TOPBOTTOM

Younger brother of Mark, Chris appeared in a couple of games during ’97 and ’98 when we were short but didn’t start playing regularly until 2002.

Primarily batting in the lower order and used as an occasional seamer, he was catapulted into an opening berth under Simon’s captaincy in 2004. A batsman in the Malcolm Pitts mould, he certainly wasn’t there as a pinch hitter, being seen more as the foil to opening partner Charlie’s blade.

It was a tactic that had mixed success, the highlights being two big partnerships, 90 and 121, against the Durham University XI, the second of which included Chris’ highest score of 39. The experiment though came to an end with the emergence of Alister as an opener during 2005.

Back down the order, Chris was left to concentrate on his bowling, coming off a short run he still generates reasonable pace and can deliver a very effective swinging Yorker. There remains room for improvement, especially directional control, but that didn’t stop him picking up the bowlers trophy in 2006 and he will be looking for his fiftieth wicket during 2009.

Off the field Chris is one of the mainstays of the club, always involved on the morning of a match, he specialises with the rough-cut mower and is an ever present at work parties and fund raisers.

His biggest impact though, has been the single handed development of this website which he began in 2003 and now maintains with his brother. He has also written a fact rich short history of the club inspired by his interest in genealogy.(MH 2009)