Welcome

I have provisionally booked nets at the Marsh Academy again this year. Subject to confirmation, they will run between 4pm and 5.30pm on the following eight Sunday afternoons: 21st & 28th Feb; 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th March; 11th and 18th April. As with previous years, I have not booked 4th April (Easter Sunday). I will confirm the dates with Marsh Academy after the AGM on Friday.

First of all, I'd like to apologise to my friends and colleagues about my lack of communication over the winter. As many of you know, I was dealt some challenging health news last summer, but in November I was given the most wonderful opportunity to take an extended stay in an alternative health clinic in Germany. I won't dwell on the details. Suffice to stay that there were a dozen or more weird daily treatments, including large quantities of organic coffee, although sadly it was for pumping up my back passage, rather than for drinking!

Anyway, I returned just before Christmas, and I am delighted to say that I am feeling better than I have for a decade. Fitter, younger, and a stone lighter. And the future prognosis is good. I'll be around for a season or two yet! But I want to thank all of you who have been in touch, especially to those who tried to make contact but didn't get a response.

I am very excited about the season ahead, although I want to pay a personal tribute to three rocks of the club who have decided that 2009 was their last league season for Bilsington. First of all, every one of us owes a debt of gratitude to Robin Smith. He has been a marvellous ambassador for the club, as player, as a former captain of the league side, as a friend. I've never learned to play Robin's inswinger, and I'll never understand where the power to hit a cricket ball so hard comes from. Since I have been captain, Robin has always made a point of offering helpful and welcome advice - I really will miss him in the side. Sunday's loss is Saturday's gain, because Robin will continue to play friendlies for a good while longer yet!

The end of the 2009 season also saw Paul Frith hanging up his gloves. Frithy has been a superb wicket keeper for Bilsington, and a wonderful opening bat. And no one should forget his nagging, irritating medium pace. A genuine all rounder! I'll always remember the first league game that we played against Exiles a few seasons back, when Frithy and I bowled a dozen or more frugal overs between us to shut the game down. And then the ribbing he gave me when I didn't ask him to bowl again for most of the rest of the season! Frithy has always made me smile - not least when he used to leave me a voicemail to let me know when he had switched his mobile phone on, in case I needed to get in touch. It's a huge shame that Frithy is retiring, and I still hope to change his mind once again!

Last, but not least, I received a letter this week from Steve Hills, confirming that he just doesn't get excited about playing cricket any more. Last season was a tough one, and the league's stance on what happened at the start of the season really knocked him for six, if you'll excuse the pun. Steve was the best out and out batsman that Bilsington has had in my time at the club, and he batted with real class and maturity. He batted how we were taught to bat as kids. Play yourself in. Get a feel for the ball. And then just when you thought he was starting to look settled, he'd pull a decent delivery over midwicket for four, or even sometime six. He was a very supportive vice captain to me, and both he and Nicci were real club people - whether they were fundraising, barbecuing, playing or supporting! Steve, I hope the fire returns, and I wish you well in the meantime. (Ed Peppitt reporting)