THE Jennings Ribblesdale League has been forced into a U-turn over Cricket's new league structure.

The Lancashire Cricket Board are attempting to set up a feeder league for the Northern League, which has been accepted as the county's first premier league. Initially, Ribblesdale League executives voted not to consider applying to become that feeder league.

But four clubs have since insisted that each member club be asked for their opinions on the matter.

There was a fear that, if the Northern Premier League advertised for clubs to create a new league, then the Ribblesdale League would be decimated.

The matter is now expected to be discussed again at the March meeting of the Ribblesdale League.

England women's manager Paul Farbrace was full of praise for his team despite a seven-wicket defeat in the first of their five one-day internationals against New Zealand in Palmerston North. The tourists made only 157-9 off their 50 overs and the hosts then handed England the seventh defeat in eight matches of their trip to Australia and New Zealand.

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