It’s a real shame that our tenth anniversary season was truncated because of Covid, but what an enjoyable – albeit short – season
it turned out to be! I echo Mike’s words about this; we’ve played some great cricket and with some great individual performances
but, above all, the spirit in the team has been really special this year. It’s been a year of such uncertainty and the relative norm of a game of cricket – save for the lack of teas and hand shaking – has been a fabulous fillip to this crazy year.
But there is light beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel, and I feel very optimistic that we’ll get a full season in next year, under near-normal conditions. The fixture diary is filling up nicely – I’ll talk more about this later – and we’re delighted to have Luke Sulley join the squad for 2021; welcome to The Racqueteers, Luke, and we look forward to seeing you on the square next year.
Once we know more about guidelines over the coming weeks we hope to arrange our usual indoor winter training, both at Dummer and RPLC. If indoor cricket proves to be difficult, we’ll arrange some outdoor net sessions at a suitable location. I hope, too, that we’ll be able to enjoy our postponed curry – together, and in person – shortly before the start of the season.
My thanks, as always, goes to the unsung heroes that keep the wheels of our club turning; Lol for his scoring; Lyndon for umpiring; Gaurav for his stats (and compiling this report) and those who have contributed match reports during the season. And, of course, to our fabulous skipper, Mike – whose season was sadly cut short after a very painful hamstring injury at Swanmore. Mike is always there to steady the ship; to give calm, reassuring support and advice to us all – and steer us through to many victories on the pitch. We are extremely fortunate, too, to have a wonderfully dependable, and talented, deputy in the Professor. Thank you both – and you all – very much indeed.
Finally, huge thanks to our generous sponsor, Yellowtail, arranged by our very own Kevin Chinn through his company Casella Family Brands. Yellowtail contributed £260 towards the – sadly cancelled – King Alfred Trophy at the end of this season; this will roll over to the start of next season when we plan to host this tournament on Sunday, May 2nd. Yellowtail’s sponsorship paid for a portable scoreboard, pitch hire and some shiny pink balls! Kevin also donated some pink fizz for prizes – and a magnificent pop-up banner, which will form part of our kit for 2021. Many thanks, Kevin!
Mike Caldwell, Club President
November 2020.
The Racqueteers Cricket Club 