Two-division proposal rejected for second time

CLL chairman Neville Fletcher (left), secretary Alan Wright, former England and Derbyshire batsman John Morris (guest speaker), and out-going president John Cleary line up before the CLL annual dinner at Rochdale Cricket Club.

CRICKET:

A MOVE to switch to a two-division Lake Garage Central Lancashire League has been rejected.

For the second year in a row, Norden’s proposal was defeated at the CLL’s annual meeting as league delegates voted 10-6 to retain one division of 16 clubs.

Norden’s delegates did not talk on the issue, but it is well known that they believe a two-division set-up would lead to more competitive cricket.

They had advocated a CLL Premier League and 1st XI Championship for 2012, the line-ups for which would have been decided by 2011 finishing positions.

Ironically, even if there had been a vote of 9-7 in favour of the change, it would not have been implemented.

Earlier in the meeting, a league management committee recommendation on structure and constitution voting was carried, 11-5.

This now means that a two-thirds majority will be needed in future if there is to be any alteration to the structure of the league. A two-division CLL is one such issue.



NEXT summer’s Twenty20 Competition will have a finals day similar to the one currently in place in county cricket and more locally in the Saddleworth and District League.

Norden successfully proposed that the four semi-finalists should play-off on one day, with the first semi-final at 10am, the second at 1pm and the final at 4.30pm.


ROYTON’S John Cleary has stepped down as CLL president after five years in office.

Mr Cleary’s successor is Unsworth’s Tom Williams. Mel Whittle (Oldham) and Glenn Dawson (Crompton) were elected to serve on the league’s management committee.