CRICKET chiefs in the Ryedale and Scarborough area have bemoaned the record number of call-offs this season - and demanded better commitment from players in future.

This year saw no fewer than six teams resign from the Derwent Valley League due to a lack of players - Brompton 2nds and Oriel from division 'A', Bridlington 3rds, Sewerby 4ths, Seamer 3rds from division 'B', and Hunmanby from the bottom tier – meaning the league is set to be cut from three to two divisions next season.

Meanwhile, both Oriel 'B' and 'C' went from the Andy Hire Scarborough Evening League, and the Scarborough Beckett League lost Staithes 2nds.

The Derwent Valley League (DVL) also saw 15 games conceded due to clubs not being able to field teams - beating the unwanted record set last year. Six matches were lost in the Andy Hire League, while, in the Beckett League, Grindale, Cloughton 2nds, Sewerby 2nds, Staithes, Brompton and Fylingdales 2nds had to forfeit some games.

Long-standing DVL secretary Bernard Goulding said: “It is a worrying fact that many clubs in all three leagues have struggled to raise teams during the season. It has been without doubt the worst season for this.

“I wonder where we are going with local cricket, with the lack of commitment and loyalty from players.

“It has been a sad year (for the DVL) with so many teams pulling out, leaving the remaining teams with so many blank Saturdays. It is hoped the 2015 season will be much better.”

The DVL committee will discuss the structure of the 2015 league ahead of the annual general meeting in January. The deadline for applications to join the league or drop out is November 30, after which the fixture list will be organised.

Added Goulding: “It is time for clubs to get commitment from their players and find new players in the coming weeks to enable them to fulfil fixtures next season, or else drop teams out of the league.

“I would rather run one division of committed teams in the league instead of two or three divisions of teams of players that don't really care.

“Having teams drop out once the fixtures are compiled and having clubs unable to raise teams makes the other teams in that division lose interest when having blank Saturdays on a regular basis, as has happened this season.

“I really do hope that 2015, my 38th season as league secretary, turns out to be a much better season with full commitment and loyalty of players to play regular cricket for their clubs.”

Due to the restructuring of the Derwent Valley League, there are unlikely to be any relegations.

 

Derwent Valley League presentation games have now taken place.The roll of honour is listed.

Division A: champions Flamborough, runners-up Great Habton.

Division B: champions Flixton 3rds, runners-up Wold Newton 2nds.

Division C: champions Cayton 3rds, runners-up Scalby 3rds.

Atlas Ward Structures Cup: winners Muston, runners-up Flamborough, losing semi-finalists Hospitals/Rugby Club and Great Habton.

Welford Cup: winners Kirkbymoorside 2nds, runners-up Sherburn 2nds, losing semi-finalists Wold Newton 2nds and Nawton Grange 2nds.

Murray Brown and Son Cup: winners Scalby 3rds, runners-up Cayton 3rds, losing semi-finalists Ganton 2nds and Forge Valley 4ths.

Home Guard Sunday Cup: winners Great Habton, runners-up Muston, losing semi-finalists Nawton Grange 2nds and Muston.