The acoustics were not great, but it was the historical connection that mattered when I'Anson Cup delegates held their Centenary annual meeting at the Fox and Pelican, Grayshott last Thursday.

One hundred years ago last January, with the nation mourning the death of Queen Victoria, a group of men had met at the same venue to form a cricket competition and the outcome was a league of five villages playing for a silver trophy donated by Edward I'Anson.

Two of those clubs, Grayshott and Headley, are still going strong. Grayshott are the only club to have competed in every season of the I'Anson.

Delegates were able to reflect with pride on a successful, high-profile centenary year that is not yet over.

Two significant items emerged from what was otherwise a routine meeting.

l I'Anson league tables will be based on average points per completed match from next season, this being seen as a way of solving the vexing question of cancelled/abandoned matches.

l Graham Collyer will step down as secretary at the end of next season after 22 years in the job.

During his marathon stint, Graham Collyer has overseen radical changes to the format of the oldest continuously running village league in the land.

In 1980, the old I'Anson and Miller Cups comprised 24 teams. Now, with Lurgashall and Harting accepted into the league, 57 teams will compete in five divisions next season. There is even muttering about the possibility of six divisions of 10 teams to reduce a season that can begin in biting cold and finish in autumnal gloom.

No wonder that Collyer is recommending a restructuring of the central administration. He would like to see an elected chairman to ease the work-load of life president Norman Disney and an assistant to the new secretary. There is already a volunteer for the secretary's job.

The high points of the centenary are still fresh in the mind – Christopher Martin-Jenkins and John Major at the Mariners, the comprehensive Maltings exhibition, an Old England test side at The Bourne, Lord's Taverners at Frensham, Hindhead Ladies at Hindhead, Peter Parfitt at the Gentlemen's Evening.

Chris Cowdrey will be a guest at the gala dinner at Farnham Castle on December 8. The updated A Cup for Cricket, including a new history of the last 50 years, plus comprehensive records, is due out early next year.

"We have had notices in the national press and a mention on Test Match Special. Our web-site has been visited by enthusiasts around the world. We were roundly applauded at a lunch in the Bat and Ball at Hambledon, the very cradle of the game. We have made many new friends and we have put I'Anson cricket on the map," said the secretary.

But not every aspect of the centenary was seen through rose-tinted glasses. Ron Neil, the straight-talking centenary committee member, rounded on those whose support had been less than enthusiastic. "Some clubs have not supported the functions at all. They know who they are and they should be ashamed of themselves.

"Now we have our finale (gala dinner). Bloody well support it and make it work. The Castle is a tremendous venue, so let's have your support. We only need a few members from each club to come along and make it a success."

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The average points system works in most limited overs leagues. Now I'Anson tables will be based on the average. For those who might be unclear about what was voted in (13-8) after a limited discussion, rule 2:8 (a) now starts – The team that gains the highest average points per completed match shall be the champion.

Frensham's proposal, allowing pitches to be covered during a match, due to rain, subject to prior agreement by the captains, was withdrawn after John Gray pointed out that it was already in the Rules of Cricket.

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"A roller-coaster ride – I'll never forget it," was how treasurer and centenary committee chairman Keith Mayson described the year. Despite a drop in the coffers-swelling club fines, the competition's own funds stand at a very satisfactory £5,591, an increase on the previous year. The centenary year officially ends on January 23. "But the figures auger well," said the treasurer.

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Lurgashall and Harting, two village clubs with excellent facilities, were elected into the I'Anson, bringing division five up to 11 teams. Ian Webster (fixtures secretary) was at first reluctant to increase the 16-game format, foreseeing ground availability problems, but eventually compromised on 18 for this division.

Divisions one to three (all 12 teams) will start the 2002 season on April 27. Divisions four (10 teams) and five (11) will begin on May 4.

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A number of umpires have retired and to maintain the efficiency of the I'Anson pool, new umpires are urgently required, said John Gray of the Farnham Umpires' Association which organises a winter training course (details below).

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Surprise, surprise, no-one was able to complete Ken Williams' fiendishly difficult cryptic centenary crossword. Remarkably, however, Alan Staves blanked on only two answers and was the worthy winner of a signed Terry Harrison print of The Oval.

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Ken Williams, organiser-in-chief of the I'Anson exhibition, was elected a vice-president.

Vice-presidents, officers and management committee were all re-elected.

Footnotes to the 2001 season:

When Richard Chuter received the I'Anson Cup, history was joined because, 100 years ago, his great uncle, Tom Chuter, was one of the mainstays of the Frensham club which joined the league in the second season.

Badshot Lea 2nd XI, runners-up in division four, recorded 12 wins – more than any other team in the competition.

UMPIRES' COURSE

The Farnham Umpires' Association is holding a 10-week training course, starting on November 8 at Wrecclesham. For details, contact Stuart Croucher (01428 714473 or John Gray (01420 473258).