I've enjoyed being skipper and the on-field part has got easier with experience - as I hoped it might. I've also gotten to know the players personal strengths and weaknesses. So, putting my head in the lion's mouth that is GCCC, here's my light-hearted end of term report on the Sat XI team pool. Comments welcome:
Bomber A season of improvement with the bat. Playing less, not having the aggro of being captain and Nick Down's coaching have paid handsome dividends. Scored maiden century and ensured a more than acceptable average. Fewer catches this season compared to his own very high and athletic standards. Remains a valuable top order bat and catching fielder. Well played sir! 8.5/10
Ali A very good season with the bat and so close to that elusive century on more than one occasion. By his own admission, a more mixed season bowling despite good early form. Has fallen away a little of late and uncharacteristic fielding mishaps starting to pepper his game. Is age catching up with him? Or the quality wines on a Friday? A mainstay of GCCC and the first person I check for availability. 7.5/10
Preecher There have been some encouraging signs with the bat but has not kicked on as he'd hoped. Next year will be his 3rd full season and needs to get on with it. Bowling has been steady but unspectacular; despite finishing with 35 wickets for the season these have been expensive. But a proven partnership-breaker and, as maiden skipper, the most Sat XI wins in a season since anyone can remember which makes him the Mike Brearly of the team (can't bat or bowl but gets the most out of a good team). I am so going to regret saying that. 6.5/10
Angus A brilliant season. Kept wicket superbly and this tends to be forgotten because he's so consistent. Us bowlers owe him a debt of gratitude. And more confident with the bat this season, esp when promoted up the order. He has also helped me enormously on the field. One of my picks of the season. 8/10
Jamie Undisputed player of the season. Destructive mid-order batting, a maiden century, great bowling figures, and our best fielder to boot. That he now plays for us on a Saturday and that we have won so many games is not coincidental. Thanks for making my job a whole lot easier. 10/10
Andy Davies As you were - a great number 3 and spectacular in the field. Our team is weaker when he doesn't play. A centurion and high scorer all summer...just like last season... and the season before that. Mr reliable and a great player to skipper. 9/10
Steve Oakey Our most improved player? Bowling has come on leaps and bounds (the ball no longer sails over Angus's head) and has real pace now. Can also bat and not afraid to go up the order. A strong fielder and a very good competitor. I just wish he'd do as he was told - but that wouldn't make him who he is. Top Man. 9/10
Bretty Had a shocker with the bat despite some promising starts but did get a 70 a fortnight ago. The smoking ban seems to have affected his concentration. Grumbles about next season being his last, etc. but (as he would say) bollocks to that. And if you do stop playing will you still cut the grass please? 6/10
Paul Lucas Hmmm...tricky this. Ever-willing 2nd change bowler has worked hard and been genuinely unlucky. Figures are a tad pricey but he does do a very good tea. But marked down for constantly going on and on about the duck cup being announced for last year rather than just this year (because he knows I won it). So 5/10 rising to 5.5/10 if he promised never to mention the duck cup again.
JW A tough season - picked up wickets early on but has taken some real spankings as well (was voted Lindsel's most valuable player - ha-ha). Bowling a little too short I think. And his batting (which showed promise last year - yeah - like I'd know) has been strangely absent this year. But an excellent team man and a joy to skipper. 5.5/10
Robert Halls The youngster has done excellent (as a footie manager might say) with a handful of wickets and some very, very good fielding. Probably swings the ball more than most. Confidence with the bat will come. Rob scores 8/10 in my adult-level rating so well done young man.
Ed Priest Our unluckiest player; has bowled very well over the season with little reward and a not a small amount of bad luck. But some great catches and probably the straightest bat in the club. Technically very good he will be in the runs next year. Foot injury has hampered progress and this will be sorted in the close season. 7.5/10
Patrick Hampered by playing very little for the Sat XI and yet to really trouble the scorers. Still keen as mustard and worth his place in the team for his wit and unbridled knowledge of the game. 5/10
Charlie Potter Good all-round potential with ball and bat. Has learnt that more control and less pace = more wickets. Has the required skills with the bat but yet to get a proper start. Again, his time will come. I feel he has learned a lot playing with us this year. 7/10
Stuart A very late developing batting-season for The Chair and may even be troubling the duck cuppers. But got a 50 a few weeks ago. Bowling has been very good though and as young and sprightly as ever. A dead-eyed fielder and very fast over 10 yards. 6.5/10
Greg Conboy Under-played this season but gradually re-inducting himself back into the Canfield fold. Potential with the bat as ever but still ring-rusty. Must play more games. See me after class. 5/10
Sam Rayner Another who could have played more games but Angus's youngest is coming on. Spins the ball very well and his fielding concentration has improved this year. And known to smack the odd boundary as well. One to watch. 7/10
Mike Emery Started playing for the Sat XI early on but has now reverted to his preferred Sunday position. Against his own very high standards has been less effective with the bat than last season but always dangerous. Remains the club's best bat. 7/10
Andy Goodwin Panther has been unlucky not to play more due to moving home and a sever hand injury. Lightening quick in the field and a good part-time slow bowler. Batting technique has come on leaps and bounds. Did a very passable tea. 6.5/10
Clint Played only a handful of games but was centre stage when we beat Sampfords at their gaff. Bats as if he's never been away. Bowls as if he's been on a 12-month cruise! But takes wickets. I wish he could play more. 6.5/10
Paul Halls Available when not helping Bishop Stortford Football Club Paul is most dangerous as a canny slow right-armer. Has a lot of experience and knows how to win a game. Batting perhaps not what it was 10 years ago but so what? Captained the side that won the Halls Trophy. 7.5/10
Brucie. Seriously under-played this season due to a) work, b) a dog biting his hand and c) him probably still having the arse with me for under-bowling him against Flitch Pilgrims. Come back Brucie all is forgiven! 6/5/10
Sorry if I've missed out one or two but for the core of the Sat XI that played more than a couple of games, that's my report card.
Captain's blog will return mid-April 2008 in time for the new season.
Many thanks to you all for your effort, support, tolerance and good humour.
I know what I'm doing.... sort off.
See you at the diner dance - This is Captain's Blog signing off.
Preecher
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