ONE new team is seeking membership of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League at tonight's annual meeting, while two others are looking for support to remain in the competition next summer.

Louth 3rds are hoping to gain a place in division four while Scunthorpe Town 3rds and Market Rasen 2nds – the bottom two teams in the basement section – face seeking re-election.

All three sides will be offered the chance to present their cases for membership at the AGM, to be held at Rase Park, Market Rasen (7.30pm).

Several important rule change proposals will be considered including:

Start September matches 30 minutes earlier in all divisions, as bad light caused a couple to be abandoned last month.

Award points to a team where its opponents are found to have strengthened their line-up with regular players from higher grade cricket. Currently there is only the option of deducting points from the offending team (change suggested by Louth CC).

Do not allow any overseas players in the Lincolnshire League (currently defined as players not qualified to play cricket for England who have not lived in the UK continuously for at least two years). At present, Lincs League teams are allowed to register one 'overseas player' (change suggested by Barton Town CC).

Restrict the number of overs any bowler may send down in a Lincs League match to 10 in the premier division and nine in all other sections, in line with rules for the league's two cup competitions.

Remove the current restriction on under-13s batting and bowling in the Lincs League, as long as they have written parental consent and have been selected for a county squad.

Remove the current restriction on under-11s batting and bowling in the Lincs League, as long as they have the written consent of the county development officer and are deemed to be 'an exceptional talent'.