Parker’s efforts are rewarded
ONE of Southport and Birkdale’s quietest but most effective servants was honoured last Friday evening when Paul Parker was the recipient of the prestigious Peter Fay Memorial Trophy at a well-attended and good-humoured Annual Dinner at Trafalgar Road.
In the citation for the award Parker was praised not only for his conscientious work as club secretary but also for his “investment of time and effort into making S&B the sort of ground where it is a pleasure to both watch and play cricket”.
“Paul is totally reliable, trustworthy and just gets on with the job” said club chairman, Tony Elwood. “Whether fulfilling his secretarial responsibilities or organising any number of working parties, he carries out his duties without any complaint or show-boating.”
However, a host of other S&B members were also honoured on an evening which celebrated S&B’s promotion back to the ECB Premier League and the very successful hosting of Lancashire’s match against Durham in July.
Under 11s coach Neil Crew, whose sons, Tom and Peter, were pictured playing cricket with the Durham players in one of the most famous cricket photographs of the season, received the Don Stringfellow trophy for his work in a number of capacities, including junior administration and club website designer.
Several S&B players were also honoured. The Clare and Harry Holford Trophy was presented to Nick Knight, whose superb unbeaten half-century against Maghull helped S&B to a vital one-wicket victory in June and also maintained the club’s revival after a dismal first third of the season.
The first XI bowler of the year was Andy Warhurst, whose 37 wickets in the second half of the season re-established him as one of the most underestimated seamers in the MI Dental Liverpool Competition.
The first team batting award went to Chris Brownlow, who made 529 runs.
THE first of the Mid-Lancs Cross Country League matches was held in Astley Park, Chorley, although runners had little time to admire the magnificent Hall.
In excellent weather the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athletes performed strongly, none more so than Under 17 Adam Jones who ran a mature race beating off the challenge of a Kendal runner to coast home first.
He was supported by Ross Harrison in fourth spot and with Matt Richardson, Joe Gordon and Glenn Sherwin well placed the team title was secure.
At U15 Tom Dickinson was a strong 7th and he had new-comer Tom Corcoran and Matthew Russo for company.
At U13 Jake Dickinson (11th) led the way, followed by a string of other promising runners in the shape of Nicolas Usher, Liam Harrison, Alex Procter, Sean and Matthew French, Daniel Rathbone, Jack Hitchmough and Alec Bridges.
The strength of the U11s was similarly encouraging with Isaac Dickinson, James Roberts, James Read, Jamie Cowen and Josh Price running well.
The U11 girls were led by Lucy Bousfield (16th) just in front of sister Chloe and Abigail Slater.
At U13 there were three who completed - Olivia Morgan, Ruth Usher and Libby Houghton.
Lois Owen was first home for the club in the U15 race in 10th place with Amelia Hitchmough, Fran Price, Isobel Fearon and Annabel Corlett completing a team. Flossie Dickenson (6) and Harriet Foley (7) were impressive in the U17 Women’s race.
Only two seniors showed Vicky Jones (115) and Danny Gilbody (107).
It was a good day for the club though with numerous results in the lower age groups in particular to delight coaches and management.