ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

25^th JULY 2011

Apologies: P Stafford, C Monks and J Hutchinson.

Minute’s Silence: A minute’s silence was held in memory of Tony Carter, Heaton C.C.

Minutes of the June Meeting: The date in the R&C report should have been 2012. Otherwise the minutes were a correct record.

Matters Arising: The Chairman has discussed the use of the Boltoncricket website for individual clubs’ statistics with Paul Rayment.

The League Presentation will be at Farnworth Masonic Hall on Friday 28^th October. There will be a hot and cold buffet.

David Fairbrother and David Morris were congratulated on their success at the LCB OSCAS event.

Finance: Report to follow.

Umpires: There will be ACO umpires courses from 4^th October at Walkden C.C. and from 10th January at Astley Bridge C.C. The League will pay the course fee for those umpiring or prepared to umpire in the Bolton League. It is hoped another course can be arranged for junior team managers and umpires.

Umpires have to stand in a minimum of six second team games before progressing to first team cricket, with progress depending on the marks given by captains.

Some umpires are now refusing to stand in first team matches because of the players’ behaviour. Of particular concern is the repeated questioning of umpires’ decisions. Recruitment is difficult as very few players are willing to become umpires. Last Saturday there were potentially two first team games with only one umpire.

The Committee agreed that players must communicate with their opponents in English.

Scorers and umpires should remain at the ground until the scorebooks have been checked and signed.

Missing and late umpires’ marks have been emailed to clubs.

A letter from a local cricket supporter with a background in cricket has been emailed to League Representatives, however this will not be discussed in detail at a future League Meeting. As a direct result of the letter a meeting was held between the League Chairman, Karen Knott and David Heap, where perceived weaknesses and procedures were discussed. After this meeting, the Chairman wrote a letter, which was sent to all clubs to be brought to the attention of their first and second team captains.

In future the achievements of umpires should be given prominence in the local press in the same way that young players progressing beyond the Bolton League are credited.

The Chairman asked Roy Sturch and David Morris to withhold specific comments, but it was agreed that an unacceptable amount of familiarity between local players and umpires was creeping into the game.

Juniors: The Committee agreed that provided a mutually convenient alternative date could be agreed between Astley Bridge and Heaton for the Mervyn Porter final at Astley Bridge, the teams could play it then. Otherwise it must be played on 14^th August, even though there is an Under 15 inter league match.

The Secretary read a letter from Paul Schofield regarding Tonge’s juniors, however it was agreed that it was in Tonge’s best interest, including Clubmark accreditation, to resume junior cricket in 2012. There would be a similar penalty to that imposed on Farnworth and Little Lever for non-compliance.

The Secretary had passed a letter from a club outside the Bolton League who want to join our junior sections, to Mike Buckley. The club have also expressed an interest in joining the Bolton League senior leagues.

The Junior Secretary said there would be a review of the existing junior age groups.

Disciplinary Reports: The Secretary reported that two Egerton second team players have been banned for two and three matches respectively and another reported but no action taken. Egerton are still awaiting a response from John Hutchinson relating to enquiries about the disciplinary action. A Walkden first team player was banned for one match.

Heaton have been fined £150 and also face a 3 point deduction from their first team for failing to control the actions of a club member. The points deduction will only come into force if the same member is reported again. The League Secretary has been in protracted correspondence with the club member.

Kearsley have received a written warning regarding the control of spectators and supporters.

The Kearsley representative expressed his disappointment about the inconsistencies in the severity of incidents reported.

R&C Reports: The following players have been transferred; J Gwilt (Bradshaw to Egerton), J Rushton (Farnworth to Walkden), S Carney (Astley Bridge to Heaton), G Bohannan (Farnworth to Farnworth S.C.), S Davies (Walkden to Kearsley).

The list of ‘Starred’ players will be distributed before the last six matches.

Mrs Knott reported that on 14^th July, following a complaint from a member club, the R&C Committee met to discuss the residential qualification of Tariq Hafeez under Rule 13(c). While there is documentary evidence to suggest the player was in the UK 9 months before the date of his registration, and he is eligible to vote, to date Walkden have not provided proof of continuous residency and were given until 28^th July to do so. At the moment the club are playing him knowing points may be deducted. The player has since been re-registered under his full name of Muhammad Tariq Hafeez Mughal.

The second team inter league match against the CLL which was rained off when originally scheduled, will now be played on Sunday 18^th September.

Ground Report: Mr Waterworth said grounds were generally in good condition and problems with the Farnworth S.C. scoreboard should be rectified this week.

Clubs were reminded of their obligations under Rule 11

(b) In first team matches, as a minimum requirement, the total, wickets, and last man and/or individual batsmen’s scores on the scoreboard must be updated after each run and at the fall of each wicket. The individual batsmen’s scores and overs must be updated at the end of each over.

Hamer Cup Final: As Walkden did not feel they were able to stage the final successfully the Secretary emailed clubs asking for volunteers. Horwich, Farnworth S.C. Little Lever and Tonge applied. The two finalists indicated their preferred choice was Little Lever and the Committee backed this request.

Birtwistle Cup Final: Greenmount requested that should they win the semi final, the final be put back to 28^th August as their first team are at home in the Lancs KO semi final on 14^th August. Provided this date is also convenient for Egerton, the Committee had no objections.

Should Westhoughton win the semi final, the final will be on their ground on 14^th August v Egerton.

Should Greenmount win the semi final, the final will either be at Egerton on 14^th August or Greenmount on 28^th August.

Trophies: As requested previously, all junior and senior trophies must be returned to Bradshaw C.C. or Heaton C.C. by 31^st July.

Date of Next Meeting: 22^nd August at Bradshaw C.C.