9:13am Thursday 31st December 2009
By Nigel Dean
Martinstown Cricket Club enjoyed its most successful season in 2009 and to celebrate almost 60 club members gathered at the Brewers Arms in the village for their annual meal and awards presentation evening.
The year provided a significant milestone in the club’s history – turning 21 having been re-established in 1988 to redress a lack of sporting provision in the village.
Club captain and co-founder John O’Brien said: “I seem to say something similar at the end of every season but 2009 was undoubtedly the best we have known across every facet of the club.
“All the adult teams were enormously successful, winning cups and leagues and our youth teams made great strides in terms of participation, enjoyment and success.
“Scarcely a day or an evening went by between May and the middle of September when our ground was idle.
“Next season we will be launching a second XI in the Saturday League.”
The first team won the Dorchester and District Evening League Knockout Cup for the first time while the Seconds did remarkably well to reach the semi-finals, overcoming higher league opposition on several occasions.
The Saturday XI were champions of Dorset Funeral Plan Division Four, which guaranteed their third successive promotion, while the non-league Sunday team, which provides a link between junior and adult Cricket, went undefeated all year.
Added to the established under-15s, 13s and 11s, 2009 saw Martinstown launch a team of even younger than under-11s playing softball cricket, as well as an under-18 team.
O’Brien added: “Although there is greater ambition and achievement now associated with the club it is most pleasing to me that the attitude of the players is pretty much the same as it always was – welcoming, friendly and inclusive.
“People are willing to muck in and help the coaches and managers of our junior sides – which is not to say that we wouldn’t be grateful of more assistance – if there are any budding coaches or scorers in the area, then please get in touch via our website.”
“In 2010 we will be unveiling our four new grass wickets which is the culmination of a lot of hard work from within the club and community and I’d like to thank the businesses that have helped us achieve this long-held ambition.”
For further information on Martinstown Cricket visit the website: martinstown.play-cricket.com or email therealmcc@hotmail.co.uk
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