TWO new clubs have been admitted to the Dales Council League.

Firstly, West Bowling, whose application was rubber-stamped at the Dales Council League’s annual meeting at Pudsey Congs after the Bradford Mutual Sunday School League side were provisionally accepted a year ago.

Secondly, Green Hammerton II, who will be made up of a mixture of their own players, who are mainly from the Leeds-Bradford area, and players from the now defunct Shipley Providence (the distance between the clubs is roughly 29 miles).

There is also a possibility of a third newcomer.

Desimate intend to play at Nidderdale League club Little Ribston and will also include players from Shipley Providence (the distance between the clubs is 24 miles).

Desimate are due to meet Dales League officials imminently for a ground inspection, and to satisfy other criteria, before the league’s executive committee make a decision by the middle of next month at the latest.

Among teams to have shown interest but not followed through are Hanging Heaton III, Jer Lane III, who have had an influx of junior players; and Normanton Men In Blue, who as Normanton St John’s have not resigned from the Pontefract League.

Meanwhile, Leeds Superkings have asked to put in a second team, playing at East Keswick.

The Dales Council League grew from three divisions to four divisions last winter, chiefly due to the demise of the Leeds & Wetherby League, and all five clubs who were admitted to the Dales Council League were accepted as full members after a year’s probation.

The five, with votes in favour in brackets, are Calverley St Wilfrid’s (17-0), Headingley Bramhope (21-0), Leeds Gladiators (12-4), Leeds Superkings (14-0) and Meanwood (19-0).

League chairman Colin White was elected as a vice-president, but the meeting started with a minute’s silence to acknowledge the passing of vice-president Colin Bentley.

Meanwood’s Justin Hurley was added to the list of league representatives, whose job it is to look after a handful of clubs and act as a conduit between those clubs and the league executive.