The TCL premier league will drop back to a six-club competition after Cressy and Beauty Point withdrew two weeks out from the start of the season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cressy, who still harbour plans to join the NTCA, will field A-grade and C-grade sides for the 2019-20 season while Beauty Point will compete in A-grade and B-grade.
Clubs were notified on Friday of the changes, which also include the addition of a Diggers C-grade team and new club Launceston Nepali's entry into A-reserve.
RELATED: Dabare to return to Hadspen
The premier league's T20 fixtures have already been released and will begin on October 12, while the 40-over fixtures will be released well before the opening round on October 19.
TCL president Darrell Whyte said the board had considered asking other clubs to join the top-flight before settling on a six-team roster.
"There were a few suggestions about that, but the way we've set up the premier league you've got to earn the right to be there," he said.
"Whether the promotion and relegation still stays or it goes we don't know - we'll have to see what happens.
"A couple of years ago we did force Trevallyn to stay in [the top tier] but times change, different situations and different clubs."
Beauty Point narrowly avoided relegation last season after finishing two points clear of Legana, but forfeited three T20 matches.
President Jason Savage said the club's decision to step back was not about player numbers but the premier league's increasing quality.
"We've held on in premier league now since we joined - I think since '93 - so 26 years we've been in the highest league and we've strived to stay there, we've just found it harder and harder as time goes on," he said.
"We're very disappointed that we can't [stay on] but we need to know our place within the TCL - we're a fair way from town, we're a smaller club and we knew it was coming, it was just a matter of time.
"We could go out and get some players and it might last for a season or two but it's not sustainable for us to do. We want to be around for a long time and we've got to do what's best for the club."
Savage said the Tamar Valley Tigers were still happy for new players to join their Thursday night training sessions and that the club had recently had installed new nets, a new wicket and upgraded its clubrooms.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Cressy faced a different set of circumstances in making its decision.
After drawn-out discussions to leave the TCL, the Bulldogs' bid to join Cricket North for the upcoming season was eventually rejected.
Club president Damian Whybrow said the retirement of 12 senior players and a focus on bringing through junior talent had been factors in the decision.
"We had players lined up to play in the NTCA for us, but because that didn't happen they've decided to stay where they were and a few of the guys that didn't want to play NTCA have gone to other clubs," he said.
"We do have a lot of juniors at our cricket club which is well-known to people and I have the duty of care to take into consideration for those guys.
"At the end of the day we've got a plan in front of us and the NTCA decision and dropping back to A-grade is not going to stop us from planning ahead.
"We know what we've got to do to get to NTCA level."
Know a volunteer who works tirelessly for junior sport in Northern Tasmania? Nominate them today.