RODMERSHAM CRICKET CLUB

2008 Secretary’s Report (incl. Colts)

2008 was a fairly quiet year from an administration point of view.  Aside from ground issues, everything else was dealt with smoothly and problem-free and from that point of view I’ve little to report, I’m afraid.   I would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the year, however, and for the guidance which I’ve received from time to time from those with a good deal more experience of both the Club and the Kent League than I can boast.  I would also like to comment on one or two items: 

1.         We found a new kit supplier in 2008 the result of which has been quality clothing at prices not far off 50% of those charged by our previous supplier.  The supplier has been keen to be accommodating to us including arranging to copy our existing design when this was not available ‘off the shelf’.  Admittedly, we have faced a couple of minor delays in receiving orders but I’m confident that things will improve.  The playing and training wear has been worth waiting for.  We have managed to shift much of the old stock too. 

2.         Darren Nokes and I attended the KVCL AGM last October to set out a case for Rodmersham being accepted back into the league and we were delighted to be invited back last month, albeit only after another club dropped out.  However, now that we are back in we should be there to stay and begin the climb through the divisions. 

3.                  I took on the responsibility for sending in match reports to the EKG each week last season which, I’m pleased to say, the paper invariably printed in full.  I think that these were generally well received and certainly, though I say so myself, an improvement on those which the paper would otherwise have cobbled together from the scorecard alone.  Assuming you are happy for me to do so, I shall carry on waxing lyrical during 2009! 

Colts

2008 was our first “post-Roach” season and a learning curve for us all.  Bearing in mind the number of people involved, to a greater or lesser extent, with the Colts during the year it’s difficult to know how Paul managed so well for so long whilst largely “flying solo”. 

We began the year by arranging indoor training and nets at Swallows employing a Rodmersham old boy, Kevin Jones, to lead the sessions for us and I do believe that they may be considered a success if only as a clear indication that, contrary to local rumour, the Colts section at Rodmersham was not about to fold and indeed remained very healthy. 

The Club was also delighted to support Darren Nokes as he took and passed his Level 2 ECB Coaching badge as well as both Matt Jewiss and Rob Horne as they achieved their Level 1 awards.  All three did a fine job throughout the season and we hope to see one or two other players earn their coaching badge over the coming weeks. 

Outdoor training began as usual in April with “signing on” evening which gave the vast majority of players the chance to part with their annual subs on day one.  Thereafter, I’m pleased to say that training fees were collected religiously throughout the summer and, perhaps more importantly, the young players appeared to have fun! 

On the field, the Under 11s ended the season on a high by winning the Plate Final and could well have secured the league title too but for having to forfeit a couple of matches due to primary school trips leaving us without a team.  The squad was a strong one and those players moving up to Under 13s in 2009 will perform well at that level and enjoy the 11-a-side format. 

The Under 13s enjoyed an up and down season but played a lot of good cricket throughout.  We tended to bowl and field consistently well but generally batted less convincingly, one or two players excepted.  That said, the coming season offers a great deal of promise and a strong looking squad. 

The Under 15s were good value for their third place league finish, only a point behind strong Sheppey and Upchurch sides but well clear of fourth.  They played some good attacking cricket during the season when the weather allowed!  The squad in 2009 will be minus a few talented players who have played their last Colts cricket for the Club – namely Michael Willis, Aiden Jewiss, Deanna Cooper, Chris Ansley and Tom Martin -  but, with the players coming up from the Under 13s, will nevertheless do very well and we can look forward to the senior players in that age group accepting the challenge this summer. 

Finally, I won’t try to name all those who helped with the colts during 2008 – whether umpiring, scoring, coaching, collecting subs, providing bacon rolls or simply “being there” on Fridays and match days – but those who were involved know who they are and can be sure that their help and support really was appreciated.

Steve Pumfrett