History was made at the Annual General Meeting of Cornwall County Cricket Club when for the first time the club elected a lady Secretary. Mrs Anita George from St. Buryan becomes only the tenth person to hold the post in the Club's 105 year history and is only the fifth since the last war following in the footsteps of Arthur Lugg, Arthur Hill, Tom Meneer and the Rev. Canon Ken Rogers. Club officials believe Mrs George could be the first ever lady in the Country to hold the post of a County Club Secretary.

She takes over from Father Ken Rogers who had decided to step down having not been in the best of health recently. He will continue though as Assistant Secretary with a particular remit to continue representing the County 'abroad' at meetings at Lord's etc. On relinquishing his post Father Ken wished to thank the officers and the players for their support to him over the last eight years in the job that he had throughly enjoyed and he had regarded it as great honour to serve the County.

On the playing side Gary Thomas was re-elected unopposed for a second term in charge. Together with re-appointed Team Manager Brian Laity they are eagerly looking forward in particular to trying to make progress in the Nat West Trophy this year. Success at home at Truro to Norfolk on May 2nd followed by a win at Dorset in the second round would set up a plum home tie with Glamorgan. Arrangements are being made for some extra early season practice and games prior to the Norfolk fixture.

In presenting the Committee's report Chairman Col. Ron Potts reflected that the County had finished 8th in the 1999 campaign. Only one game was won, though with a little more luck, four others could also easily gone the County's way. Skipper Gary Thomas scored the only century of the year but Col. Potts drew particular attention to the achievement of Falmouth's Stephen Williams who had received a special presentation to mark his milestone of 5,000 Championship runs for the County – only the 4th player to achieve the feat. Charles Shreck with 32 wickets again had a very good season. In the 38 County Competition a win and a draw saw Cornwall finish 3rd in the South West Group while there was a big defeat in the Nat West Trophy away to Cumberland. The forthcoming season will again see nine two-day championship games but the experiment with grade cricket has been abandoned. A M.C.C.A. working party is currently looking into the possibilities of a two divisional championship with promotion and relegation and some 3-day cricket.

In his report Treasurer Doug Nance reported on a loss over the year of almost £4.400. This had been attributed to a reduction in the grants from the M.C.C.A., a drop in match receipts due to poor weather and a substantial increase in tour expenses. Due to the eclipse, fixtures were rescheduled last year.

The President Julian Williams presented the trophies. Charlie Shreck won the Canynge Caple Cup for the outstanding player while Rupert Wilder won the Colts Cup. The Arthur Lugg Cup for outstanding services was presented to Michael Weeks and the Caerhays Cup for the highest partnership of the season went to Gary Thomas & Steve Williams.

Apart from the change of Secretary all the other officers were re-elected with the addition of Tim Hyslop of Liskeard who has taken over as the Colts Secretary from Neil Harvey.

President: F. Julian Williams C.B.E., Chairman Col. R.W. Potts; Hon. Secretary Mrs Anita George; Hon. Asst. Secretary Canon K. Rogers; Hon. Treasurer C.D. Nance Hon. Asst. Treasurer C. A. Lovell; Captain G.M. Thomas Team Sec / Manager B. Laity; Colts Secretary T.H.L. Hyslop

Elected General Committee Members: B. Bennett, A.C.H. Burley, W.M. Buzza, M.J. Chadwick, F.D. Cocks, M. Cundy, G.R. Furse, R. James, T. Matthews, W.J. Oliver, E. Willcock plus appointed to fill a vacancy M.A. Weeks (Hon. Press Officer). Also co-opted D.G. Davis (U 17 Manager).

St Neot prepare for the new season

St Neot look forward to the forthcoming season facing the challenge of competing in a higher league for the fourth season after gaining promotion to Division Five.

Saints will be captained by Andrew Tamblyn with Chris Clapham his vice captain. Barry O'Brien will skipper the second XI.

Mark Bunt carries on as Secretary with Andrew Kent as chairman with Dickie Collins as fixture secretary. The cup draws have not been kind as St Neot visit Cornwood in their first ever Village National cup tie. They have also been drawn away to Wadebridge in the Hawkey cup.

Pre-season friendlies include Goldsithney and Gunnislake for the first XI with Liskeard and Looe for the seconds.

The club have also entered the Liskeard Evening League and anyone interesting in playing in friendlies or League matches for a progressive club should contact Mark Bunt on Liskeard 321126.