CRICKET: Westland Sports look forward to new season

WESTLAND Sports Cricket Club held its annual dinner and presentation night on Saturday (January 24, 2014) at the Quicksilver Mail in Yeovil.

The event had been postponed from last November, but nevertheless club chairman Rob Fox was still able to look back on the summer of 2013 with memories of a successful season still firmly in the memory.

The Yeovi-based club had taken the difficult – but sensible – decision to withdraw from the West of England Premier League due to a lack of players and decided to concentrate on rebuilding for the future in the Somerset League.

With no 1sts, it was down to the 2nds to fly the flag and they did so with aplomb as Ben Hurlock’s side won the Division Three title.

The club’s 3rds, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on promotion from Division Eight North of the Somerset League.

PHOTO - TOP: All smiles at Westland Sports CC's presentation night with, from left, Matt Dyer, Martin Kearvell, Dan Ewens, Maureen Ewens, Ben Hurlock, Scott Ewens and Rob Fox.

PHOTO - RIGHT: 2nds team batsman of the year Scott Ewens, centre, with team captain Ben Hurlock, left, and Westland Sports club chairman Rob Fox.

Westland Sports will be reverting back to three teams for the 2015 season with the new team – which will be mainly a team of young up-and-coming cricketers looking to gain experience in the senior game – playing their home games at West Chinnock.

Chairman Rob Fox said: “We are looking forward to the new season and hoping to push on as we look to develop the youth side.”

There were a number of awards made during the evening and there was a special prize for one of the club’s young players who bowled a hat-trick of wickets during one game last summer – Dan Ewens, aged just 13.

Mr Fox said: “Players can play cricket all their lives and never get a hat-trick. Now Dan has got one and he’s only just started!”

The Young Player of the Year Award went to Dan Holt, while Dan Ewens also received the Best Newcomer Award for the 3rds.

Other awards for the 3rds went to Louis Martin for batting, Callum Marles for bowling and Tom Laney gained the all-rounder award.

There was a bit more experience associated with the 2nds team awards with Scott Ewens receiving the batting award and Matt Dyer winning the all-rounder award. Alex Murphy was named bowler of the season.

PHOTO - RIGHT: 2nds team all-rounder of the year Matt Dyer, centre, with team captain Ben Hurlock, left, and Westland Sports club chairman Rob Fox.

Recipients of awards for 100s hit during the season were Ben Ford, Sam Watts and Chris White.

The club’s annual Special Award was presented to Maureen Ewens in recognition of her long-service to the club spanning more than 50 years.

Chairman Mr Fox said: “During this time she has made more than 20,000 cups of tea, 60,000 sandwiches, 25,000 cakes and probably gone through more than 200 bottles of washing-up liquid!”

The presentations were made by 2nds captain Ben Hurlock and 3rd team representative Martin Kearvell, as well as the club chairman.

PHOTO - ABOVE LEFT: Lifetime achievment Special Award recipient Maureen Ewens with club chairman Rob Fox.

PHOTO - ABOVE RIGHT: Westland Sports CC club chairman Rob Fox with hat-trick hero Dan Ewens.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Westland Sports' 3rds batsman of the year Louis Martin, centre, with Martin Kearvell, left, and club chairman Rob Fox.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Westland Sports' Best Newcomer of the Year award recipient Dan Ewens, centre, with Martin Kearvell, left, and club chairman Rob Fox.

PHOTO - ABOVE: It is a family affair at Westland Sports CC with, from left, Dan Ewens, Maureen Ewens and Scott Ewens.

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