Holmbury St Mary Cricket Club
Holmbury St Mary Cricket Club
Holmbury St Mary Cricket Club is a friendly club with more than 100 years of history and one of the most picturesque grounds in the South of England, boasting a tranquil environment with far reaching views to the South Downs. We run two teams; the 1st XI play in the second division of the Surrey Downs League, while the 2nd XI play in the second division of the Village Cricket League, as well as friendly fixtures against a range of local and visiting clubs.
The Club goes into the 2012 season with renewed hope, having come through a difficult 2011 season that saw us lose our 1st XI skipper before a game had been played, to a knee injury that kept him out for the whole season. A combination of injuries and non-availability strained our resources to breaking point and beyond, but stand-in 1st XI skipper Justin Morgan and 2nd XI skipper Ian Fielder stuck to the task. With fewer injuries and more settled teams, there is no reason why we shouldn't perform strongly from the start this season
A strong finish to the season ensured that the 1st XI finished in the top half of Division 2 of the Surrey Downs League and renewed some of the confidence that was lacking earlier in the season, particularly in the batting unit. The undoubted on-field highlight of the season came at eventual league champions Albury in early July, where we arrived with just 10 players and then contrived to lose the toss and were inserted on a wet, bowler-friendly surface. A 118 run partnership for the second wicket between Jason Russell (76) and Nick Maynard (57) helped us to a total of 177-6 and then Justin Morgan (5-42) and debutant Harvey Jackson (4-60) made sure we bowled Albury out for 146 to inflict their only defeat of the season. The spine of the team through the season was provided by the batting of Jason Russell, Nick Maynard and John Birdseye, the bowling of Phil King and Charles Colvile and the all-round performnces of John Mayer, Geoff Finch and Andrew Galbraith with youngsters Harvey Jackson and Harry Fitzgerald bringing some youthful enthusiasm and talent to the side. Having said that, skipper Justin Morgan's outstanding contribution with bat and ball and his passionate leadership had a massive impact on our season.
Playing in the 2nd Division of the Village Cricket League, the 2nd XI are focused on ensuring good games with full participation. That doesn't mean any lack of competitiveness and will to win but it does mean the occasional defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory in trying to make sure everyone gets a game! We won as many games as we lost and a lower mid-table finish was typical and perhaps belies the depth of talent that was used during the season. Ian Fielder again led the team by example, finishing the season as leading wicket taker, closely followed by Ross Butters (when not needed by the 1st XI). While Andrew Jenner led the batting, his highlight being 98 not out in a successful run chase at Capel, there were also regular contributions from Iain Masson, Nick Harmer and Phil Dunn.
Finally, there were the regular friendly games. The Sunday 2nd XI had their usual range of fixtures against a variety of local clubs and touring teams, most with cunningly arranged close finishes and subsequent cameraderie at the bar. We won the annual chalenge match against local rivals Abinger CC, to retain the Randall-Staves trophy and the season culminated as usual in the Meldrew's fixture where we fell just short over two innings, bamboozled by the subtleties of Azhar Mahmood's slower ball.
Match Reports from 2011 can be found here
Of course none of this is possible without facilities and, once again, Owen Winser worked his magic on the wicket and Keith Winser tended the outfield. Despite less than ideal growing conditions and plenty of mid-season rain, regular rolling continued to improve the wicket and the outfield was hugely improved once the new fence was in place to keep out the rabbits. Peter Broadbent and Kenny Woods made sure the bar was stocked and tended and the Committee kept the affairs of the Club in order. A final mention should go to Bob Andrews who, as well as acting as Treasurer, turned out regularly for both 1st and 2nd XI (often both in the same weekend) in a season that saw him celebrate his 70th birthday on the field. The friendly game that day ended with Bob hitting the opposition's quick bowler back over his head for 4 in the final over and was quickly followed by a barbecue attended by players and locals alike.