TWO of the county's leading knockout cricket competitions will not be taking place this season after limited time to arrange the tournaments.

The knockout Shield and Cup competitions, run by the Herefordshire Cricket Board, have been going since 1977 and 1989 respectively.

The long-running competitions provide knockout action for senior clubs in the form of the shield and junior clubs in the form of the cup.

But secretary Peter Sykes said that because time was limited after changes to the Cricket Board line-up, it was decided to suspend the competitions for a season after the completion of 10 years sponsorship by Andrew Morris.

Changes in the HCB's running for the new season led to the creation of a new Recreational Cricket Forum, whose duties will include the handling of local leagues and clubs.

Sykes said: "By the time we got the Recreational Forum up and running we felt we didn't have to time to arrange the knockouts this year.

"We are looking for a sponsor for next year and the competitions will be running next year."

Sykes added that the HCB were looking for the resumption of the knockouts to include all the Herefordshire clubs who play their league cricket outside the county.

n Llandrindod Wells have returned from their first ever overseas tour to Sri Lanka where they came up against a very high standard of opposition.

They also became the first Welsh club to visit the island and, despite winning only one of their seven fixtures, the club graced two Test match venues in Galle and Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

Headlines were also made on the trip, with games in Kandy prompting the sports page of top English-speaking national newspaper the Daily News to carry an article about the club's tour.

And the club showed a caring side when cricket kit donated by Willowsticks and Hereford firm Pavilion Sports was delivered to grateful schools in Kandy and Galle.

n Jon Cook will again captain Brockhampton 1st Xl when the club begin their Worcestershire County League campaign against Malvern Ramblers on April 22.

But there are new faces at the helm of the club's other two sides with Graham Parker taking charge of the second string and Tim Price leading the thirds.

The club are seeking a first-team scorer for the coming season. Anyone interested should contact John Jones on 01432 860652.

n Leominster CC will be holding indoor net practice at Leominster Leisure Centre on Thursdays, starting this evening from 6-7pm. All are welcome and further information can be obtained from Richard Finney on 01568 610000.