| It is said cricket is the sport that most reflects real life. I can now say running a cricket club is the same. |
| One of my committee members said to me at a moment of frustration “there are no consequences for volunteers.” All of us within our cricket club are volunteers – committee, captains, players, scorers, friends and family. The results we achieve in sport, and life, are proportionate to the amount of time and effort invested. |
| Which is my convoluted way of saying we had a “patchy” year, both on and off field. The feeling of the club being in a “holding pattern” best describes the past season, which I guess is better than going backwards, but hopefully at least provides a platform for the incoming group of leaders. |
| On field, we were decimated by player losses before a ball was bowled, for a bunch of reasons, including retirements, work and unreasonable spouses. Off field the committee and I walked into some financial blunders which transpired before we could take our seats. Thankfully we were able to recover well. |
| Despite the best efforts of a few of us, none less than C Grade skipper Nick “Cracker” Bohn and D Grade skipper Matt Altus, we were unable to maintain a fifth side, falling about half a dozen or so players short. Introducing a fifth side, in my opinion, needs a 3-5 year plan to ensure it can be maintained. |
| As a result, our intended fifth and Section 7 side found itself playing two grades higher than planned. As could be expected, they were dealt some heavy defeats – even some new records were set – but to the absolute credit of Matt Altus and his players, they never wavered, never dropped their heads and fronted up every week to give their best. Matt and his team can be very proud of their determination and commitment – they were the stars of our season. And a fine example to the rest of the club. |
| Nick Bohn led our third side, which was bumped up to Section 4. It appeared they might struggle at first, but we were thrilled to see Nick mould a real team out of his players which was successful and made the finals. From the outside, the rest of us could see the team was really behind Nick and played for him – he is a very popular skipper. |
| Our second side suffered significantly from the player exodus and played understrength much of the season. Luke Slattery handled the difficult task of leading this transition team. A finish near the bottom of the table was more reflective of the club’s position rather than the team. They had some excellent performances, but playing the first sides of several other clubs created some mis-matches. |
| It would be fair to say when A Grade captain Matt Potts texted me his round one side and it featured five names, we entered the season with some trepidation. But on the back of superb and consistent bowling from Dan Vertue (who also won the Section 1 bowling) and Tony May, and some bizarre weather patterns, the first side made the finals. Whilst making a semi final was a great effort for the group, a fourth consecutive Section 1 Semi Final loss extends a disappointing run of falling at the penultimate hurdle. |
| Off field the season finished with the club in a sound, if not under-achieving, financial position. Many thanks to the Edwardstown Bowls Club for supporting our events and being terrific to deal with. |
| My own thanks to secretary Dave Roberts, who consistently took care of “business” and served as my personal “punching bag” (verbally only) as a our shared frustrations surfaced – we would both say too much was left to too few. But then again Presidents and committees have probably been saying that for 100 years. Also thanks to past President Shaun Krutli, who gave much of his time to offer assistance and counselling. |
| The club celebrates turning 75 years old this year. Whilst my off field contributions were minimal and will be quickly (hopefully) forgotten, it’s been memorable to have played a part on field over many years. The club gave me my only premiership medal – earned with a great bunch of guys who I call friends as a result of the experience. My best wishes to the incoming committee, the club – and happy 75th birthday. |
| Chris Farrant |