YORK-AREA representatives are to fight proposals which could see the region lose its voice on Yorkshire County Cricket Club's committee.

Members will vote on a proposal at the club's annual meeting at the Indoor Cricket Centre at Headingley on Saturday, March 23, which could effectively do away with the current structure.

Presently, the 12-member committee comprises three representatives each for the North (which includes York, Harrogate and Scarborough), South (Doncaster and Barnsley), West (Huddersfield and Halifax) and Leeds and Bradford.

But Philip Ackroyd, a member from Dewbury, wants the committee to look at introducing a first-past-the-post system. His proposal is being seconded by Geoff Holmes (Bradford).

In theory that could mean that all 12 members could come from one area, Leeds for example.

The motion would require half of the membership to vote in its favour. The committee would then be required to change the structure at the 2003 annual meeting.

However, North District representatives Robert Hilliam, from Scarborough, and Harrogate-based Eric Houseman are to fight the motion "tooth and nail".

"In effect it will lead to centralisation at Leeds," said Hilliam, a committee member since 1984.

"This is Yorkshire CCC not Leeds CC so it is important that members send their proxy forms in and vote against it."

A meeting of North District members is being held at York CC's Clifton Park headquar-ters on Tuesday, February 26, (8pm) at which the motion will be discussed.

The York area has the biggest portion of membership in the North District with 800.

The county club will also be staging a roadshow at the meeting, the focal point being the County Championship trophy and merchandise.

Updated: 12:49 Friday, February 22, 2002