THE second round of fixtures for the 2016 Pembroke County Cricket Club season have been moved following a consultation process between the PCCC, local clubs and the Pembrokeshire Football League.

The opening games will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, April 24, but the second round of matches, originally set for Saturday, April 30, have now been put back 48 hours to Bank Holiday Monday, May 2.

At the recent PCCC AGM, a number of clubs expressed concerns at the April 30 date - given the inevitable backlog of football and rugby games that will come this month following a season severely disrupted by weather.

Herbrandston’s Gary Davies was one representative to raise the issue of a number of clubs sharing cricket and football facilities - while many others present expressed concerns over being able to raise sides on the same weekend due to the potential clashes.

As a result, in a statement sent to all county clubs on Monday night, PCCC secretary Steve Blowes confirmed the authority had agreed to alter the date.

“The second match was due to be played on Saturday, April 30,” he said.

“However the Pembroke County Cricket Club Executive have received representations from the Pembs Football Association that because of the severe adverse weather, there will be a full football programme taking place on that Saturday. I also understand that a full rugby programme is taking place as well.

“The Executive have also received representations from cricket clubs involved in both sports.

“In view of this and because it was deemed to be unfair to the players involved, many of whom play both codes, the Executive have decided at their meeting tonight to move the fixture to the Bank Holiday Monday, May 2.”

He also explained why the PCCC had opted to move the games to the following Monday and not the Sunday.

“It was not moved to the Sunday as Narberth are holding junior finals, Haverfordwest and Cresselly are involved in T20 matches and Pembroke Dock are hosting a T20 competition.

“This decision was made in the interests of all sport played in Pembrokeshire.”

League games will then return to their usual slot of Saturday afternoons the following, Saturday, May 7.

Fixtures this year will also begin 15 minutes earlier than usual, with Division One and Two starting at 1.30pm, and the rest 1.45pm.