Raby Castle CC reflect on a successful year

RABY Castle CC won four competitions in 2017 and at the club’s annual meeting, officials and members reflected on their most successful season ever.

Remarkably, throughout the season the first team only lost one league game and one cup game.

They were the SG Petch Darlington and District Cricket League A Division champions, they also won the A Division knock-out cup and the league’s Cec Leece Knock Out Cup beating Barningham CC in both finals.

First team captain Joe Dent thanked Ian Dent for his hard work on the square which is now one of the best playing surfaces in the area, and to all the others who had worked hard on the ground during the season.

He also thanked tea ladies Helen West, Betty Poole and Catherine Forster for the superb teas and for all their help and support throughout the season.

Simon Lee topped the batting averages with 1,112 runs at an average of over 53 runs per innings, the highlight being his century against Barningham (124 not out).

Matt Dent (838), Peter Forster (543) and David Scaife (500) also made significant contributions with the bat.

Simon Lee also topped the bowling averages with 46 wickets at an average of 11.2 runs per wicket and his 6-17 against Richmond was the season’s best bowling performance.

The club’s top wicket taker was Dan Lee who took 58 wickets and there were great contributions from David Scaife (29 wickets) Matt Dent (25) Ben Goodfellow (23) and James Forster (20).

In his last season as second team captain Paul Hedley reported that the team had finished fourth in the SG Petch Darlington and District Cricket B Division and it is a sign of the club’s strength that they were the highest placed second team in league.

However, the highlight of the season for the second team came in August when they won the FB Howell Trophy beating a strong West Park RA team in the final at Cockerton.

Paul congratulated Phil Wills on topping the batting averages with 812 runs at an average of over 74 and the bowling averages with 18 wickets at an average of 16.7.

He also made special mention of newcomer Andy Richardson who scored 327 runs and also to Peter Forster who scored 234 runs in two games when “on loan” from the first team.

Paul praised youngsters Joe Beadle (18 wickets), Jamie Wills (22 wickets) and Alex Lamb for their bowling this season.

Paul then thanked the whole committee for their hard work throughout the year and the tea ladies for all their help and support during 2017 and he wished new captain Robert Kirkup all the best for 2018.

Treasurer Betty Poole reported that the club was in a healthy financial position and she thanked all those who had raised club funds.

Secretary Stephen Caygill reported that club president Lynda Currie was standing down and he thanked her for the help, advice and the support she has given the club over many years.

Club stalwart Tom Wilson was made an honorary club member and Ian Walker and Nick Jones were made vice-presidents.

Presentation night

THE club is holding its annual presentation night on Saturday, December 9, at the Scarth Hall, Staindrop, starting at 7.30pm.

Guest Speaker is Mike Amos and tickets are £7.50. Former players and their partners are invited.

Tickets are available from club secretary Stephen Caygill 07708 220426.