SOME big changes have been made to both Mewies Solicitors Craven League cup competitions for 2020.

The Wynn Cup, which is reverting back to 40 overs per side after a season as a Twenty20 competition, will now solely be applicable to first teams from the top two divisions.

Last season, second teams from Division Two could enter. Barrowford and Haworth Road Meths both did, while Crossflatts' second string got all the way to the semi-finals before losing to Bingley Congs.

The Cowling Cup, which will remain a T20, will be for teams from Divisions Three and Four but also for second teams from Division Two.

Bingley Congs II won promotion from Division Three and will also therefore be eligible alongside the three second teams mentioned above.

First teams who play in Division Three (Cononley, Sandy Lane, Skipton CI, Thornton-in-Craven, Bradley, Riddlesden, Glusburn) can play in the Wynn Cup if they wish but are more likely to opt for the Cowling Cup.

Both cups will therefore get their day in the limelight - the Wynn Cup as the showpiece event and the Cowling Cup as a separate finals day involving two semi-finals and a final.

Meanwhile, the Manorlands Plate is being expanded into a separate T20 competition for the Craven League.

Each club can only enter one side but all club members will be eligible to play in it.

Clubs can mutually agree a date to play each Plate contest as long as it falls within a one-month time period.

In the past, the Manorlands Plate has involved four teams on a finals day - such as the champions of Division One, the champions of Division Two and the winners of the Wynn Cup.

Matches could even be played on evenings if geography permits, as happens in the Keighley Cup.

That opens up the possibility of clubs raising money for the Manorlands Hospice at Oxenhope by having raffles and tombolas at each match.

Like the Cowling Cup, the Manorlands Plate will have a finals day involving two semi-finals and a final.

Participation in the Wynn Cup, Cowling Cup and Manorlands Plate is at each club's discretion but entries must be made to league fixture secretary Ryan Judson by Friday, January 24.

The draws for all three competitions will be made at the league's executive committee meeting at Sutton CC on Monday, February 3.

Dates for each round will be announced after that, but the clubs and grounds where each final will be contested have already been decided.

Bingley Congs will host the Wynn Cup final, Airedale the Cowling Cup finals day and Oakworth the Manorlands Plate finals day.

There are a couple of other pieces of Craven League news. Firstly, Matthew Simpson has transferred from Bradford Premier League club Farsley to Gargrave.

Meanwhile, Tong Park Esholt, who have teams in the Aire-Wharfe League and Dales Council League, have made a tentative enquiry about joining the Craven League.