CLUBS in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League have voted against a slimmed-down season for 2019.

The league's executive committee, prompted by Craven area responses to an ECB player survey, proposed to an extraordinary general meeting of the league at Cross Hills Social Club that there would be 10 teams in the top four divisions and 12 in the fifth tier.

That would mean an 18-game league season for most teams, allowing four free Saturdays for cup matches (Wynn Cup and Cowling Cup).

To achieve that, taking into account two up and two down, there would be four demotions from Division One at the end of this season, six from Division Two, eight from Division Three and 12 from Division Four to make Division Five.

A potential four free Saturdays would be counter balanced by the first round of the cups, while there was the potential to bring in a plate for first-round losers, thus filling two of the spare Saturdays.

However, clubs voted against the revamp by 17-8, so the status quo will remain.

Among the reasons given for not wanting the switch were that: the wish for a 22-game season; matches being rained off could reduce an 18-game season to 14 or 15 games; a loss of revenue for clubs because of fewer matches; a stop-start element to the campaign, which could lead to players losing interest; the league programme, which should be predominant, being cut back to allow cup games; and the wholesale demotions.

Haworth Road, Barrowford, Embsay and Wilsden have been asked if they wish to enter teams into the Manorlands Plate, which will be held at Airedale.

Meanwhile, it has been agreed that the league should award a trophy to the outstanding panel umpire – voted for by clubs in Division One and Division Two – which will be presented at the 2018 Craven League dinner.

Honararia were discussed, and league secretary Ann Coe will receive an increase of £100, with fixture secretary Trevor Coe and treasurer Richard Webster getting a raise of £50 each.

Five transfers were announced: Lewis Wrathall returning to Oakworth from Heslington; Josh Gill (Steeton to Cowling); William Bowden (Hampton to Cowling); Joseph Greenwood (Denholme to Crossflatts) and Nathan Allatt (Keighley to Hepworth & Idle).