Mewies Solicitors have extended their backing of the Craven & District League for the 2011 season – but Bradford Central League club Salem Athletic will not be among the teams competing.

They officially applied after showing initial interest last month but received only one vote in favour of joining at the Craven League’s November meeting last week.

Geography (Salem play in Heaton) and the fact that the Craven League fixtures have already been published probably came into play in the voting decision.

Defending league champions Crossflatts open their 2011 campaign on April 16 at Cowling, who were eighth in Division One this season, while 2010 runners-up Bradley are at Oakworth, who will be keen to better their fifth place of this year.

Newly-promoted Thornton-in-Craven and Barrowford both have home starts – Thornton against Cullingworth (fourth in 2010) and Barrowford against Embsay (seventh).

Relegated Ingrow start life in Division Two at home to Foulridge, who came close to promotion this season, while Glusburn, also demoted, are at Sutton, who only just stayed up.

Airedale and Embsay Seconds, both promoted from Division Three, will be entertaining on the season’s first day – Airedale against Pendle Forest, who were almost demoted, and Embsay Seconds against Chatburn.

Haworth West End and Ingrow St John’s, relegated from Division Two, both have derby starts in Division Three. West End are at Cullingworth Seconds, who were runners-up in Division Four, while Saints host Cononley Seconds, who were reprieved from the drop. Division Four champions Cross-flatts Seconds are at home to Denholme.

Little Marsden, unbeaten champions of Division Five, face familiar foes on the season’s first day, travelling to Bradford & Bingley Thirds, who were promoted with them.

Long Lee Seconds, who were bottom of Division Three, are at Wilsden Seconds.

Sutton Seconds and Cowling Seconds, relegated from Division Four, both have away starts – Sutton at Haworth Seconds and Cowling at Pendle Forest Thirds.

Craven League opening-day fixtures (Saturday, April 16) — Division One: Oakworth v Bradley, Thornton v Cullingworth, Haworth Road Meths v Haworth, Cononley v Bingley Congs, Cowling v Crossflatts, Barrowford v Embsay. Division Two: Embsay II v Chatburn, Ingrow v Foulridge, Riddlesden v Sandy Lane, Sutton v Glusburn, Airedale v Pendle Forest, Wilsden v Long Lee. Division Three: Eldwick & Gilstead v Oakworth II, Cullingworth II v Haworth West End, Haworth Road Meths II v Glusburn II, Ingrow St John’s v Cononley II, Crossflatts II v Denholme, Skipton CI v Gargrave. Division Four: Bradley II v Ingrow II, Sandy Lane II v Riddlesden II, Bradford & Bingley III v Little Marsden, Pendle Forest II v Ingrow St John’s II, Wilsden II v Long Lee II, Chatburn II v Barrowford II. Division Five: Denholme II v Airedale II, Foulridge II v Eldwick & Gilstead II, Haworth West End II v Thornton II, Haworth II v Sutton II, Bingley Congs II v Oakworth III, Gargrave II v Skipton CI II, Pendle Forest III v Cowling II.

Next year’s annual dinner has been provisionally booked for the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton, on Friday, October 28. Tickets are set to be priced at £25.

A total of £236.21 was raised for Manorlands Hospice via a raffle at this year’s dinner.

Meanwhile, the initial response from clubs about providing umpires for next season has been very slow.

The league will not be testing Lord’s balls next season.