THE Greater Manchester Cricket League have reinstated relegated Egerton into the Premier Division after Bamford Fieldhouse pulled out.

Egerton, who applied to join, and were accepted by, the Lancashire League after one season in the GMCL 12 months ago before withdrawing their application a month later, were the highest-placed of the four relegated teams.

The GMCL board met last night to decide what to do after Rochdale side Bamford Fieldhouse dropped its first team, apparently for financial reasons.

Board members opted to fill the gap rather than play with an 11-team top division.

Egerton were picked to be reinstated which leaves the division they were going to play in, Division One B, with only 11 clubs.

The Blackburn Road side, the only one of 15 clubs from Bolton who left the Bolton cricket league structure to join the Greater Manchester League three years ago, were champions in their 85th and last season in the Bolton League in 2015 and in their first season in the GMCL the following year.

Fourteen of Bury's 15 cricket clubs play in the GMCL.

A statement on the GMCL website today says: "Regarding the announcement from Bamford Fieldhouse CC on the 6th March, when it was officially confirmed to representatives of the GMCL that, despite efforts by Bamford Fieldhouse and the league over the preceding months Bamford Fieldhouse CC would not be in a position to field a team in the Premier Division for 2018.

"Bamford Fieldhouse CC have confirmed their commitment to the GMCL and will be competing at second, third and at junior team level in the season 2018.

"The league will continue to support the club in its efforts to reinstate first XI cricket.

"We have, as a unified board, considered all possible solutions to this unprecedented situation and would like to communicate the fact that we strive at all times to be transparent, honest, fair and consistent in all our administration of the GMCL.

"The disruption that this has caused to our plans for the 2018 season cannot be overstated and it is our priority to minimise this disruption for our member clubs.

"However, taking everything into account, we have made the following decisions:

"1. Our overriding priority was agreed as being maintaining the 12-team Premiership as our flagship division.

"This initial decision was not taken lightly as the ramifications affected all teams in all divisions.

"2. The second decision was to reinstate Egerton CC into the Premiership.

"This was agreed as they were the ninth-placed side in the Premiership in 2017.

"3. The third decision was, therefore, to consider the line of least disruption and it was agreed to stop at Division One.

"This was agreed to minimise the knock-on affect to all teams’ fixtures as it was not deemed fair, five weeks before the start of the season, to ask all clubs to change calendar dates (already booked) for events, fixtures, sponsorships, etc.

"Unfortunately, this then means that Division One B will have only 11 teams as opposed to 12 in One A.

"Promotion and relegation will not be affected at the end of the 2018 season.

"We hope you can appreciate that this has been a difficult situation and that the solutions take into account the best interests of the majority of clubs, whilst maintaining competitive cricket in this our third season.

"Any questions should be forwarded in writing to: commercial@GtrMcrCricket.co.uk

Please help us to make this season the best yet."