Things you may have missed

posted by John Winn

• at its AGM the Halifax Cricket League announced that the member clubs had voted unanimously to join the YCB pyramid. President David Normanton said that 'We are well aware that only a small number of our champions will even consider the move to a higher league.........but all.....clubs voted to give the others an opportunity to be promoted'.

• the Scarborough Beckett League has amalgamated with the Derwent Valley League and will have 57 teams in 2016. The Scarborough News describes the move as the winding up of the 95 year old Derwent League. The league has suffered from a loss of teams in recent years and secretary Bernard Goulding describes his mixed emotions over the merger. Bernard is saddened by the demise of the league but believes the amalgamation is the best way forward.

• in the York Senior Cricket League Humberside based club Fenner has disbanded citing shortage of players and uncertainty over the future of the Marfleet Ground. The club's closure appears to have been precipitated by the resignation of a number of 'leading players'.

• in the Wetherby League East Keswick have withdrawn their first team from the league with immediate effect and in 2016 will run only one side, East Keswick A, in Division 4. The league will begin next season with 56 teams, 4 divisions of 12 and a fifth division of eight. Full details on the league website, wetherbyleague.co.uk

• Sussex have raised serious doubts about the continuance of county cricket at Arundel and Horsham. Attendances have been disappointing and commercial support has declined and both the chairman and chief executive have questioned the viability of the two festivals. Our Sussex correspondent believes Horsham to be under the greater threat.

• Rockcliffe Park, champions of the Darlington and District League have made application to join the NYSD and after an inspection of the club's facilities by the NYSD President and Secretary it was agreed that the club's application would be supported by the committee. Should the club be accepted their first XI will play in Division 3 and the second XI in Sunday Division 2. Fixtures for the latter will begin on April 10th presenting pcws with an early opportunity to see league cricket in 2106  Rockcliffe's attractive ground is situated near Hurworth on Tees which is practically Darlington. . Another D and D club, Barton have withdrawn their application to join the NYSD.

• Finally if you have been anticipating the publication of next year's county fixtures later this week then you may have to exercise your patience a little longer. The word on the ether is that it will be December before they are revealed. Go to most county websites, click on fixtures and you will find those for 2015.