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As you may have already heard, we duly won the Somerset League Division 3 title with a game to spare, beating North Newton at home by 8 wickets on the 1st September. A superb bowling and fielding effort restricted the visitors to 113 all out in the 45th and final over. Jamie Knibbs and Chris Saunders took 3 wickets each, while James Simmonds bamboozled the batsmen with 14 unchanged overs of spin bringing four deserved wickets. Nick Hallam then played an inspired innings of 77 not out as we romped to the title inside 30 overs.
The following day we capped a marvellous season when the Sunday team beat nearest rivals Queen Camel to clinch the Mid Wessex League Division 2 title. Nick Hallam was again the star batsman with 63 in a total of 208 for 9. Camel got the hump and folded to 178 all out and it was fitting that captain Jamie Knibbs took the final wicket.
Jamie's young lions then put the icing on the cake by knocking up our highest score ever - 289 for 8 in the final match of the season against North Perrott. Like he does at McDonalds, Eddie Knibbs went large - smacking 5 sixes in his 84, while brother Jamie almost matched him with 4 sixes in a whirlwind 52 not out. Perrott did make 185 but were never in the hunt.
Fifty-four people attended our end of season annual dinner, held this year at Skittles in West Coker and a good time was had by all. As well as the two main titles above, you may recall that we won the Frome Valley Evening Cup and Douglas Gall Trophy earlier in the summer. Add to these the South Somerset Indoor League and Cup triumphs earlier in the year and 2001 goes down as the most successful year in our 26 year history - 6 pieces of silverware
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in all to adorn the trophy cabinet recently donated by flowerpot men Phil and Ben of The Mandeville Arms!
Talking of trophies, at the annual dinner Stuart Knibbs and Nick Hallam shared the 'Batsman of the Year' award; Jamie Knibbs was 'Bowler of the Year', Nick Hallam 'Fielder of the Year' and Chris Saunders 'Young Player of the Year'. Pete Clements was voted as 'Club Person of the Year' for all his hard work coaching not only our youngsters but also the youngsters of East Coker School on Friday afternoons. Hardington spring chickens Will Pearse, James Parrott, James Simmonds and Toby Fry were all presented with their club caps and all four will surely continue to improve given the better standard of cricket to be played next year.
My sincere thanks to all the players, vice presidents and supporters who have made this truly a season to remember.
Mark Grassam, Club Captain
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