AXFORDS BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

21^st AUGUST 2006

Apologies: Peter Stafford and Tony Hayes. Greenmount were not represented.

There was a Period of Silence Held in Memory of Billy Settle of Little Lever Cricket Club.

Congratulations: The Chairman congratulated Tonge on winning the Hamer Cup and Westhoughton on winning the Birtwistle Cup. The Chairman welcomed Adam Lewis, Eagley’s new representative.

Minutes of the July Meeting: The minutes had been circulated previously. There was one correction; the fine on B. Parchment was actually suspended until the end of the season. The minutes were then approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising: The phoning of results had improved, but the Secretary asked if someone could let him know the result of the Egerton v Little Lever second team match from a fortnight ago.

Clubs had been asked to discuss a proposed merger with the Bolton Association. Questions were raised how this would impact on second team and junior cricket? Reference was made to the Rule change at the previous A.G.M. restricting the League to 20 clubs. Mike Hall referred to the presentation made a few years ago aimed at increasing the number of clubs in the League. No one proposed a vote on a merger with the Bolton Association, but it was agreed that in due course a sub-committee would be formed, including those previously involved and first and second team players, along with members of the Committee to look at progressing the Bolton League. It was agreed any proposals should improve the Bolton League and not be change for the sake, and the sub-committee would not be governed by a timescale.

Any developments would be lead by the Bolton League.

Correspondence: The next meeting of the Bolton Cricket Development Group is 27^th September.

The Junior Secretary had included information relating to Coach Education and Lancashire Schools Cricket Association nomination forms, along with the minutes of the Junior Meeting. League tables were also included, but some results are missing.

Clubs are now receiving copies of the LCB News.

LCB Handbooks were distributed. The Secretary explained why they were only available so late in the season.

Finance: The Treasurer reported a balance of £4800, including £1000 in the legal fund. £3800 is available for junior coaching.

Farnworth SC, Westhoughton, Kearsley and Egerton had paid their fees for a first aid course at Bradshaw CC on 3^rd June. Other clubs were asked to check if they had booked places on the course, as there was a shortfall.

The Treasurer read a list of fines for which clubs will be invoiced. It was agreed the League could not be held responsible for items, which went missing in the post, but were aware there was a problem with the types of forms used.

Umpires: Clubs were asked to use white discs to mark the fielding circles.

It was agreed without dissent the matches on the last two weekends would begin at 12.30pm.

Concern was expressed that in the past month nothing had been done to resolve an apparent problem with our last hour Rule. The Competitions Committee were asked to reach a decision before weekend.

The Competitions Committee met after the meeting and agreed that while the requirement to bowl 17 overs in the last hour is reduced by rain or bad light etc. the ability to bowl the remainder of the 50 overs isn’t, therefore if 50 overs (or the required number in a reduced over match) are completed within the last hour of the second innings the game is complete.

There is an Umpires’ Course at Roe Green from 12^th September, and one at Astley Bridge from 9^th January. There is consideration being given to an Introduction to Cricket Course, aimed at players and junior umpires.

Juniors: The minutes of the Junior Meeting from 17^th August have been sent out. The following clubs were congratulated; Farnworth, U18 champions, Astley Bridge U15 Champions and Cup Winners, Horwich U13 Champions, Bradshaw, U13 Cup Winners. The Jake Tatlock Final is Farnworth v Farnworth S.C., Monday 28^th August.

The Sykes Cup has been badly damaged. Paul Eckersley was asked to take this up with Farnworth S.C.

Clubs who have qualified for the U11 Walkden Tournament must pay a £50 deposit by 25^th August. The groups are; Heaton, Horwich, Greenmount, Westhoughton and Kearsley, Bradshaw, Farnworth S.C. and Walkden.

Matches postponed from the first week of the seasons will not be replayed.

The ongoing dispute between the Bolton League and LCB over the Michael Roache Trophy had now been referred to the Cricket Discipline Commission by the ECB.

The Inter-League U18 team failed to qualify for the M.E.N. Final on run rate.

Matches are to be played against a Barbadian Touring Team at Bradshaw C.C. on 29^th and 30^th August.

Horwich v Farnworth S.C.: This was initially dealt with by the Competitions Committee who awarded the teams two points each, but on appeal the full six points were awarded to Farnworth S.C.

However, it was agreed the decision made at the July meeting should stand, and should a team declare the overs remaining should be added to the overs to be bowled in the second innings.

Registration Report: The following players have been transferred; D. Kay (Greenmount to Bradshaw) and D. Partington (Bradshaw to Tonge).

Discipline: D. Mullineux of FSC has received a written reprimand, and letters of complaint have been dealt with. There is one other report outstanding.

Grounds: The main problem appears to be covers, particularly those covering the bowlers’ run up.

Second Team Inter-League: This will be played 17^th September at Greenmount.

League Dinner: 10^th November.

Prize Claim Meeting: Tuesday 26^th September, 7.45pm at Bradshaw C.C. Clubs are asked to return trophies in good condition to Bradshaw C.C. as soon as possible, so they can be presented at the end of the season to league champions.

Date of Next Meeting: 25^th September. A suggestion from the Secretary that the League and Prize Claim meetings should be swapped at Bolton Wanderers are on television on the Monday was not taken up.