TWO stalwarts of the Aire-Wharfe League - John Harrison and Chris Smith - were made honorary life vice-presidents at the league's annual meeting at Otley Rugby Union Football Club.

Former Keighley and Bingley batsman Harrison, equally well known by his initials JK, has served on the league's management committee for over 20 years and has been heavily involved with organising Aire-Wharfe League junior representative teams - be they Joe Lumb or Lord's Taverners.

Otley CC chairman Smith, one of the finest players to grace the league, was involved in organising the league's senior teams for more than 20 years and is also, via his company Greenholme Carpets and Flooring, a long-standing sponsor of the Birtwhistle Cup.

Mark Shaw was elected as league president, taking over from Graham Fuller, who has finished his three-year term, while David House was elected as vice-president.

David Threlfall is the new treasurer, replacing David Ryder, who reported a surplus of just over £2,569 in his last annual report.

Attempts by the management committee to make clubs take administration more seriously were thwarted by the clubs themselves.

There were proposed rule changes for a five-point deduction (instead of a Level Two fine) to be applied to their first and second teams if a club fails to pay their annual subscription by March 4 (fell 24-12), a two-point deduction to be applied to clubs if they pay a fine more than 14 days after it has been notified to them (fell 27-9) and for a five-point deduction for the following season if clubs fail to attend league council meetings (fell 26-10).

However, a deduction of five league points for host clubs failing to provide a heavy or light roller was passed 20-16.

A restriction on bowlers to a maximum of 10 overs in matches in Divisions Four to Six fell 23-13, while a proposed rule change to allow free hits in Divisions One to Three fell 18-16.

Passed 20-5, however, was the proposed rule change allowing third-team matches to be re-arranged at 14 days' notice rather than no later than February 8.

Also away teams do not have to pay for teas in any division if a match is called off within an hour of the scheduled start.

That was actually lost 20-15 but did not gain the percentage of votes needed bearing in mind that the proposed rule change was backed by the management committee (at least 24 votes against were needed for it to fall).