ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.
21st APRIL 2008
Apologies: Karen Knott and Eric Smith. All other members of the Committee attended.
Minutes of the March Meeting: These were agreed to be a correct record and can now go on the Bolton Cricket website.
Matters Arising: The Chairman is to arrange a meeting with Andy Hayhurst to discuss unresolved issues relating to the Bolton League and the Lancashire Cricket Board. Peter Stafford said as far as he was aware many of the concerns expressed over the past months had not been formally discussed by the LCB.
Rod Sandiford explained to the Committee that United Utilities are now treating clubs as businesses for the charges made for the disposal of surface water, with the result that bills have increased by up to 400% with further increases likely next year. Clubs’ attention had been drawn previously to an article in the Manchester Evening News. It was agreed that the Secretary and Mr Sandiford should send a letter to the Bolton Council with copies to the cricket authorities.
Correspondence: Clubs were given packages with the new run rate tables, which umpires will also have, and the score cards for 1st team results for Stephen Merry.
The Secretary read a letter from David Magilton, Sports Editor at the Bolton News about the BN website. The Secretary will contact Mr Magilton on behalf of the League, but if clubs wish to use the free facility for reports, news, pictures etc they should contact Mr Magilton at dmagilton@boltoneveningnews.co.uk.
Rod Sandiford distributed balls for the first round of the Hamer Cup, requesting that the balls be returned to him with feedback from the players.
Finance: The Treasurer reported balances of £2780 in the Current Account, £1530 in the Savings Account, £5238 in the Coaching Account and £868 in the Legal Fund. Farnworth, Farnworth S.C. and Walkden have still to produce evidence to Public Liability Insurance. Mike Buckley gave an update on the Coaching Fund.
Registrations: The Committee approved the transfer of Mark Howarth from Bradshaw to Egerton (Rule 12d).
Ron Fallows requires electronic or manual updates of player lists before 9pm on the Friday before the season.
Contracts are still required from Egerton, Greenmount, Kearsley, Little Lever, Tonge, Walkden and Westhoughton before their professionals can play. The relevance of this requirement was questioned but will remain in force for this year.
A number of clubs will be fielding substitute professionals. As with previous seasons the Committee accepted that once a professional has been notified to the Committee and graded, clubs will be allowed deputies up to this grade.
Ground Inspections: David Morris distributed copies of the umpires’ criteria for marking grounds. Clubs were also given five report cards, one for this weekend’s matches and two for each umpire. Mr Morris explained the criteria sheets were to encourage greater consistency. Marks for covers and drying equipment will only be given when it is wet. The cards will be sent to the League Secretary, who will inform clubs by email of any adverse comments, then passed to the Ground Committee for any necessary action and for the compilation of the marks. Clubs will be expected to achieve a minimum of 60% overall. The aim of the system is to identify weaknesses and improve standards all round.
Mr Morris suggested that funds, possibly those for junior coaching, be set-aside for covers. He was asked by the Committee to get a price for a bulk purchase.
An early inspection of grounds had been made, and this will be followed up as soon as possible in the season. The Chairman asked for an independent inspection of Bradshaw and Egerton.
Most grounds are in an acceptable condition despite the heavy rain in March and early April, with Astley Bridge being outstanding, although the boundary at the Thornleigh side requires attention. There are new drains at the two Farnworth clubs, and Little Lever was still wet when inspected early in the week. The boundary edge needs trimming at Eagley, and the boundary edges at Greenmount and Kearsley near the walls require definition. There is a lot of outfield moss at Horwich and Kearsley that could in time affect the square and a lot of grass on the outfields at Tonge and Walkden.
Umpires: Roy Sturch said a number of clubs were not represented at the Umpires / Captains meeting or did not send senior playing representatives. Fines were passed to the Treasurer. David Morris questioned the necessity of the meetings.
There had been a poor response to the Introduction to Umpiring and Scorers courses. Umpires will not take responsibility for checking the correctness of scorebooks, but will agree total if the captains are unable to reconcile the books.
Clubs are asked to make a chain or tape available for Saturday’s match so the umpires can check the measurements are correct.
Juniors: The next meeting is on 24th April.
Handbook: The Handbook should be available by Wednesday, and will be taken to the Junior Meeting for distribution to clubs. There will be two additional copies for each club to be given to the umpires on Saturday.
JW Lees Inter-League: The first round is at Adlington C.C. on 8th June. We are at home in the semi and away in the final. The selectors are asked to ensure players selected are actually available before sending the teams to the press.
Twelve players may be used in the U18 matches, but only 11 can bat, or field at any time. The U18s play at Denton West on 8th June and Padiham on 13th July. A venue is required for our home match on 10th August against the Central Lancs League. The unplayed match at Westhoughton last season was raised again. Gates in the U18 matches should be split between the leagues after expenses are deducted.
Results: 1st team results must be phoned to Peter Stafford immediately after the match. 2nd team results should be phoned before Wednesday lunch along with performances of 50 runs and 5 wickets or above.
20/20 Fixtures:
Tuesday 6th May, Tonge v Darcy Lever,
Tuesday 13th May, Blackrod v Horwich, Egerton v Walshaw,
Friday 16th May, Flixton v Walkden, Bury v Tonge
Tuesday 20th May, Radcliffe v Little Lever, Heaton v Blackrod.
Any Other Business: Steve Parker gave an update on the progress of Westhoughton’s move. The last match of the 2008 season at the Tyldsleys will be Westhoughton v Kearsley 1st team.
Date of Next Meeting: 19th May.