THE Greater Manchester Cricket League has set new dates to replay all of last weekend’s league and cup fixtures, which were cancelled last Friday amid fears of a washout.

In a statement, released on Wednesday following an emergency board meeting, it was also confirmed all fixtures in the top three divisions lost to bad weather on the opening weekend of the season would also be replayed.

GMCL chairman Martin Kay later apologised for making what he described was a premature decision.

"Last weekend, and following on from the inclement weather from winter and early spring, a decision was made to cancel the weekend fixtures," said Kay in a statement on the GMCL website.

"A good level of snow was on the ground Friday morning and it was thought that all clubs would struggle to ‘get the game on’.

"It was not a decision taken lightly but in hindsight a decision made prematurely.

"A decision made in good faith but perhaps not with all intelligence from around the area."

Last Saturday’s Premier Division, Division One and Division Two games will now be played on Sunday, June 19, while the postponed Division Four fixtures will be played on Saturday, September 17, extending the season by one week.

Premier Division, Division One and Division Two fixtures lost on the opening Saturday will now be played on Sunday, September 4.

The first and second XI cup draws will be moved back one stage, with the preliminary rounds now taking place a week on Sunday. This means the round of 32 will be played on Sunday, May 29, round of 16 on Sunday, June 26, quarter finals on Sunday, July 17 and semi-finals on Sunday July 31.

The first XI final has been scheduled for Sunday, August 14, with the second XI final the following Sunday.

“Other than the latter stages, the cup dates have not changed so clubs should be available,” read a statement on the GMCL website.

“We hope all clubs involved in the league games will be able to play on the revised dates selected but we do recognise clubs may have other events already booked or other reasons for unavailability.”

The league has vowed to help clubs unable to fulfil the revised fixtures to find an alternative.