Well, our Double Championship Dinner at The Marriott exceeded all expectations last Friday in that a record 216 members & guests came along to have a great time and show support for the Club after our fantastic year in 2013!
Chairman Mark led the way with the formalities, acting as Master of Ceremonies as well as saying a few words of his own…and, to quote Chief Guest Chris Cowdrey, Mark’s performance was “masterful”!
And ex Kent & Glamorgan all-rounder & England Test Captain Chris was not bad either! A typically high quality Cowdrey performance – so effortless & smooth throughout, very entertaining & everyone was glad they were there to have thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks a lot Chris!
Tyrone O’Sullivan OBE spoke, extolling the virtues of the Club off the field & the role it plays in the development of its younger players. Tyrone, a most loyal supporter of MCC, was typically passionate, sincere & effusive whilst on his feet – not one to waste a word, you could here a pin drop when he was addressing the room. So, many thanks to Tyrone as well.
Chris Nelson & Phil Roche were presented with the Premier League & WWCA Cups respectively by SWPCL Chairman Paul Morgan & WWCA Secretary Geoff Rees.
Finally, Junior Cricket Coordinator Steve Davies was made a Life Member of the Club by Chairman Mark Portsmouth. Without Steve’s prior knowledge, this had been unanimously & enthusiastically agreed by the Committee in recognition of Steve’s extraordinary and much valued contribution in the development of our Junior players over many years. So many people, be they the players he has helped, their families, the members who regularly come to watch our Senior XIs containing Steve’s “products” or their more senior teammates, have benefitted from Steve’s efforts. Well done, Steve, and MANY congratulations!
A list of glittering prizes ensured a bumper raffle, raising funds towards our eventual extension of the Clubhouse lounge facility. Also, the auction of an Ospreys Shirt especially signed for our event by The Club’s Five 2013 British Lions raised £150 for The Velindre Cancer Centre – the Ospreys’ chosen charity this season. And the Baglow Boys presented Paul Davies, Macmillan Cancer Support Regional Manager, South West Wales, with a cheque for £2050 being the money Team Owain raised from the Round Gower Walk last September.
The Club thanks ALL those who joined the party on Friday night and for making it such a successful and memorable occasion!
See you all in the summer!