MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 8th July 2010 AT 7.45 P.M. AT THE BILL WICKHAM PAVILION, BUXTED PARK SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

Present: D.E. Barnard (Chairman), Rev. K.C. Jeffery (Hon. Secretary), P. Patrick (President), D. Procter (Hon. Fixture Secretary), C. Bates, R. Ticehurst, D. White, V. Prior, A. Hughes and J. Saunders.

49/10 The disciplinary subcommittee had met immediately prior to this meeting to discuss the possible playing of an ineligible player by Blackboys C.C.
After hearing the subcommittee's report and recommendations, it was agreed to deduct a total of 60 points from Blackboys 2nd XI team. This was made up of a penalty of 30 points, plus the points gained by Blackboys in the fixture. In addition, it was agreed to deduct a total of 25 points from the Blackboys 1st XI. Rye 3rd XI will be awarded 25 points for the fixture.
In reference to another incident (Blackboys 1st XI v Robertsbridge 1st XI 26th June 2010), the disciplinary subcommittee further decided to impose a one-match suspension on Mark Dann to apply to the return fixture on 28th August 2010.
50/10 Apologies had been received from M. Smallwood and S. Vidler.
51/10 Minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th June 2010 were approved and signed by the chairman.
52/10 Matters arising:
1. Captains' assessment of umpires:
Chris Bates gave an update on his recent receipt of assessment cards. He would email 1st & 2nd division clubs to advise on appropriate marks. He reported that it has become apparent that Umpires are being marked low by some captains if they make the odd questionable LBW decision. The umpire is always in the best position to decide on such decisions. To mark an umpire 6 or below for what is perceived to be an odd bad decision is not really appropriate or in the spirit of the marking scheme.
He was still not receiving the umpires' cards in the volumes expected. Therefore, as of 10th July, the league will be issuing fines of £5 per card not received during the second half of the season. These fines will be invoiced to any defaulting club at a time convenient to the league's officers.
Invoices had been paid by three of the four clubs recently penalised (Barcombe, Iden and Newhaven). Ditchling C.C. had yet to pay.
2. Wet weather arrangements for the future:
Dave Procter had not had time to deal with this yet, but undertook to bring to the next committee meeting his thoughts on how our present arrangements could be improved by bringing them into line with those of other leagues.
In addition he would consider how best to improve the overs rate in the league, with special reference to the present regulations in the Sussex Cricket League.
3. Team sheets:
Vic Prior reported that over one third of the team sheets that he had been send had not been completed properly. He would be intensifying his application to clubs for their team sheets in order to establish how well captains were handling this Important ECB and league requirement.
Vic Prior presented the league with a new trophy to be awarded annually to the umpire with the highest average mark.
In future years, the committee would accept the joint recommendation of the panel umpires' coordinator (currently Jim Saunders), and the umpires' assessment card organiser (currently Chris Bates), in deciding who would receive the new trophy.
53/10 Finance:
The Treasurer was able to report a combined balance of £8,714.08. The 2010 Sponsorship was currently due from Parker Building Supplies and Inter Sport of Lewes, who both generously support the administration of the league.
All known outstanding bills had been paid.
54/10 Fixtures:
League Fixtures - the dates for the 2012 season were agreed and would now appear on the website on the diary page under the heading "League Season 2012". In 2012, the league season will run from Saturday 5th May to Saturday 1st September inclusive.
55/10 Representative Cricket:
the fixture arranged for 16th June had been at the Mote Cricket Club, Maidstone at 1.30pm. Vic Prior had attended. ESCL had lost this game by 9 wickets and so were now out of the competition. East Sussex Cricket League XI - 1st XI 212 all out in 42.3 overs
Kent Cricket League Div 3/4/5 XI - 1st XI 213 for 1 in 42.1 overs Won by 9 wickets
The Over 40s - there would be no further fixtures this season.
56/10 Umpires' Panel:
Jim Saunders reported fully on recent experiences, including the unfortunate occurrence of three umpires turning up for the same match.
It was agreed that the league would attempt to supply a panel umpire to matches in division 3 when a club umpire would be standing at the other end. There were, of course, financial implications for the club concerned in order to meet the reimbursement of the panel umpire's expenses - presently set at £25.
57/10 It was agreed to add the subject of grounds' standards to the agenda for July's meeting.
58/10 The meeting closed at 9.07 p.m. The next meeting would be held on Thursday 19th August 2010 (originally scheduled for 12th August).