The Mewies Solicitors Craven League have voted against an increase in umpires’ fees.

The Craven & District Umpires’ Association proposed a fee of £50, an increase of £10, at the league’s annual meeting at Skipton LMS Sports Club.

However, the proposal – which would have been £25 each if there were two umpires or £50 for one – was defeated 14-13.

The increased fee for a club failing to provide an umpire in Divisions Three, Four or Five (£20 to £25) was 13-12 in favour but again did not meet the required two-thirds majority.

Punishments for clubs that fail to fulfil a fixture were not increased either.

A move to make the guilty side lose a league point was defeated 18-9, while a proposal to increase the fine for non-fulfilment of matches from £12.50 to £20 for first teams and £7.50 to £12.50 for second and third teams was defeated 22-3.

Lovers of late evening cricket in the sunshine were also disappointed. Currently it is not allowed to bowl 20 overs after 7pm to gain a positive result but Bradley’s bid to get that rule removed was defeated 20-3.

However, clubs with covers will be allowed to use them before a match starts and during rain breaks without recourse to the umpires or the visiting captain. That was passed 23-2.