THE executive committee of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League have given the all clear for play to resume.

The league suspended play for the past two weekends because of a rise in Covid-19 infections in areas covered by Bradford Council and Pendle Borough Council.

However, infection rates have dropped in both those regions and the league's executive committee now want matches to begin again.

League secretary Peter Foster said at an executive meeting held outdoors at Sutton CC: "We suspended play for two weeks because cases of Covid-19 were on the rise in Bradford and were very high in Pendle.

"The rates are dropping in both those areas, with the exception of Bradford city centre, where it is still quite high."

Taking into account the higher infection rates to the west and east of their league spectrum, he said: "We were the only league to suspend play in our area but we did not want to leave a decision until this Friday, when we expect a local update, as it would not give groundsmen enough time to prepare for matches the following day.

"However, we can change our policy then if circumstances dictate."

Foster then made it clear that if any teams could not fulfil a fixture then their opponents could look to play a friendly against another team without a game or if that was not possible both teams will be awarded a point each as per a rained-off match.

Clubs can also, if they wish, re-arrange scheduled matches from the past two weekends by playing on Sundays.

One team that will not be re-starting their season, however, are Haworth Road Meths for health and safety reasons.