Dedication founding member Joel Thomas has announced his departure from the Dedication squad for 2011. Rumours are circulating that Thomas was asked to leave by teammates due to his lack of mental fortitude. With a hot summer coming up, and the possibility of extra drinks breaks, it is understood the players felt the team couldn't afford the automatic loss of a wicket every time drinks are taken.
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The total weight of the Dedication squad will see a marked decrease in 2011 with the loss of Kale McBain. Whilst McBain's strike rate has always been good, selectors are understood to be looking for batsmen that can last more than 4 deliveries. Speculation is mounting about who will fill McBain's rather large shoes.
The 2010 MDP vote count was an extremely close affair, but in the end Jake Sluiter's consistency across the week got him over the line. Joel McMahon was once again selected in the Lencia XI for the best players from the tournament.
The Horse's Ass award was a shock for many, with an unexpected winner. Captain Geoffrey Pascoe won the award thanks to some loose bowling on day 4, coming from nowhere to upset odds on favourite Kyle Moore. Dedication have taken out third place at the 2010 Willowfest tournament, winning thethird place playoff by 15 runs. A sluggish start, with poor performances in the first twogames, saw Hutt River miss out on the playoff for first place, but the team pulled it togetherfor the second half of the week, winning the final three games. The count for the Sovereign'sMDP award, to be held at the presentation dinner tonight, is set to be one of the closestin the club's history.
With just one day of play left in Willowfest 2010, there is an extremely tight race for both of the traditional Dedication awards. For the first time in many years, there is no clear frontrunner for the Sovereign's MDP award. Kale McBain was tipped to top the votes on day 1, whilst Jake Sluiter's heroics on day 2 had many tipping him for the prize. Joel Thomas, however, has raced into contention with some magnificent bowling in games 3 and 4, whilst other consistent performers such as Joel McMahon cannot be ruled out.
The race for the Horse's Ass Award is even tighter, with the points currently showing a four-way tie for first place. The names and scores of those leading have not been released, but Hutt River officials have confirmed that there are five players in with a real chance of this dubious honour. The favourites amongst fans for the award are Kyle Moore, Warren Sparkes and Captain Sir Geoff Pascoe, but officials have refused to comment on these rumours. Hutt River Dedication has been hit with a shock just three days before Willowfest 2010 with the withdrawal of Adam Nicholson from the squad. With his withdrawal coming so close to the tournament, it is understood that a replacement will not be selected, and Hutt River will go into the tournament with a squad of 11 players. Speculation is rampant about who will open the batting in Nicholson's place, with new recruit Warren Sparkes throwing his hat into the ring today. Whilst Sparkes is very keen to open, selecters are understood to be less enthusiastic.
Former Dedication player Chris Hope has been announced as the final member of the Hutt River Dedication squad for 2010. Hope played for Dedication for two years, before abandoning the club to start his own rival outfit, the Halls Enforcers. Despite besting Dedication in their only encounter, the Enforcers proved to be lacking in longevity, folding after only one year. Hope is understood to have begged Dedication officials for a second chance, and will need to perform in order to justify the selectors' gamble on such a controversial player.
Loyal Hutt River Dedication fan Warren Sparkes was today announced in the squad for the 2010 Willowfest tournament. Sparkes has been trying to push his way into the team for many years, and was understood to have campaigned hard for his inclusion this year. He will bring some much needed arrogance to the Dedication line up, and is expected to open the batting.
All but one of the twelve spots on the Dedication squad have now been announced. Fans are unsure who the final spot will go to, with several candidates in contention. Rumours are circulating that the final selection will come as a shock to many of the Dedication faithful, but selectors have indicated they are not afraid of making tough decisions for the good of the team. Hutt River Dedication officials today announced the return of former player Kyle Moore to the squad for Willowfest 2010. Moore left the team under controversial circumstances in 2007 to join Chris Hope's Halls Enforcers. With that team folding after just one year, however, Moore is understood to have regretted the decision ever since, and came back begging for a game at Dedication.
Moore's appoint was contentious, given his unstable temperament. Just two days ago, Moore was given a tech foul at a crucial stage in a basketball grand final, a foul which many fans believe cost his team the game. Dedication fans will be hoping that Moore can keep that temper under control whilst playing for Hutt River. Selectors appear to be showing no mercy towards poor performing players in their bid to put together the strongest team Dedication has seen. Following news of the axing of Bill Barber earlier in the week, today two further players from the 2009 squad were dropped for this year's tournament. Troy Nicholson and Ashley Spencer, both 20-game players for Dedication, will not be returning in 2010. Spencer's continual refusal to attend presentations and accept the Horse's Arse Award is understood to have been a factor in the selectors' decision.
Replacements are yet to be announced for the three players dropped so far, but speculation is rife amongst Dedication fans as to who will be brought in. Rumours about the possible signing of long time fan Warren Sparkes continue to circulate, along with growing rumours that a past player may be returning. Captain Geoff Pascoe refused to comment on this speculation, saying only that "Further announcements will be made in the coming days." Vice Captain Tyler Hankinson added that "there will be some surprises in the final squad announcement." |
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