THE Mid Cheshire Bowls League will hit cheats where it hurts next season, but it won’t be in the pocket.
Instead of fines for various offences, they are due at tonight’s annual meeting at Winnington Rec to approve points deduction.
Secretary George Horwill said: “The worst offence is playing an unregistered player and offenders have been fined £5, but that does not mean a lot nowadays.
“I am sure playing ringers goes on a lot more than we ever find out about, but for those incidents that are reported we propose a team will lose all the points gained by the player in question, and more besides depending on the circumstances and what the annual meeting decides.”
Other minor offences, such as players wearing the ‘wrong’ type of shorts for which they are fined £1, will also come under the new ruling.
Ray Plant is due to take over the role of competitions secretary from Horwill, who will continue as league secretary and treasurer.
The league gains two teams and loses one next season, Hazel Pear entering a second team and Red Lion a third side, while Bentley Motors have resigned.
One other change is likely, but in a year or so’s time.
Fixing the meeting in the middle of the festive season instead of early in the New Year looks an unsuccessful move.
Horwill explained: “The delegates picked December and this was the only date I could get. But it is doubtful we will get the delegates there to get a good range of opinion. We will probably have to think again.”
The Norley Afternoon League continues to soar in popularity, while the original Evening League shrinks.
The annual meeting at Winsford Cons on January 1 is likely to admit four new applicants and approve the Wednesday afternoon competition increasing to eight divisions, while the Tuesday night counterpart is reduced to six divisions.
The Norley League launched afternoon bowls in 1986 and there will be 90 sides operating in 2008.
Secretary Chris Raddy said: “It has been a tremendous success, I think, because of the social aspect, whereas the evening league remains hugely competitive.”
