The Calmore Sports Legends XI once again took the spoils in an entertaining clash of the ages on President’s Day as the end of season brought out the very best in the club – past and present – on the field … and off it!
Legends skipper Mark Lavelle chose to put the first XI in and they set off at a pace, reaching 68-1 after 10 overs with just Will Brewster back in the pavilion, well taken by club Vice President Paul Cass off Daniel Croft.
It was the introduction of erstwhile spinner, former 3rd XI captain Adam Hargreaves that turned the tide as he sent back Freddy Williams (13) and Oli Hibberd (0) in the space of three balls and could have had a third next ball when Ben Johns nicked behind to keeper Lavelle, only for the club coach to spill the chance.
The drop didn’t cost as Johns was removed next over by Cass – Lavelle taking the catch this time – but the club XI were still very much looking to post a sizable total while 2nd XI captain Sam Dempster was at the crease as he smashed 56 off 36b (7 fours, 1 six) before edging behind off Jimmy Manning.
Evan Allaway, playing his final game before returning home to Melbourne, hit a quick fire 25 (13b) and had good support from Liam Longland (14* off 14b) as the club XI posted 150-8, Hargreaves the pick of the bowlers with 2-13 from his two overs while James Hibberd cleaned up late on with 2-14 in three.
The Legends were making steady progress in the chase with Mark Archer showing he had lost none of his ability with a swashbuckling 36 from 31b but he lost partners along the way – Nigel Hill for 11 and Shawn Johnson for 9. Paul Cass showed he has lost none of his class either with a fine 26 (20b) but it was Manning that was the mainstay of the innings, despite pulling up early in his innings with a calf injury.
It didn’t stop him from pummeling 42 from 20b (3 fours, 4 sixes) as he took a liking to the young club XI attack, especially Brewster who he cracked high and handsomely into the car park twice.
Allaway put an end to his innings, trapping him leg before but he had taken his side to needing eight from the last nine balls which Lavelle and James Hibberd did with three balls to spare – James caressing the winning boundary down the ground off his son, Oli … much to Oli’s displeasure!
Following the match, it was time for the end of season Presentations and the Club Person of the Year was won, for a second time, by club secretary Clare Taylor who follows up her 2015 award with a repeat 11 years on.
The extraordinarily hard working Clare was recognised for her considerable hard work off the field, so much of it unseen, in keeping the club organised amongst so much other facets of her work on behind of Calmore Sports. It was a hugely popular choice and richly deserved.
The Young Player of the Year award went to Josh Gulliver, who has progressed from the 4th XI to the 1st XI in the space of a single season with his hugely impressive performances with the ball and occasionally with the bat. Player of the Match in the Border League Cup Final against Redlynch and Hale, taking his maiden five wicket haul, his progress this campaign across all the teams has shown his development and hard work in the nets and on the pitch are paying off and his receiving of this prestigious award was mere reward.
The “Yorkshire Alan” Trophy, awarded to the player in the 1st XI that has gone above and beyond for the team this season, was given to Oli Hibberd, who produced another superb campaign in Division 1 of the SPCL with 20 wickets and key runs at crucial times. Oli is another player who the club have high hopes for, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to take 50 wickets in the SPCL.
Pictures courtesy of Barry Goodall
Elsewhere, Evan Allaway’s remarkable season in the 1st XI – where he broke Ben Johns’ record for most runs in a season for the club and equalled Mark Lavelle’s 36 wicket haul in a single campaign – saw him lift the batting and bowling gongs while Oli Hibberd was Captain’s Player of the Year for his commitment to the team.
The 2s finished an excellent third in their first season in Division 2A of the Hampshire League with Paul Longland and Brad Jewer excelling while young Jacob Hardwicke claimed the Captain’s award in his first season with the club.
Abdul Majid Karimi was the leading run scorer in the 3rd XI and took the batting award while skipper Mitch Parker was the recipient of the bowling trophy. Pete Webb was awarded the Captain’s Player of the Year for everything that he has done for the team this season – playing and occasionally captaining with great class.
Matthew Braggs hit another century in the 4th XI and won the batting award while Adam Binns lead the way with the ball and took the bowling award. Farid Hazijedah played the most games for the team and worked tirelessly so was Darren Vann’s choice for the Captains award.
Many congratulations to one and all.
