Leeds & Broomfield have encouraged a review of the rules after their run in a national cup competition led to a league suspension.

The club’s exploits in the National Village Cup, in which they are just two wins from a Lord’s final, have come at a cost in the Kent Village League.

They’ve had to concede three matches, due to fixture clashes, the sanction for which is suspension for the rest of the season and relegation to Division 2.

Leeds had attempted to rearrange the matches in question and have offered to play their remaining Division 1 fixtures as friendlies.

“We’re in the quarter-finals of the National Village Cup, which is absolutely fantastic,” said Leeds chairman and former captain Chris Davis.

“We’re two wins from Lord’s, which is a positive about it all.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the impact that’s had on playing in the league but I think they probably just need to review their rules going forward.

“If you concede three games you’re suspended and then relegated. You’d need to have two sides out on a Sunday, which is very difficult.

“It’s a shame. It’s one of those where we hoped they would make an exception but unfortunately not.

“It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at Lord’s, so we’ve had to prioritise that and unfortunately the games have clashed with Sunday League fixtures.

“I think the club’s really excited about the next couple of months and we’ll take each game as it comes but it would be awesome to get to Lord’s.

“We’ve got a trip to Norfolk for the quarter-finals, which will be good, and hopefully we’ll make some memories.”

Leeds & Broomfield kept their Lord’s bid on track with a six-wicket success at Redbourn on Sunday.

Max Aitken (4-35) and Phillip Semmens (3-26) shared seven wickets as Redbourn were held to 181-9.

Aitken also starred with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 84 off 79 balls, while captain and fellow opener Monte McCague made 48.

They travel to Ashmanhaugh and Barton Wanderers in the quarter-finals on Sunday, July 16.

Leeds & Broomfield are also enjoying a season to remember in the Kent Cricket League.

Their Saturday 1st XI are 17 points clear at the top of Division 1 after beating Broadstairs by 129 runs.

They closed on 182-8 before five wickets apiece for Neil Dibben and McCague saw their opponents skittled for 53.

Promotion would take Leeds & Broomfield into the second tier for the first time in their history, while the 2nd XI are fifth in Division 6 Hurricane.

“It’s a priority as well to make sure we continue where we are on Saturday,” said chairman Davis.

“The players are doing a great job across all three teams but the first team are top and in the highest position we’ve ever been.

“We’ve never been in the second tier of the Kent League, so that’s just as exciting.”

Leeds are also looking forward to their first-ever cricket week, which will be held from July 31 to August 6.

The highlight is set to be a match against the MCC on August 3 and the following day there will be a charity game raising money for Iggy’s Fund – the Alan Igglesden Foundation.

Davis said: “We’ve got a big marquee going up for the week and we’re selling tables for that. There’s lots going on.

“The club’s in good shape. It’s credit to so many people, who are involved in so many different ways.

“From those putting in so much effort with the juniors though to the old members who come and watch week in, week out, there’s so many different people involved. It’s an exciting couple of months ahead.”

For more information on Leeds & Broomfield’s cricket week, visit the club website.