Cricket:
Willoughby hand out their end of season awards

WILLOUGHBY Cricket Club took opportunity to look back at an encouraging and eventful 2013 season both on and off-the-field at their Annual Presentation Evening.

Starting on the field, the club’s senior cricketers saw the Saturday 1sts edged out of the South Northants Division One promotion race in the latter stages but they can take heart from some useful displays to take forward for another push next term.

After a bright and promising start to the season, the Saturday 2nds struggled for consistency in the middle of the season, but with a more settled side plus some of their up and coming talent integrating well, the team picked up towards the end of the campaign which also harbours promise for 2014.

Also, the Club’s ‘Twenty20’ midweek XI of youth and experience were equally in the promotion hunt on a Wednesday, albeit to then be thwarted in the closing stages.

Willoughby’s junior cricket section continues to thrive and develop considerably thanks to the opportunities they offer for young budding cricketers of the future.

The club’s Kwik Cricket section has again seen a significant increase in numbers with boys and girls aged six and above going along each week to ‘have a go’, master the basics and enjoy small sided games.

With the hard ball, WCC fielded teams at u11 and u13 level in the Rugby and District Cricket League and whilst the young u13 team struggled at times against older players, their efforts were not necessarily rewarded with the results they deserved.

The u11s, in only their second season together, performed admirably, just missing out on runners-up spot in the league, and having made it through to the RDCL Cup final at Rugby School, also narrowly came runners-up to Long Itchington by two runs.

Nevertheless, the efforts from them and all the junior players and in particular the way everyone conducted themselves at practice and in matches throughout the season is worthy of particular mention and credit.

Off the field, in addition to a series of well-supported social events, Willoughby were recognised for their pre-season efforts by being named Warwickshire Cricket Board’s Natwest Cricketforce Club of the Year for 2013 at an awards ceremony at Edgbaston.

As further testament to the club’s facilities and ground, Warwickshire Cricket Board also made The Green their home for the day by hosting two junior level county representative fixtures, which again proved hugely successful.

Plus in conjunction with The Twenty20 Cricket Company, for the first time the club successfully hosted three school holiday cricket courses for local children, with more anticipated for 2014.

To the club awards for 2013 where all of Willoughby CC’s junior members were recognised for their efforts with individual medals presented, plus there were Kwik Cricket skills certificates and badges awarded to all the club’s Kwik Cricketers.

Senior Awards: 1st XI Batting: Stuart Hall; 1st XI Bowling: David Alcock; 1st XI Captain’s Player of the Year: Marcus Fleming; 2nd XI Batting: Ben Hollis; 2nd XI Bowling: Karl Quinney; 2nd XI Captain’s Players of the Year: Badj Rehman and Ben Hollis; Wooden Spoon (for most ducks): Matt Goss. Taverner’s Awards: Senior Cricketer of the Year: Dave Alcock; Junior/Youth Cricketer of the Year: Ben Hollis; Fielder of the Year: Graham Hallam; Clubman of the Year: Karl Quinney.

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