Captain’s Report
For those who either keep or remember our last yearbook I am afraid the Captain’s Report is rather repetitive. With the tour again blighted by appalling weather, I make no apologies in repeating the opening paragraph with only an increase in the number of games affected and a change to our accommodation venue.
Unfortunately the abiding memory of last year’s tour is the weather which was the worst we have endured for a number of years. As you will see from the tour report, eight games were lost and a number of tourists, who came for just a few days at the wrong time, hardly set foot on the field of play. Perhaps the silver lining to the numerous clouds will be a better response to the eternal plea for longer term tourists, for the benefit of both the cricket and our accommodation at Blundell’s!
As always the cricket that was played was great fun and pleasantly competitive, in particular our new fixture at Cerne Valley, and those that made use of the Wellington facilities enjoyed some satisfying evenings at a variety of local hostelries.
Our latest overseas tour, to the lovely island of Bermuda, also took place in 2009 (full report here) and although our rain blight travelled with us, the thirty plus players and families enjoyed a wonderful experience, for which considerable thanks are due to Stewart Peet.
With regard to the West Country tour in 2010, you will see from the fixture list that there are again fourteen matches, including a new one to open the tour at Chulmleigh, which replaces the ill-fated Chittlehampton. Stewart has again worked wonders to fill the difficult Saturday slot with an attractive rural fixture. Our accommodation will be at Blundell’s School, Tiverton – we thank Jeremy Shrimpton for his introduction – so please support what must surely be a sun-filled West Country bonanza!
Martin Oliver