CLL urged to opt for two divisions

Luke Procter

THE four local CLL teams would play in two different divisions under a proposal to completely revamp the league on a trial basis for the next two seasons.

Walsden CC have submitted their plan to the league and it is likely to be discussed at tomorrow night’s delegates meeting at Middleton CC.

Should Walsden’s proposal be accepted in its current form, Crompton and Oldham would play in an eight-team division, with Royton and Werneth in another.

The divisions would be compiled on a geographical basis, as follows:

Conference ‘A’ - Crompton, Oldham, Heywood, Milnrow, Norden, Littleborough, Rochdale, Walsden.

Alpha Conference – Royton, Werneth, Ashton, Clifton, Middleton, Monton and Weaste, Radcliffe, Unsworth.

Both divisions would see teams play each other home and away, while clubs would play their counterparts in the other division once. This would produce 22 matches.

Winners of each division would contest a final to decide the winners of the CLL title.

Similar formats have been suggested in previous years and, in producing their blueprint for the future, Walsden believe their plan would include the following advantages.



::Matches would be played mainly on Sundays and there would be fewer double-fixture weekends.



::More reserve dates would be available for rain-affected fixtures.



::Fewer fixtures would allow more flexibility to accommodate Lancashire Cup and Inter-League matches, along with Twenty20 games.

Walsden conclude: “Cricket is changing and so are the economies of running cricket clubs. We feel the league should as well.”

A decision on the proposal is highly unlikely tomorrow, although there is expected to be some support from a number of clubs.

More immediate action is likely to be scrutiny of Walsden’s proposal by the CLL’s Management Committee.




ROYTON professional Luke Procter’s career with Lancashire reached a new high when he scored a century and half-century for the second team against Durham.



The batting strip at South Cumberland CC was obviously to Procter’s liking as he made 63 in the first innings before following up with 141 in the second.

Alas, his efforts were in vain as Lancashire went down by four wickets.

Also in action during this game were Procter’s fellow CLL players Steven Cheetham (Heywood) and Vishal Tripathi (Milnrow).

Cheetham took two for 65 in Durham’s first innings and four for 46 in the second.

Tripathi, meanwhile, hit 59 in Lancashire’s second innings.