Teams reduced to eight players

BOWLS: MANCHESTER Premier League delegates voted for two fundamental changes at its annual meeting.

From 2016, teams will comprise eight players a side instead of 10. Host clubs will no longer be required to provide after-match food, allowing players to get home earlier following the late start time of 7.30pm.

The decision to reduce the number of players is significant. The Premier League has been losing teams during the last few years and next season’s league will be without this year’s Tottington and Richmond.

Reasons frequently expressed are the cost and distance of travel to opposition clubs, and the late starting time.

There are fewer top players involved than in the past and already there are rumours that the league might not last much longer.