End of Season Dinner, 2025

The season closed in style at the Bat & Ball in Hambledon, where a good-humoured crowd gathered for the end-of-season awards dinner. Proceedings began with the President's Grace, then a heartfelt thanks to the umpires, scorers, and organisers whose steady work made the summer’s fixtures run as smoothly as a well‑rolled wicket.

A commemorative stump was presented to new donor Ray Mead, marking his support for the club’s future. On to the silverware. Dave Henderson took the Nigel Lovett‑Turner batting trophy after a season of composed run‑making; Neil Wood claimed the Bowrel Bowl for his 29 wickets, Rafi Abdeen was named Young(ish) Player of the Season, and the prestigious Dom Rock trophy went to Paul Whittle, saluting the kind of behind‑the‑scenes graft every club relies on.

There was sparkle beyond the trophies: a lively Champagne Raffle, a bottle of red wine spilled whilst demonstrating a golf swing, a neatly judged speech by Gerry Northwood, and Taylor’s Port was awarded to Jim Morris and Steve Blackburn for their services to Broadhalfpenny Down (and to Port Drinking), which was met with broad smiles.

The consensus was simple and sincere: a notably good year; sunshine galore, more runs than ever, and more friends to share it with.