THE Hereford and District Cricket League clubs have voted in favour of an amalgamation with the Flint & Cook Marches League.

The momentous decision will spell the end of The Hereford Times-sponsored league after the finish of this season and pave the way for the creation of a single, unified structure for cricket in Herefordshire and the Marches for 2004.

The Hereford and District League was the first weekend league created in the county, with Kington carrying off the inaugural title.

Set up in 1975, the league once comprised of seven divisions and involved more than 70 teams.

Then, in 1992, a breakaway group of leading clubs formed the Marches League to set a standard of pitch and changing facilities and improve conditions in the county.

The grass-roots remained with the district league but over the years this has dwindled to two divisions.

Hereford and District League chairman John Jones said: "One or two clubs were particularly keen to join the Marches League and, in the postal vote we had, only one member club voted against the amalgamation."

Jones added: "It's very sad that it will mean the end of the Hereford and District League but I think that everybody can see that we need something to help Herefordshire cricket survive and we have to look at the long term. The league will play this season out and, in the meantime, both parties will be sitting down together."

Two parallel divisions will be established next season below the existing Division 4 of the Marches League, called Divisions 5A and 5B.

Division 5A will comprise teams from the Hereford and District League who are likely to meet the playing and facility criteria necessary to join the Marches League, with Division 5B made up of the remaining Hereford and District League clubs still to meet the necessary criteria.

The Marches League's existing promotion and relegation regulations will continue, allowing progression up and down the divisions, including the planned 5A.

Marches League chairman John Morris said: "Both committees and clubs are now committed to working towards the amalgamation. This is a major step forward and we have worked very hard to make it possible.

"The only issue now is how we will run the non-criteria based division."