ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.
26th MARCH 2007
Apologies: Mrs K Knott, M Hall, and the Treasurer.
Minutes of the February Meeting: These had been circulated previously, and were approved as a correct record.
Matters Arising: The position of League Statistician is to be left with the League Secretary to arrange. Kearsley were congratulated on reaching the North of England final of the indoor KO.
Correspondence: League Cricket Conference Handbooks were distributed. Clubs in the Bolton area confirmed they had received copies of “Jumbo” containing grant information. The next meeting of the Bolton Cricket Development Group is at Bolton Indians C.C. 7pm, 28th March. Clubs were given a copy of an advertisement for Cricket Coaching Mats.
Umpires: Bolton School has been booked for the Axford Indoor KO 2008. The Umpires / Captains meeting is at Bradshaw C.C. at 8pm on 19th April. Clubs will be fined £25 per team if a playing representative from each senior team does not attend. First and second team scorers are also invited. A list of clubs who had only submitted a small number of umpires’ report forms was read to the Committee. The main offenders were Egerton, Walkden and Westhoughton 1st and Heaton and Kearsley 2nd.
Juniors: On 17th April at Bradshaw C.C. there will be a first aid course from 6pm to 8pm followed by the signing off of CRB forms. Club’s Welfare Officers have been informed which club personnel require CRB clearance.
Second Team KO: The Committee agreed in principle a proposal from the Secretary for a Second Team KO involving another league. The main intention of the proposal was to give second teams an incentive in the same way that qualification for the Lancs KO give first teams something to aim for in the closing stages of the season.
Registrations: The four professionals without work permits were approved by the Committee and graded 1. All other professionals are graded 2. Mike O’Rourke, David White and Adil Nisar were accepted without opposition. Tim Reece was accepted by a majority of 13 to 4 after a protracted discussion about the standard of the player and the league he had played in previously. Clubs were reminded that for overseas players clause 5a should be removed from the League Cricket Conference standard contract, and a retention of payment may only be made if a player is receiving more than the minimum £210 a week. Clubs must send a copy of the professional’s contract to Ron Fallows before the start of the season and updates to registration forms should be made if possible via e-mail.
The following players have been transferred; A Hart (Bradshaw to Egerton), D Jones (Heaton to Walkden), L Hargreaves (Little Lever to Walkden).
Discipline: The minimum punishment for all offences including abuse of equipment will be a one-match ban.
Grounds: David Morris read from a document devised by the Ground Committee (enclosed / attached), containing requirements for the coming season, recommendations and aims for the future, including a proposed new marking scheme with financial incentives. The importance of fully waterproof covers was stressed and these will be closely examined at the pre-season ground inspections.
Run Rate: Mike Buckley gave a short presentation covering the new run rate rule for matches where time was lost due to the weather or light. Clubs were given comprehensive tables covering lost overs and required run rates. The Committee agreed that it would be sufficient that these are correct to three decimal places. If for some reason the tables were not available, the calculations are contained in the Rule in the Handbook. Once the umpires have informed the teams how many overs are available, the captains should agree (in conjunction with the match officials if necessary) the runs required to win the match. This will be recorded on a sheet provided and the scoreboard will be amended to show the reduction in overs and revised score to win. A further presentation will be made at the Umpires / Captains meeting and clubs will be sent an explanation for their notice boards.
C.L.C.L. Norman Brown is writing a letter recommending that clubs receive a financial reward from counties when their players become contracted. The reward would be paid to the club where they had played most of their cricket.
League Cricket Conference: The Legal Update will be e-mailed / posted to clubs in the near future. Items of importance include; risk assessments, control of asbestos, fire safety regulations, energy performance, conduct of club officials (Fraud Act), Public Liability and Personal Accident Cover – the level of cover for players should be displayed on club notice boards and in fixture cards.
The Performing Rights Society are staring to take an increased interest in sports clubs.
Any Other Business: Clubs were reminded they needed to provide evidence of the certificate and schedule of their public liability and cricket insurance before the next meeting.
John Hutchinson expressed concern about the circumstances of the transfer of junior player Luke Perry from Farnworth S.C. to Little Hulton. The President said he would take it up with officials from the Bolton Association.
Date of Next Meetings: 23rd April, 21st May.