AXFORDS BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C. 22^nd MAY 2006

Apologies: Peter Stafford, Mike Hall, Tony Hayes and Astley Bridge. Mrs. Barlow and the Secretary reported on Peter’s progress after his operation. It is hoped he will be out of hospital later this week.

Minutes of the April Meeting: These had been circulated previously and were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising: Three complaints had been received about Bradshaw’s umpires’ accommodation, and the matter had been referred to Rod Sandiford on behalf of the Ground Committee. A meeting has been arranged.

Correspondence: There is a fifteen over a side cricket competition at Redcar & Cleveland C.C. between 31^st July and 2^nd August. Contact Julie_marsden@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.

There are First Aid and Child Protection Courses at Bradshaw C.C. on 3^rd and 8^th June respectively. Mike Buckley handed leaflets to all representatives.

There are Under 15 Inter League trials at Horwich C.C. 1pm Sunday 28^th May, players unable to attend should contact Mike Buckley.

Finance: The Treasurer reported a bank balance of £2860, plus £3390 in the junior account. Further payment from our sponsors is due this month. The Treasurer has invoiced clubs for their LCB affiliation fees this season, but it is hoped these can be refunded later in the year.

The following clubs have been fined £25 for failing to produce evidence of Public Liability Insurance; Farnworth, Farnworth S.C., Greenmount, Kearsley, Walkden and Westhoughton. Further action will be taken if evidence is not provided within 14 days.

Umpires: Mrs. Knott said there had been no further news regarding the future of the ACU&S.

The May Newsletter was handed to all representatives. The League Secretary will be sending copies to at least one other official at each club. A copy will also be sent to the Bolton Cricket Website. In the Newsletter it is pointed out Umpires are following the Bolton League Rules and the Laws governing Ground, Weather and Light.

The Committee agreed action could be taken against players, club officials or spectators harassing umpires during or after the game. Umpires are asked to report offenders to the Disciplinary Committee.

Law 42 and Rule 26(g) were mentioned in relation to teams deliberately attempting to slow the game down.

Clubs had been informed which Umpires’ Report Forms had not been submitted. The worst offenders have been Heaton and Kearsley second teams.

Juniors: Dates have not been arranged yet for the matches postponed at the start of the season.

Although results are being phoned through, the home teams are rarely submitting the match cards.

Under 18 and under 13 matches have been arranged in the next fortnight.

The Under 18 match against the N. Lancs. And Cumbria League will be played at Tonge C.C. on 11^th June.

Welfare: Mike Buckley has written to clubs for an update on their junior officials with CRB certification. This will be raised at the next junior and league meetings.

The majority of clubs with overseas professionals have not supplied the ECB with the necessary welfare documentation. The League Welfare Officers and the League Secretary have given clubs several reminders.

R&C Reports: In the absence of Ron Fallows and Mike Hall, the Secretary said the following players had been transferred; S. Patterson (Farnworth S.C. to Farnworth), G. Pryce (Egerton to Astley Bridge) and R. Patel (Bradshaw to Tonge).

On behalf of the R&C Committee Mike Hall had looked into the Horwich v Farnworth S.C. second team match, and did not feel any further intervention was necessary. The result will stand as a win for F.S.C.

All deputy professionals to date have played with the approval of the R&C Committee.

Discipline: There is nothing to report at the moment.

Ground: The Ground Committee are entitled to inspect covers for damage, and take suitable action. It was noted that umpires had been giving inadequate covers top marks.

Bolton Cricket Website: It was noted some of the comments on the Forum might not be beneficial to local cricket.

Date and Venue of Hamer / Birtwistle Second Round Draws: 12^th June at Karen Knott’s house.

Possible Replay Dates: Although it had been agreed previously a decision would not be made until the June meeting, the Secretary gave a brief update. The last Sunday of the season is available, but as it is the reserve date for the Lancs. KO final, if one of our teams were to reach the final their match would have to be played on an alternative date, possibly the August Bank Holiday Monday when we play the Bolton Association. The Committee turned down suggestions that clubs play the matches at their mutual convenience, or that the season is extended.

A decision will be taken at the June meeting, and if there are additional dates available, it was agreed unanimously by the clubs that the first and second team fixtures from 20^th May would also be rescheduled.

World Cup Football Matches: A proposal that by mutual agreement teams could start their cricket matches in the morning when fixtures clashed with England’s 5pm matches was turned down by David Morris on behalf of Bradshaw C.C.

Any Other Business: The Bolton League will replace the Hulton Trophy, misplaced by Walkden C.C. It will be up to Walkden if they wish to cover the cost of the replacement.

Date of Next Meeting: 26^th June.