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1. Designation
The League shall be named the Huddersfield & District Evening Cricket League, members of which shall compete annually for the Sir Emmanuel Hoyle, J T Ellis, Hirst Rhodes, J Goulder, N Emmerson and Allen Priest Trophies and the Victor Muff Salver. However the emergency committee shall have the opportunity to change the title of the League at their discretion.
The trophies are the property of the Huddersfield & District Evening Cricket League and can not be won outright. Any club winning any trophy or trophies must return them to the Hon. Secretary of the League by July 1st the following year. Clubs securing them must provide satisfactory security for their safe return. Trophies to be returned at the expense of the holders. In the event of a club holding a trophy ceasing its membership of the League such club must return the trophy, at its own expense, within seven days of its resignation.
The objects of the League shall be the promotion of evening cricket amongst clubs in the district of Huddersfield. Matches to be played on any evening, Monday to Friday inclusive.
The League Committee must approve all clubs.
An overall fee shall be paid annually by each club in membership (covering membership, KO competition, levies, cup tickets and insurance), such fee to be paid no later than May 1st each year. Clubs not paying by this date to be liable to a fine for each fourteen days or part thereof whilst such fees remain outstanding.
League fees and fines and guarantee fees to be decided at the Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting shall be held during the months of January or February. Fourteen clear days notice of this meeting shall be given to all clubs in membership and copies of the agenda, balance sheet and any suggested alteration of rules shall accompany each notice.
All proposed alterations of rules shall be lodged with the League Secretary not later than December 1st preceding the Annual General Meeting. Any amendment to be forwarded to the League Secretary at least one day previous to the meeting.
No alteration to the rules shall be permitted except with the sanction of the governing body at the Annual General Meeting.
Shall consist of President, Vice President and one representative from each club in membership, together with the officers, who shall be ex-officio members.
The officers shall be Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and the Hon. Fixture Secretary, which officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Emergency Committee to consist of the President, Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Fixture Secretary and at least one member from each section of the League elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
The Emergency Committee shall have the power to deal with any urgent business.
Twelve officers/members shall form a quorum of the General Committee and four officers/members shall for a quorum of the Emergency Committee.
10. Control of Meetings
The manner in which meetings of the League shall be conducted, and the method of voting in committee, shall be at the discretion of the Chairman, excepting that it is definitely understood that only one vote be allowed each club at such meetings. Ex-officio members are not allowed to vote unless acting as Club Representatives. The Chairman, however, to be allowed a casting vote.
All clubs shall be fined for non-representation at the Annual General, Pre-Season and End of Season meetings subject to a satisfactory explanation not being received. The fine for each non-representation shall be £10.00.
11. Fixtures
The fixtures are the property of the Huddersfield & District Evening Cricket League and may not be copied, in part or in full, without prior permission of the Committee
12. Date of Meetings
Committee meetings will be held as convened by the Secretary.
13. Accounts & Balance Sheet
The Treasurer shall submit a full statement of accounts at each full Committee Meeting and shall pay all accounts by cheque. All cheques to be signed by a minimum of any two League Officials. An annual Balance Sheet showing full details of receipts and expenditure of the League shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting.
14. Members
A team desirous of entering the League must give notice in writing to the Hon. Secretary and the constitution of the League shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting.
15. Players Eligible to Compete
Prior to the commencement of the season all players must be registered with the League Registration Secretary by completion of the League Registration Form (LRF) by the end of the Wednesday preceding the start of the season. Once the season commences, any additions must be received at least three clear days before the player can take part in a match.
The LRF must include the players full name, address, date of birth and details of any other club they will be playing for (if known or applicable). Failure to provide all this information leaves the player ineligible to play.
Once the season has started additional players can only be registered by completion of an updated LRF (plus Transfer form if required).
Players eligible to compete in the Evening League must satisfy at least one of the following criterium:
In addition to the eligibility criterium listed above, the following restrictions will apply:
The penalty for any club playing an ineligible player shall be a fine of £30 for each offence. In addition, three points shall be deducted from the offending club in each case. The three points may or may not be awarded to the opposing team; these points are solely at the discretion of the Emergency Committee.
Clubs found guilty a second time in any season shall be fined £50 with points deducted. The Emergency Committee shall have the power to expel repeat offenders from the League.
The clubs will assume full responsibility to ensure that players are eligible to play in adherence with the League rules. A club being unaware that a player was ineligible will not be accepted as mitigation for an offence being committed. Clubs are advised to carry out thorough checks on player eligibility and if in doubt should seek advice from the League Registration Secretary prior to the player participating in a game.
16. Counting of Points
A win shall count as 3 points, a tie 2 points each club and a no result (ie. unfinished) 1 point each club. Clubs must play 75% of matches arranged to be eligible for any section championship. All matches started and not completed for any reason, and not the subject of an official objection as per Rule 23, shall count as matches played for the purpose of counting of points.
Providing it is fit and possible to play, a team must have SEVEN players present to begin the game. If they have less then the match is conceded to their opponents (providing they have the required quota of players) and they will be awarded a win. Similarly, again if it is fit to play and a team (without giving a prior explanation) fails to turn up, then they shall concede the match to their opponents (providing they have the required quota of players) and they will be awarded a win.
This proviso will also apply to CUP MATCHES.
17. Duration of Play
All league matches shall commence at 6.30pm, weather permitting, and shall continue until each side has bowled the requisite number of overs (if not decided before then). Any team that arrives more than 10 minutes late for a match shall forfeit the right to bat first.
Prior to commencement of the game, each captain must exchange a team sheet with each other that includes the full names of the players. Failure to do so will result in the game being unable to commence. Team sheets should be retained by the relevant captain/club secretary in the event that they are required for future disciplinary issues. There is no need to forward the team sheets to the League Registration Secretary unless they are called for.
The number of overs bowled in a match shall be 15 each team for the months of June and July. Only the umpire(s) have the discretion to reduce the number of overs below this figure, down to a minimum of 12 overs per side.
During the months of April, May and August, the captains shall be given the discretion to mutually agree on the length of the match down to a minimum of 10 overs per side. Failing such agreement the umpire(s) shall decide.
Overs shall be 8 ball overs. Each side shall bowl its own ball which must be approved by the umpire(s), but need not be a new one. In the event of a bowler becoming incapacitated during an over, another member of the team shall complete the bowling.
Boundary hits, which pitch over the boundary line, shall count 6 runs; other boundary hits and extras, which reach the boundary, shall count 4 runs. The maximum number of overs that can be bowled by one bowler in any one match is 4 for matches of 13 to 15 overs duration or 3 for matches of 10 to 12 overs duration.Each ingoing batsman must pass the outgoing batsman on the field of play. The interval between each innings shall not exceed 5 minutes.
The games shall be governed by the MCC rules unless otherwise stated in these rules. In relation to no balls and wides, however, these will be governed by the MCC laws specifically covering one day competitions.
18. Results of Matches
Results of matches to be in the hands of the Results & Registrations Secretary within 48 hours of completion of the game. The Home Club shall forward such report.
Clubs failing to comply with this rule shall be fined a sum to be decided at the Annual General Meeting. The Results & Registrations Secretary will strictly enforce these fines.
19. Postponement & Rearrangement of Matches
Postponed
It is deemed that only the Home side may postpone a match. This can only be for one of the following reasons:-
a) Ground unfit
b) Ground unavailable
c) Fixture scheduled for a Bank Holiday
The league reserves the right to verify a) or b) with the relevant groundsman/club.
Once both teams have arrived at the ground, ready to play, it becomes the two captain’s responsibility to judge on the fitness of the ground ie before play commences. If they disagree, the umpire(s) shall decide. After the match has commenced, the umpire(s) shall be the sole judges of the weather conditions for play and, if they disagree, the actual state of things shall continue.
Rearrangement
The options for rearranging matches covered under “Postponement” above are different based on which Section the relevant teams are operating in. The options are as follows:-
Sections of 8 or 7 Teams
In the event of a match being postponed, the date of the replayed match is to be arranged within 21 days of the original fixture. Failure to rearrange within this timeframe will result in the match being declared void. Any objections as a consequence of this rule should be dealt with as per Rule 24.
Sections NOT of 8 or 7 Teams
In the event of a club being advised of a postponement the following two options are available:-
a) reverse fixture with opposition (if possible) in the same week or
b) arrange a different date with the match to be played within 14 days of the date of the original fixture
In the case of b) above, failure to play the match within this timeframe will result in the match being declared as a “no result”, with 1 point awarded to each team.
Any objections as a consequence of this rule should be dealt with as per Rule 24.
20. Awards for Best Averages
Prizes shall be given at the discretion of the Committee for the best individual batting, bowling, fielding and wicket keeping averages in the League. Such averages to be gained only in League matches as per the League’s fixture list.
Qualification for Batting Averages
The batsman must have batted in at least 50% of scheduled league matches and scored at least 100 runs.
Qualification for Bowling Averages
The bowler must have taken at least 10 wickets and bowled a minimum 15 overs during the season.
Qualification for Fielding Prize
Most catches during the season.
Qualification for Wicket Keeping Prize
Most catches and stumpings combined during the season.
Claims for Individual Awards
These must be made at the End of Season meeting by the club secretary or suitable representative.
21. Umpires
All umpires are to be appointed by the Hon. Secretary. Umpires shall be paid a fee to be decided at the Annual General Meeting. The home club shall pay both umpires at the conclusion of the match. In the case of a match not played the umpires shall be paid a fee to be decided at the Annual General Meeting, providing that they have not had notification of cancellation of the match. Umpires shall be in attendance at the wicket five minutes before the time fixed for commencement of play. If any umpire fails to attend at the specified time the captains must endeavour to select one, and if they can not agree, the neutral umpire present must appoint one.
22. Discipline
If the conduct of any club connected with the League, or any player, member or spectator thereof be objectionable in any match, League meeting or function or in connection therewith, the League Committee shall have full power to deal with same. In case any question shall arise in connection with the League competitions, which is not entirely provided for in these rules, the Committee shall have the power to inflict such penalties, either in fines, deduction of points or expulsion from the League as they think fit, and their decision shall be final.
23. Objections
Any objection under these rules must be sent in writing to the Hon. Secretary of the Huddersfield & District Evening Cricket League, to be received by him within 7 days of the alleged offence. Alleged offending clubs must be notified at the same time.
In the case of an objection within the time limit regarding Rule 15, and this being upheld, then the Executive Committee may take into account previous matches in which the offending player has taken part.
24. No “Play-Off”
There shall be no “Play-Off” with final league position being decided by runs per wicket average. In the event of 2 or more clubs having the same number of points at the end of the season, in all cases where Championship, promotion and relegation are involved, the final position of such clubs shall be determined on the basis of the club having the best runs per wicket for and against for all League matches. The score books of the clubs concerned shall be examined for this to be ascertained.
25. Ground Arrangements
Any club taking part in the League programme must have made definite arrangements about a ground before being accepted into the League for the forthcoming season, whether present or future members.
26. Score Books
All clubs either not bringing or sending their score books when requested shall be fined £10 without the option of appealing.
27. End Of Season
That in respect of League matches a definite date shall be fixed for the season to end. This date to be agreed upon at the commencement of each season.
28. League Constitution
The League shall consist of Sections/Divisions of 8 (eight) clubs each or as determined by the Emergency Committee.
29. K.O. Competition (Emmerson Cup & Priestley Cup)
All teams in membership with the League will compete in the Emmerson Cup annually (see Rule 1) which will be drawn at the Annual General Meeting after League constitution. It will be decided at the AGM on the format of the Priestley Cup competition, and whether it will be competed for in the coming season.
All scheduled league matches take priority over Cup fixtures. If a clash of dates occurs then the cup match is to be arranged as soon as possible and before the scheduled start of the following round.
Prizes will be presented to winners and runners up and winners will also hold the Emerson Cup for a season. The Priestley Cup winners will receive the Priestley Cup trophy.
In the event of a match being unfinished, due to weather or some other reason, then the game will continue from the point of interruption (on a subsequent early date to be arranged mutually by the Captains) to its conclusion. The same 11’s must compete, but if a team is unable to get all their team together again, substitutes will be permitted, but they must NOT bat or bowl.
In the case of all cup-ties, umpires shall be paid a fee to be decided at the Annual General Meeting and for any further evenings necessary to complete the game, they will be paid jointly by the competing teams on completion of each tie. All points not dealt with in the K.O. rule shall be in accordance with the League rules.
In the event of a match in a K.O. competition resulting in a tie, then the team which scored the runs for the loss of least wickets shall be deemed the winners. A tie in a K.O. competition can only happen when a match finishes with both teams scoring the same number of runs for the loss of the same number of wickets. In this event teams must replay the match at an early date with the venue being reversed.
Once a player has represented a club in this competition he shall be considered CUP-TIED and shall not be allowed to play for another club in that seasons competition.
Allen Priest Trophy
This trophy is to be competed for by the Champions of each Section on a knockout principle, with the 2 semi-final fixtures to be drawn at random at the end of season meeting. In the event that the League runs with only 3 Sections, the winner of the Emmerson Cup shall represent Section 4. In the event that the Emmerson Cup winners are also Section champions, the winner of the Victor Muff Salver will be invited to participate.
Winners to play each other in the final with the winner to hold trophy for 12 months.
Semi- finals and final shall be played on a Sunday soon after the end of the season on a date and venue to be notified by the Hon. Secretary.
30. Victor Muff Salver
This trophy is awarded to the club with the most points over the last 7 matches of the season as printed in the fixture list. In the case of a tie Rule 25 will apply in relation to those 7 matches only. Winners to hold the Salver for 12 months. Clubs that have won divisional championship trophies are not eligible for this award for that particular season. In the case of a tie Rule 25 applies but covers those 7 matches only.
31. Match Balls
Subject to agreement between both captains, matches may be contested with either a traditional red ball or an orange ball.
32. Other Matters
In the event of any question or matter arising, which is not provided for in the foregoing rules, the Emergency Committee, whose decision shall be final, shall deal with such questions or matters.