Barrow Gurney Cricket Club held its annual awards evening last Friday. Due to the ongoing good weather it was possible to host the awards at the Hobbs Lane ground where Jane Holdaway had prepared a buffet supper for all to enjoy.
Chairman Pete Holdaway had set a fiendish quiz based on the strange mix of identifying pictures of cricketers and then naming the first First Class team for whom they played, and then identifying the film title from a mixture of Disney cartoon characters!
After supper Pete orchestrated the awards presentations which began with Phil Milton reflecting on how his young team had acquitted themselves very well against more experienced opposition to finish mid-table in Div 5. There were a number of contenders for player of the season, including recent multiple winner James Riley who was again top wicket taker, and Ed Holdaway who excelled with bat and ball, Phil was too modest to mention that he was a candidate having been top run scorer. The ultimate winner was off-spinner Frank Forge who had taken vital wickets and bowled without luck in mid-season before finishing the season off in style with two 5 wicket hauls.
Ellie Holdaway then recounted the 2nd XI season, some of which she missed due to an extended holiday, which had been a tough, but ultimately successful battle against relegation from Div 13. Ali Hood was top run scorer whilst Ellie herself and Mark Gracey had also made important contributions. In the bowling department Pete Rooney finished joint top wicket taker, but the 2nd team player award went to Adam Brace for his 17 wickets and vital lower order runs in important games.
Mark Forge spoke of the exploits of the Sunday team which had featured 32 players over the course of the summer winning 5 games and recalling some of more amusing incidents that had happened in the year. He announced that the Young Player award was to be given to Guy Fisher who had contributed 2 centuries on Sundays as well as making a solid contribution to the 1st XI. Guy’s brother Mark was awarded the most improved player award for performances with both bat and ball over the year.
Leo Brace won the Under 15 Player of the Year after leading the young team through a difficult season in which he showed real promise in batting, bowling and fielding, the latter resulting in him making his 1st team debut this season.
Clubman of the Year went to Phil Milton, lifelong Barrow player who yet again stepped into the breach to lead the 1st XI, as well as doing many other important jobs behind the scenes.
Ali Hood then presented the Double Wicket Trophy to Frank Forge on behalf of him and partner Rob Figs. Pete then finished the evening by recounting the improvements made to the ground in recent seasons and announcing the club’s attention to purchase roll-on covers for the 2019 season as well as to continue with refurbishing the pavilion.
