All Hands To Battle Stations!

In direct contravention to the Shipwrecks' Constitution, Commodore Dean has called a practice (!?) to take place at Kingholm Slipway this Sunday (26th April) between 10 and 12 bells.

This will be a full-scale drill of battle tactics in preparation for the resumption of hostilities in the Dumfries Midweek League on 7th May, when it is hoped to overthrow the current government.

We will however not be able to set sail on Sunday unless there are enough hands to man the rigging. All old and new sailors should contact Geoff to let him know if they are fit for duty.

Shipwrecks' Honour Impugned!

Not mentioned in the recent sober account of the Midweek League AGM was the fact that Treasurer Everett Jeffrey (ironically himself a Shipwreck) repeatedly accused the seafarers of not having paid their League subscription for the past two years and described them as "bad debtors".

Shipwrecks' Purser Geoff Dean has however issued an angry communiqué  to state that all appropriate charges (including harbour fees) have been paid up in full.

The Only Answer?

Part of the ensuing diplomatic row may be based on a misunderstanding in that the Shipwrecks, understandably aware of the risky nature of maritime trade, have historically paid the League in arrears, and then only on sight of a full and accurate bill of lading.  But there remains a clear factual dispute over the payments made over the past ten months and only one way in which our honour can be satisfied - flintlocks at ten paces.

Otherwise people will say we're just a band of pirates!

Midweek League AGM - Highlights and Lowlights

The AGM was held in the mess bar at Nunholm last night.

The main things to emerge were:

League Format

There will still be two six-team Leagues playing on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Teams and fixtures in each will be exactly the same as in 2014. From this season one-up, one-down promotion and relegation will apply unless both teams involved do not wish to change.

Fixtures will commence from 6th and 7th May (hopefully no Shipwrecks are on Polling Station duty for the Election).

The Cup

Will be played according to last season's format, which was felt to be successful.  We were drawn with Lockerbie and Dumfries Juniors for the mini-League stage.

The Rules

It was agreed to stick with the ruling that the first three batsmen in a side may not bowl.  The only exception to this is where only seven players are present, in which case No. 3 may bowl.

However there were some notable rule changes in other areas:-

• On a vote, it was decided to return to a maximum of four overs per bowler, although the batting captain can agree in exceptional circumstances to relax this requirement.
  
• Teams who have not paid their League fees by 1st June will be deducted five points.  Non-payment by 1st July brings a further 5 point deduction.  Trophies will not be awarded to teams who have not paid their entry fees. (Memo to Ship's purser needed)
  
• It was agreed that players can only represent one team (including Cup competitions) unless they are Under 15s. A side transgressing this rule will forfeit the fixture in question. Presumably MCC Laws on age criteria will apply. (Memo to Skipper: this could affect us, better have a word with a couple of folk.)

It was also emphasised that the toss is scheduled for 6.10 p.m. and if no representative of a team is available at that time, they will be deemed to have lost the toss. This is not a change but an enforcement of an existing rule in the hope of getting games started earlier.