Sport

Awards night for South West champions

South West Athletic League Champions Wimborne Athletic Club showed off their trophies at the annual Presentation Evening held at Wimborne Town FC’s New Cuthbury last month. Chairman Jason Hall highlighted this success and also told about 150 members and guests of the club’s success in gaining fifth place in the 24-team Wessex Young Athletes League and their contribution to winning the Southern Division UK Young Athletes League as part of the combined Team Dorset. There was special mention for the club’s Under 11 Quadkids squads where the girls squad were third overall in the Wessex League. Biggest cheers of the evening were reserved for Coach of the Year Dave Pearson who also won the Senior Mens Cup and for Paula Hine the under 11s coach and Team Manager who won the Senior Womens Cup. Age group cups were won by Bethany Cassidy and Louis Manning in the under 11s, by Olivia Jones and Rory Connolly in the under 13s, by Lucy Lucas who also won the Female sprint title and Harry Jones in the under 15s, by Amy Darragh who also won the Clare Bailey Trophy for Commitment and Harry Bunting in the under 17s and Ollie Rawles in the under 20s. The best newcomer trophies went to Sam John and Mila Desborough. Will Langridge won the Jonathan Edwards triple jump trophy and in an outstanding first season in the event won silver in the National Championships and was ranked third in the UK. Will was also awarded the Male Outstanding Performance trophy. Emily Shaw won the Female Outstanding Peformance Award after gaining her junior international vest for 3000 metres but was unable to collect her trophy as she is currently mentoring young athletes in Nepal in her gap year. Lucas Jolliffe and Elliott Trickey shared the award for long jump. Harry Ryan was the top hurdler at the club having won the National Prep schools title and every one of his races over the distance. Harry Cleall and Josh Fricker shared the male sprint trophy in an exceptional field of athletes. They were also included in the under 13 boys relay team which broke a club record and were presented with the Hill Ford Team Trophy. Kayla Robbins won best high jumper and Daisy Tyndall best pole vaulter. Leilani Roberts won the Female Throws trophy competing in each of the four throws disciplines with senior Daniel Connolly winning the male trophy in his first season with the club. Tom Jackson, again a relative newcomer to the club won the male middle distance and steeplechase titles while Millie Haynes won the Female Middle Distance trophy. Jakob Roberts has had an outstanding season winning the South West Octathlon and taking the club’s Multi Events trophy. He has now qualified for the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme. A special feature of this year’s awards was the first presentation of the Catherine Rawles Trophy for Under 11, 600 metre running. Catherine is a much missed coach of younger athletes and this award was made to Rosie Gollings who broke the club record for the distance. Relatively new blood for the club was recognised in the work of Emma Plimmer who won the Robin Blackburn Trophy for all round support with officiating and team management and Phil York who won the prestigious Les Phillips Trophy for his major role in the life of the club.

Communities connect through Cricket League sponsor deal

by Lorraine Gibson

After the absence of a sponsor for the Dorset Cricket League during the 2022 season, a new three-year deal has been struck with one of the county’s fastest growing companies. From next April, 76 teams from 40 clubs will play in the Wessex Internet Dorset Cricket League after the Shroton-based firm agreed a deal which will support the league in various ways, benefiting umpires as well as players and clubs. The deal also includes sponsorship of the T20 Cup Competitions, the League Representative XI and the Women’s Leagues within the county. Some of the money will be used to help reduce clubs’ costs and some is earmarked to help encourage and train new umpires. League chairman, Peter Constable said: “We are delighted to be forging a partnership with Wessex Internet, particularly at a time when more and more digital technology is coming into the game at grassroots level. “Some clubs already use a phone app or laptop for scoring matches, some of which can be followed live online from all over the world. “It’s possible for clubs to stream matches live over the internet and we may even see some of the other technology used in the professional game filter down to club cricket. “Wessex Internet, by bringing fibre connections to rural areas of Dorset, are the ideal company to with at this time and we look forward to working with them over the next three years.” Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO of Wessex Internet, said: “We’re excited to enter this three-year agreement to sponsor the Dorset Cricket League. “A local internet service provider, we work with communities to connect them to ultrafast full fibre broadband. “We recognise the vital role that local sports clubs play in community life and are delighted to be able support cricket clubs across the county.” Based near Blandford, the company’s mission is to build a full fibre network connecting even the most remote countryside neighbourhoods - from Cranborne Chase to the Dorset coastline, and out to rural South Somerset.

OWZAT: DCL chairman Peter Constable with Sally Sommers of Wessex Internet

More trial days at popular bowls club

East Dorset Indoor Bowls Club is extending its invitation for trial open days until January 2023. You can go along on the 28th or 29th for a free session with coaching and equipment provided. With six well-maintained rinks and electronic score boards they promise that you will have fun and be made welcome. Bowling offers mental as well as physical stimulation, particularly during the winter months, and on a recent visit to the club at TwoRiversmeet in Christchurch, BBC TV highlighted the sport’s Covid-related benefits. Recent events such as a quiz night and fancy dress evenings were well attended and they intend to arrange more events for 2023. There is easy parking and bus services are on the doorstep. Call 01202 483317, email frontoffice@eastdorset ibc.org.uk or visit eastdorsetibc.org.uk.

Legend Phil has guests in a spin

BOWLED OVER: Phil, centre, with, from left, Nigel Smith of Ellis Jones Solicitors, and Rowen Pestana, Matt Lee and Alan Hooks of Julius Baer International Limited

Cricket legend Phil Tufnell had guests in a spin at the Dorset’s Sporting Club’s autumn lunch. He turned back the clock with favourite memories and hilarious anecdotes from his time in the game as well as colourful tales from his TV and media career following retirement from the sport. The charismatic spin bowler – who took 121 test match wickets for England – was guest speaker at the latest lunch sponsored by law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors and supported by Julius Baer International Limited. Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones, said: “Phil was brilliant company. “It was a privilege to have such a legend of the game and born raconteur with us for a very enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. “Phil was incredibly generous with his time and memories, sharing his thoughts on the some of the great players he faced during his career as well as insights into the modern game and his life as a TV personality. “Our sporting lunches have gone from strength to strength following their return after the Pandemic, and welcoming Phil was one of the highlights so far.” Ellis Jones has offices in East Street, in Wimborne town centre. The lunch was held at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Sandbanks. Alan Hooks, head of private clients, Julius Baer International Ltd, added: “Phil had endless stories and insights during a superb afternoon. “It was a pleasure to support the latest sporting lunch with Ellis Jones Solicitors.” Phil – nicknamed ‘the cat’ – played 42 test match and 20 one-day internationals for England. He represented Middlesex County Cricket Club from 1986 to 2002, and took a total of 1,057 first class wickets in the English game.

A couple of wily old trout get the fish!

The intrepid Poole and Wimborne Fly Fishers made their way over the Wiltshire border to Avon Springs Trout Fishery, writes Gordon Wray. It’s a favourite of the Fly Fishers, always loads of action from fast and furious fish. But not this time! We think it might have had something to do with the hot weather... 21C in the sunshine must have persuaded the fish to take an Indian summer holiday. That’s our excuse anyway... They were elusive and stubborn and refused to be caught. Only the most wily of our anglers managed to attract a full bag of four trout. Heaviest bag went to Steve Hemmingway who is certainly a wily old trout himself. His bag tipped the scale at an impressive 13lb 6oz which was enough to take the prize. Pictured above is Steve with our chairman Mike Slater who also achieved his bag of four. Congratulations Steve!