BOWLS: Mid Cheshire bowlers have rejected a crackdown on cheating.
They voted down a special council proposal to dock points rather than impose fines for a series of offences including that of fielding an ineligible player.
Delegates at Thursday’s annual meeting at Winnington Rec voted down the proposal, which means the current system of small fines is retained.
A 50-point deduction for teams rearranging postponed games for the same night as a Mid Cheshire knockout final was the most Draconian measure put forward. Instead, offenders will be fined £5.
Secretary George Horwill said: “Our efforts weren’t exactly tongue in cheek, but it was not a surprise when the motion was defeated.
“It’s a shame because fines are no deterrent and we will have to look at increasing them next year.”
New teams Red Lion D and Hazel Pear B (ex-Ring O’Bells) were admitted; Bentley resigned; Farmers Arms announced they will now be known as Rudheath Social Club and a Lostock team has decamped to Golden Pheasant.
Ray Plant has taken over the competition secretary’s duties from Horwill, who retains the secretary and treasurer posts. Games will revert to a 6.30pm start next season, 15 minutes earlier than 2007.
The Norley League annual meeting is at Winsford Cons on January 11.
Meanwhile, Mid Cheshire has been chosen to stage the National Federation Team Knockout in September.
Up to a dozen greens will be needed for the September 14 tournament.
Mid Cheshire won Section Four last summer in their first season in the Federation and start their new campaign against Preston in April. Ormskirk, Middleton and South Lancashire are also in Section Three.
Dennett is defeated
TABLE TENNIS: Northwich’s Helena Dennett, the new secretary of the Cheshire Table Tennis Association, lost an all-host-county final in the Cheshire 2 Star Open at Halton TT Centre.
She was beaten in the veteran women’s singles by Wirral’s Stephanie Howard in three straight sets.
Both finalists have played in the British Women’s League for Halton, which was staging the two-day Butterfly Satellite Grand Prix event for the first time.
