WALKHAM Valley Cricket Club held its annual end of season dinner and presentation evening in the Peter Tavy Inn on Friday.
Club President Mike Dobson?s words of congratulations on such a successful season were well received and then later echoed by chairman John Berry and skipper Sandy Ralph.
This had been the club?s best season ever, winning more games this season than the total tally in its short history.
The improvements were put down to a combination of factors, including more adhesive batting, tighter bowling and keener fielding.
Much of this progress was down to the introduction of regular practice sessions using the ?Dobson System?.
An added fillip had been the recruitment and retention of a small core of younger players, all of whom had made their mark. The playing field continues to improve as more care is lavished on it, a point often mentioned by visiting teams, who also enjoyed the post match hospitality on offer in the ?clubhouse? at the Walkhampton Inn.
Club captain Sandy Ralph returned to the theme of younger talent when he presented the most improved player trophy to Paul Gibbings, the youngest member.
Bowler of the year was James Hills, whose impressive batting prowess was eclipsed by the accuracy and meanness of his bowling; he conceded under 2.5 runs per over throughout the season.
Richard Berry retained the batsman of the year trophy for the consistency of his performances. The Fielding trophy went to John Berry.
Despite his big hitting and regular knocks of over 20, Chris Spreadbury picked up the Golden Duck award in a close run thing with Alistair Peers, whose 17 wickets in the season also got a mention. Clubman of the year was John Berry.
Social secretary Ken Kay was thanked for his efforts in organising the function, and he reminded members that the annual meeting will be held in the Walkhampton Inn at 7.45pm on November 29.
l Pictured left is club captain Sandy Ralph presenting the most improved player trophy to Paul Gibbings.