The 2012 season was successful. Games were won and lost in varying proportions but the crowning achievement of the year was the successful return to Valentia Island in September. On this occasion Ashford claimed the “Captain Halpin trophy.” Captain Halpin was a Wicklow man who had lain the communication cable between Valentia and New York in the nineteenth century. The trophy itself included a piece of the original cable. Thus was the connection between Ashford and Valentia made permanent and it is to be hoped that the annual match between the two sides will be a highlight of each clubs calendar.

Oakhill cricket club During the Winter of 2012/13 playing facilities were offered to the club at Oak Hill, in Kilbride near Wicklow. This offer came from Peter Savill who has developed a private cricket ground and pavilion facilities second to none in Ireland. It was indeed a fantastic offer and would provide the Ashford members with facilities beyond their wildest dreams.

For the 2013 season the team played as Oak Hill Taverners and enjoyed the hospitality and playing facilities at Oak Hill. The facilities did help to improve the skills of the team and it was evident that other teams who were aware of the ground were more than willing to come to Oak Hill. It has to be said that the season resulted in some defeats, the most hurtful of these being the return to Valentia in September. However, this was followed by a social outing to Marbella in Spain in October.

While the story for 2014 has yet to be written it has been established that Peter Savill’s facilities at Oak Hill continue to be available and that the team will play there as “Ashford Cricket Club”