About | Cobham Avorians Cricket Club

About the Avorians

Welcome to the online home of the Cobham Avorians Cricket Club. Since 1928 we have been playing the game and turning out winners at our home in the Burhill Estate between St Georges Hills, Weybridge and Cobham. (History) I firmly believe that there is no better place to while away a Saturday or Sunday afternoon than by sitting outside our clubhouse with a glass of Pimms watching first rate cricket in a friendly family atmosphere.

The weekend always starts on a Friday evening with the Colts Academy (Colts) and Senior Nets sessions. Since we moved the sessions to a Friday, the response has been overwhelming and it's gratifying to see so many people turn up both on the field and in the clubhouse from 6.00pm onwards. Don't forget to visit the Social section (Social) of this site as it details all the events we have planned for the year.

As ever we are eternally grateful to our sponsors whose assistance and funding keep the club alive, and to all the officials, committee members, loyal supporters and parents who dedicate their time and efforts into making this club the success it is. After a brief one year flirtation in the Premier League in 2004, the club spent two years back in the first division before finishing second in 2006 and reclaiming it's place back in the Surrey Championship Premier Division. We cemented our Premiership position in 2007 and with a revamped bar and enlarged changing rooms we look forward with relish to 2008.

Peter Ruddy,
Chairman
Cobham Avorians Cricket Club.

Download: Chairmans Report 2007-8
Download: Cricket Chairmans Report 2007-8
Download: Treasurers Report 2007-8 (Secure)
Download: Colts Academy Report 2007-8
Download: Groundsmand Report 2007-8

Chairmans Report 2007
Published January 2008

In 2007 the Club continued to prosper both on the playing field and on the social scene. On the playing field the First XI maintained their premiership position with some sterling performances despite being docked 23 points for a minor admin hiccup. The Second XI maintained their position and it was good to see that, perhaps a little early but nevertheless very satisfying, the Colts appearing in league cricket. The Sunday side continues to prosper and due to the strengths of numbers, we are now looking at a Saturday Third XI.

Congratulations to the Twenty20 XI on reaching the final of the Surrey region, hopefully one step further in 2008. All of this success is due to the tireless efforts of Andy Bell and his cricket committee, not to mention Peter Arksey’s stewardship on Sundays.

The Colts had a trying season with dreadful weather, which put a real‘dampener’ on the Friday nights. Let’s hope that the weather is kinder in 2008 and we see the Colts continuing to prosper. As most members will know, we now have a large number of girl Colts which has meant that we now have two lady coaches. The girls entered their first competition finishing runners-up, and we look forward to them starting to play more competitive cricket in the coming season. Again, our thanks to Darren Talbot and his committee, coaches and helpers.

As all A’s would expect, the social life of the Club continues to prosper. Unfortunately, the bar takings were hindered by the dreadful weather – strange, I always imagined that when it rained people spent more time in bars! The social calendar in 2007 again expanded, and the following events were all well supported by Club members and friends and are a very important aspect when looking at Club funding. The events were as follows:

(a) Grand National Day
(b) Ascot Day
(c) President’s Day
(d) Summer Ball
(e) End of Season Colts’ Party
(f) Firework Night
(g) Christmas Dinner and Dance

The success of these events would not be possible without continued excellent teamwork and thanks must go to our president, President’s lady Sue, Andy and Emma, ‘Guy’ Golder, the family Arksey, and ‘Where’s Your Money’ Jacobs. My apologies for any omissions and, of course, it is very much a team effort. Next year we hope to add a Golf Day, reinstate the Stag Party and other events. With this in mind we are very pleased to welcome Deb Johnstone as Social Secretary, another extension to the Club Committee.

It would not be right to forget to comment on the Ground. Groundo, despite dreadful weather conditions, produced his magic and the Ground is a credit, not only to the Club but obviously to John’s unstinting efforts. The Ground at
the moment looks stunning and there is a work party due on 7 March at which I hope we have a good turnout to get us ready for the oncoming season.

I am pleased to say the Club dressing rooms, those mentioned last year as the size of ballrooms, are now complete. The pavilion is currently going through a total internal refurbishment but I am sure that, with a new carpet, furniture and some good weather we will enjoy the cosy atmosphere.

There are other funding issues, not least of all to have permanent nets. Applications for funding are well underway and hopefully these will shortly, ‘as if by magic’, appear. Other issues would be covers and general groundkeeping machinery, and at some stage we need to replace most of the windows. This is again a fund-raising exercise and this is an appropriate time to thank all of the members and friends who kindly donated towards the funds required for the pavilion which enabled us to fund without recourse to borrowing.

Which brings me neatly to the 200 Club. 2007 was yet another year of inertia. Karen Spencer-Ruddy has agreed to take over the running of the 200 Club, and I can assure you from past experience that she is a bully! We must, as a matter of urgency, start to encourage new investors, to remind members the monthly ‘membership’ is £5.00.

Finally, again a vote of hearty thanks to the Committee for their current support and effort over the last twelve months. The committee has strengthened in numbers but there are still jobs to be done – volunteers, please!

Peter Ruddy
Chairman
Cobham Avorians Cricket Club

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