Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Ripley Town Hall - Monday, January 12, 2009
Meeting opened at 19.30 with Erik Thompson (ET), Assistant Secretary of the League in the Chair.
All League Clubs sent a representative except, Baldersby, Pateley Bridge and Sessay
Dion Wood, Sir Thomas Ingilby, Eric Houseman, Northallerton Wolves, Bill Kitson, Scotton, Bradley Atkinson, Roger Deakin and Chris Newton.
A minutes silence was observed for Albert Layfield who died recently.
were accepted as a true and accurate record of that meeting and duly signed by ET
There were no matters arising
Mr Chairman – Ladies and Gentlemen
The Season started on April 19th with 26 matches off due to bad weather conditions. Throughout the whole of the season there were 291 matches either cancelled or abandoned out of 584 fixtures.
In June we heard of the sudden death of Neil Burtwistle who had been League Treasurer since 1987. We needed to fill this vacancy as soon as was practicable. At the end of June Bob Skaith was approached to take on the duty of League Treasurer and he agreed ( with a little pursuation). We welcome him here today.
Towards the end of the season one or our Life Members died. Albert Layfield was a well known figure at Birstwith Cricket Ground.
The total of 95 teams remain for 2009 with 2 teams Bilton 4th and Pannal 4th withdrawing and Spennithorne and Harmsby and Wath and Melmberby joining the league in Division 8. Spennithorne & Harmsby is a new team to join us but Wath & Melmerby are back with us after a few years. We welcome them both.
There are again 11 teams in division 8 this season. Therefore each team will have two free weeks. Helperby 3rd will play their fixture at Boroughbridge, Ripley at Bishop Monkton, Killinghall at Glasshouses, Burton Leonard home fixtures on Sunday and Thirsk home fixtures on Sundays at Thirsk.
As in last season any clubs not able to play their allocated match on the weekend scheduled may play whenever they are able even if it means Sunday or midweek. We know this is not ideal but it worked in 2007and 2008 so why not in 2009.
You should all have had your fixtures which where emailed to all clubs. If you did not receive them I have a few copies with me this evening.
The Atkinson Swires Cup was won by Masham. The Reserve Knockout Cup went to Burnt Yates. The Wath Cup went to Thornton Watlass and The Peter Bentley went to Ripon.
The Annual Fixture with the MCC is set for September 2nd but no Venue has been allocated as yet.
The Annual pre-season meeting for all Team Captains, League Umpires, Ground Committee and Management Committee was held here at Ripley Town Hall on MARCH 21st with a good turnout. The date of this years meeting is FRIDAY APRIL 3rd here at 7.30pm.
The Management Committee again met on 6 occasions. Other work was completed by Sub-committees – Ground Committee and Disciplinary Panel.
During the season I have archived all the detail of all the Trophies played for in the league including those played for by the Junior League teams. This was quite an undertaking in itself. There are 34 in all and we need to have a signature from all clubs for the trophies which they hold each year. At the pre season meeting on April 3rd there will be forms for you sign and they will then be held by Bob Skaith. Following this any trophy awarded during the season will have to be signed for at the presentation.
Results – this is an annual reminder – Home Clubs Must report the result of their match. Please provide me with the result of your match as soon as possible after the end of the game no later than midnight on the day of the match. I need your information so that I can deal with it so that full results are in the Yorkshire Post on Monday Morning.
Another Request
Please will all clubs let me have a second email contact so that messages go to two people at each club when I have information for you.
Will you please acknowledge everything sent to you by the League and if possible please check you emails at least every other day.
If any of you have any information for the 2008 handbook please put the information in the folder on the table. Also there are two lists to complete – one for your order for balls and the other for handbooks. Please fill in the sheets before you leave this evening.
We must once again thank Sir Thomas for the time he puts in for the League and on behalf of the members I thank you.
Finally I wish everyone a very successful and enjoyable 2009 season.
• BS started by saying how honoured he was to have been considered for the position of League Treasurer and thanked Neil Burtwistle for all of his hard work over 21 years. BS also thanked Tricia Heard for assuming the role during the period before BS took over office. BS reported that NB’s handwriting was terrible and he had done his best to interpret his scribbles. Some figures (sundries) may be slightly higher than anticipated for this reason.
• BS explained the figures associated with the MCC fixture, played at Lords in 2008. The trip was not cheap, with kit, hotel and travel to pay for at a cost of £4896.00 He explained that £2000.00 had been received from the Ripley Castle estate and that some people paid for the trip in full themselves. There was a stock of kit available for use by future League Representative sides. Therefore an approximate cost of £800 was due to the League which does not appear as bad as the figures suggest.
• Costs of balls had been higher in 2007 but not that different from 2006. All balls which had been ordered have now been paid for.
• Val Kitson had provided a figure at the end of the season with a negative balance of around £300.00 BS reported that the League would cover this cost. £1600.00 is still owed by some clubs in respect of the Junior Indoor League. BS asked those present to remind all club Secretaries and Treasurers to address this and get these bills paid.
• Insurance – all trophies had been revalued and a full inventory of the details on those trophies was undertaken by TH. Insurance will definitely go up as the sum to be insured has risen from £7000.00 to £20600.00 Cover will double. BS is looking at options. All trophies will now have to be signed for as part of this increased insurance cover.
• There was a question from the floor regarding the cost of balls to the League. BS reported that Lords International reduced the cost of each ball by £5.00 but therefore made no donation or sponsorship amount to the League. A stock of balls existed with Eric Houseman.
• A question regarding the deal that the League received from Lords International was asked. BS reported there would be no increase in the cost of balls in 2009. The deal is for 5 or 6 years which started last year. The floor asked for details of this deal to be communicated to all League clubs.
• There was nothing further to report
• The Ground Committee met on 3 occasions.
• Ground inspections took place in late April
• The Ground Committee was satisfied with all grounds except a few.
• 2009 inspections will again take place in April. Clubs may contact BD for details of who their inspector will be.
• BD congratulated all clubs on the condition of their grounds in a difficult year.
• Details of ground marks awarded are available on the League web site.
• There was nothing further to report
There was no Representative Side report. DW had given apologies.
• We had a quiet season with no major problems
• This season we had 28 umpires regularly standing (which is 3 down on the previous year) ad with holidays and other commitments we were sometimes down to the bare minimum ad sometimes below which meant some 2nd Division matches only having one umpire.
• At the end of the season Guy Smalley ran an umpires course at Ripley castle and around 10 attended the course. So, hopefully we can get some more umpires from the course.
• Thanks again goes to Guy for putting in his own time to run the course and also to Sir Thomas for the loan of the room and refreshments.
• And finally, 2008 marks the end of an era for one of our most respected umpires who has decided to call it a day after umpiring in the League for the past 20 years and never missed a Saturday. His name is Eric Appleton. (Hopefully this will be met with a round of applause from the audience, as hopefully he will be in attendance).
• There was nothing further to report
The Evening Knockout competitions did not suffer significantly from the wet summer. Most matches were completed on the appointed evening and all finals took place on the dates allocated. I would like to pay tribute to the clubs that hosted the finals and the hospitality afforded to the players, officials and spectators present. We have many grounds now that can host these matches which is a great credit to all concerned and I am sure reflects very well on our league. Thanks to all involved. What you do is greatly appreciated.
In so far as the Atkinson Swires Cup is concerned again most matches were completed on time. The final was held at Alne CC and this club deserves particular praise for being able to stage the final given the weather the previous day. The ground and facilities were in superb condition and on behalf of the league I would like to thank them for their efforts.
The Evening League competition was won by Kirkby Malzeard this year after play-off with Boroughbridge.
Finally I would like to thank Malcolm Howell for willingly selling raffle tickets at the evening finals and also we must all thank Jeff for organising the Umpires for the competitions and also the Umpires themselves who make the games more enjoyable.
In all there were 13 cases referred to the Disciplinary Committee throughout the season with the following break down of outcomes:-
2 Internal Club Enquires,
1 Inter League Enquiry,
6 Disciplinary Panel Hearings,
3 Disciplinary Panel Meetings with acceptance decisions without hearings and
1 Disciplinary Panel Meeting with a cautionary letter.
Rain affected many games this season and Rule 25 had to be considered. A game cannot be switched to another ground without the approval of the League Secretary. Agreement must be reached between both teams before a game can be cancelled in advance.
When a game is cancelled players who normally play in a senior team may not play in a club`s lower teams.
The Management Committee propose a change to Rule 16 – the registration of players – to remove the fixed penalty of 4 points deduction for each game in which an unregistered player has played and to allow a discretionary penalty. A team in Division 8 failed to register a player through an administrative oversight. A Disciplinary Committee decided that a 4 point deduction for each game was disproportionate.
Avoidance.
Many of the cases could well have been avoided as they were brought down to three basic elements of:-
1) Knowing and implementing the Rules.
2) Communication between Clubs.
3) Expressing the Spirit of the Game with good sportsmanship
The disciplinary procedures this season have gone well. This is due to the efficiency and hard work of the Disciplinary Panel Secretary. The Disciplinary Panel is very grateful. I am also very grateful to the Assistant Disciplinary Secretary and the members of the Disciplinary Panel who have given much valued time on Disciplinary Committees to ensure that the League operates fairly and in the highest traditions of the game.
There was no report.
• At last year's AGM I quoted facts and figures relating to the expansion of the Junior Indoor League, this year the only figure I want to report is that we still have in excess of 300 young cricketers playing over the winter. This participation ensures that the junior members of our clubs are not only coached and encouraged but that their interest in the game is maintained between outdoor seasons. I have been informed by some coaches that they have lost junior players due to the high number matches cancelled by bad weather over the summer. Our hope is that we do not lose any more; these youngsters are our team players of tomorrow. We believe the indoor league programme helps maintain that enthusiasm.
• Following consultation with the coaches the rules have been amended to streamline the sessions although there may be still room for improvement. For this season we have unfortunately had to withdraw the Under 17 league as a shortage of teams made the competition un-viable. This made more playing hours available to the other age groups. The Under 9's are now playing shorter sessions on Sundays which began yesterday and I am delighted to report that our youngest player is now FIVE years of age. With the added fixtures there is increasing need for help running sessions, so anyone who wants to become involved would be more than welcome.
• Once again I must thank Sir Thomas and the Management Committee for their continued support of the indoor league. In addition I have to thank all the team coaches and managers who helped with the umpiring and scoring of the sessions. Finally to my wife Val, whose hard work organizing the entries, compiling the fixture lists, processing the results and scoring has helped the league immensely.
• This year’s fixture against the MCC was played at Lords Cricket Ground in London. A party of 27 set off from Ripon and Harrogate on Thursday 31st July for London. A tour of the famous old ground had been arranged for the afternoon before the game with several other members of Nidderdale League clubs joining us for this. An excellent guided tour of the ground included the score box, the media centre, the long room and England changing room and balcony.
• The fixture itself was played on the Nursery Ground adjacent to the main Lords ground and the players and officials used the facilities of the Indoor Cricket School. The toss was duly agreed between Robert Ross of Harrogate and David Cummings of Goldsborough cricket clubs.
• MCC batted first and scored 215 off their allotted 50 overs. Toby Drummond had to retire hurt when on 19 but Matthew Sydall scored 70, Robert Wilkinson hit 44 and captain Ross 31. For the Nidderdale League, Will Liddle took 2 for 47 and David Cummings 2 for 31. Special mention must go to James Swiers of Newby Hall for a spectacular running and diving catch on the boundary.
• In reply the League scored 215 all out. Dion Wood top scored with 71 and Andy Ellis hit 34. Luke Jarvis 4 for 23.
• A thoroughly good trip with the game played in excellent spirit at the home of cricket.
• The League was represented by players from Pannal, Glasshouses, Sharow, Masham, Newby Hall, Dacre Banks and Hampsthwaite. The scorecard can be found on the League web site.
• This year’s fixture will be on Wednesday 2nd September.
• As stated in the Notice sent to Clubs on 6th December 2008, new immigration controls and conditions were brought into force on 27th November 2008.
• Many of these controls and conditions apply to visiting sportsmen and women, but so far it has not been possible for the Management Committee to establish which, if any, of them will apply to Overseas Players who might be engaged by our League Clubs.
• We have been in contact with the United Kingdom Border Agency (the Government body dealing with the new measures) and with ECB, which is closely involved in negotiation with the Agency as to how the game of cricket will be affected by these measures.
• At this time the Management Committee awaits clarification from ECB as to which category of the new measures will apply to the League Overseas Players.
• It is possible, for instance, that it will be necessary for each player to be sponsored by an organisation based in the United Kingdom. Each such sponsor (whether it is the individual club or the League) must in turn be registered as a Licensed Sponsor and must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship – these steps must be in place when the player applies for a visa.
• Again, it is not clear whether these matters will apply in our case.
• It is possible that some potential players may have already encountered the new measures in their own countries when starting the application process
a) If this is so, the Management Committee would welcome feedback from clubs
b) Clubs are reminded of all the forms and details which must be submitted to the Management Committee for approval of their Overseas Player. It would be helpful if these could be submitted as soon as they have been completed for each player, in order to avoid a mass of documents arriving at one time just prior to the start of the season.
• These uncertainties are regretted, and the Management Committee will advise further when the position has been clarified.
• Secretary – Tricia Heard
• Assistant Secretary – Graham Hyde
• Child Welfare Officer – Isabel Peel
• All positions were unanimously voted in favour.
• Chris Newton retires by rotation and is willing to stand again. The meeting voted Chris Newton onto the Committee, all in favour, non against.
• John Lyons, Goff Wetherall, Richard Bleasdale and David Broadley are willing to stand for a further year. All were accepted by the floor.
• There is however one vacancy – any nominations from the floor? None.
• Panel will therefore be supplemented by members of the League Management Committee as required.
Changes proposed by the League Management Committee
1st and 2nd Divisions and Atkinson Swires Cup
“All balls bowled down the leg side with a batsmen in his normal stance shall be called wide”
If agreed, this wording would be added to Rule 22 “Match conditions and Rule 7 K.O. Competitions “Match conditions”
1st and 2nd Division Clubs only to vote.
In Favour – 7
Against - Majority
Not approved by the meeting
Rule 3
Delete Rule 3 (9) as it already appears as Rule 3 (2)
In Favour – all
Against – none
Approved by the meeting
Rule 16
Rule 16 Delete (a) iii and
Last paragraph of Rule 16
In Favour – all
Against – 2
Approved by the meeting
K.O Rule 15 Amend:
“Winners, Runners Up and Man of the Match trophies to be returned ENGRAVED to the Cup Competitions Secretary no later than 3 weeks before the first final. £25 fine for not returning trophies on time”
In Favour – all
Against – none
Approved by the meeting
Justin Park suggested that a nominated engraver be used to ensure consistency on the trophies.
Change Proposed by Pateley Bridge
Provision of Scorers
“That all clubs must provide a scorer.”
At the moment clubs in divisions 1 and 2 have to have a player score if they do not have a scorer. We feel that this should extend to all divisions, as does the tea rule.
Not Supported by Management Committee
In Favour – 1
Against – majority
Not approved by the meeting
Knock Out Entry
“Clubs should have an option to enter a team in the knockout competitions”
It is difficult for clubs to get two teams out on an evening, particularly when both teams are due to play on the same evening. We also feel that a club should not lose league points. – The knockout and league matches should be totally unrelated.
Not Supported by Management Committee
In Favour – none
Against – majority
Not approved by the meeting
Change Proposed by the Umpires and Scorers Association
Umpires Fees
Rule 36 (a) ii) amend the amounts to read £27 and £37 respectively
Rule 10 (a) ii) KO Competitions amend the amounts to read £27 and £14 respectively.
It is 2 years since the umpires had a rise. With the cost of petrol and diesel increasing it was thought that in increase of £2 would be in order making the Saturday Fee and Sunday Cup Fee £27 and £37 if standing alone.
Not supported by the Management Committee
Change Proposed by Alne Cricket Club
ALNE CC would like to propose an amendment to Rule 8.(a) Re: Knockout Cup Competitions for the season 2009.
Rule 8 (a). Cup matches shall take precedence over all other fixtures other than matches played by the league (or Joe Lumb) Representative Side.
Our Proposal would read:
“Cup Matches shall take precedence over all other fixtures other than matches played by the League (or Joe Lumb) Representative Side, and the National Village Knockout”.
Our reason for this amendment;
Historically we have performed exceptionally well in this competition, and this past 2008 season we again reached the Area Final. Unfortunately due to our Atkinson Squires commitment we had to forfeit that Final and leave the competition.
The National Village Knockout is a National Competition and we feel we are representing the Nidderdale League. Also could we point out that if we are lucky enough to have one or two home draws in the Village Knockout, it is a great source of extra income to our club, since there are a good following of spectators in this Competition.
Not Supported by the Management Committee
In Favour – 17
Against – 20
Not approved by the meeting
21 Golden Oldies
Erik Thompson described that only one honorarium is paid by the League and this is to Tricia Heard the League Secretary. ET proposed that the current amount of £1500.00 be increased by £250.00 This proposal was seconded by Ben Drummond. A vote was taken and all were in favour of the increase.
Tricia Heard expressed a desire to run a scorers course to be run with the support of the League. It is aimed at younger players who may be called upon during a game to undertake some scoring. The course will be run over 4 Saturdays, 21st and 28th March and 4th and 11th April 2009 at Killinghall Cricket Club between 4.30pm and 6.00pm.
Tricia Heard informed the meeting that she had a number of unclaimed trophies and awards from the 2008 season. These were not collected at the League Dinner due to clubs not being represented.
Ouseburn Cricket Club raised the subject of their club’s web site and that they have a shop facility in partnership with a cricket equipment supplier offered club branded goods. Ouseburn offered the concept to all other clubs at the meeting.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
Erik Thompson thanked all those in attendance and announced that this was to be his last meeting.