FOR the third consecutive year the Bolton League under 18tearm reached the final of the Lancashire Inter-League competition at Old Trafford.

 The first two rounds were won quite comfortably, despite the fact that a number of key players were missing from the side due to other commitments. The highlight of the first two rounds was Karl Krikken's century in the semi-final, which was ably staged by Tonge CC. In the final Lancashire and Cheshire batted first and scored 156-8 in their 40overs, a total which should have been within our reach. However only Karl Krikken, Warren Hogg, and lan Hill played innings of note, and after a slow start the later batsmen lost their wickets chasing quick runs.

 After winning the under 15 competition for the first three years, the Bolton League have now been defeated in the first round for the past two years. Last season, with three key players missing, our batsmen did extremely well to almost overhaul the Lancashire Colts total in excess of 200 with David Sandiford just failing to complete a quick half century towards the end of our innings. Again in 1987 the Bolton League will only be playing representative matches at under 18 and under 15 level in the K.O. competitions.

 Third Team Cricket

 AS anticipated Tonge were third team league champions. Skipper Steven Vose won the individual batting and bowling performance awards and very nearly won the third team bowling prize. Mark Heath won the second team bowling prize and various other members of the side played in a very strong second team. Undoubtedly the team's success of the season was wicketkeeper/batsman and occasional bowler Warren Hegg who became the first Bolton League under 18 player to play for the full County side since Stephen O'Shaughnessy.

 Throughout the season Tonge were closely persued by Walkden and Little Lever with Paul Perry and David Smith from the former and Jonathon Garstang and Ian Settle of the latter playing first team cricket.

 Jake Tatlock winners were Greenmount who defeated Astley Bridge in the final. Neil Earing, Andrew Williams, Darren Foy and Philip Heaton have all played for Greenmount's senior side as have Karl Krikken, Phil Warren and the Gwilt brothers Mark and Mick at Bridge.

 Next season Tonge will have lost a number of their senior players, which will leave Astley Bridge, Heaton, Little Lever, Greenmount and Walkden all with a good chance of success in what promises to be the most open competition for some years.

 Under-15 Cricket

 THERE was really only one team in it for 1986, although Tonge and Greenmount threatened to challenge them at times.

 Heaton won not only the Bolton League under 15 League and Cup double but also progressed to the Lancashire under 15 K.O. final at Old Trafford where they won many friends with theri behaviour. Occasionally an under 15 player will make his way into his club's first team, Heaton's under 15 captain Ronnie Irani did this by the time he was 13. Last season at the age of 14 he scored 200 runs at an average of 40 in the latter part of the season. Just for good measure he also won the League's under 18 and under 15 bowling prizes. This is not to suggest Heaton were a one man team, for example they won the first final at Old Trafford without him and on several occasions David Sandiford turned in the better all round performance in a junior game.

 As mentioned previously three of Greenmounts players all made occasional appearances for their club's first team along with Bridge's Mick Gwilt. Egerton's Michael Booth played most of the second half of the season.

 Next season Kearsley will be favourites for honours, but Bradshaw, Eagley, Greenmount and Westhoughton will provide a threat, along with Heaton depending on Ronnie Irani's availability.

 Under-13 Cricket

 GREENMOUNT were the outstanding team in this section winning both the Clitheroe and Harrison Trophies. Captained by Philip Williams they had a strong all-round team with John Sharples the outstanding individual. Eagley were perhaps the most unfortunate team of the season, being the only ones to defeat Greenmount in the League, taking them to a three-way North Section play off with Tonge and losing a wicket in the last over of the cup final which cost them the match.

 South Section winners Little Lever had no real challengers, but were well beaten in the North v South sections play off for the championship by Greenmount. In 1987 all the under 13 teams will again play each other, but to relieve the pressure on Sunday mornings the format of the cup competition will be arranged later in the season.

 Finally I would like to thank Neville Neville and Eric Smith for running two of the junior leagues during 1986 and also our treasurer Olivia Hill and chairman John Roberts. For 1987 Derek Slater who has been running junior teams at Astley Bridge for several years will replace Neville who has taken up some obscure cricketing post elsewhere.