ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
TONGE C.C.
20th MAY 2012
Apologies: The Treasurer and John Hutchinson. Astley Bridge and Westhoughton were not represented.
Minutes Silence: The Committee stood in memory of Bernard Potter, Kearsley C.C. Bolton League Vice President and former Vice Chairman.
Minutes of the April Meeting: These had been circulated and were approved as a true and correct record.
Matters Arising: Mike Buckley confirmed that clubs’ Child Welfare arrangements and procedures are generally satisfactory. All clubs have a Child Welfare Officer.
Correspondence: The landline at Horwich C.C. is no longer available.
The Secretary had previously circulated correspondence relating to ECB sources of grant aid funding and PAYE from P B Syddall &Co.
A club from another league had applied to join the Bolton League. The Secretary followed the normal procedure when an application is received and informed the club that although there are no vacancies at the present time, they will receive a personal invitation if a vacancy were to arise of if the League were to change its structure.
The Umpires & Scorers Association had written querying the League’s policy of allowing players to include National and Lancs KO matches as part of a ban. A proposal that the status quo be maintained with a minor amendment to the wording defeated a proposal that National KO matches should be excluded from the arrangement. League policy is now as follows; “Matches of a similar duration, for example National or Lancashire KO will form part of the ban, which must commence with a Saturday match, and the matches must be consecutive. A player banned from a second team match must have played in the first team previously that season for his ban to include a non-Bolton League game.”
Finance: A report will be emailed to clubs.
Cricket Balls: A number of trial balls from another company will be available later in the season.
Umpires: A list of missing and late umpires’ report forms had been emailed to clubs, and Mrs Knott read a reminder. Some clubs have already been fined and others could be if submissions are not made by Friday 24th May. The form has to be completed even if there is no play.
Clubs were reminded to put the names of all players in the scorebook. This is important even if there is no play, for qualification and discipline purposes.
Scorebooks must be signed at the close of play by umpires and captains.
It has been noted some scorers are struggling to do the scorebook and operate the scoreboard at the same time.
R&C: Mrs Knott reported a club had been fined £15 for failing to provide a second team scorer.
One club had played a nine year old in a second team match. The Secretary sent out details for the requirements for a junior player in open age cricket, which must read in conjunction with Rules 26(d) and (s).
One club has dropped out of Under 13 cricket for the second consecutive season and the R&C Committee are in regular contact with the club. Another is struggling to raise an under 13 team and the reasons for this are being handled by the Junior Chairman.
Farnworth S.C. were fined £210 for failing to have a professional on 4th May.
In reply to a query it was pointed out that the Bolton League no longer have a rule stating that play cannot commence when rain is falling. We are now subject to the Laws of Cricket.
Clubs were asked to record the scores for second team cricket on Play-Cricket so performances can be included in the Bolton News; however Walkden said that as the League originally only insisted on this for the first teams, they would continue to submit the minimum information for second teams.
Warwick Milne requested that the League review the options relating to professionals, as the amount being spent may no longer be sustainable. This lead to a wider ranging discussion on other payments made by clubs, the possibility of a reduction in standards, the importance of junior cricket and the feasibility of so many age groups. Eagley requested that the Chairman form a sub-group to look at the ECB Strategy with a degree of urgency, with a progress report to be made at the June meeting. Mike Hall said the aim of the group would be to protect and develop cricket. Although the response to a questionnaire sent out last year had been poor, Mr Hinks suggested this could be a good starting point.
Rule 28(i) will apply if Hamer or Birtwistle cup matches are affected by the weather.
If players are not registered on Play-Cricket, the match will be awarded to their opponents if a protest is successful.
Disciplinary Report: Mr Bannister reported a player had been banned for one match for equipment abuse.
Juniors: The next meeting is 13th June.
The Under 18 team had been defeated by the Central Lancashire League in the carried over 2012 final.
Ground Report: Mr Waterworth said he hoped there would be another inspection in early July.
There are still problems with scoreboards and boundaries.
Hamer and Birtwistle Cup: The draw for the second round will be made at Bradshaw C.C. at 3pm on Monday 27th May.
Re-Arranged Match: If all 14 clubs agree, the incomplete matches from 18th May will be re-scheduled for Sunday 15th September, providing at least one Bolton League club is not involved in the Lancs KO final. A decision will be made at the June meeting.
Date of Next Meeting: 24th June at Tonge C.C.