IT’S THE end of an era as Peter Skuse has left Saddleworth after 16 years as their professional.
However, the Aussie-born Skuse has not been lost to the Saddleworth League as he has been captured by Micklehurst.
And the challenge facing the all-rounder, who previously played for Queensland’s second team, is to help revive the fortunes of Micklehurst who have finished bottom in each of the last two seasons.
Saddleworth were the highest finishers of the local clubs in the Saddleworth League last summer as they were third behind champions Heyside and runners-up Glodwick.
Austerlands and Moorside, both mid-table last summer, have both strengthened and have high hopes of challenging for honours.
Here is what is happening at the local clubs
AUSTERLANDS
There is a new professional with the capture of Asif Zakir who was paid man at Greenmount in the Bolton League for the last three seasons.
Zakir, a batsman/off-spin bowler, comes with a good track record and recently captained Karachi to a championship success in Pakistan.
Austerlands also have a new overseas amateur, Aussie Cameron Roxby who is an opening bowler/batsman and a former member of the Australia under-18 development squad.
The overseas duo replace last year’s pro Imran Aslam, who has signed for Saddleworth, and Aussie Luke Sullivan.
Austerlands have lost Andy Cadd who has joined Delph but welcome back Neil Inkpen after a year out from the game.
FRIARMERE
This time last year the club was in crisis wondering whether it could muster enough players to be able to compete in the league.
The crisis was averted at the 11th hour and Friarmere went on to finish 10th in the 14-club division.
Chairman John Morris predicts it will be another struggle, though the club has re-engaged professional Adrian Farooq.
And a glimmer of sunshine last summer was the success of the under-17’s as the team won the Romida Trophy.
GREENFIELD
Chris Gill remains professional and he ought to hit the ground running having spent the winter playing club cricket in Australia.
Gill has also recruited an overseas amateur from Down Under while bowler Adam Robinson is returning to the club after a ten-year absence.
And with a number of juniors pushing for a place in the senior side, Greenfield will be looking to build on last season’s sixth spot.
The expulsion of Bamford Fieldhouse also means Greenfield have won a place in the LCB Cup which provides added interest for the forthcoming season.
MICKLEHURST
After finishing bottom for each of the last two seasons, the only way is up for the Richmond Hill side.
The club has resolved its financial troubles to such a degree that they have engaged a professional – Peter Skuse – for the first time since returning to the Saddleworth League after a seven-year stint in the Huddersfield League.
They are hoping Skuse, who spent 16 years as pro at Saddleworth, can help transform the club’s fortunes.
President David Radford said: “We are hoping Peter’s ability and experience can pull us off bottom spot.
“We are looking to build and it is a big thank you to the lads who have stuck with us week in, week out during two difficult years.”
MOORSIDE
The capture of professional Grant Hodnett, who was at Bamford Fieldhouse last season, has set alight expectations for the season for the club which finished eighth last summer, but reached the finals of both the Tanner Cup and Twenty20.
The South African-born Hodnett (31) spent four years at Gloucestershire between 2005/09 and is an accomplished batsman who scored 216 not out for Bamford Fieldhouse against Micklehurst in 2012.
South African overseas amateur Francois Mostert is back for a third season while the club has also signed wicketkeeper/batsman Jamie Dell while opening bowler has returned after a year out.
Captain Danny Anchor said: “Grant is a very good signing and everybody is buzzing and cannot wait for the season to begin.
“We are being mentioned by other clubs as favourites, but it is difficult to say what will happen, especially as there are three new clubs in the league who will be unknown quantities.
“It is fair to say we are a lot stronger than last year and on paper we ought to have one of the strongest sides so hopefully we can challenge for silverware.”
SADDLEWORTH
It’s the dawning of a new era at Saddleworth following the departure of long-serving professional Peter Skuse.
Saddleworth, who finished third last season, have a replacement with a proven record in the league as Imran Aslam has been a formidable wicket taker for Austerlands, Uppermill and Glodwick.
The club also has a new overseas amateur Mario Boyce, an all-rounder from Barbados, as it looks to build on last season’s successful campaign.
UPPERMILL
Finances, or the lack of them, dictate Uppermill will not have a professional this summer as former Lancashire player Darren Shadford was paid man in 2013.
There is a possibility an overseas amateur may arrive, but their target is currently having problems obtaining a visa to enter the country.
Uppermill have signed bowler Michael Brooks who last played for Astley and Tyldesley and he replaces Mark Lees who has left to work outside the area.
And the second team is also anticipating Cec Wright will again be turning out for them having celebrated his 80th birthday last December. He has been attending indoor nets in readiness for the new campaign.
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