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ISIS CRICKET CLUB 2012 Ground: Queens College, Abingdon Road, Oxford |
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Last Update: 07/05/2012 © Keith Whiter, April 2003 k.whiter@elsevier.com |
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2010 AGM - fixture scretary’s report (Keith whiter) |
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The 2010 season was a difficult one, both on a team and personal level. From a possible fifty-one fixtures we played only thirty-six, with one match at Kingston Bagpuize, that we were destined to win, abandoned due to rain.
It was sadly a losing season, in which we won just over 40% of our games. It was a season marred by injury and illness, and general lack of player availability and as fixture secretary it was very frustrating to see so many games cancelled to weather or player availability on either side. It was also very sad to have to cancel the Isis six-a-side, due to team withdrawals and the lack of support from the competition hosts. Our fixture arrangements were also affected by the closure of The Warneford Hospital cricket pitch and the preference given to United Oxford Hospitals for the Stanton St John ground. In almost all cases we were able to find alternate accommodations, or switch to the opposition venue.
We were awarded a bye in the first round of the Friendly Cup and were dominating eventual winners Moreton in the field in the second round, before they recovered and our batting collapsed in reply. A number of new fixtures fell casualty to cancellation, but the season did see us return to battle with Hanney after a gap for several seasons and enjoy new encounters against The British Officers, from Philadelphia, and Wolvercote.
There was clear feedback early in the season that the club cannot sustain double-header weekends, and I am looking for guidance at this AGM as it is too late to rearrange things after fixtures are booked and the season starts. I would however council the club that fixtures lost to weather or other reasons of cancelation could leave us frustrated if we get too draconian about reducing the number of fixtures in 2011. That said, I would suggest that the 2010 fixture list offered an interesting range of opposition, both in terms of the standard of cricket and location, and I would recommend that none of these opposition be dropped for any other reason than the availability of fixture dates. While it was difficult to lose more than we won, we certainly enjoyed some close matches and I hope that in 2011 the luck goes our way.
Finally, and on a personal note, the season was difficult for health reasons, but I am grateful for the support of Messrs Ponsford and Lawrence, for their help and friendship at a difficult time and with health issues of their own. And to the club for all its good wishes. It was so nice that all three of us could return to action later in the season and support the club’s endeavours! |