HASLINGDEN Cricket Club are pressing for a return to straight overs games in the Lancashire League.

The Bentgate outfit have proposed a return to the traditional one-day format, with two points for a win and one for a no result or tie.

That would mean an end to the complicated bonus points systems that have been unpopular with spectators and players in recent seasons.

Cricket chairman Ernie Taylor said: "We want to go back to as we were three or four years ago.

"It's a one-day game when all is said and done, but we were trying to incorporate a two or three-day format within one day.

"The English Cricket Board have been trying to put pressure on all of their boards to come up with a format to produce better cricketers.

"Our league has continued to produce good cricketers and send them on to the county.

"If they cannot make the best of them, it's not our fault."

Haslingden are also hoping that the league will open up and take part in more county and national competitions.

Along with Burnley and Todmorden, Haslingden were one of the three clubs who voted to meet the Central Lancashire League to discuss a possible merger last year.

But secretary Chris Aspin said: "We were in no way committed to this, but it was felt that nothing would be lost by talking to our neighbours. "With memberships everywhere in decline, and fewer spectators watching matches, it may not be wise to stick too rigidly to old arrangements for much longer.

"Premier Leagues with 120-over games would certainly not be popular, but taking part in county and national competitions would quite likely revive interest in local cricket."

On the financial side, the club reported a loss of of just more than £1,100.

Chairman Geoff Lord put that down to falling gate receipts and general apathy.

He said: "I was generally quite pleased to have only lost that amount. We did quite well to control our costs."

Membership income dropped by almost £1,500 while takings from games machines fell by a startling £3,000.

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