ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT FARNWORTH S.C.C.C.
16th APRIL 2009
Apologies: Mike Hall. Bradshaw were not represented.
Minutes of the March Meeting: These had been circulated and approved as a correct record.
Matters Arising: Only Bradshaw, Farnworth, Tonge and Walkden had submitted their Child Welfare information. The remaining clubs were given to 4th May, otherwise would then be reported to the R&C Committee.
David Morris will look into the costs of replica trophies.
Only Eagley have failed to produce a copy of their Public Liability Insurance. They were asked to do this before the first match.
The Secretary was concerned about the legal implications of the decision taken at the last meeting regarding wicketkeeping grills. Few other leagues seem aware of the ECB’s decision and it was agreed the situation would be reviewed at the May meeting when hopefully more information is available.
Matches in April commence at 1pm.
Correspondence: The Secretary had previously emailed the YCB guide for scorers and the ECB Guidelines for Junior Players in Adult Matches.
United Utilities have begun writing to clubs with a questionnaire about their status, with three key questions being asked. It was felt that most clubs could legitimately answer no to all three.
League Cricket Conference Handbooks were distributed.
Umpires: Clubs are asked to have a chain or other accurate measuring implement available before the start of Sunday’s matches.
Clubs were reminded about the course from 7.30pm at Bradshaw C.C. on Monday 20th April. Only Astley Bridge, Bradshaw, Eagley, Greenmount, Tonge and Walkden have given names of those attending to Karen Knott or Mike Buckley so far. It was agreed there must be at one person actively involved in junior cricket from each club.
Mrs Knott outlined the topics that had been discussed at the Umpires / Captains meeting. Greenmount were fined £50 for not having any representation and Walkden £25 for only having one representative. Players had expressed surprise that their clubs had put forward amendments to Rule that they did not support.
Further meetings between a smaller number of umpires and captains will be arranged.
Juniors: The next meeting is at Astley Bridge on 23rd April.
The Under 18 Inter League match on 9th August will be played at Westhoughton C.C.
John Hutchinson read a letter he had written on behalf of Farnworth C.C. regarding the merger of Farnworth and FSC junior sections, with all players under 15 registering for FSC. The Chairman pointed out it was contrary to Bolton League Rules for a team not to have a junior section and run the required number of junior teams, and indicated that membership of the League could be terminated. Steve Dalton explained that Farnworth were having problems recruiting junior team managers and detailed one of the problems. The Committee agreed that Farnworth should have twelve month’s grace to rebuild their junior section, without sanctions, in line with previous arrangements with clubs. Farnworth were asked to work closely with the Junior Secretary and other officials and resources would be made available to assist the club. It was also suggested the LCB may be able to provide support through Cricket Development. Several members of the Committee expressed the fear that if clubs were allowed to continue without junior sections, other clubs would follow suit.
Ground Inspections: Derek Kay, David Morris and Graham Waterworth had carried out brief inspections. They were disappointed with Greenmount, the outfield is in poor condition, there is moss on the square and the boundary boards had not been painted.
All other clubs were generally satisfactory, although the boundary rope at Bradshaw could be improved, it was suggested their should be a rope in front of the pavilion at Little Lever, there is excessive moss on the outfield at Kearsley although this is being addressed, and the wicket ends at Walkden need attention.
Mr Morris was asked to obtain quotes for the bulk purchase of covers.
Serious vandalism at Heaton had resulted in both sightscreens being wrecked. The Committee discussed the various options available, including transferring the first team match to Walkden, erecting temporary screens, moving the game to Little Lever or playing later in the season. After protracted discussions it was agreed that unless the two clubs agreed to transfer the match to Walkden, with a decision being taken by 5pm on Friday, Heaton would put up temporary screens and the match would take place at Lower Pools subject to Rule 26(d).
Finance: The Treasurer reported a bank balance of £1696 with £1806 in the Savings Account, £6310 in the Coaching Fund and £919 in the Legal Fund. Westhoughton owe £75, Eagley and Farnworth £50 and FSC £25. Walkden owe £581 for their cricket balls.
Professionals and Registrations: For deputy purposes the professional were graded as follows; B, Ea, FSC, He and Tonge 1. All others 2.
It appeared very unlikely that any overseas professionals would be in the country to begin the season, a problem affecting clubs throughout the UK. There was a discussion about the financial obligation to players who were not in the country when matches are scheduled. The Chairman said he would write to Neil Edwards of League Cricket Conference in an attempt to clarify this and other issues.
The Secretary reminded clubs about the retention clause in the League Cricket Conference contract.
Ron Fallows has not received professional’s contracts from the following clubs; Eagley, FSC, Greenmount, Walkden and Westhoughton. Updated player lists have not been received from Eagley, Egerton, Kearsley and Westhoughton.
The following players have transferred; D Beswick and A Pendlebury (Eagley to Egerton), M Hicks (Farnworth to Little Lever), I Taylor (Tonge to Little Lever), I McLellan (Egerton to Little Lever), C Baxendale (Horwich to Heaton), S De Silva (Egerton to Tonge), I Patel (Egerton to Walkden), I Warren (Eagley to Bradshaw), C Reid (Astley Bridge to Bradshaw), A Rushton, D Rushton and S Roberts (FSC to Farnworth).
LCB Report: The President advised that a player he named in another league in Lancashire had received a lengthy ban.
The Lancs KO final will be at St Annes.
There is no inter-league sponsor for 2010 season.
Date of Next Meeting: 18th May at Bradshaw C.C.