Bassetlaw Cricket League Annual General Meeting 2002
by Paul Barker, 24th November 2002

The AGM of the Bassetlaw Cricket League was held at the Valley Comprehensive School at Baulk Lane, Worksop. Opening the meeting Richard Martin the President/Secretary of the League asked for a minutes silence in respect of the loss of several people who have served the league over many years.

These distinguished servants were Mr. Jack Milburn who held the post of Umpires Appointments Secretary from 1976 – 1982, Mr. George Langdale O.B.E. who was President of the League in 1985 and served on the Management Committee from 1968 – 1986 before becoming a Honarary Life Member, Mr. Jack Fidler who served on the Management Committee from 1963 – 1974, Mr. Maurice French who did likewise from 1978 – 1992 and Mr. Eric Adwick who served from 1965 – 2002 being President in 1981 and Chairman from 1991 until his recent bereavement.

In addition to these three other people who have made significant contributions to the league Mr. Keith Wilkinson, Mr. Keith Smith and Mr. Paul Tyndall all passed away over the last twelve months.

Richard Martin then read out the roll-call and only Basford Mill, Cutthorpe, Manton, and South Normanton were shown to be absent and will be subjected to a fine by the League rule 1.5 (viii). Marshalls were also absent but an apology was received with a statement that the person due to attend couldn’t be there because of an injury and that someone else would probably be coming. Unfortunately the replacement failed to show up.

Annual Report of the Management Committee - 2002

"For the Bassetlaw League the year 2002 didn’t have an auspicious beginning as, even before the season started, two clubs, Mansfield Colliery Welfare after 80 years, and Genefax found it necessary to withdraw, resulting in Divisions One, Five and Six being reduced at short notice to 11 teams. Langwith Cricket Club were also forced to cease playing in mid-season leaving Division Four similarly reduced. Consequently, although the promotion of three teams from each of Divisions Four to Ten went ahead as planned at the end of the season, there were in fact only five teams relegated throughout the whole of the League, and none below the bottom of Division Four. The distribution of First Elevens and Second Elevens in the final tables for last season, especially in Divisions Four and Five, indicate that teams have now on the whole found their correct level and the Management Committee have decided that at the end of the 2003 season the whole League will revert to the principle of two up and two down per Division.

Those who have studied the constitution of the Divisions for Season 2003 will note that all five new teams to have been admitted in recent months are Third Elevens. Clumber Park, Mansfield & Pleasley, Woodsetts, and Worksop have been admitted to Division Ten, whilst Welbeck Colliery put forward to the Management Committee compelling reasons for being admitted at a higher level, and will fill a vacancy in Division Six.

The Management Committee has continued to strive to be fair to all clubs and to interpret League rules in a just and equitable manner. The interpretation of the Rule governing the qualification of players, and the re-allocation of points where this was deemed to have been contravened, proved particularly contentious because of the effect it could have had on teams not involved in the match in question. The Management Committee decided that all points gained by the offending team in such matches must be forfeited and the maximum of 20 points awarded to their opponents, and applied this consistently to all the matches in which it occurred. Rule 5: Qualification of Players has been amended several times in recent years and circumstances have changed, and it might be considered that a comprehensive revision is now required. Is there, for instance, a need for a system where all players must be registered before they play ?

Player ill-discipline was also more of a problem this year than in recent seasons with 10 players being sanctioned, ranging from reprimands to a ten-week suspension for violent conduct. Whilst not wishing to further castigate players by publishing such incidents in the press the Management Committee have determined that in future disciplinary action should be summarised and circulated via the Newsletter to clubs. On the positive side, congratulations to Weston Cricket Club who, after finishing second in 2001 have won the Fair-Play Award, the James Maude Trophy and £500, and also incidentally achieved more victories than in any season since 1986. Lea Park Cricket Club were second and Harthill Cricket Club third. Probably most of you are ahead of me by now and have looked on the voting card to find your club’s position in the table. Is it time now to simply publish the results for all to see ?

There were fewer occasions during the season of teams failing to fulfil fixtures, 12 of 1188 made plus two Mallen Trophy games, and again the application of sanctions was consistent; a deduction of 10 points with 20 points being awarded to the opposing team, and a fine of £10 except in cup matches, where as there could obviously be no deduction of points, a £20 fine was imposed.

The problem of the poor entry for the Tomlins Trophy cup competition and hence also the Mallen Trophy , 20 clubs in 2002 compared with 39 in 1992, is of great concern. In consultation with colleagues from other Leagues in the local pyramid we hope to enter discussions with the Sunday leagues to see if a way around this problem is feasible and enable more clubs to participate in both.

In addition to these pyramid meetings representatives of the Management Committee play an active role in the work of the Derbyshire Cricket Board, via the North Derbyshire Cricket Focus Group, and the Nottinghamshire Cricket Board including the Premier League. Officials of quite a number of our clubs are also active in the area of Youth Cricket and the Management Committee is pleased to give moral and financial assistance when it is able. Support groups have also been established in a number of Council Districts under the Active Sport initiative and information on these can be obtained from your County Development Officer.

The League Cricket Conference, which meets four times a year, is gradually spreading south and east from its heartland and is a useful avenue by which the views of this and other leagues can reach the E.C.B. For 38 years the Bassetlaw League has entered a team in the K.O. competition organised by Conference, winning the Trophy on four occasions with several other near-misses. At the Annual Dinner earlier this year the President made a special plea to clubs to encourage all selected players to take part, but sadly it was necessary to approach 23 before a team could be put on the field at Mottram Cricket Club against the Derbyshire & Cheshire League. The game was lost but all credit to those players, and the ageless 12th man Gareth Jones, who put up a tough fight. Similar problems of availability were experienced in selecting teams for the Under 25 and Under 21 matches but again those who took part gave of their best.

Management Committee Review of the Season - 2002

"The statistics summarising the results of league matches for season 2002 show a slight increase in the number of matches won and lost to nearly 69%, the number of draws almost identical at 19% and a fall in the number of weather draws from 15.5% to 12%.

Cutthorpe 1st XI in their second season in the top echelon, and their eighth in the League, further strengthened their squad from previous seasons and, despite strong competition from Papplewick & Linby, Kiveton Park Colliery and Cuckney, eventually ran out comfortable Champions of Division One; Asadullah Butt was again one of the chief architects of their success scoring 532 runs and taking 71 wickets with a best bowling performance of 8 – 16; other bowlers to take 8 wickets in an innings in this Division were David Loveridge (Mansfield Hosiery Mills) and Jim Rhodes (Papplewick & Linby).There were two terrific games between Papplewick & Linby and Kiveton Park Colliery. In the first at Kiveton the home side knocked off in excess of 250 runs and in the return fixture they scored 272 – 1 only for Papplewick to reply with 273 – 2, a match aggregate of 545. Steve Frost of Kiveton scored 150* and 147* in these two games, 167 against Cuckney and 108 against Arnold to help him to 1149 runs at an average of 76.60. Neil Sparham (P & L) also scored four centuries and Bryn Gaunt (Cuckney), Nolan McKenzie (Arnold) and Glenn Pym (Worksop) scored three. Glenn’s efforts were not enough to prevent Worksop finishing bottom of the table without a single victory and they will play below the top level for only the second time, having previously spent season 1991 in Division One, Section B. The team had some moments of success including scoring 304 – 4 at home to Glapwell Colliery, a total equalled by Kiveton in their game at Cuckney.

Following two meetings of the Notts. Premier League Management Committee and two appeals to a sub-committee of the Notts. Cricket Board it has been decided that the ground at Cutthorpe does not meet the criteria set down by that League and it is probable that Papplewick & Linby will fill the vacancy thus created.

In Division Two North Wheatley, boosted by Michael Davidson returning from New Zealand and scoring 672 runs with two centuries against Eckington, and taking 52 wickets were champions by the end of August and bounce straight back to Division One. Bolsover survived a late run from Ashover to claim the other promotion place with Tariq Rashid once again having a major influence on their fortunes scoring 1029 runs at 85.75 with 5 centuries and capturing 43 wickets. Whitwell enjoyed, if that is the right word, two tied matches; on the first day of the season at Blyth each team scored 152 – 7 and at Biwater Clay Cross each team scored 121 – 8. Blyth who had a good start to the season fell away badly and in their last match at Everton were dismissed for 29. Milton had a dreadful time being the only team relegated, but spirits remained high throughout, and Marshalls were not the force of 2001 despite three centuries from Paul Van den Heuval who has returned to settle in this country.

Pilsley were the champions of Division Three to achieve their highest League standing since entering in 1964, but by a surprisingly small margin when the batting record of Saeed Bin Nasir is taken into consideration. In 21 innings he scored 1559 runs at an average of 97.44 with six centuries and a top score of 189 against Teversal, who he put to the sword again in the return fixture to the tune of 141, but in a magnificent match Teversal fought back for a tie; Pilsley 269 – 4, Teversal 269 – 7. Saeed’s second highest innings of 154 enabled his team to amass 306 – 3 against Sheepbridge. N.S.K. finished in second place while Harthill suffered successive relegation seasons and Clipstone Welfare dropped to Division Four for the first time since 1972.

Darren Walker (Mansfield & Pleasley) was probably ready to put his feet up in September having bowled 368 overs and 5 balls, just two balls less than Asadullah Butt, and capturing the highest wicket haul of the season of 75.

In each of Divisions Four and Five two Second Elevens and one First Eleven were promoted. In Division Four the Champions were Farnsfield II and the First Eleven was Holmewood M.W. who as usual on their day scored a hatful of runs including failing by just two to overtake a total of 238 set by Welbeck Colliery II. The latter missed out on promotion because of fewer victories than Papplewick & Linby II. In Division Five Pretty Polly split Mansfield Hosiery Mills II and Bolsover II, whose promotion was celebrated on the last day of the season by a maiden century from Arthur Wragg at the age of 61 years. Well done, Arthur !

The recent progress of Sherwood Colliery continued with Will Butler’s runs, 988 at an average of 61.75 including four centuries, a major factor in deciding the championship of Division Six. Waleswood Sports gained a second successive promotion with Raees Amjad taking 65 wickets at 5.94 each including 10 – 18 against Clumber Park and 9 – 45 against Holy Trinity who only fielded ten men. Edwinstowe II for whom the highlight was when Brett Hallam took the first nine wickets against Thurcroft II for 22 runs only to see his skipper come on and capture the tenth, accidentally he claims, were also promoted for the second time in two years. Thurcroft II fared no better against Clumber Park when Cliff Adwick took 8 wickets for 6 runs losing by 190 runs or against Holy Trinity when dismissed for 22.

In Division Seven Lea Park, who dropped from two teams to one in 2001, gained successive championships, with Cuckney II finishing in a promotion position for the third year since entering the League. Bilsthorpe, who are probably the only club with a woman groundsperson also had a successful season. Leverton enter the new records with several unwanted statistics. Batting first against Killamarsh II they were dismissed for 15, and on three occasions when batting second showed a grim determination not to lose with scores of 52 – 4 (49 overs), 53 – 7 (46 overs) and 32 – 6 (41 over game). One of their players however, Mike Proudley, will be pleased with his returns of 9 – 61 against Bilsthorpe and 8 – 23 against N.S.K. II, as will Trevor Howis of Nomads with a remarkable 9 – 12 against Glapwell II.

Cutthorpe II in Division 8 made it a double championship-winning season for the club and against Wadworth II scored 365 – 7 without any batsman reaching a century, winning the match by 246 runs. South Normanton gained their first promotion since joining the League in 1997 and Milton II made up for the disappointing season for their First Eleven with the third promotion place, at the expense of Arnold III who forfeited 40 points by playing an ineligible player in two matches. Everton II and Todwick fought out a ‘perfect’ tie, each being 65 all out. Paul Tomlinson of Oaklands II captured 9 wickets in an innings, as did Craig Williamson for Anston III in Division 9 where Mansfield Hosiery Mills III emulated the feat of the club’s Second Eleven in Division 5 by being crowned champions, and like Anston III gaining successive promotions.

In Division Ten Clumber Park II won 15 of their 20 matches, with 4 defeats and 1 weather draw whilst at the bottom Todwick II joined Worksop I in failing to record a single victory.

Despite the low number of entries the two cup competitions produced some very good cricket. Cutthorpe Cricket Club must feel that they are fated never to win the Tomlins Trophy losing in the Final for the third year in a row and to Mansfield Hosiery Mills in successive seasons. Killamarsh Juniors beat West Indian Cavaliers II in the Mallen Final noted not only for the spirit shown on the field but also off it, where the two sets of supporters mixed sociably, entertained one another and created a brilliant atmosphere. Winners of the Man of the Match awards were Jeff Appleton (Mansfield Hosiery Mills) in the Tomlins Final and Cameron Belshaw (Killamarsh Juniors) in the Mallen Final.

The close co-operation existing between the League and the Bassetlaw Umpires’ Association is exemplified by the formation of the Bassetlaw Cricket Partnership, with representation from the Umpires’ Association Committee and from the Management Committee and, by its negotiations with C.F.C. Financial Services the partnership provides a potential opportunity for each club to gain financial support for itself This will be covered in detail towards the end of the meeting.

Some weeks ago a report and questionnaire was circulated to each club dealing with ‘Club Development’. It is hoped that each one will be returned. The aims of the document are to provide the Management Committee with a clear picture as to the present situation; to see where it might help club development; to see how clubs could be encouraged to help each other with equipment or advice; and to act as an aide-memoir within a club to stimulate ideas and actions. It is understood that even now several clubs are uncertain as to the availability of a ground on which they will be able to play next season, and might wish to consider the possibility of a ground-share scheme with a club that have a ground and would welcome some help in maintaining it. One question regrettably omitted from the document is ‘Does your club have a Development Plan?’ The answer must be ‘yes’ if it wishes to access meaningful funding and I would remind you that around a year ago County Boards issued a document entitled ‘A Club Development Pathway’.

An essential component of a Development Plan is ‘Ground Improvement’. This was made quite clear by the Cricket Development Manager for Nottinghamshire at a meeting of the Groundsman’s Association at Trent Bridge recently when he spoke about how to access funds for ground equipment. This was one topic covered, others included ensuring good autumn germination, and winter work on the ground, both of which, by taking the group to the edge of the square at Trent Bridge, Steve Birks was able to make highly interesting and informative. The Management Committee has been informed that a similar group is now operating in North Derbyshire and strongly recommend that each club gets involved with one or the other. Good cricket requires good pitches.

At the recent meeting at Trent Bridge the booklet ‘Developing your Club – Sources of Grant Aid and Cricket Funding for Cricket Clubs’ was distributed giving comprehensive information on the range of funding available to clubs. However it was emphasised that accessing meaningful funding such as ‘Awards for All’ from which between £500 and £5000 is available annually does require a club to be a member of the E.C.B. through its County Board. Clubs who have not joined are being negligent to their members and it is perhaps time for the League to make it a condition of membership, as it is in most other Leagues; at £35 for a club with two teams which includes affiliation to the E.C.B. it is a bargain. It was also stressed that success in obtaining grant aid may well depend on showing how a club’s plans will benefit cricket for girls, ethnic groups, the disabled and of course youth. In certain council wards in the area covered by the League grants of between £500 and £5000 are also available to clubs from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Congratulations are extended to those clubs who during the last year have succeeded in obtaining the necessary funding for major projects. Cuckney Cricket Club have provided their members and those of other clubs in the area with a major new facility following the opening of their Indoor School; Rose Leisure Cricket Club now have excellent changing, tea and social areas and, on a more modest level, Kiveton Park Colliery Cricket Club obtained £5000 worth of kitchen and bathroom equipment for their pavilion from B & Q. A number of other clubs are currently undertaking similar projects and the Management Committee is always happy to provide letters of support.

Those of you who are of a certain age will recall that it used to be possible to purchase ‘Bassetlaw’ cricket bats from the shop of Willmott & Sullivan on Gateford Road in Worksop. Cliff Willmott, a Past Hon. Treasurer and Past President of the League has, at the age of 92 years and with tremendous enthusiasm still for cricket and the Bassetlaw League, initiated a scheme not only to help celebrate our centenary, but also to assist clubs to make money for the development of Youth Cricket. Originally he contacted a few Past Presidents of the League, or the families of some of those who are deceased, and invited them to purchase a specially commissioned and labelled bat, valued at £120 at least, for a cost of £50, with each bat to be donated to a club to be raffled or auctioned. Subsequently it was suggested to him that other clubs might wish to take part. The only two conditions are that the proceeds should be used entirely for youth cricket, and that Cliff be notified of how much money the bat has generated for the club.. It is very important to note that these are high-quality bats eminently suitable for use and not the usual ‘show’ bats produced for players’ benefits and charity auctions. Please contact me if you wish to participate.I close with a sincere word of thanks to all the League officials, and Club officials and members, many of whom are present this afternoon, who have made my year as President so memorable and I look forward to your company at the Annual Dinner, when the Guest of Honour will be Geoff Miller. The administration of recreational cricket can on occasion be a somewhat stressful pastime and yet, because of your love for the game and the belief that it has something to offer the youth of today, so many of you do so much in your clubs and on a wider stage. Long may it continue".

Following on from this was the Treasurers report from Mr. Peter Neale which was extremely humerous but told the members that the Leagues finances were in a healthy state and another major point was that the fines were down £200 on the previous year which as Mr. Neale said ‘Was a very good sign, because clubs were doing things correctly’. Mr. Neale added that he hoped this trend continued.

The election of officers and the Management Committee then followed with all the major positions being re-appointed en-bloc.

Richard Martin then introduced the new president for 2003 which will be Mr. J. B. (Brian) Wilson of Retford C.C. and Teversal. He went on to say that Brian was highly respected by everyone in the game and that he has served the league with distinction for many years. Mr. Tony Wilkinson of Wilkinson Home and Garden Stores the League’s major sponsors was elected as vice-president and will take up the presidency in the league’s centenary year 2004.

Mr. Mervyn Griffith (Arnold C.C.) paid a terrific tribute to Richard Martin for all his work as President this year and his overall work for the league for many years and stated that he hoped it will long continue.

The proposals for changes to the rules then took place and this went as follows:- The first proposal on behalf of the Management Committee in respect of matches where the away side have traveled was passed and is now to read ‘If the away side has traveled the appointed umpire(s) shall assess the ground conditions shall allow play to commence at the request of both captains, unless deemed dangerous, and if the captains disagree, shall decide whether conditions are suitable for play.

A proposal by Pilsley C.C. for an alteration to the points where declarations are concerned failed to raise a seconder. A proposal by Papplewick and Linby regarding the time of commencement of matches was removed by the proposer in favour of a similar one from the Bassetlaw Umpires Association. This propsal read ‘ Matches shall commence at 2.00 p.m. in April to July and at 1.00 p.m. in August and September (at 12.30 p.m. in September for Division 1) was passed by the narrowest of margins 27 votes to 26.

Another proposal by the Management Committee that the tea interval be extended by five minutes was accepted almost unanimously.

A proposal by Arnold Cricket Club stating that ‘A club seeking to approach a member of another club to move, should notify the player’s present club of its intention prior to entering into any negotiations with the player concerned’ narrowly found favour with the meeting by 27 votes to 23. Two other proposals one backing up the rule just passed which invoked disciplinary measures on clubs breaking the rule on the one just passed was rejected as was a proposal from Papplewick regarding that a side who were a member of the Nottinghamshire Premier League should have the same privileges for its second XI which then becomes its first XI in the Bassetlaw League. The final proposal from Arnold to increase the number of professionals from one to two appearing in the same match failed to raise a seconder.

The Annual Dinner will be held at the Masonic Hall at Worksop on Saturday 29th March 2003 and applications for additional tickets should be submitted now .

Mr. Bev. Norris the fixture secretary stated that he was a little behind with the fixtures for next season owing to the uncertainty over Division 1. He also stated that some clubs had yet to send back their proforma which should be done immediately.

Mr. Geoff Holden then made an impassioned plea for more would be umpires to come along to the training courses and see if they would like to have a go. He stated that it was impossible to staff all matches and that some games simply had no umpires at all which was extremely regrettable.

The final item on the agenda was reached when Mr. Mike Smedley the President of the Bassetlaw Umpires Association introduced Mr. Ian Thompson of C.F.C. Ltd. who spoke of the Bassetlaw Cricket Partnership which is a new initiative which supports clubs in the league and umpires. Mr. Thompson then presented Mr. Smedley with a cheque for £1000 to start the partnership.

Mr. Richard Martin then read out a letter from the widow of the late chairman Mr. Eric Adwick thanking everyone for their help at this sad time.

The meeting then closed at 4.20 p.m.