Chairmans Report 2024
The Club cricket year 2024 did not get off to a good start, having a wet March and April early friendly matches did not take place with matches being cancelled due to rain or the pitches being unfit to play on. With little or no match practice it was straight into the Hampshire C.L. but the weather played its part with very few games being played in May at all levels.
As with last season, the weather being indifferent very good batting pitches were not the norm for the whole season reflecting in the scores being lower, centuries and fifties being less achievable.
The 1st eleven playing in County Div.1 after having finishing 6thth last season the team expected to do well this season, but things did not go as planned with only, one win out of 13, unfortunately finishing second from bottom. Micheal Kingston being the outstanding player finishing top of the batting and bowling.
The 2nd eleven played in the County Div.4 West again. The side played competitive cricket throughout the season though losing several close games managed to finish 10th in the division. George Gray was the leading run scorer followed by Cam Ridley, batting together they had several match winning performances. The bulk of the bowling being done by Will and Cam Ridley, Alfie Laughland and Ritesh who was the leading wicket taker with 17 wickets.
The 3rd eleven played in the County Div.6 SW this year thus playing a different set of teams finishing 9th, this was a very good performance again under the captaincy of Tom Mason. The side again fielded a mixture of juniors and seniors often with 4 or 5 U15,s who did credit to themselves and the club. The batting of Joe McNeilly (511), Ben Lindsay (306), and Harry Burnham (235) scoring the bulk of the runs. The bulk of the bowling being done by Chris Hewlins (17) Ben Lindsay (15) Tom Mason (14) and an outstanding performance by junior player Ollie Hensel who achieved 17 wickets.
Restructuring of the Hampshire Cricket League for 2025 from 18 teams down to 10 teams per division playing home and away fixtures. The league set up is based on the positions the teams finished in the 2024 season. The 1st eleven will play in division 2B, the 2nd eleven in 4B, the 3rd team having to wait to find out what division they will be playing.
The midweek Border League Team captained by Tom Mason, was made up of a mixture of young and senior players. Playing in the middle division (1) only playing 4 league games out of 8 winning 2, finishing second in the division. Again, the weather and ground conditions only allowed half of the league games to be played. Playing in the Plate the side made it to the final only to lose by 5 runs. Henry Glanfield scored 411 runs, being the top run scorer across all divisions of B.L. Making a top score of 138 in the Plate semi-final. Alfie Laughland being the top bowler with 9 wickets.
The Club XI (mainly Sunday cricket) was well supported with the captaincy taken on by Tom Mason. Many young players turning out on a regular basis. Nearly all friendly games were played as overs games which always gave a result. Several were close games with the club winning 11 of the 22 games played. Several of the young players achieving their first senior 50. Over 25 players represented Bramshaw in the friendly games over the course of the season with many games having at least 5 being from the junior level of the club some playing their first senior games.
The club again entered the VKO, unfortunately exited the first round by the toss of a coin. This was due to the 2 scheduled dates it rained and under VKO rules a result had to be achieved.
Again, we entered a team in the ‘South Hampshire Cricket Indoor League’ at Fleming Park Eastleigh. This year Chis Hewlins captained and ran the side. This cricket is all about taking part and was enjoyed by all who played.
Junior training started late, early May due to the weather and continued through to the end of July. This year we were only able to field a under 13 team. There is still a shortage of younger players at under 9 and 11. The coaches with the support of the parents had another good season seeing their perseverance particularly at the start of the season reaping the benefit in the results achieved.
The under 13 had a great season winning their division finishing undefeated winning a total of 8 games plus making it to the semi-final of the knockout cup.
Thanks to all the coaching staff in particular, Andy Nicholls, Adam Chatfield, Tom Arnold and Steve Biddlecombe who made the achievements of the team possible.
I would like to thank the captains Tom Arnold, Tom Mason and Zane D’Monte for getting the sides together particularly on Saturdays having to select three teams, find the right balance and for giving junior players the opportunity to play cricket at a higher level.
With the weather being unpredictable early spring and throughout the season the task the grounds team were presented with was a challenge to take on. With Kevin heading the team they still provided good wickets to play on albeit more than often on the slow side mainly down to the damp conditions.
The grounds team: – Kevin and Ben at Bramshaw, Nomansland by John and Kevin and Landford by Ollie. Without their dedication there would be no cricket. On behalf of the members THANK YOU.
The backup team were ever present again: – Theresa, Jane, John, and Steve doing the competitive scoring duties.
Again, the Hampshire Cricket League stated clubs would no longer have to provide teas for league matches. As per last season, it was decided that the 3rd eleven at Nomansland would not provide teas for the season. At Bramshaw, when possible, teas would be provided, with Alison D’Monte and Helen Vincent stepping up to the task on many occasions, thanks very much.
Steve and Rachel Symonds have again taken on the running of the bar, which they did so successfully last year. Having gained the experience of last year (Till, card machine, stocking etc.) they were eager to put that all into practice. What they did not reckon was how the weather would be so disruptive. With the help of members serving etc. Steve and Rachel have made the running of the bar a big success even though takings were down on last year due to many fixtures lost to the weather. Unfortunately, after the presentation the pavilion suffered a break-in with a small number of fosters taken along with the cash tin which had the till cash-up details plus a small amount of cash in it. Steve was upset due to not having the last bar takings to finalise the bar turnover for the year. The card machine being the main payment method it reduced the amount of cash being left on the premises; maybe next season we can go totally cashless. All members please give them a big ‘THANK YOU’ as this side of the club is so important to the social side and provides a large part of the revenue to run the club.
To raise money for the club, Tom Mason, plus other members organised a Super 8, s cricket tournament which was held on the last Sunday in August, with fine weather playing its part a good day was had by all.
As with previous years, we were able to have our presentation afternoon at Bramshaw ground which was well attended with a warm fine day we were able to have a very pleasant afternoon with a few games for juniors and adults before the presentation of awards. The awards were presented by Andy Nicholls and the Club captains, Tom A, Zane and Tom M. Afterwards a barbeque took place, with the bar open, using up the stock at the finish of the season. Thanks to all.
For the 2024 season, the club had a full complement of Officers elected at the AGM. Membership Secretary Helen Vincent agreed to continue the running of the Management Software App ‘TEAMO’ which helps with the everyday running of the club. With Helen’s hard work in running it and the dedication of the captains, it has been a big success, particularly with the payments of match fees, membership subscriptions and posting team selection.
Just to confirm I will be standing down from my post as Chairman at the AGM and would like to thank the Officers, committee and members of the club past and present for your support over the last 20-plus years.
‘CLUBMARK’ had to be renewed again this year. Thanks to Andy Nicholls with a lot of hard work and the co-operation of members he was able to get the clubs ‘CLUBMARK’ status renewed
The issue of the Nomansland Licence has finally been achieved after 4 years with Forestry England with back-dated payments to 2021 being paid.
To keep our finances in the black we need more than just profits from the bar, barbeques etc. therefore we rely on the help of donations and sponsors to which we thank you all for your support over the last year.
To go forward to the 2025 season, we will no doubt have new tasks put in front of us following all the problems that ECB have got themselves into with Diversity and Inclusion etc. The secretary and committee will need all the assistance and help from members to carry out their duties. Therefore, as always, we will need help, particularly the junior section and the bar plus fundraising. If any of you know someone who can help, please come forward, it does not matter how large or small it is, it all helps. With the possible loss of players through changing commitments, we need to recruit new members to the club to fulfil all our team requirements so therefore we need to keep recruiting new members to the club. Players of all standards are welcome, so please can all members start canvasing for players before next season starts.
To keep you up to date with the club activities please follow our web / Play Cricket / Facebook sites plus hopefully we can get the club newsletter (any volunteer) up and running again.
Arthur Stickland Chairman
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