Despite the current vogue for doing so, we cannot deny that we had an enjoyable Christmas party last night. For those who were unable to make it, here are the headlines:

It’s coming home…

The big news since the end of the season is that if all continues to go well we will be playing home matches at Teign Valley next season in a groundshare arrangement with Dunsford. Many thanks to the committee for progressing this exciting development. More on this will follow but we already have a team in place to work with Dunsford on overseeing ground maintenance. Opportunities for all members to volunteer for work on the ground will doubtless emerge in the new year.

Award winners…

Newcomer of the Year – Ben Yarde-Buller ‘an exciting new player’, ‘utterly genial, and modest, despite some great performances with bat and ball’

Runners-up: Kyle (‘suitably erratic’) and Valentin (‘mightily impressive batting at Newton Pop in only his second ever game’)

The Black Ox – Penny Price splitting her finger open at Mt Edgcumbe (which didn’t stop her from bravely going out to bat to save the draw)

The Cook-Up – Duncan Chave for batting in one pad at Newton St Cyres without noticing – until he realised he was running between the wickets quicker than he had for years!

The Wobbler – Alex Thomas for challenging (‘That’s never out!’) the umpire’s LBW decision at Broadclyst – and worse, getting it overturned!

Erratic of the Year – Ben Youngman at his very best with the ball, taking 51 wickets, including 7 for 9 at Broadclyst and a 22-over spell Chulmleigh, but more importantly for being a hugely helpful and loyal Erratic, ‘an all round good bloke’, and because ‘he’s just brilliant and the team would be a poorer one without his input’.

Runners-up: Penny (‘for her heroics at Mt Edgcumbe’) and Jon Bev (‘a great sport all year’).

The President’s Shield – Peter Thomson Martin Weiler writes:

The new president is absolutely delighted to award the President’s shield to his predecessor Peter Thomson. An Erratic legend. Peter captained Martin’s first ever game and gave him a bowl. Now Martin, at long last, can return the compliment. Player, captain, bowler, wicket keeper, batsman, Peter was a genuine all rounder. In retirement he gave great service as president for 20 years. And above all he helped (with Rita!) to provide an Erratics legacy, not least through Annie, our Secretary and her and Duncan’s son Fraser. Peter we salute you!


That concludes 2021 folks – see you next year! Krups will be in touch about nets, which will start in mid-to-late January…
Cheers
Mark H