ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.
21st MAY 2007
Apologies: D. Kay, E. Smith. Farnworth, Horwich, Kearsley and Westhoughton were not represented.
Minutes of the April Meeting: These had been distributed previously and were agreed to be a true record of proceedings.
Matters Arising: Match Cards were distributed after the meeting. These will be sent to clubs who were not given any.
Members of the LCB have so far not responded to a Welfare e-mail concerning the transfer of Luke Perry.
May Barlow and David Morris offered to become members of a League Dinner sub-committee. Other people will be invited. It was felt that Culcheth Sports Club might be too far away from Bolton.
The Secretary explained why David Tattersall had been co-opted onto the Inter-League Selection Committee. The Committee ratified this. The first match is at Horwich C.C. on 10th June.
Finance: The Treasurer reported a balance of £6,200 plus £6,500 in the coaching account. It was agreed that as the League holds surplus funds, clubs would not be invoiced £200 for League Handbooks and the £40 affiliation fee to the LCB for clubs with two senior teams.
Farnworth, Heaton, Horwich, Kearsley, Little Lever, Tonge and Westhoughton will be fined £25 as per Standing Order 9 for failing to produce evidence of Public Liability Insurance. Further sanctions may be imposed at the next meeting for failure to comply.
A proposal from David Morris that clubs should not be allowed to play until evidence was provided did not get a seconder.
Umpires: It was noted that very few clubs were displaying copies of the Newsletter on their notice boards.
The following teams has not sent umpires’ mark cards; Egerton 1st (2), Farnworth 2nd (2), Heaton 2nd (2), Little Lever 2nd (3), Tonge 1st, Westhoughton 2nd (3).
Umpires have been told to follow MCC Law and issue penalty runs for slow play.
The new run rate rule has been implemented with only a few teething problems, and the Secretary confirmed that when officials had phoned him it was only to seek confirmation of the Rule. Club officials were asked to assist very young second team scorers with the calculations. It was noted that there had been criticism of the run rates in the press, but the Chairman said that most players were happy with the new Rule. The Secretary said he had looked at the scores from the first 100 fully completed matches last season, and on only 5 occasions had a team batting first defended a total of less than 240, and five teams had posted a first innings score of over 240 and gone on to lose. Clubs and officials were invited to put forward amendments to the existing rule including; taking into account the fall of wickets, the run rate calculation, and a more even distribution of overs.
Juniors: Eagley, Egerton, Farnworth, Greenmount and Kearsley had missed the last meeting, but as the date was incorrect in the Handbook will not be fined.
Grounds are still required for the Under 18 inter-league matches on 8th July and 12th August.
Only Bradshaw, Heaton and Walkden have submitted their Welfare update.
Farnworth were fined £10 for not raising a team. Tonge may not be able to field an Under 13 team for the remainder of the season. This has also been reported to the R&C Committee.
Rain affected Under 11 matches will also be replayed as per Rule 27.
There will be a Summer School at Farnworth S.C. on 31st May, 1st and 2nd June.
David Firbrother has been appointed temporary Chairman of the Coaching Committee.
The League Under 15s will play the Association in memory of Chris Burgess of Kearsley C.C.
The Junior Committee voted to retain the £100 coaching donation from each club, but this will be reviewed at a later date.
Disciplinary Reports: A club banned one of their players for two matches, and the Disciplinary Committee has banned four other players (two Horwich, two Astley Bridge) for two matches. The Committee agreed they are supportive of the umpires and Disciplinary Committee. The Secretary will look into notifying other bodies about future suspensions, and along with the Disciplinary Chairman will notify clubs by e-mail about future bans.
R&C Report: Heaton were fined £20 for not having a first team scorer and Bradshaw deducted £176 as per Rule 14(k) for not having a professional.
Date and Venue for Hamer / Birtwistle Cup Draw: Bradshaw C.C. 8pm 8th June.
Lancs K.O.: All five teams recorded convincing wins, but must contact David Lees at the LCB to confirm he has received the required documentation for overseas professionals in the competition.
Lyddon Cup Draw (1st round to be completed by 31st July)
Byes: Darcy Lever and Walshaw
Tonge v Horwich
Walkden v Heaton
Bradshaw v Blackrod
Astley Bridge v Egerton
Little Lever v Farnworth
Eagley v Farnworth S.C.
Any Other Business:
The results form the following matches have not been received by Peter Stafford; Egerton v Walkden, Farnworth v Astley Bridge, Horwich v Egerton, Little Lever v Greenmount, Farnworth S.C. v Horwich, Horwich v Kearsley, Walkden v Farnworth.
Without this information a league table cannot be compiled.
Rule 26(f) and (h) is being reviewed to hopefully remove confusion about the last hour, and to close a loophole with the slow bowling of overs in weather affected matches.
Date of Next Meeting: 25th June.