ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

 

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

 

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

 

26th July 2010

 

 

Apologies; M. Buckley and J. Hutchinson.

 

Minutes of the June Meeting; These had been circulated and were agreed to be a correct record.

 

Matters Arising; The Chairman is to contact Mike Hall regarding the fines imposed on Bradshaw and Westhoughton in 2009.

The 5-minute allowance to allow play to continue in moderate rain is a guideline.

The Committee agreed by 12 votes to 5 that the Bolton League will accept as professional any player who has played at least two first class matches in the past two seasons, along with any player from the UK Premier Leagues or ECB accepted ‘professional’ leagues where professionals are compulsory, provided they have averaged over 700 runs or 60 wickets in the previous three seasons. The League will also accept players, who have averaged over 500 runs and 30 wickets, or 45 wickets and 350 runs in the same period. All other players will still need the permission of the Committee.

 

Correspondence; A letter from Bury C.C. was read to the Committee. The Secretary had replied.

The Secretary had circulated an email re www.cricketcoachingmats.com

 

Finance; – Report emailed / enclosed.

 

Umpires; Mrs Knott said the Umpires / Captains meeting had been successful, although one club was not represented and two others had only one representative.

There were suggestions that in first team cricket all deliveries down the leg side should be wides, matches should start at 1pm and bowlers be allowed no more than 10 overs in the Hamer Cup. The Chairman stressed that all proposals must be made formally through the League Secretary.

Discipline and umpires’ marks were also covered.

The Committee felt it would be beneficial if the bowlers’ run ups were covered before the match as well as during.

It was agreed a maximum of 7 minutes be allowed for the removal of covers once the home team had been informed by the umpire(s).

Threatening umpires with legal action is a reportable disciplinary offence, as is the consumption of alcohol by a player still active during the match or due to participate. If this is in the presence of a player Under 18 then it becomes a matter for the County Welfare Officer.

 

Juniors; Heaton and Westhoughton were not represented at the last meeting.

The Committee requested that the Junior Committee present outline proposals for the structure of junior cricket, particularly Under 18 by the September meeting.

Both Heaton Under 15s and Under 13s were congratulated on winning the North of England finals. Their Under 15 beat Westhoughton in the Mervyn Porter final.

Disciplinary Report; The Committee agreed that where time constraints for hearings and appeals were not covered in Rules 5 or 18, the ECB Guidelines would apply.

 

Ground Report; Westhoughton’s square had been reported for inconsistent bounce, and remedial work is ongoing.

 

R&C Report; The Committee agreed that Neil Tonge could not revert to amateur status and return to the Bolton League in 2010.

Clubs listed their ‘starred’ players, and the list will be sent to Ron Fallows.

 

Hamer Cup Final; Mr Ainsworth reminded clubs that the main car park at Bradshaw will be closed when it is full, and cars will not be allowed round the ground from when the game commences to close of play.

Professional security has been hired, and alcohol cannot be brought onto the ground. 

 

Birtwistle Cup; The final is Walkden v Bradshaw.

 

Second Team Inter-League; The Chairman reported on our defeat against the Central Lancashire League at Clifton C.C.

 

Peter Edmondson; Members of the Committee were delighted to see our former chairman at a cricket match after a prolonged period of recuperation.

 

Date of Next Meeting; 23rd August.