Bermuda's cricket clubs have backed national coach Mark Harper's call to revitalise to the sport on the Island.

At a special general meeting called by the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control last night, affiliates voted by a massive 14 to five to slash the number of teams in the current Premier Division from 15 to eight in a bid to improve standards throughout the country.

However, though the plan had been in the works for some time, the surprising aspect is that it is to be implemented from this season, which is due to start in just a few short weeks.

Whereas it was thought that any such changes, last seen four years ago, would be brought in for the 2003/2004 season, bringing it in now will mean that some clubs will not get the chance to fight for a place among the elite.

That means the Premier will be made up of St.David's, Western Stars, St.George's, Southampton, Bailey's Bay, Flatts, Somerset CC and Cleveland County.

While the First will feature Willow Cuts, Police, PHC, Devonshire Rec., Warwick, Somerset Bridge, Social Club and the national Under-21s.

In a draft proposal, presented at the recent annual general meeting, coach Harper had suggested the Under-21 team be included among the Premier's ranks.

However, a committee formed subsequently and including the coach, opted to put the youngsters in with the First Division.

BCBC President Reggie Pearman said at the end of the two and a half hour meeting at Warwick Workmens Club that unlike last time, the top tier would not be called the Super Eight.

"We are going to have a Premier and First Division," he said. "Nothing about a Super Eight. There will be a Premier Division and it will include the top eight teams from last season.

"The clubs voted to start from this season, not next season, and that's what we have to do," the President went on. "They were given notice and had ample time to view the proposals and knew there would possibly be two divisions this year. They were given this format to look at last October."

In a further development, Pearman revealed there would be a revised transfer system.

Players would be unable to move from First Division to Premier Division clubs for two years, allowing teams in the lower echelons time to build a solid foundation.

Pearman said most of the teams in the new First Division had been struggling for some three to four years and the national team coach had argued it was vitally important for teams to play those of a like standard.

The Premier and First Division will be played on Sundays, Pearman added.

Meanwhile, teams are also looking into the possibility of forming a reserve league if numbers are sufficient. Matches would take place on a Saturday.

A new knockout policy was also adopted at the meeting, with three separate tournaments being drawn up. One will feature teams from both the Premier and First Divisions, the second will be exclusively for the top flight and the third solely for the second tier.