FIXTURE secretary Trevor Coe has warned member clubs that the Mewies Solicitors Craven League is not as strong as it thinks it is.

Speaking at the league's annual dinner at Rolls Royce Sports & Social Club in Barnoldswick, he said: "You will all be happy to hear that I won't be talking about this season's disciplinary problems.

"Or even talking about the executive's concerns at the number of games conceded and the league's shortage of panel umpires.

"And finally I won't go into details about the shortage of scorers or club umpires.

"The Craven League is not as strong as it thinks it is."

Coe also rebuffed those who have made comments about whether Haworth Road Meths have got their selection policy right.

He said: "Division One was the most open for quite a few years.

"Three clubs were fighting it out at the top before Haworth Road joined in.

"It seemed that you got to the top one week, only to be knocked off the following week. At the end, Ingrow St John's took the title.

"Haworth Road Meths II dominated Division Two.

"So noticeable was their domination of that division that several people were passing comments questioning player selection at the club, which is utter rubbish because Haworth Road clearly got it right, otherwise how did they manage to be the club of the year and get the Margaret Coe trophy?

"Anyway, under league rules Haworth Road seconds can't be promoted to Division One, so Wilsden and Ingrow will be treading pastures new next year."

Coe added: "Cononley and Gargrave battled out Division Three.

"Three weeks before the end of the season, Gargrave stole a march on their rivals by winning while Cononley were rained off, and took over at the top. It stayed that way to the end, with both being promoted.

"Sutton II emerged champions in Division 4A, a few league points in front of second-placed Crossflatts II.

"Both are promoted from Division 4A.

"We welcome Silsden to their first league dinner.

"Just before the start of the season, Ann (league secretary Coe) was approached by the club, who were having a troubled time in the Aire Wharfe League.

"They asked if they could join us in 2018.

"Your secretary pointed out that we had a space in Division 4B if they wanted to come this year – that was providing they could get clearance from the Aire Wharfe.

"Clearance was given and they joined us. Having lost 16 senior players, they were quite happy to fill the space in 4B.

"They saw it as an opportunity to bring on their younger players with the help of some senior players.

"This they did and won Division 4B without losing a game, and Glusburn II will be joining Silsden in promotion.

"The Wynn Cup winners were Barrowford, who beat Denholme by five wickets at Bradley, while in the Cowling Cup, Haworth Road II beat Bradford & Bingley III in a very good game by ten runs at Denholme.

"Thanks go to Bradley and Denholme for staging the games.

"The Manorlands Plate was won by Bingley Congs, who beat Ingrow St John's in the final.

"Thanks go to Oakworth for looking after us so well.

"The amount raised on the day for Manorlands Hospice was £500, there are also donations from our club (Embsay) and the fund will be swelled by the raffle proceeds from tonight."

Looking ahead, Coe added: "Season 2018 will be interesting in that the YCB (Yorkshire Cricket Board) has introduced a new disciplinary code, which will see the way we deal with disciplinary matters in a different way.

"The league has set up a disciplinary sub-committee of three people to deal with the running of the same.

"A new document has gone out to all clubs, and I would urge that they study the same and know what to expect.

"In addition to that the MCC has adjusted their Laws 41 and 42.

"Again I would urge clubs and players to study these changes because they are far reaching.

"Just to give you the heads up, Law 41 is 12 pages long and Law 42 has just five pages.

"That should keep us all busy on those long winter nights."