Farnham Cricket Club paid tribute to one of their most popular and gifted players, Harpreet Singh, at a special social evening at the Park on Saturday.
Harpreet, 'Happy' to team-mates and opponents alike, returned to India this week and is unlikely to play again for Farnham after an injury- troubled season.
After playing cricket for 12 months a year for nearly a decade, Harpreet's shoulder gave under the strain this summer and he was only able to play spasmodically for Farnham in the Surrey Championship.
Had he been at his best, with his top-class off-spin and swashbuckling batting, Farnham would almost certainly have avoided relegation from the Premier Division.
Farnham sorely missed the prodigious turn and bounce normally obtained by the Indian ace who, in the nine summers he has played, has been one of the most respected bowlers in the league.
"He's been a fantastic player, but, more than that, he's the nicest guy you're ever likely to meet and a proper gentleman," said long-serving bowler and captain, Chic Stedman, who was instrumental in bringing Harpreet to Farnham.
"It's been brilliant having him in the side, but he does need a break after all the cricket he's played."
On Saturday, Farnham presented Harpreet, who was resident coach at Charterhouse, with a club sweater and cap and a walkman.
There was a nice postscript to Harpreet's time in England. On Friday, he accompanied Chic Stedman to the Surrey Championship dinner at Epsom Racecourse where was able to say goodbye to many of the friends he has made in the league.
The traditional heads-or-tails competition took place and, guess who won it? 'Happy', wearing a spectacular black turban, was the last standing on his chair and pocketed a cool £650.
UMPIRES TRAINING
The Farnham Umpires Association is holding a 10-week training course, starting on November 8 at Wrecclesham. For details, contact Stuart Croucher (01428 714473 or John Gray (01420 473258).