MID LANCASHIRE BADMINTON
LEAGUE
Meeting:
Time:
Date:
Annual General Meeting
19:30hrs
13 April 2015
Venue:
St Andrews Badminton Club, Parish Church Hall,
Worden Lane, Leyland PR25 3BD
Author:
League Secretary
1. Apologies for absence
Present – Officers and representatives from the League’s affiliated badminton clubs
Apologies – Corinne Wagstaff (Evergreens)
DETAILS OF MEETING
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
Approved.
3. Reports
a. Match Secretary (Paul Eastham)
I would like to congratulate David Lloyd on winning the Division 1 Championship for the fourth year
running, losing only 31 games in the season! The runners-up spot was taken by St. Andrews A again.
In Division 2, the winners for the second year in a row were MGS C and the runners-up spot was
taken by Clayton Crusaders A, who have earned themselves back to back promotion.
Division 3’s title was won by St. Andrews C in their very last match who overtook MGS E who had
led the division for most of the season.
In Division 4, the title was taken by Evergreens B and the runners-up by just ONE single game were
Clayton Crusaders C who have also gained back to back promotion.
The new team of Project 12 took the Division 5 shield and Clayton Crusaders D claimed the runnersup spot in the very last match of the season.
Once again, thankfully, it’s been a very quiet season, with all fixtures being completed on time. I
would like to thank all the secretaries, captains and people who have sent in match cards promptly, be
it by email, hand or post.
As ever, the promptness has allowed me to produce tables and reports that are virtually live and a
massive 92% of match cards now arrive via email.
I work alongside such a great bunch of dedicated people, who make our whole league run smooth.
Without them, it simply wouldn’t run and so I would like to thank them all on your behalf for all the
hard work they put in over the entire season.
Once again, thanks for all your personal kind words to me, it really does make all the hard work
worthwhile.
b. Registration Secretary (Janet Rance)
The league had a total of 462 members, 232 male and 230 female, including 25 juniors. This is up
from last season when we had 449 members.
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Forty-nine teams from 18 clubs played a total of 414 matches and only 5 penalties were incurred
throughout the whole season.
All registration fees were paid promptly and overall it has been a very good season.
In concluding, my thanks for full co-operation from all the clubs.
c. Inter-League Secretary (Dave Burridge)
It’s been a busy season for our Inter league teams with a total of 20 matches played by the 4 teams.
This year the Inter League reduced to 4 divisions and it left us with a team in each division.
Fourth Team
The fourth team got off to a flying start with comfortable 14-1 victories over both Southport 4 and
Blackburn 2. This was followed by a very closely contested match against an unbeaten Bolton 3. 10
of the 15 matches went to 3 ends with Mid Lancs just edging the match 8-7. Promotion seemed a
distinct possibility until they were well beaten 5-10, by what appeared to be an artificially strong
Liverpool 4 team. However, other results worked in our favour and a big win in the final match
against Wigan 3 would secure promotion. The match turned into a victory for experience over
youthful exuberance and we narrowly lost 7-8!
We finished second in the division, one point behind Wigan 3.
Fourth team town team colours have been awarded to:
Neil Addison-Jones
Hannah Burgess
Andrew Morris
Third Team
Our third team, captained by Caroline Grimbaldeston, faced a strong Liverpool 2 in the first match
and lost 6-9 to the eventual Division 3 winners. Pride was then restored with 9-6 win over Southport
3 and comfortable wins over Blackpool 3 (14-1) and Liverpool 3 (10-5). The final match was against
Bolton 2 and any lingering hopes of promotion were dashed by availability problems.
The team eventually finished third in the division.
Third team town team colours have been awarded to:
Chris Chu
Maxine Watson
Second Team
Our second team was captained by Jacqui Gibson. Three wins against Southport 2 (9-6), Rossendale
(9-6) and Wigan 2 (10-5) set them up for a crunch match against Division 2 pacesetters Blackburn 1.
The traffic gods conspired against us with two players delayed and two late replacements drafted in.
Thanks to Lyn Hosegood and Matt Norris for turning out at very short notice. Matt had already
played in the 4th team that day! We lost the match by the narrowest of margins (7-8) and the division
title went to Blackburn.
Despite only losing one match very narrowly the 2nd team only finished 3rd in the Division 2.
Second team town team colours have been awarded to:
Jenny Rigby
First Team
For the fifth successive year our first team won Division 1 with only Bolton 1 providing any
significant opposition. Wins were secured over Southport 1 (13-2), Bolton 1 (8-7), Blackpool 1 (150), Liverpool 1 (13-2) and Wigan 1 (14-1).
Steve Andrews, Alan Clarkson, Liz Holt, Karolyn Hustler, Nicki McGrath, Katie McWalters, Tom
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Monk, Fay Ormesher, Steve Taylor, Mark Tuttle, Richard Wallbank and Darren Whitley played for
the team with Nicki McGrath the captain.
First team town team colours have been awarded to:
Fay Ormesher
Summary
As usual, we’ve experienced availability issues, late withdrawals, hangovers (lots of them from nights
out in Preston, stag dos and parties) and a few communication problems. I think all the leagues face
the same issues although I think we score highly on the hangovers chart! However, we’ve fulfilled
all 20 fixtures and only lost 5 with our 1st team being overall champions for the fifth successive year.
48 different players were selected this year, representing 9 of our 18 clubs.
Thanks are due to the hardworking captains, Caroline Grimbaldeston, Jacqui Gibson and Nicki
McGrath.
d. Tournament Secretary (Mark Pallet)
Entries for the tournaments this season were down 10% on last year. However, with league numbers
reducing (at least in terms of teams, if not members, the tournaments continue to be well supported.
There was a minor issue with the courts not being available on the dates advertised. This was due to
the hall being booked with a dog show/second hand baby clothes show. Efforts are made to book the
halls as soon as possible, but this event was booked 8 months in advance, so the date had to be
switched.
Congratulations to the winners:
Mixed Doubles Proper
Mixed Doubles Intermediate
Daniel Porter and Beth Cowell
Alan Benningfield and Laura Heaton
Mens Doubles Proper
Mens Doubles Intermediate
Lee Clayton and Jared Mathew
Dylan Butcher and Cameron Higgins
Ladies Doubles Proper
Ladies Doubles Intermediate
Jen Rigby and Becky Ashton
Zoe Watts and Emma Dean
The singles tournaments have yet to be played. Two potential dates have been identified, either
Thursday 07 May (Wellfield) or Monday 10 May (St Andrews) and the night that is convenient for
most will be chosen. Entry forms will be sent out tonight. The dates are later than usual owing to the
fact that Easter has fallen at a funny time this year. However, the tournaments will definitely be held
on one of those nights.
Finally, a couple of thanks. Firstly, it’s a devil’s job sorting out the handicapping for the tournaments
and so my appreciation goes to all those who attend the handicap meetings. It makes life a little bit
easier to be able to draw on the opinions of others and together we manage to do a good job 95% of
the time. We do try to get it as close as possible, even if it doesn’t always turn out that way.
Secondly, thanks go to Matt Norris, Janette Norris and Sam Gorrell for helping to run the level
doubles tournament when I had to attend a county third team match.
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e. Cup Secretary (Jennifer Clough)
The Cunningham Cup was played again in a round robin format in three groups. The winning
margins were quite significant in the round robin stages in Group C but two of the three matches were
won by 30 points or less in Group B and in Group A, Cross Feathers withdrew so there was only one
round robin match.
The withdrawal of Cross Feathers skewed the results in Group A, which affected the teams going
through to the semi-finals because the winners of each of the three Cunningham Cup groups go
through to the semi-finals along with the best runner-up. The best runner-up is decided on matches
won and then points difference for/against so the conceded games affected the final standings.
To be fair, it was decided that St. Andrews A should hold a play-off against MGS A who had the best
points difference of the other two groups. However, MGS A conceded the fixture.
In the semi-finals, Carlton A beat David Lloyd by 49 points and St Andrews A beat MGS B by 20
points. In the final, St Andrews A faced an uphill struggle giving Carlton A 100 points and a serve.
There were some very long games with Carlton winning 8 of them to St. Andrews 10 and Carlton
held on to win by 71 points.
The Wrennall Cup saw some of the closest results of the competitions. Evergreens A beat Hawks E
by 8 points and Clayton Crusaders B by 6 points; MGS D beat Carlton B by 3 points; and
Penwortham A beat Springfields C by 1 point!
In the semi-finals, Hawks D beat Penwortham A by 42 points and Evergreens A beat MGS D by 37
points. The final had us checking the rules to remind ourselves what we should do if there was a
draw. At the halfway point, allowing for the handicap, there was just one point between Hawks and
Evergreens and the tie was only decided in the last game. Evergreens A just missed out in 2014
(losing by 15 points against Springfields), they fought very hard again this year but lost by just 7
points against Hawks D who were the relieved winners.
The Phillips Cup also produced some close matches throughout the rounds with winning margins of
15, 14 (in 2 fixtures), 10, 6 and 1 point. In the semi-finals, St. Andrews D beat Clayton Crusaders E
by 83 points and Project 12 beat Mythop by 66 points. In the final, Project 12 took on St. Andrews
D, giving them 40 points and a serve. Each team won 9 games on the night with St. Andrews
increasing their points advantage to win by 64 points.
I’d like to thank Yunus Suleman for preparing the score sheets and for supplying the shuttles; Janette
Norris, Matt Norris, Janet Rance, Sam Gorrell, Neil Addison-Jones and Hannah Pallett for scoring;
Clayton Crusaders and St. Andrews for providing the courts and the committee for their help in
setting and revising the handicaps during the season. Thank you also to everyone who went to
support.
I would like to add one final note. After many (many) years, I have decided to step down as Cup
Secretary because I have not been playing recently so I feel that someone who knows all the new
players in our league better should take on the task. I am still happy to serve on the committees and
as Vice Chair if you re-elect me to continue to support the league. I would like to thank everyone
very much who has helped me during my time as Cup Secretary.
f.
Publicity Secretary (Yunus Suleman)
This year will see another Preston City Games tournament taking place.
There is also a junior players (under 14s) tournament being held on 02 May at Leigh Sports Centre.
I will pass on details of other events that come to my attention as and when they do.
Finally, Badminton England are increasing its fees for next season.
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4. Treasurer’s Report and Recommendations
A copy of the Balance Sheet for the 2014/2015 distributed to those in attendance is attached.
Current Account £6,798.46
Investment Account £852.19 TOTAL ASSETS £7,650.65
The account has already been credited with the monies for the dinner dance, but as you know this will
need paying. (£200 remaining for payment for room hire, £200 for disco and approx. £3,500 for the
caterers). Once I have confirmation of the final numbers for registered players, I will be able to settle the
amount owing to Lancashire for the membership fees, this being £3.00 per player (approximately
£350). There is an outstanding payment for the trophies for this season (approximately another
£600). We are also awaiting an invoice for the shuttles for the tournaments and for this year’s cup match
(not sure of how much this will be) and the Chairman's expenses (approximately £300). Roughly we
have about £4,500 to pay out.
Last year the decision was made to up the registration fees by £1.50 to help with subsidising the
tournaments and the dinner dance. Unfortunately we were unaware at that time that Lancashire had put
their registration fees up by 50p per player but I feel that the league can maintain the current amount of
registration per person for the 2015-16 season and do not propose to ask for an increase.
My thanks go again to Matthew Norris who has assisted me with the accounts over the year and again to
Janet Rance for her immaculate bookkeeping with registrations. If anyone has any questions in
connection with the balance sheet I will be happy to answer them.
Recommendations
No recommendations were made by the Treasurer.
5. Election of Officers
The vote for Matthew Norris to replace departing Cup Secretary, Jennifer Clough was passed by a
unanimous vote.
The vote for the re-election of the remaining Officers was passed without any dissenting voices.
It was noted that the Clive Bass’ name would need removing from the relevant sub-committees following
his decision to step down.
6. Proposed Changes to Rules
Rule Change 1 proposed by Cross Feathers Badminton Club
Amend existing rule 15 (b) (to include the words underlined)
Subject to rule 15(d) below, the games from a maximum of 3 players who have or intend to
represent another league in the current season in the LCBA Inter League will count towards the
match result. Best returns from the 4th and/or subsequent ineligible player or players will be
discounted and games won transferred to the opposition. Best returns from the 4th and/or
subsequent ineligible player or players will be adjudged on when they were registered within the
league and if 1 or more players were registered at the start of the season it is the best performing
player in any match or matches they have played in.
and
Add new rule 15 (d)
If a player has played more than 50% of games for a Mid-Lancashire team in the previous
season, they will be discounted from the starring system if they choose to play for another town
team. These players will be marked with a % sign on the match card.
Alternative proposals by the Officers of the League
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Either:
Amend existing rule 15 (b) (to include the words underlined)
Subject to rule 15(d) below, the games from a maximum of 3 players who have or intend to
represent another league in the current season in the LCBA Inter League will count towards the
match result. Best returns from the 4th and/or subsequent ineligible player or players will be
discounted and games won transferred to the opposition. Best returns from the 4th and/or
subsequent ineligible player or players will be adjudged on when they were registered within the
league and if 1 or more players were registered at the start of the season it is the best performing
player in any match or matches they have played in.
and
Add new rule 15 (d)
If a player has played more than 75% of games for a Mid-Lancashire team in the previous
season, they will be discounted from the starring system if they choose to play for another town
team. These players will be marked with a % sign on the match card.
Or:
Amend existing rule 15 (b) (to include the words underlined)
Subject to rule 15(d) below, the games from a maximum of 3 players who have or intend to
represent another league in the current season in the LCBA Inter League will count towards the
match result. Best returns from the 4th and/or subsequent ineligible player or players will be
discounted and games won transferred to the opposition. Best returns from the 4th and/or
subsequent ineligible player or players will be adjudged on when they were registered within the
league and if 1 or more players were registered at the start of the season it is the best performing
player in any match or matches they have played in.
and
Add new rule 15 (d)
Each team will be allowed a select a further player (to be identified on the match card with a plus
sign) who, in addition to those 3 players referred to in rule 15(b) above, will be eligible to
represent another league in the current season in the LCBA Inter League, provided that player:
i)
is nominated as such at the beginning of the season (and not during the season);
ii)
at the discretion of the Officers of the League is held to have played in the
League regularly for the previous three or more seasons; and
iii)
completes more than 50% of that team’s league matches during the season.
In the event that this selected player fails to complete more than 50% of the team’s league
matches, all of his or her games won throughout the course of the league season only shall be
discounted and transferred to the opposition.
Rule Change 1 was voted on but the proposal was defeated (ayes to the right, 10; noes to the left, 28;
abstentions, 3). In light of the lack of appetite for this rule change, the alternative proposals put forward
by the officers of the league were not voted on.
Rule Change 2 proposed by Project 12 Badminton Club
Remove existing rule 16
Players will be allowed to wear coloured outfits for all tournaments and matches (within
reasonable limits). Football kit is not allowed and shorts should not be tailored. Tracksuits
should not be worn during play, unless it is necessary due to hall conditions (i.e. very low
temperature).
Rule Change 2 was voted on but the proposal was defeated (ayes to the right, 6; noes to the left, 6+)
Rule Change 3 proposed by Project 12 Badminton Club
Add new rule
If the home team is unable to field all 6 players they must inform the away team a minimum of 2
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hours before the start time.
Rule Change 3 was voted on but the proposal was defeated (ayes to the right, 12; noes to the left, 20)
Rule Change 4 proposed by Project 12 Badminton Club
Add new rule
If a team does not have 6 players, the opposing team will choose the order of play.
Rule Change 4 was voted on and the proposal was passed (ayes to the right, 23; noes to the left, 2) and it
was decided that the new rule shall be inserted as 23(b).
7. Clubs and Teams: In / Out for 2014/15
No news as to any teams either joining or leaving the league.
Club secretaries were reminded of the need to notify Paul Eastham of any decision to add or withdraw a
team to/from the league by the time that the Fixtures and Handicap Committee meet at the end of June.
Date of Next Meeting:
To Be Announced
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