A MOVE to replace the Mewies Solicitors Craven League executive committee failed to gain support at the league's annual meeting.

The proposal to revert back to having a league committee in charge did not get a seconder when it was put forward at Cross Hills Social Club.

League fixture secretary Trevor Coe said afterwards: "I am glad that we are staying with an executive committee but we just thought we ought to give the clubs the chance to vote on it.

"They probably realised that they didn't want to go back to having a meeting virtually every month."

Joining the executive committee next season are Oakworth's Michael Davison, who received 24 votes, and Haworth Road's Martin Burgess (19), who edged out Bradley's Ron Wanless (18), while Chris Todd is to replace Ken Hirst, who has stood down after 21 years as league chairman.

A long discussion took place as to the constitution next season of what used to be Division Four and Five.

Both sections, which are likely to be called Division 4A and 4B, will have ten teams, but exactly who will be in which section will be announced at next month's league meeting.

However, it is also likely that teams cannot be promoted from what used to be Division Five to Division Three but can be promoted to Division 4A.

Teams in their sections will play each other home and away, making 18 matches, with the extra four matches being inter-sectional.

Coe added: "What people don't understand is that the four extra fixtures have to be married up with their first team's fixtures, which is why Ann (Coe, league secretary) has already spent a week working them out, but we should be able to announce something at the January meeting."

Among the proposed rule amendments that were lost were changing the start time to 1.30pm throughout the season, reducing the overs per side to 40 (from 45), restricting bowlers to a maximum of 12 overs (from 15) and docking clubs one league point for failing to fulfil a fixture or fining them more heavily for failing to fulfil fixtures after the first offence.

Other votes that were lost included changing the two-thirds majority to a simple majority for rule changes to be passed, extending the tea interval up to a maximum of half an hour (it is currently 20 minutes) and being fined £5 for failing to provide an umpire and/or a scorer.

However, the closest vote lost was over the introduction of loan players, which failed by one at 17-9

Among proposed rule changes that were passed were the executive committee having more power in terms of disciplining players or clubs when it came to the good name of the league, and the batting side looking for lost balls.

Oakworth, Denholme, Bradley and Ingrow put themselves up to host the league's cup finals, and a decision on venues will be made next month.

Retiring league chairman Hirst was presented with a decanter, base and glasses by the clubs as a thank you for his guidance at meetings and his commitment to the players over many years.

He said: "I thank each and every one of you for your best wishes, and can remember when the league had their annual meeting at the Black Horse in Skipton, and the league dinner came straight afterwards, with Fred Trueman as the speaker."

The league decided to again have their dinner at Rolls Royce Sports Club next year, with the league standing the cost of a comedian.