HPH York Vale Cricket League clubs have voted to introduce a player loan scheme from next season.

The idea is to help those clubs struggling for numbers and was first mooted at club forums run by the league in York and Riccall towards the end of last season. A total of 35 games were conceded during 2014 and it is hoped the new scheme will help combat the number of call-offs.

The arrangement, passed at this week’s annual general meeting at Fulfordgate WMC, will only apply to teams competing in divisions 2, 3 and 4. It will not apply to cup matches.

Generally, players may only be loaned to other teams competing in the same or a higher division. The scheme will be policed by the league’s management committee.

Yapham were given the all-clear to enter a second team from 2015 and both Selby II and Thixendale successful gained re-election. Selby were forced to seek re-admittance after conceding more than two fixtures. Dunnington, who were in the same position, opted not to seek re-election.

Thixendale, whose membership was suspended during 2014 because of a lack of players led to a string of conceded division one games, have had a successful publicity campaign which has boosted player numbers. They will resume life in the league as a division four side.

Yapham have built up a successful junior section over the last few years and last season had 77 registered players but only two senior teams – in the Vale and York Senior leagues. The new side will comprise mainly of youngsters and matches will be played at Bishop Wilton on Saturdays.

Yapham have recently acquired an ECB grant towards the building of a new pavilion which the club hope will be ready at their Smylett Lane ground for the start of next season.

Club subscriptions, which have been pegged for several years, will rise from £75 to £80 per team from next season.

Tony Pawson, the training officer for umpires in the York area is planning to lead sessions in York and Selby in late March covering the basics of umpiring.

He is also leading a level one umpiring course of eight to ten weeks at the York Marriott Hotel starting on Monday, January 12

The current management committee were re-elected en-bloc.