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Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 12:32
A full house enjoyed and excellent meal, followed by speeches from club officials, introduced by MC Steven Curtis.
Rob Newmarch, 2nd XI captain, gave an appraisal of the season which, after a five-year plan, resulted in promotion.
This was brought about by a few older heads, but mostly by an enthusiastic bunch of younger players, of which Sam Perkins, Gary James and Nathan Brooks went on to make successful first-team debuts.
Special mention was made of Gary James' mammoth innings of 208 and Howard Wilton's maiden century for the club.
Nathan Brooks was named player of the year, receiving a great reception in the process.
Kevin Curtis, 1st team captain, then took centre stage for the second year running, reporting a great success story, with back-to-back promotions resulting in the club playing in the Somerset League Division One next season, the highest level achieved for 15 years.
Curtis said the club had already received a trophy from the Somerset League for gaining the most points of any league club throughout the season and went on to comment about the season's highlights and individual performances.
Mike Mahoney, James Hayne and Simon Curtis all came in for a special mention, as did the team spirit and success of the younger players.
Curtis also thanked Andrew Hayne for umpiring, the backroom staff for the wicket and ground quality and support throughout the season, and a special thanks and bouquet of flowers for Karen Rabbeck, provider of the best teas in the league.
Elder brother Simon Curtis received the 1st XI player of the year trophy for his outstanding efforts with bat and ball.
Steven Curtis announced the presentation by Andy Hayne of caps to nine players from 1st and 2nd XI's for outstanding performances throughout the year.
Clubman of the year was a joint presentation, with the father and son combination of Tim and Daniel Raisbeck receiving the coveted award.
After a few amusing anecdotes from the MC, chairman Andrew Hayne rounded off the speeches.
He thanked all club members for their support over the past several years, which have been among the most successful the club has known.
Special mention was made of the success of the youth teams, which had bolstered the senior sides.
He also said that none of this would have been possible without the continued support of Andrew Tucker and family, the club's landlords at Stowey Road.
He then presented Simon Curtis with the Monty Tucker Trophy, having been voted player of the year.
In conclusion, the chairman advised that the club had been successful in its grant application to Awards For All, Biffa, Lords Taverners and Banes, and will be proceeding with new purpose-built nets and other ground improvements for the new season.
Thanks were expressed to Rob Hayne and Steven Curtis, who were the main architects of the successful grant bids and again to the landlords, whose additional land make these improvements possible.
Closure came with the chairman looking forward with confidence to the 2009 season.
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