Ladies and Gentlemen, many thanks for coming here this afternoon to support Ann and myself. Could I particularly welcome two of our life members in George Richards and Stan Hawthorn.
Last year, after a dismal performance in the two RBA leagues when we were relegated in both, I said that this season we would need some bouncebackability. Well we got it achieving promotion in both. Slightly disappointingly we finished only as runners up in the shield, which, given the opposition we should really have won. The same cannot be said for the triples. Romford put their top players into this competition and were always going to win it. Our team did extremely well to finish well clear of the rest of the field in second place and Derek Robinson had the distinction of being one of only two skips to actually beat a Romford triple.
It looks as though we should consolidate our place in the second division of the Thurrock league which again is an extremely good performance. The fact that we can field three very competitive teams on a Wednesday evening speaks volumes for the strength of the club. We might not have any stars like one or two of our neighbours, but we do have a large pool of very good players which, of course, does create its own problems - albeit a relatively good problem.
The Brentwood League split into two divisions for the first time and with the new teams coming in is more competitive than it has ever been. It was a little disappointing that a poor end to the season means that we only finished as runners up. It was interesting to note that we played 24 different players in this competition. News was better in the knock out - The Roger Burton Trophy. We did not really have the luck of the draw and ended up playing some very strong teams. However, we came through to win the Cup for the fifth time.
If you will excuse me I would like to personally reminisce about the first ever season of the Roger Burton. As you will know, sadly, John Griffiths died recently. One of my main memories of John, and I know it was also one of his as he often referred to it, was he and I playing in the pairs in that first season when the Club decided to play its “lesser” members. We reached the final and John and I had the record of winning throughout although that was unfortunately not enough to win the final.
The Clockhouse League provides some good competition in the afternoons but we do tend to struggle against other teams who tend to play their better players. This year was no exception and we are likely to finish well down the table.
In the knockout competitions we had some very encouraging runs in both the County Shield and the London and Southern Counties Shield with some wins over very strong opposition. I remember the time when we picked these teams we would struggle to make up the 16. Now it is very much the case of deciding who we can possibly leave out.
In individual competitions it has, to say the least, been a very good year.
In national competitions, Adam Smith and Edward Webb had a very good run in the London and Southern Counties pairs. While Ian Watson created a high spot when he beat the formidable Joe Stamper in the over 55’s singles.
We had a slightly disappointing season in the major County championships. There were one or two bright spots. Derek Little had two very good wins in the pairs playing in his first county competition. Whilst Alf Dunbar, John Brinkley and Ian Watson only just lost a very close tie to a top Romford triple.
However, in the subsidiary competitions we had a great season. In the Secretaries Cup Edward Webb got through to the semi final. In the Unbadged we had three out of the four area finalists. However, this fizzled out a little at that point although Ron Jolly did well to reach the last 16. Our main successes came in the prestigious Benevolent Cup. Incredibly our players in the form of Ron Lofts, Mark Rose and myself won the three local areas. Ron did very well, in his first county competition, to go on and reach the quarter final beating some very good players on the way, whilst I finished as runner up. Many of you will know that this was our first appearance in a county final since 1911. In fact 1911 was a very good year for the club. Not only did Arthur Hazell win the county championship, but it was also the year that George was born. I feel confident that with the strength that we now have within the club, this success will just open the floodgates and we will see many more similar performances in the near future. I am quite quite sure that we will not have to wait another 95 years for our third appearance in a county final.
In the local league competitions we have never had much success in the major Romford League championships, but this seems to be changing. Ian Watson is through to the final of the singles so there is the real prospect of Brentwood winning this competition for the second season running. In the subsidiary competitions Ian Watson is also through to the final of the silver jubilee whilst our President Byron Davies is in the final of the Presidents Cup. For the second year running therefore we have had more success within the RBA than the Brentwood League where we are only represented in the Tomlins triples final through Alan Collier, Rob Dellar and Bob Theobald.
In the Thurrock League Edward Webb is in the final of the Secretaries cup - the competition which he won two years ago. Also Mark Rose is in the semi final of the Champion of Champions.
In representative matches, congratulations to Ron Jolly and Ian Watson who played for the County for the first time and to Edward Webb who had his first season in the Ashford Cup. Whilst Mark and I helped Group 4 to win the Wally Ball Trophy in its inaugural season.
Could I remind everyone that our centenary season gets ever closer. Whilst preparations are in hand for our celebrations there is still a lot to do. In particular our fund raising is falling a little behind schedule and any ideas would be welcome or we would all be very grateful to any members who feel able to add a donation when they pay their subscription next season.
I would like to make one or two thank you’s. This is probably a mistake as I cannot mention everybody, but there are some members who I feel I must mention. Firstly to our vice captain Cliff Jaycock who has provided me with invaluable assistance this year. Secondly I would like to mention Brian Thompson who I feel has put a lot of effort into keeping the Thurrock League and Clockhouse teams running efficiently. At this point I would also like to say a big thank you to Marion Lofts and Margaret Rayment who have come up each Thurrock home game to make tea for the players. Next to Derek Little who does a lot of work behind the scenes. Then to Rob Dellar, I have mentioned Rob several times in the past, but I do feel that he does a really excellent job in getting us the local publicity which we lost out on for so many years. Last, but not least, to our President, Byron Davies, whose energy and enthusiasm, at the age of 70, is quite incredible.
Finally could I, on behalf of the men, thank the ladies for all the help which they continue to give us throughout the season. In particular I am very conscious that a lot of extra work has landed on Ann supporting me whilst she also has had to deal with her own responsibilities and for that I am very grateful.
In a closely fought final at King Georges Field, we beat Liberty of Havering by 11 shots, 74-63.
Brentwood won the singles and fours while Liberty took the pairs and triples. Ian Watson's win over Barry Hubbard in the singles proved decisive to the overall score when he won comfortably by 21 shots to 10. The four of Edward Webb, Ron Jolly, Charles Thorne and Richard Rose beat the rink skipped by Dennis Mills 20-14 while in the pairs John Brinkley and Mark Rose lost by 17-20 to Dick Stimpson and Jack Matthews. The triple of Alan Pyke, Cliff Jaycock and Adam Smith were beaten in another close game losing 16-18 to Len Baldry, Eric Cross and Bob Rowland.
At the conclusion the winners and losers trophies were presented by the sponsor, Dan Attfield of Affinity Legal.