Charman's Report- 2006

Derek Kay (March 2007)

Writing this Report in February with snow on the ground following a hard overnight frost makes the 2007 Cricket season seem an awful long way away - but indoor nets will have started at most clubs and I am sure everyone connected with junior cricket is gearing up for the coming season. Doubtless that will include Jack Taylor at Heaton CC who has already given over half a century of service to his club and was the proud recipient of the Hubert Pendlebury Trophy at the League's Presentation evening in November 2006 - a richly deserved award that recognises his superb contribution to Heaton and to the League. Many congratulations Jack.

Looking back on the 2006 season few would have predicted that FSC's domination at Under 18 level would come to an end, and if it did it would need a special team playing excellent cricket. Many congratulations therefore to Famworth CC who put together an almost perfect season, winning every single match they played in both the League and the Cup to achieve a League Championship and Jake Tatlock Double. Well done to everyone involved at Farnworth CC.

At Under 15 level the season was dominated by another Double winning team - Astley Bridge CC who held off all challengers in the League and added the Mervyn Porter Trophy following an excellent all round performance in the Cup Final against Tonge CC. Congratulations to all at Astley Bridge CC.

In our younger Age Groups, Horwich CC deservedly won the League at Under 13's level whilst Bradshaw CC were successful in the Cup, however rain got the better of everybody at Under lls and regrettably the Walkden Festival could not take place and therefore Heaton CC were declared League Champions. Congratulations to all those clubs.

At Inter League level we had highs and lows - the high coming at FSC who staged the Final of the Peak Sports Trophy where our U13's team won the match for the third consecutive season. A superb achievement and congratulations to the players and managers. The low came in the Michael Roche Competition as we were not allowed to defend the Trophy we had won in 2005 by the organising and management that we could not persuade our own County Board to follow ECB procedure.

One of the joys of watching and supporting Junior cricket is seeing young players develop and it is always one of the highlights at the League's Presentation evening to recognise and reward an exciting talent. Luke Perry from FSC won the U16 Most Promising Player award for a truly outstanding season not only for his performances at junior level but at Senior level and for the County - we wish you every success for the future.

Talking of 'developing talent' gives me the opportunity to thank all of those Coaches, Team Managers, volunteers. parents etc at every single club who give up their time nearly every day of each week during a busy cricket season to support, help and nurture the young cricketers of tomorrow. Your effort, enthusiasm and dedication is greatly appreciated. So too is the'extracurricular' activity of all those Coaches who have helped to form our unique League Coaching structure under the leadership of Paul Tebay.

During the winter of 2006 the Coaching Committee organised a comprehensive programme of indoor Coaching sessions available to all clubs and have already outlined their plans for 2007 and beyond which reflects the League's commitment to Junior cricket.

These proposals and initiatives are intended to supplement, not take over, the work each club does in regard to developing Junior Cricket. One way for clubs to become even more proficient is to achieve 'Clubmark' status which will strengthen the club both administratively and financially. We currently have five Clubmark clubs (Astley Bridge, Bradshaw, FSC, Heaton, Little Lever) and it should be our objective to have all 14 Member clubs reach that status at the earliest date. The opportunities and benefits which will flow to each club far outweighs the effort required to attain the Clubmark accreditation.

Finally may I thank John Hutchinson, Barry Cryer and Ian Cavill for all their hard work throughout the season as our Age Level administrators; without their dedication the League programme would not get completed - and similar thanks to Mrs Hobbis for all her hard work in publicising our results in the Bolton News; not forgetting Mike Buckley and Bill Stevenson who as Secretary and Treasurer respectively, work so tirelessly behind the scenes.

Good Luck and Good Cricket to all in 2007.