A Warm, Dry Summer…
..is something we are all hoping for. Anything similar to last year’s monsoon-like conditions will have most of us tearing our hair out in frustration. Notwithstanding the weather, the League Management Committee would like to wish you all every success in 2008.

Overseas Player Registration!
We only have one overseas player registered so far! If you have players to register for the start of the season then please send these forms to Graham Hall asap. Forms can be downloaded from the website.

Club Appointed Umpires!
We have notified 3 clubs that umpires appointed by them had received poor marks and complaints from not just opposing teams but also from panel umpires adjudicating in the same match. The umpires involved will be monitored throughout the 2008 season. It goes without saying that clubs are asked to provide fair and impartial umpires for their teams.

League Website!
Updated club info has now been uploaded onto the website including details of all new clubs. Requests for changes can be sent to me and I will endeavour to make the necessary amendments as quickly as possible.

Updated Rules and Match Conditions- Guidance for Captains
In order to ensure the smooth running of matches the Management Committee asks member clubs to ensure that all captains are aware of the following matters in addition to familiarising themselves with the League Match Day Requirements on page 67 in the 2008 League Handbook:

1) Umpires- In recent seasons certain clubs (mainly in Div 3) have elected not to provide an umpire and to pay the resultant £10 fine rather than apply to the Umpires Coordinator requesting a panel umpire to be appointed to whom the relevant fee (£30 in 2007 and £35 in 2008) is payable. We do not approve of this practice and asks that clubs do not engage in it in this or future seasons. Clubs who know in advance that they have no umpire on a certain date are asked to apply in good time in advance of this date for a panel umpire to be appointed. Clubs should be aware that the provision by the League of a Panel Umpire upon request is not guaranteed and is obviously reliant on the availability of panel umpires on the day requested

2) Moving of sight screens-This issue should be handled amicably by both sides in accordance with the spirit of cricket. We ask captains and umpires to address this issue by agreeing before the toss on how the movement of sightscreens shall be handled throughout the match.

3) Notification of results- All clubs are requested to make a more conscientious effort to ensure that results sheets/umpires cards are received by the League results/umpires officials by NO LATER THAN THE THURSDAY FOLLOWING THE MATCH. (Match rule 6B-Notification of results-refers).

4) Guidance format re a) Marking umpires and b) Gradings and Standards- Clubs are asked to note that these are now on the League Website and may be referred to for guidance as and when appropriate.

5) Use of covers- Every possible use of covers prior to the start of a match should be made by those clubs who have suitable and adequate covers. This ensures pitch protection leading up to the start of the match.

6) Spare balls- For every match at all levels the Home Club is expected to ensure that a minimum of 6 spare League balls of variable wear are provide for use when appropriate during the match. New Clubs entering the League in 2008 are permitted to provide similar standard spare balls/balls used in their previous League until such time as they have accumulated a supply of League Standard balls to take the place of these.

Member Club Loans
This is the time of year when club treasurers are hit with some big bills and a bit of fiscal juggling is required to keep things going until subscriptions are paid. We would like to remind all clubs that the interest-free loan facility is still available for all member clubs. Clubs can apply for loans of up to £1500 which is interest free for 12 months. Please contact either Martin House or myself for more details. Staying on this subject, The ECB also has a loan scheme for affiliated clubs with a junior section. Again, it is interest-free and loans can be made up to £50k for club improvements. For more info please contact your local County Cricket Development Manager or go to the ECB website (www.ecb.co.uk).

TVL Fixtures
A TVL XI will be playing against Bagshot CC (22 July) and Marlow Park CC (6 August). Both games start at 2pm and as ever members of the Mancom will be either patrolling the boundary, occupying the bar or even playing in the fixture. We hope to see some of you at either of these fixtures.

And Finally..
My thanks to all club secs who responded so quickly in getting the club officers details to me. This has helped us in getting the handbook out to the printers in time and with a bit of luck we may be able to reduce the number of addendums that are sent out later in the season. Your help has been much appreciated! As a player I’m very much looking forward to the new season and as a new member of the Management Committee I sometimes find it hard to believe that in 2008 the TVL will be represented by over 160 teams every Saturday playing the game in a good but competitive spirit. Please send me details of any outstanding performances as and when they happen- this will help in our stats/averages collation at the end of the season. Have a great Summer!! Raj