Seasiders focus on future development (From Dorset Echo)

Seasiders focus on future development

8:15am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Sport

WEYMOUTH Cricket Club will hold their annual general meeting and presentation night at the Lounge Bar on Friday (7pm).

Anyone interested in joining or volunteering at the club is welcome to attend and first-team star David Trotter is hoping for a good turnout.

Reflecting on last summer, he told Echosport: “We now have two senior teams that feature in the Dorset League and a thriving junior section.

“The junior section in particular has gone from strength to strength receiving regular coaching and playing in a number of competitions.

“With regards to the senior sides, the first team finished in a respectable position in the Dorset Premier League last season while the second team were unfortunately relegated to Division Three.”

During the evening the club will receive reports from key officers which will then be followed by a general discussion on the direction the club needs to adopt for its future development.

The election of officers for key posts will also take place together with an open question and answer session, all of which will be followed by the presentation of trophies to last season’s top performers.

Trotter added: “Overall this is a time to celebrate the club’s achievements to date and to plan the approach over the next few seasons relating to the management of the club.

“A number of officers received awards last year for their service to Dorset cricket together with being awarded ECB Focus Club status in recognition of our continued dedication to developing cricket in the Weymouth area.

“This status builds on our Clubmark accreditation and recognises the club's internal structure and club development plan as delivering facilities which the ECB considers merits this prestigious award. We are all very proud to have achieved this.

“As a club we are also very thankful for the support of our main sponsors, Wetherspoon (Swan and William Henry), The Old Spa Lodmoor and The Lounge.

“Without their support and the assistance provided by our officers and volunteers the club would not exist and we remain sincerely grateful for all their help.

“A few players also featured in the Dorset League averages for last season and many congratulations go to all of them as that is some achievement.

“Hopefully next season we can gain even more representation.”

Kieron Womble, Paul Payne and Tom England all had great seasons with the bat and were included in the Dorset League averages along with Simon Browne, Trotter, Dan Hutchens and Laurie Whyte, who all excelled with the ball.

Payne was also a top performer in the field while Jim Ryall and Womble were both key contributors with the gloves.

Despite their relegation, the second team also had some standout performers. Jonny Armfield and Andy Jarvis led the way with the willow while Michael Pearce, Ryan Sers, Graham Puckett and Harry Mitchell were heavily amongst the wickets.

Pearce also snared 10 catches throughout the season with Matt Batchelor claiming another seven behind the stumps.