Minutes of meeting held Thursday 16th August at Mere Parish Club
- Apologies for absence were received from Chris Grice (Treasurer) Mike Grocott (Oughtrington) Goostrey & Railway were not represented.
- Minutes of previous meeting held 27th June were read and accepted. Proposed Jim Gray (Chelford) seconded Maryke Todd (Cranford)
Matters arising - Team Knockout handicaps - At the last meeting it was suggested that there was too narrow a spread between the teams and divisions. The Secretary had looked at this and found that increasing the spread to 5 points per team from the finishing league positions of the previous season would not have affected the final result too much, however, it would provide lower teams a closer finish. He said that he would do some more work on this during the close season and asked delegates to consider a wider spread for 2014 and discuss at the pre AGM meeting in January. Team Knockout Semi-Finals & Final on one day. This was decided on some years ago since members wanted to play all matches on a Friday and not over the weekends. Our calendar starts the first Friday in April and ends the last Friday in September giving us 26 Fridays. We have 24 league teams and require 22 Fridays for league matches, 3 for the Team Knockout (to bring us up to the semi-finals) and one for the conclusion of the Jack Bryning. Since the request for no weekend matches, the compromise was made to play the semi-finals and final on one day. If members’ views have changed and weekend playing is acceptable a proposal to the AGM will determine the majority wish.
- Officers Reports. The Chairman had nothing to report. The Treasurer had left word that this is the “quiet season” for financial matters but asked that club treasurers make every effort to pay the fees promptly at the end of the season. The Secretary said that all matters concerning him were covered by the agenda.
- Handicap Calculations. The secretary explained the methodology for calculating handicaps and how they were applied to the league competitions. Derek Nicholls (Warford Park) asked if there was any differential applied when first and second division players met in competitions. The Secretary confirmed that there was none although there was a 2-point reduction when second division players compete in the Jack Bryning six-a-side team knockout. Jim Gray commented that this was a possibility why entries are low for our competitions since many players feel disadvantaged. The Secretary said that this should be discussed at the pre AGM meeting in January, and if appropriate a motion put to the AGM. Jim Gray (Chelford) suggested that when a 5 start is applied to players playing off a +4 handicap in pairs competitions it makes the “finishing line too close, and it may be better to consider dropping the 5 start. Again this should be referred to the January meeting.
- New Players Handicaps. Handicaps were agreed for new members who have now completed in excess of 4 games.
- Mixed Pairs Draw. 26 entries this year for the event being hosted by Victory Hall Memorial Club. The draw took place and will be posted on the web site together with approximate start times. The delegate from the Victory Hall confirmed that a BBQ would be provided together with a full bar service
- Jack Bryning Six-a-Side. 16 teams entered for this year's six-a-side team knockout for the Jack Bryning trophy. Again the draw will be posted on the web site as soon as venues have been confirmed.
- Presentation Evening. The meeting was reminded that the Presentation Evening would be held on Friday 29th November at the Victory Hall Memorial Club, and as usual clubs were asked to provide a prize for the raffle.
- Any Other Business. Molly Sutton (Church Inn ‘A’ asked for an explanation regarding 21 points being deducted from their match against Warford Park originally scheduled for 19th July which was played on 11th August. The Secretary explained his understanding of rule 3.1 “Each player to play one game per night” and since the player in question had already played for the ‘B’ team on 19th July it was considered a breach of the rule and the game was forfeit awarding 21 points to the Warford Park player. The representatives from both the Church Inn and Warford Park left the room while the matter was discussed further. A decision was reached where the meeting decided that the elected officer had applied the rule as he understood it and his decision was endorsed. It was further agreed that the rule should be clarified in the 2014 hand book
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm