Secretary Trevor Harrison has reflected on a successful season in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.
And Mr Harrison believes the competition was enhanced and enriched by the arrival of three new clubs following the folding of the Manchester Association.
“It has definitely been good for the league to have the new clubs, even though none of them won anything,” he explained.
Whalley Range and Wythenshawe acquitted themselves well to finish mid-table, though South West Manchester found it a struggle as they ended in bottom spot.
Mr Harrison added it was a competitive championship with a number of clubs in with a chance of winning the title until it went to Glodwick.
And for the main, he explained that discipline was generally good.
“There were a couple of serious incidents which have been well documented and which received a lot of publicity. Apart from them, it has been pretty good,” he explained.
Mr Harrison added that the decision made by the league that clubs administer disciplinary matters – the league only intervenes if they are unhappy with the action taken – has worked well.
The Saddleworth League will operate with 15 clubs in 2015 following Heyside’s departure to join the CLL. There was no application to replace them and Mr Harrison says they leave with everyone’s good wishes.
Mr Harrison believes it will only be a matter of time before there is a restructuring of league cricket in Greater Manchester will all the leagues in dialogue with one another.
They are keen to strengthen the structure of league cricket to avoid any other leagues folding following the loss of the Manchester Association.
The Saddleworth League is heavily involved in those meetings and Mr Harrison explained: “I am sure there will be changes in the future, but have no idea what they are likely to entail at this stage.
“They won’t happen in 2015 and we will have to wait and see if anything can be done for the 2016 season.”
2014 Roll of honour
First division, champions: Glodwick
First division, runners up: Saddleworth
Tanner Cup, winners: Heyside
Tanner Cup, runner up: Moorside
Twenty20 Cup, winners: Uppermill
Twenty20 Cup, runners up: Glodwick
Second division, champions: Droylsden
Moore Cup, winners: Uppermill
