RULES
RULES AND CONSTITUTION 2026
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1 |
ASSOCIATION |
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1.1 |
The name of this amalgamation of cricket clubs shall be the “Liverpool Business Houses Cricket League” or “LBHCL” for short |
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2 |
CONSTITUTION |
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2.1 |
All proposals for amendments to the constitution and rules of the League and nominations for the Management Committee shall be sent to the League Secretary 7 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). All clubs will be notified of the proposals. |
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2.2 |
Amendments to the constitution and rules will be voted upon at the AGM and passed by a majority vote of those present |
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3 |
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) |
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3.1 |
The AGM will be called by the League Secretary at least 4 weeks prior to the date. The AGM will be held either in January or February. |
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3.2 |
All clubs must attend the AGM, clubs may apologise. Clubs failing to attend without notice will lose £10 from their bond. |
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4 |
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE |
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4.1 |
The Management Committee will consist of: |
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• Chairperson, League Secretary, League Treasurer, Development Officer and Disciplinary Officer |
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4.2 |
The Management Committee will hold their positions for one year and will retire the AGM. They are permitted to stand again. |
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4.3 |
The Management Committee will hold one meeting during the season and one post season. |
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4.4 |
The Management Committee shall each received remuneration for the season as follows: |
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• Chairperson - £50 • League Secretary - £100 • League Treasurer - £75 • Development Officer - £50 • Disciplinary Officer - £50 |
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4.5 |
Renumeration will be paid at the AGM |
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5 |
POWER |
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5.1 |
The Management Committee shall have the following powers: |
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• To allocate teams to divisions and cups and formulate fixtures. • To deal with infringements of these constitution and rules and if necessary, impose penalties. SEE DISPUTES/COMPLAINTS |
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6 |
DISPUTES/COMPLAINTS/APPEALS |
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6.1 |
The Management Committee will deal with any disputes or complaints raised by member clubs in the first instance. Clubs must raise this complaint via lbchl@outlook.com and address it to the Disciplinary Officer. |
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6.2 |
The Management Committee shall meet and respond within 5 working days |
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6.3 |
A club may appeal any decision made by the Management Committee and must do so within 5 days of the notice of a decision |
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6.4 |
An appeal hearing shall be convened within 5 days of the appeal being lodged. An appeal panel of at least 3 member clubs shall be formed. |
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6.5 |
All evidence must be provided and shared before the hearing. |
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6.6 |
The panel’s decision is final |
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6.7 |
If unsuccessful, the appellant club will lose £10 from their bond. |
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7 |
MEMBERSHIP |
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7.1 |
Clubs desiring to become members should approach the League Secretary prior to the AGM. They will be proposed by the League Secretary at the AGM and must be seconded by a member club |
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7.2 |
Any club wishing to become members following the AGM may still do, and they will be seconded via email. |
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7.3 |
The cut off point for clubs to join the LBHCL will be 13 March 2026. |
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7.4 |
New clubs must pay a bond and membership fee on 1st year of entry. This must be done by 31 March 2026. |
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8 |
FINANCES |
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8.1 |
The League Treasurer shall collect all monies due to the League and shall keep a proper account of the receipts and payments. This must be produced and agreed at the AGM. |
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9 |
BANK |
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9.1 |
The monies of the League shall be lodged in the name of “Liverpool Business Houses Cricket League” in a bank of the committee’s choosing. All cheques shall be made payable to the said association and any communication containing fees etc shall be addressed to the League Treasurer. |
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10 |
FEES |
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10.1 |
On election a club must pay a bond of £50/60 by 31 March. Bonds will be returned of club resignation. The bond will be seized should a club fail to pay fees or fulfil their fixtures without reasonable excuse. |
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10.2 |
Each club will pay an annual membership fee of £50/60 by the 31 May |
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10.3 |
After 31 May, the League Treasurer will compile a list of clubs that have not paid their fees and will notify the relevant secretaries, by email, demanding payment within two weeks of the date of the email. |
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10.4 |
Failure to pay within the two weeks will result in another email informing the club secretary that: |
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• £20 will be deducted from their bond. • Disqualification from any cup competition immediately • No (positive) league points will be applied until fees are received. • Fees must be paid by 30 June |
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10.5 |
If the club fails to pay their fee before 30 June, a final email will be sent informing the club that |
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• A further £20 will be deducted from their bond. • They will be required to fulfil all league fixtures, but no points will be awarded. • They will be automatically expelled by the League and will need to reapply, including paying a new bond |
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11 |
SEASON |
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11.1 |
The season will run between Monday 4 May 2026 until Friday 14 August 2026 |
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11.2 |
The Management Committee shall formulate fixtures. Clubs requiring specific requirements must inform the League Secretary when registering. |
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11.3 |
All matches must be completed by the date specified in 11.1. Any matches not played will be voided and 0 points awarded |
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11.4 |
In the event of the season being delayed/suspended, a decision to cancel the season shall be made by vote in 1st week of July. |
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12 |
LEAGUE STRUCTURE |
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12.1 |
The League structure will be decided by the Management Committee |
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12.2 |
The maximum number of teams in a division shall be 9 |
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12.3 |
Teams will play each other at least once |
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12.4 |
Promotion and relegation will be agreed upon the structure being approved. |
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13 |
SENIOR AND JUNIOR CUPS |
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13.1 |
There shall be two cup competitions. Teams in Division 1 & 2 shall play for the Senior Cup. Teams in Division 3 & 4 shall play for the Junior Cup. |
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13.2 |
Deadline dates will be set for each round of the cup. |
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13.3 |
All cup matches should be played on the allotted night. If the game is cancelled, it must be rearranged before the deadline |
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13.4 |
If the game is not rearranged or is cancelled again and deadline has passed, the Management Committee will decide on who will go through on the following basis |
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• Coin toss • Or if a team consistency will not arrange a new date |
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13.5 |
The Management Committee shall be able to extend the deadline if they deem it necessary |
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13.6 |
Cup finals will be played on a Sunday in August. Teams wishing to host the finals must please contact the League Committee. A reserve date for first weekend in September will be held. If the cup finals cannot be played, the competition will be shared. |
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14 |
MATCH NIGHTS |
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14.1 |
Each club must play on their proposed match night for home matches. |
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14.2 |
All matches should begin at 6:00pm. Matches in August may start earlier – 5:30/5:45pm if agreed. |
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14.3 |
If a toss has not been completed by 6:15pm, the absent club forfeits it |
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15 |
TEAMS/TEAM SHEETS |
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15.1 |
Prior to the start of the match, both captains must provide a team sheet with the name of the 11 players. The scorers will use this. The team sheets must be forwarded along with the scorebooks following the game. |
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15.2 |
If a team sheet is not provided, the club will not be given points |
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16 |
MATCH DURATION |
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16.1 |
The match will consist of 20 6 ball overs per innings |
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16.2 |
Clubs will alternate ends to bowl 20 overs unless an agreement is made prior to the match, then 10 overs can be bowled consecutively from one end. |
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17 |
EQUIPMENT |
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17.1 |
Players must wear white (or off white) trousers and a similar shirt. Coloured trousers and shirts are not permitted. |
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17.2 |
The fielding side a responsible for providing a match ball. The match ball must be red and of a decent standard. Both captains must be happy with the ball. |
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17.3 |
The use of coloured balls (pink or orange) is permitted if both captains agree to their use |
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18 |
FAILURE TO ATTEND/FORFEITNG |
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18.1 |
A club failing to attend without prior notice and/or agreement will be liable to forfeit the match. The club secretary of the attending team must inform the League Secretary on the night and their decision. |
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18.2 |
The cut off point for a club attending a game will be 6:30pm |
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18.3 |
Clubs forfeiting matches will be deducted 2 points |
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18.4 |
If a club does not have 8 players, they must forfeit the match. |
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19 |
CALLED OFF/CURTAILMENT |
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19.1 |
In the event of a match being called off due to inclement weather or by agreement between both clubs, a new match date must be arranged immediately. The League Secretary must be informed. |
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19.2 |
Cup matches take precedent over league cups for rearrangement |
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19.3 |
If a re-arranged league game is again cancelled, then both clubs will be awarded 2 points |
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19.4 |
If the 1st innings is completed and the side batting second have reached at least 10 overs when play can no longer continue, upon agreement by both captains, the result will be decided by scoring rate. |
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19.5 |
Scoring rate is decided by the number of runs scored divided by the number of overs bowled. Example: |
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Team A scores 120 from 20 overs. 120/20 = 6 runs an over Team B scores 55 from 10 overs. 55/10 = 5.5 runs per over Team A would be declared the winner as Team by would need 61 runs. |
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19.6 |
Captains can make prior arrangements to amend the number of overs each team will face but a minimum of 10 over must be bowled by both teams. |
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19.7 |
In the event of both teams failing to complete at least 10 overs, the match will be declared abandoned. |
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20 |
RESULTS |
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20.1 |
All results are final |
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20.2 |
In the event of a tied game, the team losing less wickets will be declared the winners. If still tied, then a countback on boundaries – first 6s, then 4s. If still tied, then both teams will receive 2 points plus any bonus points acquired. |
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20.3 |
The League Secretary must be notified of the result within 24 hours by text or email. |
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20.4 |
Teams must provide the Secretary with a summary of the result along with the team sheets. The summary must consist of each teams scores including wickets taken, overs bowled. Player accomplishments – 100s, 50s, 5 or more wickets. |
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21 |
POINT ALLOCATION |
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21.1 |
Points will be allocated as per below: |
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Win |
4 points |
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Win (opponent concedes) |
7 points |
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Loss |
0 points |
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Loss (conceded) |
-2 points |
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Tied game/no result |
2 points |
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Batting bonus (not bowled out) |
1 point |
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Bowling bonus 1 (7 wkts) |
1 point |
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Bowling bonus 2 (10 wkts) |
1 point |
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21.2 |
The maximum number of points that can be claimed is 7 |
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21.3 |
No points will be awarded until an email, or text is received will full details. |
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22 |
STANDINGS |
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22.1 |
League Standings will be decided by |
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Points <!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Wins <!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Bonus Points <!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Head-to-Head If still level <!--[if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->Runs Scored <!--[if !supportLists]-->6. <!--[endif]-->Wickets Taken |
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22.2 |
The team top of Division 1 on Friday 14 August 2026 will be LBHCL Champions |
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22.3 |
The teams top of each Division below will be the respective Division winners and promoted to the higher division. |
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23 |
LOCAL REGULATIONS |
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23.1 |
All matches shall be played according to the LAWS OF CRICKET with additional local regulations. |
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23.2 |
The bowling of “bouncers” or short ball deliveries shall be declared no balls, and the next delivery shall be a free hit. There is no “one for the over” |
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23.3 |
No bowler shall bowl more than 4 overs |
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23.4 |
A batter who retires and does not resume their innings shall be deemed out. This will count toward wickets and thus potentially bonus points |
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23.5 |
A free hit is awarded for any delivery deemed to be a no ball. The free hit constitutes the next legal delivery. The field must not change unless batters have crossed. |
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23.6 |
Any leg side delivery not met by bat, pad or any other part of the body shall be deemed a wide and an extra delivery must be bowled. |
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23.7 |
Runs scored of a wide/no ball count as well as the wide/no ball |
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23.8 |
Any player injured during the game can leave the field for medical attention and upon resuming can bat or bowl |
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24 |
INELIGIBLE PLAYER |
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24.1 |
Any person, either current or former, who is/was in receipt of payment to solely play cricket is not permitted in the League. This is a recreational league. |
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24.2 |
No player shall play for more than one club. During the season, players can move to other clubs but must inform the Management Committee. |
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24.3 |
Substitute fielders are permitted for injuries ONLY; a substitute must not bat or bowl |
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24.4 |
No opposition player can be a substitute |
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24.5 |
No under 14s are permitted; under 18s must well a batting helmet |
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24.6 |
Clubs believed to be utilising players who are ineligible in contravention of rules 24.1 – 24.5 will be subject to disciplinary actions by the Management Committee. |
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25 |
TROPHIES AND MEDALS |
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25.1 |
Clubs who are victorious in the active Divisions, Senior Cup and Junior Cup will be awarded the cup pertaining to that competition |
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25.2 |
Clubs are responsible for the trophy awarded. They must return it at the end of the season to the League Treasurer. |
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25.3 |
A club winning a division will have the option of receiving a maximum of 12 medals paid for by the league. Additional medals can be purchased but at cost to the club. OR having membership fee waived the following season. |
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25.4 |
11 medals will be awarded to the winners and runners-up of the Senior and Junior Cup competitions. |
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25.5 |
Medals will be awarded to any players who scored 100 or more runs batting, take 5 or more wickets bowling or take a hat-trick whilst bowling. Details must be provided to League Secretary |
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26 |
OTHER |
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26.1 |
Anything not dealt with within the constitution and rules will be managed by the Management Committee. |
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