CLL clubs vote on two divisions

AMATEUR CRICKET: LAKE Garage CLL officials will tonight vote on a proposal to split the cricket league into two divisions for 2010.

Norden CC, runners-up this summer, came up with the idea after a league steering committee declined to propose any significant changes for next season.

But Norden’s suggestion, which will be discussed at a special Management Committee meeting before tonight’s agm at Middleton CC, is likely to be met with strong opposition.

The teams who finished in the bottom eight of the 16-club league in 2009 - including local sides Werneth, Oldham, Crompton and Royton - are likely to vote against the move to two divisions.

They will argue that no warning was given that teams finishing in the bottom eight could end up in a second division.


MILNROW have joined the junior section of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The Ladyhouse outfit have switched their under-18s team from the CLL to the under-17s division after they struggled to meet the demands of midweek cricket.

In the CLL, matches are over two nights and are of 40 overs per side. They play on one night in the Saddleworth League (22 overs per side).

Moorside and Bamford Fieldhouse are also in the under-17s for next year to take the number of teams up to 12. Bamford dropped out before the beginning of last season, but are set to give it another go.

There was a suggestion to lift the age level from under-17s to under-18s, but this was turned down.

Stalybridge and Stayley have entered the under-13s division but Hollinwood have resigned, leaving 13 to contest the league crown.

The strength of the under-15s division is up by one to 14 teams after the inclusion of Royton, who have enough youngsters on their books to enter sides in both the CLL and Saddleworth League junior competitions.

Divisions —

Under-13s: Austerlands, Bamford Fieldhouse, Droylsden, Glodwick, Heyside, Moorside, , Royton, Saddleworth (two teams), Shaw, Stayley, Uppermill, Stalybridge

Under-15s: Austerlands, Bamford Fieldhouse, Droylsden, Friarmere, Glodwick, Heyside, Moorside, , Royton, Saddleworth (two teams), Shaw (two teams), Stayley, Uppermill.

Under-17s: Austerlands, Bamford Fieldhouse, Droylsden, Friarmere, Glodwick, Heyside, Milnrow, Moorside, Saddleworth, Shaw, Stayley, Uppermill.


FORMER Crompton leg spinner Dale Highton is enjoying a successful winter Down Under.

The 21-year-old, who plays for Middleton in the Lake Garage CLL, is turning out for the Melbourne University team in the Victoria Premier League.

And he has already made an impact, taking 18 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in one match.

Although primarily a bowler, Dale has a top score of 27 for the Melbourne team which he joined in September and will continue to represent until he returns home for the start of next season’s CLL programme in April.