Rules revision meeting held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19 November at Urmston Men’s Club
Proposals for rule changes
Conduct of league matches
From Davyhulme Social Club
Amend rule 2.2.2 to read:
The captains shall each present their score cards in preferred playing order. Four jacks shall be maintained on the green at all times (i.e. the next game to start within five minutes of a jack becoming available). A player who is unavailable when called may be substituted.
This was combined with proposal 1.5. There was some discussion on the need for this and how it would work in practice. As it applied to the knock-outs, the wording was a bit complicated but meant that there should be three jacks on the green at Monday home-away matches and two at Wednesday home-away matches.
This and 1.5 rejected with two votes in favour.
Start times (league)
From Davyhulme Social Club
Add to the end of rule 2.5.1:
The two captains may agree an earlier start time.
This was combined with proposal 1.4. The aim was to allow some flexibility on dark evenings. Objectors pointed out that many bowlers travel after work and may not be able to attend an early start. However the proposal is dependent on both captains agreeing, and there is no obligation for them to do so.
This and 1.4 passed with no votes against.
Simultaneous start for home-away knock-out matches
From Davyhulme Social Club
Amend rule 3.2 to read:
All matches except the final shall be played with half the games at one team’s venue and half at the other venue. Away players to have first lead of the jack. Matches to start simultaneously at both greens at 6.30pm with or without floodlights.
Davyhulme Social explained that the aim was to have a fair competition for players not used to playing under lights. There were objections that if both clubs have lights there was no need for them both to have an early start.
Flixton Cricket Club proposed an amendment to the proposal: the last sentence to read “Matches to start simultaneously at 7.00pm if both venues have floodlights, otherwise at 6.30pm.”
The amendment was passed with four votes against. The amended proposal was then passed unanimously.
Start times (knock-outs)
From Davyhulme Social Club
Add to the end of rule 3.2:
The two captains may agree an earlier start time.
See 1.2.
Conduct of knock-out matches
From Davyhulme Social Club
New rule 3.4 (and following rules renumbered):
The captains at each venue shall each present their score cards in preferred playing order. N jacks shall be maintained on the green at all times (i.e. the next game to start within five minutes of a jack becoming available). N is four in the final, three in the Monday league and two in the Wednesday league. A player who is unavailable when called may be substituted.
See 1.1.
Elibility for knock-out matches
From Legh Arms
Amend rule 3.6 (3.7 if renumbered) to read:
Players must have played in at least three league games on the same or a lower team prior to the start of the knock-out competition. Where a club has two teams in a league, a player may not play for both teams in the knock-out competition. Eligibility for the second team as per league rule 2.8.4.
There had been some confusion during the season with players having qualified for a second team in the cup by playing mainly on the first team In the league. The handicap was based on league performance, so was not a true reflection if first-teamers were included.
Passed, 16 votes to 5.
Optional entry to knock-outs
From the secretary
Add to the end of rule 3.1:
Entry to these competitions is optional; teams will be entered unless they inform the secretary of their withdrawal at least two week before the first round.
The secretary had proposed this following a suggestion from a fellow club member. He gave no recommendation for or against. The intention was to avoid teams withdrawing from the knock-outs at a late stage, possibly having already eliminated another team.
Passed, 13 votes to 8.
Eligibility for secon team
From Golden Hill Park
Amend rule 2.8 to read:
Within a league, a player may not play for a second team if they have played three or more games for the first team.
There was discussion around the problems of arranging that the second team has sufficient eligible players, and the perceived unfairness of stronger players being used. The consensus was that this proposal would make it harder to manage second teams.
Rejected with no votes in favour.
Other matters
An application had been received from Hale & Hermitage BC to join the Wednesday league. They needed a decision in time to notify the Knutsford league, where they currently play. Accepting them would bring us to two divisions of 12, with no practical room for more (unless a club withdrew).
The meeting agreed to accept the application and welcomed Hale & Hermitage to the league.
Presentation of trophies
The trophies had been engraved with winners’ names and were handed out.