A MOVE to make foul and abusive language punishable by five penalty runs failed at the Aire-Wharfe League's annual meeting at Otley RUFC.

The proposal, from the Umpires' Association, was: "Foul and abusive language on the field of play not directed at the opposition or an umpire, but directed at themselves, their own team or others, and which in the opinion of either appointed umpire could be heard off the field of play will, in each instance, attract a five-run penalty."

The rule change has been implemented in the South Yorkshire League but Aire-Wharfe clubs, although maybe liking the rule in theory but worried about how it might be implemented in practice, rejected it 22-12.

A second proposed rule change, also from the Umpires' Association, that: "Anything that captains or players do before time is called at the end of the game that, in either of the appointed umpires' opinion, attracts a Level One discipline offence or worse will in each instance also attract a five-run penalty" was rejected 24-10.

First and second-team matches in September will now start at 12.30pm, rather than 1pm.

That was passed 31-3, which was also the margin that will rule out a player from taking part in a game if they are more than 90 minutes late.

Cup matches can be reduced in length if there is a poor weather forecast to a minimum of 20 overs per side (also passed 31-3).

Bowlers will be allowed two balls per over that pass above a batsman's shoulder, but any more than that will be ruled a no-ball.

That was passed 27-7, while a rule regarding loan players went through 31-3.

Players, if they are under-19 and not a regular first-teamer (this also applies to clubs from outside the league) can be loaned to another club with the written permission of the club holding their registration.

Clubs cannot make the move permanent, however, that season or the following season without permission of the loaning club and the league.

A player can be loaned to more than one club during a season, but if they are under-18 or younger then parental permission will be required for any loan.

However, no loans will be allowed for any players after the 18th match of the season without permission from the league.

To help third teams fulfil fixtures on Sundays, clubs can use up to three senior players that have played the same weekend or the following weekend for their second XI.

This rule change was passed 8-6.