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Secretary's Report for 1992
The early season weather was good and the games generally progressed to a conclusion.
However, the second half was one of the wettest on record, with each week having at least one rain affected game, and on three occaisions we had complete washouts.
Conversely, both pairs of Knockout Competitions played on Sundays, were unaffected by the weather.
Morecambe stayed on top of the League once they moved there and won their first Championship since 1968, with professional Robert Haynes making an outstanding contribution with 931 runs and 72 wickets.
Chorley , whilst being Runners-up by the slenderest of margins, one point, for the second successive year, were compensated by winning the Bass Lancashire Knockout Competition.
The Theakston Northern League was once more dominant in this competition, providing three out of four semi-finalists; St Annes, Finalists Lancaster and , of course Chorley.
1991 Champions Leyland slipped to third in the League but were the Theakston Old Peculier Competition winners, defeating Darwen in a close, well supported and organised match at Darwen.
Blackpool C C won the Theakston Best Bitter Trophy by defeating Netherfield at Shap Road where the highlight of the match was an exciting and invaluable century by West Indian captain Ritchie Richardson, (who incidentally scored one thousand League runs for Blackpool).
Netherfield C C can be proud of their playing staff as they move into their centenary year in 1993, and the Executive wish them an enjoyable year.
They were Cumbria Cup Winners and the Second XI were Runners-up in the League and Blackledge Cup Winners.
Kendal were the most improved Club of the Season, reaching the National Knockout Final at Lords Cricket Ground and the 2nd XI were Second Division Champions.
The Club is to be congratulated on its efforts to turn the corner.
At Inter-League level, newly elected Team Manager, Alan Wilson and Captain Graham Fisher made a promising start in their first attempt to bring our team to the fore.
A fairly easy first round win against the Ribblesdale League was followed by an unexpected defeat against the Bolton League in the Semi-Final, with the game almost won at one stage.
Thanks are due to all the League XI players for their efforts and the Blackpool Cricket Club for the usal impeccable organisation and warm hospitality, which made the occasion most enjoyable.
The League has announced that it will incorporate a new Third Division starting 1994 Season, and it is hoped that all Clubs will support this new venture, which should make administration easier and help tp prepare young players for entry into the Senior Divisions with the help of the "old hands".
Travelling arrangements will be simlpified by running second and third division fixtures at common venues.
Once more our Umpires have supported our cricket beyond all expectations, foe which we are grateful and all the captains,players and officials are urged to study and enact in deed the newly extended Code of Conduct, which has been drawn up in line with Test and County Cricket Board and League Cricket Conference recommendations.
At the end of the day, the impotanr factors are self restraint, and respect for others, as in life in general.
At this point I must report the sad death of Mr Jack Blackburn who served this League graceously for over three decades as player, umpire and Umpires Secretary.
Jack was a true gentleman and sportsman and his smiling face and courteous manner will be sadly missed.
Thanks are due to Tom Wilson, Ken Shenton and Alan Stuart for continuing the Umpires administration duties, in their usual effient manner.
Congratulations are due to our Vice Chairman, Norman Brown, first for organising yet another excellent Presentation Dinner at the Crofters and secondly on being elected to the Lancashire Cricket Association Committee.
There are few shrewder cricket thinkers in the Lancashire Cricket Leagues than Norman, and his influence has already been felt at that level.
We wish him an enjoyable stay on that committee.
Thanks are due to all who have helped to cover our matches and report them to the public, in particular all the Radio Lancashire Team (it wouldn't be the same without Don and his good lady) Lancashire Evening Post, The Evening Gazette and all other local newspapers.
Finally may I thank all Club players,Officials, League Committee Representatives and the League Executive for all the support and encouragement in 1992, and wish you all a very happy and enjoyable Season in 1993.
David Smalley
Honary League Secretary
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