LEAGUE NEWSLETTER: NOVEMBER 2016 Keeping you connected … What kind of Sunday 3rd XI cricket do you want? CLUBS attending the Special General Sunday Third XI meeting at Warrington on October 19 were asked to state the type of cricket they prefer to play in 2017. A satisfactory turn out of 34 clubs spoke mainly in favour of continuing with the current five division regionalised league structure, although with the rules of selection relaxed in some way to allow young 1st XI players to take part and improve what is perceived to be their alternative discipline. A number of other clubs spoke in favour of forming a friendly structure with up to 12 games per season because they were unable to commit to a full competitive programme, yet wanted Sunday cricket for their players. It was suggested that these fixtures would be set out by the league and structured in a geographical manner as far as possible, without any qualification restrictions. Chairman David Humpage said after the meeting: “We need to find out which format clubs prefer next season. We shall be asking all clubs to respond to a questionnaire as set out below. QUESTION 1: Would you prefer to play in: (a) The current league structure or (b) A friendly structure QUESTION 2: How many teams would your club anticipate fielding in either category. QUESTION 3: If it proves impractical to operate a friendly structure for numerical or geographical reasons, would your club in (b) be willing to take part in a league structure? Clubs were asked to respond by e-mail to: [email protected] by November 30. Among clubs not currently members of the league’s 3rd XI Sunday set-up who were present at the meeting were Caldy, Frodsham, Oulton Park and Winnington Park. PETER LAWSON TO STAND DOWN David Humpage told the League Cricket Committee’s October meeting that Peter Lawson will step down for medical reasons from all cricket administration when he has completed the questionnaire project. NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: p2 FORTIES WELCOME WHALLEY RANGE(RS) A CLUB from outside the Cheshire county boundary was admitted to the Over 40s section for the first time at their Special General Meeting in order to complete four divisions of eight in 2017. Chairman David Humpage told the meeting at Warrington on October 19 that Whalley Range were a sound, well-run club, but their admission had to be viewed as a one- off purely to enable the Forties to play more cricket. Currently members of the Greater Manchester League, Whalley Range were given the unanimous support of the 18 clubs present. They will operate as Whalley Rangers in the eight-strong North-East Division alongside Bowdon, Bowdon Vale, Brooklands, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme, Sale and Urmston . It was agreed that Bramhall would move back to the South-East Division, also with eight teams alongside Alderley Edge, Bollington, Bredbury, Macclesfield, Offerton, Poynton and Woodley. The Central and West divisions to remain unchanged. The 2017 fixture dates will run from Wednesday, May 3 to Wednesday, August 3, with quarter-finals on Wednesday, August 10 or by Sunday, August 20 at the latest. Due to player unavailability on the Bank Holiday, future Finals will be played in September. Pink balls to be used Clubs agreed to experiment with the use of pink balls in the first two and the last week of the season and for one other fixture to be mutually agreed. They will also be used by clubs in the quarter-finials and provided by the league on Finals day. The cost per ball was about £6. It was resolved that only Reader cricket balls as provided by the league should be used in all other fixtures. This means that clubs from outside the league will have to obtain a supply. In his annual report, Competition secretary Mike Talbot-Butler regretted the record number of 16 fixtures which had been conceded last season, compared with three in 2015. He urged clubs to try and strengthen their squads and to consider fielding nine or 10 men rather than cancel fixtures on the day of the match. There had again been talk among clubs of creating separate competitive and friendly sections, but nothing positive had transpired. Clubs should apply the age limit strictly as there had been another breach of the rule last season, involving Grappenhall, which had resulted in their forfeiture of 28 points. He congratulated Neston on retaining the Finals Day play-off trophy and Warrington on their excellent match-day arrangements. Robin Maddocks is Eggheads winner TIMPERLEY stalwart Robin Maddocks was in the Bowdon Griffin pub quiz team which recently beat the famous Eggheads to land a £4,000 prize on BBC 2 television. A retired police officer, Robin said: “We were treated like royalty; taxi to the station, train to Glasgow, taxi to the studio, an overnight hotel, then back home next day.” The Griffin beat the Eggheads on the final question “What national newspaper does Chris Evans edit?” The experts did not know that it was the Daily Telegraph Robin went on: “We were delighted as the Eggheads fielded their best team including the wonderful Kevin. The MC Jeremy Vine treated us well and was most professional”. The Griffin, who play in a local quiz league, fielded a team of five plus a reserve who was Robin’s wife Sue, so the Maddocks went away with £666 each. They have used part to decorate the house, with a little left over for a holiday in Crete”. The television programme was shown live - amid much joy - at Timperley Cricket Club. NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: p3 Proposed changes to League rules & regs THE final 2016 meeting of the League Cricket Committee agreed on a set of proposals to put before clubs for initial consideration at the November Management meeting at Timperley on November 16. Voting on all changes will be made at the January Management /AGM at Bowdon on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. A list of the proposals includes: O The President of Cheshire County Cricket Club shall no longer be Patron of the League O League officers shall not be permitted to vote on changes to rules and regulations. This to become the sole responsibility of the clubs. O An Executive committee to be formed comprising the Chairman, Deputy chairman and Secretary, meeting on an ad hoc basis to consider matters of strategic importance to the league. The Executive to refer all decisions to the Cricket Committee for ratification. Captains committee O A Captains committee of six members will consider all playing matters. They shall act as a bridge between the players and the Cricket Committee to whom it will make recommendations for change. O In the Over 40s section, only balls approved by the league shall be used. Pink balls to be used for the first two weeks and last week of the season, plus one other to be mutually agreed; also from the quarter-finals onwards. Finals Day to be staged on a Sunday date, rather than on Bank Holiday Monday. Earlier starts? O Due to increasing light problems, all Saturday match start times to be brought forward: alternative proposals to be put before clubs. Clubs also given the right to bring forward starting times by up to one hour, with one week’s notice needed to notify umpires and league publications. The following two proposals are being tabled by Warrington and seconded by Timperley. They do not have the support of the Cricket Committee: O Fines should be levied at the rate of £10 instead of £15. O All clubs shall be notified of the fines they have incurred on a month by month basis. UMPIRE TONY MORRIS HONOURED TONY MORRIS, the League’s longest-serving umpire (1979 – 2016) visited Lord’s on October 29 to receive an ECB Association of Cricket Officers (ACO) Honorary Life Membership. He was presented with his award by the organisation’s retiring chairman Roger Knight, with Cheshire colleagues Alistair Davies, Martin Howe and James Emmerson looking on. O The annual meeting of the League Umpires and Scorers Association is at Toft on Wednesday, November 9 (8 p.m.) O Panel umpire Liam Spires recently suffered a heart attack, but is recovering well. The Association sent him a get well-card. O Recruitment courses have been planned for the off season at Toft in November and at Oakmere in March with 25 pc inquiries so far coming from former players. Details from Geoff Young (e-mail: [email protected]) O A Walking Group has been formed by League secretary Geoff Wellsteed with the first outing planned to Hillbre Island off the Wirral coast on Thursday morning, November 10. NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER: p4 Club News MACC CHAIRMAN’S AWARD CHAIRMAN of Macclesfield Simon Griffiths has been named Cheshire East Council Volunteer of the Year and presented with a handsome trophy. Organised by Everybody, a charity organisation attached to Cheshire East Council, the award recognises outstanding unpaid work in the community and Simon’s achievements heading up new ventures on the Macclesfield ground have been justly recognised. Beating four other candidates, Simon is quoted in the October issue of the Club Newsletter: “I am really taken aback by winning this award which I dedicate to all the other outstanding volunteers at the club.” Dave Frame has stood down as Macclesfield Forties captain. New Davenham sponsors DAVENHAM have announced a sponsorship deal with builders Stewart Milne Homes which will give them funds to buy for new coaching equipment. Juniors co ordinator Karen Gallagher says the agreement will help the club purchase a new bowling machine, extra kit and more professional coaching time for their young boys and girls.