A proposal to punish cricket clubs for failing to provide an umpire has been rejected.

The Dales Council League’s annual meeting saw New Farnley’s proposal, which suggested that each club appoint an umpire that would officiate in at least 60 per cent of matches during the season, voted down.

Non-compliance would have resulted in a deduction of three points per match from the club's senior team, to be applied after the season's final games.

Clubs voted against the proposal by 16 votes to five at the league’s annual meeting, held at Pudsey Congs.

A separate proposal from the Dales Council League Umpires’ Association also failed to gain traction, as clubs voted 16-3 against the suggestion that clubs without an umpire should lose their voting rights in league meetings or annual meetings that involve umpiring business.

Other proposed rule changes that were rejected included the introduction of fielding circles in league matches, using a minimum of five bowlers instead of four, and making teas optional.

However, five proposed rule changes were accepted.

These include allowing Readers balls to be used in matches alongside those from Lords or Rajes, allowing only reasonable travelling expenses for players from overseas, and ensuring competent scores are used.

Clubs who concede matches in the Pool Paper Mills Cup will now be excluded from subsequent rounds of the Cawthorne Cup.

Umpires' fees will be increased to £45 for two umpires per game and £70 for one.

Finally, the start times for all matches will be brought forward by 30 minutes from the 2024 schedule.

This means games will now start at 1pm, except for the last three games of the season, which will start at 12.30pm.

These changes were accepted by a vote of 15 to two.

Nine clubs failed to attend the meeting and will face fines according to league rules.