IT DIDN'T get a ringing endorsement but fielding circles will be brought in on a trial basis next season in the Aire-Wharfe League.

The vote at Tuesday's league annual meeting at Otley Rugby Union Football Club for four fielders, excluding the wicket-keeper and the bowler, to be in the circle at the point of delivery was only 18-14 in favour.

League secretary Dave Alred said: "The management committee will decide where the fielding circle will be but it will probably be 30 yards or 25 metres."

What was more popular was the move to allow under-19 players to be loaned to lesser leagues if they are not needed by their parent club. That was passed 23-5.

Annual subscriptions for clubs were raised from £120 to £140 (passed 24-7), while fines of £50 and £100 were introduced alongside the existing fines of £10, £20 and £30 (passed 23-8).

Exactly what the larger fines will be imposed for is not set in stone but Alred said: "It could be that the £50 fine will be applied for non-attendance at annual meetings (Beckwithshaw and Follifoot failed to turn up) and the £100 fine for failing to fulfil a cup fixture (New Rover fell foul of this in 2014 and were excluded from the Waddilove Cup and Birtwhistle Cup draws for 2015).

Double winners Otley, Waddilove Cup semi-finalists Guiseley and league newcomers Old Modernians have all been drawn against Second Division opposition in the first round of the Waddilove Cup on Sunday, May 17.

Otley host Illingworth, Guiseley are at Adel and Mods travel to Skipton. Birtwhistle Cup winners Rawdon start their defence at Addingham on the same date.

Waddilove Cup – Preliminary round: Kirkstall Educational v Bardsey, Colton v Ilkley, Horsforth Hall Park v Alwoodley. Matches to be played on Sunday, April 26. First round: North Leeds v Upper Wharfedale, Beckwithshaw v Pool, Skipton v Old Modernians, Adel v Guiseley, Thackley v Green Lane, Burley v Harden, Horsforth Hall Park or Alwoodley v Ben Rhydding, Bolton Villas v Follifoot, Steeton v Colton or Ilkley, Rawdon v Addingham, Otley v Illingworth, Kirkstall Educational or Bardsey v Bilton, Knaresborough v Horsforth, Silsden v Calverley, Olicanians v Tong Park Esholt, Collingham v Menston. Matches to be played on Sunday, May 17. Birtwhistle Cup ties reversed.

Chappell Cup – First round: Olicanian v Adel, Otley v Green Lane, Knaresborough v Follifoot, Horsforth v Bilton, Guiseley (holders) v North Leeds, Steeton v Ilkley. Byes: Burley, Rawdon. Matches to be played on Sunday, May 10.