Ryan Stevenson swept the board at the Dartington & Totnes Cricket Club’s recent Presentation Evening. Ryan took 35 wickets and scored 450 runs, including one century, over the season and deservedly won the first team batsman, first team bowler and Club Player of the Year awards.
First team captain, Harold Stevenson, who has decided to step down as skipper, praised the young players in the Club and made a moving speech about his time as skipper. Harold has given sterling service to local cricket, having been captain of Totnes Cricket Club and then the merged Dartington & Totnes Cricket Club for over 20 seasons in total. He spoke about some of the fine players he’d skippered over the years and described the newly married Bertus Loots as the best. Harold mentioned that some of the current first team players had not been born when he had begun captaining Totnes. The first team had maintained their B division status which had been a fine achievement, particularly as several top players had had limited availability over the season.
Chairman, Mick Rusling, thanked Harold for his contribution over the years and described him as a ‘local legend’. Running the Club took a lot of work and Mick thanked all who had contributed and particularly groundsman Cliff Lowe. In addition to his usual irreverent take on the season Mick presented special awards to 14 year old Andrew Bligh for taking his first ‘fivefor’ in adult cricket, Richard Sugden for his maiden century, Kalon Veale for his maiden first team century and Josh Thomas for his remarkable and extremely rare feat of taking two hat tricks in one match. Mick was saddened that the Club are no longer able to play cricket in Totnes due to Borough Park no longer being fit for cricket and expressed gratitude that Harberton CC have come to the Club’s assistance.
Thirds skipper, David Grifffiths, won the third team bowling award, taking 30 wickets over the season. Third team Batsman of the Year was Chris Life.
Second team Bowler of the Year was again David Carter and Batsman of the Year was Liam Bligh. Liam had hit three fifties and scored over 250 runs. Liam also won the Most Improved Player award. Young Player of the Year was Harry Baxendale and Mick Rusling was voted Clubman of the Year.
Several juniors blotted their copybook ordering take out food and insulting the chef and can rest assured the chairman has noted who they were!