Bluntisham Cricket Club have started preparations for the start of the 2020 season. Therefore, it seems an appropriate time to quickly review the 2019 campaign - another very successful one for the club.
During the winter months, a number of new players had arrived at the club. Former Cambridgeshire all-rounder Martin Burton joined as well as Bevis Moynan, Will Tatman, Andrew Shaw and returning batsman Zunair Shahid.
On the field, things started well with the club defeating Chatteris in a friendly by 41 runs.
1st team
The 1st team got off to a flyer in Senior 3 having come up from Junior 1 North the previous year. Stuart Cornwell's side won seven out of their first nine league games, with one cancellation.
Rory Fenton, who finished highest in the batting averages, scored his second club hundred against Yelling in a 117 run victory.
On Saturday 22nd of June, the village hosted a beer festival at Bluntisham Park which coincided with the 1st teams home match against Isleham. On the day, in front of a packed crowd, Martin Burton helped secure a four-wicket win in which he picked up a five-wicket haul (5-25).
Despite their great start to the season, the 1sts did exit the CCA Invitation Cup against Barrington in the first round (quarter-finals).
Blunty continued their league dominance thought, ending the season with five straight victories. The only losses they suffered in the division last season was against eventual winners Sawston & Babraham 2nds.
A 70-run win against Girton, with Martin Burton top-scoring with 58 and taking four wickets, secured promotion to the Senior 2 Division with two games to spare.
Will Grant picked up his best-ever bowling figures in the final game of the season against Cottenham with 6-16.
The 1sts finished the campaign second in the CCA Senior 3 Division behind SBCC, making it back-to-back promotions in what continues to be an incredible era in the club's history!
2nd team
Bluntisham's 2nd team didn't start the 2019 campaign well, struggling for availability in the opening matches. Losing five of their first eight games, including having to default against March Town 3rds, survival was very much the aim of the game.
However, the arrival of Will Tatman, helped bring newfound confidence. Along with Mike Davis at the top of the order, the opening pair blossomed as did the 2nd team's form.
Nothing proved this more than a 10 wicket victory against Wilburton 2nds. After the bowlers did the work in dismissing Wilburton for 130, Davis (55*) and Tatman (56*) knocked off the runs in just 17.1 overs.
Other memorable moments include George Davies' five-wicket haul (5-32) away to Wimblington 2nds. Rory Fenton managed his third club hundred against the same opponents in the return leg scoring 113 not out.
Mark Allen's side won five of their last eight to finish mid-table, a much fairer assessment of the side's capability.
Midweek XI
The Midweek XI couldn't quite make it three promotions in as many years, finishing mid-table in the Cambs Business House League Division 2.
The team won three matches (including one opposition conceded) and lost three matches.
Season highlights
Other memorable moments from the season include the club hosting its first-ever match involving an international side.
On the 6th of May, Cambs & Hunts Women entertained Netherlands Women at Bluntisham Cricket Club in the Royal London One Day Cup.
The Netherlands won the match by 8 wickets it what was a thoroughly entertaining contest.
Cambridgeshire Ladies returned to BCC later on in the summer to play Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire in a T20 Round Robin tournament.
Bluntisham's Zara Dighton also recorded her first 50 for Huntingdonshire vs Oxfordshire. As a result, along with contributions in the senior 2nd team, she won the club's Young Player of the Year award.
Info regarding the 2020 season will be released over the coming weeks, including details on the Quiz Night, AGM and 2020 Fixture Lists.
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