Leyland Smith, secretary of the Towergate Halifax League, said: "It is almost certain that we will pull out.

"The problem is that the matches are played at the same time of the season as our own cup competitions and it is always difficult to raise a side for it. It never seems possible to change the dates."

Halifax had to concede their first round tie to the Bradford League this summer when it clashed with the Parish Cup and Crossley Shield and another date could not be agreed.

Simon Wood's side then lost by seven wickets to the Aire/Wharfe League at Knaresborough although the team boss could not be present as he was playing for eventual beaten finalists SBCI in the Parish Cup.

Smith said he believed the Bradford League and one other league had already dropped out of the White Rose competition for 2009.

Meanwhile, Halifax League clubs will vote at the December meeting whether to retain groups or switch to knockout matches in the early stages of the Twenty20 competition, won this year by Mytholmroyd at Triangle.