An Awarding Evening

Barmy Kev reports on an enjoyable evening at the Middlesex end of season Players Party, with some quirks. We hear how he is so close to some personal glory. Meanwhile, he’s trying to offer on behalf of MTWD some rewards for our players true glory. 

This was an occasion to celebrate Middlesex CCC season 2013. My main objective of the evening was to present awards for MTWD players of Month for July (Robbo), Aug (Simmo), Sept (Ollie of course) and player of year (Robbo again).   We planned the presentation on many occasions over this period, but at the time it was not possible to present these.   It was agreed with Fletch, who was storing trophies and mini champagnes (still not drunk) for this to be arranged discretely so as not to detract from our valued sponsors Brooks Macdonald awards.   The idea was a presentation at the Tavern before the event and all the players were there except for Fletch, who was delayed with admin matters. 

We then had another presentation attempt as we were mingling before being seated for dinner, but everyone was scattered and my hands were full of complimentary champagne provided at the event.  

 By the time I was seated I thought I should forget about awards and concentrate on enjoying myself.  Last year we had the privilege of sitting next to the late great Norman de Mesquita, with a few other challenging company on our table. It was decided not to risk a random table and we cherry picked in advance the pre booked Seaxe Club table.  

The food and company was much to our liking. As I finished my main course the players were in my radar for another attempt for the MTWD awards presentation. Deep sigh, at that time speeches were about to start, so sadly for me the official awards had to take precedence.  Thanks to Jonathan Winsky here’s the link to awards with some other highlights. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRqyKICYNW4. If you listen carefully you can here me cheering in the background. A comment in my earshot was made that Dext’s 90 at Oval won award as best innings of season which was very valuable in context of game, but there were many bigger, valuable scores in our season.  Discuss?

 Previous years we had Shaggy as the MC who did a very able job.  While Roger Dakin helped evening flow, he unsuccessfully tried some stand up comedy with some tasteless jokes that really didn’t go down well with the majority present,

 The fun started up again with a higher and lower game. Everyone was asked to stand up. A statistic was given with 2 answers and you had to put your hand up on which one you thought was right. If you were correct you stayed standing, if not sit down. The first question was based on Robbo’s career runs total I went for highest and was right, Robbo I noted was sitting after that question. Stats about Strauss runs for England, Simmo's catches, Murts wicket tally and Dext County championship catches 28 or 34 it had to be 34.  There were five 50/50 questions I somehow got them all right was this luck or intuition? I was invited on stage with 6 other remaining contestants. This gave an opportunity for Mr Dakin to take the p out of my waistcoat. Then there was a question- which direction does Eros face- Regent Street or Piccadilly? What’s that to do with cricket? I went wrongly for minority answer and was a case of my star turn being a "IF ONLY"

Looking for inspiration

Gus's then made his speech. It was almost a replica from the forum and I remember he used the word “frustration” lots. I commented to my wife I predict he will say “frustrating” 7 times. I was spot on, but no prizes for that. He added jokes to Rossington something about his captaincy, “thick” fast bowlers and with Strauss about his choice of newspaper for his serialisation!

Then Sir Ollie was called up, the only attendee at a black tie event with a white tie. There was banter between him and Gus about his wicket haul at the Oval not going to his head, while mentioning he asking to be addressed by teammates as “ Laker”. It was then announced Ollie is engaged, which is good news until it was also announced Tim Murtagh is organising his stag weekend.   Congrats Ollie. He left the stage to a well deserved standing ovation.     

There was a MTWD victory for the second year running. Seaxe Man won a raffle prize. He is being persuaded on doing a match report on how he is going to put these to good use,

 I Luvit rounded off proceedings with a very upbeat speech. The emphasis I recall was “oh well at least we are not in Surrey’s position”.

 A good time was being had and I was well away in various conversations.  Then Fletch approached me saying our players are up for their MTWD awards. At this stage I wasn’t up for it, but hey ho this is the absolute final chance so here goes.    As you can see they were kind of well received despite not the way we imagined.

Recieved with staight bat

 Excuse me award, gatecrasher?

Let's all do an Ollie

He's been on fire for us

Time to go home and another memorable evening to round off the season.

Winter well everybody.