last Craven Cricket season of the millennium starts tomorrow (Saturday) -- and all the early-season problems appear to be lined up again.

Many clubs will be short of players due to an enormous backlog of football fixtures, which have taken their toll together with the last league fixtures for local rugby clubs.

The poor weather which dogged last season has continued throughout the winter to make early season ground preparations difficult. There is also a shortage of umpires once again.

The league has conferred honorary life membership on Mr Arthurd Bilsborough of Bradley in recognition of his services to local cricket.

This could be the last season in the Craven League for Upper Wharfedale who have been accepted into the Airedale and Wharfedale Senior League for the year 2000.

One interesting innovation comes into operation this year to help cope with the delayed start to games because of the weather. Over can be deducted from the normal total of 90 with the remainder shared equally between the two sides.

The minimum number of overs is 50 per match and matches can start no later than 4pm.

Fixtures: Page 15

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.