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[richthekeeper]

Just wondering if other clubs have the same problems that we are currently facing...

Our 1st team got promoted to the Premier League last season. Due to this, our 2nds have to play in the Premier League 2nd XI.

Whereas previously our league covered only South-East Wales, it now covers all of South Wales. Our longest away trip used to be about 40 miles, but now we have several trips of 60+ miles as there are more West Wales clubs than East Wales clubs in the league.

This is all fine for the 1st team - they take their cricket very seriously and have several players who are either striving for pro cricket or had the chance and didn't quite make the grade.

However the majority of the 2nd team play recreational cricket and are concerned that the amount of travelling will take away the enjoyment of the game. As a result we have 6 players missing for this weekend's 67 mile away trip. I'm torn personally - I'd never let want to the team down but I also know how tough it is to spend a day chasing leather with a team that's a long way from full strength. We only have one recognised bowler!

What are your comments guys?

[Manormanic]

Sounds like a poor set up to me!

[iand123]

Seems odd to me that your 2s have to at 2nd XI prem cricket just because your 1s do. Doesn't work that way here in Kent so not sure if Kent is the exception or the rule.

[iand123]

Also can your club contribute to petrol costs (or offer a reduced match fee to people who do drive)?

[Nickauger]

West of England is the same mate. Get promoted to Bristol and Somerset and your 2's go with you. B and S is a bit of a joke division really as its basically Bristol and one Taunton team!

[mattw]

I've quite a few 60+ miles trips this year in the Worcestershire league, just got to get on with it - you can't pick and choose who you play, but also that may be the game where you score a ton/take a 5'er.

[ajmw89]

Seems odd to me that your 2s have to at 2nd XI prem cricket just because your 1s do. Doesn't work that way here in Kent so not sure if Kent is the exception or the rule.

Same in the surrey championship.

[Kulli]

You boys event to try playing national league cricket in Scotland, was a royal pain in the behind, and I played for one of the most central clubs!

[Byo]

West of England is the same mate. Get promoted to Bristol and Somerset and your 2's go with you. B and S is a bit of a joke division really as its basically Bristol and one Taunton team!

Not the same any more mate - now run separately!!  If your 1st team go up the 2nds dont necessarily follow....

[MD2812]

We had a similar problem in a midweek league for our club. We joined a league further away from our local one as we were trying to blood youngsters in who were not yet ready for weekend cricket. But they were facing 1st teamers looking for a novelty smash.

We didn't have massive funds so offered that match tax be paid by passengers, and those who drove didn't have to pay.

[Johnny]

It used to be a prerequisite of being an ECB premier league that you had a 2nd XI's set up. Playing Yorkshire prem I found the standard of the 2nd XI league deteoriate due to the problem mentioned until we found that the 'power' clubs (Sheffield Collegiate, York etc..) were pardoned from playing in it. Standards got worse and worse until the ECB agreed that Yorkshire could disband the league and only have a 1st XI league.

Whether the ECB have changed the rules, or whether some county boards are just allowed to do as they please, I'm not sure.

The Northern League currently persevere with a 2nd XI league, and again the standards vary wildly between teams.

Personally I think allowing your 2nd string to find their own level in more local competitions is a better approach.

[roco]

used to be like that in our structure but changed for the better I feel

as reserve div used to be 3/4 very strong teams and some really weak ones getting hammered every week

the teams that had strong 1st xi but just about managed to get a 2nd xi there 2nd xi were playing against teams that had 3/4 teams so much stronger and teams that were not in prem there 2nd xi teams could be quite strong and block other 1st xi's from promotion

now we have a 3 tier 2nd xi league that runs alongside the 1st xi league which I personally think is better as teams are starting to find there level after a bit of bedding in and teething problems

[SOULMAN1012]

Kent championship covered some serious miles last year and our club paid petrol and no match fees to those that drove so I do understand the financial impact on people. Saying that though that's part and parcel of cricket though and I love going to grounds I havnt played before.

[richthekeeper]

as i have a good job and an economical car i'm more bothered about the time factor than the cost, but i know that's not the same for everyone.

we don't actually charge a match fee, just subs and teas, but we could look at paying for petrol.

the other issue really is that there's a rival side who play a league below that i'm sure would be very keen to sign some of our 2nds!

[iand123]

Just to be clear on the Kent premier league. There is a 2nd XI premier league to accompany the 1st XI premier league but you aren't forced to play your 2nd XI in the prem if your 1st XI makes it. I think be coincidence a lot of teams do have their 2nd XI in the prem too who are in the 1st XI