Bob Waller is new Sudbury chairman

Bob Waller is the new chairman of Sudbury Rugby Club. He took over from Mike Beckett, who stood down after three years.

Waller, a tight head prop who played for the club until injury ended his career in 1986, also takes on the post of sponsorship secretary as the club looks to boost that area of operations.

Waller, who farmed in Berkshire for a number of years before returning to East Anglia, came back to the club when his son took up mini rugby.

Bad weather at the start of 2013, and disappointing results for the first team saw the club make a small loss in the last financial year, members were told.

Two pre-match lunches were cancelled, and relegation was narrowly avoided in a difficult season, leading to a loss of just over £2,000 against a profit of more than £11,000 the previous financial year.

Sales at the bar and kitchen were £85,564 – down from £99,520 - treasurer Tim Humphreys told the meeting. Cancellation of the lunches contributed around £5,000 to the drop, he said.

Beckett will be devoting his energies to strengthening the club’s Second team next season.

Jackie Mather stepped down as secretary after three years in the post, and husband Mike from his post of house and grounds officer. Both will be spending time helping out with and watching the Seconds next season. The posts have yet to be filled.

The Ron Scott Cup, which goes to the member who has contributed most to the club, was presented to Dan Connell, former club secretary, who has regularly marked out the club pitches for several years.