Club Day a Big Success Again

Bilsington Club Day dawned wet and miserable. With puddles on the square and the outfield very damp under foot it was not looking promising. With very few people there at 11.30 (partly due to the road being closed between Hamstreet and Ruckinge) the day was off to a bad start. The rain did stop at about 11.30 and the people began to turn up. The Ashton Family arrived, each year they seem to grow bigger, with 10 players ready for cricket. Colin Bingham sorted out the format and 3 Teams were sorted and ready for play. The basic format was each Team of 10 would bat in pairs for 2 overs each with each team getting 10 overs, every time a batsman was out would cost 5 runs.
Preparations Begin


















With the pitch looking a bit like a swamp Barry decided to run the roller over it to try and remove the rain. With this done and with the clock approaching 1pm the games got under way. The first match saw The Ashtons Team take on Trevs Team (It started as Alans team but the Captaincy was passed to Trev).


The Ashton Team

























The Aston team beginning well with a victory and taking the first points of the day. The skies were still grey but it was improving and the BBQ had been lit and the tombola was in full swing (with Ed doing his Christmas Shopping).

Trevs Team

























As there were only 3 Teams Trevs Team played the next game against Danny's Team. With the result going Trevs way, so we now had 2 Teams with 1 win each. This mean't that the 3rd game between the Ashtons and Danny's team would decide who played in the final, Danny's team needing to win.


Danny's Team


























Dannys team managed to win a tight game. We now had 3 teams all with 1 win. Attention turned to Colin to decide how to seperate the teams. Trevs team had scored 14 boundaries so they were in the Final. Dannys Team and the Ashtons were level on boundaries so it was decided that these 2 teams would have a bowl off. Despite both teams sending down nearly 30 deliveries only about 5 actually hit with Danny's team coming out on top.
BBQ and Tombola going well

























The Final between Trev's Team and Danny's was another close game with Trev's team batting first and scoring 37. Danny's team got off to a steady start and built a score by not losing wickets. It was only when Danny's team had scored over 50 that they lost a couple of wickets. Danny's team completing a victory and taking the Mike Ashton Trophy.

Runner Up Captain Trev and Winning Captain Danny













As usual the whole day was a fantastic success and well worth braving the early grim weather, we were rewarded with the sun peeking through at about 5 pm. The main feature of the day is of course the cricket but it would not be much of a day with out the enthusiasm and the help of several people. Firstly Colin and Barry for making up the format and selecting the teams and Umpiring/Scoring for the whole day with Jacko helping out later in the day. For Janet, Kirsty, Michaela and Nan for organising the Tombola and taking the money for the BBQ and the drinks. Big big thanks goes to Ian and Angela Robinson doing a fantastic job by spending the day manning the BBQ helped by Colin and Ross. Barry and Sylvia for sorting out the Drink and Ed for getting the meat. The day also saw the last 50 Club draw with Martin Larkin taking the top prize. As a club we all thank Janet for her hard work in fund raising and running the 50 Club for another successful year we would not be able to operate as a club without this much needed cash. The Fantasy Cricket was also concluded with Colin Bingham finishing top of the league and Trev finishing as the highest runs scorer. (More on this in another entry) And last but certainly not least we must thank the Ashton Family for again supporting the day and turning up on mass. It is a great day and a great tribute to Mike Ashton a much missed player, making it a very special day for us and of course for Sam and Ben long may it continue.

Proud Sons