Champions St Annes begin defence at Lune Road
Chris Williams in a newcomer to Morecambe |
The opening fixtures in the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls) are played this coming Saturday, 17 April (1pm).
Previews of all the member league clubs are on the news section of this website.
Andy Kellett takes reigning champions St Annes to begin their title defence at Lancaster, led for the first time by Michael Stevens.
Runners-up Preston host Fleetwood at West Cliff with Adam Parker leading out the home side for the first time and the visitors captained by their new Australian professional Matt Frith.
Chorley, with Andy Holdsworth in charge are at home to Blackpool, again led by Paul Danson and Leyland open their campaign against Carnforth.
David Makinson again takes charge at Fox Lane with Darren Moore resuming at Carnforth skipper.
Marc Hadwin leads Netherfield for the first time against Tommy Clough's Morecambe while John Cordingley's Darwen host Kendal, again captained by professional Ross McMillan. Barrow have no game but instead take the opportunity to play their annual challenge match against Furness CC.
Most clubs hope to have their professionals here in time for the opening fixtures and the performances of the newcomers will be closely analysed in the coming weeks.
Chorley have South African all rounder J J Smuts in action against Blackpool's new Sri Lankan pro Nimesh Perera in one of the clashes of the day. Netherfield's Queensland opener Nick Kruger makes his debut at Parkside Road while Lancaster's Roy Silva, fresh from back-to-back Lancashire League titles with Accrington is up against Dinuka Hettiarachchi, the leading wicket-taker in the league last year for St Annes.
Leyland hope their new pro, South African Brett Pelser will be available for his Fox Lane bow. Darwen's Mohammad Zaman Khan returns to Birch Hall after several sub-pro assignments last season.
Ross McMillan returns as Kendal pro for a third year, Gareth Pedder is back for a second season at Carnforth and South African Mandla Mashimbyi has returned to Woodhill Lane for a second season with Morecambe. Bilal Asad is back for a fifth season with Preston while Pasan Wanasinghe returns for a fourth season at Barrow.
Several clubs have recruited promising and talented English players and the performances of two of the Westmorland League's leading lights, Phil Bovis (ex-Warton) with Carnforth and Chris Williams (ex-Silverdale) with Morecambe will be closely watched.
The highly-rated James Reynard joins Chorley from Bolton League side Horwich.
As ever the league looks wide open and any side is capable of beating another. There is the added interest of a Lancashire Colts side playing in the league for the first time. They will play each side once, beginning with a trip to Fleetwood on Sunday 25 April.
Phil Bovis is a newcomer to Carnforth |
Fleetwood test for last season's runners-up Preston
Carnforth's line-up for the 2010 season |
Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls)
Fixtures
Saturday 17 April
2010
(Round One)
Division One (1pm start)
Chorley v Blackpool
Darwen v Kendal
Lancaster v St Annes
Leyland v Carnforth
Netherfield v Morecambe
Preston v Fleetwood
Barrow no game
Division Two (2nd XI, 1pm start)
Blackpool v Chorley
Carnforth v Leyland
Fleetwood v Preston
Kendal v Darwen
Morecambe v Netherfield
St Annes v Lancaster
Barrow no game
St Annes' captain Andy Kellett celebrates the 2009 title |
