MEMBERS of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League's executive committee are making another attempt to get matches finished earlier and shorten the number of overs played.

They have proposed that matches start at 1.30pm throughout (it is currently 2pm before September) and be 40 overs per side instead of 45.

Another proposal is for a player loan system for league matches.

However, if it gets through, a player, who cannot be a first-teamer, can be loaned to a particular club no more than six times a season, although that loan can apply to a club in the same division or one division lower.

In proposed rule alterations from clubs, Hepworth & Idle want punishments for non-fulfilment of fixtures to be much stiffer.

Fines are currently £12.50 for a first team and £7.50 for a second or third team.

However, Hepworth & Idle want that increasing to £25 and £15 for a first offence, £50 and £30 for a second offence, £75 and £45 for a third offence etc, coupled with a three-point deduction for a second offence and a six point deduction for any subsequent offences.

Bingley Congs also think that the punishment for non-fulfilment of fixtures is not harsh enough, but prefer only a one-point deduction for each offence.

Fines for not having an umpire could rise from £5 to £10, while a fine for not having a scorer could be brought in (£5).

Meanwhile, another proposed rule alteration from the executive committee spells out the punishments for bringing the league or the game into disrepute.

They include warnings as to future conduct, fines of up to £100, suspensions and expulsion for a player, and points deductions, relegation and expulsion from a competition or the league for a club.

They also want the maximum number of overs per bowler to be reduced to 12 (from 15) if matches remain at 45 overs per side, while another issue is whether the league is governed by an executive committee or whether it reverts back to a league committee.