HEREFORDSHIRE'S memorable win over Middlesex looks like being one of the last C&G Trophy giant-killings after structural changes announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

As from 2006, there will be no place for Minor Counties sides in a re-vamped competition which will take the form of two 'conferences', with Scotland and Ireland bringing the number of teams taking part to 20.

Sides will play each other once with the top steam in each Conference moving through to a Lord's final.

"It all seems to be part of the cost-cutting measures implemented by the ECB," said Here-fordshire Cricket Board secretary Pete Sykes.

"It's a disappointment not being in with the big boys and the idea of making the C&G Trophy the FA Cup of cricket seems to have disappeared."

So with Herefordshire having failed to qualify for the 2005 competition, it seems as if the county have played their last C&G match.

The Minor Counties Cricket Association is currently investigating the possibility of reintroducing a knockout competition of their own.

Based around the format of the old Benson & Hedges Cup, this would see 20 competing teams divided into four regions of five.

They would play each other once with progress possible, via quarter-finals and semi-finals, to a final at Lord's.

The possibility of playing a Minor Counties 20/20 competition, on a similar basis, is also being looked into.

l The Herefordshire Board is seeking a new chairman to succeed Mike Cronin who resigned due to ill-health in June.

"We would ideally like to have someone in place by February and anyone interested in the position should contact me on 01432 264703 for an initial discussion," said Pete Sykes.