ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

Minutes of the BCL Committee meeting held at Tonge CC on Monday October 3rd 2016 at 7.30 p.m.

 

Present:  Mr F Hinks (President); Mr J Hutchinson (Chairman) and 18 clubs

Apologies were received from: Mr R Taylor (Secretary) and Mr Richard Blagg

It was noted that Daisy Hill and Little Hulton were not represented.

Minutes silence: a minutes silence was held to remember Mr Terry Stewart (Greenmount) former player and umpire.

The minutes of the August Committee meeting were approved.

Matters arising: 

·        A further ground inspection had taken place at Little Hulton CC and D. Molyneux was overseeing procedures.

·        It was noted that the Club had been broken into on October 2nd.

·        All BCL clubs would have the usual pre season ground inspection late March/early April 2017 in readiness for the 2017 season.

·        A Letter had been sent to all clubs with details of what was to be expected for the 2017 season and the Grounds Committee would enforce their requests.

·        Certain requirements for clubs in the 1st Division for the 2018 season would be recommended by the Grounds Committee at the appropriate time. Proposals will go to the AGM.

·        Grounds cards will be ready for the start of next season.

·        The Grounds Committee requested support from those present to encourage clubs to address the requests/recommendations that would be given to them and the Chairman assured that this would be the case.

·        Lostock CC reported all the external work had been finished on the club house; the electrics had been done and the road/car park and fence would be completed by mid November. The club would be ready for the 2017 season.

League Presentation 2016

·        Letters regarding this year’s presentation had been distributed to those present.

·        November 18th – 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. and tickets were £20 each. Clubs had 6 each.

·        Mr Buckley requested numbers to him by October 31st and if clubs were not attending he needed to know.

·        The Chairman urged support for the presentation evening and Leigh Miners Club was a good venue.

·        Discussions with Bolton Town Hall were in progress with a view of considering this as a venue for 2017.

·        The Junior Presentation for 2016 was planned to be held at Horwich RMI and final details about the evening were being addressed. Horwich RMI would let Mr Buckley know very shortly.

League structure 2017

Those present had been circulated with the Steering Group information. Below is a brief resume of the discussions by the BCL Committee. Where appropriate, please refer to this document.

·        Voting had already taken place regarding Saturday fixtures

·         The season which would be from April 29th to September 16th

·        No matches would be played after 16th September

·        All matches in September will start no later than 12.30 p.m.

·         The Bolton Cricket League (BCL) is the name of the League

·        1st Division to be called the BCL Premiership

·        2nd Division to be called the BCL Association

·        2ND team divisions to carry similar names with ”2nd teams” inserted

·        The Chairman had received a letter from Mr P Crook, Secretary of the Bolton and District Cricket Association. Mr Crook  was disappointed to hear the word Association being used by the BCL and no cups and trophies would be given or loaned out to any cricket league by the  Association

·        The BCL Premiership teams would play for the Peter Stafford trophy – vote taken – all agreed as per Steering group recommendation

·        The 2nd Division teams would play for the Stafford Shield – vote taken – all agreed

·        Clubs would be seeded as appropriate (5 groups were planned – one seeded club in each group) followed by a random draw to establish which of the other clubs went into which group

·        1st and 2nd divisions will play on the same day. If first and second team were at home, the first team would take precedence – the second team having to play “away”

·        The points system was already in place and would be used to decide positions as now and if clubs were level the club with the higher net run rate would be used to determine positions

·         In order to ensure players played the correct number of matches to qualify to take part in the Hamer and Birtwistle cups, they must be registered by April 29th. This proposal will go to the AGM

·        Coloured clothing – for Hamer Cup is acceptable. Each club to decide its colour. This proposal to go to the AGM

·        Birtwistle Cup – no rule changes needed

·        Restrictions on number of overs bowlers may bowl – details in Steering Group information Proposal to go to the AGM

·        Coloured clothing for League matches – it was agreed that WHITES ONLY be worn

·        Premiership and Association (i.e. 1st and 2nd divisions) will play to the same rules. Any changes to be taken to the AGM

·        T20 – groups of 5 on a REGIONAL basis. Play each other once. “Home” club to stipulate which night they wish the match to be played on. There will be a finals day where the two semi finals and final will be played. The winners of the T20 will host the final the following season. For 2017 – Westhoughton CC will host the finals which will be on a Sunday

·        For the T20, matches must be played on the original date and if this is not possible a bowl out (pitch conditions permitting – umpires to decide) or toss of a coin will come into force

·        40 over competition – for 2018 new rules for ground equipment will be in place

·        Lancs KO – Bobby Denning has been in discussion with BCL officials and 8 teams from the BCL will be involved. BCL would like to nominate: winners of Hamer Cup; first placed team in both 1st and 2nd divisions and the top five clubs in the first division

·        Junior cricket – the Junior Committee will report back at the next meeting

·        New clubs to join the BCL – 5 have shown interest up to date

·        Professionals – clubs to discuss their situation and bring suggestions to the next meeting

R and C Committee:-

·        Request from Kearsley to sign Cameron Murray as overseas amateur. He complies with rules and regulations on residency etc. He would be eligible from 14th May 2017 and Kearsley asking if BCL would waiver rule so he could start the season on 29th April. Vote taken – it was agreed he could take part in the Peter Stafford trophy

·        A plea for scorecards to have correct information on was heard! Please will all those involved in this important piece of statistical data make sure it is filled in correctly EVERY  TIME

Lancs KO final:-

·        Farnworth CC reached the final and played Denton West CC. Due to a misinterpretation of the rules of the competition, it was understood 5 overs should have been deducted from the Denton West innings. It was agreed that officials from the BCL should speak to the LCB and make them aware that this was considered to have a bearing on the result.

Disciplinary Committee:-

·        20 umpires reports received

·        7 were for abuse of equipment; 5 for foul and abusive language directed at an umpire and 3 for foul and abusive directed at players

·        The new system of printing tariffs for offences had worked well. The numbers of meetings had been minimal

·        Further adjustments may be necessary but these can be discussed as appropriate

Summer football:-

·        Bobby Denning has met with the LFA. LFA has met with the Bolton and District Junior Football League. LCB and LFA to meet along with other interested parties. BCL need to minimise impact on Junior Cricket and clubs will need to look at what is best for them

Junior Committee:-

·        Members will decide on fixtures and presentation

 

 

Umpires:-

·        Most promising young scorer – Aidan Constantine – Farnworth CC

·        Indoor competition 2017 – clubs participating …… Atherton; Blackrod; Bradshaw; Darcy Lever; Daisy Hill; Eagley; Farnworth; Farnworth Social Circle; Heaton; Horwich; Kearsley; Little Hulton; Lostock; Tonge; Walkden and Westhoughton. Clubs please confirm your participation with Mrs Knott as soon  as possible

·        Umpires insurance – the BCL were thanked for the reimbursement to the umpires

Finance:-

·        The Treasurer gave a brief summary of the accounts. £2200 in the bank. £2900 still owed by clubs

·        Accounts ready to be signed

·        Letter received from Westhoughton CC asking for individual details for clubs regarding monies owing rather than blanket statement. Those present agreed the present system was adequate

·        The BCL Committee noted receipt of the letter from Westhoughton

Abuse of Social Media:-

·        Care was needed by clubs who used this particular form of communication. BCL follows ECB guidelines and will rigorously enforce the rules

Prize claims and Votes:-

·        This has been done

CricHQ:-

·        The Chairman informed those present  he had been in touch with Stuart Reynolds

·        Stuart had offered to run this for BCL for under £1000

·        Approximate cost to clubs - £45 (max) for each club

·        All data can be put onto CricHQ but might struggle to add photos

·        BCL would get the full system (all inclusive) if they decide to go with Stuart Reynolds. It was discussed whether or not to go with this offer.

·        It was agreed a Steering Committee to understand how the system worked

·        A vote was taken all were in favour of going with CricHQ

T20 competition 2017:-

Clubs and their evening of playing “home” games –

Adlington (Friday); Atehrton (Friday); Astley Bridge (Tuesday); Blackrod (Friday); Bradshaw (Tuesday or Sunday); Daisy Hill (Tuesday); Darcy Lever (Friday); Eagley (Tuesday provisionally); Farnworth (Tuesday provisionally); Farnworth Social Circle (Sunday); Golbourne (Friday); Heaton (Friday provisionally); Horwich (Friday); Kearsley (Friday); Little Hulton (Friday); Little Lever (Friday); Lostock (Friday); Tonge (Friday); Walkden (Tuesday provisionally) and Westhoughton (Friday)

 

League fixtures:-

·        As per the agenda (Item 18). Please follow request and reply to the League secretary as soon as possible but no later than October 17th

Overseas players:-

·        This was to be carried over to the next meeting

Development Group:-

·        Details were already circulated

Proposed amendments to rules:-

·        The deadline was October 31st.

·        There will be many to consider!

A.O.B.

·        The President brought a suggestion to the meeting regarding the Hamer Cup competition and preliminary rounds and its potential clash with the Lancs KO

·        It was agreed to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting for further discussion

 

The Chairman thanked those present for their support and time for what was a very long meeting which covered many items and the way all present had contributed was much appreciated.

There being no further business, the Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 10.06 p.m.