Chairman's Report - 1988

IN 1988 Lancashire joined Cheshire for the Inter League K.O., and as a result of the additional number of matches to be played the Junior Committee decided to withdraw from the competition.

Once again (for the fifth time in six seasons) the Under 1 Steam reached the Lancashire K.O. Finals at Old Trafford, despite severe fixture problems. For the second successive year we were defeated by the Lancashire Colts by almost 100 runs chasing a total of 225 in the 40 overs.

In 1989 the Under 18 K.O. will be run in conjunction with the Senior Inter League K.O..with the Under 18 team playing on the same Sundays as the Senior team. The Under 15s will be continuing in their K.O.

Third Team Cricket

IN a closely fought league Little Lever came out on top with both Astley Bridge and Greenmount providing a strong challenge, with the title not decided until the last match of the season. The Jake Tatlock Final ended in a surprisingly comfortable victory for Bradshaw who defeated Little Lever despite the absence of two first team regulars. A good all round bowling performance restricted Little Lever to under 150. Then Mike Ward and man-of-the-match Nigel Duxbury put on over 100 for the opening partnership.

Little Lever perhaps had the strongest squad in 1988 with lan Settle and Jason Whittaker regular first team players with many of the others in the seconds. Greenmount were the victims of having a couple of outstanding players in Andy Williams and Philip Heaton who spent most of the summer representing the county at various levels. Although Heaton did play sufficient under 18 cricket to win the League Batting Prize. The Bowling Prize was won by Bridge's Steven Shepley, and his team mates lan Warren, Mark and Mark Gwilt also played for the club's first team. Two Bradshaw players managed rarely repeated performances, David Morris hitting a double century and Nigel Duxbury taking four wickets in four deliveries, all bowled. Two other players who would have undoubtedly made an impact had they not had commitments with the county Under 11 s hitting 621 runs in 13 innings at an average of 62. Including five half centuries and the first ever county century at this level. Just for good measure he also took 19 wickets at an average ofjust over 7. Stuart Hornby of Egerton played seven matches whilst his team mate Paul Stafford also made the squad.

Bradshaw's Under 13s reached the County K.O. Quarter Finals for the second successive season only to have a very depleated team thrashed again during Bolton Holidays.

Summary

FOR the fourth consecutive season there were no disciplinary problems in any of the Junior Leagues. Team managers and coaches as well as the players should be congratulated for this situation. Finally I would like to thank Olivia Hill, Treasurer since the Junior Committee was set up in 1984 who left the committee last year. The post will be filled by Connic Cooper, a member of Eagley C.C.