Changes round York

posted by John Winn

The York and District Senior League has member clubs spread far and wide across North, East and West Yorkshire, from Folkton and Flixton  to the outskirts of Leeds and from Ryedale to the Humber. At its AGM this week member clubs voted overwhelmingly to return to a regional format at all levels below the premier and first divisions. The new structure is a response to the problems clubs have found in raising sides when faced with long trips to away matches and the associated forfeit of games.

The effects of the change of policy are easy to see for in looking at the composition of Division Two (North) for 2014 none of the twelve teams involved are more than 40 minutes drive from York. The southern division is not quite so compact, Acomb to Hull still seems quite a long way, but you get the idea. Fixtures from the premier down to three north and south are available on the website and show that the league will begin next season on the last Saturday in April, alas still more than 20 weeks away. Division Four will be in three sections but fixtures for these are not yet available.

The YDSL will welcome four new clubs into their accommodating fold for next year's campaign, . These are Duncombe Park II from the Scarborough Beckett and Copmanthorpe II, Woodhouse Grange IV and after an absence of nine years, Hemingbrough, all from the Vale of York. Moving the other way are Tadcaster Magnets who return after a two year stint in the York and District. They will be joined by Ovington III who will play home matches at Millthorpe School. These comings and goings leave The Vale with 43 clubs in four divisions. Tad will play at Manor Field which I think is a change of ground.

And finally just a reminder that county first team fixtures will be issued at 9:30 on Tuesday morning, a major event in the blog's calendar. I have two friends who lack internet access and who will be telephoning me early on Tuesday, one of whom will want to know when and where Durham will begin the defence of their title and the other an old friend from Sussex who will want to enter his first trip to Hove in the diary. Roll on.

ps the first word I heard when switching on the radio this morning shortly after six was 'Anderson' and my heart sank at the thought that Jimmy might be batting. Imagine my dismay when I discovered he was bowling again.  It could have been worse I suppose, it might have been Haddin and Harris still batting in the first innings. It's being so cheerful keeps me going.