SPORT ROUND-UP

Round -Up

t’s been an interesting time on the football front for Welton Rovers during the Autumn and Winter periods. I

The first team have struggled at times with consistency and at the time of writing find themselves four places above the bottom of the Toolstation Western League First Division. Manager Jared Greenhalgh left the club towards the end of January and the club are searching for a replacement who can revitalise and energize the team.

Meanwhile the Reserves have had an outstanding season so far and sit proudly on top of the Somerset County Division East league. They only suffered their first defeat of the whole season, on the 1st February and if they maintain their excellent form promotion could well be on the cards.

The Under 18’s continue to thrive under the guidance of Aaron Seviour and have had some notable results and it is pleasing to see the number of local youngsters all stepping up and having a go.

On the Social side the club continues to thrive with skittles and functions a main stay of the club. Recently Quiz nights have been introduced on Fridays and a parents and children’s disco also. The Town Council sponsored monthly Social, held on the first Thursday of every month in the clubhouse continues to draw in the crowds for a great afternoon of entertainment.

Up at Norton Down, the Midsomer Norton Rugby 1st Team find themselves in third position of the Tribute Western Counties North league, while having played one game less than the clubs either side of them.

23-12 win. These players have helped the colts to win twelve of their sixteen fixtures this season.

The 2nd Team, after a weak start, have now started to find their feet in their new league Tribute Somerset 1 and on Saturday beat Old Sulians, by a point, the team two places above them.

The third team are mid table in Tribute Somerset 3 South but are struggling with the lack of league fixtures so are having to organise their own games against other local teams. The 3rd team continues to provide an important stepping stone for young players to move into adult rugby.

At Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s AGM the week before Christmas, members reflected on a cricket season which saw the club make important progress on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, First XI skipper Martin Cox reported on the best placed finish, second place in WEPL Prem 2, since the creation of the WEPL pyramid. Winning nine in a row in the second half of the season left the club 13 points short of top spot after beating champions Taunton Deane in the last game of the season. Jake Rowe was the leading run scorer and Dan Chard the leading wicket-taker but the captain emphasised that success was due to teamwork.

On the last weekend of the season, both the Second and Third XIs won their matches to secure promotion. Midsomer Mavericks, Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s women’s cricket team, retained the Somerset Cricket Board’s Softball trophy at Weston Super Mare on the last Sunday in June after beating the top teams from across the county once again.

Off the pitch, new changing facilities were built and opened and an extensive refurbishment of the clubhouse completed. The club received an award from the Town Council at a special community service at St John’s Church in June and hosted the successful Outfield festival in August. Planning is already well in hand for the 2020 event which takes place on 30th August 2020.

Along with the team captains, chairman Graeme King thanked all those who support the club in preparing pitches, making match day teas and refreshments and scoring. The club’s social activities continue to expand with the Friday night socials for younger members and their families proving especially popular.

Meanwhile, Mendip Hockey Club find themselves in something of a purple patch. The Men's first team are unbeaten since the end of November and are currently residing in second place in the Verde Recreo Central division. The Men's second team can boast a 100% record dating back to the end of October and are flying high at the top of West Central 2. With goals coming from a combination

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Not to be outdone, the Ladies' first team have won all but two of their games so far this season, and find themselves clear at the top of East Division. Captain April Callow has some exciting fixtures ahead, with Mendip hoping to get the better of second placed Weymouth and secure the league title.

The Ladies second and third teams have suffered mixed fortunes, but both are holding their own in their respective divisions, and looking to build a strong platform for next season.

Meanwhile, junior coach Cherilyn Carey continues to see an impressive influx of players moving from Sunday morning junior training into the senior ranks.

The club look forward to celebrating some extraordinary hockey when the season draws to a close at Easter.

If this report has wetted your sporting appetite, tune in to Somer Valley FM every Tuesday at 6pm on 97.5FM for all the latest news from Welton Rovers, Midsomer Norton Cricket Club and Midsomer Norton Rugby Club, along with a host of our other local and professional teams. Special thanks go to Charlie Matthews, Carrie Tiley, Bob Allard and Neil Denning for their contributions towards this article.

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