The following statement has been released regarding the resignation of Almondburians and the ramifications to the 2017 fixtures:
Please be advised that after the withdrawal of Almondburians as Associate Members of the League, it has been decided that their opponents, in all the previously published league fixtures arranged for their 1st XI in Championship 2 and their 2nd XI in Conference 2, will have an "Open Date". In Paddock Shield and T20 Shield matches their opponents will receive a "Walk Over".
Since teams in Championship 2 and Conference 2 will now be scheduled to play either 20 or 21 games, positions in both Leagues will be "decided by the average points achieved per scheduled game played".
Promotion and relegation in the 2nd XI Competition will also be amended to cater for the withdrawal of Almondburians as follows:
The bottom 2 teams in Premiership 2 to be replaced by the winners and runners up, in Championship 2. The 2 teams relegated from Premiership 2 along with the teams finishing third - twelfth in Championship 2, to form Championship 2. The bottom 5 teams in Championship 2 and the top 7 teams in Conference 2 to form Conference 2. The bottom 10 teams in Conference 2 to form a new fourth division.
