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Junior League Secrestary's Report Season 1996
The Northern League's Inter - League season began on a very damp and miserable day on Leyland Cricket Club's Fox Lane ground and ended on an even worse day in August on the same ground.
In between those two matches, however, the young players of the Northern League enjoyed an extremely successful and encouraging season.
On the 26th May, the Saddleworth League were treated to some more outstanding hospitality by the members of Leyland Cricket Club and were handed a bit of a thrashing by the Northern League Under 18 XI into the bargain.
This game was first one in the North West Colts Trophy's Group A, and it was closely followed by round one of the Manchester Evening News Competition, against the highly fancied Bolton League at Horwich C C.
Outstanding performances from Gareth White (105 not out) and Paul O'Sullivan 4 for 30) saw us safely through but not without a hiccup or two along the way.
The second match in the North West Colts Trophy was against the Southport League, and it was played on the Fleetwood Hesketh ground, the condition of which was a credit to both the League and the Club.
The Northern League enjoyed a fairly easy win, but the game was really memorable for one reason.
Due to the absence of Stephen Twist, because of vehicle breakdown on the motorway on the way to the game, Nassar Afsar was drafted in at the very last moment and his bowling return of 10 overs, 1 maiden, 4 wickets for 20 runs made me wonder why he wasn't in the original eleven.
Of course, he reclaimed his place for the third North West Colts group game at Grappenhall C C against the Cheshire County League "A" team,and along with "youngster", Adam Cotton, he ensured a worry free victory on what used to be Neil Fairbrother's home ground.
The annual "Friendly" fixture between the Northern League and the County's Under 17's at St Annes saw us experience our first defeat, albeit a very narrow one.
In a high scoring game, on a very flat pitch, Lancashire Under 17's , overtook the home team's score of 242 for 4 (Duncan Catterall - 101, Anthony Moore - 52) in the last over of their innings, winning by seven wickets.
This game was followed by our poorest display of the season in a home defeat by our friends from the Lancashire County League in the Manchester Evening News Semi - Final.
It appeared that most of our team chose this day to have a lapse in form, and before the game we were clear favourites to go through to the prestigious final, but it wasn't to be
The Lancashire County League had other ideas.
Our form was rediscovered on the visit of the Cheshire Cricket League to Stanley Park, Blackpool in the last of the North West Colts Group matches.
Notable performances were seen from Captain Duncan Catterall, Michael Moore and Paul O'Sullivan, ensuirng that the opposition were rolled over for a meagre 67 runs, but the most memorable part of the innings was an outstanding display of wicketkeeping by Duncan Whalley who took 5 catches behind the stumps, each catch being one to remember.
Ian McDonnell and Tommy Prime knocked off the required runs without any difficulty thus ensuring a place in the semi - final against the Cheshire County League at Darwen.
Unfortunately, the semi - final date coincided with the beginning of the Inter - County Competition at Cambridge and at the request of our opponents, the start of the match was brought forward to 11-00 am to allow the "County" players in their squad plenty of time to get to Cambridge after the completion of the game.
This arrangement somewhat backfired on the Northern League as the coach carrying the Cumbrian team to Cambridge took to the road at 11-00 am, therefore we were unable to include our "County" players from Cumbria, Gareth White, Tommy Prime and Dale Innif in the team.
The best team on the day ran out easy winners, and the defeat brought to an end another Inter - League Season for the Under 18's.
Although the team were eliminated from both competitions at the Semi - Final stage I feel that the Season was a successful one , most of the squad will still be eligible in "97" which could mean that we may reach the final or two come next September.
In 1994, the Under 15 representative squad under Tom Scott's expert guigance won the prestigious Michael Roche Inter - League Trophy, and sure enough they did it again in 1996, this time under the management of Barry Evans.
Fabulous bowling, defending an only average total of 187 for 9 (40 overs) saw the South West Manchester League easily overcome in the Semi - Final at St Annes, but it wan't that easy in the final on a wet wicket at Orrell Red Triangle C C on the 25th August.
Thanks to a true captains innings of 95 not out by Gareth Evans a score of 185 was achieved, a total which was always going to be difficult to defend.
However, again the bowlers came through and some superb fielding (4 run outs) enabled the Northern League to restrict the Bolton League to 167 for 9 (Rain interrupted the Bolton innings and the readjusted total of 170 in 37 overs had been set).
This thrilling game went to the last ball but the final result again proved that the young players of the Northern League are a match for anyone.
Due to the pressure of work, Barry Evans resigned at the end of the season as the Under 15 manager and in thanking him for his sterling work in a winning season we also wish his successor Norman Allen every success in "97"
The Under 25 Representative Season was rather a disappointment when compared with the excellent prefomances enjoyed in past seasons at this level.
A mid - week match at Leyland DAF C C, against the strong Club Cricket Conference Touring side proved to be a non - event as the majority of the first choice players were unavailable due to work commitments.
Consequently, a very young side suffered a heavy defeat, giving the tourists a distorted view of the strength of the Northern League.
The Annual Challenge Match against the Bolton Association Under 25's was a disappointment due to the inclement typical "Bank Holiday" weather.
However, before the rain brought the proceedings to an early close, spectators had the chance to enjoy an ecellent unbeaten knock of 95 by Andrew Mawson.
In 1997, there will be a full League Programme in the Northern League on August Bank Holiday Monday so at the time of writing this excellent fixture's future must be in doubt if an alternative date cannot be found.
The National Westminster Bank Sponsored Under 18 League was competed for by all the Northern League Clubs in "96" and competition was keen.
The top four clubs to compete for the "Premiership" title were Darwen, St Annes, Fleetwood and Leyland DAF with DAF claiming the League Championship.
In the play - offs for a place in the final, Darwen played Fleetwood and DAF entertained St Annes, Leyland DAF and Fleetwood coming out on top.
In a well contested final Leyland DAF ran out winners thus becoming the first club to do the "double" in the Junior Competition, and bring to an end St Annes wonderful run of four consecutive wins in the final.
Congratulations to Leyland DAF and commiserations to Fleetwood after losing in the final for a second consecutive year.
On closing this report I must thank all those who helped to make 1996 Junioer Section such an enjoyable success.
The superb hospitality provided by Leyland, St Annes, Blackpool, Darwen and Leyland DAF when hosting the Inter - League games deserves a special mention and of course our grateful thanks.
Thanks also to Roger Harrison for his admiistrative help and experience and to all the umpires, scorers, caterers and groundsmen etc, etc.for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the season.
I look forward to the "97" season which will probably be the last season of the League in its present form, due to the commencement of the Premier League in 1998.
With this in mind I hope that the summer of "98" will be a vintage year, one that will live in the memory for many a year to come.
Clive Henderson
Assistant Secretary (Juniors)
National Westminster Bank
Northern Junior League
Table 1996
| Club |
P |
W |
L |
N/R |
Pts |
| Leyland DAF |
11 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
18 |
| Darwen |
11 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
16 |
| Fleetwood |
11 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
15 |
| St Annes |
11 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
15 |
| Morecambe |
11 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
14 |
| Blackpool |
11 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
12 |
| Lancaster |
11 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
12 |
| Netherfield |
11 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
12 |
| Chorley |
11 |
4 |
7 |
0 |
8 |
| Kendal |
11 |
3 |
8 |
0 |
6 |
| Leyland |
11 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
| Preston |
11 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
Championship Play - Offs
Semi - Finals
| Leyland DAF |
130/4 |
beat |
St Annes |
118/8 |
| Darwen |
93/9 |
lost to |
Fleetwood |
100 |
Final
| Leyland DAF |
100/4 |
beat |
Fleetwood |
99 |
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