Cricket club recognises season's stars in sell-out awards celebration

Monmouth Cricket Club's members and guests celebrated their summer of change with a wonderful and uplifting sell-out end-of-season awards evening at Drybridge House.

Seventy members and guests reflected on the 2022 campaign, which saw the club make the difficult decision in July, due to a shortage of Division 2 standard players, to withdraw their first team from the South-East Wales League.  

However, an influx of new male and female players, together with renewed commitment and fresh drive from existing members, saw the club thrive for the second half of the summer.  

In fact, acting chairman Dave Walters said the appetite for senior cricket in Monmouth had never been greater, evidenced by the record numbers at training, which inspired the club to field four teams on the final day of the season.  

Now everyone involved at the club, sponsored by Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, is looking forward to resurrecting the first team, starting with the annual general meeting, taking place at Monmouth Rugby Club, on Monday 17th October at 7pm.  

Awards evening organisers Becky Townsend and Ian Morgan would like to thank the Bridges Centre for hosting the event; Jane White Catering and her team; Emma Webster Flowers; desserts from Cathy Tindall, Jill Jones and Nick Thompson; and event photographers Steve McNally and Greg Thomas.

Jill Jones, a driving force in Monmouth's women's section, and Level 2-qualfied coach, Gareth Jones, who spearheads the junior section, were deservedly recognised as Clubpersons of the Year.  

Ben McCluskey was the inaugural winner of the Dave Uttley Spirit of Cricket Trophy; richly-deserved recognition for the teenager in memory of Dave, a much-loved and brilliant clubman.  

Talented teenage batter Jake Teague won captain Barry Jones' Second team batting honour after a string of consistent performances at the top of the order, while Will Hickmott, who took up off-spin mid-season and delivered some match-changing spells, carried off the bowling award. Newcomer Will Powles, who made a positive impact in his first season before travelling to Australia for the winter, was the Second team's Player of the season.  

All-rounder Gareth Jones, who cracked a superb unbeaten 142 against Abercarn Seconds, clinched skipper Neil Saunders' Third team batting honour, while teenage paceman Sam Brennan, who caused opposing batters problems with his height and bounce, won the bowling accolade. Nick Holt, who put in some dazzling displays with bat and ball and held a stunning catch at Vale, was named Player of the season.  

Rookie Pablo Nayager, who blasted an undefeated 83 against Ponthir Thirds, won captain Helen McGloin's Fourth team batting trophy, while former Panteg player Alun Jeremiah, who trained hard in the nets and was consistent with the ball, picked up the bowling honour. Spanish swing bowler Marta Fernandez, who has a remarkable passion and desire to learn the sport and improve her skills, crowned her maiden season of hardball cricket with the Player of the Season award.  

In the women's softball team, sponsored by Latorre Consultancy, Claire Maguire won the batting accolade for some explosive match-winning knocks, while the accurate Bea Jones clinched the bowling honour and newcomer Louise Uttley deservedly bagged the Player of season trophy from captain Lauren Maguire.

The club thanks everyone who made donations or pledges towards the raffle, including a signed shirt from Worcestershire CCC player Charlie Morris; author and comedian Miles Jupp; health coach Duncan Delreeve from Unshakable You and a planter expertly crafted by Greg Thomas.