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Cash back
Spotted at the players meeting on Friday 13th January (our lucky day?!) ...one Jeremy Cashman. 10 or so years after last being seen in A's colours, Cashy is back! An integral part of Andy Bell's "up and at 'em" 1997 promotion winning side, an older (but probably no wiser?) Cashy is very much looking forward to nets and to knocking a few over in the Summer ...welcome back big man, we've missed ya!
Prepare for the season (or the Beach?!)
Our pre-season BOOT CAMP starts Saturday 3rd March! Every Saturday afternoon from 3-4.30pm, come down to the ground to run around and burn off those extra Winter lbs! Cricket-based exercises for all the family! Sessions will be tailored to your personal level of fitness - all are welcome.
The Legend has landed!
No, Sandery hasn't come over early ...our brand, spanking new LandLegend 25HP tractor has arrived! The tractor, which has been on order since November, was purchased, together with a set of roll-on wicket covers, courtesy of a £10,000 grant from Sport England ...and there's a few "boys" who can't wait to try out the new "toy"!
Junior Nets and Coaching
Nets and coaching for all juniors under the age of 13 will be held on Friday evenings at Fullbrook Sports Centre, New Haw, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, starting Friday 2nd March 2012 and running through to Friday 20th April. Please note, there will be no session on Easter weekend (Friday 6th April). The cost for the 7 week course, including expert tuition by our ECB Level 2 coaches, will be £30. Numbers are strictly limited, so please contact Mark Barrow to secure your place. Newcomers welcome!
Let it snow, let it snow...
Those who have ever braved the Arctic conditions in the clubhouse during the Winter (where the inside temperature is generally 2 degrees colder than outside!), will be DELIGHTED to hear that we have a team coming in in January to fix a layer of hi-density insulating material onto the inside of all the external walls in the Bar area! Jody and friends (well that will be Jody on his own then? - Ed) will then be repainting the walls.
Adult Nets....
Nets will be held on Thursday evenings at St Georges College, Weybridge, 8pm to 9.30pm, starting Thursday 23rd February 2012. Anyone interested in attending, please contact Ashley Golder to confirm your place. Newcomers welcome!
Firework Night - "a triumph!"
Over 450 people crowded into Convent Lane on Saturday 12th November for the Annual Avorians CC Firework Party. A mild evening, together with the support of our friends and neighbours at Notre Dame and the John Lee PR machine meant this was by far and away our biggest Bonfire Night yet!
Sandra and her band of volunteers proved equal to the task of parking, feeding and watering the larger than expected turnout, and Ashley and his merry band once again provided a breathtaking display lasting over half an hour ...by general consensus the best in the area ...well done to all involved ...truly "a triumph" for the Avorians!!
2011 Chairman's update...
Well, 2011 will certainly go down as a memorable year for the A's! On the pitch, as expected, the First XI were relegated from Division 1, but the 2nd XI finished a very creditable 7th in Division 3. Considering the exodus of First XI players at the end of May, and the perilous state of the club's finances at the end of 2010, 2011 must, however, go down as a season of great triumph!
Players and supporters across the whole club really rallied around and showed tremendous spirit and camaraderie as they fought together to ensure the survival of the club. The new Committee worked tirelessly to steady the ship, and in so doing has built many solid foundations for the future, including negotiating a new 21 year lease with landlords, Burhill Estates, which will allow us to cement our new relationships with Oxshott Royals FC and with the new tennis club.
As well as paying down a significant portion of the club's debt, the new Committee has, with new roll-on covers; a new scoreshed built; the home changing room extended; the tennis courts refurbished; a new children's playground in place and a new tractor on order, also demonstrated its commitment to raising the standard of the facilities at Convent Lane.
In summary, a fantastic year for the Avorians, a year full of challenges for sure, but with a lot of positives, not least a 50% increase in the number of Colts at the club, and I certainly look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as 2012 promises to be a year where all the hard work behind the scenes really starts to pay off ...watch this space! ....Mark Barrow
U11's Tournament Win!
Monday 8th August saw Avorians hosting the 4th Darren Talbot Coaching Under 11's tournament. 6 teams entered, including ourselves. The competition has been won by Ashtead for the last 2 years, and they again fielded a strong side, beating us in the first game of the day.
Our boys then went through the rest of the day unbeaten, before beating Ashtead by 5 runs in a very tense final. Congratulations to George, Luke, Andrew, Cameron, Joseph, Jamie, Harry, Louis, Ieuan, Ethan and Phoenix on a wonderful team effort!!
President's Day
Sunday 7th August saw England legends Bob Willis and Pat Pocock grace Peter "PJW" Smith's first President's Day.
The format for the day was a 6-a-side tournament involving Walton-on-Thames, Reigate Priory and Ashtead ...and the inevitable very long (and very liquid!) lunch, attended by over 80 people, including many life members, vice-presidents, committee members and ex-players.
Results on the pitch were not overly important in the grand scheme of things but for the record, the A's battled valiantly to eventually finish runners up to a strong (i.e. young!) Walton side.
Cricket update...
As expected, the First XI have struggled in Division 1 this season, but spirits remain high amongst the players and Saturday 6th August saw skipper and overseas player Matt Sandery hit the first ton of the season, 109 vs Beddington. Congratulations Matt, well-deserved!
Further good news for the 2nd XI, who have recorded 2 wins and a winning draw in their last 3 games, Jon Winslade hitting successive 50's and Tom Dunn 72 not out, to climb out of the relegation zone.
...well done guys!
First XI
In what basically boils down to a difference of opinion over the direction the club should be taking in terms of paying players, the majority of the 2011 First XI squad unfortunately decided to leave the club after just 5 league games.
In terms of playing strength, this means that the club is obviously going to struggle in Division 1 of the Surrey Championship, playing against sides where the majority of players are paid, so relegation this season looks inevitable, but rest assured the remaining players and committee will be doing everything in their power to ensure the club continues to grow and thrive both on and off the field.
New Club Coach announced
The club is delighted to announce that Pat Pocock has been engaged as club coach for 2011.
Former Surrey and England cricketer Pat ("Percy") Pocock who took 67 wickets in 25 Tests for England, most recently in 1984 when he played in nine consecutive Tests. Pat took 1607 first-class wickets for Surrey, including an incredible performance against Sussex in 1972. In that match, Pat took four wickets in four balls, five wickets in six balls, six wickets in nine balls, and seven wickets in eleven balls. The "six in nine" and the "seven in eleven" both continue to stand as records.
Pat will be running two courses at Avorians. For 10 to 13 year olds there will be sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, starting on Wednesday 4th May. Pat will also be assisting with adult nets on Thursday evenings, starting on Thursday 5th May.
Welcome aboard Pat!
New Academy Sponsor
We are delighted to announce that Data Techniques have agreed to sponsor the Cobham Avorians Cricket Academy in 2011.
Please visit their sponsor's page for further details.
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