A MOVE to shorten matches in the Dales Council League was thrown out during their annual meeting at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club.

Baildon proposed that the number of overs per innings be reduced from 45 to 40, with Crompark seconding it, but only six clubs voted in favour and 13 against.

However, the Jenny Lane club's proposal that points for the non-offending team in a forfeited match be increased from 15 to 18 was carried 19-0.

An identical 19-0 vote was the outcome for the league executive committee's proposal that points in an abandoned match with no play and an abandoned match with some play be reversed.

An abandoned match with no play will now give each team four points (instead of five) and an abandoned match with some play will now give teams five points (instead of four) plus bonus points in what is an encouragement for teams to play wherever possible.

Cup matches will have an added twist next year following the Dales Council Umpires' Association's proposal, seconded by Bradford-based Halifax Direct, that front-foot no-balls will result in a free hit.

That was carried 13-4, while the executive committee's proposal to standardise balls that are used in the league was carried 16-1.

However, clubs will be able to use any surplus stock of old balls next season before switching to the Lord's or Morrants.

A much closer vote was whether to increase umpires' fees per match from£30 to £35 or from £40 to £50 if the umpire is standing alone. That was only carried 11-7.