PHOTOS:
Paul Webb, Tony Scourfield and Steve Blowes - all busy on the night
John Harries with his unofficial assistant Lyn Smith
Phil Tallett - stepping down as junior league secretary
The Annual General Meeting of the Pembroke County Cricket Club, organised by Hon Secretary Steve Blowes, was held at Haverfordwest Cricket Club, and was one of the quietest on record as there were no elections for any administrative posts and just a handful of motions to try and make minor changes to the league or cup rules.
The only exception was the fact that Junior League secretary Phil Tallett was standing down and with no-one standing for the important post the county club are looking for a volunteer.
Chairman’s report
He was thanked by county club chairman Tony Scourfield, who chaired the meeting and said at the start how pleased he was that every club had sent at least one delegate – and that so many members had also turned out.
He went on to report that his first season in office had been an enjoyable one, other than odd incidents of indiscipline which his committee was determined to stamp out. He had been made welcome wherever he had visited and thanked the press for their excellent support in publicising all that was good in Pembrokeshire Cricket.
He praised clubs for the quality of their wickets, wished the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Coaches well and also thanked umpires and scorers for their good work, as well as congratulating Neyland on being Welsh Indoor Champions.
League minor details ironed out
County Club League Secretary John Harries provided an overview of the 2014 season and reported that overall it had been a good season, other than the fact that more games in the lower divisions had been cancelled because clubs were unable to raise a team – and later in the evening successfully had passed a notice of motion which now sees clubs fined more heavily for each successive failure to fulfil fixtures.
He also asked that clubs are more prompt in phoning in results and again a motion was passed that all results must now be phoned through by 9pm on the evening of the match.
Finally, he thanked the clubs who are conscientious in providing details well, thanked the press and especially Lyn Smith, who provides him with so much help on match evenings.
Big guns drawn together
Much interest was centred on the draw for the relevant cup competitions, which was well organised by County Club vice chairman Paul Webb, with the Harrison-Allen Bowl returned to its usual place in the cricket calendar after a test change last season. Paul thanked cup sponsors Thomas Scourfield, Huw Harrison-Allen, the Morris family of Burton, Dickie and Gill Parry and Tony Pidgeon for their brilliant support.
In the first round some of the first division clubs were drawn together, as Narberth play Haverfordwest, the winners then likely to take on Cresselly, if they beat Hundleton.
If St Ishmaels win Pembroke Dock in round one then they are drawn to play host to Carew in the next stage.
In the DR Morris Cup, Haverfordwest play Carew in the first round, Neyland are home to Whitland and Cresselly take on Tish to create huge interest, with Alec Colley Cup holders Haverfordwest drawn at home to Neyland and runners-up Cresselly travelling to Hundleton after a bye in round one. The draws for the Ormond Youth Cup and the Allan Brown Cups were also made.
Healthy balance sheet and minor changes made to rules
The financial report was provided by Andrew Scott-Davies, the Hon Treasurer and he produced a healthy balance sheet which shows that the County Club has assets of £55,001 and he answered several specific questions to the satisfaction of the question posers.
Amongst the notices of motion there was some discussion about whether having matches of 30 overs per side in the lowest division would be of benefit but the proposal put by Neyland CC was heavily defeated.
But passed by an equally heavy vote was the change suggested by Paul Webb to the rule for the Harrison-Allen Final which could previously have the game decided on the toss of a coin but now has a series of guidelines like most wickets lost and number of runs scored in the first innings which, if teams are still level after all had been looked at, would demand bowling at a single stump. Exciting stuff!
Any other business
Included in any other business allowed by the chairman was discussion about Neyland’s intention to eventually build a high quality facility as part of their plans at the Athletic Club in the town, which they hope will have the county club able to provide financial assistance, alongside the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Coaches.
After much discussion it was agreed that the issue was one which would be looked at by the executive committee, vice presidents and members in the future.