MALVERN'S two leading cricket clubs, Malvern Ramblers and Barnards Green have been accepted into the Backup Worcestershire Sunday Club Cricket League for next season.

Both clubs, with Worcester CC, had applications accepted at the League's recent annual general meeting and will field sides in both the 1st XI and 2nd XI competitions and in addition Swindon CC have been invited to join the 2nd XI division.

Barnards Green CC chairman Robin Longmore said: "We decided to join the Sunday League to get stability in fixtures but hopefully, on the other hand, it will not sway our policy of introducing youngsters into the 2nd XI selection."

Mr Longmore said on a personal note he was disappointed that the club may lose some of its longstanding Sunday fixtures.

Malvern Ramblers chairman Ian Dovey said that with many teams now playing league cricket on the Sunday it was becoming increasingly difficult to get a full friendly fixture list for the season without having to travel further and further.

He said: "Although the Sunday League will be competitive, it will not be so competitive as the Saturday matches and we will be playing our normal Sunday teams including our youngsters. There are some very strong clubs in the league but we presume that they will not be playing their first-choice sides."

With both divisions now boasting 15 teams, Ombersley CC and Bretforton CC, who only fielded 2nd XI teams last season, have also entered 1st XIs.

At the inaugural season's dinner trophies were presented to Pershore CC who won the 1st XI competition and Bretforton CC the 2nd XI championship.

The 2001 season will commence on June 3 and end on September 9.