Senior presentation is a great success

The 2009 Presentation night took place on Saturday 17^thOctober in the Willows Lounge at the club. The new style event, which featured a 3 course meal, followed by the presentations to award winners for the senior sides and the Under 17s and then a disco, proved to be a great success and made for an excellent night.

It was a certainly a good night for Phil Carter, who picked up the First X1 batting award and the Players’ Player of the Year award.  Graeme Roberts also took two Second team trophies for fielding and the players’ award.  Richard Winn rounded off another successful year with both the Second X1 batting and bowling awards.

It was great to have this year’s overseas player actually able to attend the Presentation Night and Josh Walker will have considered staying on in the UK well worthwhile as he picked up two Performance of the season awards - for the First X1 and the 20/20 team.

There were trophies also for newcomers Matthew Green (2nd X1 performance of the season) and Andy Wear (3rd X1 performance of the season).  Popular clubman Rob Daly walked off with the Graham Pullan trophy, and the players made presentations to Committee members, tea ladies, scorers and Groundsman, Mally Larkin.

Many congratulations to all of the award winners, whi included:

First X1
Batting                                     Phil Carter
Bowling                                   James Russell
Fielding                                   Dave Nebard
Performance of the Season  Josh Walker
Players’ Player of the Year    Phil Carter

Second  X1
Batting                                    Richard Winn
Bowling                                   Richard Winn
Fielding                                   Graeme Roberts
Performance of the Season  Matthew Green
Players’ Player of the Year    Graeme Roberts

Third  X1
Performance of the Season   Andy Wear

20/20
Performance of the Season   Josh Walker

Under 17s
Batting                         Matthew Dowse
Bowling                       Jerome Austin
Fielding                       Spenser Horsfall
Manager’s Award       Verundev Sambhi
Anne Stone Trophy     Matthew Fox

Hat-tricks
Matthew Davies - 3rd X1 versus East Ardsley
Michael Cooper - 20/20 side versus Hanging Heaton

Most promising junior playing senior cricket  James McNichol

The Graham Pullan Award     Rob Daly

Sportsman's Dinner 2009

 

Well, if you were there what more can we say?  The event was well-attended by players and supporters of the Club and a promising night was started with an excellent meal and in Mike Watkinson, Cricket Director of Lancashire CCC, one of the best sporting speakers we have had for some years.  His stories of his cricketing career with Lancashire and England and snippets about current players, along with his observations about the venue, had the guests laughing from start to finish.  We would like to report the same about the comedian, but it wouldn't be true, so perhaps we should just leave it there. 

Many thanks to all those who attended and supported the Club, it's never boring with Morley CC, is it?

Morley features in the end of season averages

The end of season averages have been announced. Despite both sides finishing in the bottom half of their divisions, Morley players have still finished strongly in the averages with some notable individual performances.

Congratulations to Jack Seddon for scooping the league Second Team Wicket Keeping award. Jack finished with 31 victims, a total that made him top keeper in Division 1 and also the top keeper overall in Second Team cricket.  For a 14 year old this is a remarkable achievement in itself, but taking into account the number of games he missed through Yorkshire Under 14 commitments and injury, it's an amazing effort. Well done Jack!

Nathan Bromby had a vintage season in 2009 and finished in the top 12 amongst Division 2 First teams, with a superb tally of 45 wickets. Phil Carter ensured Morley were represented in the batting too, after a consistent year that saw him score 585 runs.

Richard Winn again proved himself to be one of the best all round players in second team cricket, finishing high in the averages in both batting and bowling. This is the second year running he has achieved this feat, this year it is the more remarkable as he had a mid season "break" playing for the First Team, picking up 11 wickets in 3 games!  A proven match winner, "Winny" has been inspirational this year with bat and ball.

The final qualifier from the club underlined an impressive change in fortunes throughout the year in Second Team cricket. Graeme Roberts wasn't even picked on the first day of the season and doubts remained about his fitness after two serious knee injuries in recent years. His answer was to simply work hard and get on with things, and he finished the year as Second Team captain and 35 wickets that took him into the bowling averages.

Well done to all our qualifiers.

Andrew Cutt has informed the club of his resignation as Second Team captain, with immediate effect. Andrew has struggled with injury problems all season, causing him to miss several games,and now wishes to concentrate on regaining his fitness for next year.

We would like to state our appreciation and gratitude to Andrew for the way he has tackled the difficult job of captaining the 2s. In particular, the club will always be grateful to him for giving us our first ever trophy as a Bradford League club when, under his leadership, our Second Team won the Division 2 title in 2008. With practically the same team that finished near the bottom the year before, "Cutty" added former first teamer Richard Winn and 12 year old wicket keeper Jack Seddon, picked up from Spen Victoria junior cricket, and swept all before him in a memorable season.  It was a magnificent effort, much applauded and appreciated by all involved with the club.

The Cricket Committee is delighted to announce that Graeme Roberts has accepted their invitation to captain the Second team until the end of this season. The former Drighlington player has become a key figure in the side this year and is looking forward to the challenge of ensuring we maintain Division 1 cricket for next year. A popular figure at the club, he will have everyone’s support in revitalising the team’s fortunes between now and the end of the season.

Morley CC secure sponsors for this year's 20/20 competition

Morley boys resplendent in their Yorkshire Building Society sponsored 20/20 kit prior to the match against Gomersal - many thanks to the YBS for their support

President's X1 win the first Surridge 20/20 Cup

The President's X1 won the first Surridge 20/20 Cup in a 3rd May curtain raiser for the Third X1 start to their league season.  The President's X1 batted first and posted a score of 156-2 from their 20 overs.  Danny Lloyd carried his bat to finish on 86 not out and he was well supported with 30 not out from Richard Jubb and 23 from Ryan Dowse.  In response, the 3rd X1 reached 93-4 with Tom Medley looking in good shape to score 54 with good support from Lee Cousens, Michael Davies and Rob Smith.  For the President's X1, wicket keeper George Bartlett was praised for his efforts behind the stumps facing up to the senior bowlers.  The Cup, which was donated by Alan Haymer of Jackson Trophies in Crossgates who are the official Yorkshire Distibutors for Surridge Sports, was presented to the President's X1 Captain, Tom Smith.

Overseas signing boost the Morley squad

More good news is that the Club can now confirm that 27 year old Australian all rounder Josh Walker will be our overseas player for 2009.  Josh plays for Morley CC in Perth Western Australia and is the first in what both clubs hope will be a long line of player exchanges between the two "Morleys".
 
Josh is a native Tasmanian who has been living and playing in Perth this winter. Anyone wanting to know more about Josh can look him up on Morley CC Australia's excellent website (see the links page).

Morley CC further strengthen senior squad

Morley have completed the signing of batsman Robert Smith from Hanging Heaton.

The 24 year old Bradford based left-hander scored the sixth highest individual total in the Second team Division 1 last year with a superb unbeaten 123 against Cleckheaton. He was on track for a leading place in the batting averages at the half way stage of the season until he was promoted to Heaton's First X1.

Everyone at the club extends a warm welcome to Robert and wishes him all the best for the new season.

Morley's successful 2nd X1 - Division 2 Champions 2009