Raby Castle CC
PLAYERS and supporters gathered in the Scarth Hall, Staindrop, for the club’s end of season awards presentation.
Secretary Steve Caygill said that the 2021 season had been a successful one for the club, both on and off the field of play.
Under the shrewd captaincy of Dan Lee, the club won all three of the cup competitions they entered – the Darlington and District Cricket League A Division Cup; the League (Cec Leece) Cup; and for the first time in the club’s history the Fenwick Cup.
The first team were runners-up in the Darlington and District Cricket League A Division, and in the B Division the seconds finished a very creditable fifth.
Off the field, the club received several accolades from the Durham Cricket Board for its hard work in developing the club’s junior section.
The club was recognised as County Durham’s Grassroots All Stars Centre of the Year and Steve Caygill was named the county’s coach of the year.
The first award of the evening, a club cap, was presented by chairman Paul Hedley to Mark Humble. At Raby, club caps are awarded to those who consistently perform a high standard or via their hard work put something back into the club.
Mark has been the club’s child welfare officer for last seven years and this year he not only captained the second team but also took 45 wickets at an average of just under ten.
After a supper of pie and peas, club captain Dan Lee presented an individual trophy to every player who had taken part in this season’s cup matches.
Trophies were then presented to the club’s individual award winners.
Second team player of the year was captain and slow bowler Mark Humble.
The second team fielding award went to wicket-keeper Arran Taylor who took 10 catches, ten stumpings as well as the credit for two run outs.
First team player of the year was fast bowler James Forster whose spell of 8-7 against Catterick Village produced the best bowling figures in County Durham this season.
James took 45 wickets at an average of just over ten runs per wicket.
He also scored 160 runs and took four catches this season
The first team fielding award went to youngster Elliott Davis, who took 13 catches and was also credited with two run outs.
Batsman Josh Wade was the winner of the most improved player award for his 300 runs this season, which included three half centuries.
Joe Dent and Alex Lamb were the winners of the duck awards with four each for the firsts and seconds respectively.
Scorer Steve Davis was thanked by all the players for his diligent work on Play-Cricket throughout the season
The final presentation of the evening was to club treasurer Betty Poole who is retiring from the role this year. Betty was thanked for the work she has put in over the years.
After the draw for a signed cricket bat, there was a picture quiz, and a raffle.
At the end of the evening thanks were given to Susan Stamp for preparing and serving the food, the Scarth Hall volunteers and everyone else who had worked throughout the evening and everyone for coming and supporting the event.
