Hartsholme make the step up from Lincolnshire League

Double winning side Hartsholme have been accepted into the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League, and as a result the Lincolnshire League's Premier Division will be expanded to 11 teams next year.

Hartsholme, who also won the George Marshall Trophy along with the Lincolnshire League Premier Division, are the only side from the Lincolnshire League to make the step up to the ECB Premier League.

The other team moving up to the highest step in the county is Boston, from the South Lincs & Border League.

However, relegated sides Caistor and Messingham will be competing in the Lincolnshire League Premier Division.

Joining them in the Premier Division will be Scunthorpe Town and Appleby-Frodingham 2nds to the top flight – after satisfactory ground inspections – was confirmed, with Alford and Broughton returning to Division One.

Also a new rule in the spirit of the game was brought in to ensure a balanced playing field.

Clubs agreed that from 2010, for the first time, points can be awarded to a team following a match in which their opponents are found to have unfairly strengthened their line-up with regulars from higher standard cricket.

The offending team will still be liable to a points deduction, which is the current maximum penalty under the "spirit of the game" rule.

For more on this story see today's Lincolnshire Echo.