THE Mewies Solicitors Craven League want to impose a geographical restriction on any new clubs joining them in order to keep in check the number of miles member clubs must travel.

Other standards must be met in terms of quality of grounds, changing facilities and financial infrastructure, but the member clubs will be voting on the proposed new rule at the league’s annual meeting at Cross Hills Social Club (pictured) on Monday, December 13.

The proposed rule states that clubs must be within 12 miles of Sutton-in-Craven Cricket Club (in essence the centre of the league as it includes all of the current member clubs) to be eligible.

The relevant paragraphs state: “The area covered by the CDCL (Craven & District Cricket League) shall be defined as a circle centred on Sutton-in-Craven with a radius of 12 miles determined by the approximate mid-point of the furthest distance travelled to matches by clubs in 2021.

“This should be reviewed every five years or when felt appropriate by the executive committee.”

This would not debar potential new applicants Bowling Baptists, who play at Scotchman Road (Manningham Mills) and want to join for the 2023 season.

The rules revision meeting also decided which of the two proposals for batting and bowling bonus points would go forward to the annual meeting, opting for the proposal that gives a winning team 10 points plus any batting and bowling bonus points accrued.

There will be five batting points available (starting at 100 runs for one point, 120 for two, up to 180 or more for five) and five bowling points available (one for two wickets, two for four wickets, up to five for 10 wickets).

A tied match will give each team five points plus bonus points, while an abandoned match with no play, three points each, and a match that is abandoned after starting, three points plus bonus points.

Winning teams will not be penalised for dismissing a side for below 180 runs as they would get any batting points that the opposition do not get.

The annual meeting will also decide whether to convert the Manorlands Plate to a One Hundred format; whether to revert to 45 overs per innings in the top three divisions and 40 in Division Four (up from 40 overs and 35) and whether to bring back teas.

Other choices are whether to increase umpires’ fees to £40 if there are two umpires (up from £35) and reduce the fee from £70 to £60 if there is one umpire.

The league have also proposed rule changes to make it easier for junior players to be loaned between member clubs or from outside the league.

They also want to tighten up the penalties against clubs who play ineligible players, with punishments ranging from a £10 fine to a deduction of league points.