Starting with our juniors…this has been the best year I’ve known: Cup winners and league winners – quality year – a credit to the club and individuals coaches etc and especially the youngsters.

Third team was entertaining and played very good cricket – it was great watching the young promising lads starting their senior cricket careers.

Second team was excellent – winning the Birtwhistle cup for the first time – best team in the Club apart from the U15s!

First team kept 1st division status, which is what we as a Club set out to achieve. So much money in the game that it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete with…however we did under- perform massively .

The Club is in a superb financial position. Thanks to everyone who as helped this year particularly. Tea ladies, ground staff, bar staff and committee all worked extremely hard again. We are very much envied by local clubs for what we have got and achieved – but it’s not just luck!

I want to look forward to 2016…but I am worried about the on-field senior player’s commitment. We have achieved so much in the last 10 years – on and off the field – so please don’t let it go to waste! Need for new blood to help run the Club, organise events and getting a buzz about the place is absolutely crucial.

We go into next season without two huge members of our first team set up. Without Neil Spragg and Jonathan Best – and without an overseas or any paid player – it is going to be difficult.

I am confident Steeton Cricket Club could become a benchmark club for the league…promoting local unpaid players and youth – it is going to be very hard, but if we enjoy it and people put the effort in, we will achieve it and enjoy it and that’s what counts!

Best of luck and well done everyone this year

John P. Akrigg

Chairman