1st XI promoted to NWCL Division One

Carmel's 1st XI will play in Division One of the newly restructured North Wales Cricket League in the 2019 season.

The club finished third in the 1st XI League Division Two in the 2018 season despite ending the season level on points with second-placed Ruthin CC.

Ruthin were awarded automatic promotion having a higher average points per completed game.

However, the surprise resignation of Chirk CC from the North Wales Cricket League - confirmed at Sunday's NWCL Annual General Meeting - has handed Carmel a promotion lifeline.

Chirk - relegated from the NWCL Premier Division last season - have decided to leave the NWCL and have joined the Shropshire League.

To ensure the top two divisions in the NWCL have 12 teams Carmel have been placed in Division One as the league reverts back to a mixed 1st XI and 2nd XI system from 2019.

Carmel captain Barry Mcgauty said: "We were absolutely gutted to miss out on automatic promotion by such a fine margin having finished level on points with Ruthin.

"This might be seen as promotion via the backdoor but it is an opportunity we will grab with both hands.

"The most important thing is it ensures the club will be playing a higher standard of cricket next season."