UNDER-19 players could be given more cricket next season if they are attached to Aire-Wharfe League clubs.

Knaresborough have proposed that juniors up to and including under-19s can be loaned out to clubs in lesser leagues on a Saturday without the need for a transfer form.

However, they can be recalled by the parent club to play in first or second-team matches.

North Leeds seconded the proposal, which will go forward to the annual meeting at Otley Rugby Union Football Club on Tuesday, November 25.

Beckwithshaw want the league to trial fielding circles in first-team matches, with only four fielders, excluding the wicket-keeper and bowler, allowed inside it at the point of delivery, while they also want the start of Waddilove and Birtwhistle cup ties to be brought forward half an hour to 1.30pm and Chappell Cup ties to start at 2pm instead of 2.30pm.

The league's Umpires' Association want their fees to go up from £32.50 to £35 if there are two umpires, and an extra £17.50 if there is only one umpire, up from £16.25; Waddilove and Birtwhistle fees to go up from £29.25 to £31.50, plus £15.75 for standing at both ends, up from £14.50; and £28 for Chappell Cup and third-team matches, up from £26, with an additional £14 for standing alone, up from £13.

Knaresborough have seconded these proposals, and have also backed the increased payments if there is no play of £17.50 for first and second-team matches, £15.75 for Waddilove and Birtwhistle cup matches and £14 for Chappell Cup and third-team matches, up from £16.25, £14.50 and £13 respectively.

The league's management committee have proposed that annual subscriptions for clubs be raised to £140 from £120, with an additional £30 for a third team, the previous marks being £120 and £25. Bilton have seconded this proposal.

However, most of the discussion at the league's council meeting, also at Otley RUFC, centred around how to improve the 40 overs per side third-team competition, which is played on Sundays.

North Leeds want bowling restrictions to be reduced to eight overs from ten, and feel that players must have played in at least three third-team matches to be eligible to play in the last three third-team matches of any season.

Bilton reckon that under-19s (as of September 1 the previous year) should be allowed to play third-team matches if they have played in the second team the previous day or if they have played in the first-team match the previous day and are under-17 as of September 1 the previous year.

Meanwhile, Collingham feel that third teams should be able to field at least three under-20s who have played first or second-team cricket the previous day, while North Leeds reckon that anyone who played in the second team the previous day and any under-27s who played for the first team on the Saturday should be eligible for the third team, and that each Sunday team should include five players under the age of 27.

League secretary Dave Alred remarked that the league would be relying on clubs' honesty in selecting players who are right for that standard if some of these proposals go through.