V&A AWARDS FOR 2019 SEASON 

V&A CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

LACHLAN NIEBOER – top all-rounder, a titan with bat and ball, rivals the original Brycreem Boy, Denis Compton. Valued for his match-winning prowess, Olympia and acting ability on an off the pitch; his runs and wickets won at least three matches. Always a welcome sight on match days when spotted at 09.30 frying his Full English on the pavilion porch

BATSMAN OF THE YEAR

ANDY TAYLOR – many commanding innings of responsibility (unlike his brother), power and style. He scored more than 400 runs and averaged around 40. Much missed when he buggered off to Canada. Mr Reliable, as batsman, sub keeper, fielder, bowler and in the pub

INNINGS OF THE YEAR

ROB TAYLOR – a maiden ton of 101* in an hour, a rampant run-fest to rival Morgan or Milburn. At his worst his batting is a brief hoick and a trudge back to the pav; at his best it is awesome. His total for 2019 was a few runs short of his brother (but his average slightly better); his fielding is sublime and his offies pacey and effective. Some brilliant wickets. His luck has returned, gone is that day he broke his finger and had his kit run over (twice) by N. Bird

BOWLER OF THE YEAR

LACHLAN NIEBOER – many top order batsmen couldn’t cope with his venom and accuracy; average of 13 (give or take a decimal point) and 30 wickets. Although Tom Ayling took 7 wickets at a little under 11 apiece, it is the volume of Lachlan’s wickets that counted. Tom was away much of the season (our loss,) flogging second hand books while his boss Jonkers was at Stonor, scoffing lunch and scoffing at the opposition.

BOWLING FEAT OF THE YEAR

MARC TERBLANCHE – skittled out Warborough in two devastating overs of classic spin; as unassuming as Jim Laker. His 60 that day made him Man of the Match.

PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR

ADAM JACOT and NICK EMLEY – a partnership of 61 unbeaten runs (in about 7 overs) that saved the day against the Unabombers; reminding older members of Willie Watson and Trevor Bailey in ’53, who saved the Lord’s match and Ashes. Dogged resistance is the hallmark of Jacot and Emley, though Adam in particular can smack bowlers with gusto when the scoreboard dictates. Emley is the perfect anchor in a crisis.

WICKETKEEPER OF THE YEAR

PHIL GOODLIFFE  – the Committee debated for some hours but in the end decided on balance to give the coveted award to Mr Goodliffe, because of both lack of competition and his mercurial agility that defies the years. He should also get a mention for the most accurate and detailed match report of the season for the Warborough game. In stark contrast to some authors who weave literary ponciness or smut into reports.

CATCH OF THE YEAR

JAGO POYNTER – an extraordinary catch on the boundary, running backwards and downhill, to win the game. His acknowledgement of the cheers from the crowd, a lesson in restraint, was a measure of this most modest of ceramicists.

RUN OUT OF THE YEAR

CHRISTIAAN JONKERS – an eccentric bit of football – he kicked the ball into the stumps from 5 yards – and this from someone who has never seen the game played, or heard of 4-4-2.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

SARAH JENKINS – for 40 years of selfless service, most as Fixtures Sec, in which there was barely a cock-up, and all of them as catering supremo, her lunches being both punctual and, pâté apart, toothsome.

TOM BIRD Awards Committee

CHRISTIANN JONKERS Treasurer, Archivist and Statistician

CHRIS MOUNSEY-THEAR Fixtures Secretary

NICKY BIRD Chairman