Sahil Kher wins Arnold Woods Cup
The Jesters Cricket Club AGM and annual dinner, held in the private dining room at Brasserie Blanc on Chancery Lane, was the usual jovial affair.
Fixtures Secretary Jonny Bridcut delivered his (occasionally witty) review of the season. Of the 16 matches played, we won 12, drew one, and lost three. It was noted, with regret, that the Tour would not continue in future seasons. Simon Rawson was thanked for his hard work over many years.
John Murphy was re-elected as Hon. Secretary, Jonathan Bridcut was re-elected as Hon. Match Secretary and Chris Smith was re-elected as Hon. Treasurer. Robbie Hudson was thanked for his contributions for a period exceeding fifteen years as he steps down from the Committee. The remainder of the existing Committee (DJ Chak, Ollie Doward, Louis Harris, Noah Hillyard, Simon Rawson, and Andrew Short) was re-elected. Sahil Kher was co-opted onto the Committee.
The Committee decided to replace the fixture booklet with a fixture card for the 2019 season. The card will list fixtures and will provide contact details (e-mail addresses and mobile telephone numbers) for Match Managers, Executive Officers, and Committee Members. The card will be posted out to all Members before the season.
The Arnold Woods Cup for best performance of the season was won by Sahil Kher for his 103 against Wargrave off 81 balls, including several glorious straight hits off a former-Berkshire slow left-armer, helping us to chase down 200 to win a 30 over game in the last over. Well played Sahil.
The other nominations were…
Phil Berman for his 5-31 against Streatham and Marlborough, who were bowled out for just 86, with one of the wickets being a particularly good caught-and-bowled in the first over.
DJ Chak for his five wicket haul against Chingford.
Oscar Howie for his 86* to guide us to victory against Chingford, chasing 188.
Ollie Doward for his 103* off 66 balls against Weybridge, enabling us to win by 10 wickets chasing a score of just 131.
Chris Smith for his 80* to beat Hurlingham by 8 wickets.
Simon Butler for effecting an excellent run-out from the boundary at Hurlingham.
Josh Montgomerie for scores of 103* on tour against the Bryanston Butterflies and 85* against Eastcote.
Saj Zaib for his annual tour hundred (122* against the Canford Cygnets).
Chris Smith for a spell of 4-26 at Middleton Stoney.
His brother Ed Smith for his 103 against Eversholt, although we lost the game by seven wickets.
The Michael Meyer Award for the biggest blow of the season was won by Adnan Mohammed for his "thunderous hook" into the trees beyond square leg at Eastcote.
Other notable big hits were…
Mike Palmer’s strike over extra cover, also against Eastcote.
Ed Smith’s enormous six at Eversholt which landed in the swimming pool!
And finally, the Roger Greenslade Trophy for the most Jester-like antics of the season was won by Matthew Berry for a comedic dismissal at Eversholt. Matt somehow contrived to be stumped down the leg side off a wide playing a cut off the back foot, with both feet in the air as the bails were whipped off.
The other slapstick moments in contention were…
Alex Smith for being stumped three innings in a row and erupting after the third, at Barnes Common.
Rob Dancey for having his pad split into two by the opening bowler at Weybridge.
Louis Harris, going for his third win in a row in this category, for a dropped catch at Hurlingham. A report reads: "One of their middle order batsman mistimed a lofted straight drive which went extremely high towards Jonny at mid-off. As we all waited for Jonny to set himself there were three enormous shrieks of LOUIS’ as he came charging from extra cover, arms flailing, to intercept the ball as Jonny backed off. He got two hands to the ball, but tipped it over the bar and fell flat on his back! *
Andrew Short for his star jumps and cheerleading at Middleton Stoney.
Ed Smith for appearing to knock two triathletes off their bicycles upon arrival at Eversholt - one with his vehicle on arrival and the other with a mighty six over cow corner.
* removed from the running on the request of his wife, who wants her mantelpiece back
The now traditional quiz was won by Ollie Doward, Patrick Allen and Andrew Short. Many thanks to Matt Berry who composed and delivered the questions.