Chairman's Report - 1992

Ray Taylor (March 1993)

Although slightly better than 1991, our junior representative teams did not have a particularly successful summer last year. The Under 18 team was beaten in the first round of the Lancashire Inter-League Knock-Out by the Bolton Association. Batting second, three of our first four batsmen failed to score, and despite a useful partnership between top scorer Gary Prescott and David Morris the League just failed to overtake the Association total. The Under 15 team reached the Semi-Final of the Michael Roche trophy, but after restricting Salford to 152 for 8, were bowled out for 109, with Paul Jackson scoring the bulk of the runs. A very disappointing outcome for such an apparently strong batting side.

The Under 13 team was the most successful, winning three out of their four games including victory over the Association in the Teddy Gerrard Trophy. Against the S.W Lanes League, Bobby Horricks and Christian Walsh took the score from 15-3 to over 200 with the former hitting a century. The third team championship was won by a young Heaton team, with Farnworth Social Circle runners-up. Gary Prescott, the only member of Heaton's under 18's to play much first team cricket, topped the batting averages with just over 68 and all rounder Stephen Hall won the league howling prize.

The Jake Tatlock final, played on a very wet pitch with long interruptions for rain ensuring the match was carried over to the following evening, was won by Egerton thanks to a good middle order knock from Nigel Barlow followed by a useful all-round bowling performance. The Parkinson brothers ensured that Farnworth Social Circle made their rivals fight to the final overs for their victory.

The under 15 championship was won by Egerton with their all-conquering Under 15 side of two seasons ago finishing undefeated, with Walkden four points adrift. It was a different story in the Mervyn Porter K.O., Tonge securing a fine if surprising 10 wicket victory over Egerton in their Semi-Final; Horwich overcoming Bradshaw in the other match. In a much postponed cup final Tonge were worthy winners at the Recreation Ground. Nick Chesterton of Tonge was man of the match, but, although the players tried hard, a soft pitch due to the poor late season weather meant the match was a low scoring one.

Farnworth took the Under 13 championship, by a two point margin over Bradshaw. Egerton, the only team to beat them in the League, also defeated them on the way to the Harrison Cup Final. In a repeat of the third team final at Longworth Road, Egerton restricted Farnworth Social Circle to 222, but in the face of accurate bowling and keen fielding from the Circle team ended the game quite a long way in arrears. The most impressive individual performance of the season came from Bradshaw's Robbie Edmundson who set a new record by hitting 70 from his four overs.

The following junior players represented the County during 1992: Under 19; C. Duxbury (Kearsley), D. Hambleton (Farnworth), J. Ratledge (Kearsley), M. Taylor (Horwich). Jason Kerr played for the England Under 19s. Under 18; W. Luntley (Tonge), J. Ratledge (Kearsley), M. Taylor (Horwich). Under 16; S. Hall (Heaton'), C. Wardle (Tonge). Under 15; S. Hornby and P. Jackson (Egerton), P. Neville and K. Webb (Greeninount). Under 14; S. Horriby (Egerton), M. Parkinson (Farnworth SC). Under 13; R. Edmondson (Bradshaw), C. Walsh (Farnworth SC), I. Haslam (Walkden). Under 11; T. Barrow and J. Mulligan (Farnworth SC), J. West (Heaton).

Thanks once again to all junior officials and junior team managers, who are reminded that they should notify the appropriate secretary of any player who they feel should be considered for the inter-league teams. Special congratulations to Egerton who reached the Lancashire final of the U15 N.C.A. knock-out, and who also reached the quarter final of the U13 K.O.