Cressy's bid to leave the TCL for Cricket North looks set to go through - just not this year.
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The Bulldogs had hoped to field second and third grade sides in the North's only turf competition from as early as this season, but the absence of a turf wicket has seen the club's ascension put on hold for another season.
Following feedback from its clubs, the Cricket North board decided this month it could not accept the Bulldogs' entry until a turf wicket was put in place at the club.
However, plans are under way to have a wicket put in this summer, which would see Cricket North add a seventh club to its ranks for 2020-21 and move one step closer to its goal of achieving a six-side A-grade roster.
Cricket North administrator David Fry said the board's process had been exhaustive.
"The board has considered the information considered by the Cressy Cricket Club - that information has been shared and we've got feedback from the current Cricket North clubs," Fry said.
"The board has considered that feedback and we've also had to consider our current rules and by-laws and the result of that is that we've asked Cressy to only put teams into our junior competitions for this year, and as soon as they are able to install a turf wicket block into their ground they will be given admittance."
Fry said the decision had been made in line with previous rulings.
"There has been a precedence for this before when George Town came into the competition, they were required to provide a turf ground before they were admitted and so we were obviously wanting to be consistent and give everyone exactly the same opportunities," he said.
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Finalists in 2017-18, the Bulldogs will again field a team in the TCL premier league as well as women's and B-grade sides.
TCL president Darrell Whyte said he was happy to have the Bulldogs playing synthetic wicket cricket for another season.
"I suppose in one way we're pleased, but now they've got to go and recruit players, I think they've lost a few," Whyte said.
"Hopefully they'll be competitive and they're putting in a women's side too so that's good."
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