Rob Wilson, Midweek Captain
Rob is a modest guy who took some persuading to be our featured Player of the Month for April. With a little arm twisting, he finally agreed.
“After several years of playing against The Bears I got to know some of the players well and was impressed by their success on the field. Saltford Fairway famously bowled the Bears out for 26 in one of many of their League winning seasons. I was in the Saltford team that day, the only win I remember against them.
It was 2004 and a new era for Bear Flat. Dave Godman had stood down as captain after a long and successful reign as captain, and was replaced by the experienced Chris Bence. I went into the team as wicket keeper/middle order batsman. During that season I was dropped – an early low point of my BFCC career and after considering retirement, I applied myself with new enthusiasm and became a better player for it.
Bear Flat CC has given me some wonderful memories on and off the field and I’m looking forward to creating more this season. I have developed some good friends and the social side of the club is a major part of the club’s success. My cricketing performance has improved and I achieved my highest score to date of 140 not out. I had the honour to become Club Captain from 2008-2009, stepping down to make way for Mark ‘The Saviour’ Gunning to make a welcome return to the club”.
Mark ‘The Saviour’ Gunning has this to say of Rob: “Rob is a captain’s dream, can bat with control and dynamism, can catch, can keep wicket (his performance in the Somerset Cup last year against Frome was frankly just outstanding) and can bowl beautiful little off spinners. Rob’s greatest asset though is his attitude – he is professional and considered in his approach to the game and his position within the team. As a team member he is supportive, genuine and a very talented cricketer, who could have played at a higher level if he had wished, bur remained loyal to The Bears. In recent years Rob has become the Saturday XI’s very own psychologist, something at which he has excelled. In conclusion, Rob is somebody I would always want in my side, not only as a player, but as a class act cricketer and most importantly an old pal.”
Rob believes for a young player it was character building to play alongside some of The Bears’ legends, Simon Cox, Dave Godman, Stuart Bradley, Richard Colledge and Alastair Platt.
“As seasons have passed, it is now my turn to be part of the ‘old guard’ and I see the younger players buying into the ethos of BFCC. We have a talented group of young players, and the club will give them the opportunity to score runs, take wickets and win games for us”.
“My career highlight is the cup runs, playing at the home of west country cricket, Somerset Cricket Club, at the county ground in Taunton. Walking out on to the pitch with a bunch of lads who are your friends was a great experience, in front of our amazing supporters. We have a unique team dynamic, shored up by some very social away trips, with everyone contributing. The Bears team spirit is second to none. It was disappointing to lose the final the first time round, but in true Bears fashion, we came back the following year to lift the cup, demonstrating the true character of the club.
My ambition for this season is return to Taunton, playing in the Intermediate cup, and get back to playing with more freedom”.
An ambition likely to be shared by the whole squad of Bear Flat Cricket Club!
