Colliery Darts League

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 29th May 2009. All teams in attendance.

1. Final league tables and Team of the Season Standings were distributed. Bottles were taken in for the spirit draw at the presentation night.

2. KO Cup. Delegates for the semi finalists were reminded  of the 8pm start not usual 8.30pm. Teams in the semi final were Hesleden, Easington Colliery Club, Black Boy and Horden Rugby Club. Teams were further reminded that a toss a coin decided who plays as the home team and who the away team (change their order in round robin phase).  

3. Singles and Pairs Comps. Delegates were reminded of the voluntary £1 entry for each competition. Also as a change from previous seasons, as per AGM, throw is decided by a single throw at the bullseye.

Delegates were also reminded of raffled dartboards on singles and pairs nights. (Provided by Red Dragon) Proceeds go directly to the league.

4. Charity/Good Cause. Hesleden, Eas Coll Club, Black Boy and Acre Rigg were the four remaining teams yet to choose a charity. Acre Rigg were drawn out as the team to chose the charity/good cause for 2008/9.

5. Treasurer reminded delegates that remaining trophies needed to be returned during the competition nights.

6. Delegates were reminded that presentation night is 10^th July. The band is Beardsmith. The AGM will therefore be 3^rd July in order to collect ticket money and issue tickets.

7. New teams. Treasurer ran through the possible new teams who have expressed an interest in joining the league over recent months. These were:

Ÿ     Horden Comrades B team,

Ÿ     Thornley Workmens Club,

Ÿ     Quarrington Hill

Ÿ     Peterlee Football B team

Ÿ     Shepherds

Ÿ     Engineers from Hartlepool

Ÿ     Horden Catholic Club

For those furthest away (e.g. Hartlepool, Shepherds), it has been suggested that they consider moving their venue closer but that they are entitled to come to the AGM and apply. It will be down to votes.

8. Leavers. Treasurer stated that the Rugby Club are likely to be leaving (likely to be moving to Quarrington Hill, Peterlee Football B). Black Boy have closed down (players hoping to move to the Shepherds). Treasurer stated the if there are any other leavers or possible new teams, to let him or the secretary know.

9. Any Other Business. Next meeting - AGM 3rd July (1 Week before presentation for the collection of ticket money and issue of tickets). Provisional start 2009/10 Season 14^th August.

Meeting closed.

Minutes 31^st October 2008.

All teams represented.

1. League tables, new fixture sheets and team of the year standings were distributed. Secretary stated that Horden Rugby Club have replaced Chimneys. It was further noted that a discrepancy in the league table was evident. Horden Comrades had beaten Wheatley Hill 10-4 not the other way around. Therefore the points total for Horden Comrades was understated by 6 points and that of Wheatley Hill was overstated by 6 points.

2. Treasurer Report for the 2007/8 season was viewed and accepted by the meeting delegates. It detailed that balance carried forward from 2006/7 was £219.64. Income for last season amounted to £468.00 and expenditure for the same period was £517.50. This left a balance carried forward at the start of this season of £170.14. With the additional spirit draw taking place at the meeting (see item 3) and the anticipated £60 income from raffles (see item 4) would mean that the financial position overall would be slightly improved as compared to the same stage for last season.

3. Bottle Draw. £5 was received from each team. The winning team was Shotton Comrades who accepted the bottle of Smirnoff Vodka left unclaimed from the previous presentation night.

4.   Secretary reported that the Executive Committee sat on the 2^nd October to debate an offer from Winmau. The background of the case was that Arrow darts had been in contact with a view to perhaps sponsoring the league. Nothing had come from it but as a result, Eric had placed an item on the website inviting sponsorship. Winmau had been in contact and were particularly interested in the charitable contributions. Secretary had provided a list of charities and good causes we’d contributed to over the years and they offered to provide us with merchandise in exchange for a link through our web site to theirs (Red Dragon). This consisted of two dartboards and an amount of “small merchandise” and a number of catalogues and the like to distribute. (Catalogues and keyrings were distributed among delegates at the meeting) Winmau intended to monitor the web traffic through the link and possibly provide us with “promotions” in the future. The Executive Committee had decided to accept the offer with the intention of monitoring the promotions forthcoming over the course of the next year or so. The upshot of it all is we have two Red Dragon boards which we would raffle on the singles and pairs nights with the Football Club’s permission. The intention is two £30 football or domino cards or similar (60 x 50p numbers). This will make £60 for charitable funds. Secretary stated that members with internet facility should go through the link to the Red Dragon site to sample the merchandise therein. He further stated that he had noted a discount if purchasers registered on the forum before ordering items via the phone line.

5. Draw for KO Cup Round 1: –

Delegates were reminded that teams should be in the venue by usual time (8.30). Non-attendance by 9pm and they forfeit the match.

Easington Colliery Club v Horden Comrades Club

Acre Rigg Social Club v Horden Rugby Club

Peterlee Football Club v Black Boy.

      Byes – Peterlee Catholic Club, Shotton Comrades Club, Hesleden Workmens Club, Blackhall RAFA Club, Wheatley Hill Workmens Club.

6. Any Other Business: None.

Meeting Closed.

Colliery Darts League

League Rules

As amended at the commencement of the 2008/9 season

Rules for League Competitions

General (all competitions)

1. Games will be played on a standard board, at a height of 5 feet 8 inches, with a throw of 7 feet 9.25 inches.

2. Games are straight start and double finish.

3. If there is a dispute, the marker / referees decision is final.

4. Bust rule does not apply.

League Matches

1. A match will consist of 14 legs of darts made up as follows:-

a) 2 legs of pairs from 801 played by four players (i.e. a player cannot play in both legs).

b) 9 legs of singles from 501 played on a round robin basis by 3 players from each team. The away team changes their order of play after the fifth and eighth legs to ensure that the three players from each team play each other once. (i.e. The order is 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 then 1v2, 2v3, 3v1 then 1v3, 2v1, 3v2. This ensures that all players get to throw first at least once).

c) 3 further legs of singles from 501 played by any 1,2 or 3 players who have not played in the round robin phase (b) above.

2. The order of play is chosen by the captain of each team (i.e. not drawn out). Home team write their team down first.

3. Matches are to commence at or before 8.30 pm, though both teams should be at the venue by 8.20 pm.

4. The away team throws first in the odd numbered legs (1,3,5,7,9,11,13), home team throws first in the even numbered legs (2,4,6,8,10,12,14).

5. The home team provides marker / referee.

6. One point is awarded to each team for each leg won. League positions are decided by the number of points won. If points are level, the team winning the most matches will be deemed to be in the higher position. If teams are still level, the aggregate of the points between the two teams will decide league placing.

7. It is the responsibility of the home team to inform the league secretary of the result of each match by the Monday following the match.

8. If a match is postponed for any reason, the team responsible for postponing the match is automatically docked 7 points. The team has then a right to appeal to the league for the re-instatement of the points. They must do so in writing to the League Secretary or Treasurer within 7 days of the postponed match. All appeals will be adjudicated on by the league’s Executive Committee. It should be noted that points will only be re-instated in exceptional circumstances (e.g. Bereavement). If teams are short of players they are expected to use occasional players from within their club or request that they may “borrow” players from the opposition, if that is possible (in the interests of competition, the rule regarding registration of players is relaxed in these instances).

9. All fixtures must be played. Postponed games must be replayed at the earliest opportunity.

Team Knock Out Cup Competition

1. Normal league match rules regarding format apply except for the following: -

- Should the score be level after fourteen legs there will be a sudden death singles leg of 1001, throw being decided by a coin toss. The two participating players will be chosen by the respective captains.

- The final and both semi-finals are played on a neutral board; a toss of the coin to decide which team is to be regarded as the “home team” (i.e. throw first in the even numbered legs).

2. Teams should be in the venue by the prescribed start time of 8.30pm (or 8pm for the semi-finals). If a team is not in the venue by 9pm (or 8.30pm, for a semi-final fixture) on the prescribed date, they are deemed to forfeit the match and will be disqualified from the competition.

Singles and Pairs Competitions

1. Singles and pairs competitions will be drawn, in order to commence at 7.30pm on the allotted day. The competition is deemed to have started at that time. Any player who is not in the dart area at that time, but who is included in competition entries will be included in the draw and will be given until the end of the round of their first game to be in the venue. Gordon Elliott Pairs will be drawn at the secretary’s discretion in order to ensure all players have a partner.

2. Any player is eligible to play in the singles and pairs competitions as long as they have played for a team during that season. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that competition entries are appropriate. League Secretary has the power to query any entry he deems as not in the spirit of a friendly league.

3. Standard matches are the best of three legs. Finals will be over the best of five legs.

4. Legs will be from 801 for pairs competitions and 501 for singles competition.

5. Players must “bull up” in order to decide throw. The players or pairs teams (one player nominated from each team) throw for the bull in the order they were drawn. The second player may request that the first player’s dart be removed from the board, if inside the 25 ring. Two darts in the bullseye or two in the 25 are deemed to be equidistant. If this situation occurs, players must bull up again in reverse order. Nearest the bullseye (as adjudicated by the marker / referee) will throw first in the odd numbered legs (1,3 and 5)

6. The referee / marker shall be agreed by all players involved before commencement of the game.

7. Entry fees for these competitions are £1 per player. All proceeds are paid over to the chosen charity / good cause for that season.

Administration of the League

Election of Officials

1. The election of officials will take place annually at the Annual General Meeting prior to the commencement of the season. League officials to be elected are, Secretary, Treasurer and five members of the Executive Committee. No one team should be represented more than once on the Executive Committee.

Entry of New Teams into the League

1. Teams must pay a £20, non-returnable fee on entry into the league. Payment must be made to the League Treasurer or the League Secretary at or before the Annual General Meeting for that season.

Fines

  1. Fines may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee or at a league meeting when a team(s) or individual(s) have been deemed to be at fault.

2. Any fines are payable at or before the Annual General Meeting, prior to the commencement of a new season.

Registration of Players

1. No registration of players will take place. A player is eligible to play for any team as long as he has not played for another team in the league during that season. (Note league matches rule 8).

General

1. As well as adjudicating on appeals to do with postponed games, any situation or dispute not directly covered by these league rules may also be adjudicated upon by the Executive Committee.

Annual General Meeting Season 2008/9.

Minutes.

11/7/08 Venue: Peterlee Football Club.All clubs were represented except Black Boy who were not aware that there was a meeting and Wheatley Hill WMC. Both teams sent their apologies.

Old Season

1. Payment of monies due to the league and prizes for spirit draw. Secretary explained that there had been an error relating to the tickets. Contrary to previous communication, the face value for the tickets is only £1 rather than £2. In previous years, the league had always requested that each team purchase at least £10 worth of tickets, it was suggested that clubs who had ordered less than 10 tickets should be requested to pay £10. Those who had ordered 10 or more would pay face value. In so doing, this would ensure that income would not be down on previous years. This was agreed.

2. Charity – Secretary stated that the good cause for the season would be Communicare who provide local transport for the disabled.

New Season

Firstly, it was clarified that as this was the AGM the voting rights were 1 person 1 vote.

1. Appointment of league officials. Secretary – Paul Clark, Treasurer – George Hodgson, Executive Committee - Alan Stanley, John Twidale, Tommy Bradshaw, Laurence Bell, Marty Wild. All officials were re-instated.

2. Additions and Omissions. Chimneys Hotel, Blackhall to replace Easington Village Club which closed down towards the end of last season. Peterlee Football A indicated that they could no longer compete due to lack of numbers. This brought the number of teams to 11.

3. Treasurer s Report. It was noted that the cost of trophies was £270. Treasurer indicated that collection of entry fees at the competitions was £130. He proposed to add £90 from league funds to make the charity cheque £220. This was agreed. As in previous seasons, the full Treasurers report was deferred to the next meeting as the majority of the league’s income occurred at the presentation night.

4. League Format and administration.

-          It was agreed that teams would play each other 3 times with the league commencing 15^th August.

-          League format and administration to remain as currently.

5. Competitions.

-          All competitions to remain in their present format with the exception that in the singles and pairs competitions, order of throw will be decided by a single throw for the bullseye. First person to bull up will be the first player named in the draw. This replaces the present coin spins.

-          Peterlee Football Club to be retained as competition venue for the 2008/9 season.

-          A delegate proposed that all players must have played 5 games before being allowed into the competitions. The secretary read out the present league rule as follows:   “Any player is eligible to play in the singles and pairs competitions as long as they have played for a team during that season. Team captains are responsible for ensuring that competition entries are appropriate. League Secretary has the power to query any entry he deems as not in the spirit of a friendly league.” After some discussion, it was agreed that this rule had not been breached during the 2007/8 season and that the rule should be retained for 2008/9.

6. Team contacts. Secretary asked that if any team wished to change their contact details, they should approach him after the meeting.

7. Other Business. There was none.

8. The secretary apologised, as he did not have an appropriate fixture grid covering 11 teams and indicated that he would make the draw when this situation was rectified, in the presence of league members.

Minutes of the meeting held on 30th May 2008.

All teams were represented. Meeting was chaired by the League Treasurer.

1. Final league tables and Team of the Season standings were distributed. Bottles of spirit were taken in for the presentation night spirit draw in accordance with AGM minutes.

2. KO Cup. Semi Finalists were reminded that start was 8pm not the usual 8.30pm and that they toss a coin to decide who plays as the home team and who the away team.

3. Singles and 2 pairs Comps. Delegates were reminded that there is a voluntary £1 entry fee per player goes directly to the chosen good cause. (£133.50 was collected last year).  The draw takes place for a prompt 7.30pm start. The draw will be made then regardless of who is in the venue. You have until the end of the round that you are drawn in to attend. It was advised that players should get there for 7pm.

4. Charitable Donation. Treasurer informed that this is the league’s 9^th year of making donations to charities or good causes. Five current teams had not chosen the recipient of the donation. A draw was made between these five teams to decide this year’s recipient.

The Football Club B team were chosen to nominate the good cause.

5. A reminder was issued for the return of trophies during the competition nights.

6. Presentation night is 18^th July. The band is Hooch Navarro as many people requested them from last year.

7. New teams. At the time of the meeting only the Black Boy remained as source of a possible new team though it was indicated at the meeting that this may not be the case.

8. Any Other Business. Next meeting - AGM 11^th July (1 Week before presentation for the collection of ticket money). Provisional start 2008/9 Season is 15^th August.

Minutes of Meeting held 22^nd February 2008.

Teams in attendance – Footb A, Footb B, Acre Rigg, Black Boy, Village, Hesleden, RAFA, S Coms, Eas Colliery Club, P Cath, Horden Comrades.

Rearranged game between Wheatley Hill WMC and Horden Comrades being played at the time of the meeting.

1. Up to date league tables, fixture sheets and team of the year standings were distributed. New fixture sheets were produced as the old ones have the wrong phone number for the RAFA (noted at the last meeting) and the Royal’s team have moved to Wheatley Hill WMC.

2. Official confirmation that the Royal have moved to Wheatley Hill WMC accepted by the delegates.

3. Rearranged match – Horden Comrades v The Royal (Reversed).

The re-arranged match was necessary as neither team were able to host the fixture on the allotted day. It was deemed that neither team was at fault therefore no points were deducted. The full judgment of the exec will appear on the website after distribution and agreement by committee members.

4. Spirit draw took place after £5 were received from all members. Thank you to Shotton Comrades for providing the first prize. Prize winners were: -

1^st  Prize - Peterlee Football A

2^nd Prize - Blackhall RAFA.

5. Draw for the 2^nd Round of the cup took place. Fixtures to be played on 29^th February 2008 as follows: -

Easington Colliery Club v Blackhall RAFA

Acre Rigg Social Club v Peterlee Football B

Black Boy v Easington Village Club

Hesleden WMC v Horden Comrades Club

A reminder was issued to delegates that teams should be in the venue by usual time (8.30pm). Non-attendance by 9pm results in forfeiture of the match as was agreed at the AGM (new league rule).

6. Any Other Business. Secretary outlined the possibility of new teams in the league for the 2008/9 season. Three teams had been mentioned. Horden Comrades B, Black Boy B and Hartlepool WMC (King Ossie Drive). At this stage these were only possible – some more likely than others. Delegates were asked to note the information.

A reminder was issued to delegates that singles and pairs entries were required for the next meeting along with spirit draw donations (as was agreed at the AGM).

Annual General Meeting Season 2007/2008

Minutes of the meeting held 13^th July 2007 at Peterlee Football Club

All teams represented except Horden Catholic Club who sent their apologies.

NB. Trimdon are now playing from The Royal Public House (message received after the AGM.

2006/7 Season

1. Payments were received for subscriptions. Bottles were taken for the spirit draw at the presentation night.

2. Secretary announced that the charity benefiting from the annual donation James Cook Hospital Cancer Unit (Head and Neck Research Fund). The amount is £100.00 plus £133.50 received in entry fees for the competitions – total £233.50.

2007/8 Season

1. Additions and Omissions. Secretary asked if there were any objections to the Black Boy from Hetton Le Hole joining the league. There were no objections. Entry fee was received and the Secretary welcomed the Black Boy to the league. There were no omissions bringing the number of teams to 13. Secretary said that he had had a recent query as to from the Shepherds from Hetton Le Hole. It was agreed that, in the interests of having an even number of teams, that the Shepherds be approached for a firm commitment before the league commenced. Delegate from the Black Boy agreed to contact the Shepherds and report back to the secretary.

2. Appointment of league officials. All officials remain the same. Secretary/Chairman - Paul Clark, Treasurer – George Hodgson, Executive members – Laurence Bell, Tommy Bradshaw, Alan Stanley, John Twidale, Marty Wild.

3. Treasurer s Report. £120 in subscriptions taken on the night plus £20 entry fee from the Black Boy. £350 paid out on trophies and a further £100 for a charitable donation. There would be a large amount to receive from the spirit draw at the presentation. The league is basically self-sufficient in so far as on average income equaled expenditure. A full treasurers report would be forthcoming at the next meeting, as has been the case in previous seasons.

4. League Format and administration.

It was agreed that: -

-          Teams will play each other 3 times,

-          Seven point deduction rule to be retained,

-          A point per game be retained,

-          Alternate darts be retained,

-          The rules regarding fines be taken out of the rules and left at the discretion of the Executive Committee,

-          Issue referred to the AGM from the meeting held on the 2^nd March. It was agreed that spirit draw prizes become due at the meeting immediately before the pairs competition in order to avoid a situation where a team drops out of the league and neglects to provide a prize.

5. Competitions.

It was agreed that: -

-          the KO Cup, Pairs, Singles, Team of the Season and Gordon Elliott Pairs competitions continue in their present form,

-          KO Cup semi and finals on the same night,

-          Singles and pairs competitions to completion in one night as no problems in over-running were encountered in 2006/7 season because of the use of an extra board provided by the Football Club,

-          Secretary reported that Horden Comrades committee would like to be considered as a venue for competitions. However, the representatives of the club at the meeting said that they had not been approached by the Comrades’ committee. After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the venue for all competitions remain as Peterlee Football Club.

-          Issue referred by the Executive Committee regarding postponed games in the KO Cup. It was recognized, by the committee, that there was a deficiency in league rules in this area and referred to the AGM for agreement on guidelines for a situation when a team is late or unable to turn up for a KO Cup game. After a heated discussion, it was agreed that a cut off point of 9pm (or half an hour after the time for commencement) be imposed in the league rules and that a team not in the venue by that time will be deemed disqualified from the competition.

6. Start Date will be the 17^th August. This means, assuming no team drops out during the season, the season will end on the 22^nd August 2008.

7. Midsummer break remains last Friday in July and first Friday in August.

8. Team contacts. Secretary requested that any team wishing to change their team contact numbers/addresses approach him after the meeting.

9. Other Business. Future meetings will be held at Peterlee Football Cub until further notice. Note that there will be no handicap at Hesleden in the close season as has been the case in previous years.

10. Owing to the uncertainty regarding whether the Shepherds will be joining the league, the drawing of team numbers for the new season fixtures was deferred but will take place in the presence of members of the league in order to witness impartiality.