Cricket
BARNARD Castle Cricket Club celebrated their title winning campaign with a packed presentation evening last Saturday.
The highlights of the summer were relived by compere and club chairman David Sparrow, as awards were presented to players from all the club’s senior teams.
Chris West, the president of the NYSD League, gave an extremely entertaining speech and presented the prizes along with John Windows, the director of the Durham Academy, who has helped to guide many of Barney’s players.
The first XI won the Premier Division title for the second time in three seasons and their captain, James Quinn, was suitably rewarded. He won the first XI batting averages and was also the players’ player of the year and the Premier Club player of the year.
Under 17 captain Finn Usher was the big winner among the juniors, successful in both batting and bowling for three teams. The Dave Rogers Cup for clubman of the year went to David Robinson. He has been the driving force behind the club’s Bands Day, which is staged on the first Saturday in July and has become a staple part of the town’s social scene. He is also at the Vere Road ground most days doing maintenance or improvement work.
“It was a great evening and a fitting way to bring the curtain down on a terrific season for the club, which continues to punch well above well above its weight,” said Mr Sparrow.
“The players deserved all the recognition they get and we’re lucky to have a really hard-working committee.”
Only last week, long-standing junior coach John Ashworth won the Contribution to Sport prize at the South West Durham Sport Active awards.
“The firsts had a wonderful season and it’s tribute to them and the work that goes behind the scenes,” said Mr Sparrow.
“Now we’re planning for next season with just the league presentation evening to go this Friday night before we put the 2018 summer finally to bed. With the team winning the title and our lads winning both league batting and bowling averages it too should be some night.”
2018 awards
Clubman of the year, David Robinson; 1st XI – Batting, players’ player, Premier Club player James Quinn; bowling, Richard Watson; fielding, Giles Creedon. 2nd XI – Batting, Ben Usher; bowling and players’ player, Finn Usher; fielding, Richard Stanwix. Third XI – Batting, bowling, players’ player, Finn Usher; fielding, Andrew Gedye. Under 17s – Batting, Finn Usher; bowling, Sam Metcalfe; Manager’s player, Finn Usher; players’ player, Finn Usher and Ed Sabey.
