FALMOUTH Cricket Club's chairman, Mr Michael Toy, told the club's annual general meeting in his report that the 2006 season was a year of consolidation for the club.

The huge projects of the previous two years had been completed and full advantage had been taken of those improvements, whilst still trying to retain the spirit of what FCC has always been.

Prudent control of club funds continued to be the watch-word, but further increases in income enabled some minor, but significant projects to be completed.

The hoped-for success on the playing field did not materialise, in fact the 2006 season was a struggle. The 1st X1 maintained its Premier League status, finishing sixth in the most competitive league season for some years, but flirting with the wrong end of the table despite some excellent occasional performances.

Sean Hooper led the side creatively and performed personally with the bat well enough to finish third in the league averages. His subsequent departure after 20-odd years at the club is amicable, and will leave a large gap.

The 2nd X1 enjoyed an excellent season under the leadership of Julian Osborne, eventually finishing third in diision II West, a league they could have won with a little more consistency had they prevented some seemingly inexplicable defeats. The 3rd and 4th X1's both struggled throughout the season, but eventually both maintained their current league status.

Particular thanks should be made to Stephen Young in his final season captaining the 3rd X1 - nearly 40 years' service to the club as a player, which will be extended in his current ambition to assist in umpiring duties.

The 4th X1 were unfortunate to lose the services, through injury of John Molden, their captain, for almost the whole season and thanks were extended to Rob Pennock who took over what is always the most difficult role within the club.

The Ladies X1 enjoyed a more successful year, just missing out in most competitions, but greatly enhancing their playing strength and recruitment which will provide great benefit in the forthcoming years.

Youth cricket continues to prosper with more and more young players starting to play on Saturdays, and the Friday night minis sessions achieving a new attendance record in July of 148 players on the ground.

The club further enhanced and developed youth cricket in the area by delivering the first phase of a three-year scheme "Chance to Shine" in local schools, one of only three clubs in Cornwall to run this ECB-funded scheme.

Mr Toy said that huge thanks were due to the ladies of the catering team, too many to mention, but particularly Debbie Knowles, Sue Kellow, Linda Winnan and Lorraine Molden for their work and organisation. The high standard of food and presentation on county and "special" match days reflected well on the club, especially at the Hampshire Trouts anniversary celebration when the club held its first in-house dinner with great success.

The match-day barbeque run by Terry and Allision Trezise has become a feature of all games at Trescobeas for many seasons, and provide much-needed income.

2006 saw the first season of use of the revamped square, following the re-laying in September 2005. After huge amounts of work, particularly by Dave Toseland and David Meneer, this proved to be a huge success, enabling the club to be rated No.1 in the league pitch ratings, a truly magnificent achievement.

The outfield also rated highly, thanks to Tony Cleary and his new petrol-guzzling mower. Investment in equipment was high, with a new outfield mower and a super scarifier being purchased. Off-field investment was even higher with a major kitchen refurbishment being completed, the entrance and road re-surfaced and a new patio area being created in front of the pavilion. All completed and still not in debt.

Thanks were extended in particular to the A-team' of Friday morning fame.

The improved facilities have enabled the club to hold more social events which generate increased income, and community involvement. The one down-side of community involvement has been that of the criminal community who have paid unwelcome visits during the year.

The club has several objectives for the coming year including - on the field - to do better, and to see Falmouth CC once again crowned County Champions - it's now 16 years since they last won it.

Off the field - to do better and communicate more efficiently in involving everyone in all the club's activities; also to encourage more younger members to involve themselves in running the club, after all it is the players for whom the club exists, and it is for all the players to decide what they want FCC to be in the present and in the future, Elections resulted in the following - Ist XI captain, Duncan Ayres; 2nd XI captain, Julian Osborne; 3rd XI, not elected; 4th XI, Phil Kellow; Ladies, Helen Angove Vice-captain 2nd XI, Dan Hadley; Ladies, Sue Leathley.

Team secretary, 1st XI, David Richardson; 2nd XI Bob Hartnell Officers - President, Tom Meneer ; chairman, Mike Toy; vice-chairman, not elected; secretary, Lorraine Molden; treasurer, Trystan Trezise; fixture secretary, Kevin Hosking; hon auditor, Graham Bolton.

Life members, Sean Hooper and Stephen Young