Before the next issue of the Staff Magazine the Cricket season for 1958 will be well under way. However, it will be a season with a difference for Ken Whittaker, who has captained the side for the past ten years, has not offered himself for re-election this year. Ken was captain of the first Bank team to win the championship in the 1955 season. During his ten years of captaincy, although the fortunes of the team have fluctuated considerably, he has been a mainstay of the batting having topped the averages on four occasions and never being lower than third. I can only mention his bowling in passing and, having passed, it can be presumed that his batting strength, together with his shrewd captaincy, has more than helped the team to be serious contenders for League and Cup honours during the past few seasons. Although Ken is relinquishing the captaincy, he will continue to play for the team.

Since the end of the season only one member of the Club has left the Bank Staff - Len Wood to whom we wish every success with the Co-operative Building Society.

There are a number of new members to the Staff who have played Cricket and a warm welcome is assured if they would care to join the Club. Anyone wishing to join should contact me through Head Office or approach any member of the Club or attend the Annual General Meeting, the date of which is to be announced later.

From observations made during the close season into the training routine of Club members, the bowling should benefit from the strong right arms required.

J G Eyre

Hon Secretary

After an inauspicious start to the season, the first two matches were lost, the team scored a clear-cut victory in their third game and hope to continue in this vein. The failure of the recognised batsmen was the main reason for the disappointing results in the opening matches, although the fielding could have been improved upon - no doubt the lack of match practice prior to the League fixtures was the cause.

The Club was pleased to welcome Mr Rogers who has acquitted himself well in his games with the team. Any member of the Staff interested in playing cricket should notify any Club member.

Once again a team is being entered for the six-a-side tournament this season and we hope to "go one better" this year; management and opponents willing!

The support of members of the Staff is always an encouragement to the team so, with the advent of the summer months, we invite you to spend an evening at Sedgemere Road, Yardley.

J G Eyre

Hon. Sec.

The summer of 1958 will be remembered by everyone, not least the cricketers, as one of the worst for many years. Nevertheless, the Bank had a good season, finishing third in the League and reaching the semi-finals of the Six-a-Side Tournament. Mr M Eley topped the batting averages scoring 133 runs in 7 innings (2 not out), and Mr A Young took the bowling honours with 25 wickets for 161 runs. An encouraging feature of the batting this year was the successful opening partnership between Mr N Alsop and Mr A Rogers who scored 122 and 121 runs respectively in 10 innings. The strong point of the team this season has been the bowling, only 568 runs conceded in 9 matches, less than any season since 1947.

Two of the young ladies on the staff are desirous of forming a LADIES CRICKET TEAM. I am sure that if any ladies interested in playing would approach any member of the Club during the close season, they will be shown how to bowl a maiden over!

The final positions in the Evening League are as follows: