Annual Report of the Management Committee 2007
by Gary France, 23rd November 2007

Without any doubt, the 2007 season will probably be remembered for a four letter word we would very much prefer to forget…..RAIN! At times during June and July, it seemed that the monsoon’s would never end, which resulted in so many games being cancelled, grounds becoming lakes and a variety of difficult decisions having to be made by the League Management Committee, which at times created disappointment for many clubs.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom! A brief snapshot of the season, highlighted the following achievements:

DIVISION 1

Congratulations to Cuckney Cricket Club. They are the 2007 Bassetlaw & District Cricket League Champions, winning Div 1 by some 59 points which is a substantial margin. They now move to the Nottinghamshire Premier League, where no doubt the skills of their team will be challenged at that higher level.

Despite the weather, despite wet wickets and despite so many games called off, the performances of two players in Division 1 (and indeed the League) stood head and shoulders above everyone else. Tom Elliott of Notts & Arnold Amateurs scored 9 centuries, with four of them being no less than 140. Scoring 1575 runs in 16 innings (average 121); this was an outstanding season for this player, a remarkable achievement which must rank on equal terms with any player in any era of the history of the League.

Richard Stroh of Cuckney also had a very good season. Scoring three centuries, with a highest score of 209 not out, scoring 1181 runs in 16 innings (average 131), this was also outstanding.

Other notable performances in this Division came from Rashid Riaz of Farnsfield (4 centuries), with H Jordaan of Ransome & Marles, Will Butler (Edwinstowe), Chris Spring (Thoresby Colliery) and Harsha Cooray (Kiveton Park) all scoring 2 centuries.

The best bowling performances of the season came from M Ali (Bolsover) 8-29 and Will Butler (Cuckney 8 – 39). Steve Randall of Cuckney took 39 wickets (average 15.77)

Other issues of note were:

660 runs scored in the game between Cuckney v R & M

Over 900 runs in a season Rashid Riaz (Farnsfield) 1111

Over 800 runs, Harsha Cooray (Kiveton Park)

DIVISION 2

Edwinstowe were the winners of Division 2 by the slender margin of 6 points from Waleswood.

Five players each scored two hundreds in the season. Ian O’Neil (Eckington) Gareth Davis (Waleswood), Dean Elgar (Edwinstowe), Wayne Harrison (N. Wheatley) and John Mimms (Everton). The performances of one player in particular Ian O’Neil was outstanding. He scored 1065 runs in 16 innings and averaged 118.33.

The best bowling in a match in this Division came from Russ Smith (Blidworth) with match figures of 6 – 23. Gareth Davis (Waleswood) added to his batting performance by taking 41 wickets (average 9.29).

DIVISION 3

Welbeck Colliery II were the winners of Div 3 on equal points, (but more wins) (292) with W I Cavaliers II.

Gareth Beard (Clumber Park) stole the show in this Division with four centuries in the season, along with David Gray (Holmewood) also featuring with two centuries to his name.

Jon Ball (Welbeck Colliery II) achieved the excellent figures of taking 6 wickets for only nine runs in one particular game

DIVISION 4

Bridon II were the winners by some 32 points from Worksop II.

Seven batsmen scored one century during the season in this Division, with Craig Saxilby (Milton) claiming the outstanding bowling performance of taking 7 wickets for only 29 runs in one particular game.

DIVISION 5

Anston II were the winners by the slender margin of 5 points from Edwinstowe II.

John Lyne (Anston II) was the outstanding batsman with four centuries during the season, with two of them being double hundreds of 233 not out and 210 not out. He scored 1106 runs in 16 innings (average 85). The other hundreds of 151 and 101 both dismissals must have been a shocking failure in comparison!

Alex Gilbert (Kiveton Park II) and David Allen (Killamarsh II) both achieved two centuries.

John Griffiths (Killamarsh II) claimed the bowling accolade, claiming 7 wickets for 31 runs in one particular game. Lee Wilson of Clipstone took 38 wickets in the season (average 5.87)

The game between Anston II & Marshalls II produced 585 runs

DIVISION 6

Nomads were clear winners by 57 points from their nearest rivals Mansfield HM III. In fact Nomads were the only club in the League to actually never lose a game throughout the season.

Phillip Buxton (Nomads) hit three centuries in the season. Kevin Wright of the same club scored 581 runs in 15 innings (average 64). Julian Wood (Teversall II) took 8 wickets in one game for only 14 runs and Terry Brown (Grassmoor II) also took 8 wickets in a game for only 27 runs.

DIVISION 7

Cutthorpe II won the Division by 7 points from Worksop III

Darren Caunt (Holmewood) scored two centuries in the season, with the outstanding bowling performance belonging to Andy Coope (S. Normanton) who took 7 wickets for 24 runs in one particular game. Darren Williams (Manton) took 44 wickets in the season (average 8.68)

DIVISION 8

Woodsetts II were victorious in this Division by 20 points from Basford Mill II

Three players scored two centuries each. S. Suman and Steve Robinson (both of Basford Mill II) and Alan Mosley (Woodsetts II), who also scored 765 runs in the season (average 85)

Lewis Thorpe (Wadworth II) took eight wickets for only 21 runs in one game. Dave Chambers (Waleswood II) took 35 wickets in the season (average 6.89)

A very notable all rounder performance in this Division came from John Parker (Woodsetts II), with 529 runs (Ave. 40.69) and taking also taking 51 wickets @ 7.94.

DIVISION 9

Winners were Waleswood II by 30 points from Harthill II

Five batsmen each scored a century, with David. Jordan of (Clumber IV) taking 6 wickets for only 11 runs in one match. David Chambers (Waleswood II) achieved 35 wickets in the season (average 6.89)

Congratulations to all those players.

HARRY TOMLINS TROPHY was won by Thoresby Colliery in a tight game against Cutthorpe who were particularly disappointed to lose the game, after failing on previous occasions. Man of the Match was won by Chris Spring of Thoresby for his batting performance.

MALLEN TWENTY/20 TROPHY continues to generate interest from clubs in this new format of the game. This year, Marshall’s were the winners in the final at Kiveton Park against Thoresby Colliery. Andrew Coles from Marshalls was the Man of the Match for his batting performance.

Both cup competitions were devastated by the weather conditions this year. The scheduled Mallen Semi Finals and Final for example at Notts & Arnold was a complete wash out, with all three games having to be re-arranged. Many clubs had great difficulty in fulfilling fixtures and with this in mind, certain changes to some of the Cup competition rules have been reviewed and changes proposed by the League Management Committee today, who are also keen for more clubs to take part in both competitions.

A potential Twenty / 20 Cup for certain clubs with only the one team in the lower Divisions was a clear potential area for development to integrate these clubs into the Cup competitions, but the opportunity did not receive any support from respective clubs.

CEDRIC RHOADES CUP v Durham Coast League at Cuckney – we lost

UNDER 25’s v Derbyshire County League under 25’s at Ockbrook & Borrowash was a very close game, hard fought which resulted in our team effectively losing on the last ball of the game.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS Challenge Match at Hucknall Cricket Club – Cuckney v Plumtree was convincingly won by Cuckney which clearly rounded off a very positive season for that club.

THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON saw Duckmanton Lodge withdraw from our League which caused the constitution of the Divisions to change from 10 to 9.

Next season the BDCL welcomes Retford CC back to Div 1 from the Premier League.  We will also see the loss of Holmewood to the Derbyshire League after many years with us and we wish them well. Cuckney and Blyth will be supplying additional teams from their respective clubs. Worksop will reduce to 3 teams and the newly formulated Firbeck CC will begin in Division 6.

The very recent merger of what was Bolsover CC with Killamarsh Juniors will provide four teams with its 1^st Xl being a part of the NPL. Arrangements and structures have yet to be finalised within this new partnership.

The 2007 season followed an all too familiar pattern to that of recent years, with a substantial shortfall in the number of active umpires. Many games in the lower Divisions experienced either one or no umpires at all. The problem, the debate and many suggested solutions have been in the public arena for as long as I can remember.

The League Management Committee, the Umpires Association and the Umpires Appointments Secretary are now facing the same problem for 2008. There are less volunteers coming forward from clubs, fewer aging players seem willing to support the game in this way and there is a general lack of ‘new blood’ filtering into umpiring. If there was an easy answer, it would be nice to think that someone, somewhere, would have mentioned the solution many years ago. The Appointments Secretary John Leaning has an extremely difficult job to keep all clubs and umpires satisfied, as there are so many factors to consider in the equation relating to travelling, availability, preferences and various personal criteria.

The lack of umpires is similar to the increasing lack of scorers for many games. Without anyone controlling the game or keeping score, the game will deteriorate and standards will fall. Clubs are asked to take their share of the responsibility for these vital roles if local cricket is to move forward.

The 2007 season was the second year in which clubs in Divisions 1 & 2 were required to submit assessment forms of umpires. This year, a total £675 will be imposed as fines for not complying with this process. Some clubs must have money to waste!

DISCIPLINARY MATTERS during 2007 saw 10 incidents of unacceptable behaviour by a variety of players which were dealt with by the Disciplinary Sub Committee of the League. Most indiscretions related to ‘sledging’ of opponents in various formats, verbal abuse and disrespect to umpires and a general lack of respect for other players or people. It is a shame that a handful of players seem unable to control their behaviour, deal with their disappointments and in some cases simply cannot conduct themselves properly. Action will continue to be taken in a fair, yet robust style against those people who transgress beyond the bounds of acceptability, for the sake of the sport we all enjoy so much. All clubs are asked to continue to support these processes by playing their part in ensuring that all players adhere to simply ‘what is right’.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?

The League Management Committee is aware of the need to seek continuous improvement where appropriate. Some people say that change for changes sake, can be the illusion of progress, but where appropriate, development is vital if we are to keep abreast of the times. Hopefully clubs will have made themselves aware of the many changes proposed at this years AGM and agree with the Management Committee that the proposals on the table today are important and indeed necessary.

Malcolm Daniels, this year’s League President, has embarked upon sterling work to improve the IT communications and the development of a website, along with a Club Development Plan which is gathering energy and pace. Perhaps in the time to come, certain ‘League Road Shows’ held potentially at three venues each year across the district could be another means by which the Management Committee could meet  and listening to club representatives, whilst actually putting a human face to the many telephone calls and e mails sent and received throughout each year.

TIME TO SPEAK ABOUT A FEW PEOPLE……It is impossible to thank all those people, whose voluntary work contributes to the well running of the League. Thanks however must be mentioned of the continued support, by its principal sponsor Wilkinson’s for their contribution. Paul Barker continues to provide an excellent service in dealing with the results each week and as the League Press Officer. Bev Norris completes all the fixtures and all the statistics to a very high standard. Peter Neale is a very competent and efficient Treasurer and Richard Martin compiles a detailed and very informative League Handbook as its Editor.

May I also record thanks to Mike Smedley for over 16 years of contributions to the League Management Committee, John Heaman for representing the Umpires Association for over 5 years and also to Dean Graney whose work commitments prevent him from continuing. All three have decided to stand down from the MC this year. We wish them well in the future.

IN CONCLUSION, before I sit down, and end my first Annual Report to the Management Committee, I would like to pass on my personal thanks to everyone who has provided me with a great deal of help in my first year as League Secretary. There are too many people to mention and certainly all club Secretaries have been great.  If you are happy for me to continue, I am willing to do so. The role is not easy, but so far, hopefully so good! That is for other people to judge. In the meantime, I hope that I can continue to steer a steady course, with a good breeze in our sails!

Gary France - League Secretary