C Grade Cricket have provided the Grampians Cricket Association board with countless headaches after a high number of forfeits took place in the first half of the season.
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GCA president David Turner has led meetings over the past two weeks in order to reduce the number of forfeits, but an outcome is yet to have been reached.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac are battling through some internal issues.
With a split between the two teams there was no way its season could continue and, as a result, they have withdrawn from the competition.
The decision was made by the club to withdraw and while disappointed the league committee agreed it was for the best.
“They have had an internal split,” Turner said.
“From what we have been told six players went one way and six players went the other. They are now finished for the year.”
Currently the format is that once a team forfeits twice, they are sent a please explain. If the third offence happens they are subject to a meeting with the GCA board.
“We don’t have a fine system in place,” Turner said.
“At the minute we just want to do what is best for the league and get as many people playing cricket as we can. It’s hugely disappointing and frustrating to have as many forfeits as we are having.”
If the GCA was to follow the bylaws in place there would be just two teams still eligible for competition.
Willaura, which are currently on top of the ladder and undefeated, and Halls Gap are the only teams yet to forfeit on a regular basis.
Aradale have vowed to improve its numbers after the Christmas break.
Last season when the forfeits became too much the easiest solution was to join B and C grade and it unfolded with few hassles.
“This season is a bit harder because we have teams that stand out in B grade,” Turner said.
“At the minute the young players who are only just too old for juniors are not ready to face the likes of Youth Club in B grade. It is great for the competition to be so strong, but it means we have to wait the forfeits out and hope they improve.”
The GCA will undergo a thorough review at the end of this season as forfeits of the lower grades have been a continuing issue.
“If players can not commit because of work or family then the forfeits are easier to take,” Turner said.
“It is when people are not playing for social reasons it gets very frustrating. It’s frustrating for the ones who are turning up to training, keen to play, and then on Friday night the texts go out to say there is no game.”
Willaura are scheduled to play Aradale this weekend while Halls Gap will play Chalambar. Buangor will have the bye as the were due to play Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.
