New Pennine Cricket League will have its first season next year

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The new Pennine Cricket League will have its first season next year

Creation of the new Pennine Cricket League got approval when delegates from Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth League clubs met in Milnrow on Thursday night.

It was stressed that the ‘merger’ was not a take-over bid by the CLL but rather an alliance of the two current leagues.

Some clubs from both leagues have expressed an interest in joining the Greater Manchester League, but the remainder felt there was a viable alternative to that set up.

The Pennine League will be initially supported in several ways by JW Lees Brewers.
The main knockout trophies of both leagues will still be played for.

All clubs in the new league will play for both the Wood Cup and Tanner Cup, with second elevens playing for the Burton Cup and Moore Cup.

The rule books of the CLL and Saddleworth League will be thrown away, and ECB rules will be adopted.

A new executive committee will be formed, along with several sub-committees, which will deal with various aspects of the game, including a players' committee which will have representation on the executive.

The initial season will see a mix of both clubs in the Premiership and Championship, based on finishing positions this season.

It is proposed that all league games will be played on Saturdays, with Sundays remaining free for LCB Knockout matches, Pennine cup matches, and possibly a T20 League.

Sundays would also be used for third XI/academy matches.

Most junior matches would still be played in midweek.

With some clubs still undecided about which league to play their cricket in next season the new league has asked clubs to decide by Friday 26 June.

The Pennine League will remain open to any club that had previously decided to move on but may now wish to stay.