MARTINSTOWN have been reflecting on a season of both positives and negatives at their end-of-season dinner.
The club was left shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of their talismanic club captain Nick Quintrell, who passed away in September, and the huge role he played in the club was reflected upon at the dinner.
The Ashton Farm club celebrated another successful season on the pitch – the first XI were promoted to Dorset League Division One after finishing as runners-up, while the second team narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing third in Divi-sion Six North and West.
The evening league first team also had a successful season under the captaincy of Tom Adams, reaching the semi-finals of the Dorchester and District Knockout Cup and were always competitive throughout the league campaign.
Unfortunately, for the first time in the club’s history, the evening league seconds had to withdraw from the league due to a lack of player availability.
First-team skipper Danny Dancer: “The loss of Nick devastated us all, but we all rallied round each other and showed what a great group of people we have at the club.
“The club continues to progress and some of the younger players have come in to the first team and really made significant contributions.
“It was great getting promoted again, and we look forward to the challenge that Division One will bring.
“It was a shame that we had to withdraw our evening league second XI, but with so many called off games due to the weather it was difficult to know when games were going to be played, so availability was an issue. I’m sure the club will continue to grow next year.
“We have two Dorset Funeral Plan League sides, a Read Woodruff Evening League side, a Sunday friendly side and a fantastic youth section with teams being represented from under-9 to under-18 level.”
In a further boost to the club, chairman John O’Brien has won the Lifetime Achiever award as part of the Dorset Cricket board OSCAs.
The OSCAS is a scheme that is designed to reward volunteers for the time and effort they put into cricket.
Each of the six winners received an invite to the national Natwest OSCAS that was held at Lord’s.
For more information on Martinstown CC email therealmcc@hot mail.co.uk, visit their website mar tinstown.play-cricket.com, find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @martinstowncc
ROLL OF HONOUR 2012
Dorset Division Two runners-up: Saturday first XI
Batsman of the year: Edward Nichols
Bowler of the year: Liam Banfield
All-rounder of the year: Danny Dancer
Players’ player: Matt Camp
Young player: Danny Way
Champagne moment: Danny Dancer
Spirit of cricket: Lee House
Clubperson of the year: Chris Monteith
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