There is a change of format to this season’s Jolly’s Drinks ECB Cornwall Premier League. At last week’s league annual meeting, at Truro, the top flight clubs voted in favour of a 50 overs a side, win/lose format. It replaces the 110 overs time games that were introduced with the creation of the Premier League in 2001.
Matches will start at 1pm throughout the season with a 20 per cent restriction on bowlers’ overs.
The 50/50 Cup competition remains at the start of the season, but the group winners will now go straight to the final.
A new Tier system was also agreed by clubs. The Premier stands alone with County Division 1 and Division 2 forming Tier 1. Below that Tier 2 will comprise of Divisions 3 and 4 and Divisions 5 and 6 have been renamed Tier 3. With the exception of the Premier, all Tiers will all have a bowler overs restriction of 25 per cent. Tier 1 games remain at 50 overs a side but with the earlier start time of 1pm throughout the season. In a change Tier 2 will have reduced 45 overs games with 1.30pm starts. Tier 3 remains at 40 over games with 2pm starts. A move to introduce three sections of 10 team divisions in Division 5 was defeated, after a lively debate.
Batting bonus points have reverted to a point at every 40 runs across Tiers 1, 2 and 3. Division 5 games, as well as Division 6, may now be mutually agreed to be rescheduled for Sundays.
Other measures see a relaxation of the registration, transfer and loan players rules. In cup competitions pink balls will be trialled in the Hawkey, Vinter and Rosevear Cup semi-finals and finals.
Administratively rule change proposals will in future require seconding by two clubs on submission. The threshold for passing of rules at the AGM has also been increased from 50 per cent to 60 per cent in favour. Full details of the rules proposals are at www.cornwallcricket.co.uk
The 2016 Divisions have been confirmed by the League as follows:
Premier: promoted Helston; relegated Camborne.
County Division 1: promoted Rosudgeon & Werrington II; relegated Menheniot Looe & Launceston.
Division 2 East: promoted Lanhydrock & Veryan; relegated: Boconnoc, Liskeard & Saltash.
Division 3 East: promoted Luckett II and St Austell III; relegated Tintagel, Bugle and Roche II.
Division 4 East: promoted St Erme II and St Minver II; relegated Calstock (by choice to Div 6) and Duloe.
Division 5 East: promoted Milton Abbot, Bude II and Ladock II; relegated Tintagel II and South Petherwin II.
Division 6 East: re-admitted Saltash II.