AS a new J P Mewies Craven Cricket League season approaches, the league has lost two teams in recent weeks.

Long Lee have decided to disband and withdraw their third eleven a few weeks ago and that disappointing news was followed at last week's committee meeting that the once-great Jimmy Nelson's were also withdrawing.

The latter have been members for 60 years and in the Fifties and Sixties their facilities were second to none.

The new season starts tomorrow with a new five division format following the arrival of six new clubs.

Haworth Road Meths, Sandy Lane, Wilsden, Bingley Congs, Crossflatts and Riddlesden are the newcomers and their involvement for the first time promises to make the Phoenix Trophies Division Three a very interesting affair, with some first teams battling against the top six second teams from last season.

Tomorrow's matches:

Division One: Thornton v Bradley, Cowling v Cullingworth, Long Lee v Oakworth, Haworth v Sutton, Foulridge v Embsay, Barrowford v Haworth WE.

Division Two: Airedale v Chatburn, Bingley Congs v Cononley, Denholme v Glusburn, Ingrow St John's v Ingrow, Pendle Forest v Haworth Road, Wilsden v Skipton CI.

Division Three: Crossflatts v Thornton II, Carleton v Cowling II, Oakworth II v Riddlesden, Gargrave v Ingrow St John's II, Sandy Lane v Barrowford, Embsay II - free week.

Division Four: Bradley II v Airedale II, Cullingworth II v Bingley Congs II, Glusburn II v Long Lee II, Ingrow II v Haworth II, Haworth Road II v Pendle Forest II, Skipton CI II v Wilsden II.

Division Five: Chatburn II v Crossflatts II, Riddlesden II v Denholme II, Sutton II v Gargrave II, Pendle Forest III v Foulridge II, Keighley TC v Sandy Lane II, Cononley II - free week.