Ledbury Cricket Club are planning to field only one Marches League team next summer due to a shortage of players.

The club will now be asking Marches League officials whether they can compete in Division 2.

Last season, Ledbury fielded sides in Divisions 1 and 4 of the Marches League.

They have already joined forces with neighbouring Dymock to play matches on a Sunday.

Experienced all-rounder Maurice Embrey said: "The club found it very difficult to run two teams last season because of a shortage of players.

"One of the problems appears to be that the football season overlaps with the cricket season.

"We had a reasonable set of lads last season but we are losing four players from the seconds because they are off to university. One or two other players are probably going to play for another club.

"So, basically, we had a meeting to discuss what was going to happen to the club."

Another club member, Steve Large, added: "We still need to talk to the league, but we could restructure into one side and perhaps drop into Division 2.

"The meeting itself was very positive and there appeared to be enough people to function as a side. A lot of clubs are having similar problems, so we are not alone.

"We don't have a problem with the youth side but we could do with an input of new senior players."

Ledbury had sent questionnaires to club members to alert them of the situation.