2008 Cricket Dinner

Jack Petchey Winners 2008
At the Cricket Dinner on 8th November the club were pleased to present Jack Petchey medalions and plaques to seven club members for their contribution during 2008. The winners are pictured left to right Tom Sanderson, Jack Backhouse , Millie Smith, Ricky Provan, Luke Conway, James Rutter and Graham Pryke after receiving their awards from President Richard Russell Grant who humbly decided to kneel for the photo ! They have collectively donated their award money to the club for various Colts related projects.

Batsmen of the Year - Richard Fuller
Richard Fuller capped a fine first full season for the club by topping the Batting Averages. He scored 348 runs in 2008 at an average of 31.64, which included three half centuries with a best of 85 against Chappel & Wakes Colne 2nd.

Bowler of the Year - Stuart Mills
Stuart Mills had a fine season with both the bat and the ball, but excelled with his flighted filth in 2008. He took 41 wickets at an average on 13.68. Incredibly when he last won the Bowling Award in 2000, he took 54 wickets as Mersea's quickest bowler !

Performance of the Season - James Tilsley
The Best Performance of the Season Cup was decided as early as the third match of the season. In the second eleven game with Great Braxted and Tiptree Mersea batted first and were bowled out for 100. The visitors were seeminlgy strolling victory at 70 for 4, when a desperate captain turned to the very part time bowler of James Tilsley. James proceeded to take a career best 6 for 24, with all wickets bowled as Mersea won by two runs in a thrilling finale.

Young Performance of the Season - James Rutter
James Rutter became the youngest player at 16 years and nine days to score a senior century when scoring an unbeaten 106 against Hatfield Peverel on 8th August.

Graham Woods Six Hit Trophy - Luke Conway
Twenty Three Mersea batsmen hit a club seasonal record of 153 sixes in 2008. For the fourth year running Luke Conway topped the six hits although he failed in 2008 to raise his record this year hitting 52.

Century Awards - Luke Conway, Adam Rutter and James Rutter
Five centuries were posted in 2008, Luke Conway scored 136 against Great Horkesley, 114 against Ipswich 4th and 113 against Brockley 2nd. Adam Rutter scored an unbeaten 101 against Norton Lindsey & Wolverton, and James Rutter scored an unbeaten 106 against Hatfield Peverel. Pictures are Mersea's century makers Luke Conway, Adam Rutter and James Rutter.

Mallard Trophy - James Rutter
For the second successive season James Rutter lifted the Mallard Trophy. His seven ducks in 2008 accumulated 9 Mallard Points, and held off a strong challenge from Luke Conway (8) and Mike Srinivasan (7). In all in 2008 there were 84 ducks.

Club Person - Trevor Vince
For the first time in his long and illustrious career Trevor Vince was presented with the Club Person award. The award was richly deserved for his many years of arranging the fixtures, and over recent seasons his extensive work on the wicket which is reaping dividends. Trevor was also recently presented a long service award from Essex County Cricket Club for 25 years service with one club.

Golden Balls - Luke Bruce
Luke Bruce was the recipient of the Golden Balls award following his unplanned ejection from the tour coach in July. At the time he was involved in Sky Sports interview at the front of the bus with celebrity Scot Farthing who was reliving an earlier run out in colourful fashion. Unfortunately Luke was thrown off balance when the coach took a sharp left and ended up being dragged along the road clinging to the side of the bus.

Young Player of the Year - James Rutter
James Rutter was a unanimous choice as Young Player of the Year for the second successive season. He scored almost 300 runs and took 23 wickets in senior cricket, as well as being the top run scorer in Colts Cricket.

Two Counties Player of the Year - Luke Conway
Luke Conway (left) was the Two Counties Player of the Year for a second successive season. As captain he top scored with 419 runs and took 18 wickets and achieved six man of the match awards.

Second Eleven Player of the Year - Richard Fuller
Richard Fuller (right) capped a fine season by receiving the Second Eleven Player of the Year award. He scored 293 runs in 8 games, including three fifties and received four man of the match nominations.

First Eleven Player of the Year - Stuart Mills
For the seventh time in his career Stuart Mills (left) was awarded the First Eleven Player of the Year. Even by his standards 2008 was an excellent season scoring over 500 runs and taking 40 wickets in League and Cup cricket. He received six man of the match awards.

Award Winners 2008
Pictured left to right with their awards are Trevor Vince, Stuart Mills, James Tilsley, Richard Russell-Grant (President), Luke Conway, James Rutter and Richard Fuller