Avoncroft Cricket Club Annual Report 2023
Season Overview
Despite the wettest cricket season in a generation, Avoncroft Cricket Club can look back on another successful season in 2023. Consistent rain throughout March and April meant that, as the first game of the season came about, the club’s grounds team were still unable to get ground equipment out of the garage due to flooding across the bottom of the ground. Despite the incredible efforts of the team over the next few weeks, ably led by curator Mark Taylor, it took another month for the ground to dry out and for playing conditions to be appropriate enough for games to begin.
Once this did happen, results on the pitch were mixed; the high points being the 1[st] XI’s triumph in the Midweek T20 trophy and the 2[nd] XI’s exciting promotion push which, poetically, was scuppered by further wet weather that bookended the season!
Whilst adult results were mixed, 2023 was undoubtedly the most successful year of junior cricket in the club’s history. Leading the way for the Under 9s, who were crowned county champions – only the 2[nd] county title achieved by the club since junior cricket reformed in 1996. The club’s Under 8s almost made it 3 titles the following week, making their way all the ways through their county competition only to be pipped in the final against Barnards Green. Note to be outdone, there were successes throughout the older age groups, with league victories for both the Under 12s and Under 14s.
Despite all this success, the club’s greatest achievement in 2023 was probably the launch of a girls cricket section as part of our flourishing junior programme, with sides at both Under 9s and Under 11s competing in local softball competitions. This development was an exciting step forward in the club’s plans to offer an inclusive cricket environment for all of the local community, and stands the club in a great position to continue to drive forwards in the future.
1 st XI Review
The weather played a massive part in the 1[st] XI season, with washouts in the first 4 games of the season effectively ending Croft’s title charge before a ball was bowled as other sides pulled away in the first month. By the end of their Division 3 season, Croft had lost 7 games to the weather – nearly a third of season – and this contributed to the team’s inability to build momentum and deliver consistency on the pitch.
Although consistency was a challenge, there were still some real high points, many of which came in the Midweek T20 Trophy competition; a cup that Croft had won in two of the previous four seasons. Having strolled through the early rounds, Croft’s biggest scare came in a semi-final match against Himley. With the game drifting away after Croft had posted a below par 144-5, captain Josh Cound produced a magical penultimate over to take 2 vital wickets, and Matt Athey took 2 incredible catches before keeping his nerve to bowl his side to a 4 run victory in the last over. In the final, runs from Will Baker and Mark Whitehead enabled Croft to post 177-4, a total that was always going to be beyond opponents Bewdley, as Croft lifted the trophy for a third time.
The league a less successful affair, with 6 wins and 8 defeats leaving Croft comfortably in mid-table. Will Baker (558 runs) and Josh Cound (18 wickets) led the individual standings, but a special mention should go to Ant Pittam, who was the pick of the bowlers across the season with 15 wickets at an average of under 16.
2 nd XI Review
The 2[nd] XI had a great season, narrowly missing out on the Division 8 promotion playoffs by 1 point; the weather again playing it’s part as their last game was rained off when only a couple of bonus points were required to secure second place. Despite this disappointed, the team can be proud of their record of 9 wins and 4 defeats across their league campaign.
2023 was the season when our talented crop of youngsters really started to stamp their mark on 2[nd] team cricket. Although captain Chris Pitt led the batting ranks once again with 429 league runs, Ben Athey (U14) and Ben Huxley (U15) were the next two highest run scorers with both also featuring high up the bowling standings. Jack Wright (U17) was the sides leading wicket taker although he was closely followed by Andy Pittam, who at the spritely age of 71 was the perfect example of the inclusive nature of Avoncroft Cricket Club, where players young and old can come together on the cricket pitch!
3 rd XI Review
Having been promoted from Division 9 in 2022, the 3[rd] XI faced the harsh reality of the step up in standard in Division 8 (North), effectively playing at the same level as their 2[nd] XI counterparts. Despite the significant efforts of the players young and old, this proved to be a step too far for the 3rds, who finished at the foot of the table with just 2 wins to go along with their 10 defeats in the season.
Runs were incredibly hard to come by, with only two batters scoring above 150 runs for the season – Dan Wood’s career best of 88 proving to be the top score across Croft’s 12 games. The 3rds held their own more easily with the ball, as the next generation of Croft players followed the proven route of 3[rd] XI to build up their experience in the adult game. 14 year old Pete Smith led the bowling standings with 10 wickets, whilst youngsters Carter Morgan and Hayden Smith both impressed in their first taste of senior cricket.
Despite finishing last, the 3rds avoided relegation as only two sides went down across the 4 Division 8 leagues, however the committee determined that Division 8 cricket was not ideal as a first stepping stone for our younger players and as such have requested to be placed back into Division 9 for the 2024 season.
Treasurer’s Report 2023
2023 was another strong year financially for Avoncroft CC, with the club posting a surplus of £2,861, whilst also making £14,551 available for investment into equipment and pavilion improvement works. Unfortunately, more work was required than anticipated at the start of the year following a water league in the pavilion that caused significant damage to fixtures and fittings. Whilst the club’s insurance policy mitigated the financial risk, the club were indebted to the efforts of our volunteers, particularly pavilion manager Jason Huxley, for the efforts to get the pavilion up and running for the start of the cricket season.
The Accounts are attached to this report, however the key points in summary are as follows:
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The club made a surplus of £2,861, with income increasing to £41,887. This position is slightly skewed by the insurance payment mentioned above. Excluding one-off grants, income reduced by just under £3,000, with the club finances impacted by the unusually wet season which reduced bar takings, match fees and other social fundraising.
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Despite the poor weather, the club’s junior section continued to flourish, with a further growth in membership contributing an additional £1,100 in membership fees.
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The club’s development account shows the main areas of investment in 2023, which included:
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£11,665 on pavilion refurbishment and enhancement
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£2,199 on a new ride-on outfield mower
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£687 on additional ground equipment
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The club’s success with its day-to-day finances meant that a development account balance of £10,236 was set aside for further investment priorities in 2024.
AVONCROFt CRKr CLVB. CLUB ACCOUltrs INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 General c 202J Develo 2023 enr TOTAL 2033 TOTAL 203z INCOME 1X]lIJ fa 241 1•1 62 52 JI 1 1 JJJ51 11A 1112 41JlP EXPENDITURE 7311 19)5 2J5 fe ts¢0 T"TI. Ii•r4 laOfS 111Q15 If f05 TOSJ I] TOTILAWIIftOFfccpROFifiiLOSS BEFoFEINTERlL TKéJIIFERI 113t TOT1LAwfKROFfccpRIILOl* 11
AVONCROFTCRICKETCLUB- CLUB ACCOUNTS MOVEMENTOF FUNDS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31STDECEMBER 2023 Bank Cash Totsl Opening balance at 1st January 2023 Split betsveen= - General al¢ 20,328 754 21,082 12,442 7,886 754 13,196 7,886 - Development alc 2022 Cheques banked - Income 20 Cheques presented I wiitten t)ack- ExFEnditure 2023 Cheques but not yet t)anked- Incorne 2023 Cheques sent but not yet t)anked- EX[ndrtUre Surplus I Ideficrtl lorthe year Consolidalion ol bar balance Into main account Closln balan¢• af 81st D•c•mb•r 2022 1,834 1,125 1,027 499 280 2,861 1.624 Split betsv••n: General alc Development alc Bar alc Social alc 11,350 10,236 1,125 576 1,781 13,131 10,236 1,624 576 499
AVONCROFT CRICKET CLUB- CLUBACCOUNTS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT- MEMORANDUM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 INCOME 2023 EXPENDITURE 2023 OPENIIQG BALAMCE 7.886 - G&nw&lB&l&nc• Grnnta InsanCe PaTnt $pon•Drnhl>8 Donthn¥ JP Logal 11661 2,000 2,500 $00 250 BOurlvIllgeTtwI Ride-onMI)wei Mowér 2.199 500 187 Er1(alW0 Carpets plum[ ExcÈ55waterbill rpaMIIDn 1,802 6,120 578 1,650 Tr4natsfromGeMrnlAc¢our•l SUB.TOTAL 16.9DO 14,551 BALANCE |MadgupoF - Ggnwal 10236 9.236
IndepÈndent examhws report to the (haritytn¢es otA¥onryoft Cficket Oub I rep(Mt on the actounts ofthe tharity for the year ended 31st December 2023. Respe¢tre responsibilitie5 of tharity tfustees afftd examlner As the tharIt5 trustees you are responsttAÈ for the prepaiation of the accounts in acwrdance with the Charities Act 20111.the ACVI. The tharitrfs twstees cOnderthat an audit is not Ul[ed forthis year under Section 144 of the Att and that an independent examlnation is needed. tt is my responsibiltty to: • examine the accounts under seciTon 145 ofthe Charities Act . foFlow the applicabte Dirertions given by the Charity Cornmission (under section 14515llb) of the Act and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. 6451$ of indeperrflent examinerfs statement My examination was carried out in accordance with Beneral DirectFons given by the tharlty Commission. An examination indudes a review of the acc(trunting records kept by thè tharity and a Comparis of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual item5 or disdosures ift the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The pr¢xedures undertaken do not provide all the cv¢dence that would bè required in an audit. and consequently no 0"nIOn is given as to whether thè accounts present a 'true and fairf %rye4¥ and the report is lim5ted to those matter5 setout in thè ststement below. Independent e¥am•)e¢sthtÈment In connection with my examination. no material matters have cometo my attention whith gi¥e5 me cause to believe that in, any materizl respect: • the accountin8 records were not kept in accordance with sedion 130 of the Charities A¢. . the accounts did not accord with the awuntire records," or • the attounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceminK the form and contènt of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirementthat the accounts give a 'true and fairf vithv whith is not a matter constdered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come aryoss no other matteF5 in connectioft with the examination to whith attèntion should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper undeT5tandiTrx of the accounts to be reached. Si8ned: Date.. /./19. Name: