Sidmouth had a good night at the Tolchards Devon Cricket League annual meeting and awards night, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Sidmouth did the Premier Division double, winning the 1st and 2nd XI competitions.

Sidmouth were also voted team of the year. All three trophies were collected by Saj Patidar on behalf of the club.

Ottery St Mary were named club of the year in the B Division. As chairman John Tierney had to leave before the presentations were made, the trophy went uncollected.

Member clubs – all but two of them turned up at the Exeter Court Hotel for the meeting – had to plough through a dozen proposed rule changes.

Exeter’s representative Bruce Coleman quizzed Chairman Stuart Munday over a rise in committee expenses – up by £2,000 - and a reduction in honoraria paid to officers for services rendered.

In the absence of treasurer Mark Horwell, who could not attend the meeting, Munday promised to find out the reasons and report back to clubs.

An earlier date for the league annual meeting was agreed so that memories of issues arising the previous season were fresher in the minds of club representatives.

Premier Division clubs now have to provide broadband access for scorers, or face a potential two-point penalty.

One of the reasons for making on-line scoring compulsory was to expand use of the Duckworth-Lewis System.

Last season D-LS was only used to calculate targets for sides batting second in rain-affected games. From 2017 D-LS will be available to calculate projected totals for a side batting first that has been forced off early.

There was little enthusiasm for Whimple’s proposal to change the bonus point system to reward sides who bat first and win with five more points. Only two clubs voted in favour.

Declarations were finally scrapped in the Devon League, several years after a win-lose format replaced the old system of winning and losing draws.

Problems facing clubs lower down the league ladder, and clubs running second teams in the C Divisions and below, were addressed in a number of proposals.

Thirty-30 cricket got the thumbs down, but the use of artificial pitches to get games on was approved.

And for 2nd XI teams operating in the C Divisions and below, an informal loan system was agreed.

Clubs who have spare 2nd XI players will be able to loan them to other teams. Anyone who has played 1st XI cricket won’t be eligible.

“It is envisaged clubs in a particular area will get together and make arrangements among themselves,” said Munday.

Changes to the way points are awarded in forfeited games failed to attract a seconder.

Club of the year winners were: Sidmouth (Premier), Sandford (A Division) and Ottery St Mary (B Division).

Divisional winners: Premier (Sidmouth), A Division (Bradninch), B Division (Plymstock), C Division East (Seaton), C Division West (Abbotskerswell), D Division East (Clyst SG), D Division West (Shaldon Optimists).

2nd XI competition: Premier (Sidmouth), A Division (Torquay), B Division East (Braunton), B Division West (Abbotskerswell), C Division East (Exmouth), C Division West (Plympton), D Division East (Whimple), D Division West (Paignton), E Division West (Hatherleigh).