THIRTEEN new teams have been admitted to the Dales Council League for next season.

Eleven of them have come from the Leeds-Wetherby League, which folded this autumn, while the other newcomers are a third XI from Aire-Wharfe League club Calverley St Wilfrid’s and a second XI from current Dales club Shipley Providence.

The teams joining from the Leeds-Wetherby League are Leeds Gladiators (three teams), Headingley Bramhope (two), Meanwood (two), St Chad’s Broomfield (two), Leeds Superkings (who used to be Scarcroft Seconds), and Leeds Caribbean.

The Dales Council League’s executive committee now have to decide where the newcomers will be placed in their constitution - whether geographically or on playing strength - but what is certain is that the league will grow from three divisions to four.

Each club gave a two-minute presentation at the Dales Council League’s annual meeting at Pudsey Congs and all will have to serve a one-year probationary period as per league rules.

Also admitted are Bradford Mutual Sunday School League club West Bowling, but as they have not yet resigned from their current league their approval, which is provisional, is for the 2024 season.

St Chad’s Broomfield, due to their fifth team finishing bottom of the Dales Council League this season, had to apply for re-election and were re-admitted.

They are re-numbering some of their sides for next season as they are ditching their Sunday team and running four Saturday sides, so their fifth team from this season will now be their fourth.

Calverley St Wilfrid’s want to give opportunities for their junior players to taste senior cricket, while Headingley Bramhope expect a crop of 14-15 year-olds to have a chance in their sides.

Leeds Superkings will groundshare with Woodhouse, while it will be a return to Dales Council League cricket for Meanwood, who also have a thriving junior section.