THE ball is firmly in the court of the Jennings Ribblesdale League clubs as they consider whether or not to take on feeder league status to the Northern Premier League.

Officials from the NPL again addressed Ribblesdale League officials at a meeting this week as they outlined the requirements of a feeder league.

And the clubs will now digest the information before moving towards a decision before the end of the season.

Ribblesdale League secretary Rod Slater said: "The clubs have been given a month until the August meeting to discuss it in detail.

"They will then report back to the league management committee meeting and from that point we will probably call a special meeting before the end of August for a final decision to be taken."

Under a mandate from the English Cricket Board, the NPL has three years to form a feeder league system.

The Ribblesdale League would appear to be their favoured choice.

However, the fact that under a pyramid system there would be promotion both up and down from the Ribblesdale League could be a stumbling block.

IAnd if the Ribblesdale League clubs don't vote together for the move, the NPL may have to advertise for clubs to form a second division.

Individual clubs may then wish to jump ship and join the Premier League set-up.