ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

25^th JUNE 2007

Apologies: Eric Smith. Acting Chairman Mike Hall welcomed Derek Kay back to the meeting.

Hamer Cup Draw: Walkden v Egerton or Astley Bridge, Farnworth v Greenmount or Westhoughton.

Birtwistle Cup Draw: Astley Bridge or Farnworth S.C. v Bradshaw, Greenmount v Eagley or Farnworth.

Inter-League Report: David Tattersall reported on our defeat against the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

Minutes of the May Meeting: These had been circulated and were approved by the Committee.

Matters Arising: The League Dinner will be held at Horwich BRSA Club on Friday 2^nd November. The Committee voted in favour of a buffet meal.

The Treasurer reported on clubs’ insurance.

The R&C Committee had agreed previously that clubs that could not produce an updated Welfare list by this meeting would be fined £50. Only Farnworth did not have the document but assured the Committee they were working on it.

Correspondence: If clubs have not already received them, the Secretary has copies of the Bolton Council Sport, Health and Inclusion booklet, 3D Sports brochure and invitations to Isospa at Horwich Leisure Centre. Information from League Cricket Conference had been previously e-mailed to clubs, but there was little that affects Bolton League Clubs.

Finance: The Treasurer reported a bank balance of £6,000. £1150 is due from clubs, including £100 for coaching from Farnworth S.C., Little Lever and Tonge.

Umpires: The monthly newsletter, covering batsmen and bowlers damaging the pitch, was distributed. A list of clubs who had not submitted report cards was read to the Committee. More report cards were given to clubs and sufficient will be given out at the next meeting to take clubs to the end of the season. It was confirmed first team players could act as substitute fielders in the Birtwistle Cup, subject to Rules 35 and 36. There is an umpires’ course at Darcy Lever C.C. on 11^th December, and a one-night scorers course will be arranged. The Committee agreed captains must take responsibility when there is apparent tension between players conversing in a language not understood by the match officials.

Juniors: The second round of the Jake Tatlock K.O. will be played on 1^st July. Clubs still involved in the Hamer or Birtwistle Cup must play the Under 18 tie before the next round, Astley Bridge and Bradshaw are playing 8^th July. The R&C Committee will mediate if the clubs cannot agree a mutually convenient date. It has been difficult compiling league tables, as clubs are not sending match cards. The Coaching Committee has been discussing summer and winter programmes, and is looking for professionals to coach during the summer holidays. Where both clubs are available, junior matches scheduled for this week should be played. The Under 18 inter-league team will be playing the Bangladesh Academy on 14^th and 16^th August.

Disciplinary Report: Two clubs have banned their players for two matches and players from Bradshaw and Little Lever have been banned for two matches. There are other cases pending. In response to questions about procedure from Anne and David Morris, Tony Hayes said the Bradshaw player concerned had chosen not to appeal, but had written to Tony instead. Tony had sent his response last week.

It was generally felt that there had been a similar number of reports to past season, but firmer action had been taken. David Morris expressed concern about the consistency of reporting, with some serious incidents going unreported, and was asked to take this up with Karen Knott after the meeting. Tony Hayes said decisions were based on the umpires’ report and discussions with those involved. Adam Lewis strongly recommended players’ previous conduct be taken into account when it was observed several of the players banned did not have a good previous disciplinary record.

It was agreed there would be a review of procedures in the close season, including clubs initially being allowed the opportunity to ban players, and the tariffs for the various offences.

R&C Report: The following players have been transferred; J Dakri and C McGuinness (Egerton to Astley Bridge), I Taylor (Egerton to Tonge), L Fletcher (Farnworth S.C. to Tonge), M Howarth (Egerton to Bradshaw).

Tonge were fined £50 for missing five Under 13 matches and Little Lever £10 for failing to fulfil an Under 11 match.

Clubs failing to phone second team results by Tuesday will be fined £10. Peter Stafford asked that a second team Secretary be appointed, and the Secretary said he would contact Ian Senior.

Players cup tied in the Hamer or Birtwistle Cup are not cup tied in the other competition.

Incomplete cup ties before the next round (unless an attempt has been made to play every evening) will continue to be decided by the current Lancs KO rules at the close of play on the Friday.

Ground Report: David Morris has spoken to clubs who have been reported repeatedly for the same problems.

Lyddon Trophy 2008: Clubs confirmed they have received invitations from Little Lever. It is proposed to include Bolton League and Association clubs, playing the early stages in four groups, with each team playing the others once on a home and away basis. Ray Taylor said the rules were open to change, for example allowing professionals to play. It was suggested that rather than having the competition run by Little Lever it should be run by the Bolton League for Bolton League clubs. There was further discussion about the overall development of the Bolton League.

Youtube: The Secretary said that there was now the opportunity to record cricketers in action, or brief highlights from matches for posterity. This link is to a brief extract from the recent inter-league match http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_-2aAxw9Dk and it is anticipated some higher quality material will be available soon.

Date of Next Meeting: 30^th July.