far too many names to mention you have all made a massive, positive impact on the side and myself not only as a captain but as a person as well. To have started off by narrowly avoiding relegation to only two years later, finishing what would have been second (had the second to last game not be rained off), is an achievement I’m very proud of myself and my team for doing.

I couldn’t leave without saying thank you to those who have made my life easier over the years. To Fred and Jo Butson who have helped immensely off the field. We know of all the work they do but you really come to understand the importance of it when it ends up helping you personally so much so thank you again for the pitch preparations, the teas and really just general help and organization that allows such smooth Saturdays. To David’s Burke and Watson for the advice you have provided me with over the three years and even before that, it would have been twice as hard going at it alone. Also on this side of things Luke Minett who really took me under his wing, was fantastic to have his example to look up to starting out. To those who have maintained the high standard of our teas for me, Janet, Helen, Jo, Jenny, Donna and Andy and of course mum! (Sorry if I have forgotten anyone here!). To Martin Couldwell and Damien Ashton who believe me without them scoring and umpiring every week I always had a large headache midweek, thank you guys. Finally a huge thank you to everyone who has played in that second team the last three years, you’re the reason people want to do the job. It’s for seeing those moments of inspiration you guys provide that the captain lives to see. So whether it’s that reverse slap/pull from John Meredith, watching Andy Ware play another cut shot from the top of leg stump or a impossible fifteen over bowling spell from Phil Barrow in the blistering heat at Sidmouth keep doing it!

Rob inherits a cracking bunch of lads and I really hope they can pull together and find the spirit and ability to really push further in that league. The best of luck in 2011.

Wigs
 
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