I think that 2006 was very similar to 2005: generally progressive but with several problems still unresolved. On the plus side, the junior section has continued to expand, the new practice facility should be completed before the start of the new season, new (second-hand) covers have been acquired, we are financially stable, and we have a large and active committee working hard on the club’s behalf. However, on the down side, the Chalfont Park square remains a concern, we are no closer to finding a 3rd XI ground and I also do not feel that the 1st XI players at the club are contributing enough off the field.

In the Thames Valley League, the 1st XI finished 8th out of 10 in Division 2B, just above the relegation position. With the demise of ICI Paints, and an anticipated influx of new players into the club in 2007, it was vital that we avoided relegation to Division 3 and we managed to achieve this by the skin of our teeth, thanks to three victories in the last four games. The 2nd XI finished 2nd out of 10 in Division 5B, securing promotion on the last day of the season: the success was due to a fine all-round team effort rather than any outstanding individual performances, and we now have the chance to consolidate our position in Division 4, something which we found very difficult in 2003-4. David Peters was unable to play many matches in 2006 due to injury and resigned from the 2nd XI captaincy at the end of the season after twelve years in charge: the triumph of promotion was a fitting finale for him, a reward for all the hard work he has put in over the years – his tenacity and determination in getting teams out, sometimes in the most trying of circumstances, has been outstanding.

In friendly cricket, the Sunday 1st XI had a steady season, recovering well from a poor start in the Thames & Chilterns Sunday League. The Sunday 2nd XI also had a good season, and availability was good enough for us to field a Sunday 3rd XI on ten occasions. Junior cricket at the club continued to prosper, and next season we plan to field teams from Under 11 through to Under 17. The club is enormously indebted to Phil Noot, Keith Neave, Jonathan Lindsay and their various helpers, for their magnificent efforts. However, we still lack qualified ECB coaches and helpers with coaching sessions for the juniors – this is one area where I see a great opportunity for 1st XI players to contribute more to the club.

The square during the 2006 season once again played poorly, despite the magnificent and tireless efforts of Shabir Ahmed and David Banner. The new covers will help, although there are different opinions on how much. It is understood that the main problem with the square is the layer of thatch (dead material through which grass will not take root) beneath the surface. In 2007 we plan to invest more time and money in the square and hope to see some tangible benefits by 2008 at the latest. It is hoped that the new practice facility will be up and running before the start of the 2007 season and special thanks are due to Dan Webb for his efforts on this project.

It is hard to pick out individuals, but I would like to thank the following people for their contribution to the club over the last year: Tony Hewston for his very successful efforts to initiate a proper selection procedure; Andy Parsons for organising some excellent fund-raising and social events during the year; Murray Scott for continuing to keep the club’s finances in good order; and, above all, Dan Webb for his outstanding efforts as chairman, Sunday 2nd XI captain and, in his spare time, chairman of CPSA – we should not take Dan’s contribution for granted and I think it is high time that other club members stepped forward to share the burden of work which falls on his shoulders.

Finally, the difficult part of my report! It is very hard for me to say these words but, in my opinion, during the last few years generally, and most especially during the last year, the 1st XI players as a group have failed to contribute sufficiently off the field of play. There have been several committee meetings this year without a single 1st XI player in attendance, let alone taking or completing an action. A few seasons ago some 1st XI players started to help out with the juniors, but there has been little evidence of this recently. I do not believe that we will prosper as a club if a) the 1st XI is not strongly represented on the committee and b) its players are not visible around the club at times other than Saturday afternoons.

Matthew Stevenson

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