And so for Harptree, like so many other cricket clubs, the season has now drawn to a close. So let’s look at the 2024 season. Overall 27 games were played, with 18 wins, one draw, seven loses and one abandoned. 36 players took part over the season – 34 of which batted and 26 who bowled, along with seven taking the wicket-keepers gloves.

First of all our Saturday XI from the start had one team withdraw from the division. Of the 11 matches played, we won six, lost four and drew one – the remaining three were two matches we conceded and one match where our opponents had to concede. Overall from a rocky start we made a solid top six finish, confirmed by five wins from the last six matches we played, several of which were against the top sides.

For the team, leading run scorers were - Riyaz Shaikh with 575 runs at an average 57.5 and a top score of 165; Mike Marsh with 233 runs at an average of 46.6 and a top score of 89 not out; and Harry Stride with 215 runs at an average of 43 and a top score of 89. Biggest partnership was held by Harry Stride and Riyaz Shaikh with 115 runs.

Leading wicket takers were – Phil Hogarth with 18 and a best of four for 33; Riyaz Shaikh with 17 and a best of four for 13; and Thomas Arrowsmith with 12 and a best of four for 26.

Harry Stride and Peter Haigh were leading the catches with four each, with Mike Marsh just behind with three.

Our Sunday XI also had a few opponents withdraw over the season, so of the 12 played, they won six, lost one, and had one game abandoned, two conceded by their opponents and one converted to a friendly. They finished a fantastic second, well clear of third place and will be playing in division two in 2024.

For the team, leading run scorers were – Chris Kay with 358 runs at an average of 39.78 with a top score of 114; - Riyaz Shaikh with 325 runs at an average 54.17 and a top score of 124 not out; Oliver Davies with 173 runs at an average of 86.5 with a top score of 117 not out. Biggest partnership was held by Oliver Davies and Chris Kay for an astonishing 197 runs.

Leading wicket takers were – Thomas Arrowsmith with 24 and a best of five for 41; Ben Moore with 16 and a best of five for 21; Riyaz Shaikh with 15 and a best of three for 24.

Chris Kay was the lead catcher, snapping up nine opponents, with Ben Moore and Harry Stride taking five catches each.

And now possibly the best saved for last. Our Friendly XI were affected by the weather on several mid-weeks but of those five matches played, they won all of them to maintain a magnificent 100 per cent record for the entire season. Retirements for batsmen and limited overs for bowlers allowed so many to get involved.

Leading run scorers were – Chris Kay with 138 runs, followed by Oliver Davies with 75, Phil Hogarth with 58 and Michael Hanson with 53. Top scorer was Chris Kay with 43 not out. The leading partnership was 51 runs from Michael Hanson and Andrew Arrowsmith.

Leading wicket takers were – Harry Stride and Phil Hogarth with five wickets each, and Thomas Arrowsmith with three.

Harry Stride took four catches with Chris Kay, Graham Harding, Nick Alexander all taking two catches each.

The last win, was a good win, being the first time we had beaten touring team Twyford & Ruscombe CC since 2018.

We are also blessed to have several seniors who play for Somerset over 60 and over 70. They are Phil Hogarth and Andrew Cook - Phil was part of the team who attempted to beat Surrey in The National 60+ first XI Vase (abandoned due to the rain – for now). The annual presentation evening took place on Saturday, September 21, and the winners were:

Saturday player of the season – Phil Hogarth

Sunday slayer of the season – Thomas Arrowsmith

James Hogarth award – Stephen Cook

Clubman of the year – Graham Harding

Catch of the season – Chris Kay

Blue Parrott – Mike Hanson

Ambulance/helicopter award – Tom Houlton

Eco The Dolphin award – Sunday XI