Senior Club Captain’s Report

The battle was relatively even throughout and it seemed as if Leeston was going to limp over the line in a slow run chase. The Weedons bowlers kept fighting, however, and when Hamish Darcy had the last Leeston batsman edging a ball outside leg stump to Todd Inness behind the wicket, the Steve Ryan Cup fell back into the grasp of the Weedons Cricket Club. While it was a joyous occasion for the Weedons team, a certain senior Leeston player was seen destroying a plastic chair in anger.

The team failed to gain real momentum through the remainder of the one-day season, however, and at one stage found itself playing to avoid relegation. This sparked a change in team attitude and the Weedons team finished the season with a flourish. The team beat Darfield at Darfield, Lincoln at Lincoln (in a T20) and then Darfield again, at home. In the final game of the season, Todd Inness scored a magnificent, free-flowing, maiden hundred on the Weedons Domain to take his season total to 571 runs. Another highlight of the season was the premier team’s trip to Cheviot. When a player pulled out on Friday night the team was left with 10 players to take on a strong Cheviot team. Weedons ending up winning the match. Charlie Robson was the man of the hour with a blistering 128 not out. This match proved that having the right attitude is just as good as having an 11^th fielder! Other notable performances were Hamish Darcy’s 19 wickets for the season and strong contributions from the Senior Clubs’ newcomers Sam Clarke and Arnav Deb. The Weedons premier team finished 6^th in the one-day competition and 5^th in the T20 competition. The season also saw me step down as premier captain after 37 matches. Charlie Robson will lead the team into the 2020-21 season.

As we look to the 2020-21 season, we are cautiously optimistic that match performances will improve for the premier team. There has certainly been a positive ‘culture shift’ over the past 12 months and the off-field relations between players have improved. The premier team has come a long way in the past five years, and I believe that we will begin to see Weedons closer to the top of competition leaderboards in the near future. The premier team boasts a number of former Hawke-cup players, but it is still recognised that the inclusion of a coach or player-coach would enhance team performance further.

The Weedons Senior B side also had a rollercoaster of a season. With close to 50 players making appearances for the team during the campaign, no consistency was ever really achieved. This resulted in 4 wins from 15 matches. While the results are disappointing, the club must remain positive about the B side. Not only does the group occasionally provide players for the premier team but a number of junior cricketers from the region are introduced to our club, aiding in the recruiting efforts of future senior and premier teams. The contribution that Paul Rugg has made to the Weedons Senior Club must be noted once again for his time spent organising players for both teams each Saturday. This year Paul was recognised by receiving the A A Hulston Cup for outstanding contribution to the Senior Club.

The Senior Club wishes to thank the following people for their contribution over the 2019-20 season. Ross Clarke, for your all-round enthusiasm for our club and role as secretary. Jared McGregor in your role as president/treasurer and part-time player. Bruce Agnew for your ongoing commitment to improving club grounds and facilities. Paul Rugg for your help with organising teams and in your new role as club chairman. Gary Nightingale for your technical assistance and great match reports. Alan Gilmour for preparing the best pitches we’ve seen in recent times at the domain.

I am looking forward to the day when a Weedon’s captain holds aloft the premier one-day trophy again. The day may be nearer than some might think.

Sam Wilson
Senior Club Captain – Weedons Cricket Club