For the first time, all results were reported by clubs directly onto Play Cricket which, despite not always working smoothly, enabled a more efficient web and press reporting regime to be established. However, although some are very helpful, not all the News Organs we send to have given our progress as much space as we would like as the ever growing football coverage expends unabated.
I would like to pay tribute to the Committee Members who have worked hard in carrying out 26 facility audits this season. In addition, David Thomas continued the work of arranging and distributing funds towards courses to clubs from existing funds and is now engaged on investigating new sources. Our 2008 Annual Dinner, with guest speaker Tony Cottey, was a great success and this year's event on October 24th with Mike Hendrick also went very well.
Pershore won Division One 1sts from Barnards Green, in what had been a "two-horse" race for most of the season and Harborne won the 1st XI K.O. Cup defeating Worcester. We wish Pershore every success in the Birmingham League next season and are pleased to note that none of "our" clubs in B&DPL is being relegated back to the County league this time. Indeed Brockhampton won another promotion and Old Elizabethans had a very successful season in B&PDCL Division two. In our Division Two, Droitwich, Romsley and Bewdley will all rejoin the top flight and in Division three, "reluctant" Rushwick eventually clinched the title followed by Dominies and Burghill, who both record successive promotions and all three will play in Division Two next year.
In Division Four South, Canon Frome and Himbleton were Champions and runners up respectively and in the North it was Enville and Hewell who triumphed, and all these will compete in Division three next year. The Second Eleven Champions were Barnards Green, Pedmore, Dominies, Barnards Green 3rds and Enville. The 2nd XI K.O. Cup was won by Astwood Bank in a "bowl out" after two rained out matches against Harborne 4ths
The one team section had Champions in Divisions 5 to 9 of Harvington, Hallow, Kempsey, Harvington 2nds and Rushwick 3rds respectively and congratulations go to all these successful sides.
The Saturday Cup was won by Harvington 2nds who defeated Alvechurch. 2008's Plate final was won by Pershore who beat Enville 3rds in a game held over due to the weather and in this year's final Old Hill 4ths beat Feckenham 3rds.
Our senior representative side won all their games again beating Warwickshire, Staffs and Cotswold Hills Leagues in a good weather period in June/July. Against CWHL, Jonny Summers of Astwood Bank recorded the best ever figures in these matches with 7-14. The U.19s, however, played only one match which they won against Warwickshire with Tom Harris of Astwood Bank taking 5-25. Jon and Tom were both presented with the balls they used at the recent League Dinner.
The new code resulted in fewer disciplinary problems dealt with by the Committee last season but the Committee is increasingly concerned with the part played by youngsters in the lower leagues especially when asked to Umpire and plans to address this at next seasons' Captains' meetings. The average mark for Umpires increased to 90% and we welcomed more to the ranks, however, training and recruitment continues. The new Umpire of the year award went to Lance Cooper and the Groundsman of the year was Eddie Giles of Stourport
Looking ahead to 2010, once again new teams are joining us and some restructuring will need to be undertaken in 2011, details at the AGM.
CM
