With the clubhouse bedecked in cricket paraphernalia and lit with lamps from Balme’s desk and Tom’s lounge; both young and old, players and friends of the club enjoyed drinks and a curry buffet ably catered by Café Zera of Wing.

And with the traditional Indian dessert of apple strudel demolished by the youth section the awarding of the silverware could commence which, with a break in tradition, saw all the awards handed to their intended recipients.

In order of presentation:

Innings of the season

Winner Alec Howe 183 off 106 balls vs Eggington (remarkable - just remarkable)
Mention Riaan Krynauw 105* vs Caddington
Mention George Holmes 131 vs MKCC (that would have won in any of the last 10 seasons)

Worst (or best) duck of the year

Winner Matthew Sparke for announcing ‘I’ve got a plan’ – he clearly didn’t.

Bowling performance of the season

Winner Ollie Fairhurst 7/38 vs Stoke Hammond
Mention George Holmes 7/21 vs Harrold (George starting to wonder what he needs to do to win this evening)
Mention Muhammad Yasir 5/6 vs Panthers (early finish that week)

Sunday player of the year

Winner Mohammad Yasir 136 runs average 45, 4/7 vs Walton CC, 2 catches & 2 run outs
Mention Nobody else worthy of a mention

Young cricketer of the season (why no ‘old cricketer of the year’ award?)

Winner Lucas Krynauw - 53 runs, 12 wickets, 4 catches
Mention Muhammed Yasir 21 wickets & 159 runs

Batsman of the season

Winner Riaan Krynauw – 14 inns 566 runs at 57 (saviour of the 2nd XI)
Mention George Holmes – 6 inns 369 runs at 62 (a few more games and you could have won this)
Mention Harry Gadsby – 18 inns 441 runs at 32
Mention Alec Howe – 21 innings 521 at 37

Champagne moment

Winner Jack Charnock for a nonchalant slip catch worthy of a repeat on Sky Sports
Mention Mohammad Yasir hat-trick – all cleaned out with inswinging deliveries
Mention Matt Balme airborne to hold a world class catch – completed with no breakages

2nd Team player

Winner Mohammad Yasir for dedication and natural talent
Mention Yasir Azam for dedication, swashbuckling batting and bringing his son along
Mention Riaan Krynauw for providing a spine to the middle order

Bowler of the Season

Winner Shahid Hussain 88.4 overs 21 for 472, average 22.48, strike rate 25.33 – born to bowl
Mention George Holmes 32.3 overs, 16 for 152 average 9.5, strike rate 12.19 (considering defecting to Stewkley at this point)
Mention Muhammad Yasir 85.3 overs 21 for 398, average 18.95, strike rate 24.43

Fielder of the season (not much representation from the 2’s here)

Winner Alec Howe with 18 catches and two run outs (catch the tricky ones – fluff the easy ones)
Mention Harry Gadsby with 13 catches 2 run outs
Mention Kit Gordon Stuart with 10 catches
Mention Cameron Bullock with 11 catches and 3 stumpings

Ben Orchard Man of the People Award

Harry Gadsby for remarkable all-around fielding ability except for his under arm throwing which is liable to go anywhere – possible even behind him.

The Robin Harrhy Clubman of the Season award

Tony Lewis for just about managing to stay sane while herding children around the pitch and breaking up fights with plastic stumps.

Most Improved Player

Winner Freddie Palmer as the cornerstone of the U13’s, regular in the U15’s, and debuting in the 2nd XI.
Mention None – the committee felt the seniors had overall regressed

Brown Ale Moment

Awarded to Steve Bullock by his son for calling a no-ball for three players behind leg only to be notified by both sides that the batter was in fact left-handed. You legend Steve.

Player of the Season

Winner George Holmes – 369 runs @ 61.5 16wkts @ 9.5 & 3 catches, excellent ground fielding. He claimed the big one – well done George.