South Wales Cricket Association
Established 1926
Chair's Message
Carmarthen Wanderers & Gorseinon were relegated from the Premier
League. Winners of the “Dan Radcliffe Trophy” and Division 1 Champions were
Ynysygerwn, which meant a return to the
Premier League at their first attempt. Runners up were Maesteg. In Division 2 Baglan
were Champions with Briton Ferry Town also promoted. Division 3 champions were
Porthcawl with Landore also promoted. Division 4 champions were Llangennech
with runners up Kidwelly. Champions of Division 5 were Llandarcy with Mumbles
as runners up. in Division 6 Briton Ferry town were champions with Wildboar
Centurions as runners up. Division 7 champions were Swansea Warriors with Cimla
as runners up. In Division 8 Llangennech were champions with Swansea Civil
Service as runners up. Finally in Division 9 Maesteg were champions and
Felinfoel as runners up. At the A.G.M., Aberystwyth cricket club were granted membership
and it was also nice to see more clubs putting 3rd XI’s into the
association.
At the end of the forthcoming season there will be a restructure, with
11 Premier League 2nd X1’s returning. All clubs have been informed
of these changes.
In the Senior Cup Final, Maesteg beat Swansea to win the “Bernard
Hastie” trophy, and in the Intermediate Cup Final, Margam beat Pontardawe. I
would like to thank Port Talbot Town for hosting the Finals Day in what were
difficult conditions.
The Representative side played 3 matches during the season. They lost
by 2 runs in an entertaining game to Pembroke County at Clydach. They also
helped Neath celebrate their 175th Anniversary with a match at the Gnoll, and finally, the MCC match at Pontarddulais was
abandoned with both teams in with a shout of victory.
I always like to thank people every year, this year is no exception,
firstly Ceri Richards who has taken on the role of Assistant Secretary. Next is
Richard Lewis, who is standing down after 15 years as the umpire’s
administrator. Steve Jones our secretary. Allan Winkley, who looks after our
finances and also the rest of the Management Committee, 2 of which have decided
to stand down, namely Angharad Rees and Mark Bleasdale. Aadil Mukhtar has put
his name forward to stand, so we still have one vacancy. I also want to thank
Peter Lynn & Partners for their sponsorship for the last 6 years, as they
have sadly decided they no longer wish to continue. As there has been a
substantial loss of income over the last few years, we have had to increase
subs and also make some savings elsewhere to get us back on an even keel.
At our Presentation Evening last October, we raised the sum of £400.00
which was given to the Jac Lewis Foundation, a mental health charity based in
Ammanford.
We have held our Presentation Evening at the Towers Hotel for the last 7 years,
but we have decided to move to the Diplomat Hotel in Felinfoel for 2024. I hope
most of you will attend.
We have recently formed a Centenary Committee to oversee plans for 2026
when the SWCA will be a hundred years old. More details will be forthcoming
during the next 12 months or so. A tour to South Africa is being planned,
details of which will be posted in the minutes of the SWCA monthly meetings, as
and when they become available.
Finally, I would like to talk about Social Media. Lots of people these
days seem to have to post everything online. Steve Jones and myself came in for
some criticism during the course of the season, with a hashtag vote of no
confidence doing the rounds. All I can say to these so called keyboard warriors
is that if you do not like the way the Association is run, then please put your
name forward for election. Steve has been in post for 18 years and myself for
15 years.
Please note that our Presentation Dinner this year will be held at the
Diplomat Hotel, Felinfoel, on Friday 4th October.
I wish everybody good luck for the 2024 season.
Neil Hobbs
(Hon Chair)