THE annual meeting of Ilkley Rugby Football Club was told by the chairman that the 2001-2 season could be viewed as being relatively successful.

At the end of the season the club maintained its Yorkshire Division Two status by one point and hopes were high for a much improved performance during the season under review.

The First XV started the league programme well and had notable victories, but unfortunately the second half of the programme was disappointing.

The club beat West Leeds in the first round of the NPI Cup and narrowly lost 12-15 at home to Keighley in the next round. They reached the quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Shield against Scarborough, which was a hard-fought game, losing narrowly 10-16.

He thanked Ben McDonald who skippered the First XV with authority and enthusiasm and put on record the club's appreciation of all his efforts during last season.

The Second XV enjoyed a very successful season under the astute captaincy of Phil Kershaw. The team won the Second XV Yorkshire Two Division and provided ample cover for the First XV, producing several players to compete for first team places.

The third senior side on a Saturday was either a Third XV, a mixture of younger/older players, and the results on the field were mixed. The Veterans' XV proved to be a formidable outfit and won all their games except one. Thanks to Blair Nixon for organising the Vets both on and off the field.

The chairman thanked all those who have played and contributed on the rugby field to the success of Ilkley Rugby Club, in particular Ben McDonald, the club captain, Dave Duxbury, the chairman of rugby and fixture secretary, John Atkinson, the club coach, together with his assistants Mark Luffman and Richard Midgley and Richard Hey, the match secretary. Also Richard Mulligan and Robert Simms, who both do a fabulous job in looking after the pitches and tackle.

Anthony Cadman has been appointed First XV captain for the forthcoming season. John Atkinson remains club coach.

The Junior Section remains buoyant, seven sides play rugby on a Sunday morning, with opportunities for younger members to learn and enjoy the game.

Thanks were expressed to the junior committee for organising and coaching junior members. Regrettably junior section chairman Chris Monkman resigned due to business commitments. His successor, Tony Griffiths, was wished every success.

On the non-playing side thanks were expressed to all those involved with fund-raising, in particular president, Duncan Feather, for looking after the sponsors; Richard Merkin, for running the 100 Club; Maggie Gilbert, for the Christmas raffle; David Sayers for organising the club programme; Alice Wade, for organising the May Ball; Pauline Brook, for selling raffle tickets on a Saturday afternoon; and to Eric Jenkinson for sorting out the caravan rallies.

Collectively they raised well over £16,000 annually and without their various magnificent contributions the club would be in serious financial trouble.

During the past season there have been various improvements - new conservatory, scoreboard, radiators in the changing rooms, the re-erection of the Newsholme gates, flagpole, rewiring in the kitchen and the painting of both the club house and changing rooms.