The 2024 cricket season can best be described as a Curate`s egg – ie `good in parts`. The First Team was relegated to Division One of the North East Premier League following a troubled campaign which got off to a bad start and failed to get much better. It is by no means the end of the world provided we respond appropriately. Elsewhere on the News Thread you will be able to see some of the steps that have already been taken and from a personal point of view I am delighted that Philip Nicholson and Lee Crozier have returned to the Club whilst I wish Phill Bell and Max Williamson every success as they take the First Team reins in 2025.
Elsewhere the Seconds and Thirds had enjoyable seasons and won their fair share of games. The Ladies also managed to fulfil several fixtures – undoubtedly an important aspect of our programme in the future.
The various Junior teams made huge progress under the stewardship of Barry Pearson and a fantastic team of Coaches – the Northumberland Junior age group sides are studded with BHCC players, and the future is bright if we can build on this.
Martin Avery continues to do a great job in developing the Squash Section and we are moving even further into the 21st Century as players will be able to pay for Court Time via their Mobile Phones.
I am also delighted that Martin has agreed to join the Benwell Hill Board of Directors together with David Archbold and Scott Williamson. We will be stronger for adding a bit of youth and vigour!
To conclude – this has been a difficult Newsletter to write (especially with the sad news of Keith Shaw's passing - see separate triubute). I have probably missed out a number of things I wanted to say. Those can wait – be assured the Club is doing well financially and the building blocks are in place to move forward with confidence.
Benwell Hill CC – A proper Cricket Club.
Simon Lunn
Hon Chairman 20/10/24
