UNDER-THREAT Primrose Hill are willing to undergo a 12-month probation in a bid to prove they are worthy of a place in the Drakes Cricket League.

As the League’s Executive ballot member clubs on whether Primrose Hill should be expelled because of problems with administration, discipline and the state of their ground, the Cross Lane club have submitted a strong response in the hope of being handed a lifeline.

A vote will be taken at the December annual meeting of the league, when a two-thirds majority will be needed to oust one of the oldest clubs in the area.

Primrose Hill secretary-treasurer Bruce Heath has detailed in a letter to the executive why he believes the club should survive. Clubs will be asked to consider all the arguments before voting in the ballot.

Heath explained: “Kirklees Council had agreed to undertake (drainage) work at the top end of the field to supplement action already taken by club members.

“But given the fact that 2008 was the wettest summer on record the proposed action was considered by Yorkshire Water to serve no useful purpose, and could have created more problems than it would have cured.

“The advised action is to dig a deep land drain (this would have begun in June but for bad weather). Funding for this work has been allocated, but is now threatened because of the impending expulsion.”

The wet summer is also blamed for the overgrown perimeter at Cross Lane, while the club also claim to have been victim to fly-tipping.

On complaints about the dressing rooms, the secretary stated: “The visitors’ changing room is cleaned after each game by the team captain, and although we accept our changing rooms are not all that is desired, it should only affect Primrose Hill players.

“How many clubs have hot water in the changing rooms other than in the showers? Our team captains are not aware of any.”

With regard to disciplinary problems, the secretary confirmed ‘a troublesome element’ had joined the club but that the ring leader had since been expelled.

Faced with the allegation that Primrose Hill sides regularly turn up for games ‘at whatever time suits them,’ the club admit to that often being the case with the first team, but not the seconds.

“We can but urge players to attend on time or suffer the consequences of being expelled,” added Heath.

“The current plans were to move most of the second team up to the firsts, which was expected to solve this problem, and then accept an approach from a group of eight to 10 ex-Hill players to form the nucleus of the second team. This proposal is now understandably on hold.”

In conclusion, Heath said: “Knowing how patient the League have been, but arguing this year’s weather has been the main contributory factor, we would not oppose being given one year’s notice to quit the League if 2009 did not see most, if not all, the problems resolved to the League’s satisfaction.”

Primrose Hill’s full response is now being considered before the League make comment.