Colts enter Readers Cup for first time
Tom Bailey in bowling action for the Colts in 2010
|
Lancashire Colts are looking forward to a second season in the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls).
The Colts fielded a side in the League Division One for the first time in 2010 and played each member club once, all away from home with the points counting in the final table. The Colts won three and lost seven of their 13 games, with one draw and two abandonded games and earned 79 points.
This year the Colts will also compete for the first time in the Readers Cup.
Jason Swift, the Performance Analyst at Old Trafford will again captain the side in most of the games. Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire Cricket Director and the Academy Director John Stanworth remain closely involved in the project.
Speaking at the league's pre season meeting Jason Swift said: "We are looking forward immensely to the season. We have learnt a lot from last year. We want to go into the season with an idea what the team will be for each game. We have checked on the availability of players and intend to field sides that are balanced and strong.
"We went into every game last year with the intention of winning and will do the same again. We also have the added bonus of competing in the Readers Cup, which will be a good experience."
The Colts used nearly 60 players during the 2010 season with Astley Bridge CC batsman Avhinavan Arumagan making most runs with 219 at an average of 43.80. Vernon Carus CC bowler Tom Bailey took eight wickets at 11.63. Northern League cricketers Alex Davies (Darwen), Liam Livingstone (Barrow), Yakub Bhamji (Darwen) and Henry Thopmson (Leyland) all represented the Colts in 2010.
Bailey's promise in the Colts games earned him a run in the Lancashire Second XI towards the end of the season while Ormskirk CC bowler Gavin Griffiths later won a place on the recent England U17 development squad tour of South Africa.
"Tom Bailey was an unknown at the start of the year and was a real success story," says Swift. "The same applies to Gavin. Playing in the league enabled us to have a good look at promising young cricketers in a highly competitive match situation.
"Though we aim to have a more settled squad this season we will keep places open for anyone who is making runs or taking wickets in the leagues."
Swift, an accomplished league cricketer with Bolton League champions and LCB Knock-Out Cup winners Farnworth will again bat down the order and act as a mentor to the young players under his command.
"I'm going to miss about five games due to Lancashire commitments which is a shame as I'd like to play in all the games," he added. "The intention is to fill my spot with a senior member of the staff to keep up the consistency. We had some great games last year and the one at Leyland (which the eventual champions won by two wickets) was one of the best league games I've ever played in."
Lancashire Colts begin their season with a game at Fleetwood in Round 3 on Saturday 30 April (1pm). They then play Leyland at Fox Lane on Monday 2 May before travelling to Kendal on Sunday 8 May.
Their remaining fixtures are as follows: Barrow (22 May), Preston (29th May), St Annes (4th June), Netherfield (12th June), Darwen (3rd July), Chorley (17th July), Blackpool (31st July), Morecambe (13th August), Carnforth (28th August), Lancaster (4th September).
In addition the Colts face Fleetwood at Broadwater in the first round of the Readers Cup (Sun 19 Jun, 2pm). The winners are away at St Annes in the quarter-final on 10 July.
The Colts celebrate the wicket of Fleetwood pro Matthew Frith in 2010
|
