Club representatives, county club life members, county club vice presidents, members and sponsors defied the freezing cold as the Pembroke County Cricket Club held its Annual General Meeting at Haverfordwest Cricket Club.

As a result a packed audience was involved in listening to reports from county club chairman Paul Webb, secretary Steve Blowes, league secretary John Harries, cup competitions secretary Robert Ridge and junior league secretary Martin Jones, plus child welfare and players’ registration secretary Dave Loosmore.

Then there was a large number of proposals for alterations in the league and cup rules and these propositions meant that the meeting took over three hours

Interesting rule changes on bonus points . . .

There will be new rules on draw points and declarations for the 2018 Pembrokeshire cricket season following last night's PCCC AGM at Haverfordwest.

After much debate, a proposal from Cresselly's Stefan Jenkins designed to encourage more teams to bat first was passed by 92 votes to 57.

Under the new rule, the side batting second, providing they are not bowled all out, will still receive one point for being within 50 runs of the opposition, two for being within 40, three within 30, four within 20 and five within 10.

But now, the side batting first will receive any of the remaining points - and will get 20 points plus any bonus points if the team chasing doesn't get within 50 runs.

It means there is now a maximum of 29 points available for a 'winning draw', instead of 24.

Another proposal from Jenkins, relating to points awarded in Division Five, was also passed. 

In that league this summer, there will be 10 points awarded for a win, one to the losing team for playing the fixture, and additional bonus points for every 25 runs scored or two wickets taken.

. . . And declarations from the newly-elected county club president

Another major new rule passed was a new rule on declarations, proposed by Trefor Evans - who was deservedly  made an honorary PCCC life member on the night in recognition of his immense amount of work since he joined the executive committee in 2002 and in the intervening years served as vice chairman, chairman and immediate past chairman.

With no assistant secretary available for 2017 Trefor volunteered for the role and was formerly appointed for retention of the job, along with a five-year stint as president, and has been an inspirational figure in the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers for many years.

Following the controversial finish to the Division One title race last season, now sides must bat for a minimum of 35 overs in Divisions One and Two before declaring, 30 overs in Division Three and Four, and 25 overs in Division Five.

And in the Harrison Allen Bowl, there will be 'free hits' following a front foot no ball, after a proposal from Haverfordwest CC was comfortably passed.

Other proposals turned down – but 100% support for changes to junior cricket

However, notions of allowing player permits in the lower divisions, restricting the amount of overs a player can bowl, and awarding points to teams who supply qualified umpires, were amongst those rejected by club and PCCC members.

A number of amendments were also made to Ormond Youth Cup and Junior League rules, all put forward by junior league organiser Martin Jones in his attempts to make their games more attractive for youngsters, and all comfortably passed.

There was also an election on the night for the six members of the PCCC Executive and Finance Committee for 2018 - with David Brandon, Peter Davies Peter Betterley, Simon Williams, Richard Scriven and Dai Morris, all voted on.

 
Cup Draws made for early rounds

Cup draws for the 2018 Pembroke County Cricket Club season were made last night.

In the Harrison Allen Bowl, champions Neyland travel to Laugharne, and should they win that, will be at home to 2016 winners Haverfordwest in what would be a huge second round clash.

In the DR Morris Cup, champions Whitland host local rivals Narberth, who they will also play in the second round of the Bowl if they overcome Carew.

In the Alec Colley Cup, champions Lawrenny go straight into round two where they host Pembroke.
The draws were made at last night's County Club AGM.

Harrison Allen Bowl first round (ties commencing the week of May 7th):
Hook v Stackpole
Laugharne v Neyland
Whitland v Carew
Llanrhian v Herbrandston
Second round (week commencing May 21st):
Kilgetty v Cresselly
Laugharne or Neyland v Haverfordwest
Hook or Stackpole v Burton
St Ishmaels v Llanrhian or Herbrandston
Pembroke Dock v Lawrenny
Johnston v Pembroke
Llangwm v Saundersfoot
Narberth v Whitland or Carew

DR Morris Cup first round (week commencing May 14th):
Whitland v Narberth
Hook v Kilgetty
Pembroke Dock v Neyland
Llangwm v Carew
Lawrenny v St Ishmaels
Second round (week commencing June 4th):
Cresselly v Pembroke Dock or Neyland
Hook or Kilgetty v Lawrenny or St Ishmaels
Haverfordwest v Pembroke
Llangwm or Carew v Whitland or Narberth

Alec Colley Cup first round:
Burton v Pembroke Dock
Neyland v Hook
Second round:
Lawrenny v Pembroke
St Ishmaels v Stackpole
Burton or Pembroke Dock v Johnston
Neyland or Hook v Whitland
Haverfordwest v Saundersfoot
Cresselly v Kilgetty
Carew v Llanrhian
Narberth v Llangwm

Ormond Youth groups:
Group A - Haverfordwest, Kilgetty, Carew/Saundersfoot, Neyland.
Group B - Hook/Llangwm, Narberth, Cresselly/Lawrenny, Whitland.