ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.
25th OCTOBER 2010
Apologies: None. Greenmount and Kearsley were not represented.
Minutes of the September Meeting: These had been circulated and were approved as a correct record.
Matters Arising: The Secretary explained that Farnworth S.C. had not been aware Co-Opted Member John Hutchinson could not represent them. Under the circumstances it was agreed without dissent the fine be waived.
Since the last meeting the Chairman had asked the Committee to make a decision on the boltoncricket website. A minority were against, but comments were taken into account.
Astley Bridge asked that it be minuted that although they have no objection to contributing to the costs of the boltoncricket website for the administration benefits, they are concerned with some of the comments on the Forum, especially from people who cannot be identified. There is also the worry that if, in the future, there is legal action against the website as we now contribute to the costs it could be seen as our ‘official’ website.
Proposed Amendments to Rules: The Secretary read those that had not already been discussed.
The Secretary felt that awarding a bonus point for not being bowled out in the second innings in addition to a point for scoring 75% of the runs would lead to an imbalance of the points allocation.
The Treasurer pointed out it would be difficult to enforce the amendment relating to grade 1 professionals if an overseas professional did not arrive and was replaced by one based in the UK, or if a club elected to play without a professional.
The Secretary said for legal reasons the words ‘Ex-patriot’ should be deleted and replaced with ‘British Citizen’ as the League could not refuse the registration of the latter.
Changes to the Laws of Cricket have been emailed to clubs and officials and proposed amendments to rules will reflect those affecting league cricket.
The Junior Section has proposed establishing an Executive Committee, and a restriction on bowlers in the Under 15 section.
Voting forms will be emailed / posted to clubs and officials. There must be two signatures from club official’s for a club’s vote to be valid.
Correspondence: The Chairman said the ideas put forward in his letter to clubs could be developed in the New Year.
The Secretary had emailed information concerning the following; Funding for Coaching, a UKCC Coaching Assistant Course, ECB Guidelines on Junior Players in Open Age Cricket, a coaching course this weekend in Farnworth and CASC / Just Giving.
The Treasurer said that a Biometric Residency Permit for overseas players could be introduced from 14th December. This could take up to 90 working days to implement for new players.
Finance: Statement to be forwarded. The Secretary made specific reference to an overdue fine from Farnworth C.C.
Umpires: The draw for the Axford Indoor KO will be made before the next meeting. Dates are still awaited for the LCB Indoor KO.
84% of the umpires’ reports had been submitted, a significant improvement following the introduction of electronic submissions, although in some cases without the umpire’s name. This point will be reinforced at the next Umpires’ / Captains’ meeting.
Out of 611 reports, 48 recorded an umpire as ‘poor’. These mainly related to interpretations of the LBW Law, legside wide Rule or miscalculation of run rates.
Juniors: Horwich and Egerton were not represented at the last meeting. District Cricket nomination forms have been emailed to clubs.
The Junior AGM is on 18th November. Voting forms will be send to clubs and officials and require signatures.
R&C: Although his statistics did not give him automatic qualification, by a vote of 13 to 1 the Committee agreed to accept Syd De Silva’s registration as professional at Tonge C.C.
Ron Fallows requested that until the conclusion of the Indoor KO all registration / transfer documents be copied to the League Secretary as well.
Discipline: The Secretary reported that players in the Saddleworth League had been banned for three and four years for assaults on and off the pitch. The Disciplinary Chairman confirmed that the umpires had not reported the player(s) for an alleged assault where the police had been involved so the League were unable to take any action.
Grounds: Graham Waterworth said three clubs, Greenmount, Tonge and Westhoughton, were still not showing ‘runs to win’ on their scoreboards, and from the start of next season action would be taken.
League Dinner: Little Lever reported they had 181 at a recent Sportsmen’ Dinner.
Mike Buckley wants clubs to let him know numbers attending the Dinner by 1st November. The information will be communicated to Little Lever and the Treasurer.
Fixtures 2011: With one club dissenting it was agreed the season would be extended by one week, leaving the August Bank Holiday Sunday free.
If the National KO draw is released sufficiently early the Secretary will ask those clubs involved to try and arrange their first round matches for Sunday 1st May.
The Lancs KO draw has been sent to clubs.
Readers Inter League KO: The Bolton League travel to a Saddleworth League ground in the first round, and have been drawn away in the semis and final.
Dates for the Colts games have not been released yet, but we are in the same group as North Lancs League, Manchester Association and Lancs County League. Bowl outs do not apply in Colts group matches.
Mr Hutchinson, who umpired in the 2010 final before a meagre crowd questioned the level of commitment to the competition of all the clubs and leagues involved. It was pointed out that although we can very rarely field a full strength team, we have been the most successful league in recent years.
Points relating to the provision of umpires were raised.
Date of Next Meeting: 29th November
Date of AGM: 13th December