THE new Bristol Midweek T20 League gets underway on Wednesday with a Division Four clash between Pucklechurch and neighbours Chipping Sodbury (6.15pm).
Organiser Adam Young had hoped a total of 20 teams would sign up for the new initiative but he was bowled over when a superb total of 41 sides applied to take part.
Adam said:
“There seemed to be a lot of clubs last season on Facebook looking for midweek fixtures so that’s where the idea came from. The reaction has been fantastic, I never thought it would be this popular.”
The new competition caters for teams at all levels, from WEPL-standard clubs right through to social sides as well as players – male and female – of all abilities, including youngsters.
Adam has tried to minimise travelling with a further emphasis on making the organisational side as straightforward as possible for clubs who have only a handful of regulations to follow and are expected to adhere to a ‘spirit of cricket’ approach.
Clubs will play each other home and away on whatever midweek day suits them best with a deadline of August 26 to complete all games and sign off promotions and relegations.
Because of the developmental aims of the league, WEPL players can take a full part in Premier Division matches but in divisions one-to-nine they cannot bowl and must retire once reaching 50.
Adam added:
“We’re looking forward to a great season, all we need now is for this weather to continue!”
Premier Division: Bristol, Downend, Pak Bristolians, Twyford House.
Division One: Bath, Hanham, Thornbury, Winterbourne.
Division Two: Almondsbury, Bitton, Aces, Frenchay, hambrook.
Division Three: Bedminster, Failand & Portbury, Knowle, Portishead.
Division Four: Chipping Sodbury, Jonboys Juggernauts, Pucklechurch, Westerleigh.
Division Five: Golden Hill, Long Ashton, OB Westbury, University Staff.
Division Six: Bristol Kannada, Carsons & Mangotsfield, Churchways, Frampton Cotterell.
Division Seven: Hope, Saltford, Tamil Nadu, Whitchurch.
Division Eight: Alveston, Patchway, Stoke Gifford, UBH.
Division Nine: Charlton Super Kings, Crossbats, Nailsea, Stoke Bishop.
For fixtures and results, visit: https://bristolmidweekt20lge.play-cricket.com