Norton just misses out on promotion.
The last match of the season produced a real nail biter. Rain, desperation to avoid relegation (on the part of our opponents) and a desire to win promotion (on our part) all had a role to play. It turned out to be quite a cliffhanger! Have a look at our match report to see the detail. The league tables show just how close it was. In fact, we were just one batting collapse short of a promotion. D'oh! 9 points would have seen GNCC playing in Division One in 2012. It must be remembered, though, that for a relatively laid-back club like Greens Norton, promotion can be a double-edged sword. We can look back with satisfaction on a good season. It's always good to win the majority of matches - not least because it keeps everyone coming back and wanting to play the following week.(As has been usual this season you can read a summary report here.)
You can see the final averages in the usual place (as long as one of my colleagues has now learnt how to make Excel work properly - I won't tell you what he does for a living). Congratulations must go to Mike Bristow as the leading run scorer (despite being a new dad again) and to Chris Bowmer, once again the leading wicket taker (as well as Club Secretary, part-time groundsman and not-so-new dad). Special mention must be made, too, of Matt "The Wall" Baker who has had an excellent season as opening batsman. More congratulations are bound to be in order and it must be stressed that these are just the editor's observations. More will be published and/or announced at the club's post-season get-together.
On a less pleasing note, I suspect that we are not alone as a club in wishing good riddance to one of the promoted sides. All we can do is to ask of the relevant individuals that they please keep a sense of proportion. After all, it is only a game - one whose outcome can and should be contested in a spirit of healthy competition - but still a game. After all, cricket's essence is fair play.
Sadly, there will be be no update next week as we have to give way to the winter sports. On a personal note all I can say is thank heavens for rugby!