Sellsy's Monday Supplement

I would like to start by wishing Over Stowey cricketer Rhys Satchell a speedy recovery from his horrendous car accident on Saturday morning. I know all from the Cricket Club and those from Bridgwater and Albion RFC wish him well.

Rhys was due to pick up an award on Saturday evening at the Cricket Club awards evening, most catches for the 2^nd team, but alas this was picked up by Phil Rich on his behalf, who promptly dropped it! Apparently there was talk on Saturday evening for a new award with Rhys in mind, most wides bowled in a season, thus Rhys would be a permanent winner of this award.

I know I haven’t done a blog for a few weeks, holidays and moving and since there has been a lot of going-on’s in the cricketing world. Four major things come to mind:

1. Somerset finished sixth in Division One of the County Championship, avoiding relegation, and thus sending down Derbyshire and Surrey.

2. Jos Buttler has buggered off to Lancashire – you can understand why.

3. Sachin Tendulkar has retired from all cricket.

4. Over Stowey held their Presentation Evening.

A lot has been said about the first two and there is a lot of divided opinion about Jos leaving Somerset.

As for Tendulkar, he was one of the greatest batsmen to play the game, smashing all sorts of records throughout his illustrious career. Apparently there are 1 billion number one Sachin Tendulkar fans in India; I wonder what they are going to do now! I have only seen the “Little Master” bat live once. It was at Taunton during the World Cup against Sri Lanka, he was out for single figures – I just can’t understand what all the fuss is about!

The Over Stowey presentation evening went with aplomb on Saturday evening, good food, good company, good cider, awards going to the right people and nearly everyone was thanked for their hard work throughout the year.

For me there were two awards which not only went to the right persons, but the two recipients’ thoroughly deserved to be recognised.

Firstly, Mark Sortwell, who won the 1^st Team Player of the Year award. He had a great season, all ways ever present, never lets the side down, scored runs and took catches. It is also a tribute for the hard work he has put in to his cricket over the years and to the work he has contributed towards the cricket club throughout; a much deserved award.

Secondly, Carl Woodley, who won the Players Player award. This award is special because it is voted for by his fellow players on the night – albeit Dave Rowsell who wrote out the slip and forgot to put it in the voting box. Carl has probably the most difficult job in the whole club: 2^nd XI captain. The position has a bit of a double whammy when it comes to team selection, not only does he lose players due to them dropping out at the last minute, he will also get a call from the 1^st XI captain saying he wants a player or two on a Saturday morning, leaving Carl to phone round to see if he can get eleven players. I know how he feels, having been 2^nd team captain for a few seasons, but mobile phones weren’t invented then.

Carl would select his side for Saturday the previous weekend, with a list of players he could call upon if players drop out. When it comes to match day he would have nine different names in his starting XI. Thankfully he hasn’t had to go to number 42 on his list, yours truly!

Anyway, 7.27pm, time for skittles and a pint of Thatchers or two!