Cricket
OFFICIALS at the Darlington and District Cricket League are to meet early in the new year to discuss the structure for the 2023 season.
A number of clubs expressed disquiet at the fact that during the 2022 campaign, there were just ten clubs in the top division compared to 12 in the second tier.
This meant the A division season was completed by mid-August, while an end of season cup tournament involving the top teams never got off the ground.
There has also been criticism of continuing with a C division comprising just six teams – meaning each plays the other four times.
At the league’s annual meeting, officials from Barningham CC proposed that the A division should have either the most number of teams or at least as many as the B division.
Raby Castle CC’s representative suggested the league be structured so that the three divisions are split as equally as possible in terms of number of teams.
After discussion, it was decided that the league’s executive committee would come up with proposals which would then be put to the clubs for a vote.
Meanwhile, proposals from champions Haughton for the introduction of fielding restrictions at cup matches was not supported.
Due to the number of smaller village cricket grounds, such as Barningham and Cliffe, Haughton officials proposed the fielding circle should be set half way to the boundary instead of the accepted 30 yards.
Haughton’s proposals also called for a maximum of two fielders outside the circle in the first five overs of cup games, increasing to four for the remaining 15 overs.
None of the club’s suggestions received a seconder.
A proposal from Aldbrough St John CC to offer more flexibility in the number of overs a side in the C division also failed to find a seconder.
It was suggested that games in the C division could be reduced to 30 overs a side with the agreement of both captains.
Meanwhile, the league has welcomed two new sides. Eryholme have entered a second team while Shildon, whose first team play in the Durham and North East Cricket league, have put their second XI into the Darlington and District set-up.
Northallerton III, who joined the league last season, have been granted full membership. At the annual meeting, Brian Jones agreed to continue as president for another year – despite announcing his wish to stand down 12 months previously.
