THE executive committee of the Spenser Wilson Halifax League have unanimously opted for a 12-team Premier Division and Second Division and an eight-team First Division for the 2017 season.
The decision, which also applies to second teams, followed consultation meetings which took into account the introduction of five new clubs – Birchencliffe, Bradley & Colnebridge, Illingworth St Mary's, Leymoor and Mount – plus the unfortunate loss of Denholme Clough and Old Crossleyans.
Two of the 33 clubs in the league could only field one team in 2017, but this potential fixture problem was solved with Greetland playing in the first XI Second Division and Bradley & Colnebridge amicably agreeing to play in the equivalent second XI competition.
A more in-depth study of the potential problems of clubs with only one team will be undertaken in the early months of the year with the 2018 season in mind.
CONSTITUTION for 2017 – First XIs, Premier Division: Booth, Copley, Jer Lane, Mytholmroyd, Northowram HT, Oxenhope, Queensbury, SBCI, Sowerby St Peter's, Thornton, Triangle, Warley.
First Division: Blackley, Bridgeholme, Cullingworth, Great Horton Park Chapel, Low Moor HT, Southowram, Sowerby Bridge, Stones.
Second Division: Birchencliffe, Bradshaw, Clayton, Greetland, Illingworth St Mary's, Leymoor, Luddendefoot, Mount, Old Town, Outlane, Shelf, Upper Hopton.
Second XIs, Premier Division: Blackley, Booth, Bridgeholme, Copley, Jer Lane, Southowram, Sowerby Bridge, SBCI, Sowerby St Peter's, Thornton, Triangle, Warley.
First Division: Great Horton Park Chapel, Mytholmroyd, Northowram HT, Outlane, Oxenhope, Queensbury, Stones, Upper Hopton.
Second Division: Birchencliffe, Bradley & Colnebridge, Bradshaw, Clayton, Cullingworth, Illingworth St Mary's, Leymoor, Low Moor HT, Luddendenfoot, Mount, Old Town, Shelf.
The composition of the Spenser Wilson Halifax Sunday Cricket League for 2017 will be announced shortly.
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