ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

29^th JUNE 2009

A minute’s silence was held in respect of Geoff Brockbank from Bradshaw and Derek Ashworth from Horwich.

Apologies; Mike Hall and Tony Hayes.

Hamer and Birtwistle Cup Draws; Hamer Cup – Horwich v Egerton, Kearsley v Tonge. Birtwistle Cup – Farnworth v Greenmount, Tonge v Little Lever.

Minutes of the May Meeting; These had been circulated previously and were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising; David Morris is still looking into the purchase of replica trophies and asked that the Hamer and Birtwistle Cups be returned, clean, at the next League Meeting. It was requested that the umpires be given tankards as their mementoes for the cup finals.

Clubs were asked to follow up CRB certification for the following, Astley Bridge; R Northrop and S McArdle, Eagley; P Ingram, C Buckle and S Cooper, Farnworth; J Mather, Greenmount; M Stewart and V Johnson, Heaton; G Garner and J Cross, Tonge; R Fray, Westhoughton; S Parker and J Chadwick. Reference numbers of the actual certificates or applications should be notified to a League Welfare Officer before the July meeting.

Farnworth C.C. are fulfilling some Under 18 fixtures and have held meetings regarding Under 15 and Under 13 teams.

Lancs KO and Hamer Cup; The Secretary briefly explained events this season in the Lancs KO from the Blackpool v Little Hulton tie onward and how matches had been decided. In order to play the Greenmount v Ormskirk tie the R&C Committee and Horwich had cooperated in allowing the Horwich v Greenmount Hamer and Birtwistle cup ties to be rescheduled.

The Committee agreed that with Horwich’s agreement their Hamer Cup tie against Egerton could be played on 26^th July but the tie must be decided by the close of play on Friday 31^st July.

The Committee also agreed, without dissent, that the Kearsley v Tonge first and second team matches from 5^th July could be played later in the season so Kearsley could play at Lytham in the Lancs KO. The date would be notified to the League Secretary within seven days. In the event of their not being a result from any of the first team matches on 5^th July the Kearsley and Tonge matches would not be played.

Correspondence; Eric Barlow from Little Lever was nominated for the Hubert Pendlebury award.

Finance; Report from the Treasurer emailed / posted.

R&C Report; The Chairman said the R&C Committee had agreed the points in the Walkden v Farnworth first team match should be awarded to Farnworth. This decision had been upheld on appeal.

The Secretary had written to clubs advising them to consult with David Lees the Greater Manchester CWO if they uncertain about the legality of a deputy professional they may wish to engage.

The Committee agreed Phil Cavell could transfer from Walkden to Horwich under Rule 12(d) subject to Rule 17. Members of the Committee felt rule 12(d) should be reviewed.

All clubs now have a professional with the exception of Astley Bridge. The Committee agreed Astley Bridge could continue to employ deputies until such time as their professional arrived, or his contract was terminated.

Umpires; Umpires had been reminded that the 3 hours 5 minutes includes all events normally occurring during a cricket match, including retrieving ball, drying balls, moving sightscreens, and runners once a batsman is capable of continuing his innings but does not include injuries to players or umpires requiring treatment. Horwich were asked to have some form of cover available for car windscreens in the BRSA car park on sunny days.

A list of clubs failing to submit umpires’ reports has been emailed / posted to clubs. Under the R&C Guidelines issued before the season some teams are on the verge of having points deducted. Clubs are asked to let Malcolm Kinder know if a match is rained off.

Umpires are still entitled to part payment even if the match is called off early in the day.

Clubs are asked to remember the scorers at drinks breaks.

Clubs should be aware of the precise wording of the Fast Bowling Directive.

Grounds; Steve Parker gave the Committee an update on their new ground and said it may be fit to play on this season. Clubs and officials will be kept informed.

Clubs wishing to purchase covers before a forthcoming price rise should contact David Morris.

Second Team Results; Peter Stafford is not receiving sufficient results to compile an up to date table or get the results and performances in the Bolton News. He will let the Secretary know which matches are missing. There is a league table on the Bolton cricket website but it is not accurate.

Juniors; Eagley were absent from the last meeting.

Match cards are coming in well.

The Under 18s beat the Saddleworth League in the JW Lees KO.

There is a first aid course at Bradshaw C.C. 7pm to 10pm 2^nd July, and a Good Practice and Child Protection course on 9^th July.

The Coaching Committee are looking into coaching sessions for next winter.

The next meeting is 23^rd July.

Inter League; The senior team play the Bolton Association at Astley Bridge on 12^th July, and on the same date the Under 18 team are at Furness and the Second Team play the Central Lancashire League at Farnworth Social Circle. The Secretary read out the names of the Second team and asked reps to check on player availability.

The Committee agreed in principle to a 20/20 match against the Bolton Association.

Future Structure; The Chairman distributed his proposals for the future structure of the Bolton League. Clubs were asked not to discuss these on the Forum or in the Press until an official press release had been made. Mr Kay said unless ten of the fourteen clubs supported the proposals they would be shelved.

Any Other Business; Sixteen-year-old Marcus Dawson from Greenmount was congratulated on his 194 in the Birtwistle Cup.

Date of Next Meeting; 27^th July.