Sleaford CC Annual Magazine 2016 | Page 9

Sleaford 2nd XI Review The 2015 season for the two’s All these youngsters have great ability and I have no doubt has been excellent in so many that they will just keep getting better and better. The most ways. Firstly, I would like to pleasing part for me is that these youngsters play the game in thank great spirit and respect and I am proud to call them Phil Sneath for his captaincy over the past two and a half seasons which has led to such a successful campaign this year. teammates. As always, we are blessed with a superb team off the pitch and I would like to thank our incredible tea ladies and Darren for making the best teas in the county. We would also like to The season got off to a positive start with a huge win against thank the best scorer in the county for choosing to score for Moulton Harrox. After four games, we had lost 2 and won 2 us, Joyce Ward we are very grateful, Thankyou. but the early signs suggested that we were learning how to put performances together and understanding each others role in the team. We then put together a series of superb performances that meant we won the next eight games in a row and firmly into 2nd place in the table. Unfortunately, we lost to eventual league winners Boston to end the run but the team managed to finish strong by winning the last 5 games of the season. This meant we finished 2nd in the league comfortably. Great I would also like to thank Colin Gascoyne for his hard work in producing top quality pitches for us every week and making Sleaford's ground the envy of many other clubs. Finally, I'm proud of our achievements this year but the best accomplishment we have achieved is enjoyment. We enjoy each others company on and off the field, we stick together regardless of result and we all enjoy each others success. The whole squad have bought into playing the game with a smile and playing for the team. credit must go to every member who played any part in the season as the whole campaign was a true team effort. This 2016 season brings new challenges and not least the club needs everybody's efforts to keep improving on and off the There were many individual performances that stood out this season. Simon Godby made two fine centuries, Phil Sneath field. A big push is needed from all members to ensure this club can continue to grow and improve. made match winning scores at the top of the order and Sumit Puri recorded 5/9 on debut and averaged 60 with the bat. Our Well done everyone and bring on 2016! travelling Australian guest Michael Alan Shelley took a huge 38 wickets and scored over 300 runs. Tom Brooke continued Ben Bulmer to churn his arm over and twirl his way into the wicket column. 2nd XI Captain The most impressive performances however, came from the youngsters at the club. 17 year old Jack Wilson won the leagues junior batting award, Connor Harbron, Oli Bean, and Dave Harrop all made crucial contributions throughout the season. Also 17 year old Mason Mansfield opened the bowling every week and also opened the batting on occasions to show his immense all round talent. My personal highlight was watching 14 year old leg spinner Kieron Harbron make his debut at home to Grantham. He returned figures of 6/55 against a strong, experienced side.