Outwood Cricket Club 
2007 Kent County Village League 1st XI Runners-Up
2006 Kent County Village League 1st & 2nd XI Champions
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Soops Complete The Double

2nd XI Captain Gary Ponsford Salutes His Team

What started out as a hopeful dream turned into a season of absolute bliss, as the team, which started out as Outwood 2^nd XI, gained so much momentum that they became known as “The Torrey Canyons”,  ploughing their way through high seas on their way to the becoming the first Outwood side to ever win a title.

From the core of players, through to the occasionals, such as George Beach, Chris Isaac, Richard Smith and the extremely occasional Matt Winfield (shome mishtake surely?), everyone gave of their best and no one ever let the side down. This triumph was a triumph for the club and its new found depth. The team ethic was alive and well throughout the whole season and, for this, everyone who participated should be congratulated. We only experienced one small blip, when losing to the next best side, namely Groombridge, but even in defeat a brave performance from a large number of non regulars was only thwarted at the final hurdle.  

Ponsford, surrounded by his team, calls Barham to find out
the name of his 11^th man

     The side were driven on by “Cookie’s Dream”. That old man of the sea, as well as David “Claude Raines” Rose, should be thanked in no small part for laying the foundations over the past few years in order that we were able to reap the rewards this year. There were some superb individual performances this year and those who were responsible know how valuable were their contributions, but the overriding force was that of the team. We were unstoppable and went about our business in a professional manner (eh?).

Bottom line is, we were the best team because we believed we were No one else had that same self belief. The amount of help we received from the usual faces within the club (Barham, Cook, Cutter, Christie, Last, Beach, Mills) was unbelievable. Oh and I nearly forgot “My Bird”, Andrea, who regularly phoned everyone to brighten up their dull lives, as well as speaking to Keith until midnight when I had just got in after a15 hour day and for also doing the teas.

Champagne moment of the year was Chris Isaac, the only fielder on the leg side, catching an exocet from the Horsmonden batsman. This was the catch which won us a game we very much looked Like losing and , ultimately, won us the title, as Horsmonden were our then nearest rivals.

Most encouraging? Ashley Middleton behind the stumps. Funniest moment? First game of the season. Withyham away. Baldry goes up with huge oscar nominated appeal against a veteran batsman, who looks like he’s seen it all and is weary of life. Appeal turned down. More histrionics. Batsman turns around to everyone and in a dry sarcastic manner says, “Ooooh, look, it’s an aggravated skin’ead!”

Anyway, here’s to next year and hoping that Matt Winfield will become the regular we thought he would this year. Those who couldn’t make it missed an almighty 12 hour drinking session at the club on the day the title was won. Messrs Baldry, Matthews, Garrett, Milton, Stevens, Knight (C), Seshan, Ponsford, Last, Barham, Cook, Rose and Mills were there. The first eight names were still there in the morning and were kindly cooked breakfast by the woman of the man behind the dream, Roger Nelson Cook. Geoff Last made a heart touching speech, which was appreciated by all……………as were the amount of drinks he bought. Modesty prevents me from informing everyone who won the Captains challenge of running naked across the field and back at about two in the morning, but I’ll give you a clue. I didn’t finish second.

                Oh, by the way, I don’t think the 2^nd XI were the only side in the club to win a title this year, albeit the first. Well done lads. Great seasons all round.

Gary Ponsford