19 November 2002, 8.00pm
Held at Cheadle Conservative Club
The Chairman asked delegates to stand for few moments in silence in memory of colleagues who had passed away in the last year. These included Ken Morris of Gatley, C Barber, N Bray, and E Pattison of Stockport Cricket and Harry Janion and Tommy Stott of South Manchester British Legion.
Present: Chairman, Secretary, Veterans’ Match Secretary, Treasurer and delegates
Apologies: Mr L Shinner (Veterans’ Secretary), Victoria
Absences: British Rail, Cheadle Park, Green End, Levenshulme Klondyke, Northern Etchells, P.C.S., Philips, Wilmslow Cons, Woodley Sports
Mr Shinner and also Jimmy Noble (a former President) were ill in hospital.
The Chairman presented a small gift to Mr Alan Bligh in recognition of the service he has provided to the league over many years in compiling the fixtures.
The minutes of the previous half yearly meeting were read and approved.
Since the end of the season there had been two resignations (Bungalow and Heaton Mersey Conservative). Bungalow were withdrawing one team because their Stockport and District team had gained promotion and would now be playing most of its matches on Tuesdays. This was also the reason why Waggon & Horses had withdrawn a team last year. Following that precedent, we proposed that Bungalow should occupy be allowed to withdraw their A team.
One definite application had been received, from Cringlewood. This club had withdrawn at short notice at the start of the 2002 season, but believed they now had sufficient players to field a team. The secretary believed that this application should be accepted, and they should be placed back in division B. Two enquiries had also been received, from Cheadle Cricket Club and Trinity Bowling Club. The latter is in Sale, not very far from Cheadle and Gatley but an area where we are not at present represented. Nevertheless, no objections to them were expressed. So at the moment it looked like next year’s league composition would be similar to 2002.
Information sheets had been distributed, and many returned already. The rest should be sent in by the year end, to allow time to prepare the handbook.
The next meeting would be the AGM on Tuesday 28 January.
Mr Shinner was ill in hospital and Mr Hall (Veterans’ Match Secretary) presented a report on his behalf.
Anthony Smith of Victoria had won the Merit. Victoria had beaten Silverwings in the Jennison Shield final.
Applications had been received from Debdale Park and from Heald Green Social for a third team. There was also one enquiry, from Nursery BC. This meant that there would be 61 or 62 teams for next year. If we kept to five divisions, some divisions would have 13 teams (and 24 matches each). He believed this could be accommodated in one week longer than the existing season if teams played two matches in the first weeks. The alternative was to go to six divisions, with 10 or 11 teams in each. This would offer players fewer matches.
This led to much discussion. The problem with five divisions was seen as fixture congestion. The problems with six divisions were seen as: fewer matches each; teams having ‘gained’ promotion still finding themselves in the same division (or even lower).
Proposed Stockport Cricket, seconded Grange: To move to six divisions. For: 26; against 11.
Proposed Great Moor, seconded Marple: To promote and relegate teams based on this year’s results and then delegate the management committee to allocate teams to new divisions. Approved.
Debdale Park might be a strong side (they had done well this year in the South Manchester Vets league). Nevertheless the meeting believed that we should stick to the existing policy of starting new teams in the bottom division.
The meeting expressed its thanks to Mr Shinner and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
All but one club had now paid their fees. The missing case was under control and payment was expected.
Prize money was distributed at the presentation evening, but some clubs did not send a representative to collect it. In future he did not intend to post such winnings but to hold them until the club next turned up at a meeting.
The bank’s interest rate had dropped to a derisory level. Having failed to get an explanation from them, he had transferred funds elsewhere. Sadly this had not much improved matters.
To adopt the new set of rules, attached.
Proposed by the secretary
The secretary explained that he believed the rules had become scrappy over the years, with successive amendments. The intention was to tidy them up to make the easier to use. Mostly there was no change to the effect of existing rules. However he did believe that unnecessary differences between the evening and veterans’ leagues should be eliminated. To this end the proposed rules removed the existing provision for veterans that players could move freely between a club’s teams if they were in the same division. In order to reinstate this (for both leagues) he proposed to amend new rule 3.7 by adding at the end: “unless it is in the same division.” The amendment was defeated on a vote.
The substantive motion was seconded by Gatley and approved.
Add new rule 10 for the veterans’ league (or if motion 9.1 is approved, replace rule 3.3) as follows:
“Home teams may practise up to 15 minutes before the match start time. Practice by the away team is restricted to the 15 minutes immediately prior to the match start, when they are to have exclusive use of the green with the match blocks. The away team captain may practise at any time in the 30 minutes prior to the match start time, but must ensure that the draw is made for a prompt start to the match.”
Proposed by Mr A Bligh (Crown Hotel)
Mr Bligh explained that he was proposing this change because of difficulties with accommodating all the players who wanted to practise. It would also bring us into line with other leagues. Following approval of the new rules, this would now apply to both evening and veterans’ leagues.
Others argued that the new rule was unnecessarily complicated, and that there was no real problem that needed fixing.
The proposal was defeated.
Replace rule 5 for the Jennison Shield (or if motion 9.1 is approved, replace the last sentence of rule 7.5, excluding the part in square brackets):
“No player to play for more than one team in the competition for the current season, except where a club has more than one team. If a team is eliminated from the competition then any player of the eliminated team may play for their club’s other team(s) [(subject to rule 6). No player may play for more than one team in the same round of the competition].”
Proposed by Mr R Greenwood (Silverwings)
The motion was withdrawn.
In the Bob Newlan Memorial Shield Rules:
Rule 1: change “All games 21 up” to “All games 31 up.”
Rule 3: change “12” to “8.”
Rule 11: change to read: “Competing teams shall number eight players.”
Alternatively, if motion 9.1 is approved:
Rule 6.2: change “twelve” to “eight” and “21” to “31.”
Proposed by Mr S Alsop (Crown Hotel)
The Crown delegate explained that the proposal was being made because of the difficulty they (and other clubs) in raising a team on Sunday mornings. South Reddish said that had the opposite problem: who to leave out on a Sunday. If the motion was accepted they might have to drop out of the competition.
The proposal was defeated on a vote.
Ryecroft enquired about how player registrations were handled. The rules require that clubs provide a list by 31 May. The secretary explained that he followed the practice of his predecessors and accepted registrations in any form. This included names appearing on a result sheet, or phone calls. Some clubs always send a list in; some never do so. The clubs that do not send a list in usually end up paying 50p fees for players who first appear after 31 May. Worse, in August holidays lead them to draft in new players who are not registered and they incur penalties and fines. So it was in clubs’ interests to send in a full list.
There was no further business and the meeting closed at 9.30pm.
The league shall be named the Cheadle & Gatley District Bowling League and shall be open to Clubs within a reasonable distance of Cheadle and Gatley.
The constitution of the league and the organising of competitions shall be determined by the league’s management committee at the league’s annual general meeting which shall be held in January each year.
Notice of motion for rule amendments shall be submitted in writing to the league secretary by 31 October for presentation at the half-yearly general meeting to be held during November.
The league shall be managed by a committee consisting of all officers of the league, and one delegate from each club. Officials shall be appointed at the annual general meeting. Each club may send two delegates to the annual general meeting or extraordinary general meeting, both delegates being entitled to vote. Any club failing to send a representative to a general meeting, without reasonable excuse shall be fined £2.
The management committee shall meet on dates advised of which at least seven days notice shall be given to each member of the committee. Any member failing to attend any such meeting without reasonable excuse shall be liable to a fine of £2.
A management sub-committee comprising the officers of the league and one representative from each division be elected annually to meet as considered necessary to decide the manner of the competitions, handicaps, disputes and any other business considered pertinent to the running of the league.
A guarantee fee £10 shall he required from any club on joining the League. This is to be returned at the close of the first season if all accounts have been paid.
The income required to manage the league’s affairs shall be derived from a flat payment of one amount per team entered by a club which will accommodate a) the annual subscription, b) registration fee for all players registered or played by 31 May, c) the levy per player per game, d) the cost of supplying a set of league handbooks per team, e) knockout cup team entry fee and a levy per player per game. The treasurer to declare the flat payment for the forthcoming year at the half yearly meeting.
The monies belonging to the league shall be banked in the names of the chairman and secretary (or treasurer and secretary) who shall sign all cheques on behalf the league.
The accounts shall be audited at the end of each season by two auditors appointed at the preceding annual meeting and each club in the league provided with a balance sheet at least 14 days prior to each annual meeting.
The expenses of the league, if the annual balance be adverse, shall be borne in equal proportion by each of the affiliated clubs.
The treasurer is to issue to each club an account of fees due for the season before 30 September. All fees are to be paid within 30 days of receipt of the account. Any club not having paid its fees within 30 days shall incur a levy of £5.00.
An enquiry into any suspected breach of rules may be instituted by the management sub-committee at their absolute discretion or at the request of any club who may lodge a complaint. In all such protests a copy of which must be forwarded to the offending club within seven days of the supposed offence, the appellants must deposit a sum of £1, such deposit to be returned should the protest be upheld, or forfeited in the event of the complaint being unsubstantiated.
Any club resigning from the league must send notice to the league secretary 28 days prior to the general meeting.
The management committee shall be the sole interpreters of the rules, regulations and laws of this league, and from their decisions there shall be no appeal at law or otherwise.
The secretary will present to all clubs at the annual general meeting a green rota advising of the league’s requirements for knock-out competitions and qualifying rounds of individual competitions.
The rules of the British Crown Green Bowling Association shall govern the play.
The league may appoint a referee in semi-finals and finals of the knock-out cups. In the absence of an official referee the captains of each team shall officiate as referees whose decision shall be final.
The home team (or winning team at a neutral venue) will be responsible for submitting the result sheet to the match secretary within three days, duly signed by both captains. Teams not having the required number of players will be shown on the team sheet as a walkover score nil for the absent player. The opponent having the walkover will score 21, but will not be considered eligible for the league average prize.
Any club found guilty of playing ineligible players shall have player’s score deducted and match points awarded to opponents if necessary. Offending clubs may at the discretion of the management committee be liable to a fine of £1 for each ineligible player.
League championships to be decided on aggregate chalks scored. The club in each division obtaining the highest number of chalks at the end of the season to be deemed champions. Clubs having the same number of chalks, to play off on a neutral green.
Games to be 21 up. Visiting teams to take the jack. A minimum of four jacks to be maintained throughout the match. The captains to declare their players in time to allow this to be achieved. They shall declare all their players by one hour after the start time, after which no team changes are permissible. If a team cannot make a player available when required to maintain four jacks, that game shall be forfeit to the opponents 21-0.
Players of both home and away teams are allowed to practise on the match green up to and not later than the start time on the day of the match.
All Matches shall be played as arranged in fixtures. The following exceptions are allowed.
(i) If agreement has been reached between clubs for rearrangement of a match, the match secretary must be informed in writing along with an agreed rearranged date for the match to be played. The new date shall not be later than two weeks after the last date for scheduled league matches.
(ii) If a match is postponed owing to bad weather, the two clubs shall agree a new date and inform the match secretary within 14 days. The new date shall be before the last date for scheduled matches (or within 14 days of the original date for matches postponed in the last two weeks of the season). Failure to reach an amicable arrangement by the two clubs concerned must be reported to the league secretary immediately.
Failure to observe the above rule will render the defaulting club(s) liable to a fine of £10 on each occasion and deduction of 10% of the points scored in the offending match(es). Such instances to be referred to the management sub-committee for ratification.
All unfinished games in any match, or part of a match, which has been interfered with by unfavourable weather or any other causes, shall be continued on a future date arranged by the Secretaries of the respective clubs, and in accordance with rule 3.4.
Players shall be deemed to refer to male members of the Club. The list of registered players shall be in the hands of the match secretary by 31 May. Registrations will be accepted after this date up to 31 July at a fee of 50p per member. No registrations may be made after 31 July. No player shall bowl for more than one club in a league during one season without the permission of the management committee.
Where a club has entered two or more teams in a league, the teams shall be ranked ‘A’, ‘B’, etc. A player who has a “plus” average for any team after having played three games shall not be eligible to play for any lower team.
Where a club has more than one team in a league, no player may play for more than one team in the same week. For the purposes of this rule, all matches shall be considered to have been played on the original dates specified in the fixtures.
Home clubs playing on park greens shall be responsible for all greenage chargeable during the period of the match.
Competing teams shall number 12 players. Fifteen handbooks per team are included in the annual fee.
The league games shall commence at 7.00pm or by mutual agreement sanctioned by the management committee. Up to 15th May and in August the start time shall be 6.30pm for all clubs without floodlights.
Any member of the competing clubs to qualify for the league average prize, must play in three-quarters of his team’s matches and include two of the last four.
A veteran will be deemed to be a bowler who is 60 years of age or older.
Competing teams shall number eight players. Ten handbooks per team are included in the annual fee.
The league games shall commence at 2.00pm or by mutual agreement sanctioned by the management committee. A different day or time for a particular team may be authorised at the preceding AGM.
A player will be deemed to have set a mark if the jack has stopped a minimum of 19 metres from the footer and a maximum of 40 metres. Objections to a mark to be made as specified in BCGBA laws.
To be competed for annually on a knock-out basis. Entry is open to teams competing in the evening league. The fee for entry is included in the annual league fee. Prize money is paid to the winners, runners-up and losing semi-finalist from league funds.
Matches to be played on neutral greens on Sunday mornings (11 a.m. start). Teams to consist of twelve players. All games to be 21 up. Captains to declare teams in order of play at starting time of match. All declared players to be present when called. If not, a qualified reserve must be substituted, or the game forfeited. The captains to toss for first lead of the jack, one team taking the lead in odd-numbered games, the other in even-numbered games. No player may practise on the green on the day of the match.
The team with the higher aggregate score is the winner. In the event of a tie, the captains shall select three players to play off under pro-rata handicap terms. If still tied the team with two winners in the play-off shall be the winner.
Division A teams to play off scratch, and each lower division to receive 12 points compared to the division above. The winners to be penalised 12 points for the following season. New teams in the league to start at scratch and earn a handicap of 12 points per year, unless adjusted by promotion or relegation.
Teams to consist of players registered for league matches. After the first round, players must have played in at least one quarter of the club’s league games. A player is ineligible for a team if he has a plus average in league games (based on three or more games) for a higher team. A player may not play for more than team in any season, except as follows: after a team is eliminated a maximum of four players from that team may play for their club’s other team(s).
The decision as to the fitness of a green to be left to the person in charge of the green. If either captain refuses to accept that decision then the match will be awarded to the opposing team. In the event of matches abandoned because of inclement weather or bad light, the points scored by each player shall count and the position of the jacks shall be marked. Completion of the match shall be the subject of consultation with the club on whose green the match is being played and the two competing clubs. The match secretary to be informed in writing of the agreed date to complete the match. If no agreement can be reached by all three clubs the matter will be referred to the management sub-committee for resolution. All abandoned matches will be required to be completed within 14 days of the original date. In the event of a match being cancelled because of inclement weather or adverse ground conditions the same conditions for re-arrangement will also apply.
All clubs to place their greens at the disposal of the league for the preliminary, first and second rounds of the competition. In the event of a park green being selected the greenage shall be paid by the host club.
To be competed for annually on a knock-out basis. Entry is open to teams competing in the veterans’ league. The fee for entry is included in the annual league fee. Prize money is paid to the winners, runners-up and losing semi-finalist from league funds.
Matches to be played on neutral greens on dates and times as specified by the league. Teams to consist of eight players. All games to be 21 up. Captains to declare teams in order of play at starting time of match. All declared players to be present when called. If not, a qualified reserve must be substituted, or the game forfeited. The captains to toss for first lead of the jack, one team taking the lead in odd-numbered games, the other in even-numbered games. No player may practise on the green on the day of the match.
The team with the higher aggregate score is the winner. In the event of a tie, the captains shall select three players to play off under pro-rata handicap terms. If still tied the team with two winners in the play-off shall be the winner.
Division 1 teams to play off scratch, and each lower division to receive eight points compared to the division above. The winners to be penalised eight points for the following season. New teams in the league to start at scratch and earn a handicap of eight points per year, unless adjusted by promotion or relegation.
Teams to consist of players registered for league matches. After the first round, players must have played in at least three of the club’s league games. A player is ineligible for a team if he has a plus average in league games (based on three or more games) for a higher team. A player may not play for more than team in any season, except as follows: after a team is eliminated a maximum of two players from that team may play for their club’s other team(s).
The decision as to the fitness of a green to be left to the person in charge of the green. If either captain refuses to accept that decision then the match will be awarded to the opposing team. In the event of matches abandoned because of inclement weather or bad light, the points scored by each player shall count and the position of the jacks shall be marked. Completion of the match shall be the subject of consultation with the club on whose green the match is being played and the two competing clubs. The match secretary to be informed in writing of the agreed date to complete the match. If no agreement can be reached by all three clubs the matter will be referred to the management sub-committee for resolution. All abandoned matches will be required to be completed within 14 days of the original date. In the event of a match being cancelled because of inclement weather or adverse ground conditions the same conditions for re-arrangement will also apply.
All clubs to place their greens at the disposal of the league for the preliminary, first and second rounds of the competition. In the event of a park green being selected the greenage shall be paid by the host club.
The league may organise individual competitions in connection with the evening or the veterans’ league.
Entries for the individual competitions will be closed once the league officials have made the green allocation.
In qualifying rounds, the draw will be made at each green from the players present at the start time. No strike-out time is allowed in the qualifying round. Responsibility for the draw will be with the host club, unless the league secretary is given seven days notice that alternative arrangements will be necessary.
Entry is open to registered evening league players who have played in at least one third of their club’s matches in either the current or the previous season.
Entry is open to registered evening league players who have played in at least one third of their club’s matches in either the current or the previous season.
A player’s starting handicap is determined by the team in which he normally plays. Division A players play off scratch and players from each lower division to receive two points compared to the division above. Thereafter the handicap is adjusted each year according to the following rules:
The maximum handicap allowance is plus five.
Entry is open to registered veterans’ league players who have played in at least three of their club’s matches in the current season.