CLUBS in the Murray Smith Cheshire County Cricket League, in which Oulton Park and Winnington Park play, have rejected proposals to pay players next season.

A motion before the annual league meeting at Bowdon last Thursday sought to remove the regulation which prohibits payment to players in cash or in kind.

It was moved by Alderley Edge and seconded by Hale Barns. These clubs also proposing the removal of the word amateur from the league's constitution.

However, for these motions to be passed a two thirds majority was needed, but both were rejected by 19 votes to 15 with two clubs, Cholmondley and Tattenhall, absent.

All of which means Cheshire is now the only ECB-affiliated premier league in the north west to remain amateur.