SPENSER Wilson Halifax League secretary Tim Helliwell says that clubs working hard could be the answer to avoiding defaulted matches.

In his report to the annual meeting, Helliwell admitted that concessions were unheard of as recently as four years ago.

He writes: “The league and some of our clubs face huge challenges, mainly due to shortage of players and volunteers.

“This has caused some matches to be defaulted this year - more than ever before. Indeed, four years ago defaults were unheard of.

“There is no doubt all will have to work hard to turn things around. I know personally that the individuals at all clubs, including those who have suffered, work extremely hard to keep cricket alive in their localities, and they deserve tremendous credit.

“The league is keen to help where it can. Any club having doubts about being able to field teams in 2019 please let me know urgently, not only to enable the league to help where it can but also to help the league plan for 2019.”

That apart, most of Helliwell’s thoughts were positive as he admitted that he cannot wait for the start of the new season on Saturday, April 20.

He confessed: “The new disciplinary rules seemed to work well – captains working well with umpires to ensure that games were generally played in a good spirit.

“We only had three disciplinary issues involving six individuals, all of which were resolved.”

Helliwell also admitted that the decision to start the 2018 campaign on the planned date of April 21 proved to be the right one.

He wrote: “Many, if not all, clubs had struggled to get rollers and other equipment on to their pitches prior to mid-April.

“Most clubs were unable to prepare their grounds properly for April 21. The executive decided, after full consultation with clubs, that the season should start on the planned date.

“When it came to Saturday, April 21, the weather was fine and 25 of the 29 planned games were played to a conclusion.”

The problem of England’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Sweden, which was played on Saturday, July 7, was another issue to solve.

Helliwell wrote: “Some clubs were keen to avoid the potential shortage of available players and approached the league to re-arrange fixtures.

“The executive originally did not think that was possible but, after further consideration and with the weather set fair, took the bold step of providing clubs with the option of playing on Saturday morning and/or playing 40 overs but only as long as both clubs in a particular fixture agreed.

“I hoped all clubs would buy into this flexible approach and, although we did have one or two traditionalists who did not agree with our initiative, I was delighted that clubs and umpires were keen to work with the league to ensure 27 of the 29 planned fixtures took place.

“Of those, 20 matches began at either 10am or 10.30am. Thanks to all concerned – this only goes to show what can be achieved with everyone working together for the common good.”

Shelf, who folded, were praised along with Northowram Hedge Top for joining as one club in order to keep two teams, while 30 of the league’s 31 clubs (including Augustinians, who are back in the league), are expected to field two sides next season.

New initiatives for 2019 include a revamped league website, including some on-line scoring, while the chief innovation for 2018 was a T20 under-19 franchise competition by the Halifax Junior League, which was sponsored by Zwingo.

It included coloured clothing, white balls and black sightscreens, and climaxed on a warm, sunny evening at Sowerby Bridge in front of a decent crowd.

In addition, the junior league, known as one of the most proactive in the area, have supported young people in achieving their Level Two coaching qualifications, and more of the same is promised for 2019.

Also women’s and girls’ coaching sessions are being offered at subsidised prices at the Cricket Asylum.

Indeed, junior coaching has been subsidised as a whole, while the junior league have supported the Cricket Asylum in taking children to play cricket in Spain.