A successful season on and off the pitch
When we look back at the 2019 season, it will be with fond memories. Off the pitch, the club initiated a big marketing drive to try to attract new members and to enhance the awareness of the club in the Greater area of South Kildare and West Wicklow. This has proved to be a great success with club membership numbers at their highest since 2011 when the club had 3 teams. This work is far from finished, and it will continue into 2020 and beyond.
On the pitch, the work put in by League Captain - Hubert Beaumont and Oaks Captain Des Drumm cannot be underestimated. Hubert, a somewhat reluctant captain at the beginning of the season thrust himself into the roll and led his troops to an immensely successful season with promotion secured with a game to spare and a return to Division 12 next season. In the cup competitions, we progressed to the Quarter Finals in both the T20 and the Minor Cup.
The Oaks play maybe the most important role in the club. They allow players to discover or sometimes rediscover the game of Cricket. They play all formats from Taverners, Timed and Innings games. Des, as captain has instilled a wonderful spirit in the Oaks teams who always represent the club with distinction on each and every occasion. With the influx of new players into the club, the Oaks fixture list has grown extensively this year, and Des assures me that it will extend again next season.
At this point a few statistics are worth pointing out.
Top Individual Score - Ghanim Dara 116 Not Out v Pembroke
Most Runs - Umer Nau - 327 runs (average 46.71). An honourable mention here to Ghanim who scored 292 runs (average 97.33)
Most Wickets - Neville Case - 25 (Best in Div 13) Economy of 3.67
Best Bowling Performance - Neville Case & Kevin Threadgold both with 4-19. Neville v Leinster and Kevin v Merrion.
I can't do a season review without thanking everyone who provided the tea's over the season. These have been of incredible standard and a real sense of pride to the club. Apart from the players involved in preparing the tea's, there also the work of Karen, Jeanette and Kelleyann which we are forever grateful.
I'd also like to thank the committee for all their work behind the scenes. They do a fantastic job from preparing pitches, submitting scorecards, updating Social Media, fundraising, marketing and most important, organising all of the fixtures.
In the next couple of months, we will have the clubs 2nd biggest fundraiser and awards night, and also the clubs AGM. As Churchill once said, "This isn't the beginning of the end, it's the end of the Beginning". See you all in 2020.
