November 13th, 2009, filed in The highlight of Exning Cricket Club’s Annual Men’s Dinner and Presentation Evening held at the Bedford Lodge Hotel, Newmarket last Friday evening, was an entertaining cricketing resume from this year’s Guest Speaker, Angus (Gus) Fraser. He had 107 Club members and guests suitably captivated with tales and reminiscences from 18 years as a County cricketer with Middlesex from 1984 to 2002 including International cricket with England from 1989 to 1999. Following his retirement from the game in 2002 he became the Cricket Correspondent of The Independent until 2009 and has just completed his 1st season as Middlesex County Cricket Club’s Managing Director of Cricket, as well as being a regular contributor to BBC’s Test Match Special since 2002.
He had many tales to tell of his time in County Cricket and bearing in mind the era, lots of the tales involved the likes of Ian Botham and Phil Tuffnell, who regularly feature in many other cricketing after-dinner speakers’ repertoires!
Following the meal and the speeches from Gus Fraser and the Dinner Chairman, Simon Lawson, the Club Chairman, Peter Allen, made the Annual Presentations with the assistance of the Guest Speaker. The 1st XI Player of the Year was Christopher Lomas, a worthy winner for his all-round batting, bowling and fielding performances, while Sam Readman took the 2nd XI Player of the Year accolade, becoming a genuine all-rounder during the season as his batting flourished to support his undoubted bowling talents. In a difficult year for the Sunday XI, Kent Tomsett was presented with the Player of the Year trophy.
Tim Catley took the Dick Burden ‘Champagne Moment’ Trophy for a startling piece of fielding in a 1st XI match against Sudbury and the overall Clubman of the Year Trophy was awarded to David Monk for his commitment to the Club in all areas during the season. The final award was a special one donated by Peter Allen to the Club Secretary and 2nd XI wicket keeper, Philip King, for an exceptional performance in the home match against Little Bardfield.
The formalities were completed with the presentations to the winners of the Note Draw leaving the informal part of the evening to get under way as memories of the 2009 season became cloudier with every trip to the bar! Details of the 2010 date and speaker will soon be posted!
TONY CATLEY
