CRICKET: NICK Crane and Ian Button were the big winners at Willoughby Cricket Club’s annual Presentation Evening held recently at the Rainsbrook Conference Centre in Rugby as the club took time to look back on another encouraging season.
Crane took the club’s 1st XI Bowling and Senior Cricketer of the Year awards in his debut season for the club which also saw him finish as the leading wicket taker in Division 1 of the South Northants Cricket League (SNCL).
Buttton for his part was awarded Saturday 2nd XI player of the year and Clubman of the Year.
On the field, the club’s Saturday 1st XI flirted with the prospect of promotion from Division 1 of the SNCL before finishing in third place, essentially one win outside of the promotion places.
However there is an optimism that with a steady and consistently performing side with slight improvements with the bat that they may go one step further and push for elevation to the Premier Division during 2017.
Similarly, Willoughby’s 2nd XI on a Saturday were in the Division 3 promotion picture entering the last month, before falling back to fourth place come season’s end; again a creditable showing in their first season since being promoted.
WCC’s midweek XI in the Rugby and District Cricket League (RDCL) finished in a mid-table spot in Division 3, whilst there is further encouraging signs from the club’s Sunday friendly XI. Due to renewed interest, the club’s fixture programme on a Sunday increased to that of previous years and was well supported particularly by some of the club’s up and coming youth cricketers continuing their development with some useful performances both collectively and individually.
Junior and youth cricket at Willoughby continues to go from strength to strength, with the club again fielding teams at Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 levels in the RDCL.
Club President and Treasurer Eric Palmer presented all junior cricket members of the club with individual medals in recognition for their efforts and caps to those making their senior debuts.
The club thanked the team at the Rainsbrook Conference Centre for their organisational support and fine hospitality in hosting the club’s Presentation Evening.
* Willoughby Cricket Club will begin their preparations for the 2017 season with pre-season training and practice starting early in the New Year.
The club will head indoors to the facilities at Bilton School from January, with the seniors and Under 15s training on Wednesday evenings, and the Under 11, 13 and 15s training on Saturday afternoons.
As always, the club extends an invitation for cricketers of any age – both at junior, youth and senior level, to come along, get involved, join and play cricket at Willoughby CC.
For further details, please telephone Karl on 01788 542441, mobile 07775 883102, email [email protected]. or visit the club website at www.willoughbycc.org.uk
