Mike Buckley (March 2008)
Writing this Report in March and it is snowing!!!! and together with all the rain that we had in 2007, the 2008 Cricket season seems an awfully long way away ‑ but indoor nets will have started at most Clubs and I am sure everyone connected with Junior cricket is gearing up for the coming season.
Looking back on the 2007 season few would have predicted Horwich's domination at junior level, and it would need a special team playing excellent cricket to pip them to a League Title. Many congratulations therefore to Westhoughton C.C, who put together an almost perfect season, winning every single match they played in the League to win the U18's Championship‑ well done to everyone involved at Westhoughton. Horwich of course won the cup, so many congratulations to them as well.
At Under 15 level the season was dominated by a Double winning team, Horwich C.C, who held off all challengers in the League and added the Mervyn Porter Trophy following an excellent all round performance in the Cup Final against Kearsley. Congratulations to all at Horwich C.C.
In our younger age groups Horwich CC deservedly won the League and cup double at Under 13's level whilst Bradshaw CC were runners up League and Astley Bridge in the cup.
The Walkden Festival took place this year after the wash out last year. Congratulations therefore go to Famworth S.C on winning this trophy, with Astley Bridge the runners up. Thanks also to the organisers at Walkden for a super day out.
At Inter League level we had highs and lows, the high coming at U10's with the side beating the Heavywoolen League in a three match tri series, a superb achievement and congratulations to the players and managers. The low came in the Michael Roche U15's Competition as we were knocked out in the first round against are old rivals the Palace Shield League. The U13's were also knocked out the semifinal of the Peak Sports against the Cheshire League. At U18's a young side performed well, only losing out on reaching the MEN semifinal because of a rained off fixture.
One of the joys of watching and supporting Junior cricket is seeing young players develop and it is always one of the highlights at the League's Presentation evening to recognise and reward an exciting talent ‑ Phillip Cavill from Horwich C.C won the U/16 Most Promising Player award for a truly outstanding season. not only for his performances at junior level but at Senior level and for the County, we wish you every success for the future
Talking of "developing talent" gives me the opportunity to thank all of those Coaches Team Managers, volunteers, parents etc, at every single club who give up their time nearly every day of each week, during a busy cricket season to support, help and nurture the young cricketers of tomorrow. Your effort, enthusiasm and dedication is greatly appreciated . So too is the "extra‑curricular" activity of all those Coaches who have helped to form our unique League Coaching structure under the leadership of Paul Tebay
During the winter of 2007 the Coaching Committee organised a comprehensive programme of indoor Coaching sessions available to all Clubs, and have already outlined their plans for 2008 and beyond which reflects the League's commitment to Junior cricket. These proposals and initiatives are intended to supplement, not take over, the work each Club does in regard to developing Junior Cricket. One way for Clubs to become even more proficient is to achieve CLUBMARK status which will strengthen the Club both administratively and financially. We currently have 6 Clubmark Clubs (Astley Bridge, Bradshaw, Eagley, F.S.C, Heaton and Little Lever) and it should be our objective to have all 14 Member Clubs reach that status at the earliest date. The opportunities and benefits which will flow to each Club far outweighs the effort required to attain the Clubmark accreditation.
Finally may I thank John Hutchinson, Barry Cryer and Ian Cavill for all their hard work throughout the season as our Age Level administrators. Without their dedication the League programme would not get completed, and similar thanks to Mrs Hobbis for all her hard work in publicizing our results in the Bolton News, not forgetting Bill Stevenson who as Treasurer respectively, work so tirelessly behind the scenes.
Good Luck and Good Cricket to all in 2008.
Mike Buckley Junior Secretary