Cricketers celebrate season of success in fine style

UTTOXETER Cricket Club brought down the curtain on another successful season on Friday night with 'one of the best' awards evenings in recent memory.

The entire Uttoxeter 1XI squad picked up the Harold Harvey Memorial Cup after a second successive promotion-winning campaign and having won a place in the final of the League Cup.

Uttoxeter CC Club awards presentation night held at Uttoxeter Racecourse Dave Hunt - 1st Team Bowling
Jim Malkin with the second team batting and bowling trophies. Above left: Ian Bailey won the first-team batting.
Dave Hunt grabbed the first-team bowling trophy.

"The first team had an excellent year," said Uttoxeter chairman David Hunt. "One of the great things at this club is there's such excellent spirit. Everyone really enjoys their cricket and, although next year will be a challenge for the firsts, I think they'll do well."

The 2XI team had a tough start to their Division Eight South campaign, but rallied in the second half of the season to avoid relegation.

Jim Malkin picked up the second team batting and bowling awards. Ian Bailey was honoured with the first-team batting trophy, while Hunt collected the first-team bowling award.

The Clubman Of The Year award went to groundsman Maurice James.

Friday's event, held at Uttoxeter Racecourse, also included a trip down memory lane with Colin Tunnicliffe, who played first class cricket with Derbyshire.

And Liverpool comedian Denny Waters provided the laughs.

"It was really a very very good evening," added Hunt. "Probably one of the best we have had in some time."