PRESIDENT of Abergavenny CC, Brian Shackleton, opened the 183rd AGM of the Avenue Road Club.

The meeting was well-attended and he thanked everyone for making the effort in such inclement weather.

The group stood for a moment’s silence for deceased members, in particular Trevor Rodwell. Friends of the club were also remembered, such as Don Merritt and John Ralph from Crickhowell CC.

Treasurer Nick Kinman presented a very ‘colourful’ set of accounts and reported a slight loss on the season and articulated the reasons for the loss.

The club had engaged a coach and spent money on improvements to the infrastructure with a new scorebox and a new bowling machine.

He expressed gratitude to the 200 Club and the Willow Club for their efforts in supporting the club’s finances. The balance sheet was unanimously accepted and thanks offered to the treasurer for his stalwart efforts.

In his report, the President mentioned that 12 months ago he was looking back on a very disappointing season and compared it to the encouraging season just completed.

The First X1 were promoted back to Division One as Champions. The Third X1 finished third in their league, but unfortunately the Second X1 were relegated despite their skipper Steve Brown having a fantastic individual season.

Highlights included the fixture against Melbourne Cavaliers, where the team put up a tremendous performance against a very strong Australian Side. Will Glenn scored a ton, Sam Clarke bowled superbly, as did Dan Cooke. The second highlight was the performance by Dan Cooke at Ponthir, who with Gareth Burkitt put together a great partnership - Cooke with 75 runs off 35 balls with seven successive fours.

The President closed by thanking all the club’s officers, the ground committee and the Willow Club, the coaches and their helpers, the bar manager and the youth section.

The three Captains, Geraint Leach, Steve Brown and Mark Winstanley presented their reports which were brief as most of the details of the season had been presented at the Presentation Dinner night. The emerging theme was the changing demographics of the club’s players with a huge emphasis on youngsters supported by a smaller band of senior/veteran players.

Retiring Chairman Steve Denning who stated he was stepping down after four years in the role detailed some of the challenges and successes of his tenure, including the good work of Colin Knight and Dawn Kinman in providing a safe haven for children and young people.

He praised the picturesque Avenue Road Ground and the hard work of Dick Brown and his ‘Ground Hogs’

He highlighted the focus on youth and their development, the great support of the committee and closed by wishing the club every success in the future

Geoff Shackleton presented an upbeat report for the youth section, with successful seasons for all age groups from Under 11 upwards. In particular the Under 9s who lost just once. The All Stars Cricket for 5-8 year olds was successful if hard work at times but gives some assurance of a ‘conveyor belt’ of talent.

He pointed out the high numbers of young players involved in the Academies at Gwent and Wales level, in particular Morgan Bevans who represented Wales at two age levels as well as winning his Wales Minor Counties cap, he also was selected for the SW Bunbury X1. Geoff thanked all the coaches and put out a plea for more volunteers to come forward to assist in the goal of providing organised cricket for children and young people.

Life membership was awarded to Mrs ‘Dinkie’ Beaumont

Election Of Officers

President: Brian Shackleton

Chairman- Andy Timpson

Secretary-Brian Mayers

Treasurer- Nick Kinman

1st X1 Captain- Geraint Leach

2nd X1 Captain- Steve Brown

Sunday X1 Captain-David Clarke

3rd X1 Captain- Mark Winstanley

House Coordinator- April Morgan

Chairman of Cricket- Mark Winstanley