Devon Cricket Board - Devon Seniors' - Minutes meeting August 29th 2013

Devon County Seniors Cricket Club

Minutes of Committee meeting held on 29^th August 2013

Attendance: C Theedom, S Lott, N Mountford, D Daniels, S Munday, R Wensley.

1. Apologies: D Gambie, D Amery & F Pyle.

2. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10^th April 2013 were adopted as a true and correct record. Duly signed

3. Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

4. Treasurers Report

Stuart produced the accounts and this showed as at 30^th September the club had a healthy balance of £1,987.00.

Comment was made on the income of clothing that was at £986.00 but the expenditure for this season was £1,768.00. This was partly due to stock held. The kit account was £280.00 short. However the treasurer was aware that the Captain of the 50’s 2^nd XI had handed him a cheque for kit but was unable to say who had paid for what. The treasurer was also unable to say who owed what. Roger Wensley and Tom Stanton had accounted for their sale of kit to their respective teams. After discussion it agreed that the Chairman would email ALL members requesting that if they owed for kit to forward monies owing to the treasurer as soon as possible. There was a need for Captains to ensure that they had in place arrangements in order that teas, match fees and monies for kit were accounted for.

There was discussion regarding members who had only played one game paying £20.00 subscriptions. There was also the annual problem of two members not paying their due fees after playing numerous games. The Chairman said he would e-mail these two players. It was suggested that the subscriptions be lowered to £10.00 and the match fee increased to £10.00. The meeting was told that nearly all other counties pay a significant more for their matches and in fact Kent pay £50 a game to cover tea, ground hire and match fees.

The Captains roles to be discussed at next meeting.

Match fees need to be discussed and proposals put to the AGM.

5. Fixture Secretary’s Report.

Danny informed the meeting that all Fixtures had gone well. He had had a conversation with Graham Munday regarding next year’s fixture with Dorset and the use of the ground. It is understood that the ground fee will be waived and only the teas will need to be paid for. Roger Wensley noted this.

Discussion then took place regarding the proposed reorganisation of matches in both the over 50 and over 60 preliminary matches for 2014.

Over 50’s

It is proposed by the ECB that for 2014 and for the Over 50’s there will be 8 groups of 5 teams, all the team’s.will play home and away matches. This replaces the 5 groups of 8 teams. There was enthusiasm for the Channel Islands to join another group with closer and cheaper connections to those Islands. The meeting agreed this would be a good thing. These propsals are put out by the ECB and replies are forwarded by e-mail back to them. There is no AGM.

Over 60’s

The Spitfire Over 60’s Committee will also be voting at their AGM on reorganisation. Instead of 5 regional groups the proposal aims at 4 groups of 8 counties each playing home and away. The competition will commence in mid-April and go forward until the end of August. The four winners go through to the semi-finals. Obviously this would mean a longer season with more fixtures.

Until these matters were concluded Danny will not be able to finalise fixtures for the 2104 season.

It is not envisaged that the second XI’s will change.

These proposals needed to be resolved at next meeting.

Chris Theedom mentioned the tour to Canada in the summer of 2014. He believed that he was 99% sure that the tour would go ahead as he had 22 already paid up. The deadline was the middle of September. This would allow him to get the best discounts etc. He said he had contacted both the ECB and Spitfire and they had both agreed a window in the fixtures for the tour.

Discussion also took place regarding the regional games. Should the Over 60’s need to start in mid April 2014 then this may have an effect.

The Chairman had also had representation from the Players Rep, Fran PYLE who believed that the regional games had not worked well. It was a personal opinion believing it was generally too cold and that instead we should play against Club sides. Roger Wensley disagreed and found that the matches had worked well and he had the opportunity to see numerous new players and see the standard set. He had in fact played 4 players in his side. He agreed that the matches took some organising with grounds etc but it did encourage new people to play. This was reiterated by the Chairman who said the overriding factor was to get more people to play.

Danny asked that clarity be sought at the Spitfire AGM regarding leg side wides. He gave the example of Gloucestershire at Stroud milking the agreement between captains and umpires. Discussion foresaw all legside balls will be given as wides as per the leagues and professional game.

Chairman aware and will take forward.

Captains Reports

The Chairman stated that the present captains MUST inform the next meeting if they are willing to stand. This will give the secretary time to, if need be, to inform the membership that there are vacancies.

****THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE ANY MEMBER SO ELLIGIBLE THE RIGHT TO STAND FOR ANY POSITON WITHIN THE CLUB****

6. Captain Over 50’s 1^st XI Report

Roger stated that the side had had an outstanding season. He would be standing next year. It had been a really enjoyable and successful year. The team had given a tremendous amount of effort in team attitude and willingness to win. He had selected 18 players from 14 different clubs. It was the first time in 10 years that the side had got this far in the competition and had lost to Essex. It was noted that Essex had four ex first class players and very competitive. Hands were put up that they were a far better side in all departments. He stressed that this is not now social cricket – it was very competitive team and sides had to play their best teams. He had 5 new players Paul NOTT, Paul BATES, Keith MERTHY, Mark HEATH and Keith BIGGS.

Roger thanked the co-operation he had had with Dave Amery and Brent Howard from the 2^nd XI. He stated that it had worked well.

Captain Over 50’s 2^nd XI Report

Dave was away playing but he has informed the Chairman that he will not stand next season. He felt that as he had reached 60 years a younger player should take the team forward. There was an email from Dave Amery that had been received by the Chairman.

The Chairman to contact Dave as to whether he had any successor in mind.

Captain – Club Friendly Team Report

Dave Amery not present

Captain Over 60’s Report

Tom Stanton stated that it was another good season but we lost to Kent in the quarter finals. He did not play in that match but we had not scored enough runs. Our games against Somerset and Wiltshire were fairly easy winning home and away and harder against Wales and Gloucestershire who we had beaten at home but lost to away. The match against Bedfordshire was fairly easy as we bowled them out for a low score (79). However, we batted poorly but made it against a bad Bedfordshire team. Like a lot of teams if our openers didn’t score runs we did struggle. He was pleased with Bob Eames who batted and bowled well and Rob Newing who batted well. He was also pleased with efforts of Dave Amery who came into the side later in the season. He believed that we bat, bowl and field well for this standard.

It was mentioned that some players are not playing club cricket. Tom counter acted by saying that our middle order were playing club matches mentioning R Cavendish, M Canning and himself but there are exceptions.

Captain Over 60’s 2^nd XI Report

Stuart Munday stated he had used 14 players, however many were getting towards the end of their 60s. It was the same problem that if Pete Shepherd and Gerry Keen didn’t get runs then the side struggled. Richard Coe had played well. It had been a pretty good season. They had just lost to Yorkshire but were playing either Sussex or Hertfordshire in the semi-final of the plate. This would be on the 8^th September and there would be one further match after that. The rule on who could play and not paly as laid down by Spitfire was defined as “Regular in first XI not allowed to bat above 7 and could bowl as 5^th change”

7. Any Other Business

a) Hire of Grounds & Cost of Teas.

The Chairman brought up two problems that occurred this season. The first was an invoice from Exmouth for a bar bill and extra teas. Although we have paid this amount of £30.00 there was differing stories that have been given to those of our club involved. The Club received an email from Exmouth CC that after the Over 60’s game against Wales the club owed money for a bar bill and extra teas. The Captain of the day Tom Stanton was completely in the dark over the matter. Chris Theedom stated that there was complete chaos at the club as after the match they couldn’t open the bar and once open no one knew the prices. The invoice could not be broken down and the club were reluctant to pay. ey owed and that it was for extra teas. He approached Stuart Munday who then paid the bill. This was felt to be in the best interests of this club. It did not reflect well on Exmouth. It was thought that they might have found a list of drinks written down and believed we owed it. However Roger Wensley a member at Exmouth said he had been approached regarding the monies owed and that they were for extra teas.

The next incident was with Tiverton Heathcote CC. Stuart Munday had contacted them for a match and understood that the cost would be for the teas only. There was mention of ground hire. Stuart said they had a good game and as there was no cost for the game £80.00 was handed over for the teas. There was also good bar takings. After the match John Hall who had arranged the match contacted Stuart Munday and said there was a charge for the ground. He apologised as he had not mentioned it before. Stuart contacted Tiverton Heathcote and after deliberations sent a cheque for £37:50 half the amount requested.

The Chairman highlighted that no blame for these incidents can be pointed towards those members of our club.

He also stated that we must start looking at a policy as to what we pay for teas and grounds. This is especially of importance when and if we progress through the regional groups and grounds are needed at short notice. It should be acceptable to pay between £66-£80 pounds for tea.

Stuart Munday stated that Plymouth is getting very good and would not charge for ground hire. Perhaps Somerset could be accommodated there. Noted by Danny.

Danny Daniels, Fixture Secretary to ensure by e-mail, letter and any notes of conversations what the costs and agreements for the matches are. A copy to be sent to the Captains.

Danny concurred.

Matter of cost of ground hire for resolution next meeting.

P.S Stuart Munday accepted his annual rollicking.

Selection Policy.

b) The Chairman stated that he had been contacted regarding selection of the sides during the season. (the chairman offered anonymity to those who had contacted him) This was in no way criticism of the captains but the matter needed to be aired in committee. The main complaint being of doubling up - playing for two sides - thus giving less opportunity for others to play. The examples being Rob Newing, Nigel Mountford and Julian Page. In the other teams Dave Amery and Barry Flicker were mentioned. The Chairman mentioned three topics.

(i) anyone who is eligible by age to play for that age ground should play only for that age group. i.e. 59 and 60 year olds should play for the over 60’s. They should not play for the over 50 sides.

(ii) That the over 50’s side should be selected from 50 -55 year olds. This was expanded on by the way that the club evolved in the early 2000’s into a winning side. Although a 60 year old may bat well is his running, fielding etc best for the side and denying a younger player who is more mobile and agile.

(iii) There had not been sufficient liaison between the relevant sides.

There followed a long discussion on selection. I précis as follows:-

From Roger Wensley - These are competitive games and we need to play the best players possible. There was discussion between the Over 50 2^nd XI and himself. There had been movement between sides. If a good player became available like Nick Folland he would not expect him to play in the seconds. Paul Bates had only become 50 in the season and was an asset to the side. Roger believed we would shoot ourselves in the foot if he couldn’t pick what he believed to be his best side. He questioned whether ageism could be thrown at the Club.

Nigel Mountford stated that he had filled in the availability sheets and had been selected.

Tom Stanton stated that as said before it is a competitive game now and the best side needed to be selected. He remembered when Nigel as captain had a dearth of players and just managed to field teams.

Chris Theedom related how when he was captain of the Over 50’s he had to discard older players and he had to change the team to make it more youthful. He stated that they might not have been the best cricketer but they could bat, bowl, catch, run and field. He also stated that once that side had reached 60 they had moved on.

Stuart Lott said this was the sign of a successful club and we were were having growing pains. A lot of people want to play cricket.

Danny Daniels as a non-player stated that we should field our strongest side and that he would feel very strongly that if a player reached 56 years old he would not have any cricket until he was 60.

c) Stuart Munday said he had done 4 years as dinner organiser and was standing down. There were a few points that he brought up. People who say they are going and ring up on the day to cry off. The hotel needs to have the numbers on the Monday before the dinner and the cost is finalised then. He also stated that the cost of the hotel wine is about £11.00. He had an arrangement where he bought the wine at Lidls/Aldi. This brought the cost down. The Chairman thanked Stuart for his hard work regarding the arrangements he had made over the years.

There was a rumour that Barry Flicker maybe interested in taking the role on. Stuart Munday to make contact with Barry.

(E-Mail received 30/08/2013 Barry cannot do it)

d) Agreed that players who had played only up to two games be charged £10:00 subscription. 3 games or more £20:00 subscriptions.

8. The date of the next meeting: Thursday 26^h September 2013 at the Dolphin

Hotel, Bovey Tracey.

The meeting closed at 9:45pm.