ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.
22nd AUGUST 2011
Apologies: Mrs K Knott, C Monks, P Stafford and Little Lever. Heaton were not represented.
Minute’s Silence: A minute’s silence was held in memory of Michael McGuinness (Astley Bridge) and Mary Wallwork (Farnworth).
Minutes of the July Meeting: These had been circulated and were agreed to be a correct record. There were no matters arising.
Correspondence: A letter was read from Eagley regarding their 175th Anniversary in 2012. The Committee felt it would not be appropriate for them to stage the Hamer Cup final since it was almost 20 years since some other clubs had hosted it, but it was agreed the Axford Trophy match against the Bolton Association could be played there.
It was agreed the Committee would review the Hamer Cup final arrangements after Walkden have staged the final match in the current rota.
The Secretary read a letter from match official Clive Knott congratulating Little Lever for their efforts in staging the Hamer Cup final despite the weather. The Chairman added his thanks and also congratulated Westhoughton on the Birtwistle Cup final.
Bradshaw had written to say that when their first team played at Eagley there was also a private function taking place, and the alternative ladies’ toilet arrangements were unsatisfactory. It was agreed that if clubs wished to make their clubs available for functions on a match day, players and spectators must still be able to use the facilities.
Finance: A statement from the Treasurer up to 18th August was read to the Committee. This had already been forwarded to clubs.
Umpires: Missing umpires’ reports will be forwarded to clubs and the League Treasurer.
Umpires’ courses in the close season will cost £40 and include a worksheet and the new Tom Smith Umpiring and Scoring book. It was reiterated the League would refund the course costs for active Bolton League umpires.
The Secretary will take up the payment of umpires’ expenses with the Treasurer, as Ian Hamblett and Alan Greenhalgh have not been paid yet. For future reference this is covered in Rule 46.
Comments posted on a social networking site have been referred to the Disciplinary Committee.
The Umpires’ Representative read the following statement from the Chairman and Committee of the BCL Umpires and Scorers Association.
“We were bitterly disappointed that at the last League Meeting our representative Roy Sturch was not allowed a right of reply by the League Chairman on what we feel was an important issue.
The BCL Chairman has singularly disappointed our members with his lack of support when he has been presented with an opportunity to do so. We feel that his comments in a recent email to our Secretary (extracts from which were read to the Committee) were unhelpful and unfitting. As a result our Association has lost all confidence in him.
The Committee and members of our Association deplored the behaviour of some of the players and spectators at the recent league match between Heaton and Horwich. Umpires fearing for their safety during and after a match MUST be taken extremely seriously.”
The Secretary queried why the last paragraph had been included, as the Disciplinary Committee had already dealt with the matter.
The Chairman said as a matter of principle and courtesy the statement should have been sent to him before the meeting before being placed on the agenda, however he had taken the League Secretary’s advice and allowed it to remain.
The Chairman said he did not want an ‘us and them’ situation but collective improvements must be made by players and umpires.
David Morris suggested umpires’ marks should be sent to an independent body. It was noted that the Heaton captain’s marks in the match above did not reflect the comments made in the email.
Ron Fallows said the behaviour of some players was unacceptable, but this was not helped by inconsistency of reporting incidents.
Michael Buckley noted that cricket was now one of the very few remaining sports where there was no form of retribution or immediate punishment available to the officials during the match.
Some umpires are attending a seminar at Bradshaw C.C. on 23rd August.
Juniors: The next meeting is at Astley Bridge on 25th August. A date and venue will be set for the junior presentation.
Despite winning two matches and having one called off, the U18 inter league team failed to qualify for the final on run rate.
R&C: Stephen Merry reported that on the balance of probability from the documentary evidence produced Tariq Hafeez is eligible to play in the Bolton League this season. Any future protest must be accompanied by evidence that he has been out of the country.
The Committee agreed alcohol purchased elsewhere cannot be consumed on Bolton League grounds. This applies particularly to players after the match.
There was some concern that unfulfilled junior fixtures are not being reported to the R&C Committee. Mike Buckley said he checks the results on a regular basis and the majority are reported, with the previously agreed action taken. This will be raised at the next junior meeting. It was requested that the Junior Committee review the current age groups, particularly the Under 18s.
The Secretary said that the ECB T20 competition which had previously open to Premier Leagues only was now being extended to other leagues by invitation. An invitation has been extended to the Bolton League and CLL in Greater Manchester. We would have to provide a league winner and the competition would progress to Area, Regional and National Finals. The National semis and final are televised with the successful club winning a cricket tour to the Caribbean. Admission is £50 per club but there are indications a sponsor is willing to cover most of the costs for three years provided his club could stage the Area semis and final when it’s the Bolton League’s turn. The Secretary said if anyone else came forward to sponsor our part of the Competition he would hand the matter over to the Ground and Sponsorship Sub Committees. The Secretary will contact clubs separately to ensure sufficient are interested. The Secretary will liase with Little Lever regarding this competition and the Lyddon Trophy.
The Lancs KO final between Greenmount and Walkden will be held at Old Trafford from 11am on 11th September.
Matches commence at 1pm on the last weekend in August, and 12.30pm in September.
Disciplinary Report: A first team player from Horwich has been banned for one match.
John Hutchinson read an extended report relating to incidents at Heaton C.C.
Anyone aware of players banned in the Bolton League playing elsewhere should inform John Hutchinson or Ray Taylor.
Grounds: Bradshaw have been reported for lack of bounce. Graham Waterworth noted that extensive work had been carried out on the Bradshaw square in the close season.
League Dinner: It was recommended that tickets for the buffet be priced £12.50 to cover the costs. Clubs will also be invoiced £25 towards the raffle. At the September meeting a decision will be made on clubs taking a minimum number of tickets.
Rules: The Chairman has asked Dave Tattersall, Simon Thomson, Andy Bowker, Darren Whittle, Simon Booth, Ian Pilkington and Steve Bannister to look into proposed rule changed before the October meeting.
Prize Claim Meeting: 3rd October. Stephen Merry, Mike Buckley and the Chairman are looking into a suitable format for the submission of averages.
Stephen reminder clubs that when submitting score sheets its important to include the initial where two or more players at the club share the same surname.
Date of Next Meeting: 26th September.