With these past couple of days seeing the tourists play their first few games in Cape Town, this marks what was another very busy term for the UWMCC.
The highlight of the term was, once again, undoubtedly the close fought Varsity victory over Coventry. With the 2s and 3s results of recent years being reversed (and Khatri ending his Varsity career without a single win) the 1s once again played extremely well under huge amounts of pressure to defeat an extremely accomplished and confident Coventry. Ben Marjot, after 4 years of outstanding Varsity performances, looked a class above everyone else on the pitch to lead the UWMCC to victory and ensure that we were able to complete a hat- trick of varsity wins. This year we were arguably the underdogs to a Coventry outfit who have practiced for last six months with Varsity in mind and therefore John Faal deserves huge credit for masterminding the victory.
Outside of Varsity, the club’s indoor BUCS team managed to finish a respectful third in the midlands division whilst Jack Jewson’s Coventry indoor side went one better than last term to remain unbeaten and top the league. These leagues have been invaluable in giving playing opportunities to the fresh and 3s/4s and friendly members respectively. I would once gain like to extend my gratitude to Jamie Spires and Nick James from Complete Cricket Midlands who have coached the club’s squads this year and our sponsors Kingfisher who have made it possible for us to further invest in our coaching set up. Enthusiasm and attendance at net sessions has been good and this will hopefully stand us in good stead for the summer ahead.
The UWMCC has once again been as active off the field as it is on the field. Many brave clubmen ran, despite illness and other debilitating conditions, to complete the Balckminster Half Marathon and raise £3458 for the British Heart Foundation. The penultimate week of term saw the club hold its Tour Quiz and Curry fundraiser in association with our Sponsors Kingfisher Larger. This event witnessed a huge turnout to support the lads with the ‘Sesh Crèche’ being crowned this years quiz champions. Last term saw the return of our ‘Coaching in Schools’ programme with several club members volunteering their time in three local primary schools to teach the game we love and that is dying out in our state- school system. Once again several clubmen donated pints of blood at our Blood Donation Day a few weeks ago in Leamington Spa and the UWMCC were crowned champions of the Charity Tennis Tournament.
Next term we hope for good weather so the club can finally begin its outdoor season. The summer will see the 1s looking to maintain their premier league status and the kudos of being one of only two Warwick teams to compete at this level. The 2s, 3s and 4s also look well set to challenge for promotions across the board. Towards the end of term we look forward to Club Day, Alumni Weekend and this year’s Domestic Tour to Newcastle.
Enjoy Easter Chaps!
Knotty