Murray honoured for long service at Sidmouth awards evening

RETIRING Sidmouth skipper Will Murray was honoured by his team-mates as the club’s annual awards dinner and dance.

Murray (pictured) stood down at the end of last season after nine eventful years at the helm.

For most of Murray’s reign as Sidmouth captain the club was the dominant force in Devon cricket, winning trophy after trophy.

The 2015 campaign was the first to end ‘potless’ Murray, who won something in every other season from 2007 onwards.

The run of success under Murray’s leadership began with a Devon League A Division title in 2007. Three consecutive Premier Division titles followed and Sidmouth were champions again in 2012 and 2014.

Added to the league success were Devon Senior Cup wins in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014 as well as consistent showings in district and county Twenty-20 competitions.

Anthony Griffiths, the captain Murray succeeded, led the tributes to his successor after the dinner part of the evening, hosted a six-hit away from the club at the Belmont Hotel.

Griffiths said Murray's contribution on the field had been matched by work behind the scenes, much of which went unnoticed.

Murray was presented with a framed collage, produced by Sidmouth Print, displaying team pictures from the successful years as a memento of his time as skipper.

Although 2015 was a blank year for the club in terms of 1st XI and 2nd Xi titles – both teams were runners-up in their divisions – there was still plenty to celebrate.

Griffiths revealed that the club had secured funding through a charitable trust to foster the development of young players to maintain a flow of talent into the teams.

With three league sides and a hefty programme of midweek games against touring sides from the UK and abroad, Sidmouth needs a large player pool.

Devon duo Liam Lewis (left) and Charlie Miles were 1st XI’s star men in 2015 with bat and ball respectively.

Batsman and players’ player of the year was Lewis who made 541 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 34. Added to this were 27 wickets.

The bowling award went to Miles, who took 30 wickets

Charlie Dibble maintained the grip he has held on the 2nd XI bowling award for many years with 30 wickets at an average of 13.

Nick Mansfield's transformation from bowler to batsman was rewarded with the 2nd XI batting trophy for his 494 runs at an average of 41.

The top batting average in the club, 67, was achieved by Isaac Thomas to win the 3rd XI  batting award. Despite playing only half a season after his arrival from Uplyme and Lyme Regis CC, Wesley Holmes won the 3rd XI bowling award with 19 wickets.

Clubman of the year was 1st XI scorer Tony Denny who, in addition to his match duties, had provided much technical, administrative and manual expertise.

Senior Colt was Thomas Moore who opened the batting for the 3rd XI, was picked for East Devon Under-14s and made 90 at Clyst Hydon as his season's highlight.

The Junior Colt award was shared by Jordan Fowler and Tom Simmons. Fowler was the only ever-present player in the 3rd XI and took 13 wickets and had a batting average of 130 playing for the Under-13 team.

 

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