ESCA News

The ESCA agm was held last night. Here are the highlights from a Cross (and, after a 2 hour plus meeting, slightly cross) perspective.

• Points - In an attempt to produce a clearer contrast between winning and losing and to eliminate the anomaly of the sixth bowling bonus point which is only available to the side batting second (think about it), only five bowling and five batting bonus points will be available to the losing side next season. The first batting bonus point will come at 100 in a 50 over game, 90 in a 45 over game and 70 in a 40 over game. Bowling bonus points will be awarded for taking the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th wickets.
• Ties - No bonus points will be awarded and each side will get 15 points.
• Abandoned games - A version of Duckworth Lewis was overwhelmingly approved for use in abandoned games where at least 20 overs of the second innings have been completed. Please don't ask me to explain. Captains will be issued with booklets.
• Division 1 news - As a consequence of SNCL restructuring, Division 1 will start a week earlier than the rest of the League on Saturday 23rd April, unless clubs agree to postpone their first fixture to a Sunday in the first half of the season. The Committee will consult clubs about the introduction of fielding circles/restrictions in Division 1. Don't blame me, I voted against it. If we have to emulate the IPL I'd prefer to start with podium dancers.
• Division 8 news - Last season there were fifteen teams in Division 8. Following Edinburgh Accies' promotion to the National League and the withdrawal of Dunnikier and Townhill from higher divisions during last season, twelve teams were left in Division 8. However, last night, as expected, four new teams were admitted to the Leagues: Broomhall 3rds (likely to play at the Dalgety Bay sports centre), Edinburgh South 3rds (likely to play at the Meadows), Stirling County 4ths and Tranent. This left 16 teams "below Division 7". The Committee asked representatives of the 16 clubs to indicate whether they preferred a single large Division 8; a 10-team Division 8 with a new 6-team Division 9; or two divisions of 8 teams each. A 16-team Division 8 was approved by one vote. I know this is not the outcome the 3rds were hoping for, but it does at least mean we'll get to play against our old friends from Tranent and, possibly, visit Stirling's New Williamfield ground, which is said to be magnificent.
• Fair Play - Four unnamed clubs performed particularly badly in the Fair Play voting and will be spoken to by the Committee. Please don't speculate about their identities in any Comments on this post.
• Sponsorship - Baillie Gifford's sponsorship of the East League has been increased and extended to cover seasons 2010, 2011 and 2012.