THE SHEPHERD NEAME ESSEX LEAGUE 2009 AGM
DRAFT MINUTES FOR APPROVAL AT THE 2010 AGM
Meeting held at the County Ground Chelmsford on Sunday 29th November 2009
The meeting started at 10.30am and ended at 12.15
1 ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
In Attendance: M.Barnes (Hon.Chairman)
C.Greenhill (Hon.Secretary)
M.Vandome (Hon Treasurer and Assistant Secretary)
T.Kilby (Umpires Representative)
D Evans
A Jenner
M Jones (Fixtures Secretary)
G.Salmon
Representatives of 38 member clubs (Harlow and Ilford absent)
Apologies G Jelley, A Kennedy, A Pearson, T Sanderson, T Wade, P Williams
2 MINUTES OF 2008 AGM AND MATTERS ARISING
The minutes were approved. There were no matters arising.
3 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mike Barnes (Old Parkonians)
Welcome to the AGM of the Shepherd Neame Essex League.
At this stage, there is little more to add to the Report that I gave to the Autumn Management Meeting so I don't propose to waste everybody's time, except to highlight one or two areas where I thought the League advanced.
The first was related to the enthusiastic efforts that all clubs made to ensure that the Play Cricket System of capturing data went so well. Much better than we all expected, and I would like to thank everyone for the part they played in this.
Secondly, the new Disciplinary Procedure for all 1st Xl's worked well and did much to streamline procedures, and to spell out to would be trouble makers, exactly how much is expected in the way they conduct themselves. Once again, I thank everyone for the support they gave.
The Premier 1st Xl Division trial of split format of 50/50 over and 120 over matches was generally agreed as a success, and Premier Clubs have expressed a wish to continue with the format.
Can I thank all Umpires and Scorers, without whose participation we could not run our league. Their contribution to our own satisfaction and enjoyment is vital.
Finally, may I thank all members of the Committee, and also all member clubs, for the support they have given to me personally throughout the year and which has made my job very enjoyable.
4 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2009
Michael Vandome (Chelmsford)
Michael Vandome presented the accounts.
There was a reduction in fines and the interest rates had fallen. The sponsors had agreed a further two years sponsorship for 2010 and 2011.
There were no queries.
The accounts were adopted.
5 REPORTS
a) SECRETARY
Cliff Greenhill (Loughton)
I have recently been sending information by email where possible to save on postage.
Can all clubs please ensure I am advised by email of the current club contacts and any changes of email addresses. Notices of the AGM were sent by post but with the “bulky items” sent by email for example last year’s minutes.
I would like to thank Graham Jelley Essex Cricket Development Officer for making the County Ground available. Graham works hard to support recreational cricket in Essex and is on our committee and umpiring panel.
We are grateful to the Development Department for the help they give clubs in many ways including improving facilities and pitches, training coaches, obtaining grant aid and supporting youth cricket.
There have been 11 Executive Committee Meetings this year. In addition two Management Meetings were held.
Our thanks are due to the County Club, Gidea Park & Romford, Chelmsford, Loughton and Woodford Wells for allowing us to use their premises to hold our meetings.
Thanks also to our umpires who provide excellent coverage
The umpires reports on clubs facilities, discipline and hospitality have been distributed. They are most useful and clubs should take note of these marks.
Thanks to John Clark who again produced the handbook. Andy Jenner has now taken on this onerous task and will advise on the deadlines for material.
Andrew Kennedy held a meeting of Premier 1st XI Clubs for the 2010 season. A few minor changes were agreed to the playing format.
Wides: Following discussion with Neil Bainton and Tom Kilby it was agreed that all panel umpires will be informed at their pre-season meeting of the clubs desire that a stricter interpretation of leg side wides is needed. The playing condition will remain as in 2009.
Lunch Timings and ECB Directives: The ECB bowling directives for 2010 specifically mention a 40 minute interval so we will revert back to 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea.
Change in Rain Regulations: The following text will be added to the playing regulations (Section 5) for the 50 over matches. “Should the first innings finish earlt due to the batting side being bowled out in less than their allotted overs, or due to the bowling side completing their allotted overs in less than the required time, no over reduction will be incurred for rain interruptions until the time that has been gained is subsequently lost.
The Jeff Rodriques Memorial Over 40 / Under 15 Competition entry was disappointing. This year’s final at Jeff’s home ground of Fives & Heronians resulted in a reversal of last year’s final with Hornchurch beating Fives.
It is a pity that again in 2010 the Matchplay groups are again so large (10 per group). This prevents a number of clubs from supporting other Sunday cricket and especially our Over 40/ Under 15 competition. Will teams wishing to enter the Over 40/Under 15 Competition please contact me by the end of December.
We lost in the final of the CCC Premier League Trophy. Thanks are due to Andrew Kennedy for organising the Premier League side.
Our Team in the Sovereign Trophy (for non Premier Leagues) were beaten by the Essex Sunday League.
The CCC are again running two competitions in 2010 one for Premier Leagues (reverting back to mid-week) and another for other Leagues and non-Premier Divisions. Russell Collard and others are making sure that our best players get the opportunity to represent the Conference.
The Play-Cricket site is much improved and updating the results service proved less difficult then we thought.
We are still lucky to have our own magnificent site run by George Salmon.
Clubs are reminded that that must have a nominated fully trained Child Welfare Officer. Four of our clubs are on the Essex name and shame list as they do not currently have a trained Officer.
Clubs are also reminded that to take part in an ECB Premier Division after the 2010 season they must be accredited with Clubmark.
We took part in a pitch evaluation scheme sponsored by the ECB. Ten clubs selected by the Executive Committee had a pitch survey carried out by local groundsmen appointed by the ECB. There is a fund of £9000 for this. Most results were not available until recently and I believe three results are still outstanding. The ECB have indicated that the balance of the money approximately £5000 can be used in 2010.
The ECB have provided laminated cards showing the changes to the Fast Bowling Directives for young fast bowlers. Clubs are also reminded of the regulations involving players in the Under 13 age group and under and especially those who are Under 11 and under. I have a supply of these for distribution.
Finally I would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a successful new year.
b) FIXTURES SECRETARY
Michael E Jones (Loughton)
Fixtures commence on 8th May and end on 4th September.
c) RESULTS SECRETARY
George Salmon and Cliff Greenhill
The play-cricket system for entering results had proved much easier to operate than expected. There were some problems early in the season and some errors where clubs did not enter their bonus points.
Michael Vandome would not continue the manual check system. We do however need a reporting system on opposing team’s facilities, hospitality and discipline.
d) DISCIPLINARY REPORT
Michael Barnes
The disciplinary issues have all been dealt with and will appear in the handbook. The red and yellow card system worked well but there is a need for more consistency. Some changes will be made to the wording in the handbook.
e) UMPIRES
Tom Kilby thanked all clubs for reporting on umpires performances. The returns were 100%.
These reports are needed to evaluate umpires and we are obliged to send figures to the ECB.
Umpires will be reminded to be consistent on calling wides. Umpires will also revert to calling bowlers whom they consider are throwing rather than reporting them.
f) CRICKET BALLS
On behalf of Andrew Pearson (Woodford Wells)
The Premier League have requested a different finish to the balls they use and Dilip Jajodia is here this morning and will discuss with the first team captains what ball they would prefer. The finish was changed 3 years ago to suit the teams involved then. There is no additional cost for a different finish.
g) SPONSORSHIP
On behalf of Andrew Pearson (Woodford Wells)
Shepherd Neame’s sponsorship will remain in place for 2010 and 2011. To extend beyond this I believe we will need to increase the number of clubs that sell their products.
6 RESOLUTIONS
It was agreed that Proposals 1, 2 and 3, were changes to the Organisation and Playing Conditions of the League and therefore needed a straight majority.
Proposal 4 was a change to the Rules of the League and therefore needed a two thirds majority.
Ilford and Harlow were not present and the Harold Wood representative felt ill and had left the meeting.
PROPOSAL 1 1ST XI PLAYING CONDITIONS OTHER THAN PREMIER LEAGUE
The Executive Committee proposes that all 1st XIs outside the Premier League play half their games in the 50/50 format (starting at 12.30). The regulations for the other 9 games would be unchanged.
Reason: All 1st XIs are potential Premier League teams. 120 over all day cricket (played in the Premier) is not considered appropriate for all 1st XIs but playing half the games in 50/50 format would give all clubs good experience of limited over cricket.
21 in favour, 12 against, 4 abstained therefore the proposal was carried
PROPOSAL 2 LOWER XI SHORTER GAMES BELOW 4TH XI PREMIER
Proposed by Orsett seconded by Loughton
That all matches played within the SNEL 4th XI competition matrix below 4th XI Premier level are to be played in a reduced overs match.
Batting and bowling points will be awarded as per the present format. The side batting first still to be awarded double batting points up to 42 overs (200 runs remains an achievable target) with bonus points forfeited if they continue beyond 42-overs. The side batting second would be restricted to a maximum of 40-overs (the match being drawn if they do not score more runs or are not bowled out). Bowlers will be allowed as at present to bowl unlimited overs, allowing of course for ECB directives on age groups....Times of start to be as other 1st 2nd and 3rd XI matches as at present.
Reason: It has become very obvious to those of us that have played in higher divisions of the SNEL, and are now engrossed with our clubs 4th XI's, that the present 4th XI competition is not a balanced one. It is made up in the main by young and sometimes very young players, assisted by some adults and very senior players.
Time and time again the side batting first, after about 35 overs is limited to a reasonable score of something like 150 for 6, with all the young bowlers having bowled their various spells assisted by the adults. On any afternoon let alone a hot one, looking around the field the fatigue shown by the young is only too obvious. Generally speaking, if the side batting first, are not bowled out by the 52 overs, the score becomes, with a young side in reply, virtually unobtainable, with the 38 to 42 overs they get back to bat, so a draw is normally all they can play for.
Our proposal would in our opinionallow the 4th XI competition far more competitive, exciting and enjoyable to play in, with all the skills and benefits of the present time game retained especially those of captaincy. It would also negate the 20 overs in the last hour rule. Should our proposal meet with approval we would have no objection to a trial period of one season to be implemented.
2 in favour, 25 against, 10 abstentions therefore the proposal was defeated
PROPOSAL 3 COST OF TEAS
Proposed by Harold Wood seconded by Old Parkonians
For those sides not playing 1st XI Premier cricket, tea costs to be fixed at £40 per visiting side.
Reason : Used successfully in other leagues standardises the amount away sides have to pay.
34 in favour, 3 abstentions therefore the proposal was carried.
It was mentioned that with Ramadan moving further into the season some clubs may not require tea. The home club must be notified by Wednesday evening prior to the match if this is the case.
PROSOSAL 4 4 TH DIVISIONS
Proposed by Fives & Heronians seconded by Leigh on Sea
For season 2010 the Fourth XI League shall comprise the following Divisions:-
Premier Division (10 Clubs)
Division 1 East (10 Clubs)
Division 1 West (10 Clubs)
Division 2 East (up to 10 clubs)
Division 2 West (up to 10 Clubs)
The two teams gaining the fewest points in the Fourth XI Premier Division shall be relegated to Division 1 East or West according to their location.
The two teams gaining the fewest points in the Fourth XI Division 1 East and Division 1 West shall be relegated to the next division down according to their location.
The team gaining most points in each of the fourth XI Divisions 1 East and West shall be promoted to the Fourth XI Premier Division.
The two teams gaining most points in each of Fourth XI Divisions 2 East and West shall be promoted to the next Division up according to their location.