WELLINGTON Rugby Club made a working profit of £6,801 on the year, it was reported at the annual meeting in the clubhouse.

Retiring treasurer Matt Colman said he was pleased to report such a surplus. He pointed out this was especially good as it had been achieved while there had been large expenditure in previous years on updating the club’s infrastructure and refurbishment of facilities and despite England’s lack of success at the Rugby World Cup.

He thanked everyone at the club for their tremendous support over the year and stated that this result could not have been achieved without the wholehearted support from every member.

He welcomed his successor Cherry Frost who had agreed to take over and stated that he knew the club would be in a very safe pair of hands financially.

He recognised that there were still challenges, both currently and ahead, but he was confident these would be met and overcome.

He also noted that the bar team, under Caroline Davey, had achieved another fantastic result with the gross profit margin increasing to the highest level he could remember.

It was reported that membership had increased, thanks to membership secretary Steve Rea’s efforts, for which he thanked and congratulated.

A full report of the meeting by Nick Robins appears on page 28.

n Matt Colman has stepped down after being treasurer for the past 16 years but remains on the club’s committee.