Secretary’s Report (page 2)

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY CROWN GREEN BOWLING  ASSOCIATION

 

MIDLANDS ALLIANCE RESERVE TEAM COMPETITION

 

 We wanted to try and replace the crop of alliance players moved from last season, and Andy Ryder the away team manager asked if he could take the youngster just out of the juniors along with possibly in the months we did not have a junior game some of the existing Juniors .these the elder of the juniors to give them a taste of what was to come in the future, this was rightly agreed.  The first match would be against our old nemesis Staffordshire, we have a poor record against them in some close battles. The home leg would be at one of our favored green’s Buxton Park on a windy dry day, whilst away we would be at the National Hockey Centre of Cannock, Hatherton. We started well at home with the established player Chapel Park’s Steve Barber winning 21-8, quickly followed by the promising Matt Bradwell of Tideswell making his debut moving up from the juniors, a 21-12 win. William Archibald from the Trades Hall consolidated this with a 21-10 win. To complete the best possible start Jonathan Chapman from Great Moor won 21-7 win over an experienced Staffs player, shouldn’t be long before Jonathan moves to the seniors. At Cannock we had started slowly with a very young side, Chris Wheildon got 12 playing at No.1 against previous overall averages trophy winner Oliver Chard. Conor Chamberlain doubling up on game with the Alliance and the Juniors a polished 21-17 win on his debut. lan Brown last year’s Alliance averages trophy winner continued with his winning run, with a 21-17 away win as well. Ben Ryder still coming to terms with the Alliance scored 10. Back home we were struggling in the back 4, when Nathan Broom got 13 and Simon Bladon got 7 Paul Walton in as reserve got 17 it had reduced the winning margin at home in what could have been a costly back 4, However Richard Briddon won 21-11 but we had won by 31 shots when it should have been more .Practice on the day at this level in whatever representative competition an player should find themselves is imperative, as the opposition will take theirs and make use of it. Away the team just had to preserve the good work the first 4 had done. Matt Milsom, now an established Alliance player had an excellent 21-18 win, but when Lee Causer just got 10 it was tightening up all the time, Then best Staffs player at this leg beat Adam Morgan on his debut 21-9, it was down to the last end, and the consistent Ed Furniss came in with a 21-10 a match winning score as we had won by 10 shots only. The second match would be against the holders Warwicks & Worcs, who we have a good record against, at home we would be at Burbage BC, away at and old junior haunt for the hosts at Ward End Social BC. At home we had an indifferent start Steve Barber lost to 16 and Chris Bytheway lost to 5, but we had 2 wins Jonathan Chapman continuing his rise winning 21-17, whilst Ian Dunbar in as reserve an impressive 21-19 winner. However the away match was even, Dan Petcher one of the most improved players in the County stormed to 21-14 win over Glenn Herbert, and when Ian Brown had his normal win 21-13 things were going well. James Dennis struggled a little with the green and got 12, and Chris Wheildon got 18, we were behind but nowhere as bad as it could have been. Back at home Matt Bradwell had a brilliant 21-11 win, but Richard Briddon lost to 17, Paul Walton got 16 and the match looked all over but Old Whittington’s Lee Davies was in fine nick and won 21-10 but we had lost at home by 3. At Ward End Conor Chamberlain lost to 18, and Ben Ryder to 14, but Adam Morgan won 21-19 and with Matt Milsom getting 19 we had just lost 151-146, overall by just 8 shots, a match we could have just as easily won. We had a bye round in July so our next game would be in August against local rivals South Yorkshire again a team we have had success against in the recent past. At home we went to Henhurst no.1 greensand away from home to a new green for them and one even new to the Northern players of our County who play in South Yorkshire leagues ,Denaby Miners Welfare BC. We had moved some players to the seniors throughout the season and holidays and players qualifying in competitions took its toll and this was no exception, so we turned out a young team. At home we had a disastrous start having 4 losers on a relatively friendly green. Conor Chamberalin lost to 18, Chris Wheildon got 16 and Richard Stretton on his debut lost to 11. and Matt Fearn on his debut found the step up from junior level tough. Away from home it was no better on awkward green & brown surface, but it also provided probably the fastest green many players had been on this season and that was some statement, due to the weather at the beginning of the season. William Archibold lost 10-21 at No.1,but Chris Bytheway got an excellent 19, Steve Leivers on his debut struggled to get 10 but Adam Stones got a respectable 19. However we had lost all 8 matches home and away. At home we were chasing a win to settle the youngster’s nerves as a whitewash looking on the cards as Richard Worthington lost 19-21,and Lee Causer got 13.When Matt Milsom went down for a rare loss 14-21,but the whitewash was avoided when Ben Ryder won 21-16,but a poor result at home, not giving the away team a chance. Away from home the whitewash was more than on the cards and a large defeat as well. Richard Briddon scrambled to 16,Lee Davies managed 15,and Paul Walton got a good 18,but the whitewash was stopped as Matt Bradwell won 21-17. However it was a bad defeat by 79 shots in total, but we are looking to the future with the junior players. The last match would be against Potteries who we seem to have difficulty against, but they have changed their selection personnel and are doing what we are doing, bringing juniors through, and they will continue to strengthen the Senior team this way. The home leg would be at Chapel Park, but the team was in difficulty as some players had not received their player notices due to Secretaries being on holiday etc, so this coming season we will ask all players to supply home details so they can go direct or email. Away from home we went to the superb but not too difficult looking green of Knyperstey BC. This would be our youngest team ever at this level and it was good experience for them, but we looked as though we were up against it from the start as we had to draft players in at home for the reason mentioned above, and we could not use home players. Nathan Broom played as good a game as anyone this year at this level winning 21-9,Jonathan Chapman continued his excellent progress winning 21-12. Young Callum Briddon was unable to get to grips with his opponent and just got 5 but as last year after being left out of the junior side ,Callum was one of the most improved juniors this year, and I have no doubt he will improve again. Bill Adams only came as a spectator and got 8 on the superb Chapel Pak surface. The Potteries team said it was the best surface they had been on all year. Down at Knypersley the win was cutting across the green, making judgment of length very difficult. Richard Worthington had been moved in the order to No.1 after Dan Petcher’s move to the Senior team, and he was playing against Josh Towey who had won the All Britain Junior merit title a few weeks before, but Richard was superb and won 21-13.Adam Hartley was playing a very bubbly character and his experience of the green meant Adam struggling to get to 1O,but at 9-7 down was in the match, before being swung all round the green. Richard Stretton had realized from his first game that this was not like a league match, and had to up his game and did winning 21-19 in an excellent game. lan Brown continues to impress and won comfortably 21-10. So after the ropey and nervous start we had clawed our way back into the match, and the team at Knypersley for Potteries was a young team as was ours. Back at Chapel Park it needed a miracle, but the wins were coming Richard Briddon got back on the winning trail 21-16.Chris Bytheway in as reserve got his first win with a 21-16 win also, and Keith Fantom showed his experience winning 21-14,but we had lost by 5 shots, the story for the home team all season except the first match. Away it was a much more experienced bunch of players in the Potteries back 4, Matt Fearn 9 across lost 12-21, Lee Causer never got the pace of the green and did well to get back to 8.Bradley Bayliss as reserve did his usual trick his opponent went 7-1 up and thought he was having an easy ride ,when he suddenly found himself 19 across, only for Bradley to send his worst 2 bowls of the match and lose 19-21. Dan Hartley had a vociferous character off the green to play ,and he was just the same on it, but Dan is just as competitive ,and in probably the best match pairing of the day, Dan just dipped out 18-2 1. We lost the match overall by 22 shots. I think this season we have done really well despite the overall defeats, as we have again moved players to the senior team, and they have done well there, showing that the alliance is a valuable tool in the development of players towards the Senior team. The youngster’s are a revelation as they want to progress through the ranks to the Senior team and are proud to be part of the Alliance, and when they see players move on, it sharpens their appetite, but you still have to have the experienced player’s helping and hoping to progress. Thanks to Barrie Milnes and Andy Ryder the two respective team manager’s.

 

INDIVIDUAL COUNTY MERIT FINAL

 

The Finals day would be at Boythorpe BC in Chesterfield on a hot sunny day with a green that looked heavy but played nothing like that. There had been a shock in the Area qualifiers when holder and 6 times winner Andy Spragg had been beaten. The first rounds saw players finding their feet on the tricky green. Olly Walters from Barton was the first winner off beating Neil Hill 21-13,Dave May had a tricky tie on paper when up against Chapel Park’s Steve Barber who had been to the All Britain previously, and Dave just got home 21-18.Old Whittington’s Ian Johnson beat James Dennis with his superior green knowledge 21- 8.One of the favorite's Brian Smith was drawn with a difficult game against annual qualifier Rowditch’s Mick Bacon this time it was Bacon who won 21-18.Swadlincote Catholics Tim Barnett produced the first shock when he beat Littleover’s Matt Ford 21-16, as Matt had been on the green previously. Anglesey’s Richard Worthington beat previous finalist Peter Conway 21-20,County player Gareth Nash easily saw off Peakdale’s Ernie Briddon 21-5, and Neil Worthington completed the top half of the draw results with a 21-12 win against lain Maxwell of Spondon. The bottom half of the draw saw Keith Fantom lose to Henhurst secretary Malcolm Cheese 19- 21.Marehay s Dave Parkin made his green knowledge tell in beating Alvaston & Boulton’s and Alliance team manager Andy Ryder 21-9.Dave Redfern was in good form again in beating Brian Woodcock 21-18.Veteran Derek Heath was drawn against Rolls Royce’s Nick Jellyman, but his green expertise could help him as Nick won 21-11.Dan Petcher looked in good order after winning the South Derbys. merit with a comfortable 21-8 beating   of Ken Sharples. Richard Bridddon of Peakdale had a walkover as his opponent failed to show. A tough encounter saw Ed Furniss beat Liam Anguish 21-17,an finally Dave Allsop just had the edge in his encounter with Littleover’s Mark Fearn 21-16. OIly Walters was finding the green to his liking and won 21-18 over Dave May, lan Johnson beat Bacon 21-13 Tim Barnett had the lead all the way through in his match against Richard Worthington ,and looked as if he had found a mark across from  the clubhouse which he was winning his games on. Naz Worthington was always in charge against County team mate Gareth Nash and won relatively easily 21-11.The bottom half saw Malcolm Cheese’s accuracy get him home 21-14 against Parkin as the green was now considerably quicker than at the beginning of the competition. Nick Jellyman used the corners to good effect against Dave Redfern but Dave struggled on his favored shorter marks. Richard Briddon beat Dan Petcher 21-16 in his first game having had a bye in the first round. Dave Allsop completed the round with a 21-13 win over Ed Furniss. The next round is what they call the money round the winners go to the All Britain, and the losers play in the play off for the last 2 places. OIly Walters was always in charge in the game against Ian Johnson but had to find 3 excellent 2” bowls over the last 3 ends to win 21-18.Naz Worthington looked odds on to win the title for the second time as Barnett was totally outplayed in a 21-6 win, with green now playing very awkward indeed Jellyman had found a corner that was favorable to his game and outgunned Cheese 21-16. Richard Briddon had also found the green to his liking, with the game 19 across he played 2 close bowls that Allsop couldn’t beat on consecutive ends to win 21-19. The play offs saw Barnett defeat Johnson to single figures on his fast running mark ,and Allsop had to struggle against Cheese, but managed to win. The semi finals of the main competition were now between Walters and Worthington which was a close tense affair when Walters went on the same mark as Barnett had won his game in the play off and from 17-20 down managed to win 21-20,so no double up possibility for Naz. The other semi saw Jellyman on the fast running corner mark where he had won all his games, and ran out a comfortable 21-11 winner over Briddon. The final was a cat and mouse affair as both players strove to get onto their winning mark's, but each player was beating the other’s good bowls, before Nick started to get his corner mark into action, and run out a popular 21-13 winner. At the All Britain Allsop lost his first game at the impressive Meole Brace which was being live streamed on the Internet for the first time ,and filmed by Sky for a programme later in the year. Dave Allsop lost to 18 in the first round, Olly Walters won his first game 21-13 but then went out to the experienced Cumbrian Martin Gilpin 18-21.Nick Jellyman went out to Warwick & Worcs Steve Darling 18-21 in a strange game where neither player mastered the No.2 green. Richard Briddon lost his first game ,Naz Worthington started well with a 21-17 win over Yorkshire’s Paul Jacques, then a really good win over previous winner of the event North Mids. Steve Pratt 21-14,but then surprisingly lost in the 3 round when 16-7 up at one stage to Mark Ferris. The player of the day was Tim Barnett who won his first round 21-18 against experience Mick Armitage from Yorkshire, then another close encounter 21-19 against Darren Day of North Mids., then in the game of the 3d round lost 17-21 against favorite Wayne Ditchfield. The event was won by Welshman Mike Riley in a superb televised final against Ditchfield 21-19. A good day all round, hope you saw it on the Internet or Sky TV late one night.

 

JUNIOR COUNTY MERIT.

 

The event returned to the superb Rykneld BC for this year’s finals day ,on a blustery dry day in May as had been the norm for this season so far. 22 entries were taken on the day and the event Sponsored by Shirley & Clive Thornhill. The open draw was made and as usual there were a number of standout first round games involving the County Junior players. Liam Anguish against Dan Hartley was the firsthand this proved to be the tie of the round with Dan winning 21-20.Next up Lewis Beicher against Aaron Gibson saw another close game with Lewis winning 21-19.WiIl Mosley beat Bradley Bayliss 21-14, Darrell Matkin beat Jack Brooks comfortably 21-12 and when Owen Bennett beat Josh Hall 21-17 on the green where Josh had done well the last time we were here, there were some good players on their way home. Old Whittington’s Kellie Hill beat the youngest player on the day Chris Gooding in the first game of the round. Adam Hartley used his superior corner skills to beat Blake Skinner, Jamie Brown beat Tom Brooks 21-16 in a close encounter. Elliott Laboure had a relatively easy passage over Matt Clamp 21-5, the latter in his first Merit. Ashley Bonnar beat Sam Morris 21-14,and when Shelby Howard beat James Bennett 21-10 the first round was complete. The second round was equally as enthralling, KeIlie Hill was outgunned by Dan Hartley 21-9, then Lewis Belcher got home 21-19 over Adam Hartley. Elliott won a closer game than the score suggested 21-14 over Jamie Brown, and with Darryl Matkin beating Will Mosley to 16 the top half was loaded. Owen Bennett beat the improved Ashley Bonnar 21-17, entering the competition following a bye in the first round Whaley Bridge’s Adam Hawker beat Shelby 21-16. The green was becoming quicker by the minute and Conor Chamberlain entering the fray beat Luke Oxtoby 21-2.Matt Fearn also entered the competition beating Rebecca Bonnar 21-11. The quarter finals saw Lewis Beicher beat another Hartley on the day in Dan 21-14. Darrell Matkin had too much precision in the other game of the top half winning 21-9 over Elliott Laboure. Adam Hawker was finding the green to his liking and saw off Owen Bennett 21-17, leaving the last 2 on the green where Conor Chamberlain the winner the last time we were here lost to Matt Fearn quite easily 11-21,where Matt ran out from 9 across. So the semi’s were set and Beicher took Matkin apart with a stunning 21-9 win ,and when Adam Hawker beat Matt Fearn equally as comfortably it would be an open final. Lewis Belcher never relinquished his 4 shot opening lead and beat Adam Hawker 21-15,but both players went to the All Britain at Winnington Park, Northwich. There Lewis lost first game up to Eddie Wakeman of Warwicks & Worcs 13-21, whereas Adam won his first game against Anthony Stadurski of the North Mids. 21-12, only to lose the Jack Holland of Greater Manchester 10-21. Holland went onto reach the final before losing to Potteries Josh Towey 21-19.

 

COUNTY CUP/REPECHAGE TROPHY

 

The worrying trend of the previous year's continued as we only had 32 entries in this year, this was compounded as we moved the dates to help the Parks & Federation mainly to Bank Holiday dates in the early rounds. However this led to a number of withdrawal’s and fines and complaints from clubs about the choices of dates on Bank Holidays, this might have a knock on effect on the entries as we have done this for a number of years. The early rounds left us with the semi-finals and final to be played at Worksop Cricket & Sports on a sunny but very windy day. Old Whittington 1 would play Rolls Royce, and Stretton Anglesey would take on holders Littleover 1. Old Whittington had a shock start as Andy Spragg lost to Nigel Bratton ,but Lee Pashley beat Nick Jellyman 21-15 to leave the match finely balanced at the start John Marshall took on Brian Woodcock who was out of sorts and took Marshall won 21-12,and when Ian Johnson won 21-11 the writing was on the wall this early. Clive Hawkins then defeated Brian Hill 21-13 to close the gap on an increasingly difficult green. Unfortunately, Rolls Royce fell away as Old Whittington piled in the points and wins Daz Shaw just got home 2 1-20 against Terry Hudson, Dale Spragg showing a return to something his form with a 21-7 over N Edwards ,and Malcolm Tonge won 2 1-20 so having won the last 5 ends for a comfortable 187-156 win. The other semi-final had favorites Stretton Anglesey in good order as Dave may defeated Dean Taylor 21-10,this set the tone for a strange out of character display from Llttleover. Dave Chambers was well behind at the start against Darren Carter but clawed back to level at 18 across and show the fight that would be needed to have any chance. Scott Gibson lost 20-21 to one of the most improved players in the County Ian Brown. Unfortunately Matt Ford lost 13-21 Paul Chamberlain and the wins continued to come for Stretton, Kev Tilling beat Tim Bastock 21-17,and it was now looking as though this could be a whitewash, Richard Worthington beat Danny Harrison 21-12 and the whitewash looked on. Steve Gibson battled to 18 but again another loss against Jason Anguish, Andy Stretton got 12 against the consistent Alan Johnson but still no win .Lenny Robinson had a shout at No,9 when 19 across, but Brian Smith managed to get home 21-19.lan Widdowson at last got the sweep and a win as he beat Andy Milsom in the very last game 21-17,but a superb win by Anglesey 206-160. Stretton Anglesey started just favorites in the final, and started in fine form, Paul Chamberlain led off with a 21-12 win at No.1 over Dale Spragg, Darren Carter did the same to Ian Eaton on the by now very difficult green. Dave May was always in charge against John Marshall and won 21-16.lan Brown cemented the first 4 wins for Anglesey beating Lee Davies 21-17. However the fight back started as Andy Spragg beat Key Tilling 2 1-12 and MaIc Tonge beat Jason Anguish 21-19,and Richard Worthington lost to Lee Pashley 16-21,and there were just 11 shots in the match at this point. Brian Hill then lost 17-21 to Alan Johnson and the point of no return as Brian Smith scored a match securing win over tan Johnson 21-16,and despite Daz Shaw winning 21-11 over Andy Milsom the damage had been done for a 184-174 win for Stretton Anglesey. The Repechage Trophy saw Netherseal play Bolsover Colliery at the superb venue of Marehay BC. Netherseal came to the event looking for unique treble, having won the Burton league Champion of Champions on the Saturday, and on Sunday morning! early afternoon had secured the South Derbyshire League Champion of Champions so were looking for their 3d trophy of the weekend. The first game was County President Barrie Mimes up against newly promoted to the Senior team Dan Petcher and Dan never gave Barrie a chance as he defeated him 21-2.The match was not all one way as Bolsover’s Nathan Broom replied with 21-14 win over Darren Staley, quickly followed by Veteran Derek Heath turning back the year’s for another 21-14 win for the Colliery over Richard Eley and Netherseal led 49-45 after 3 ends off. Brian Dunn extended the lead for Netherseal 21-12 over Simon Bladon, and John Redfern extended the lead with a 21-13 over Ashley Bonnar who had leveled at 11 across from 11-1 down. The match was now on a turning point as Colliery’s Milton Davies really rolled back the year’s in a superb exhibition 21-9 over Peter Sturgess. A late withdrawal saw County Chairman Clive Thornhill having to step in at the last minute, and Netherseal’s Peter Swift restored the balance with a 21-9 win over him. Bolsover were now chasing the game and when Junior County player Elliot Laboure defeated John Evans 21-11 the victory was secured with two ends still on the green, Eric Newton beat Netherseal’s hardworking Secretary Robert Redfern 21-19,but this was matched by Ian Woodward’s 21-19 win over Chris Bytheway. This gave a Netherseal a win 182-150.

 

VETERAN’S INDIVIDUAL MERIT

 

The County finals day went to Whaley Bridge, but due to illness saw the field reduced from 8 to 6 players and they were to play each other. Cliff Robinson of Littleover lost to local player High Lane’s Ken Houghton 21-9, Ged Briddon from Calow beat Buxton Park’s Dan Blunt 21-20 Dave Redfern appearing in every competition finals day in the County calendar beat Hatton’s Barbara Lowe 21-19. Dave Redfern awaited the winner from the other half of the draw,where Ken Houghton beat Ged 21-15. The final was a 21-14 win for Dave Redfern from Alvaston & Boulton over Ken Houghton. At the BCGBA finals day at Prees BC in Shropshire ,Dave lost 20-2 1 to the enigmatic Barry Booth from the Potteries in the first round. Ged won his first game against Shropshire’s Leslie Willis 21-12,only to lose to Mervyn Williams of Wales in the second round ,Williams went onto win the competition.Barbara lost 16-21 to Dave Clark of Warwicks & Worcs,and ken lost 12-21 to Peter Richardson from South Yorkshire.

 

JAMES BIRKS MEMORIAL MIDLAND MASTERS

 

Still regarded as the event to win in the Midlands we had a good day at the old M & B Sports / Broomfield BC in Birmingham. The venue was in very good condition, much improved from the last time we were there. Bad news early on as Ashley Bonnar on the way to the event with the family, when his dad’s new car management system failed and wrecked the engine meaning he had to scratch from the event. The first round saw Nick Jellyman having a good year win his first match 21-15 over Ian Atherton of the Potteries only to go out in the 2 round to Roy Bradburn of Shrops. Ben Ryder played well but was always giving green knowledge away to Bill Kinchin of Warwick & Worcs losing 10-21. Dave Redfern lost again in the first round 21-18 to the experienced Barrie Shaw, whose green knowledge was paramount. Matt Bradwell had a torrid time against Staffs County player Mick Brown losing 8-21. Steve Barber had a nice run, winning 21-19 in his first game, then a better win against Potteries County player Paul Phillips 21-16.However in the 3 round Scott Harries of Shropshire had too much accuracy and beat Steve 2 1-10. Ian Hibbert an annual qualifier in the comp, but once again lost the first game giving Martin Lloyd a game at 13-11 before Martin ran away with the game, 21-14. Lee Davies looked as though he was going to be the giant slayer as he had been last year at this event, he beat Nathan Pritchard from North Mids. 21-9 in the first game. The second round saw him up against favorite Callum Wraight, and in a superb game managed to win 21-20,but came unstuck against Martin Lloyd losing 14-2 1. Nigel Iliff in his first Masters made a nervy start, before giving Potteries Mark Ferris a real run for his money only to lose 20-2 1. Dan Petcher started well winning his first game against Staffs Jamie Elliott 21-13,only losing in a tense game to Simon Trentham of Warwicks & Worcs 17-21. Darren Smith having got a set of his old bowls repaired 3 weeks before the event ( following a torrid summer with differing sets of bowls due to the damage to these bowls) looked in good nick as he beat Warwicks & Worcs away team Captain 21-17.he then said he didn’t know how he had won his second round game against Shropshire’s Nick Lewis 21-20.He was finding the Warwicks & Worcs players to his liking as he won his 3rd round against Simon Trentham 21-15. A tight game in the quarter-finals saw him defeat Shropshire’s Glynn Picknell 21-17. The No.1 green was now playing fast and loose with the players as getting bowls close was more and more difficult. The semi was a classic contest as he played Martin Lloyd both players now at the top of their game and Darren came out an impressive 21-16 winner. Shropshire in the Senior County Championship finals 2 weeks beforehand you could see why as their players were doing well at this event, as his opponent in the final would be Clay Flattley again of Shropshire. Darren was in front from the start as the shadows came across the green, but the .pace was still in the quick marks and where it was hard to get bowls close, and Darren had one such mark, and race to a 7- 1 lead. However Flattley leveled at 9 across, before Darren moved out to 15-10 in front and was never to relinquish that lead until the 3rd from last end, but laying 2 down at 20-17 produced a superb bowl to win the match and the title. The trophy was presented by Mrs. Eunice Birks and the BCGBA President Barry Jennings.

 

UNDER 16’S TEAM EVENT.

 

Due to the closure for remedial work the event moved from the normal venue of Ashbourne to Littleover at short notice. Unfortunately on the morning 2 Chesterfield players called their manager as they were sick. This left just 3 teams on the day ,one from the South and 2 from the North. The South provided a very strong team ,but didn’t have it all their own way, as the Northern teams who were selected by drawing names form the hat, took winners off the victorious team. Details will be provided later. A big thank you to Bill Maybry for the production of the Centenary Handbook. A massive praise to the parents of the junior teams for their continued support for the Count, and especially the 3 players who came in at short notice for the game at Cheshire in particular. Clive Thornhill in his last year of Chairmanship, and Clive is an active individual who along with wife Shirley and Alan Tizard are driving forward the development side of the game in the County.

 

 

GLYNN HOLMES