ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

 

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

 HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

28th JANUARY 2008

  

Apologies: Peter Stafford and David Morris. The Chairman welcomed Roy Sturch, attending with the umpires’ representatives.

Minutes of the AGM: These had been circulated and were approved as a correct record. There was one matter arising from the amendments to rule; revised run rate tables would have to be calculated and printed. Hopefully there would be sufficient for each club and umpire.

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

Matters Arising: Andy Hayhurst from the LCB will meet with representatives from the Bolton League regarding deteriorating relations with the Cricket Development Officer. Andy Bowker and the Secretary met with Paul Rayment to discuss the Bolton Cricket Website. Mr. Rayment was insistent that the Website had nothing to do with the Bolton Cricket League, as they made no financial contribution to it. While the Committee were broadly supportive of the Website, and accepted that comments on the Forum were quite restrained compared to other news and sports forums, the Secretary should ask Mr. Rayment to place a further disclaimer on the Home Page.

Correspondence: The Secretary had emailed clubs extracts from a letter from the Lancashire Cricket Groundsman Association. It was agreed further discussion should be left until the next meeting as David Morris was attending their AGM tonight. The League pays the affiliation fee for each club, and it was noted that attendance at meeting could be a condition of ‘Clubmark’. The Secretary will remind clubs when the meetings are scheduled. A brochure concerning personal accident insurance was passed around the meeting. Clubs were reminded that they must have cover for all players (Standing Order 9), and professional have to be paid even when injured.

Brenton Parchment: The Chairman has spoken to Martin Axford on two occasions, and will speak again later this week after Mr. Axford has consulted his solicitor. Mr. Kay is confident that, with the support of the League Committee an agreement can be reached between the parties. The Secretary will keep the Committee informed.

Finance: The Treasurer reported a bank balance of £2850 with £7035 in the coaching account. Mike Buckley gave a rough estimate of the costs of this year’s winter coaching. The Chairman asked that sponsorship for 2008 be put on the agenda for the February meeting.

Umpires: Umpires’ expenses will remain the same as 2007. The League will again contribute towards the umpires’ insurance and from 2008 make a contribution towards their expenses in the Axford Indoor KO. The ACU&S have ‘merged’ with the ECB. It will still be important that captains mark umpires. There will be short umpire’s courses from 7.30pm at Astley Bridge C.C. on 15th April and at Farnworth S.C. on 16th April.

Juniors: Farnworth S.C. did not attend the last meeting. The junior Committee approved the dates for junior fixtures. A full set of fixtures will be issued before the next meeting. Indoor coaching is taking place at Smithills School on Saturday afternoons, U13 2pm-3.30pm, U15 3.30pm-5pm. Further details including costs will be emailed to clubs. The next meeting is on 21st February.

Axford Indoor KO: Semi-finals; Horwich v Eagley, Kearsley v Walkden. Walkden are responsible for ensuring the trophy is there on the day.

Transfers: P Watkinson and K Wardle (Astley Bridge to Bradshaw), D Guest and S Carney (Heaton to Astley Bridge), C Barrow (Farnworth to Farnworth S.C.), C Baxendale (Tonge to Horwich), J Wilde (Farnworth S.C. to Horwich).

Hamer Cup Draw: Byes, Heaton and Farnworth.

Westhoughton v Greenmount

Farnworth SC v Little Lever

Egerton v Astley Bridge

Horwich v Bradshaw

Eagley v Walkden

Tonge v Kearsley

Reversed fixtures for Birtwistle Cup.

Handbook: Peter Stafford urgently requires the averages from Kearsley and Little Lever and the officials and junior team managers from all clubs.

Lancs KO: Clubs will be allowed to play one overseas amateur in the competition in 2008.

Election of Sub Committees: The Disciplinary Panel and Ground Committee are unchanged from 2007, with Graham Waterworth remaining as the nominee of Farnworth S.C. As only two co-opted members were elected at the AGM, the R&C Committee will elect a Chairman from their members. D Tattersall and P Tebay were elected on to the Inter-League Selection Committee. All other officers and sub-committees are as last season. Ratification of a representative to the Bolton Cricket Development meeting will take place after the meeting with Mr. Hayhurst.

Any Other Business: In the near future Little Lever will be writing to the clubs who have entered the Lyddon 20/20 competition to check if they wish to play their two home matches in the group stage on a Tuesday or Friday evening. The Chairman asked Mr. Sandiford if the Ground Committee could discuss criteria for improving grounds, and look into the possibility of having a nominated person available for the duration of first team matches.

 

Date of Next Meeting: 25th February.