Silver Boot Dinner and Awards 2015

Friday the 13th November saw the annual Outcasts' Silver Boot dinner, this year organised by Paul ("Raging Bull") Mooney.  Early birds convened at 5.30 at the Briton’s Protection pub, renowned for its congenial atmosphere and good range of real (though expensive!) ales.

The Outcasts moved on at around 7.00 pm to the Rajdoot Restaurant on Albert Square, the chosen venue for this year's Silver Boot meal.  Altogether, 23 Outcasts and guests sat down for the meal, apologies having been received from Bob and late in the day from skipper Les, and stumper Tony.  All were badly missed.  Most of the diners chose the set menu - meat or veggie.  The food was tasty, the drinks copious, and the company delightful.

After dinner came the presentations, with Colin and Paul Graveling doing their usual double act.  In a particularly strong field for the Champagne Moment this year, Ted Noone held off all competition on the strength of his spectacular one-handed catch in the first match of the season against Reynolds.

Roger Dewhurst deservedly won the Golden Duck on the back of his 100% turn-out; his splendid bowling and fielding; and his help with team selection via his web site availability chart.  Indeed, Roger figured prominently in the voting for all three awards.

The final award, the prestigious Silver Boot for player of the season, went to skipper Les Cooper.  He was cited for his committed captaincy; leadership by example; and never-say-die attitude.  His contribution this year was that of a genuine 'allrounder'.  He was the main wicket-taker with 12, and his batting, including running between the wickets, helped to swing the last two games in Outcasts' favour.  Steve Ramsden collected the award in Les's absence, and undertook to deliver it in person.

After the Rajdoot, a select handful of Outcasts carried on to the City Arms close to the Town Hall.  I do hope that there was no confusion here, and that some went to the other City Arms near Deansgate / Castlefield tram station by mistake!

All in all a truly memorable time was had by all, and Paul Mooney is to be congratulated for his organisation and his choice of venues.  Excellent.

 Ted receives the Champagne Moment trophy from Colin.
























Eric presents the Golden Duck to Roger





















CW

16 November 2015

OUTCASTS’ GOLF DAY – WILLIAM  WROE GOLF COURSE, FLIXTON – FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2015

After a couple of very wet golf days, it was a nice change  to turn up at William Wroe golf course in Flixton this year on a lovely warm afternoon with the sun breaking through at regular intervals.  There were only five participants this year, due to other members’ prior commitments, so it was decided to have an individual, rather than a team competition.  The famous five being Ron Truesdale and Les Cooper (from last year’s winning team),  Bob Sproat, thankfully recovered from his nasty injury at Warrington, Nick Thompson and Ted Noone.

The usual ‘negotiations’ around handicaps took place, with Ron generously accepting a punitive 20 handicap, on the basis that he plays more regularly than most, with the rest of the group playing off 28.  On the first tee, club captain Les suggested offering a ‘mulligan’ to each player for their first tee shot, an offer that was gratefully received by all, with Ted wishing that there had been a second mulligan on offer!

The first prize was up for grabs on the short 6^th hole.  Neither of the first group, consisting of Les and Bob managed to keep the ball on the green.  In the following group, Nick’s ball came to rest on the green, about 20ft from the pin, only for Ron to sneak in and finish about 4 feet nearer to claim the prize. 

At the half way point, there wasn’t a huge amount between the scores, but Nick was just in front.  The longest drive was contested on the 12^th hole, with the long and difficult 18^th being held in reserve in case nobody stayed in the fairway.  Neither of the first group managed it, and it came down to Ted driving off last to hit one of his only straight drives of the day to win the spoils.

Nick’s round continued to improve and when the scores were totted up, he was the clear winner with an impressive 35 Stableford points.  The other scores were quite close and all in the 20s, with Les coming in second with 28 points, followed by Bob, then Ron, with Ted bringing up the rear.  The informal meeting of the handicap committee agreed that Ron and Nick should play off a handicap of 24 next time, with the rest off 28.

Prizes were handed out in the Bird I’th’Hand, and there will be a formal presentation of the Keith Ambrey trophy to Nick at the annual Silver Boot dinner in November.

TN16/9/15