2004 Fixture Secretary's Report ahead of the AGM
Following an invitation to the membership, I discussed the strategy & approach of the make up of next season’s fixtures with Steve & Jim.
We were in full agreement that there should be fewer games & further agreed that the structure should follow as such: -
1st weekend 2 games, 2nd 1 game, 3rd 2 etc. This should leave us with a fixture list of 35 games (it was 46 in 04).
As last year, I prioritised the oppositions we lost to. This means Washington twice, Lord Gnome, UCS Old Boys. I’m still hopeful, that Turnham Green will be added in. Ruislip & Brondesbury Eagles were discussed but either the venue was unattractive or they were!
I then added in the teams who currently retain the honour from us i.e. Priory Park, Hartley, Isis, Bank of England, & Lessa. I’m hopeful that Radlett may yet come back in too.
I now have 7 slots to fill & waiting to hear back from the following to fill those: - Weston Colville, Balsham, OUCCC, Foreign & Commonwealth, Tenterden, Turnham Green, Theydon Bois, Highgate, Bentley Heath & Calthorpe.
If we don’t tour to Spain in October (I’m waiting on Jim to hear on this), I have confirmed Chats to play us on 9/10 again. I am not currently thinking about bringing back the Presidents XI match but what do people think?
New games: - Sunbury Chieftains in the FMS. I think Jim will be doing the research on them. Also Gonville & Cauis College will be a good game for a IIs or mixed side. Also we’ll be playing all day home games there against Washington & Crossbats. Should be fun! Finally, it may not happen, but Chats in Hackney is also scheduled
Competitions: - The Federation of Middlesex Sports Vase.
It looks like the FMS is now split into 3 separate competitions & we don’t get into the shield if we lose in the Vase but I’m currently awaiting confirmation.
The VPCCL AGM is in February & once again I anticipate a retention of the Super League structure whereby 2 groups are split into 2 divisions at the ½ season point.
Tours – a small contingent will join Griffins in Dartmoor in July. I believe that very limited places are still available.
This means that unless OUCCC come back to me with a view to playing Friday, our tours will be restricted to weekends with only Oxford booked as definite, although I’m looking into South Cambs for early September.
Grounds: -
We have 4 games scheduled at Wray Crescent, as opposed to 6 in 04 & 4 in 03.
We have 2 games scheduled at Broxbourne, which is 3 less than 04 & we had just 4 in 03.
We have 3 matches at Gonville & Cauis, 1 of which is away.
We have 3 matches at Queens, 2 of which are away.
Other new grounds are Sunbury‘s in Walton on Thames, Headstone (in Hatch end), Priory Park (at the Kodak Ground in Harrow)
Oppositions not played in 2004.
Locksbottom – rained off again. Won in 02
Hartley. Lost in 02. Edmonton no compatable dates in 04, back by demand.
Any other questions?
