Clubs backed The Oxford Times Cherwell League's much-criticised executive committee at an extraordinary general meeting at Bicester & North Oxford CC last night.

League chiefs called the EGM for clubs to vote on a modified constitution after aspects of the old constitution came under fire at the annual meeting last November.

But league chairman Derek Primett quickly made it clear that it wasn't just a vote on the proposal but also a vote of confidence in the embattled executive committee.

He told the packed meeting: "With some reluctance, I have to tell you the executive are treating this as a vote of confidence, bearing in mind all we have done.

"We want a smooth-running league and a league you can rightly be proud of."

And although the league were again attacked by several clubs for showing a lack of consultation, the proposal was passed comfortably.

With the league needing two-thirds of those voting to back the proposal, there were 29 clubs in favour with seven against and five abstentions.

After the vote, Primett said: "The motion is carried. Thank you very much for your support. It is great news as far as we are concerned."

He had earlier told the meeting the modified constitution had been accepted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

But despite this, Angus Doulton, vice-chairman of Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts, led the dissenting voices.

"The truth is you couldn't amend a playgroup constitution the way this has been done," he said.

John Bushby, Princes Risborough's welfare secretary, said they also had some very grave concerns about the modified constitution.

However, Banbury chairman Martin Phillips spoke for the majority of clubs when he said they should be concentrating on playing cricket.

At the same time, he offered to chair an independent sub-committee to look into amendments to the constitution.