MORE than 100 players, members and guests attended Wellington Cricket Club’s annual dinner and presentation of awards at Somerset CCC’s County Room at Taunton.

Among the guests were Graham Aspin, his wife Ann, and Reg Oxby and his wife Jenny who represented Wellington Football Club, Ashley Colman, of Wellington Rugby Club who is also a club sponsor through the Vision South West IFA brand, and Chris Bullock who oversees aspects of sponsorship at The Athletic Field.

Cricket club chairman Duncan Short also welcomed club sponsors Rob and Chris Hunt from Wellington Self Storage and Graham and Debbie Sparks from Graham Sparks Furniture Restoration.

He said their support was warmly appreciated in “both a financial and spiritual manner.”

Vice-presidents to the club were also represented in force with Rachel Moysey, Guy and Jenny Vickery, John and Carla Bettinsoin, Richard Fox, Roderic Sparks, Bernie Burnett, John Bradner, Barry Salter, Chris and Mary Close, Simon and Monica Spalding and Judith Short all in attendance.

Some of the club’s life members were also present including Roy Hutchings, Keith Colman and Tony Rudd.

Mr Short said that one of the year’s major successes was the securing of a formal Leased Agreement for the clubroom and other areas of the Wellington Playing Field and pavilion. This gave the club a real level of security for a 25-year period to April 30, 2039 which will enable it to develop its facilities and grow as a club.

On the field Wellington had secured the services of an overseas player in the form of South African wicketkeeper and batsman Wian Gouws and his qualities as a keeper were such that he was probably the best exponent of this position that the club had ever had.

Two families had hosted Wian and thanks were extended to both Adrian and Sally Hooper who housed him from April to June, and then Trevor and Trudy Brooks who did so from July to September.

Mr Short reviewed all the club’s sides – senior and junior – before presentations were made to the following: Taunton and District Youth League Under 11 West Division runners-up Shield Mark Salter; Taunton and District Sunday League Division A Runners up Trophy Rob Moysey; Hundreds and five wickets Des Campbell, Paul Short, Arron Campbell, Alex Sparks, Luke DeSave, Neil Hendy, Ben Evett, Thom Trott, Tenny Harlow, Richard Henwood; Six-hit Trophy Alex Sparks; Sunday and midweek bowling Aaron Campbell; Sunday and midweek batting Alex Sparks; 3rd XI Bowling Tenny Harlow; batting Des Campbell; 2nd XI bowling Will Derrick; batting Kevin Crout; lst X1 bowling Neil Hendy; batting Alex Sparks; Meredith fielding trophy Jack Beal; Mrs E George Young Player of the Year Robin Davies; Ladies’ Award Mel Beal; Tony Rudd Sportsmanship Award Mark Salter; 3rd XI Players Player Macaulay Campbell; Fullstone Cup for 2nd XI’s players award Kevin Crout; A W Scott Cup for 1st X1 players player Robin Davies; Clubman of the Year Steve Symons.